[mnehring]

The battlefields have changed drastically. I’ll trust they know what training is best.

[powderfan]

I think the old way of fighting battles is done (army against army). Wars are now fought from command posts thousands of miles away and from the air. In fact soldiers are now mostly relegated to peacekeeping and special opps.

[sam_paine]

I often wonder if, whether it was just to invade Iraq or not, that keeping the military in "a fight" somewhere is critical to keeping it running.

How we've learned to use and developed UAV's, MRAPs, anti-IED tactics, etc.

Use it or lose it.

[labette]

Let's get all our potential enemies to promise they will never engage us in up close and personal combat.

[paterfamilias]

I asked my son, a Marine, to comment on the new Army physical training program. His comment, typically succinct, follows:

“I don’t care how good your abs are, I’m pretty sure that they’re not gonna stop a bayonet thrust.”

As far as I know, the USMC continues to require that all USMC personnel, enlisted and officers alike, do 5-mile runs (fully equipped), do bayonet training, and continues to issue bayonets for the automatic rifles carried by all Marine ground forces.

[Thunder90]

I hear that alot of the guys use Crossfit over there to keep in shape. The Marines also use its elements in basic. This is from Crossfit.com.

[fso301]

I seem to remember bayonet training had also been dropped during the mid to late 1970’s only to be brought back in the 1980’s.

[robomatik]

bmflr

[pfflier]

Lost in all this was the comment that schools no longer require PT. Start raising wimps early and you will dilute the warrior mentality.

[AAABEST]

I'm fine with dropping bayonet training, but I hope the don't intend to quit issuing the M-9 bayonet.

When deployed, you can barely live without it.

Loved it so much that I bought one after I got out.

[bushpilot1]

“... it was advantage to have big soldiers
who could make good use of the bayonet,
but nowadays the cannon does everything
and the infantry often cannot get to grips with cold steel...”

- Frederick the Great

[Tainan]

A good blade and training in its use is still very important in CQB:

Well proven, versatile and it inspires both confidence in its user and fear in the enemy...;)
Less than US$40.00 ea. Such a bargain. Cheaper in bulk order.

[bushpilot1]

My guess the reason bayonet training is being eliminated in Basic is the female recruits. Ever see a female attack with a bayonet in basic?

I was armor. Is there bayonet training infantry AIT?