Posted on 08/07/2008 12:31:31 PM PDT by jmpmstr4u2
Training: Is It Killing Our Troops? Written by; SFC Gregory Parkinson
Our enemies are many and with their presence ever looming, war will always be in the forefront of our great leaders minds, but as the faces of war change and new advancements in training through technology are made, the questions then become; will they be enough to combat the “War on Terror” or will the reliance of technological advancements take away from the institutional thought of “Train as We Fight”?
"We are committed to defending the nation. Yet wars are not won on the defensive. The best way to keep America safe from terrorism is to go after terrorists where they plan and hide”. (1) President George W. Bush November 16, 2002
The institution of war has evolved ten-fold since the indoctrination was written on how to combat the enemies of the cold war; why is it still in use today? The United States (U.S.) is known for its renowned fire power superiority; and although there have been major technological advancements in training and equipment, we as a country have yet to figure out how to combat the War on Terror, both at home and abroad; moreover, the enemy itself.
It is no secret, the enemies of the United States want to see us dead and they will stop at nothing to ensure their mission is complete. To combat the War on Terror is a necessary concept in order to protect our freedoms and the American way of life, this much is understood.
What is not clear, is the process by which both are achieved. The difficulty comes in understanding what type(s) of training are needed for Soldiers to successfully deploy, engage and destroy our enemies both foreign and domestic; even if they are one in the same.
There has been an overwhelming concern from keys leaders in the field, many of whom feel that in order to fight this non-conventional war in both Afghanistan and Iraq; the cold war doctrine and theories need to be revamped and restructured in order to fit the ever changing face of battle.
The War on Terror is a simultaneous multi-phase application, whereas Soldiers must deal with a multitude of war fighting layers; again with training taught from outdated doctrine. (2)
Soldiers are fighting in a war that has no clear cut battle lines, there is no front and no rear. They are relying on instinct and a cross between old doctrine and new technological training in order to combat the unknown enemy, an enemy that has been fighting for thousands of years in an irregular manner and one who has achieved great success with their tried and proven style.
If we as the “super power” do not change our training style and thought process on how this type of war should be fought and won, then it will become inevitable that history will repeat itself. (2) (3) This statement is based upon a known historical perspective, in 1980, during the cold war, Russia invaded a poor non-threatening country, with limited military resources, by the name of Afghanistan.
Russia went into Afghanistan with the idea of achieving a quick and decisive victory, however; eight years later using their same “Cold War” doctrine which was developed to combat the U.S., slowly proved to be ineffective against a non-superior fighting force which used an irregular and unknown style of warfare. (4)
This ultimately led to the near destruction of the Russian military war machine and this is identical to the same unconventional type of warfare which the Soldiers of today’s Army are combating. (4) That being said, with all of the advancements in technology, are today’s Soldiers being given the necessary training and proper tools to successfully accomplish their mission?
Could it be that we leaving them to their own demise when left to face the enemy in real life and not through that of a computer screen? It is my observation, that the implementation of modern computer technology in the form of simulation(s) has been used to take the place of what was once known as “real boots on ground training”.
The thought that a Soldier can become a proficient warrior through the use of a simulated video game is unrealistic. Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect as there is no replacement for actual sweat and tears.
A comparison could be an Air Force pilot learning how to fly through use of a flight simulator without ever actually flying the plane. Yet be expected to know its limitations and capabilities when used to conduct a real world mission.
The enemies of today do not rely upon superior hi-tech advancements to eliminate their targets; they have simple ideals in association with simplistic means. As each day passes, they continue to accomplish their mission with great success. On the other hand, the U.S. is viewed by many as the world’s foremost “super power” with astounding equipment and resources. Unfortunately; with all of our advancements, this seems to have detracted or limited the Soldier’s ability to conquer the enemy.“The military was so convinced that technology would enhance its training methods that more than 45 million dollars would be spent on the projects between the years 2000-2005”. (5) Modern tools have enabled the U.S. armed forces to take a more lackadaisical approach to training.
What ever happened to the resonant phrase “Train as You Fight”? This has been the concept of military operations since the beginning of time. With this in mind one must argue, is this approach still pertinent in today’s Army? The answer should be a resounding YES; unfortunately, this can’t be farther from the truth.
The Department of Defense has over 25 million acres of land in its inventory set aside by Congress for maneuver and live-impact areas or buffer zones. Unfortunately, with the build-up of surrounding communities the undeveloped lands have become a nesting ground for those endangered wildlife and flora. (6) This has now left the land a protected environmental nightmare leaving most combat arms units unable to use the land for training purposes.
Realistic training is imperative to combat readiness, but more importantly to lives of those Soldiers who continue to fight for the American way of life and for the freedoms of others.
Is there a way to train modern technology and engage the “Train as You Fight” thought process in order to blend the two together for the advancement of battlefield success? The answer is yes; it will inevitably be a two-fold process to merge the old with the new.
It is imperative that senior military leaders listen to their Soldiers based on their current knowledge and combat experience as seen through their own eyes. This would enable military leaders to ensure that training standards remain current and viable. It would also allow the much needed doctrinal changes to be made. This will enhance the survivability and mortality rate of the Warfighter on the modern battlefield and will continue to combat the ever changing faces of war, which will increase and enhance our overall combat effectiveness.
Through it all the actions of 9-1-1 has ultimately awakened the “sleeping giant” (the American people). It has given the common citizen a broader perspective on what Israel has been faced with for years. It wasn’t until terrorists struck here on American soil and were successful did the public become full of rage; all but a select few of our government stood up and demanded retribution. Thus, the “War on Terror” began and it caught us unprepared. Our training from then to now has improved significantly but it is still a work in progress and it must progress. Train as You Fight, Fight as You Train.
Reference;
1. Office of Management and Budget, The Executive Office of the President, Winning the War on Terrorism, Retrieved, 16 April 2008, http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2004/winning.html 2. U.S. Department of Defense, American Forces Press Service News Articles, Terror War Demonstrates Need to Update Doctrine, by Donna Miles, Retrieved 15 April 2008, http://www.defense.mil/news/newarticle.aspx?id=26837 3. About.com, US Military, War Changes the Way the Army Trains, Rifleman First, Specialist Second, June 5 2004, Retrieved, 14 April 2008 http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armytrng/a/artraining.htm
The Army is adopting a similar stance to the “every Marine a rifleman”.
I love your tagline!!!
He didn’t say that military fighter pilots enter air in combat missions without figher training. Read what he said again.
If you go back and read his background and experience, I think any reasonable person would conclude that he probably has some very valid points.
HUGE +1 for that.
The fighter pilot senario was only used as relation to simulation training as a whole, based upon another post which I answered. If you read the paper, it only states that too much simulation training is being done, AND is replacing actual training based upon several areas.. Ease, less coordination, simplicity, and technology. We as a fighting force are relying too much on technology and computer style games. I am only contesting that we need both together to be fluent in our various combat skill qualifications as soldiers.
They'd see we aren't all heartless infidels and we'd learn that they aren't all islamofascist nutjobs.I love that sentence...
He said that he took his people out into the field and asked "OK, now who has a GPS?". Nearly everyone raised their hands.
Then he asked "OK, now who has two sets of spare batteries for their GPS?". Not one person raised their hands.
"OK. Hand me your GPS', and pull out your maps and compasses. If you don't have spare batteries, we do things the old-school way!"
Before the weekend was over, every swinging **** in his charge could use a map and a compass as well as their GPS's.
He also insists that even the REPLDEPL types in his charge get to the rifle range and have counter-ambush training.
"But Lt., we're Supply!"
"Shut UP!. I am NOT going to die because you don't know WTF you're doing if we get ambushed!"
That's one young Lt. with his head screwed on straight.
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The majority of officers have their heads on right.
But don’t expect the liberal media turds to report anything positive during a Republican administration.
I am very impressed.
We talked for nearly an hour over a few beers at a party hosted by a retired 1st Army Division General.
Don't ask how this broken down old former Marine LCpl ended up at an Army party, that's a very long story.
But after chatting with this man at length and him sharing how he's training his people he looked at me and said "Have I forgotten anything? The last thing in the world I want is for someone to get killed because I f***** up and forgot to train them well enough."
"Always bring more ammo..." was about all I could think of. "It'd be a damn shame if you got killed for lack of shooting back."
We both had a good laugh at that.
He was a most impressive young man. I pray for him daily.
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LOL
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The young LT, is a good leader. Parents/wives can be grateful to have such a thorough officer. He is minimizing the risk factor for his Soldiers and maximizing their effectiveness against their enemies. I like.
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