Army drops bayonets, busts abs in training revamp

Associated Press ^ | Mar 16, 2010 | SUSANNE M. SCHAFER

[dljordan]

“Most of these soldiers have never been in a fistfight or any kind of a physical confrontation. They are stunned when they get smacked in the face,” said Capt. Scott Sewell, overseeing almost 190 trainees in their third week of training. “We are trying to get them to act, to think like warriors.”

When I was in GRADE school we were fighting. Things sure have changed.

[driftdiver]

When you were in grade school they probably didn’t expel you for using your hand as a gun.

[Robe]

If you really want to witness Army training, go to Ft. Benning ,GA , Home of the Infantry.
They don't do 5 mile runs either , they do 12 mile road marches with full Battle Rattle (About 200 lbs)of gear on.
Then go on to the range where they're given 50 rounds, to hit random pop up targets, 40 hits to center of mass is passing.
Forget Ft. Jackson they train OTG’s there (Other than Infantry )

[decimon]

As long as they train for what they will do.

[ctdonath2]

OK, where’s that M4 Chainsaw pic...

[Mind-numbed Robot]

... they do 12 mile road marches with full Battle Rattle (About 200 lbs)of gear on.

I don't understand the benefit of a combat soldier carrying all that heavy gear on their backs. It seems that would interfere with agility and readiness. Please explain!

[IDontLikeToPayTaxes]

I could be mistaken, but I don’t think any unit in the Army road marches with 200 lbs. of gear.

[wendy1946]

In 1900 a soldier still wasn’t able to carry 200 rounds of ammo around with him. The idea of a bayonet on an M16 is pretty ridiculous.

[4Speed]

ping

[Trust but Verify]

I’ll ask my nephew. He trained at Ft Benning.

[OldSmaj]

...12 mile road marches with full Battle Rattle (About 200 lbs)of gear on.

So that's why my knees are shot to hell, 20 years after retirement.

(Although I think it was closer to about 85 pounds of gear.)

[valkyry1]

//The idea of a bayonet on an M16 is pretty ridiculous//

The bayonet is one of those tools you hardly ever need, but when you do, you’ll really need it. You always need to be able to fix a bayonet on the weapon in case the fighting gets real close in.

[BnBlFlag]

When I was in GRADE school we were fighting. Things sure have changed.

Yep!

[Bad Jack Bauer]

I did my basic training at Ft. Jackson in 1988. My AIT was at Ft. Gordon. I am with the poster who was surprised that most soldiers have never been in a fist fight. Where I grew up in Texas even the majority of the girls had been their fair share of scraps.

[driftdiver]

I believe the typical combat load is about 85 pounds.

[E.Allen]

When you’re in a firefight, it’s too late to go back for anything you need, ammo, water, food, night vision gear, batteries, rain gear, cold weather gear, if you don’t have it with you when you need it you’re screwed. Watch “Blackhawk Down.”

You don’t know ahead of time how long you’ll be gone, how many enemy you’ll face, or how long support will be delayed. That’s why they carry so much stuff.

[fabian]

yeah, thanks to the wonderful public schools system...

[PIF]

“When you were in grade school they probably didn’t expel you for using your hand as a gun.”

Nor when you did use your fingers as a gun taking the class hostage, did the teachers run screaming in terror from the classroom... call the police and take the you away in handcuffs...

[95B30]

OK, I learned in combat, OIF-2003, that you really do not run much, short sprints. We carried way to much gear and that really did make it hard to move fast and agile. So far I agree. However, I always fixed my bayonet..I was not issued one, but had my own...and found that most Iraqis found that more intimidating then anything else, and like a lot of things you'll never need it until you need it...sort of like a fire extinguisher. So, lose the stupid long runs and add more forced marches with combat load and add more training with the bayonet. Just my take

Cheers,