Changes coming to U.S. Army Basic Combat Training

Defense Professional ^ | 02/05/2010 | Steve Reeves

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Basic Combat Training is getting ready for some major changes to reflect the modern battlefield, said Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, deputy commanding general for Initial Military Training.

Hertling, who is responsible for managing the training of Soldiers from the day they enter the Army until they report to their first duty assignments, made his remarks last week during a visit to Fort Jackson, the largest of the Army's five basic training centers.

"We really took a look at the relevancy of what we're doing," Hertling said. "We're teaching Soldiers too much stuff."

One of the changes Hertling wants to implement is the elimination of bayonet drills, a longtime staple of BCT.

Hertling also wants Soldiers to focus less on traditional combatives moves such as grappling and, focus instead on fighting with their hands and knives or other objects.

He said Soldiers need to learn how to fight with their hands to make their combat skills more suited to existing battlefield conditions.

"The great majority of our Soldiers come into training having never had a fistfight," Hertling said.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have made it necessary to revamp how many Soldier tasks, such as first aid and marksmanship, are taught, Hertling said.

Hertling said there will be a renewed interest in Army values and wrapping Soldier training around those values. Also, BCT will focus on producing Soldiers at a consistent quality level with the same standards throughout the Army. The key to a consistent product is drill sergeant execution and warrior tasks/battle drills, he said.

Changes to physical training and fitness are already in progress, he said.

"I'm a believer that we need something relevant to the conditions on the battlefield," Hertling said.

[Bad Jack Bauer]

I think growing up hunting deer, hogs and bird.... boxing and mma training as hobbies... well then I think that will help if your MOS is basic infantry.... warrant officers flying choppers would be best done by kids that like electronic games and are a little crazy...

I grew up shooting and hunting and riding horses on our ranch. Boxed a bit as a kid then got into Hapkido. One thing that the Mexicans used to do at our ranch was knife fight. They had some wooden knives and they would rub charcoal on the edges. First one to lay a mark on the other won. I used to play that game with them and got pretty good.

[bushpilot1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1I6Aao3-Zc

[bushpilot1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW2POaHWEKc Soldier singing barbie girl.

[bushpilot1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExewNxkPw8o Soldier fainting in formation knocks down other soldiers.

[NTHockey]

>>One of the changes Hertling wants to implement is the elimination of bayonet drills<<

Aargh! USMC, don’t listen to this guy. Boot camp without pugil sticks is like a meal without dessert.

We had a pro football player in my platoon at Parris Island. three seconds with a pugil stick and he’d knock you out cold!

Semper fi

[thethirddegree]

If they repeal don’t ask, don’t tell they will have to teach recruits how to deliver a bitch-slap.

[glorgau]

“The great majority of our Soldiers come into training having never had a fistfight,” Hertling said.

Dang, I guess I was permanently scarred as a member of a minority. ;-)

[TADSLOS]

Coming to a military drill field near you:

Fairy Drill