(Part 2)
I knew this board wouldn't let me get away with posting all this in one thread.
So where do we go from here. We need a multifaceted approach to training the section and section commander. At the first level we stay with the basics, as is the case now. Weapons handling (all weapons), marksmanship, fire control, fire and movement, field craft, etc etc.
At this level we stay with the â Å“text bookâ ? scenario noted often enough here of one or two enemy crouched under the tree or bush right at 12 o'clock on the axis of advance. They'll stay there unthinking, unmoving and not reacting and â Å“dyingâ ? gloriously for the cause as the section overruns them. Noting new at all here and what is taught at the Battle School (TQ1/QL3 or whatever it's called this week) level right.
We keep working on these basics, using blanks, MILES, Simmunition and eventually live fire to hone and maintain these skills. The simple drills we've developed are taught and practiced until the soldiers are so comfortable with them that they react instinctively, like oh a drill movement.
Now we move it up a notch. Same text book scenarios, not too imaginative but we change the environment. Section attacks in thick woods and/or jungle, urban settings, mountains (if available). We also do them at night.
Sure odds are that we won't be conducting a section attack in these conditions but there are always exceptions to the rule, and the purpose of this level is to build the self-confidence in the basic drills and to start people thinking outside the box. At the very least I'd include winter ops here if nothing else. Someone noted on another thread it's a skill set that has atrophied recently due to other demands. Anyone remember how much fun fire and movement was in snowshoes.
Next and final stage is where the â Å“text bookâ ? goes out the window. By this time the section and section commander is pretty confident in their skills so we need to challenge them before they become overconfident, stale, and ineffective.
Now the notional enemy may not be hiding under the lone bush at 12 o'clock. They open fire from the left/right or both flanks. They are dug in maybe in depth and/or there are more than one or two of them. They don't stick around but fall back and hit and run if the suppressing fire isn't sufficient to keep them pinned. During the reorg, an enemy force then immediately hits the lead section having just gone through the attack while they are vulnerable. All the scenarios and horror stories noted earlier can be tossed into the mix at this stage.
The initial result may well be chaos. With control breaking down and that's fine. This is training and we want to make mistakes here and not on the two way range. From this the section now begins to come up with options. What works, what might work, try it, debrief, talk about it, and try something else? After awhile the skill set and confidence in the skills and capabilities will again be high.
At this level with â Å“enemyâ ? popping up all over the place you obviously can't use live fire, but MILES and other simulations will help somewhat. The idea to is to show options to improve the ability to react to differing situations and apply those parts of the basic drills that will work.
Also at this level you'll see the section commander trying new organizations (and being allowed to do so) to suit the ground and/or tactical situation such as discussed here, fire groups with both C9s, designated section marksman etc.
Here too we can really increase the realism of the training too. How often do we really practice the resupply, and dealing with casualties and POWs? Toss them into the mix, so that they are not unknowns. Everyone should be up on their combat FA skills and simulated casualties in the middle of the attack are another factor that has to be practiced and dealt with. Odds are you are going to lose some people in a section attack. How do you deal with it, how does it affect you plan especially if they are key people that go down (M203 or C9 s or the Sect Comd or 2ic)?
You'll note I keep saying section and section commander. For this to be really effective the sections have to remain together as long as possible to really develop a group cohesiveness. I realise that's not an option especially with under strength reserve units who often may have to cobble ad hoc sections together for weekend training. The better the troops know each other and their commander the faster and easier goes the training and overall the more effective it is. Mind that's not rocket science and we are all aware of it.
Even if you have to break this rule, use it as a training aid. Sections platoons etc that have taken casualties will have replacements right and the level of training, experience and expertise may not be the same. Another factor that can be â Å“practiced.â ?
Concurrent with this is the development of thee leadership skills. I've seen too many threads and comments here about â Å“I'm only a Cplâ ? or â Å“it's a gimme rank.â ? That is so much Bovine fecal matter. The reality of the situation is that M/Cpls and Cpls in the Army are in command roles. In combat that reality will become even more so.
Some do well some do not. For most it's a matter of training, confidence in their skills, attitude, and experience.
In an ideal world we would have all our Sections with Sgt commanders and M/Cpl 2ics both qualified (ISCC) and all sorts of other skills. Better yet every 031/R031 would be qualified ISCC immediately after they become qualified Infanteers. Unrealistic I realise for many reasons, logistics, costs, and the simple fact some people are just not capable of the decision-making and leadership skills required.
What we have to do to the best of our ability is continue to try and train two up. As noted A Rifle Company is four casualties away from being commanded at least for a while by the CSM, a section two from being run by a Private. More importantly if you're taking those sorts of casualties the person who steps up to the plate better be really good at it, because obviously the original plan has gone seriously wrong.
Anyone who's reading this and or contributed to the thread who is a section commander stop and ask yourself this question. Can everyone in my section do my job? And I mean in a firefight for a few rather hectic and frightening minutes, not 7/24 in garrison. Can they call in and direct indirect fire support? Can they look at ground, and make a good combat estimate? Can they make changes quickly in plan (as I said if you're out of it chances are your original plan is kind of useless too)? Can they control the section? Can they give orders and expect them to be followed? Basically can they lead?
If they can't all or some, who can? Can the others be brought up to that level? How? If only some are they in a position to take over?
Those not in a command role ask yourself the same questions, could you do it? If no why not? Could you be trained taught to do so? How much effort and/or time would it take?
Remember if that trained Sgt or M/Cpl (presuming that there was one in command in the first place) is hit, the 2ic is usually not in a position to immediately take over. After the firefight and the objective is taken, then he/she becomes the section commander. Before that odds are it will be someone else a senior (or not) rifleman.
Integrating this into the training at the earliest levels is really not that hard to do. I know of some units that have done so in the past. You start at the tes\x book level giving everyone a shot at being 2ic or Sect Comd just as you do being the C9 gunner once they've learned the basics. Move up to the level where the text book is tossed our and repeat. Time consuming yeah, but this is our bread and butter.
At the very least you are talent spotting and beginning to develop your NCO cadre early on. Better yet you know you have effective sections that can do the job if and when the boss goes down.
The Canadian Corp came up with this concept prior to Vimy. Studying the Imperial British Army techniques of everyone follow the educated chap with the swagger stick into the MG fire and when he gets chopped stand around with your finger shoved up a convenient orifice until killed worked so well at the Somme, that us amateur colonials decided to try something else. Realising that in war one might actually take casualties, the units at Vimy went through extensive prep training where everyone knew everyone else's job. Cpls and Sgts had the basic idea of how to command and fight Platoons and Companies and Ptes Sections just in case they had to. Time to get back to that.
Ok thanks for bearing through that 2,800 odd words of drivel. If I'm way off base here or just restated the bleeding obvious let me know and I'll crawl back under my rock.
