Thoughts From Those Who have BT;DT?

[Sin-ster]

http://www.breachbangclear.com/site/10-blog/392-doctrine-is-more-important-than-lessons-paid-for-with-blood.html

I thought it was a pretty interesting read, and poignantly stated. But I'm definitely not the most qualified to judge it's merit.

 

[Kraut]

It has been a long tradition of the military to train for the last war fought.

The other big problem is that the enemy doesn't attend our schools and learn how to fight the way we expect them to.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

We do a horrible job retaining and passing on lessons learned. We document and catalog them but most of the knowledge never gets passed on. Hence Afgjanistan has been a 1 year war fought 12 times rather than a 12 year war.

 

[Sin-ster]

It has been a long tradition of the military to train for the last war fought.

The other big problem is that the enemy doesn't attend our schools and learn how to fight the way we expect them to.

You think it'll ever change? (I assume by the tone that you agree that it ought to be changed.)

ETA-- That's directed at everyone, of course-- not just Kraut or VG.

 

[madwabbit]

sadly, its going to take a dramatically negative occurrence to shift the paradigm of our tactics and strategy.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

No because like all large institutions inertia is a mother... Fortunately Unit Leaders still have a great deal of control over how their units are prepared at all levels. The big hang up isn't rigid doctrine it's a lack of standards enforcement.

 

[Hitman]

I've thought about this a good bit too since being out too.

I started writing out what I thought and saw go on
and figured 2 pages was probably too long so I shortened it

Here is what I think it revolves around.

-This is why it's hard to beat a salty NCO or SNCO’s that are forced(sometimes) to remain in a line company. Those experienced NCO/SNCO’s can teach more in school circles in the quad with broom sticks and on the range than all the major mandatory Battalion Movement Cold War crap.

I'd also don't think future Warfighters shoot nearly enough. In fact my time in the Corps must have been a blessing b/c since then I've talked to plenty Marines who shoot a lot, but still maybe half of what we shot during our workups. WE WENT THROUGH SOME ROUNDS! and we even were shooting F2S Drills on the back of our ship while underway just weeks before stepping in the Afghan Dirt. Our BN CO was serious about keeping us fresh. We also did a ton of other ******** he wanted us to as well
lol Won't go there.

Maybe money is an issue more so now than in 03'-04'-05' time frame but I think rounds down range is vital and often over looked. Again maybe it's a money issue.

 

[Sin-ster]

That's pretty staggering to think that the greatest military in the world has such odd training fallacies.

It is at the same time very comforting to know that the S/NCO's (i.e. guys who know their crap) are still afforded enough control and "say" to keep their boys somewhat prepared-- or in Hitman's case, very prepared.

As to the money-- just how much of it are they spending on these ancient doctrinal courses? I suppose there's no budget-builders in this conversation, but... could we guesstimate?

 

[Hitman]

That's pretty staggering to think that the greatest military in the world has such odd training fallacies.

It is at the same time very comforting to know that the S/NCO's (i.e. guys who know their crap) are still afforded enough control and "say" to keep their boys somewhat prepared-- or in Hitman's case, very prepared.

As to the money-- just how much of it are they spending on these ancient doctrinal courses? I suppose there's no budget-builders in this conversation, but... could we guesstimate?

I'm out the picture on money. Most of these courses though are on printed paper that has been printed for 50 years. Just sitting around in a warehouse until needed.

 

[pntbllr228]

I'm out the picture on money. Most of these courses though are on printed paper that has been printed for 50 years. Just sitting around in a warehouse until needed.

I'll PM you the rest of my post if you want. Just didn't want to stray too far off topic here.

Just post it. I'm sure a few of us would like the read.