Top 10 Basic Training Changes (for Army)

[River_Rat_459]

I've got some notes at the end of the article. I'd like to know what you all think.
SOURCE: http://www.military.com/news/article/ar ... anges.html

July 20, 2010
Army News Service|by Kelly Schloesser

This year, Basic Combat Training has gone through a transformation. Here are some of the changes you'll see in new Basic and OSUT courses, as of 1 July 2010:

1. BCT has become more challenging...not "softer." BCT has been extended from nine weeks to 10. The Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills (WTBD) have been refined, and are now geared toward training fewer and more relevant tasks well. These tasks and battle drills correspond with the current operating environment, and we are using training that is geared toward the generation of Soldiers entering our Army during this time of war...and those must be adapted to all the Occupational Specialties. (Find the WTBD on the, Army Training Network)

2. Rifle Marksmanship is more extensive, with more hours on the range, more bullets fired, and Soldiers using both Basic and Advanced techniques. Soldiers now fire 500 rounds (750 for infantry) during basic, and also have to "certify" as part of the Combat Field Fire phase based on the new Rifle Marksmanship Strategy. While all BCT Soldiers fire "slick" (no equipment) through qualification tables (BRM) to allow for familiarity with the weapon, equipment is worn during the difficult and combat-related Advanced Rifle Marksmanship (ARM) period.

3. Combatives are more relevant...and tougher! New instruction has been added which teaches Soldiers to fight from their feet, not wrestle and grip on the ground. Soldiers now attend 22 hours of instruction, which is double the previous requirement at BCT. Additional techniques - wearing full kit - have been added that is more relevant to what Soldiers might be asked to do in a combat situation.

4. Most up-to-date medical training in Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) and Combat Lifesaver (CLS). Medical experts have taken combat lessons and updated the first aid training Soldiers receive. There's no longer an IV "stick. Why? Because doctors say it's counterproductive on the battlefield, and useless for treating heat injuries. New techniques for preventing heat injuries before they happen are now taught.

5. Physical Training is standardized, with scientifically proven techniques that improve conditioning and help prevent injuries. Those returning from combat say "drop the long runs, the repetitive sets of pushups and sit-ups, and volleyball games; instead focus on training the right muscles and energy systems needed in the fight! Prepare your body for walking patrol with SAPI and equipment or hauling your injured buddy out of harm's way!" FM 22-20 has been replaced with TC 3.22-20, and that applies to Soldiers in Basic Combat Training and the entire Army (and, you can get this Training Circular as an app starting in August)!

6. No more bayonet assault course against rubber tires...but lots more pugil and combatives against a thinking opponent. The bayonet assault course has been a staple of bayonet training since WWI. But that's when bayonets were prevalent on the battlefield! The last time the US had a bayonet assault was in 1951, and the rifle we now use in combat isn't meant for bayonet charges. Now, Soldiers will see more pugil drills in pits and on obstacle courses. This, combined with additional hours in combatives, will "warriorize" our Soldiers.

7. Expanded Values and Culture Training. Soldiers will still receive instruction in the Seven Army Values, but that instruction will focus on applying those values in combat, in garrison, and during off-duty time. That's to build a better Soldier...and a better citizen! And all Soldiers will now be issued a The Army Soldier's "Blue Book" (also available as an iPhone or Droid app) that links our present-day Soldier to his predecessors, and describes our professional requirements.

8. We're treating the Soldier as a "Tactical Athlete". The Surgeon General of the Army will begin supplementing initial training units with physical therapists and athletic trainers to prevent injuries and ensure better conditioning. Additionally, we're instituting the "Soldier Fueling" initiative, to teach and enable Soldiers to develop a nutritional lifestyle to counter our societal challenges.

9. We've instituted Comprehensive Soldier Fitness (CSF). Every Drill Sergeant has received Resiliency Training, and all new Soldiers take the Global Assessment Tool upon entering Basic. Additionally, all AIT Platoon Sergeants receive 10 days of resiliency training.

10. We're connected to Social Media, and on web pages. IMT does fall under TRADOC, but no decision is made without Soldiers input. Visit our social media sites and tell us what you think. We'll listen!

First off, let me say that #8 (having physical therapists and athletic trainers) is LOOOONG overdue. We had some newbies join our unit who clearly could have benefited from having that available.

Secondly, these changes are great. It's about time the training got with the times.

Finally, I don't really see one key element being addressed....discipline. I don't know about any of you, but I don't remember being the punk brat I was before I joined the Army. Sadly, when I see new troops come into our unit, whatever discipline they had garnered from basic training goes right out the window. I had a new troop come back from AIT, and he was sitting at my desk doing inprocessing. While I'm sitting there telling him about schedules, other offices he needed to visit, etc., he just looks down and starts texting his girlfriend who was sitting out in the parking lot. I just stopped talking and gave him my best version of the death stare. I thought that took care of it until he did it again. I made him get up, leave, and go see the first sergeant. But I digress. I don't know about any of you, but there's far to many new troops in the ranks who more than likely don't have any business wearing a uniform.

Hopefully the new standards will fix some of those shortcomings.


Sent from my Commodore 64.

[justj12479]

I think this is awesome, and like you said "long overdue"! I think some of these things should have been changed a long time ago.

[saviger]

We where getting a influx of un-disciplined privates last few years I was in. It was then up to their first-lines and NCOs to instill that discipline, that should have been taught in BCT.

[ASignorelli]

OMG Finally! Hopefully this will eventually slowly take out those who joined anytime after ACUs came out, cause that's when I started to see a MAJOR change in new soldiers attitudes, and physical fitness. The combatives thing is really cool, and this is one way to sort of downsize the army without saying you are, by letting less people in! Although this means less promotions in the near future to those who are shit bags (thank god) cause of less people getting through basic. I also agree heavily with #8 too. No offense to people overweight but, if I see you eating right, and doing remedial PT than good work. But there comes times, that I see those certain few that sit on their butt all day, and eat pizza every night. I hope they start kicking people with AR 600-9 ( I think that's the right one). They do sometimes, but only if the soldier is a shit bag, cause that's 1 other thing they can stack up on it. But even the people that are highspeed at work, but don't care about their body. Those need to go also. I'm just really glad to see a change, and I also hope they take away those damn electronics in basic, cause I hear from the new soldiers that they could be on their cells or on their labtops during lights out time. that's BS. LOL ok I guess I said enough.

[JDeason]

I like these changes as well. I run an Army recruiting station, so I deal with these Soldiers BEFORE they are Soldiers. Which means I have a great deal of respect for drill sergeants, cause I get to see the finished "product" when these delinquent adolescents return home from training for hometown recruiting or holiday leave. They go from a "knucklehead" to a Soldier, which brings great reward when their parents come in the office to say "thank you, it's the best thing he/she has done". I will also say that some of our troubled recruits who we enlist get weeded out. They'll be back home maybe 3 or 4 weeks after they shipped out, and I know that they would not have done a bit of good covering another Soldier in a foxhole somewhere. Very impressive to all who play a part. Whether you're a drill sergeant training them from civilians, or a young/seasoned NCO who take these Soldiers and continue to mold them after their initial training. I just wanted to say "Great Job" to all of you Army Soldiers who play a part in keeping America's largest military force Army Strong! Hooah! (ok now i sound like a recruiter selling the Army haha!!)

[Timmy_2_Tones]

I like it. These should have been instilled long ago.

[River_Rat_459]

I like these changes as well. I run an Army recruiting station, so I deal with these Soldiers BEFORE they are Soldiers. Which means I have a great deal of respect for drill sergeants, cause I get to see the finished "product" when these delinquent adolescents return home from training for hometown recruiting or holiday leave. They go from a "knucklehead" to a Soldier, which brings great reward when their parents come in the office to say "thank you, it's the best thing he/she has done". I will also say that some of our troubled recruits who we enlist get weeded out. They'll be back home maybe 3 or 4 weeks after they shipped out, and I know that they would not have done a bit of good covering another Soldier in a foxhole somewhere. Very impressive to all who play a part. Whether you're a drill sergeant training them from civilians, or a young/seasoned NCO who take these Soldiers and continue to mold them after their initial training. I just wanted to say "Great Job" to all of you Army Soldiers who play a part in keeping America's largest military force Army Strong! Hooah! (ok now i sound like a recruiter selling the Army haha!!)

You go right on ahead and sell away! My father was a recruiter for 14 years. I know how stressful it is because I could see it in him. Weight fluctuation, mood swings, long and odd hours, smoking and stopping smoking. I've seen how hard it is. You have my total respect. It takes a lot to deal with kids nowadays, let alone try to convince them to join up.

[Amiable Horde]

The thing is with BCT, is that the kids that tend to give up on themselves are rarely being helped. You have a few good Drills out there doing what needs to be done, but for the most part as soon as these kids say, "I can't go on." the drills just send them packing. I actually received a chapter 11 on the FIRST DAY of the cycle. WTF!?! You have to try harder than that. If it's a continued cycle of discipline or any other offences, then yeah kick the sh**bag out, but don't waste tax payers dollars on a kid who gets there and sits around because they are a chapter case just soakin up pay.

irritating.