BATTLE FOCUSED TRAINING FM 25-101 Battalion and Company Soldiers, Leaders, and Units As of 14 Jan 00

FM 25-101 Chapter 1 - Training Overview Chapter 2 - METL Development Chapter 3 - Planning Chapter 4 - Execution Chapter 5 - Assessment Appendices: A - Training Documents B - Leader Development C - Training Exercises D - Training Events to Maintain Battle Focus E - Training Aids F - QTB, YTB G - After Action Reviews

Introduction ELO Review Explain the commander’s role in training. Explain the leader’s role in training. Describe the nine principles of training. Define battle focused training. Describe the four phases of the training management cycle.

Commander’s Role in Training Invest personal time, energy, and guidance Train one level down, evaluate two levels down Develop vision or intent (focus) Train the trainer Establish a realistic, safe training program Be involved in all aspects of training Planning Execution Evaluation Assessment Protect time and resources from distracters Clearly state expectations FM 25-101 PG 1-1 ELO A Communication skills are key

Leader’s Role in Training Set the example, be present, and participate. Train the combined arms team on mission essential tasks. Centralize training planning to focus on wartime missions. Decentralize training execution. Communicate across all levels of the unit. Demand training be executed to the Army standard. Understand the role of the Reserve Component. Train to standard not to time ELO A FM 25-101 PG 1-3 Reserve forces have special challenge in training

Principles of Training Train as a combined arms and services team. Train as you will fight. Use appropriate doctrine. Use performance oriented training. Train to challenge. Train to sustain proficiency. Train using multiechelon techniques. Train to maintain. Make commanders (leaders) the primary trainers. ELO B FM 25-101 PG 1-3

Train as a Combined Arms and Services Team Synchronize combat arms, combat support, and service support systems. Train for war. Build team understanding and cohesion. Practice habitual relationships and cross attachment of units. ELO B FM 25-101 PG 1-4

Train as You Will Fight Replicate the battlefield. Increase difficulty to attain Army standard. Train under realistic (wartime) conditions. Train against OPFOR replicating the threat. Train safely. Train with realism. Loss of key leaders, smoke, casualty evacuation, noise, simulated NBC situations, battlefield debris, limited visibility, loss or jamming of communications. . . ELO B FM 25-101 PG 1-4

Use Appropriate Doctrine Train using Army doctrine. Train to the Army standard. Develop standards when Army standard is unpublished (approved 2 levels up). ELO B FM 25-101 PG 1-5

Use Performance Oriented Training Battlefield mission proficiency Task, conditions, standards are known Retrain until standard is met. Enforce standard at all times.

From the Front Lines. . . on Realistic Training If I could train my men over again, I would put officers and men in slit trenches and drop bombs nearby to overcome fear. . .we were all scared to death at first. If I could train my battalion over again, I would have some maneuvers in which things were made to go wrong; communications upset, and so forth, and I would observe which leaders are no good and replace them on the spot--not later. - WWII battalion commander interviewed in 1943

Train to Challenge Tough Realistic Mentally and physically challenging Builds competence and confidence Encourages initiative FM 25-101 PG 1-6 ELO B

Train to Sustain Proficiency Sustainment training Builds on mastered tasks Opportunity training Hones known tasks Preselected, pre-planned critical tasks Conducted when scheduled time is available Band of excellence Ties into band of excellence FM 25-101 PG 1-6 ELO B

Band of Excellence Proficiency FM 25-101 PG 1-7 ELO B Time Sustainment Training Band Proficiency Mean New Equipment Fielding Key Personnel Turnover New Equipment Training Weapons Training BDE CPX SQD STX TF FTX PLT STX TF Exeval Gunnery NTC STX LCX CO FTX Gunnery Post Support PLT Evaluation DIV CPX DEPLOY ELO B FM 25-101 PG 1-7

Train Using Multiechelon Techniques Multiechelon training Simultaneous training of more than one echelon on different tasks. All multiechelon training includes soldier and leader training Most effective way to train and sustain each echelon ELO B FM 25-101 PG 1-6

Train Using Multiechelon Techniques Example: Battalion commander determines an upcoming FTX will include deliberate defense. Battalion staff and subordinate commanders plan to train specific subtasks associated with deliberate defense. Alpha Company - Preparation of individual fighting positions Bravo Company - Patrolling procedures Charlie Company - Emplacement of obstacles Delta Company - Direct fire synchronization At all levels, leaders select specific training objectives for subordinate leaders and soldiers. ELO B

Train to Maintain Maintain to train. Schedule maintenance to reinforce systems approach. Maintain to the Army TM -10/20 standard. Train to maintain. All unit equipment Conduct opportunity training to sustain proficiency. MAINTAIN TRAIN ELO B FM 25-101 PG 1-7

Make Commanders (Leaders) the Primary Trainers Personally involved in training the trainer Junior leader development Officer and NCO leaders ELO B FM 25-101 PG 1-8

Battle Focus Drives training requirements METL provides focus Concept used to derive peacetime training requirements from wartime missions METL provides focus Links collective mission essential tasks to soldier tasks Can not train on all tasks that will be done in war! The unit METL is the focus. Tasks most critical to our wartime mission. FM 25-101 PG 1-10 ELO C METL task is the big picture need to get into supporting tasks

TRAINING MANAGEMENT CYCLE WARTIME MISSION CHAPTER 2 METL DEVELOPMENT ESTABLISH METL PREPARE TRAINING ASSESSMENT CHAPTER 5 ASSESSMENT CONDUCT UNIT ASSESSMENT PREPARE LONG-RANGE PLAN CHAPTER 3 PLANNING EVALUATE TRAINING FEEDBACK PREPARE SHORT- RANGE PLAN CHAPTER 4 EXECUTION EXECUTE TRAINING PREPARE NEAR-TERM PLAN ELO D FM 25-101 PG 1-11

Chapter 1 Summary Training is commander’s business. All leaders are trainers. Train IAW the nine principles. All training must be battle focused. The training management cycle is a four- phase process.