Infantry of Tomorrow

[IRepoCans]

There have been vehicles with significant ballistic weapons and guided missiles for 50 years that carry infantry.
It should not be a specialist skill for the infantry to use them.

I imagine the man has not been in an IFV doing a stab run with a driver and gunner who only graduated DP1/RQIP 3-5 months prior, and a crew commander who just finished PLQ and ISCC (and he himself only has been in battalion for 4-6 years at this point) before.

I suggest that the arms locker has its place but it can't be the answer in a Large Scale army where the majority of troops are recently engaged civilians.

I believe that the basic 1920-1990 vintage infantry battalion proved to be a useful construct that flexed adequately to accommodate different technologies, transport and terrain.

The rifle section has already been an arms locker for the past 20-30 years as far as the doctrine and the experiences of the NCOs that have taught me view it: every private coming off of BIQ/DP1/RQIP (or whatever else we want to call it now) for the past two decades has been qualified on the following weapon systems: Pistol (HP or C22), C7 (to include the use of a LAD and NVG), C9 (to include the use of thermal and night sights), C6 LR (to include the use of thermal and night sights), M203, C13/C13A1, SRAAW-L, SRAAW-M, and C19 CDDW.

That's not including all the remaining STANO and communications equipment they have to qualify with on course, along with patrolling, offensive, defensive and enabling operations modules (to include doing all of which in urban areas). Followed by field firing, rappelling and CQC-B.

And despite all of the above, having worked with the British and Australian training establishments, we have the most watered down base line infanteer qualification syllabus in the Commonwealth (not a feat to relish in) and for some stupid reason, despite the recommendations of the RQIP QSTP writing board and the Infantry School: the reservist inf bn command teams want the course to be even shorter even with the massive training delta the reservist infanteer already has.

The issue isn't the civilian joining the infantry corps, they handle the course content just fine on average so adding another 2-3 weapon systems is hardly a monumental feat for them. The issue (as it always has been) is passing off the buck to battalion to finish off the initial training of the soldier; where the soldier should show up to battalion with the ensemble of skills required to be further refined and given advanced skills (actual advanced skills, not qualifications on fundamental equipment and weapons that should've been on DP1 in the first place).

I think that even LI needs to embrace some sort of vehicle mobility enablers at this point -- even if they are a "mule" type UGV - outside of very complex terrain - and even then there will need to be some sort of mobility assistance - be it cargo UAS, or Helicopter etc.

100%, and thankfully there is a project or two focusing on LF mobility - just would be cool if there were more airlift to move the battalion and that future capability around.

 

[Fabius]

every private coming off of BIQ/DP1/RQIP (or whatever else we want to call it now) for the past two decades has been qualified on the following weapon systems: Pistol (HP or C22), C7 (to include the use of a LAD and NVG), C9 (to include the use of thermal and night sights), C6 LR (to include the use of thermal and night sights), M203, C13/C13A1, SRAAW-L, SRAAW-M, and C19 CDDW.

That's not including all the remaining STANO and communications equipment they have to qualify with on course, along with patrolling, offensive, defensive and enabling operations modules (to include doing all of which in urban areas). Followed by field firing, rappelling and CQC-B.

The fundamental soldier skills of those in the Bn has atrophied massively. The individual skills that are lacking are clearly seen as absent during the collective training now.
It’s too the point in some areas where people don’t even know they don’t know.

However it’s not just the Cdn Army. A lot of Armies seem to be having the same problem.

 

[IRepoCans]

The fundamental soldier skills of those in the Bn has atrophied massively. The individual skills that are lacking are clearly seen as absent during the collective training now.
It’s too the point in some areas where people don’t even know they don’t know.

However it’s not just the Cdn Army. A lot of Armies seem to be having the same problem.

While I don't want to steer away the conversation about the infantry section, but being a lad that joined after our mission in Afghan ended and looking at what I've been exercised in and what our doctrine says I should be doing/able to do are quite incongruent.

To steer us a bit back on track, whatever loadout (threat and effects range) and tasks we assign to the section have to be fully exercised and enforced by the institution or we just wheel back to where we are now: largely notional in capability, with minimal exposure let alone competency in what should be core skills and drills.

 

[Fabius]

Agreed, I think it all needs to mesh together. The load out and tasks of the section needs to account for the time available to train the section both in individual and collective.

The training of specific personnel inside the section outside of combat might be best done grouped with the other specialists vs inside the section. How to best organize for training and maintenance of skills needs to be planned along with the employment of those specialists into the integrated sections/platoons.

 

[FJAG]

The issue (as it always has been) is passing off the buck to battalion to finish off the initial training of the soldier; where the soldier should show up to battalion with the ensemble of skills required to be further refined and given advanced skills (actual advanced skills, not qualifications on fundamental equipment and weapons that should've been on DP1 in the first place).

Honestly, I don't think that is the problem. The training system has always been to give recruits the fundamental training as an individual in schools but then hand them over to units to round out their basic training with unit level exercising and then for the units to add on further skills and knowledge in regimental schools and the like before again confirming and cementing those skills in further unit exercises and so on. At a given point they reach a level where formal schools are once again needed to develop high level skills. There's a certain rhythm between unit courses and confirmatory unit exercises that is built within a stable annual training cycle and which is hard to replicate when it has to be split between various institutions and units.

What the issue has become is that the pace of operational deployment has becomes so high that units no longer have the ability to train their troops appropriately in teach, practice, teach, practice cycles. As a result they put greater expectations on institutions. That puts a strain on units, institutions and the individual soldiers. Folks! The system has been broken for almost three decades now. It's broken to the point where folks can't find their way back easily.

$0.02

 

[ueo]

The fundamental soldier skills of those in the Bn has atrophied massively. The individual skills that are lacking are clearly seen as absent during the collective training now.
It’s too the point in some areas where people don’t even know they don’t know.

However it’s not just the Cdn Army. A lot of Armies seem to be having the same problem.

Maybe consider resurrecting "Battle Drills"?

 

[OldSolduer]

Maybe consider resurrecting "Battle Drills"?

I think I can still remember them

Prep for battle
Reaction to Enemy fire
Locating the Enemy
Win the Firefight
Approach
Assault
Re org or consolidation- take your pick.

 

[KevinB]

Every Marine a Drone Pilot?

Every Marine A Drone Pilot: Individual Lethality To Go From Meters To Kilometers

First-person-view kamikaze drones and other precision munitions individual Marines can employ will make them much more than just riflemen.

www.twz.com

Yet another reason the Infantry needs to change with the times.

 

[Infanteer]

What the issue has become is that the pace of operational deployment has becomes so high that units no longer have the ability to train their troops appropriately in teach, practice, teach, practice cycles.

This is pretty much it.

 

[KevinB]

This is pretty much it.

 

[Blackadder1916]

Every Marine a Drone Pilot?

Every Marine A Drone Pilot: Individual Lethality To Go From Meters To Kilometers

First-person-view kamikaze drones and other precision munitions individual Marines can employ will make them much more than just riflemen.

www.twz.com

Yet another reason the Infantry needs to change with the times.

Something else to carry.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Something else to carry.

Something else to be supplied as you will get 2-3 flights out of it if your lucky and then need a new one.

 

[KevinB]

Something else to carry.

Yet something like ones carbine, that isn’t really optional anymore…

Better to have and not need, than need and not have.

 

[IRepoCans]

Honestly, I don't think that is the problem. The training system has always been to give recruits the fundamental training as an individual in schools but then hand them over to units to round out their basic training with unit level exercising and then for the units to add on further skills and knowledge in regimental schools and the like before again confirming and cementing those skills in further unit exercises and so on. At a given point they reach a level where formal schools are once again needed to develop high level skills. There's a certain rhythm between unit courses and confirmatory unit exercises that is built within a stable annual training cycle and which is hard to replicate when it has to be split between various institutions and units.

What the issue has become is that the pace of operational deployment has becomes so high that units no longer have the ability to train their troops appropriately in teach, practice, teach, practice cycles. As a result they put greater expectations on institutions. That puts a strain on units, institutions and the individual soldiers. Folks! The system has been broken for almost three decades now. It's broken to the point where folks can't find their way back easily.

$0.02

I would say it's a bit different to what you're saying, I meant quite literally the training establishment will fall through on ammunition, training aids or qualified instructors and simply waiver (or forget to waiver) an entire course on multiple POs; the logic being the battalion will somehow catch the pers up on the training (who are just as short on the same resources if not worse off). This happened on multiple sister DP1s staffed by 3RCR post JRTC, I can tell you that most of the lads from those serials (most of whom are now corporals) have still not shot SRAAW-L or SRAAW-M live, and this isn't isolated to those 3-4 serials or weapon systems. Though, the op tempo and taskings that whisk away qualified/experienced NCOs and officers do not help this dilemma at all.

A private should not show up to battalion not qualified in the repertoire of weapon systems that can be fielded by a rifle section, additionally, the first time they do platoon live (or assault a bunker or trench live) should not be with the battalion (because for the past two decades that I know of, that has been the case). Sure, rounding out the soldier by putting them through more complicated sect (break contact or peeling, at night with STANO), pl (ambushes, raids, defensive and at night with STANO) and larger formations need the soldier to be appropriately exposed IOT tack on the skills to be provided by the battalion.

I'm not expecting BRP quality pers from a DP1/RQIP, I expect what is reasonable: infanteers qualified with all the dismounted weapon systems, communications equipment and sensors to be fielded by a rifle section; with reasonable exposure to patrolling, offensive, defensive and enabling operations (in rural and urban terrain by day and night); and, qualified up to platoon live on the fundamental hasty attacks at sect and pl level during the day.

I'm also of the strong opinion that infanteers should be doing a one stop shop course that combines the POs from BMQ, BMQ-L/SQ and DP1/RQIP because the inconsistency of the quality of candidate walking on to DP1/RQIP has been insane; especially when we were able to take a serial of infanteer candidates through their BMQ and RQIP which honestly fielded the best crop of soldiers I've had the pleasure of training.

 

[ueo]

I think I can still remember them

Prep for battle
Reaction to Enemy fire
Locating the Enemy
Win the Firefight
Approach
Assault
Re org or consolidation- take your pick.

Yep start at section level on parade square, all phases. then platoon, then dry, finally live.

 

[FJAG]

I think I can still remember them

Prep for battle
Reaction to Enemy fire
Locating the Enemy
Win the Firefight
Approach
Assault
Re org or consolidation- take your pick.

Oh Lord! Did that bring back bad memories.

When I left the RegF to go to law school I transferred to the ResF infantry in Winnipeg and took over the battalion's sole rifle company. Within a month I attended an exercise planned by their former commander, now my 2 i/c, and watched as a slightly overstrength platoon dressed and behaved like pirates rampaging the Spanish Main. To bring things back into line I laid out a plan for the winter which included the following:

1) reintroduce everyone to Canadian army uniforms and load carrying gear (except for those designated as enemy force on future exercises);

2) mobilize the four dusty 106 recoilless rifle jeeps in the basement of the armouries to form a small anti-armour platoon and to give four select corporals and a M/Cpl the ability to train and learn as small team leaders (we had a sergeant shortage and I wanted to build some additional leadership/responsibility opportunities for up and comers. We were actually able to live fire the .50 spotting rifle on the main gun at the St Charles rifle range); and

3) use the winter months to get back to rehearsing battle drills on the parade square and the limited space outside the armouries in preparation for exercises in Shilo the next spring.

All of that went over like a lead balloon. Morale plummeted. My "company" liked being pirates, liked their store-bought personal Gucci kit and weren't too fond of the 106s or the battle drills either.

 

[OldSolduer]

Oh Lord! Did that bring back bad memories.

When I left the RegF to go to law school I transferred to the ResF infantry in Winnipeg and took over the battalion's sole rifle company. Within a month I attended an exercise planned by their former commander, now my 2 i/c, and watched as a slightly overstrength platoon dressed and behaved like pirates rampaging the Spanish Main. To bring things back into line I laid out a plan for the winter which included the following:

1) reintroduce everyone to Canadian army uniforms and load carrying gear (except for those designated as enemy force on future exercises);

2) mobilize the four dusty 106 recoilless rifle jeeps in the basement of the armouries to form a small anti-armour platoon and to give four select corporals and a M/Cpl the ability to train and learn as small team leaders (we had a sergeant shortage and I wanted to build some additional leadership/responsibility opportunities for up and comers. We were actually able to live fire the .50 spotting rifle on the main gun at the St Charles rifle range); and

3) use the winter months to get back to rehearsing battle drills on the parade square and the limited space outside the armouries in preparation for exercises in Shilo the next spring.

All of that went over like a lead balloon. Morale plummeted. My "company" liked being pirates, liked their store-bought personal Gucci kit and weren't too fond of the 106s or the battle drills either.

You must have known Larry Blair aka ``Bumfluff

 

[PrairieFella]

You must have known Larry Blair aka ``Bumfluff

Or the O, Steve W haha.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Oh Lord! Did that bring back bad memories.

When I left the RegF to go to law school I transferred to the ResF infantry in Winnipeg and took over the battalion's sole rifle company. Within a month I attended an exercise planned by their former commander, now my 2 i/c, and watched as a slightly overstrength platoon dressed and behaved like pirates rampaging the Spanish Main. To bring things back into line I laid out a plan for the winter which included the following:

1) reintroduce everyone to Canadian army uniforms and load carrying gear (except for those designated as enemy force on future exercises);

2) mobilize the four dusty 106 recoilless rifle jeeps in the basement of the armouries to form a small anti-armour platoon and to give four select corporals and a M/Cpl the ability to train and learn as small team leaders (we had a sergeant shortage and I wanted to build some additional leadership/responsibility opportunities for up and comers. We were actually able to live fire the .50 spotting rifle on the main gun at the St Charles rifle range); and

3) use the winter months to get back to rehearsing battle drills on the parade square and the limited space outside the armouries in preparation for exercises in Shilo the next spring.

All of that went over like a lead balloon. Morale plummeted. My "company" liked being pirates, liked their store-bought personal Gucci kit and weren't too fond of the 106s or the battle drills either.

I find that running around with huge rucks on for awhile works well, as a warm up, with Infantry.

Once they get back in touch with their inner sado-masochist, and the pecking order is established between 'those who don't fall out' and those 'fat fucks' who do, then it's easier to begin to rebuild starting with the basics

Follow me for more recipes at #lastonetodieisasissy

 

[FJAG]

You must have known Larry Blair aka ``Bumfluff

Can't say that the name rings a bell. Who and where was he?