Transforming Initial Entry Training to Support a Nation at War
Abstract
The events of September 11, 2001 and subsequently the onset of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan served as the driving force behind implementing immediate change in the way we train and prepare Soldiers to meet the challenges of today's asymmetric battle space. The Army's senior leadership quickly realized that many of our Soldiers were deploying into combat zones within 30 to 60 days upon completing Advanced Individual Training and One Station Unit Training. Input from Combatant Commanders cited many of these Soldiers were inadequately prepared physically, mentally and tactically for the challenges they would face on the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. For many of these Soldiers it was their first field training exercise after graduation, which included lethal combat patrols, manning checkpoints and convoy security. To that end, this paper will examine the transformation process, discuss the implementation strategy and challenges the Army faced in its effort to better prepare Soldiers for combat. While this document will cover the full spectrum of Initial Entry Training, it will lend more focus towards Basic Combat Training.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 27, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA467298
Entities
People
- Douglas J. Knight
Organizations
- United States Army War College