FORT LEE, Va. — The U.S. Army is reiterating the significance of mastering foundational skills amidst the complexities of Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO).
As military conflicts evolve to high-stakes environments, the Army emphasizes that success does not hinge solely on advanced technology or cutting-edge weaponry. Instead, the ability to operate effectively in these intense situations is rooted in what is termed ‘Brilliant at the Basics.’
These foundational skills, which include land navigation, weapons proficiency, casualty care, maintenance, communication discipline, and warrior tasks, form the essential backbone of a unit’s lethality and survivability.
While not glamorous or revolutionary, history has shown that units that diligently refine and rehearse these fundamental skills tend to prevail when confronted with the chaos of battle.
LSCO presents operational challenges that stretch the Army’s capabilities across all levels.
From division to squad level, soldiers must shoot, move, communicate, survive, and provide medical aid across expansive terrains against near-peer adversaries, often with compromised or lost technological support.
Reliance solely on technology can leave units vulnerable.
For instance, GPS systems might become jammed, communications could be intercepted, and digital command systems may fail.
In such scenarios, units that are rooted in basic training and skills will possess the adaptability needed to improvise and continue their missions.
To effectively operate in a denied environment, Soldiers must be capable of:
– Navigating using a map and compass
– Coordinating fire support without technology
– Executing battle drills effectively under pressure
– Providing buddy aid instinctively
– Camouflaging, entrenching, and fighting from advantageous positions
When a soldier defaults to their training, it creates momentum on the battlefield—momentum that is crucial in LSCO and Multi-Domain Operations.
Recognizing the significance of military occupational specialty (MOS) competencies is essential to being Brilliant at the Basics.
While foundational skills are universally applicable, their execution and depth of knowledge are intricately tied to each soldier’s specific MOS.
For instance, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle System Maintainer must excel in preventative maintenance checks and battle damage assessment, while a Signal Support Systems specialist needs to focus on maintaining secure and reliable communication networks.
Despite the differences in specialties, every soldier should understand how their skills enhance the unit’s overall lethality and be prepared to perform tasks outside their primary roles when necessary.
This adaptability requires ongoing training and a commitment to lifelong learning, ensuring that the Army remains resilient in the face of changing threats.
Leadership also plays a vital role in mastering the basics.
Central to this is the sergeant, regarded as the backbone of the Army.
Strong sergeants set the standard for good order and discipline.
They are not only physically and mentally fit but are also tactically and technically proficient in their warrior tasks and battle drills.
These leaders are tasked with driving repetitions, maintaining high standards, and instilling confidence amidst chaotic conditions.
When challenges arise on the battlefield, it is the sergeant who galvanizes the troops, issues commands, leads movements, and ensures continuity of the mission.
The strength of the Army’s squads is shaped by the effectiveness of sergeants.
In LSCO, victory does not belong to machines, but rather to disciplined teams guided by capable noncommissioned officers (NCOs).
Ultimately, strong squads are critical to winning battles.
Success in LSCO relies heavily on the seamless integration of combined arms competencies, which encompass multiple warfighting functions including maneuver, fire support, intelligence, sustainment, protection, and command and control.
This integration demands a collective understanding of each element’s capabilities and limitations, and the ability to synchronize actions across the battlefield.
Proficiency in conducting combined arms rehearsals, coordinating fires, and deploying electronic warfare is vital to disrupting enemy operations.
Moreover, the ability to function effectively in joint environments with Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps assets adds another layer of complexity necessary for success.
The cultivation of a culture that promotes collaboration and mutual support across all military branches is essential for maximizing battlefield effectiveness.
Building an effective and ready military force is not merely about understanding operational basics; it is about consistently practicing them until they are second nature.
True mastery comes from engaging in rigorous and realistic training scenarios, from demanding field exercises to meticulously planned drills.
It is further sharpened through candid after-action reviews and reinforced within combined arms scenarios.
Readiness is eventually tested when plans falter, forcing units to depend on ingrained skills to push forward.
To avoid shortcuts, leaders must prioritize the rigorous repetition of fundamental skills while balancing the introduction of new technologies.
Victory is not predicated solely on technology; it hinges on the quality and depth of training.
Historical examples, from the Red Ball Express in WWII to the adaptability shown in Iraq and Afghanistan, underline that the most well-prepared forces will triumph.
Despite adversaries possessing sophisticated technology, the decisive factor remains the individual soldier’s capability to apply essential fieldcraft, maneuver effectively, lead decisively, and maintain operations when technology is compromised.
Emphasizing being Brilliant at the Basics is not a rejection of modernization; rather, it ensures that soldiers are never reliant on any single instrument for survival and success.
It is about cultivating adaptable, lethal, and resilient warriors who thrive in the most challenging environments due to the diligent training provided by our NCOs.
In the face of LSCO, which promises to be brutal, complex, and unforgiving, it is these unwavering basics—executed with discipline, speed, and decisive action—that will lead our formations to victory.
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