Friday, January 29, 2010
(photo: Kim Hatton)
The U.S. Army’s top training expert is recommending changes to his service’s program for preparing soldiers for combat. Gone are the days of America fighting a large-scale enemy, like the Russians. Now the United States is more likely to be involved in smaller conflicts with foes such as the Taliban, that can drag out for years,.
Among the changes being suggested by Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, head of Initial Military Training, is eliminating bayonet training for soldiers. Why? Simple: most rifles in use today aren’t designed to hold a bayonet, so what’s the point in showing a new recruit how to stab someone.
While some staples of basic training will remain, such as rifle marksmanship and physical conditioning, changes are in order for these as well. This includes altering the physical work that soldiers will have to endure because young men aren’t in the same shape they used to be.
“We have statistical data gathered over the last years that shows we have an unbelievable decline in American society—increasing obesity, decreasing physical capacity, decreasing bone strength,” Hertling said. “All of those things contribute to the health of our youth, so we have to do a very fine balancing act between physical training and not injuring the soldier. You have to bring them on board through a process.”
“We have statistical data gathered over the last years that shows we have an unbelievable decline in American society—increasing obesity, decreasing physical capacity, decreasing bone strength,” Hertling said. “All of those things contribute to the health of our youth, so we have to do a very fine balancing act between physical training and not injuring the soldier. You have to bring them on board through a process.”
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Army Training Expert Recommends Dropping Bayonet Training (by Maureen Rose, U.S. Army)
General Overhauling Training Aims for Combat-Ready Troops (by Chuck Crumbo, The State-South Carolina)
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