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M1A2: One Year Later
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Short Description: many ways. Of greatest concern is the. availability of LRUs, demand-supported. M1A2: One Year Later. Photo: CPT Wade McVey. ARMOR ’” January-February 1998 ...
Content Inside: M1A2: One Year Later Photo: CPT Wade McVey by Captain John Basso What soldiers cannot do is simply go Quite obviously, it follows, then, that through "on the job training." The com- training on M1A1s in Kuwait and NTC plexity of this schooling issue has grown -- the two sites where our best field My objective in this article is to both exponentially as numerous K4-qualified training occurs -- degrades our ability to demonstrate the need to alter how we soldiers PCS to Korea, AC/RC, recruit- learn how to fight the M1A2. train the M1A2, and to recommend new ing, and other assignments; there is no ways to train M1A2 units. I've based stabilization policy. (Of course, in return, Maintenance: specific examples of why we need to we gain inbound soldiers; unfortunately, change how we train the M1A2 on a sup- The M1A2's maintenance system is very few of them are K4-qualified.) position that I will not address in any de- more reliable, user-friendly, and deploy- tail -- that the M1A2 is a very different Current solutions to this lack of stability able than the M1A1. The tank's im- tank than the M1A1. More importantly, I include tying internal battalion and com- proved reliability is a function of redun- will discuss specific ways to improve pany moves to gunnery train-up periods, dant, common Line Replaceable Units how we currently train with the M1A2. and corps and division pinpointing in- (LRUs) [For example, the Hull Electron- As necessary corollaries to this main coming K4-qualified soldiers to assign- ics Unit (HEU) and the Turret Electronics theme, I'll first detail M1A2 manning ments in M1A2 battalions. Unit (TEU) can take over functions from and maintenance challenges prior to my each other in the case of a component Likewise, M1A2-qualified mechanics discussion of training. failure], computer-driven start-up and require Mechanic New Equipment Train- shut-down sequences (shut-down requires ing (OMNET), and similar manning Manning: the driver to override the system if he problems naturally occur. M1A2-quali- does not want to wait two minutes prior M1A2 units face many of the same fied communications specialists are a to shut-down), prominently displayed crew turbulence challenges that their separate problem, as there is no program cautions and warnings, and the excellent brother M1A1 units face. The require- to initially train these soldiers on the fault management system. Improvements ment for all M1A2 crew members to VIC-3 intercom or the digital communi- in ease of use and deployability are in have the "K4" identifier, though, drasti- cations infrastructure of the tank. many ways linked to the elimination of cally exacerbates these problems. Sol- STE-M1 as the primary diagnostic tool. diers earn the identifier after completing Recognizing the skills necessary to The Built-In Test (BIT) and Fault Isolate Operator New Equipment Training (OP- fight the M1A2 tank only magnifies the Test (FIT) are very user-friendly, as is the NET). Such training, typically conducted complexity of these manning moves. This gunner's computer-driven self-test. The for the Certification Course (TC3) at Fort tank is more like an F-16 than an M1A1 BIT and FIT, both contained within the Knox, requires a soldier to be sent TDY. and, just as pilots require consistent flight tank, eliminate the need for STE-M1, An additional option is a home-station time to remain current, M1A2 tank crew- which was both cumbersome and diffi- mini-OPNET if a soldier arrives at an men require regular and redundant train- cult to maintain in its own right. M1A2 battalion after that battalion has ing on the many systems in the tank. The completed its initial unit level OPNET. home station down training, designed to Maintenance on the M1A2 does chal- This final method's primary shortcoming re-familiarize our soldiers with the lenge the crew and the battalion's and is that it keeps a soldier away from his M1A1, that accompanies our regular ro- company's maintenance managers in unit for two weeks during what is often a tations to Kuwait and NTC, reduces our many ways. Of greatest concern is the critical "get-to-know-the-unit" period. opportunities for this redundant training. availability of LRUs, demand-supported ARMOR -- January-February 1998 31
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