Supporting Training Strategies for Brigade Combat Teams Using Future Combat Systems (FCS) Technologies

This study seeks to help the Army identify options to improve its future (i.e., circa 2016) training strategies for Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) equipped with Future Combat System (FCS) technologies. Key findings are that live training will need to remain at the core of training programs for FCS units, and that adaptation to changing operational requirements will be a primary training challenge. Overall, the findings indicate that planned training enhancements can provide important improvements across a wide spectrum; however, the overall training capability achieved will likely be less than that needed to meet future training requirements. Unit time, the potential for technological advancement, and training budgets were found to be key constraints.

While the study stresses greater emphasis on training manpower support in battle command training as the Army’s best chance for significant near-term improvement, it concludes that longer-term improvement will depend on how closely the Army monitors and manages its enhancement programs. The process of shaping and balancing future training enhancements, for example, would benefit from better information and improved evaluative capabilities. These changes would be further enhanced by developing better metrics for the quality, quantity, and adaptability of training, by continuing to improve spiral development processes to evolve training methods and means, and by improving the visibility of financial information across training categories.