Infantry training for non combat soldiers

[martinexsquaddie]

Given that in todays conflicts there is no safe area or rear echelon to hide out in. What sort of combat training do the traditional Remfs get?.
I know the british army they do basic and then have to pass there annual weapons test once a year.

[Mortimer]

Yeah same for Aussies....but its 'basic' at that.

[Scrim]

US Marines go to MCT (Marine Combat Trainig) after Bootcamp, before attending job schools. It was one month long back in 92, dont know how long it is now. We were taught very basic Infantry skills, It was pretty rough, made me wish I was back in Bootcamp, nice and safe! (no, really)
All Marines also have to qualify on the rifle range once a year.

[Apogee]

As usual I completely agree with Tane. Every soldier should be combat effective if put in such a situation. Thats not to say that every non-combat arms soldiers is worthless in a combat role, b/c I've met some amazing Combat Support and Combat Service Support folks. But I think there needs to be a greater emphisis of combat training.

This has one obvious drawback to it. If non-infantry units train on infantry skills it lessens their time to train on their unit responisibity and to conduct its every day mission. Are we willing to sacrifice everyday efficency to save lives when SHTF? In my opinion we should be. But thats not for me to decide, thats for higher to decide. Like always, just my .02$

[Apogee]

I do agree that more training before they leave basic would be benificial, but i think its constant training that will make the difference. Shooting skills are very important, but having a platoon of hooahs that can only shoot won't win the fight(of course Tane knows that since hes been in combat). You need leadership, medevac, calling for fire, ect ect. Those skills need to be sharpened often.

The officer corps is actually going to a system where all officers would get a 4-week crash course in combat operations called BOLC (Basic Officer Leadership Course) before reporting to their branch specific OBC. I think this will be of benifit to those non-combat arms officers, but will just hold up the IN guys from getting to Ranger School and then to their unit.

Here at the academy we have whats called Camp Buckner, where every cadet recieves infantry (and armor, FA, ADA, engineer) training, but its only very limited and in the sophmore. If anyone wants to see some pictures of that check out the USMA website and click on a class year which will lead you to that classes Beast and Buckner pictures.

[Pakrat]

All male Marines go to SOI(school of infantry)Before going on to their specialty school..After all every Marine is a rifleman.

[James]

When I was on active duty (93-97) non-infantry Marines went to 3 weeks of training at SOI, while infantrymen did 8 weeks. For infantrymen, the first 4 weeks were about general infantry skills, and the next 4 were specialized - riflemen, machineguns, mortars, etc. After I was in the FMF, the H&S guys in my battalion were in the field almost as often as the grunts, and they did their own tactical training. Sometimes they were augmented by a few grunts to make sure things went properly. I have a humorous memory of being in charge of a mixed squad of clerks and mechanics for MOUT training - I was a PFC! Most of the stuff that non-infantry Marines in my battalion did was a result of what the Battalion Commander directed, not official policy.