F~Ll1974 \JO UME: 4 NUMBE:R 3 ft\LL 1974

fE:~TURE:S 11 OPMS/ COL Carl P. Rodolph, Jr. 14 Engineer Soldier's Manual/ CPT Robert Sperberg 16 River Crossing Operations/ CPT Benjamin F. Heil, Jr. 18 Incentive Training/ LTC Charles L. Shreves 22 Engineer Center Team/ Engineer Staff 23 Partnership/ LTC Joachim K. W. lickert 26 Construction Management At Work/ CPT Lamar C. Ratcliffe, Jr. 31 Training-The Elusive Commodity/ MAJ Charles E. Gardner 34 Domestic Action/ CPT Jeffrey A. Wagonhurst 36 Geodesic Domes/ CPT John H. Robertus 38 Lighting Freedom's Frontiers/ CPT Larry L. Austin 40 Dig it Now - See You Later/ CPT Cecil Green DE: P~RT ME: NTS 1 Chief's Briefs/ History 2 Pipeline/ News Items 4 Stop 16/ Letters to the Editor 5 Engineer Interview/ Project Nimbus Moon 28 The Henry Larcom Abbot Awar / CPT Gordon T. r by, Jr. 42 Issues a d Answer / LT Joseph H. Hottes 44 ridging the Gap/ Career Notes Major General Joseph Gilbert Totten was born in New Haven. Con­ necticut, August 23. 1788. He was graduated from the US Military Academy, July 1. 1805, and appointed Second Lieutenant, Corps of Engineers. He resigned from the Army on March 31, 1806, to accompany, as secretary, his uncle. Captain Jared Mansfield, who had been appointed by President Jefferson, Surveyor General of Ohio and the Northwest Territory. Totten re-entered the Corps in 1808. where he remained until his death, April 22, 1864. He was an authority on sea coast fortifications, and as a member of the first Permanent Board of Engineers (established in 1816) he laid down principles of coast defense construction which were followed for more than a century. His service covered three wars, the War of 1812, Mexican War, and the Civil War. He served 26 years as Chief Engineer. 1838-1864. the longest on record. As Chief of Engineers during the Civil War he supervised the defensive works around Washington. On the day before he died he was brevetted a Major General by Congress "for long, faithful and eminent service". Edward B. Russell Curator. US Army Engineer Museum _,1­ _

I ·PIPELINE. PIR RIBBON BRIDGE are expected to be available unit and will solve many of th EQUIPMENT RE­ for field use in the summer of unit's training facility prob­ 1975. Cradles are expected to lems. This all-weather build­ CEIVES NEW TYPE be available concurrent with ing is large enough to permit CLASSIFICATION the bridge units under a con­ static display of most items of A faster method of launching tract for 54 of the special boat TOE equipment; use multiple the boat used for the assembly units awarded to Pacific Car sand tables, slide projectors, of the Army's new ribbon and Foundry Co., Renton, viewgraphs or film projectors; bridge has been Type Classi­ Washington. and allow all the personnel to fied as Standard. This means see and hear what's going on. the method used, along with The structure is designed to the equipment itself, is con­ PLANS AVAILABLE be built in usable phases; that sidered the most advanced and FROM OCE FOR A is, foundation and roof first; satisfactory item available to TRAINING siding and windows next; fol­ meet current military needs. lowed by a floor and utilities. It Both the new launching ENVIRONMENT can be built by non-engineer method and the ribbon bridge Do you have a place for units as a dynamic training itself were developed and commander's call and corn­ project with some construction tested by the Military Tech ­ pany training? A place where equipment and engineer sup­ nology Department at the US all the soldiers in the unit can port, particularly in fabri­ Army Mobility Equipment Re­ sit around and be close to cating and erecting the roof search and Development Cen­ equipment, sand tables, speak­ trusses. ter (MER DC), Fort Belvoir, ers, etc.: see a vehicle main­ If, this building would fill a Virginia. tained; a weapon served; gap in your unit's training pro­ Essentially a boat cradle as­ equipment repaired; first gram and you're looking for sembly, the new method per­ echelon maintenance pulled; some adventure in your train­ mits the present standard 27 tactical concepts worked out on ing, you can obtain a set of foot bridge erection boat to be a sand table? plans and bill of materials by launched directly into the Are you fighting the weather contacting the Office of Chief of water from the ribbon bridge and noise out under the trees or Engineers, Engineering Design truck transporter in a fraction trying to make the theater, Division, HQDA, ATTN: of the time required using a dayroom or messhall do? DAEN-FEE-A, Washington, crane. This enables the boat to If the answer to any of these D.C. 20314. keep pace with the 20 feet per questions causes you irritation, minute assembly time of the makes you see red, or revivies actual bridge modules which bitter memories, then READ are launched from the trans­ ON. The Office, Chief of Engi­ MINIATURE TORCH porters directly into the water. neers may have a dynamic DEVELOPED BY Use of the cradle assembly answer to your problem. It's a MASSTER brand new self help company reduces the boat launching or RESEARCHERS retrieval time from 30 to ap­ training facility to satisfy most proximately two minutes. This units' needs. Accidents and emergencies, a Iso means the el i m ination of a The Office, Chief of Engi­ such as a car wreck or many 20 ton crane and the number of neers has contracted to Clark, combat situations, often re­ personnel reduced from six to Nixsen and Owens, Architects quire a cutting torch to burn three. and Engineers, to design a 40 ft through tangled masses of The ribbon bridge is now in x 40 ft x 20 ft high structure metal. production under a $10 million which will be added to the Now, researchers at MAS­ contract with Consolidated Army's Functional Component STER (Modern Army Selected Diesel Electric Division of System (AFCS). The structure Systems Test, Evaluation and CON D E X Corporation, Old will accommodate all of the Review) are examining a new Greenwich, Connecticut. Units personnel in a company-size Miniature Thermal Bar Torch

2 INE. PIPELINE. at has a greater cutting combat-ready state. emergency rescue tool in such power than the familiar Also, the oxyacetylene torch things as car wrecks where oxyacetylene torch. has an approximate heat range victims are trapped inside. The new torch was developed of 6000 degrees, whereas the Any ambulance, police car, by the Land Warfare Labora­ mini torch can effectively op­ fi re truck or rescue veh ic1e tory at Aberdeen Proving erate high above this range. could easily carry one of more Grounds, Maryland, and the The mini torch does leave a of these torches and be pre­ MASSTER testing is putting much rougher cut than oxyacet­ pared for any type of emer­ the torch through it paces in lene. but this is understandable gency cutting operation. typical field situations with since it has greater heat level The MASSTER tests of the soldiers from the 2d Armored and melts more material torch include timed tests for Division at Fort Hood. faster. mobility, speed of operation The torch has such a high and assembly. Soldiers from Although the mini torch has burn temperature that it can the 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry, innumerable possibilities as a cut through concrete, stainless of the 2d Armored Division military implement, the de­ steel, earthen materials and were trained to operate the velopers see it as a needed tool other items that the oxyacety­ torch and used it on a variety for humane operations. lene torch cannot penetrate, or of materials, including steel has trouble penetrating. The torch can operate off any l-beams, armor plating, hell­ For example, the mini torch type oxygen container and copter bodies, concrete and can cut through eight inches of could be feasibly handled as an earth. armor plating in 39 seconds, which could be significant in rescuing men from a damaged tank or armored personnel arrier when time is a critical actor . There are great possibilities that the mini torch could be used in non-explosive demoli­ tion roles. It could be an effec­ tive tool to replace thermite or other explosives to destroy bridges, vehicles or such things as concrete field fortifications. The greatest advantage of the mini torch is that is can be handled by one man. It can be parachuted into an area for clandestine operations, and it can be lit and operated on land or in the water without prior preheating or special prepara­ tion. On the other hand, the oxyacetylene torch requires a preheating period prior to op­ erations, it is bulky, unless operated from a truck, it re­ quires at least two men to operate it, and it cannot be iara chuted into an area in a Sir: settled on land that is about as neer Brigade commanded by I have read several issues of worthless as the Black Hills Brigadier General Daniel P. your magazine and find it to be are beautiful. Woodbury_ very informative in many Most of the Black Hi lis is US As the Engineer Battalion is areas , however, I feel the ar­ Forest Service land; what little in the lineage of the 1st Engi­ ticles seem to avoid the area of private land there is is almost neer Battalion, I read the new equipment under develop­ universally owned by the white article with much interest and ment. man. About the only Indians hope that you and /or Major I believe that if artlcles in one now sees in the Black Hills McDonald might help clarify this subject area could be pub­ are one or two amusing the some data inconsistencies con­ lished to inform field soldiers tourists during the summer. cerning the Engineer Bat­ of developing concepts or The bel ief that the Indian re­ talion's participation in this methods, the Corps would re­ tains much land in the Black campaign. ceive comments from the field Hills is about as worthless as Our records, here in the 1st on proposed changes. These the treaty that said he would. Engineer Battalion, show that comments could avoid costly In conclusion, Mr. Mc­ the Battalion of Engineers (as modifications to equipment Andrew's article was excellent our data indicates it was after issue, and would reduce save for its ending. If one is to called) was commanded by the number of unauthorized print history, it would be stated Major James C. Duane from modifications which occur in as it was . .. not as we would 1861 through 1865, which would field units (I .e. radio's moved like it to be. have included the period re­ to driver's area of Gamma Gary C. Brown fer-red to in the article. I would Goat in troop units). SP4 appreciate clarifying the com­ This would also allow field mand status of the Battalion personnel the opportunity to during this period so that w e relate personal experiences in Specia list Brown: can correct our records, if order to provide research necessary. The conclusion of Mr. Mc­ Thank you for your assist­ Andrew's article was not his ance. CPT Michael F. Burns own, rather an added editorial CE afterthought. You may take W. M. SMITH, JR. some comfort in the fact that LTC, CE your letter was not the only one Sir: Colonel Smith: received challenging the added I was very pleased to see paragraph. Your letter was turned over Eugene McAndrew's article on to Mr. Edward B. Russell,Cura­ "An Engineer in the Black Sir: tor of the Engineer Museum, Hills". (Spring 74) As a geo­ for verification. He graciously logical engineering student at The Spring 1974 edition of agreed to check out Major Mc­ the S. D. School of Mines and THE ENGINEER contains an Donald's facts and furnish you Technology I became very article by Major McDonald en­ a reply. For our ever inquisi­ familiar with many of the titled "It Was a Gallant Work" tive readers, we will relate that places mentioned in the article. - the story of engineer partlcl­ the article, as written by Major However, I disagree with Mr. pation in the Battle of Freder­ McDonald, was correct. McAndrew's last paragraph : icksburg. In the article Major "Ludlow had a great vision, McDonald explains that Gen­ Stop 16 is our "1£ tters to the but the Indians have retained eral Burnside had available to Editor" Department. We en­ much of their land in the Black him: The Engineer Battalion, courage timely, spirited response Hills." Hardly! Forced out of a Regular Army unit com­ and constructive criticism about the holy land, the "Paha­ manded by Lieutenant Charles THE ENGINEER and its con­ Sapa", the Sioux finally were E. Cross and Volunteer Engi­ tents.

4 E:NGINE:E:R INTE:R\JIE:W: With Captain Overton Day, Captain Roy Whitman, Captain Kenneth Elrick, Captain William Korn, Sergeant First Class Theodore J. Lenegar, Staff Sergeant Earl D. Divelbliss and Staff Sergeant Donald G. Harmel.

Operation Nimbus Moon (Land ) ENGINEER : Can you tell our Navy command. was a join : effort by the Unit ed readers just exactly what was States, Britain, France and the role of the engineers durinq ENGINEER: What was the Russia to assist the Egyptian OPERATION NIMBUS MOON duration of OPERATION Government in clearing the ( LAND)? NIMBUS MOON (LAND)? banks of the Suez Canal of mines and other explosive ordnance. CPT DAY: The engineer mission CPT DAY: Th e execution of the This was accomplish ed in prep­ was to train and advise per son­ oper ation began 11 April 1974 aration for the reop ening of th e nel of the Egyptian Army combat and was concluded on 24 July canal to international navigation. engineers whose mission was to 1974. clear minefields from the vicinity In the spirit of the first joint of the Suez Canal. We were part ENGINEER: How many per­ United States and Egyptian of a combined task force of sonnel where involved? peace project , a team of engi­ engineer and EOD per sonnel. neers from Fort Belvoir, Virginia CPT DAY: Eight engineer offi­ was sent to the area of Isamailia ENGINEER: Who made the cers, 13 combat engineer NCOs with th e mis sion to instruct determination for your mis­ and two maintenance NCOs were Egyptian soldiers in the training sion? initially deployed to Egypt. In and doctrine of u. S. mine re­ May, some personnel returned to CPT DAY: Our miss ion was the states. mo val. primarily determined by the In an effort to keep readers of Joint Chiefs of Staff after two ENGI N E ER: In what capacity THE ENGINEER magazine up preliminary planning trips to were the engineers utilized? to date, we interviewed that Egypt. Both of these trips were team and got a first hand reac­ supervised by Navy Personnel. CPT DAY: We were organized tion to th eir mission and the Nimbus Moon (LAND) was in operationally into Battalion Ad­ country of Egypt at large. This fact an element of th e joint visory teams. Th e engineer side is their story: Army-Navy Task Force under of the task force dealt primarily with the 209th Egyptian Engi­ neer Brigade. The brigade con­ sisted of brigade headquarters and four organic battalions. Their mission was to clear minefields the full length of th e Suez Canal, approximately a 100 mile stretch in length and a depth of 250 meters. This area pertained to both banks, with the exception of certain built up areas. There the depth was increased to 500 meters. The east shore of the Great and Little Bitter Lakes required no clearance. While the US engineers were organized into four BN Advisory teams, only three of th e four Egyptian BNs were utilized on the canal Members of the Fort Belvoir Training Team are : Front Row, ( left to right), SSGT clearance. Each BN advisory Earl D , Divelbliss, SSGT Donald G Harmel , SFC Theodore J . Lenegar; Back Row , team consisted of an engi­ (left to right) CPT William Korn, CPT Overton Day, CPT Kenneth Elrick and CPT neer captain and two or three Roy Whitman. engineer E-7 or E-8. The two

5 mine detector personnel were Egyptian engineers were more received one day of demolition utilized for the purpose of con­ comba t exper ienced than our­ training und er Capt ain Korn, one ducting actu al mine detect or selves . Remember, th ey' ve been day of minefield br eaching under main tenance and subsequently engaged in a war since 1967, so CPT Elrick and one day of mine training Egyptian personnel for their act ual exp erience is far detector training, which I was in th at purpose. greater. As far as their use of charg e of. ENGINEER: How were you equipment and materiel, they may not have the capabilities we CPT KORN: My phase of demo received by the Egyptians? t rai ning was broken down into do, but they still accomplish th e three areas, nonelectrical prim­ job by benefit of sheer numbers. CPT KORN: Th e Egyptians were ing, electrical priming and de ­ Their troops are utilized more for very warm and friendly. They tenation cord priming. We hadn't labor type tasks, whereas a US seemed extremely happy that any real fee ling as to the engi neer would utilize some form Americans had come to their Egypt ian Officers expertise, so of sophisticated equipment. country in ord er to provide as­ we began with our basic demo sistance. Any rumors that we CPT DAY: In fact , the 209th proced ures. We soon discovered had heard of the Ame ricans being BDE appeared to be a pioneer­ our techniques were similar. treated otherwise pro ved very type combat engineer unit and They had experience with our false. not heavy equipme nt. The TNT, some Italian dynamite, etc., Egyptians do hav e other engi­ so thi s was more or less a CPT WHITMAN: I felt that we neer units that are more tailored r efresher course for t hem on our were not only well received by to specific missions , however, we nomencla ture and equipment . the Egyptian Army personnel we had no contact with th em. This expedite d the natural train­ worked with, but also by the ing phase. civilian community. In some in­ CPT ELRICK: My over all im­ stances we were eve n ta ken int o pr ession was that their perform­ CPT WHITMAN: My mine de ­ their homes and welcomed as a ance on the clearing operation tector t ra ining began with class ­ member of their family. was efficient and effect ive. room instruction on the nomen ­ ENGINEER: Did you encoun­ clature of the mine det ector, its ENGINEER: O.K. Now back ter any language communica­ parts, general operating proce­ to your actual mission. Tell us tions problems? dures and how the detector func­ how you went about establ ish ­ ti ons. The metal mine detector CPT WHITMAN: Most of the ing an operational concept. they had been using was very people we worked with spoke and similar to ours, so the group understood En glish. Keep in CPT DAY: Our operational con­ adapted very quickly. The train­ mind however, that all our con­ cept consisted of three phases. ing progressed to the field where tacts were wit h th e civilian offi­ The fir st pha se was t hat of US actual detection for unused live cials of the Suez Canal authority engineer conducted trai ning for mines of various ty pes took place. and Egyptian Army Engineer an Egyptian officer cadre. The The Egyptian officers seemed to Officers. Most of the enlisted second was that same cadre like our metal mine dete ctor very personnel spoke or understood training their own troops, with well because of its sensitivity. I lit tle En glish. Americ an tourism the US engineers advising and might add we only trained them was a very going concer n over ass isting in said tra ining. The in th e use of th e AN-PSS /ll there, so most taxi drivers could third or final phase was that of metallic mine detector. get you where you wa nted to go. the US engi nee rs advising act ual clearance operations. CPT ELRICK: The third day of ENGINEER: What was your instruction was designed to show impression of the Egyptian CPT WHITMAN: Ph as e one con­ the Egyp tian officers t he tech­ combat engineers? sisted of three days of t raining by niques use d by US engineers for two separa te groups meeting at clearing and breaching mine­ CPT KORN: I felt that the two different tim es. Each group fields. Considering the fact they

6 had seven years of exp eri ence in the field and trained personnel when only significantly difficult this task, our procedure was to from t heir respective battalions. clearance projects r emained. The show them th e techniques the US bulk of their minefields had been ENGINEER: SGT Harmel engineers utilized in location and pulled by this time and as of 30 and SGT Divelbliss. You gave remov al. This was demonst rated May the bri gade had cleared actua l tr aini ng in add it ion to by use of detectors and probing. approximately 146,000 mines. In t he final analysis, since both th at given by th e US Officers? our techniques pro ved quite simi­ CPT WHITMAN: Subseq uent SGT DIVELBLISS: Yes , in main­ rechecking of mine fields which lar , it was mer ely a question of tenance of the detector itself. We comparison and selection. were already clea red prior to our pointed out such things as the arrival there was accomplished ENG I NEE R : The words fragility of some of the com­ with our AN-PSS /ll mine detec­ "classroom training" and ponents, care and cleaning, et c. tor . This pr oduced additional " f ield training" keep occur­ ENGINEER: How about your mines that had been missed. ing . Why the distinction? advisory activities? Were you ever in any apparent danger? ENGINEER: Everything CPT KORN: In order to conduct sounds Iike it moved smoothly thorough training, it was neces­ SGT LENEGAR: Not th at any and efficiently. You were prob­ sary to expose th e student to an one was awar e of at the time . I ably furnished precise mine­ indoor and out door pha se. In­ believ e th at the Egyptian officers field records. doors he learns the basic applica­ were constantly looking out for tions, outdoors he accomplishes our welfare. CPT ELRICK: Not quite. I did the task. It's that simple. Take encounter several differ ent re­ demo training, for example . CPT ELRICK: We were speci­ cording forms the Egyptians had After a bri ef class on how to fically told we would not handle available to them but it was at pr ime TNT with a non-electric any ex plosives, demolitions or best a draftsman's sketch of the cap, we'd take the student to a mines at any time during our area of installation. The writing ta ble containing the needed gea r advisory role. We were there to was always in Arabic but I could and let him go through the advi se and not to participate. discer n some of the numbers , pro cedures we had outli ned . Then it was outs ide to the demo range for follow-through. CPT WHITMAN: Detection tra ining was the same. Each group, consisting of about twen­ ty-five men, with one US Advis or for eve ry three or four E gyp­ tians , would go through a practi­ cal exe rcise. The US advisor would put the mine detector into oper ation th en br eak it down. One Egyptian officer would in tur n trai n the other two or three in th e same operation. ENGINEER : As advisors to possibly the pattern, turning SGT LENEAR: Th e system the 209th Brigade, didn't you point and soforth. work ed well. One gro up of actually get in to th e fi eld on a Egyptian officers and one US de layed bas is? CPT DAY: I want to point out advisor working as a team. The CPT DAY: The canal clearance that this was the only time actual Egyptian cadre in t urn would began on 12 February while our recording forms were encoun­ trai n their NCO per sonnel. participation in the actual advi s­ tered. Generally, the record ing SGT HARMEL: For exa mple, ing of clearance began on 15 May. consisted of an overlay to scale, Sgt. Divelbliss and I trained one Up to this point the brigade had the locations of mine fields and Egyptian colonel, who was ac­ had three full battalions involved some figures that might or might companied by an NCO. In the in cleara nce operations. After 15 not be the number and ty pes of next tw o day s he trained two May t he Egyptian clea ra nce ef­ mines. This was only on their additio nal NCOs, with us acting fort started to decrease and by side of the canal I might add. The more or less as supervisor s. th e end of June has ceased. Our Israeli side lacked both accurate These individuals in turn went to involvement occured at a time recording and reconnaissance.

7 ENGINEER: Captain Elrick, CPT DAY: There were actually CPT DAY: This mine was also you mentioned m inefield pat­ thirty different types of mines used dir ectly on the canal ledge terns. Were there any standard encountered in the canal area. just above the water line. In patterns in the operational These were divided evenly with many cases. fortification work area? the Israelis and the Egyptians subsequent to the minefield in­ using 15 different types each. stallation or banks sloughing oflA.. CPT ELRICK: In every instance caused these mines to becom., that either I or my NCOs encoun­ ENGINEER: Encounter any buried very deeply in dense soil. tered th e pattern employed was sophisticated hardware or real the basic Soviet row mining type problem areas? ENGINEER: How was the pattern. In this pattern, mines problem solved? are simpl y spaced in rows four CPT ELRICK: Sophisticated meters on center for anti-tank hardware? No. Problem areas? CPT WHITMAN: In areas of types and two meters for anti­ Yes. Along Lake Timpsa, near deeply buried mines, the Egyp­ personnel ty pes. The turning Isrnalia, masses of the Soviet tians would dig adjacent to the points were in increments of Tl\'1N-46 mines were employed in rows of mines about a meter deep eight meters at a time, in sixteen the water using a tilt rod type or more and then use bulk ex­ or twenty-four meters, then the fuse. The mines were encased in plosives. Everything was used in row would angle out at a different concr ete and placed along the this hole. Everything from Rus­ azimuth. Picket points marked shoreline to prevent amphibious sian clay TNT , Italian Dynamite the beginning of each row. This landings. Removal was compli­ and old anti-tank mines that in turn made removal quite sim­ cated by the growth of water could be recovered. Primed with ple. hyacinths in the canal along the detcord, the mines would be shore line which had covered detonated symphatetically. ENGINEER: That sounds too these mines. Since the tilt rod simple. Anybody encounter fuse is very sensitive, clearing ENGINEER: Now that we're anything different? the plants so the mines could be on special situations again, CPT DAY: No. For lack of a located visually was exceptional- were there any instances of

better word, this "pattern " meth­ Iy dan gerous. A person moving mines being recovered for pos­ od seemed to be used with around in that morass would sible re-use? uniform regularity by both the detonate a mine . Egyptians and the Israelis along SGT LENEGAR: When we ar­ both sides of the Suez canal. In CPT WHITMAN: The Russian rived at the 31st Egyptian Engi­ not one instance was the six PMN non-rnetalic personnel mine neer Battalion, we did notice a cluster pattern as known in our was another problem. Since it few thousand mines stacked at doctrine used. We feel this is only takes a very low pressure to the training area. We were told significant in describing the ease be applied to the pressure plate they were stacked for detonation, with which the Egyptians were to detonate, probing is extremely but it looked as though they were able to remove mos t minefields. dan gerous. Even though it con­ going to re-use them. However, tains metal and can be dete cted mines that could not be removed conveniently or that had fuse ENG I N E ER: What types of by our metal detectors, its sen­ sitivity makes it difficult to deal wells that hampered removal mines were encountered along were blown in place. the canal? with.

B ENGINEER: Back to the lo­ dry soil area. CPT ELRICK: There is no doubt cation and detection of mines. SGT DIVELBLISS: Sgt Harmel, that the AN-PSS/ll is a tremen­ What types of equipment did dous detector for locating metal­ the Egyptians use? Cpt Whitman, a couple of other NCOs and myself took it through lic objects. The Egyptians the mock minefield we had set up thought it was much better than CPT ELRICK: In most cases it any detector they had worked was the good ole probe. Some to see what depths it would detect. We found it would detect with. There were some problem said it was a Soviet innovation, ar eas in a combat zone where the very few mines even along the some said Egyptian, but it didn't ground had been plowed over and matter. It was about two meters canal shore line. This left us with very little reliable detection. was saturated with metallic ob­ long and a man could walk jects such as shrapnel and dis­ through a minefield with it unlike ENGINEER: It wouldn't work car ded ammunition. You can get the US probe which has the man all kinds of signals with this baby down on his stomach or hands where it was dry and it would­ n't work where it was damp. because it's so sensitive and each and knees. In addition to that, Did you test it under any other signal means the operator has a they had a rake about four conditions? probe to determine whether he's meters long which they would got a mine or a piece of small use in grassy antipersonnel mine SGT HARMEL: We even took it metal. In a large scale operation fields . The rake would locate the down by the water that edged this takes a considerable time to mine and the personnel would the mock up field, placed the get through a minefield and I either disarm or detonate them mines in holes which had water think the US Army will have to as the case might be. seeping over the mine itself and evaluate its hasty breeching tech­ again the only mines detected by niques using this detector. ENGINEER: You've dis­ the ANPRS/7 were metal mines, CPT WHITMAN: Even the many cussed the probes, but what Dot non-metallic. about the electronic detectors so-called non metallic anti-tank that are used by the Egyptians? ENGINEER: The group con­ mines contain a small amount of census says the AN- PRSI7 is metal such as a striker or spring CPT WHITMAN: I personally less than desirable. Anybody in the fusin g system can be saw some old US metallic mine got some positive recommen­ detected using the AN-PSS/II. detectors and was told that they dations? had used some Russian mine detectors prior to our arrival. CPT WHITMAN: It is my opinion that some warning should be sent ENGINEER: Earlier in this to the field immediately. The interview you mentioned that detection ability is not the only you trained the Egyptians in limiting characteri stic of the de­ the use of the AN- PSS/ll me­ tector. It requires a homgenous tallic mine detector exclusive­ type soil and cannot be operated ly. Was another type of de­ in any vegetation, because the tector taken along? If so, why mere touch of a blade of grass wasn 't it used? against th e side of the search head gives a false sign al. I think CPT WHITMAN: Yes, the the whole unit should be re­ ANPRS-7 non-metallic mine de­ evaluated and taken out of the tector. The reason why it wasn't field because of the overwhelm­ used is simple. When we first ing limitations. It is not designed received our mine detectors upon to detect anti-personnel mines ENGI N E ER: That means if an arriving in Egypt, we immediate­ and where anti-personnel and area has been fought over we ly ran checks on them to see if anti-tank mines are emplaced really have no recourse for they were operational. Our together, it could become a real detecting mines other than the maintenance people were going sticky situation. As a combat "good ole probe". Well, main­ over th em, calibrating th em and engineer, I wouldn't ask any troop tenance on a probe should be ensuring that the y were opera­ to enter a minefield with that simple enough. How about ting on the correct frequency. It detector. problems on our detectors? was then we discovered that the non-metallic mine detector s SGT HARMEL: Very little. Two would not give us reliable de­ ENGINEER: What about the AN-PSS/ll s had gotten sand tectibility due to the immense AN-PSS/ll and its proponents? inside th e handle and the collar

9 used to tighten the short handle also realize mines are not a thing and th e extension pole. When of the past and will be used in the collar was tightened it re­ ground combat again and again. sulted in some damage, but no­ The US Army should place em­ thing that couldn't be prevented phasis on training in this part.icu­ by supplying a brush along with las area in the service schools and the detector. in field units.

SGT DIVELBLISS: We also had ENGINEER: Aside from the one instance of the search head usual camel rides, the food, the working the connections of the belly-dancers and, of course the short and long extension loose pyram ids , can one of you come 1 and stripping the end of the up with a concrete example of extension pole. mutual beneficiality?

ENGINEER: Quite a few CPT WHITMAN: While I was things have been discussed working in Suez, President Am­ here, now let's turn our atten­ whar Sadat came to visit Suez tions to the benefits derived City and view the destruction from the operation. that had occurred there. I had an

opportunity to chat with him for o/"i ,,;" -./· ' ~ . _­ CPT DAY: I feel that doctrinally a while and passed on to him my . 'c-"O, we have certain problems within personal American flag. He ap­ ¥ .... our own counter-mine operations. peared to be very moved by this, We were exposed to very simple and looking at the flag first, then types of mining in the Suez Canal at me said that he would cherish ~~. ar ea and very efficient clearing this always . I think that's the operations. Our own mining doc­ way we will all feel about our trine is very complex - complex mission over there in the time to to the point that I feel we are come.

hurting ourselves concerning ef­ ficiency. Our doctrine on coun­ ter-mine clearance is treated quite vaguely and generally. Everything is based on an ideal situation, which is not a suitable basis upon which the small leader in the field can develop clearance procedures for a specific situa­ tion. CPT WHITMAN: We should

10 OPMS OPMS OP S OPMS OPMS

Colonel ANATN IA o PANACEA FOR CAREE DEVELOPIEN

As a result of the withdrawal of u.s. Military career branches, represents a significant shift from Forces from Vietnam and a corresponding reduc­ a rather rigid, long existent. traditional value tion in the active force structure, the Army has system of personnel management to one in tune had the opportunity to reflect upon personnel with providing officers, trained in proper special­ "lessons learned" and to develop a force structure, ties and skills. to meet current and future Army consistent with available resources. to be respon­ requirements. Further, OPMS is the most evolu­ sive to future military requirements. Since tionary change to the Army's Officer Personnel "people" are our most important resource it is System since 1947 and is a response to a changing logical to expect that personnel career develop­ requirements and the military environment. OPMS ment programs would receive priority attention ­ has three main objectives for officer professional and they did! In March of this year DA Pamphlet development: 600-3, entitled "Officer Professional Development and Utilization". was released to the field for • To develop officers in the proper numbers implemention. This document,in effect,established and skills to meet Army requirements and maxi­ a "road map" for the Officer Personnel Manage­ mize the individual officer's abilities. aptitudes and ment System (OPMS). OPMS, for the majority of interests.

11 • To assign officers based upon Army require­ perhaps became a token specialist. Under the new ments and within capabilities in consonance with system everyone must develop in-depth expertise individual competence and desires. in two specialty areas. Your basic entry specialty is Engineer. Within the Engineer specialty, the • To improve the overall motivation and pro­ primary development is in one or more of the fessional satisfaction of the officer corps. following areas: combat. construction, facilities and topographic engineering. An officer, during There are many factors which prompted the his first 8 years of commissioned service. will development of OPMS. In recent years the officer become qualified in a broad spectrum of jobs corps has decreased in size, the need for specializa­ within the Engineer specialty. The larger the tion and functionalization has increased, the Army spectrum and the deeper your expertise into the has insufficient officers trained in required special­ many facets of military engineering the greater ties, command opportunities have decreased. the your value as an Engineer. But keep this in mind. previous promotion systems have encouraged gen­ of all the qualities required for success in the eralization versus specialization, and profession­ Engineer specialty. your ability to command still alism and career satisfaction need to be improved. dominates. As previously stated, DA Pamphlet 600-3 pro­ Following the first 8 years of commissioned mulgated the new officer personnel system, how­ service, an Engineer officer will select an alternate ever. because of the voluminous size of the spe cialty and can expect to receive future assign­ document, rather strong feelings and experiences ments in both the Engineer specialty and his of many senior officers, and a general suspect of alternate specialty on an alternating basis. The departing from traditional patterns, the officer normal Engineer company grade career develop­ corps has not yet fully "signed up and climbed on ment will continue. as in the past. The first eight the OPMS band wagon". Undoutedly, many will years will consist of: attendance at the Engineer continue to have strong reservations and will Basic Officer Course (EOBC), assignment with reserve final judgement until results of future troops to gain command and staff experience, selection boards are posted. However, it is attendance to En gineer Officer Advanced Course important that ever y officer fully understands that (EOAC), company command. attendance to civil OPMS is being implemented and DA is totally schooling (depending upon academic background. committed to this program. OPMS is now a fact of overall manner of performance and DA educational life! requirements) and assignment to an Engineer The questions for the young company grade functional utilization. It is the Engineer Branch officer and some majors are: Is OPMS the goal to assign all officers to troop units following anathema or panacea for career development? How EOBC graduation to become thoroughly grounded has it changed from the old system? How will the in troop unit operations. new system affect me? Should I generalize or Your alternate specialty is largely your choice should I strive to be a specialist? What alternate consistent with Army requirements. For success, specialty is best for Engineers? qualities and attributes must match those needed These are challenging questions and the type in the specialty you choose. The Army is large and received each day by military personnel officers its requirements are diverse but soldierly qualities assigned to Engineer Branch, Officer Personnel are and will remain fundamental keys to success. Directorate (OPD). Military Personnel Center, HQ, The successful officer will not be the technician DA. Before launching into OPMS, it would be who happens to be wearing th e uniform. he will be worthwhile to place the current professional de­ the soldier who is well versed in the technicalities velopment in perspective. The new DA policy to a of his specialties and who demonstrates his tech­ great extent formalizes an informal system that nical capabilities in performance meeting Army has been practiced by Engineer personnel man­ requirements. agers for years. Engineer officers have been We just said it. "Army requirements". Re­ developed to be highly competitive for both branch quirements Drive The System. This is an age old material and immaterial assi gnments to meet truism and still true under OPMS. The statistics Army requirements. Therefore, for the Engineer show that beyond the eight years of service officer. it represents a continuation of previous nearly 50 percent of th e requirement for Engineer efforts. With this background in mind now, let us officers is outside the "pure" Engineer specialty. address "How has the system changed?" and So the requirement for you to develop additional "How does it affect me?". You must develop skills is real and not contrived. yourself in depth to serve in two of the Army's Which specialty is best for Engineers? This specialty areas. This represents a shift from the question gets at the heart of the whole matter. The former policy which fostered the generalist who answer is simple. There is no one alternate

12 specialty for engineers that is better than another, "The Officer Personnel Management System but there is very definitely an alternate specialty described in this Pamphlet is the blueprint that is best suited for you. It is your job to figure for the development of the Army's officer out which one that is with the guidance of your corps of the future. This system will pro­ personnel mana ger. As was stated before, the vide officers the opportunity to develop the election of an .alternate specialty is dependent professional skills that the leaders of tomor­ pon Army requirements, individual military ex­ row's Army will need. I commend this perience and personal preferences. Normally, field Pamphlet to your study, but caution you to grade officers, particularly Engineers, already bear in mind that how well you do in the have established skills in one or more alternate Army depends not on our system of man­ specialties. This fact was particularly evident agement but rather on your individual during a recent evaluation which culminated in the efforts and dedication to service." final designations of alternate specialties for lieu­ The Army's leadership is dedicated to total tenant colonels. Approximately 80% Engineer implementation of OPMS. Assignments currently lieutenant colonels received their first choice and are being made to satisfy Army requirements in 98% received no less than their second choice. A the alternate specialty areas. This effort will be recapitulation of these results is delineated below. fully implemented once alternate designations have been finalized for both majors and captains ENGINEER LIEUTENANT COLONELS OPMS ALTERNATE, during CY 1975. OPMS is an evolutionary pro ­ SPECIALTY DESIGNATIONS fessional development program that should provide Specialty Code Percent the achievement of a successful military career. As Research & De velopment 51 20 .0 General Abrams has suggested - each officer Operations & Force Development 54 12.7 Foreign Area Officer 48 9.8 must study 600-3 and become familiar with the Atomic Energy 52 9.2 options. OPMS is neither the anathema nor the Education 47 8.5 panacea for career development. As General Per sonnel Management 41 7.7 Supply Management 92 7.5 Abrams indicated, there is no management system Procurement 97 5.9 which guarantees success. Each officer must OR /SA 49 3.5 conduct a self analysis, become familiar with Army Mainlenance Management 91 3.0 T actica I/Strategic I nte\I igence 35 2.5 requirements, consult with personnel managers, ADP 53 2.3 evaluate personal goals and select the career Comptroller 45 2.2 progression route which satisfies both Army and onstr uction /Marine Mater ial Mgmt 78 1.3 ogist ics Ser vi ces Management 93 1.0 individual needs. Once this "blueprint" has been Aviation Material Management 71 .7 developed, then it should be implemented with Tank/Ground Mob Mat Management 77 .7 nothing less than quality performance. Personnel Adm inistration 42 .5 Information 46 .4 Missile Material Management 73 .2 Colonel Carl P. Rodolph, Jr., is the Chief of Munitions Material Management 75 .2 POL M anagement 81 .2 Engineer Branch, Officer Personnel Directorate, TOTAL 100.0 Military Personnel Center, The Department of The Army. Since being commissioned in 1952, he has served in a variety of command and staff assign­ ments to include constru ction units in Europe; Now that lieutenant colonel desi gnations have Vicksburg Engineer District; HQ, 8th US Army, been completed, the next DA target group is Korea: tours with both ACSI and ACSFOR on the majors and captains. Records will be reviewed by Army staff; and a previous tour in the Engineer DA personnel managers to evaluate both education Branch, OPD. Colonel Rodolph's Vietnam tours and experience for alternate specialty designation. include assignments as engineer, 173d A irborne Although Army requirements always drive the Brigade (Separate), CDR, 577th Engineer Battalion personnel system, individual desires and personal (Construction) and CDR, 326th Engineer Battalion, preferences are considered. If there is some doubt lOlst Airborne Division (Airmobile). He most re­ concerning your experience or selection, contact cen tly served as CDR, US. Army Engineer School Engineer Branch for advice. Additionally, rem em­ Brigade, Fort Belvoir. Colonel Rodolph is a ber the alternate designation is not irrevocable and graduate of the Engineer OA C, the Command and can be changed after a period of 2 years. General Staff College and th e National War The importance of OPMS is properly reflected CoUege. His civilian education includes degrees in in the forwarding statement made by former Army Industrial Management, Civil Engineering and Chief of Staff, General Creighton W. Abrams, International Relations. Colonel Rodolph is a • when promulgating DA Pamphlet 600-3. He said: registered professional engineer.

13 A new type manual is being developed by the U. S. Army Engineer School that will contain all the MOS related information a soldier will need to know to perform his duties. The manual could allow for a whole new set of potential application including revolutionizing the individual training process. Unfortunately, the program is still plagued by shortcomings that threaten the useful­ ness of the manual. The Soldier's Manual is an answer to the 1'RADOC requirement that each branch of the Army pr epare a manual that will address each MOS under their particular control. The require­ ment arises from the recognized problem that it is not uncommon today to find soldiers unsure of wha t they are supposed to be able to do, or unable to complete tasks that should be within their capabilities. The Engineer version of the Soldier's Manual is being pr epared at the Engineer School at Fort Belvoir. The School has defined its guideposts for the preparation of th e manual to be: • It will belong to only one soldier. Each soldier will be issued the Soldier's Manual for his particular MOS. • It will clearly define the soldier's responsi­ bility with regards to his MOS duties. • It will contain all MOS related information that the soldier will need to perform his du ties. Further, the project group tasked with the preparation of the initial draft of the manual was given special guidance with regards to the overall development of the manual. As a result, the new manual uses only information and terminology

CPT Robert Sperberg

LDIER MANUAL 14 geared to the average educational and experience the tasks for his next skill level signed off, he level of the using soldier. The text is written in becomes eligible for promotion to that skill level. the second person so as to give the manual a Second. for union recognition. these scoreboards personal tlavor and talk the soldier through the will demonstrate to unions that certain skills have material. Also. all technical information is pre­ been mastered. Already some unions have ex­ sented only to the skill level required to make use pressed interest in providing apprentice-hour of the information. credit towards journeyman certificates for com­ As prepared by the project group. the manual pleted performance records in related skills. is organized into chapters. with Chapter 1 being Despite the possibilities that the manual has in the introduction chapter. However, this introduc­ these and other areas, its application to the active tion chapter. besides explaining how to use the Army has been delayed due to five major prob­ manual, will also provide information on what the lems: soldier must do to gain his next promotion. In • There is a need for an accurate and realistic addition, it will outline his progression from his job and task analysis for each MOS and skill level. present rank all the way to Sergeant Major, This ensures the reliability and creditability of the including all schools and special training required. manual. The manual must contain all pertinent This is a feature that no other manual has. MOS data, no more, and no less. Subsequent chapters would contain the informa­ • There is a need to determine whether there tion the soldier would need in the performance of is an inclusion of either too much or not enough his MOS duties. These chapters contain a series of information for each particular task. With too tasks outlining all the required missions a soldier much information. the book is too bulky. With not might have to perform within his skill level and enough information, we leave the soldier with MOS. These tasks are broken down into four insufficient data to perform the tasks assigned. parts: • As a result of the above problems. the size • "Task Statement" or what the soldier must and final organization of the manual is still a be able to do. matter of debate. • "Condition" which tells the soldier what he • The job performance record poses some needs to complete the task stated above or under difficult problems. especially finding a method of what special environmental conditions he must be preventing forgeries of supervisor's signatures. able to accomplish the mission. • There is also some question as to the field • "Standard" is the degree of proficiency the usefulness of the manual once it has been issued. soldier must demonstrate in the performance of Will it be too big? Will the individual soldier use the task. it? • "How To Meet The Standard" is the main Though these problems are still being studied, part of the manual which explains the step-by-step it is the opinion of the project group that, after procedures that the soldier must follow to com­ some additional refinements, a manual that not plete the task within the constraints of the condi­ only meets but also exceeds TRADOC require­ tions and standards set above. ments will be developed. Should it be accepted by This manual, in its completed format. will TRADOC, the Engineer Soldier's Manual has the certainly improve several areas of individual potential of improving the quality of the Corps of training currently causing difficulties. For ex­ Engineers overall. It could become a truly useful ample, all the questions on MOS tests will come and tremendously versatile manuaL from the text of the Soldier's Manual. Since all information for a particular MOS is in the Soldier's Captain Robert J. Sperberg was a project Manual, and each soldier has his own copy, there officer unili the team from the Training Programs will be an end of the requirement to maintain the Dioision, Deputy Commandant for Combat and large MOS libraries. Trainiiu; Developments, U.S. Army Engineer The manual's format also provides for a "Rec­ School; Fort Belvoir. which prepared the first draft ord of Performance." This will be a table in the of the new Engineer Soldier's Manual. He has a manual with all the tasks listed and a space for the B.S. degree in civil engineering from the Virginia signature of the soldier's supervisor. When this Military Institute and is an engineer-in-training in space has been signed. it means the soldier has Virginia. He recently returned from a tour unili successfully performed the task required, similar the 9th Engineer Battalion (Combat) in Europe. to the Boy Scout merit badge card. This record Currently he is attending the (3-74) Enqineer readily lends itself to two uses. First, it can be Officer Advanced Course and ultimately unll be used as a promotion guide. When a soldier gets all assigned to the Republic of Korea.

15 RIVER CRO SI_ _. CPT Benjamin F. Heil, Jr.

It is six o'clock in the morning of the second attempt has resulted in many corrections and Sunday in September . You are on the Rhine River innovations towards reducing construction time. near Leeheim, West Germany where during World Bridge erection boat control has been determined War II. General Patton crossed his Third Army to to be the largest contributing factor to timely continue its advance into the heartland of closure. A new method of boat control has been Germany. The 547th Engineer Battalion (Combat) selected for use by the commander and staff. The is commencing construction of an eleven hundred 547th Engineer Battalion is prepared to prove or and eighty-five foot class sixty floating bridge on disprove the concept that the use of a central boat the shore opposite that used by General Patton. control for all bridge erection boats on a major The "Br idge. Builders" have prepared for this day river crossing operation is effective. efficient. and through extensive training and are set to challenge time saving. the modern-day record for closure. The week's The boat control organization has been ex­ training period immediately preceeding the closure tracted from the normal assets of the supporting­

16 OPE TIONS and supported units with little, if any, detraction constituted reserve which is directly available to from their ability to accomplish assigned tasks. the boat commander. As six-float rafts are com­ The headquarters company commander has been pleted at the construction sites, the delivery teams designated as the boat commander and has se­ can secure, remove, and dock the rafts away from lected a location for his control headquarters that the construction sites. This system precludes affords him an unobstructed view of two-thirds of cluttering and congestion around the construction the entire construction site to include the complete sites, thus facilitating movement and accordingly centerline. Communication nets and personnel cutting construction time. Continuous final closure have been designated for the boat control ele­ can be assured by proper allocation of available ment's use. The boat commander has a direct assets by the boat commander. No construction radio link with the construction commander, the site personnel are required at centerline for raft battalion operations officer who is located in the marriage, thus freeing crews for actual construc­ tactical operations center. Additionally each boat tion work. No delivery teams are idled while crew can communicate with the control element or waiting for completed rafts at designated construc­ any other boat crew through a separate net. tion sites since the boat commander can allocate Bridge erection boats have been allocated and will specific crews to specific sites as rafts near comple­ be utilized according to normal tasking. Each of tion. The raft delivery teams have the capability the six construction sites has a single construction to dock rafts on the far shore prior to the raising of boat. Six two-boat teams have been allocated to the highline. This insures a continuous and provide raft delivery. Additional boats have been responsive flow of completed rafts at the appro­ allocated for centerline, safety, and the com­ priate time for effective centerline marriage. Cen­ mander. None of the assignments to the boat tralized control under a strong boat commander control organization has depreciated the ability of facilitates construction and provides timely, re­ the other construction elements. sponsive boat assets. The central boat control team concept provides It is now 9:25 A.M. and the first vehicle starts a strong, responsive tool for the construction to cross the bridge. The 547th Engineer Battalion commander. All of the boat and boat operator has completed the bridge in a record three hours assets of the three participating float bridge and twenty-five minutes, thus continuing its three companies have been pooled, thereby providing a year domination of Rhine River closure times for complete team of boats and operators from a Europe. Additionally, the battalion has surpassed situation where there were boats with no opera­ its best closure time by forty minutes. tors and operators with no boats. Special teams of The results are in and conclusive. The only maintenance and heavy equipment personnel have major change between past and present bridging been assembled and trained to man the raft operations has been the use of a centralized boat delivery crews. In this manner the necessary final control. The 547th Engineer Battalion has definite­ closure manpower has been provided without ly proved that the use of a central boat control weakening the committed line company strength. provides effective, flexible and responsive boat All boats remaining uncommitted after the initial assets for major river crossing operations. allocation have been formed into a reserve and lo­ cated with the boat commander. This effective and Captain Benjamin F. Heil, Jr., is a recent efficient use of available resources detracts little graduate of the Engineer Officer Advanced Course from the operation and, when coupled with the re­ at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He has commanded serve, provides the boat commander with all of the companies in Vietnam and West Germany. He necessary assets to accomplish his mission. participated in three Rhine River closures, the last The establishment of a central boat control has during September 1973 when he served as the provided flexibility and a subsequent strong possi­ 547th Engineer Battalion Operations Officer. He is bility of time reduction for the crossing operation. presently pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Breakdowns of critical boat assets are easily Civil Engineering at the University of California, remedied by dispatching other boats from the Berkeley.

17 Ch e L

How much does a combat engineer Private in than half the programed capacity in the summer of MOS 12B10 need to know before he joins his unit? 1973, the 1st Battalion and the Pioneer Training The answer will vary with the type, location and Committee in the 4th Brigade were combined and mission of units. Most commanders and noncom­ challenged to write a new proposed training missioned officers will agree, "Give me a man who program. During the 28 day period that the 1st understands the basics of combat engineering, Battalion was out of cycle, many of the Drill knows the school of the soldier, is motivated, and Sergeants and support personnel worked else­ confident of his ability to learn. I will train him for where in the Brigade. All the trainees were accomplishment of the mission assigned to my channeled into the 2d Battalion. unit." This is the challenge for the A.I.T. com­ A network analysis was prepared listing all the mander today - PRODUCE SUCH MEN. steps and sequence of the study. The entire 12B10 A consensous of opinion of the 1st Battalion technical program of instruction was reviewed in (Pioneer), 4th Advanced Individual Training Bri­ detail using the systems engineer "Task Analysis" gade (Engineer) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. approach. Many areas presented were not "re­ quired knowledge" for the combat engineer from was that the Army Subject Schedule 12A10 contained too many boring and repetitive classes. his AIT experience and were eliminated. Many The training appeared to be geared for the subjects had excessive time devoted to practical average or below average man who was being exercises which were eliminated. The basic knowl­ given his only opportunity to learn something edge to be imparted did not change. Repetitive and boring items of instruction were removed. about combat engineering before becoming a The goal was to produce a well motivated, highly replacement in the RVN is no longer an area of competent soldier who could function as a private assignment. The draft is over. Above average or PFC in a field unit. volunteer soldiers do not want to be taught at a The program which was developed and tested pace below their capability to learn. AWOL rates reduces the length of the course from 204 hours to are high, in excess of 10% for most cycles, and at 112, or from seven weeks to four. In addition, the times as high as 20%. Sick call rates sometimes highly motivated and better educated soldiers are average more than 2 times per man during the 7 challenged to complete this course in only three week cycle. weeks by taking classes on Saturdays. When the trainee strength figures went to less Specific comments concerning changes to each

18 of the technical subjects taught follow: cut-and-cover bunkers. Instead, a series of static a. Engineer Tools: During the practical exer­ displays teaches the complete concept. The time cise (PE) portion of this subject, projects such as was increased on wire obstacles and wire ties the construction of buildings, picnic tables, etc., because experience has shown that the majority of resulted in individuals remaining at the same task trainees have difficulty in this area. Anti-vehicular for 9 hours, i.e. sawing studs to length. Concentra­ obstacle construction was also eliminated and will tion has been shifted from construction project be replaced with static displays. completion to learning how to use tools, and e. Roads and Airfields: An excessively long eliminating the hand tools which are easily learned PE has been reduced. Unit team work is stressed or already known by 99% of the trainees. as well as individual effort. b. Vehicle Operations: The driving time has f. Demolitions: Repetitious classroom material been reduced by 4 1/2 hours. Eliminated also were has been deleted. Safety standards have not been techniques of vehicle recovery and dump opera­ reduced. Each man still detonates three charges. tions. The original purpose of this training was to g. Rigging: Formulas not essential to MOS qualify a man enroute to RVN to move a vehicle in 12AIO were removed. The PE in construction of an emergency situation if the assigned driver were lifting devices was reduced as was the time spent to be killed or wounded. The reduced training still touring the static site. accomplishes this. In ord er to qualify for this h. Squad Tactics: Eliminated review of all the training, an individual must have a Driver's items taught in basic combat training. Emphasized Battery Test score of 85 or higher. Although we reorganization of th e engineer squad as infantry, had recommended the elimination of this entire combat formations, control, movement, engineer block of instructions, USAES requested that it be reconnaissance and ambush patrolling. Also, de­ retained even if at a reduced scope. fensive positions, range cards and supporting fire c. Landmine Warfare: Deleted was the laying will be taught during a night bivouac problem. and recording of the minefield, but not the em­ Eliminated daylight and nigh t firing on squad placement and removal of mines. A pioneer defense range. private in an engineer battalion does not supervise i, Non-standard Bridges: The complete bridge the laying and recording of a minefield. He is a instruction remains. Eliminated reinforcement and mine carrier, a mine emplacer and a mine remover replacement of the center section of simulated - these are still being emphasized, and he still destroyed bridges. A static display easily shows receives all the instruction on a standard minefield how the same procedures used earlier in construc­ pattern. tion of the non-standard bridge apply and t hat d. Field Fortifications: Eliminated was a prac­ repair is just a repetition of what was already tical exercise (PE ) in construction of heavy timber learned.

... j. Panel Bridges: Eliminated jacking down of • Quarry operator the bridge on the far shore and removal of the • Light vehicle driver launching nose. All procedures are taught on the • Material Handling Equipment (Forklifts) ncar shore which would otherwise have been • General Construction Machine Operator repeated on the far shore. • Grader k. River Crossing Operations: The bridge • Asphalt Plant Operator committee evaluating this training recommended • Electrician that the 27 hours be reduced to 16 to eliminate • Plumber repetition. During the staff visit to Fort Belvoir, it • Water Supply was requested that it be further reduced to 8 • Demolitions hours and that the M4T6 float bridge PE be The personnel who completed the course in 3 eliminated. weeks (by working Saturdays) were given first Added to the program of instruction upon choice of modules for follow-up training. After recommendation of the Department of Doctrine completion of the proficiency test during the 4th and Training Development at Fort Belvoir were 3 week, the rest of the company was ranked hours of communications and 5 hours of map according to test results and overall performance. reading and land navigation, which are no longer The man who was the best achiever got first choice taught in BCT but are .required knowledg-e for of modules. Since there were a limited number of mobile combat engineers. vacancies in each module, motivation to excel was After the program had been reduced to four extremely high during the combat engineer train­ weeks with an opportunity for the highly moti­ ing. The men were reluctant to miss a class vated and better educated to complete it in only because it could affect their standing. Barracks three weeks, it was time to develop the next two orderlies were rotated at noon. Sick call was about ingredients that commanders want in a combat one-third the normal rate. engineer - motivation and confidence of his ability Indicator statistics for the two test companies to learn. in the 1st Battalion reveal that motivation of trainees was achieved. DEVELOPMENT OF MODULES PROFICIENCY TEST Modules were developed. lasting. I, 2, and 3 weeks in duration,in the 3d, 4th, and 5th Battalions The Proficiency Test administered was the of the 4th Advanced Individual Training Brigade same one given to the graduates of the normal 7 (Engineer), These modules included: week program. It was administered by the • Crane Director of Plans and Training at Fort Leonard • Wheeled tractor Wood - the same personnel who administer the 7 week test. The 15 cycles immediately prior to the the pendulum should swing back to draft, train and test program averaged from 30% to 58% maxi­ ship to a combat zone, the standard program now mum scores. Company A had 50.15% and Com­ in being can be quickly reestablished. It is just pany Chad 72.4% of their personnel who "rnaxed" more repetition in the hope of establishing a finer the test. edge to the combat sword. However, the modern The enthusiasm displayed by the trainees for volunteer Army must be flexible, challenging and this test program was captured on an Educational incentive oriented. Television Video Tape with interviews of gradu­ It appears that the incentive program with the ates who completed the course by modified self­ modified self-pace option for Pioneers will prove to paced instruction in 3 weeks. be a huge success and will improve the caliber of Some of the Drill Sergeants and Pioneer the privates sent out as replacements for combat Committee cadre were skeptical of the program engineer battalions all over the world. The results initially. The trainees have completely changed all are still being compiled and the final decision rests this by their attitude and motivation, which is far with TRADOC. However, the data so far appears above what was experienced previously. Trainees to indicate clearly that this program will produce indicate that the previous program had only taught soldiers who understand the basics of combat them military skills. What they really want is a engineering, know the school of the soldier, are hard skill they can also use outside the Army. motivated and are confident of their ability to With this opportunity to obtain it, and win an learn any job or mission assigned to them related additional MOS at the same time, most of the to their MOS. complaints previously registered about pioneer training were eliminated. Additional MOS's ob­ LTC Charles L. Shreves is currently the Opera­ tained during this test program were as crane tions Officer in the Engineer's Office of 7th Corps operators, tractor operators, and water supply Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. LTC specialists. The same tests were administered as Shre ves was the form er Battalion Commander, 1st are given to their regular A.LT. 7 or 8 week Battalion (PIOM, 4th AIT Brigade (ENGR) at Fort classes. The extreme motivation displayed by the Leonard Wood, Missouri. In addition to having pioneers in the module phase of this test program commanded combat engineer companies in Ger­ astounded the regular trainees as well as their many, Korea, and Fort Campbell; Kentucky, LTC cadre. Shreves has been a Facilities Engineer and was The pendulum is swinging. The name of the Deputy District Engineer, Okinawa. LTC Shreves game is recruit, train and retain. The addition of holds a Masters degree from Arizona State Uni­ this incentive training with the opportunity to versity and is a graduate of OCS, the Engineer learn hard skills will greatly assist in this goal. If Officer Advance Course and the C&GSC.

21 ms I~N(.INI~I~11(jl~Nrl'I~ll rl'l~l')1

r

How many times have you said, "who came up expediting matters of Engineer interest that with this idea, why aren't the Engineers talking to support the Army in the accomplishment of its each other?" Or maybe you have wondered about mission. The Engineer Center Team meets the such things as the possible use of Commercial last Thursday of each month with the mission to Construction Equipment in Engineer units or the surface problems and conflicts in areas of Engineer requirement for a boom on the CEV? Well, it may interest. This means that the Center Team works come as a surprise to you but the Engineers have together to arrive at a consensus agreement prior been discussing subjects as these and other to addressing issues with their respective com­ matters of mutual interest and doctrine for some­ mands. This effort shows that Engineer matters time. This was first accomplished at the Engineer are being resolved by Engineers. Quarterly Conference and later, commencing in The inner workings of the Engineer Center 1967. though the Engineer Center Team. Unlike Team are not complicated. A Standing Coordi­ the Quarterly Conference, which functioned pri­ nating Committee. made up of junior representa­ marily as a Senior Officer briefing, the Engineer tives, strives to expedite resolution of problems at Center Team emphasizes the pooling of expertise the working level prior to the Center Team and experience and is a forum for the free meeting. The Standing Coordinating Committee exchange of ideas and opinions. also selects the agenda topics and arranges for The Center Team was formally established by presentations by knowledgeable persons. DA on 18 July 67 in recognition of its potential in Since its conception, the Engineer Center Team strengthening Army doctrinal, educational and has discussed a wide variety of topics from training programs. Adoption of the Center Team pollution control to personnel management. Some concept was directed for all service schools having of the topics which have been discussed include: counterpart combat development agencies. Commercial Construction Equipment, Countersur­ The Engineer School delved further into this veillance and Camouflage, Geographic Intelligence concept and the Engineer Center Team was and Topographic Support System for the Army in officially formed with the signing of the Joint the Field -1975 (GIANT-75) and the Construction Coordinating Agreement on October 17, 1967. The Battalion Evaluation, which was a topic in the Commandant, United States Army Engineer January, 1971 edition of THE ENGINEER maga­ School, (Chairman), the Assistant Commandant, zine. The Engineer Center Team has also been one United States Engineer School, Director of Facili­ of the leading exponents in the exchange of ties Engineering, OEC, and the Commanding minutes between Center Teams in order to bring Officer of the United States Army Mobility about a more efficient overall approach to Army­ Equipment Research and Development Center, wide problems and strives to provide a greater the President. United States Army Armor­ impact on methods for solving problems. Engineer Board, and the Director, Defense Map­ ping School are dedicated to the resolution of Some of the items to be discussed in the future issues on matters of Engineer interest. In addition will include: Engineer Support of other services. to these members, the Commanding General of the Combat Engineer Systems Program Review United States Army Training Center and Fort (CESPR), Engineers fighting as Infantry and In­ Leonard Wood. as well as the Chief, Engineer dividual Unit Training. Division, United States Army Armor Engineer So the next time you ask yourself, "who came Board are invited to participate or send represen­ up with this idea?" There is a good chance it was tatives. The team is not meant to replace routine discussed within the Engineer Center Team one day to day coordination but is concerned with Thursday morning.

22 LTC Joachim K. W. Zickert lRTN • he erman Amy Egi ee Working for freedom is a never ending job few of the many faces of partnership. which requires a united effort of all nations. Such In the years of this partnership, units of both is the role assumed by the North Atlantic Treaty American armies have participated together in ~, \ Organization (NATO) nations. But what of these training exercises, athletic contests. social events, allies? What do they share in common or work to and have worked together as "sister" units. These achieve together? A closer look at one of these units conduct annual maneuvers to monitor and partners will perhaps imbue a greater understand­ test unit training and readiness as integrated ing of the similarities and differences which exist. armies under the NATO command. As soldiers of Picture yourself on a bridge site along the NATO they have discovered how much they have Rhine River in Germany. American and German in common as citizens of allied nations of the free army engineers are constructing a floating bridge. world. In the mountains, another joint training exercise But what does the German Army and the becomes a mission accomplished. After duty in a German Corps of Engineers look like and how are US Army club or in a German gasthous, American th ey organized? Since Germany makes the largest and German soldiers are enjoying a beer to contribution of all the allied nations to the ground celebrate the days achievements. These are just a forces of NATO, let's take a look.

23 THE GERMAN ARMY The Bundeswehr of Federal Defense Forces totals more than 460,000 men. The Army itself numbers over 350,000 troops and is the largest component of the Bundeswehr. The Army's 350,000 men are divided into three corps in which there are 12 divisions; four mechanized infantry, four armored, two light infantry, one mountain division, and one airborne division. Each division is further broken down into three brigades (and special troops) organized into battalions and companies. Some examples of these organizations are: • A Mechanized Infantry Division (PANZER­ GRENADIER) made up of two mechanized infan­ try brigades and one armored brigade. • An Armored Division (PANZER) made up of two armored brigades and one mechanized in­ fantry brigade. • A Light Infantry Division (JAGER) made up of two light infantry brigades and one mechanized infantry brigade. As a combined arms units, each brigade is self-sustaining and capable of fighting on its own for a limited time. • Brigades. There are four types of brigades. Each is organized differently and tailored to a specific mission. For example, an armored infantry brigade consists of three armored infantry bat­ talions and one armored battalion. Each brigade has their own artillery battalions, one support battalion, one armored engineer company, and special troops of company-size. THE GERMAN CORPS OF ENGINEERS The Chief of Engineers and his staff are a part of the Army General Office which is a subcommand of the Chief of Army. Civil works such as flood control and other missions of this type are not provided by the army engineers. They are mat­ ters of other government installations. The active Corps of Engineers has a total strength of: - 29 battalions - 7 battalions partly activated - 43 separate companies The mission of the German Engineers is briefly as follows: Facilitate the movements of friendly troops Impede the movements of the enemy Raise the combat capability of friendly troops Reduce the combat capability of the enemy Support the service troops in logistic tasks Be responsible for damage control Fight as infantry in self defense and in critical situations. To accomplish the above, the German Engi­ neers are organized as follows: Armored Engineer Companies are organic to

24 Mobile Assault Bridge Battalion also belongs to the family of corps troops and consists of: - a headquarters company - three mobile assualt bridge companies Each bridge company is equipped with 18 M2-B amphibious bridge and crossing vehicles. Float Bridge Battalion and Separate Com­ panies. 1 headquarters company - 3 float bridge companies (equipped with the hollow deck bridge MLC 60.) River Ferry Company consists of 9 river ferries and 3 patrol boats. Specialized Engineers are organized according to their mission tasks. Examples are as follows: - Pipeline Battalions and separate companies - Railroad Companies -Technical Companies for electric power and water supply. Another Engineer organization as a part of the Territorial Army are the special barrier teams (Wallmeister), They are attached to the Military the different types of brigades. Their mission is to districts and their mission is to build and maintain support the combat arms in their combat tasks. fixed barriers for all NATO troops in Germany. These companies consist of: a company headquarters squad three armored engineer platoons with three LTC Joachim K. W. Zichert is currently Deputy squads each Corps Engineer, II Corps, Ulm, Federal Republic one AVLB platoon (5 AVLB s) of Germany. During the period 1971-1974, he was one heavy equipment and ammunition pla­ formerly assigned as the German Liaison Officer to toon the US Army Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, one maintenance platoon Virginia. Prior to his assignment at Port Belvoir Engineer Battalion (divisional) are division he was the commander of the German 4th combat support tr oops. The division Engineer Engineer Battalion in Northeast Bavaria. Prior battalion consists of: assignments include duty as a member of the one headquarters support and maintenance Engineer Section in the Army's General Office in company Cologne, Germany. three combat engineer companies (the third engineer company is a basic training com­ pany during peacetime) - one heavy equipment and brigade company. The battalion commander is also the division engineer. Engineer Battalion (heavy equipped) are corps combat support troops under the direct command of Corps Headquarters. The battalion consists of: a headquarters company - 3 combat engineer companies - 1 heavy equipment company This type of engineer battalion contains more and heavier construction equipment than any other type of battalion but is not a construction bat­ talion. Engineer Battalion (light equipped) another battalion on corps level has: - one headquarters company three combat engineer companies - (pri­ marily designated for barrier missions)

25 c ST TIO A E E T

CPT Lamar C. Ratcliffe, Jr.

The United States Army Engineer School at management techniques can be used with great Fort Belvoir, Virginia, instructs officers and non­ effectiveness on large military troop construction commissioned officers in many subject areas that projects. The construction of the heliport facility they can expect to see and use in their military at Camp Carroll Depot, Korea, demonstrates the careers. One important subject which sometimes proper application of the construction management does not receive proper student attention is techniques taught at the Engineer School. construction management. This lack of student In July 1973. the 802d Engineer Battalion interest is probably due primarily to one of two (Construction) received advance notice that it factors: the students either consider construction would soon have the mission of constructing a management techniques to be "common sense heliport at Camp Carroll Depot. Upon receiving ideas that are obvious" or question whether or not the job directive, the battalion commander and his they are applicable to the military environment. operations officer visited Camp Carroll Depot to The author cannot argue the first point because investigate the proposed site for the heliport and he also believes construction management to be complete the preliminary planning. They reviewed based upon common sense; however, he knows the plans and the construction specifications with from his personal experience that construction the commander of Company D and made some

26 rough estimates of the types and quantities of When the actual construction began on 4 construction effort required. They quickly deter­ September 1973, the company commander used mined that the project would include the displace­ directives and control measures to supervise his ment and subsequent compaction of 100,000 cubic project. He directed his platoon sergeants to yards of earth fill, construction of a 70 ft wide, 450 submit daily progress reports which detailed the ft long runway, placement of three 45 ft by 75 ft work accomplished, the construction effort actually concrete parking pads and installation of a 370 ft required and the materiel used. The company long underground drainage system. The company operations sergeant compiled the information from commander was confident that his company could these reports and maintained complete records for handle the entire project if it received additional the project. He also monitored the expected earthmoving equipment. Based upon the initial delivery date and the receipt of each construction calculations and his company commander's confi­ material; he informed the company construction dence , the battalion commander assigned the officer when materiel problems occurred. From heliport project to Company D and promised that the daily progress reports and the materiel status additional equipment would be provided if re ­ reports, the construction officer updated his CPM quired. schedule three times a week. This updating gave Upon receiving his company commander's him a graphic representation of potential problem guidance, the company construction officer de­ areas in sufficient time for him to reallocate the veloped a detailed plan for the project. He available men and equipment resources and thus analyzed the scope of work of the project, deter­ minimize delay of the estimated completion date. mined the activities to be accomplished and To insure that quality construction was being developed a detailed cost work estimate of the accomplished safely and efficiently, both the com­ required man-hours, equipment hours and materiel pany commander and his construction officer made for each activity. Next he used the critical path daily inspections of the project site and made method (CPM) to determine the critical activities on-the-spot corrections. The end result was a and th e required delivery date for each construc­ quality construction project which was completed tion material. From his critical path analysis, he on time. scheduled the entire project and obtained the Management of the heliport construction at estimated completion date. He also determined Camp Carroll Depot included preliminary planning, that compaction of the earth fill was the critical detailed planning, site preparation and proper factor and that the company would need additional supervision. All four techniques are taught at the compaction equipment to maximize earthmoving Engineer School. Admittedly, they are common efficiency. sense techniques. In addition, as you have seen, While the detailed planning was being com­ they are applicable to the military environment. pleted, the company commander mobilized his The proper use of these construction management available men and equipment resources. First the techniques resulted in the quality construction of earthmoving platoon prepared the site for the the Camp Carroll Depot heliport. installation of support facilities and set up a general purpose (GP) medium tent for messing Captain Lamar C. Ratcliffe Jr is a recent operations. Next the first general construction graduate of the (3·74) Engineer Officer Advanced platoon erected a portacamp to be used as the Course at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He graduated project office and first aid station. Simultaneously from the USMA in 1968 and obtained an MS the maintenance section set up a maintenance tent degree in Civil Engineering from the University of to provide a covered facility for support mainte­ Illinois in 1972. He was the commander of com­ nance. Mobilization was completed when two pany D, 802d Engineer Battalion (Construction) sheepsfoot rollers, two bulldozers and three 290M during the initial construction phase of the Camp wheeled tractors were provided to solve the Carroll Depot heliport. He is currently assigned to compaction problem. the US Army Engineer Center and Fort Belvoir.

27 THE HENRY LARCOM ABBOT AWARD fortunately, our preoccupation with construction sulated soil layers in military road construction. speed carried over into peacetime operations with The utilization of membrane-encapsulated soil rew size, materials used, and money spent layers will reportedly speed up road and airfield elegated to secondary roles. construction at decreased costs. A more palatable Our civilian counterparts in the construction blend of resource utilization cannot be imagined. industry learned long ago that time is not the Since the 1940's, the Corps of Engineers has governing resource. With a large percentage of employed the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) our labor force engaged in construction, it goes Method of designing flexible pavement structures. without saying that construction has become big Basically, the CBR value of a soil is a comparative business. And which of the four major resources measure of that soil's resistance to failure by reigns supreme in any big business? The omni­ shear. The CBR of design combines the results of potent dollar has been crowned the new king. a load-deformation test with an empirical design Today, military construction is big business chart to determine the thickness of pavement also. Not surprisingly, the dollar has "muscled in" str ucture layers. on time as the governing resource. As Corps of Although nineteen of our fifty states use this Engineers officers, we are tasked with constructing method with its numerous variations for design of with fewer men, less materials, and at lower costs. their asphalt pavement structures, the CBR And as one might expect, we have found that in Method is not immune to criticism. Proponents of many cases the optimization of the use of men, other design methods have attacked the CBR money, and materials has resulted in shorter Method on two counts. First, it is said that project durations. penetration of a piston into a confined soil How has the Corps of Engineers responded to specimen does not simulate the shear stresses the need for a better product at minimum cost? which actually develop in similar soil under a The development of new military road building flexible pavement. Second, the soaking of speci­ techniques is only one of many areas in which mens for four days prior to testing is not progress is being made. Specifically, the U. S. representative of actual field conditions in most Army Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, cases. Generally, wet soils yield lower CBR values Mississippi, has developed construction methods when tested than when dry. Low CBR values and procedures for the use of membrane-encap­ dictate large overburden thicknesses for adequate

29 stress distribution, as indicated by the empirical brane ($O.35/SY), will prove to be the most design charts. The requirement for large pave­ feasible. ment structure thicknesses usually points to high As dry fine-grained soils yield high CBR values, construction and material costs. required base course thicknesses are minimal. Up until this time, it has been customary Traffic tests have shown that a 12-inch lift of soil. procedure to select pavement structure materials when compacted to 95% of AASHO T-180 Method with high CBR values, i.e., not adversely affected B density will easily support 5-ton dump truck by water. Materials commonly used for this operations for extended periods of time. It can be purpose are crushed rock, granular materials from seen that the use of membrane-encapsulated soil natural deposits, and stabilized in-place soils. layers represents an economical, as well as rapid, However, it is not uncommon to find that such means of constructing military roads in the The­ materials do not exist on or near the project site. ater of Operations. As such, much time and construction effort must Today, more than ever before, we as Corps of be expended at great cost in obtaining such Engineer officers must be alert to the proper and materials. efficient management of those precious resources The Experiment Station at Vicksburg has with which we have been entrusted - specifically, demonstrated that in lieu of granular materials, that omnipotent dollar. membrance envelopment of fine-grained soils can be utilized as the base courses for flexible pave­ Captain Gordon T. Greeby, Jr., is presently ments. It is known that high density fine-grained assigned as a student in the Engineer Officer soils exhibit high strengths if kept dry. The avail­ Advanced Course, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He ability of such soils poses no problem - they may commanded D Company, 249th Engineer Battalion be used from cut sections at the construction site. (Const), in Germany, and served as a project But keeping them dry is another matter. Num­ officer UJith the Eighth Army Engineer in Korea. erous types of membranes were tested; and After receiving a BS degree in 1968 from the although the results of these tests have not been United States Military Academy, he received a finalized, it appears that a 6 mil-thick polyethylene MSCE degree in Soil Mechanics and Foundations lower membrane ($0.07/SY), when used in conjunc­ Engineering and a MSCE degree in Construction tion with a nonwoven polypropylene upper rnern­ Management, both from Stanford University.

30 Major Charles Gardner

- The o m

The air is hot and stuffy in the smoke filled com­ Sound familiar? R ead on, Captain, because you pany classroom as a crusty combat engineer ser­ are the Army's principal training manager. geant labors through yet another lesson on bridge Mission-oriented training and testing still re­ demolitions. Two specialist four silently doze in ceive low priority from engineer unit commanders. the back row while a PFC and a specialist five Training objectives are not being met in many engage in a homemade "wargame" near the front. cases. The reasons are clear and basic: (1) lack of The first sergeant has reported 25 men present for a clear definition of training responsibilities and training. The soldiers shuffle restlessly in their concepts, and (2) the failure of field elements to seats as Captain Candid, the company commander, obtain. review, and use the military training slips in the back door to "check training". publications now on the market. 31 This article attempts to focus on the role of the Before wasting a lot of time attempting to do engineer company commander in training his unit, all the work yourself. reach for instant relief in the the concept of performance training, and sp ecific form of the Army Training and Evaluation Pro­ sources of information to guide training activities. gram (LRTEP ) 5-35 if you are in an Army The development of the notions herein concerning Engineer Combat Battalion or 5-145 for the training is based on the following concepts: Mech anized Divisional Combat Battalion. In a • Operations and training are synonomous and pinch, use them interchangeably. ARTEP's for inseparable. other engineer units are on the way. The ARTEP provides guidance for scheduling, conducting, su­ • The best training takes place in units. pervising. and evaluating unit training. It pro­ • The company commander is responsible for vides an excellent "laundry list" for evaluating the technical and tactical proficiency of his people. your curr ent training proficiency as well as Setting performance as the goal. The civilian minimum training objectives in terms of acceptable and Army training and educational systems are degrees of proficiency and levels of performance. committed to performance training. To know how Unit Training - the logical alternative. The is not enough. Today's soldier must be able to do. Army is composed of a large number of individual The literature producing people at United States skills molded into units with designated missions Army Engineer School, Fort Belvoir, Va. (USAES) and capabilities. Since we fun ction as a unit, why and other service schools are committed to pro­ not train as a unit? Many direct and indirect ducing literature on how to conduct performance advantages accrue from unit training. Once again training and testing. No matter how the system the ARTEP is your handy one stop reference for tries, however, it would appear that the Army guid ance. continues to have a "packaging and marketing" Soldiers report to a unit after completing AIT problem, i.e., getting the right literature in the and developing a basic skill. At best these right quantities to the right person. Perhaps the individuals are at the appropriate level and require problem in the field is that when one is inundated practice and additional training to develop added day after day with official literature of all sorts proficiency. The Enlisted P ersonnel Management emanating from all sorts of sources, he becomes System (EPMS) now being structured will require less abl e to skim off those publications primarily th at the unit develop the individual soldier's skills. dealing with effective training. Some of the most EPMS is a review of the enlisted MOS structure to highly effective publications are noted in this provide an improved skill and car eer progression article. for qualified enli sted personnel. This system will It is necessary that all commanders understand most likely get the company commander more what is meant by performance training. For involved with ass isting the individuals in his unit example, suppose a platoon sergeant takes his in maintaining technical proficiency. platoon out for some demolitions training. He has Unit training encourages total involvement of each man in the platoon prime and detonate a every member of the unit. Unit training develops quarter-pound block of TNT. Good performance leadership. It provides incentives for squad training. right? Wrong! Should the commander leaders, platoon sergeants, and platoon leaders to now assume that the platoon can now emplace gain and maintain proficiency. It allows the explosives for road craters or bridge demolition? commander to evaluate his subordinates in an About all he can reasonably expect is that each objective manner. man can now prime and detonate a quarter-pound F inally. unit training is cost effective. In block of TNT. reality, it is simply an efficient way to utilize the Performance training requires some ingenuity. training time now available. It would seem As a place to start, forget the classroom scene. reasonable to predict on the basis of past experi­ Most soldiers get enough sleep at night. Per­ ence that military budget cuts during peacetime formance training should occur in the field , but all will take their toll on the Army's training base. training in the field cannot properly be described One can reasonably expect a reduction in the as performance training. If the training must take number and length of school taught engineer place outside of the normal operating environment, courses at both Fort Belvoir and Leonard Wood. your approach is suspect. Use your head. . Troops must remain in a unit and maintain Get in the mood for performance-oriented proficiency. Good performance-oriented, unit training by absorbing some of the information in training is essential for future readiness. FM 21·6, Military Training, dated 1 June 1974. Role of the engineer company commander. The This manual is short. easy to read, and doesn't primary mission of the comp any commander is to even look like an FM . Chapter 2 should put you on train his unit. His job and the complexity of his the track. mission have changed very little. Many young

32 company commanders find themselves so enmeshed report. MOS tests are about proficiency, not just with administrative functions that the primary extra pay. Perhaps a composite of the MOS test mission becomes obscured. This total involvement scores for the NCO's and EM in a unit may really with administration is poor camouflage for what is be a measure of the proficiency of the unit likely a serious training deficiency. Mobilize and commander and his training program. Com­ train those headquarters platoon elements, diver­ manders must: ify the workload, and get back to the real mission. • Understand the purpose and importance of FM 25-2 (Test), Unit Commander's Guide, dated 29 the MOS test. March 1974 will help you to more efficiently accomplish your administrative functions. Try it! • Insure that study guides are provided in a tim ely manner. Lack of ad equate time for mission-oriented training continues to be a problem for most • Insure that all required study references are engineer units. An analysis of the situation will on hand or readily available. likely determine that the belief there is not time • Provide a quiet area conducive to study. for training is a self-imposed constraint. Com­ • Make on-duty study tim e available. manders must allocate time for training if they expect combat capability. Minor construction, area • Show special interest in very low density beautification, and nice-to-have projects gen erally MOS's and understand the problems inherent to do not constitute good training for most engineer these individuals. units regardless of their political implications. • Counsel NCO's and EM on the importance These tasks must be accomplished but recognize and implications of MOS test results. Under their limited training value. Tasks should be EPMS the test results take on added importance. performed in a manner which maintains unit Assembling a good company library which will integrity where possible. Clustering individuals adequ ately support unit and individual training is rather than utilizing an existing squad is likely to no small task and requires careful attention to be counterproductive from the training viewpoint. detail, some ingenuity, and many hours of work. Accept th ese projects as part of the engineer Hop efully, one is not starting from scratch. First, mission and plan around them. Proper planning which manuals should be on hand? No simple well in advance is the key. Develop your schedule answer here but some good sources for developing for training. Block out reasonable periods for your own list are available. Consult the ARTEP projects. Set deadlines and goals for both the and th e study guides provided for each MOS in training and the projects. Stick to the plan. your unit. Once you have set your sites on a good unit Leadership is still the key. Two things are training program, a key step is training analysis. clear to this writer. Good training can occur only Only the company commander can determine those when properly planned and executed by an aware areas in which a unit really needs extensive and dedicated company commander. Secondly, due training. Chapter 2, FM 25-2, is helpful for general to time limitations, the company commander needs guidance; use the ARTEP for specific tasks to be knowledge of and ready access to a few key trained . Once you have completed a training or training publications to guide his activities. The testing cycle you have some notions as to th e unit's trend towards the one-stop training guides and proficiency. study references such as those mentioned in this Another item to support training now under article is a significant step forward for com­ development is th e individual counterpart to the manders in the field. Exercise your leadership ARTEP called the Individual Training and Evalua­ abilities through proper training of your unit. tion Program (ITEP). If approved this document Raise your sights and train for performance. would replace the Army Subject Schedule for each MOS. Both the ITEP's and ASubjScd's produced Major Charles E . Gardner is assigned to the by USAES are quite detailed and carefully delin­ Enqin eer S chool, Deputy Commandant for Combat eate what each soldier should know and be able to and Training Developments. He re ceived a BS do. These documents are invaluable to the MOS from the Unit ed States Naval A cademy and an MS holder and the unit commander in the analysis and in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois. development of a unit training program and should He is a graduate of the Command and General be a part of the unit's publications library. Staff College and a registered professional engi­ There are some indicators of individual profi­ neer. He has served with the 10th Engineer ciency available. Consider the MOS test results Battalion, 3d Infantry Division; MA CV Advisory for a moment. Each company commander should Teams; MA CV Construction Directorate; Nuclear review and analyze the results reported on the Cratering Group; and the Department ofEngineer­ USAEEC Form 10 and the summary profile ing Science, USAES.

33 DOMESTIC ACTION

CPT, Jeffrey A. Wagonhursf The primary objective of the Domestic Action struct a county recreation area consisting of Program is to instill interaction between the various athletic fields and picnic areas for the civilian community and the military. If we were to people of the community. The Chamber of Com­ look around our country, we would find that the merce realized that they did not have the heavy needs of the civilian community are great. For equipment necessary to do the earthwork for the various reasons it is not always possible for the project. The construction companies in the area civilian population to do the work that needs to be were very busy with other important contracts done to improve its community. For example. the and county work. and they could not release any community may not have the necessary equipment equipment to do the job. Mr. John Tyler of the for certain projects. nor the money to purchase or Cleveland Chamber of Commerce decided to write rent the equipment. A shortage of people is also a to the Commanding General at Fort Campbell to problem, as it is difficult for working people to ask for assistance in completing the earthwork for take time away from their jobs to participate in their recreation area. When the Commanding community projects. Another difficulty may be General received the letter, it was forwarded to that the cost of these projects is too great for a the C-S of the installation for evaluation. The C-5 small community to sustain. made contact with the Operations Officer of the The Army has the capabilities, the equipment, 20th Engineer Battalion to request that a recon­ the time, and the personnel to apply to these naissance of the project in Cleveland, Tennessee be situations. Our country is always one of the first made by personnel from the Battalion. An initial to send aid and assistance to foreign countries in recon of the project was made in the spring of need. We can apply this system to our own 1973. and the project was evaluated by the C-5 smaller communities who are also in need of based on the information from the initial recon. outside help. The Army is always looking for ways The project was assigned to the 20th Engineer to make itself more intriguing and appetizing to Battalion (Combat), and the Operations Officer of the civilian population. What better way is there the Battalion further assigned the project to B to do this than by helping the neighbors of its Company. In August, the company commander military installations throughout the United States. and the project officer flew by helicopter to Cleveland, Tennessee to made a final estimate of Many soldiers complain that all they do is train the project. After a discussion with personnel and maintain equipment. As a result, they become from the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, the discouraged and disenchanted with the Army. dates for the project were set for 1 through 15 Participating in civilian community projects, such October 1973. On 1 October 1973, a platoon, under as constructing a park and recreation area or the command of Lieutenant Sheldon L. Jahn, helping the community in a crisis situation, pro­ departed from Fort Campbell, Kentucky for Cleve­ vides interest and stimulation for the young land, Tennessee. Upon arrival in Cleveland, the soldier. He is given the opportunity to meet and to platoon was met by Mr. John Tyler of the work with people outside of the Army community, Chamber of Commerce. After the platoon un­ thus abandoning the feeling of separation. Also, he loaded their heavy equipment, Mr. Tyler took the has the chance to leave the Army post and to see men to the motel where they would be living for its surrounding countryside. the next two weeks. The accommodations pro ­ To show how interaction between the civilian vided for the men were very pleasant, as each man and military communities can be a worthwhile had a doubled bed to himself and a color television endeavor, the success of a Domestic Action Project set in each room. The men ate their meals in the completed by a platoon of men from B Company, motel resturant where they could order what they 20th Engineer Battalion (Combat), Fort Campbell, wanted. All accommodations were provided at the Kentucky will be discussed. The city of Cleveland. expense of the city of Cleveland. Tennessee, located approximately forty miles Work began early on the morning of 2 October. northeast of Chattanooga, was planning to con­ and it was continued everyday for the following

34 two weeks. The initial task accomplished was the upgrading of the existing drainage by clearing and rerouting the natural stream channel at the project site. An access road to the rear area of the site was cut by removing the top soil, and then it was graded to the approximate grade. Drainage ditches were cut along the length of the access road and tied in with the natural stream. A borrow pit was then upgraded, and the material was stockpiled at a local farmer's farm. This material was hauled to the project site and used to fill around two culverts placed in the stream channel. The two culverts allowed access to the project parking area. Fill was then hauled to this area, and a parking lot 70 x 120 feet square was filled and leveled. At the same time the fill was being hauled in, the first of two Little League baseball fields was being cut and filled to grade. The second Little League field was then cut to grade while the first was smoothed and drainage around the field was established. A third softball field was then cut to grade while the second field was smoothed and the drainage was established. The first two fields measured 160 x 160 feet square each, and the third field measured 320 x 320 feet square. All roads and fields were then regraded, included the existing loop around the grade school received by working hand in hand with the Army. which was adjacent to the project site. Separate The Viet Nam war left an uneasy feeling in this drainage ditches were cut to aid in draining- the country towards the military. Using the Domestic open field of the recreation area. The borrow pit Action Program as a tool, t he Army can change site was cleaned up, and the access road to the pit the feelings of the civilian communities to that of was smoothed. Approximately 15,000 cubic yards respect and understanding of the military. Not of soil were moved during the project. A total of only will the Army benefit from community 2,773 man hours and 2,241 equipment hours were relations; they will also be rewarded in that the expended on the project. The project was com­ soldiers will become well trained with their pleted on 15 October 1973, and the unit returned to equipment, and they will feel that they are actually Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The lessons learned taking part in a job that contributes to the from the project were very beneficial, and the men country. The Domestic Action Program is neces­ got to operate their equipment which contributed a ~ary to both the Army and the civilian population valuable resource to the community. in order for the people of this country to live and On any domestic action project conducted by work together as one community. the Army, it is strongly recommended that ar­ rangements are made for some kind of recruiting Captain Jeffrey A. Wagonhurst is presently a drive. The 20th Engineer Battalion used several member of the Engineer Office Advanced Course methods in its recruitment efforts. A trailer which at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He was the Commanding displayed pictures and posters about the unit itself Officer of B Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, and of the opportunities offered by the Army was Fort Campbell; during the project at Cleveland, parked next to the project site. The local news­ Tenn. CPT Wagonhurst also serv ed as the Asst. pap er, the Cleveland Daily Banner, was contacted Group Operations Officer of the 34th Engineer upon arrival, and it gave the unit complete support Group in Vietnam . by printing articles with pictures concerning the project. A Chattanooga television station came to Although the preceding article may be a few the project site and filmed a short news clip which months old, it is typical of the many military was shown on the local news. However, most engineer projects being done under the Domes­ important of these efforts in establishing rappor t tic Action Program. We would like to share between the civilian and the military communities your experiences with our readers. Please drop and in encouraging enlistment was the close, us a line. eyeball to eyeball contact the civilian community - The Editors

3S GE:ODE:SIC

John H. Robertus , CAPT, USMC DOME: Nature has provided the examples that enabled The finished dome network can be covered with a man to take tremendous steps forward in his variety of materials ranging from temporary engineering quests using domes and arches. The tentage to more permanent steel reinforced con­ simple stone arch was discovered to be a remark­ crete. able device and has offered important construction Domes can withstand wind, rain, and extreme and engineering advantages to civil and military temperatures if properly constructed. The United engineers for centuries. Arch type construction is States DEW line system in North America has commonly seen in Quonset huts and larger arched utilized geodesic domes to house delicate equip­ hangers and field houses which are everpresent on ment for almost two decades. The Navy has most of our military installations today. However, recently constructed large domes in Anarctica to geodesic domes are not as widely accepted as the protect men and equipment working in that region. simple arch. But they should be! Domes in these environments have withstood A dome is actually an arch that extends into a extremely cold temperatures and winds up to 220 circular base instead of the conventional rectangu­ miles per hour! lar base of the simple arch. The geodesic dome, if With all the facts known about geodesic domes, properly understood, is very simple, strong and the current T/0 structures should be revised to lightweight. For theater of operation construction, consider this tested and proven system. The strength and weight are important considerations. Quonset hut has definitely been a boom to military Once a geodesic dome is constructed, it requires no construction, but its parts must be prefabricated intermediate supports and it can be partially and transported to the erection site dismantled. disassembled or repaired without collapsing. The Then, if all the factory parts are on hand, it can be structural members, known as struts can be made assembled. Throughout the current inventory of, of wood, pipe, or other suitable rigid material. The metal structures this is a problem. A metal struts are fastened together at their ends to form a geodesic structure would have the same problem, triangular network that curves into a domelike except that a dome can be airlifted after assembly shape when completed. The particular triangular from a central location without damaging the network desired can be derived with spherical structure. This theory has been considered by the geometry. Two methods are pictured: Marine Corps for assaults from helicopter landing

"3-WAY GRIDII METHOD "LAMELLA" METHOD

36 ships and subsequent movements inland. shape can be altered to meet a variety of The geodesic dome has four other important requirements such as vertical sidewalls or multi­ advantages that must be carefully examined: level storage. areas within the structure. The First. A given volume can be enclosed with possible configuration of domes or clusters of less surface area using a sphere, than with any domes are endless, and all such structures would ot her shaped surface; this provides far more space posses the same basic advantages. The future or dollar spent for exterior surfacing. should see widespread use of domes in the theater Second. A dome structure transmits loading of operations construction. Overall considerations through compression and tension evenly along the of economy, strength, and ease of construction surface to the base; this allows for lighter ma­ make the geodesic dome design a potentially terials in the structure and a simple foundation limitless tool for the military engineer. design. There are many wonders of nature that have Third. A dome can be constructed from small been tapped for mankinds use. The geodesic dome modular components enabling unskilled workmen is simply an extension of the natural forces that to quickly accomplish the construction without enable a soap bubble or an egg shell to keep its heavy equipment. shape. Certainly the marvel of the geodesic dome Fourth. A dome affords ideal air circulation has yet to be fully appreciated. While architects and is compatible to centrally located utilities. and city planners are envisioning domes to cover Consider th e following comparison of a conven­ out modern cities, our military planners should tional structure and a geodesic dome: consider domes for our modern forces in the field. 1--- 52' 011 ...... --_·1 .. 5Cii:ir

Q N 1 • 20' - " IA-.. _ J

CONVENTIONAL DOME

4,100 Square Feet Exterior Surface Area 4,100 Squa re Feet Captain John H. Robertus is a 1968 graduate of the 1,000 Square Feet Interior Floor Space 2,100 Square Feet University of California, at Riverside with a B.A. 22,400 Cubic Feet Interior Volume 36,000 Cubic Feet Degree in Physics. He was commissioned in the Marine Corps in Nov 68 at Quantico, VA and received his military engineer training at Camp Note that with equal amounts of exterior surface LeJeune, NG. He was then assigned to the 11th material, a 100% larger floor area and a 60% larger Engineer Battalion on Okinawa. After two years volume can be obtained with a dome system. as an instructor/troop leader in the Second Research indicates that domes exhibit excellent Infantry Training Regiment, Camp Pendleton, resistance to both air blast or ground shock waves California he attended Engineer Officer Advanced if buried. A geodesic dome ferro-cement bunker Course 1-73 at Fort Belvoir, VA. Upon completion may be a possible application for smaller domes. he was assigned as an instructor in the Depart­ Domes are practical and feasible but may seem to ment of Engineer Science, Structures Branch, aste space due to the curved shape, however this USAES where he is presently stationed.

37 Have you ever had a need for light and lots of it? Well the men of the 2d Infantry Division stationed along the DMZ of Korea, "Freedom's Frontier", have learned the value of a good light bulb many times over. The troops had the mission of preventing infiltration by the North Koreans Lighting along a 24 KM sector of the Korean DMZ. The accomplishment of this mission was thwarted by rough hilly terrain, bitter cold winters, monsoons, vegetation and personnel shortages. On the posi­ tive side was the idea that good fences make good neighbors and the 2d Division had a good fence. The structure, called the Barrier Fence, was six Freed feet high chain link, with three rows of conertina wire along the top. The only problem with the fence was that it was useless unless someone watched it and that is where the 2d Division had difficulty. Guarding the fence in daylight was relatively easy as the sentries could sit on ridge tops and observe in any direction. But at night things were different. The guards now had to be doubled and unlike the daytime, when a sentry had good observation and felt secure, the soldier was alone with the night and its sounds. Besides, sitting in a foxhole looking at a fence all night in some of the world's worst weather does not raise the re-enlistment rate. Many soldiers took up the doubious hobby of counting the holes in the fence; the record was 523,285. When the troops on night duty began putting in 18 to 20 hours a day, 7 days a week, the sense of mission began to stretch thin. Things finally carne to a peak when the North Koreans infiltrated the American sector for 2 surprise raids by actually cutting through the Barrier Fence without being detected. To help the 2d Division, Night Vision Laboratory (NVL) was asked to provide a lighting system for the fence. In response to the Army's request, NVL agreed to design a remote Area Lighting System (RALS). After an on site inspection and an agreement on maintain, and simple to understand. 'When you are the design requirements, a proposal was submitted the only engineer in an infantry brigade with eight by Luke Burkstrom, MVL design engineer. His lighting systems, simplicity is very high on your design was accepted and through competative priority list. bidding a contract was awarded to the VARO The RALS system consists of the following six Corporation of Texas. Tests of the system were major parts: Two standard 10 KW generators, one conducted and VARO was soon in Korea ready for of which is used for backup; three kw constant the installation. Speed was to be a real plus on current regulators from the US Air Force, to this project. insure long bulb life and to prevent overloading of VARL's arrival in Korea consisted of one man, the generators; one hundred and thirty-eight 12 Al Hussong. Mr. Hussong recruited a ten man volt , 35 watt sealed beam headlights, the same as Korean crew and soon had the first RALS in those found in a car using a 12 volt system; one operation. With his speed crew and despite a late hundred thirty-eight 6.6 amp transformers to monsoon season, all nineteen systems were quickly isolate each lamp of the series circuit; one hundred in operation within eleven months from the time of forty-seven connector kits to insure weather-tight initial request. wire splices; and 15,000 feet, 8 gage stranded wire. The RALS makes one claim that has earned it the engineer's everlasting gratitude; it is simple. With the lights spaced 30 feet apart, one RALS Simple to install, simple to operate, simple to provided light for 1.26 km of front. Each system

38 beyond the 50 meters. Any intruder approaching the fence had to look into a continuous row of headlights, completely denying him observation of the sentries behind the fence. In fact, it was impossible to detect a sentry who was standing directly behind the fence, mid-way between the lights, not a recommended practice for sentries. The reflection of light from the fence made the sentries movement over rough terrain much easier. Once the system was installed, operation and maintenance was performed by the Infantry Battalion stationed on the DMZ. Complete instruc­ 10m's tion on the system was given to personnel from the battalion in less than one hour including demon­ strations on start up and shut down procedures, changing of bulbs, splicing wire, and trouble shooting. The US Army does have a draft TM, DTM 11-5840-351-14, dated February 1971, that gives detailed instruction in installation, operation, Frontiers organizational maintenance, DS and GS support, shipping data and any other information a using unit would need to know. CPT Larry L. Austin Probably the greatest asset of the system to the unit commander is its flexibility. Each light in the system has the ability to be individually aimed both in the horizontal and in the vertical directions. Also the spacing of the lights is up to the installing unit. Many times lights were spaced 15 feet apart to light a ravine or ditch. Modification after installation is also possible, but care must be taken not to add too many lights and overload a circuit. Even with this simply system, two problems developed. One was the operation and main­ tenance of the generators and the second was the daily changing of burnt out bulbs. Command concern quickly solved both of those problems. In the first six months of operation, two transformers went out. In both cases the cause was found and replacement made in less than an hour. Later, one has three circuits, each controlled by a constant of the main circuit wires was, accidentally, shot current regulator. Each of these circuits has 46 out. This repair required about ten minutes and a lights connected to 46 isolation transformers. So if spare connector kit. a problem does develop, it is automatically nar­ The RALS was not the final answer to rowed to a section of 46 lights. problems in the 2d Infantry Division's anti-infltra­ The design requirements of the system include tion mission in Korea, but was a step toward recognizing an intruder at up to 50 meters with the success. The night sentry could now see to his unaided eye, denying an intruder the ability to see front and sides, thus making him feel he was a part a sentry who is more than 15 meters behind the of a team with help always close at hand. Officers lights, providing a backscattering of light to aid and NCO's moving up and down the fence checking the sentries in movement and unaided maintenance th e men found movement easy. with the back­ by the using units. scattered light, and the number of firing incidents In the systems first six months of use, it by nervous sentries was greatly reduced. successfully met those requirements. Any in­ To the men of the 2d Infantry Division standing truder that could normally be detected in daylight their lonely vigil on Freedom's Frontier, the RALS was also detectable at night within the 50 meter has helped make a difficult task a little easier. range, even with bad weather and poor terrain, --the exception being heavy fog. In addition, light Captain Larry L. Austin is a graduate of the om the system greatly aided night vision devices 2-73 Engineer Officer Advanced Course.

39 CPT Ced I Greene equipment available. Usually. these fortifications are very hastily built and not necessarily struc­ turally sound for they are often constructed for immediate protection only and then abandoned. The need for the future is basically the same. In a future mid-intensity conflict, basically conventional When a cartoonist wants to depict a soldier in a warfare and short of nuclear war. there may not be funny situation, he often draws a picture of a GI sufficient time to prepare elaborate defenses. Still, digging a hole in the ground. But the holes now soldiers must have positions from which to fight being dug in the ground at the Modern Army and defend themselves. Selected Systems Test, Evaluation and Review The Army's basic field fortifications structures (MASSTERl are a very serious business. These have changed little since World War II. However. holes may help other soldiers protect themselves military weapons and tactics have changed con­ better on future battlefields. The holes and siderably in the last 20 years, and the old style structures are all part of a test being conducted at bunker system may not lend itself to a highly fluid, MASSTER to examine new types of underground mobile situation in future conflicts. This is why bunkers and protective shelters. there is a need to find out what new concepts and There is nothing really new about the require­ developments are available for the Army to use. ment for different types of field fortifications. In The tests in MASSTER are only a part of a all previous wars, field fortifications have been larger. Army-wide examination of field fortifica­ emplaced as a necessity by the people and tions. The Army program itself involves a mix of

40 research, conferences and evaluations to determine or shapes of structures to be built and covered specific requirements for different situations. with earth. When the structures are no longer Various Army schools and centers throughout the needed, they can be disassembled and transported country are now evaluating the adequacy of elsewhere for re-use . standard field fortification structures and de­ One key consideration in the MASSTER test is termining camouflage requirements. Thus, in the the assumption that combat troops will have to be tests at MASSTER, the Army is finding out the able to build and emplace all the different protec­

..~ answers to some basic questions. First, they are tive structures because trained engineer troops evaluating the design, techniques and tactical may not be readily available in a combat situation. application of different protective structures. Therefore, as part of the MASSTER test. all the Second, they are determining th e requirements for structures will be assembled and disassembled at manpower. equipment and time to construct the least two times by engineer troops and two times different structures. Finally, they are discerning by non-engineer troops. Two groups from Second how much training is needed before soldiers know Armored Division units, the 17th Engineer Bat­ how to build the structures correctly. talion and the Second Brigade. will provide per­ With these goals in mind, MASSTER personnel sonnel for th e test. will be reviewing both old and new concepts of Evaluation of the different structures in the underground bunkers made of new materials such MASSTER test will be made by more than 100 as fiberglass. aluminum and plastic. Several new combat experienced soldiers from MASSTER and ideas relating to the use of bunkers for headquar­ other units at Fort Hood. Texas. The evaluators ters command posts will be studied. These ideas will examine the structures and rate them on range from providing a covered hole in the ground suitability, protection provided and several other to airlifting prefabricated modules that are then factors. When this first stage of test and evalua­ buried in the ground. Other structures involved in tion is completed, th e accumulated results will be the testing include such single things as small presented to a group of general officers at Fort box-like cages that are lined with plastic, filled Benning, Georgia, sometime in February. After with dirt and then stacked like blocks. Corrugated this meeting, more specific attention and testing aluminum sheeting and reinforced plastic is also can be directed toward those shelters and fortifica­ being used to form thick earth-filled walls for tions that show the most promise for development. above-ground fortifications. So, in the future. soldiers may be glad that the Several other shelters and fortification kits. serious business of digging and construction is such as those being used by the British Army and being done by MASSTER now. the US Marine Corps will also be evaluated. These kits work somewhat like the familiar erector set, Captain Cecil Green is the Information Officer with interconnecting pieces that allow several sizes for Project MASSTER, Fort Hood, Texas.

41 I I r

r:

LT Joseph H. Hottes

I I Although in sandy soil the combat engineer T II vehicle (CEV) can knock over trees that are several feet in diameter with only a slight grunt, p and while the bark of its demolition gun can II l. seemingly reduce anything to rubble, the CEV,

I I I I like any military system, has its limitations. The purpose of this article is to focus on some of these limitations so that engineers can investigate these problem areas or users can consider them as they plan for the employment of this vehicle. As envisioned in FM 5-1, the CEV is intended to assist the combat arms in a hostile environment by allowing its crew to perform pioneer tasks p while being protected by armor. During a coordi­ E nated attack, CEVs will be with the assaulting elements. This use is highly likely in attacks on fortified or built-up areas. In the movement to contact, one could expect to find CEVs in the advance guard. The CEV, with its crew of four ­ commander, gunner, loader, and driver, has four tools to use to accomplish its mission - a demolition gun, dozer blade, winch, and boom. The demolition gun will play a key role in reducing field fortifications. TC 17-14 notes the

42 Limitations of the GEV

£

crew must be able to "rapidly and accurately" According to doctrine, t he CEV should not be engage target s, yet they mus t estimate the range employed as a tank. However, detailed advi ce to a tar get since no range finder or similar device concerning its emplo yment is not given in FM 5-1. is available. Cant, which is caused when one tr ack F or example, FM 5-1 notes t hat other armored is higher than the other, results in range and vehicles must protect the CEV against antitank deflection error. No equipment is provided so that fir e, but the manual does not explain how a CEV is the crew may reasonably estimate the effect of this to maneuver with tanks. Ev en though school situ ation. Target acquisition is partially the gun­ training for the CEV commander is available, ner's r esponsibility. The field of view from his according to ATP 5-25, all crew members, includ­ osition is so severely limited that other crew ing the commander, may be unit trained. Profi­ nembers must guide him to th e target, Troops ciency in MOS 12F requires that the individual be operating near a firing CEV should know fra g­ knowledgeable in the operation of both CEVsand ments from the exploding round can travel up to armored vehicle launched bridges (AVLB). Most 1000 meters in any direction from the point of units that have a CEV do not have an AVLB and impact, and the maximum effective range for vice versa. Therefore arrangements must be made planning purposes is only 750 meters. The actual to share equipment if the men are to receive maximum effective range, however, is probably training on both vehicles. Crews firing for famil­ somewhat greater than 750 meters. iarization are to fire only four target practice Since the crew's visual access to the dozer rounds per crew member. Although a target blade's immediate work area is somewhat re­ practice round or subcaliber round will most likely stricted, feedback on t he effects of its operation cost less than a HEP-'l' round, none are presently and guidance on its utilization are best provided in the Army inventory. from troops located outs ide the CEV. Individuals The CEV may have its limitations, but it operating outside the vehicle mus t assist in t he increases the like lihood combat engineers will be employment of the boom or winch. If the boom or able to accomplish t heir mission. Recognizing t he winch is used, dismounted troops or crew members limitations of any item of equipment is an impor­ are potentially exposed to hostile fire. The head­ tant step in evaluating its effectiveness. lights are not recessed, and trees can easily knock them off while the CEV is clearing abatis. Since LT Joseph H. Hottes is presently a platoon leader movement of t he CEV over dry ground throws a with Co C, 682d Engr Bn. He received his MS from steady stream of dus t over t he vehicle, goggles are Iowa State University. LT Hottes has served with a must. Communication with the crew by way of the Iowa National Guard since 1967 and as a the phone system on the rear of the vehicle is commissioned officer since 1969. He is a graduate difficult due to the noise the vehicle makes and the of the Engineer Officer Basic Course and recently lack of sufficient means for alerting t he crew to graduated from 2-74 Engineer Officer Advanced 'ncoming calls. Course.

43 NEW PAMPHLET BEING DISTRIBUTED TO ENLISTED PERSONNEL

A PERSONAL COpy OF new DA Pamphlet 624-1 (Your Pathway to Success: The Enlisted Promotion System) will be distributed to all Army enlisted members this fall. The pamphlet - prepared by MI LPERCEN's Enlisted Personnel Directorate - is designed to provide the soldier and his supervisor with a comprehensive, easy-to-follow approach to how the enlisted promotion system works and how it is supported at the various levels, from the unit on up to Department of the Army. MI LPERCEN's enlisted career managers consider the document important enough to distribute a personal copy to every soldier on active duty, especially at this time when the volunteer Army is attracting increasing numbers of career-minded men and women who want to know all they can about advancement in the ranks and what they must do to get promoted. Divided into four sections, the new pamphlet addresses both the individual soldier's responsi­ bility and the Army's efforts to maintain an equitable and steady system of advancement within the enlisted ranks. The first section contains general information and stresses the Army's reliance on a wide range of factors when considering the soldier for promotion the "whole person concept." It also lists simple steps that the individual can take to improve his chances for promotion and describes the militar and civilian educational opportunities available to servicemen. These include training and testing i his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) and the Non-commissioned Officers Education System (NCOES), and Army-assisted degree completion programs for civil schooling. Section Two details each level of the current promotion system - Decentralized (initiated by the Unit Commander for Grades E-2 to E-4), Semi-Centralized (made in Grades E-5 and E·6 by Field Commanders and DA, working together) and Centralized Promotions (coordinated for Grades E·7 through E-9 at DA level). Included are the requirements and factors of work on each level of the Promotion system and a summary of the centralized promotion board procedures. Section Three familiarizes the soldier with the installations which support the Enlisted Promotion System. Functions of the U.S. Army's Military Personnel Center (MILPERCEN), in Alexandria, Virginia, and the Enlisted Evaluation Center (EEC) and Enlisted Records Center (ERC), both located at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, are described in detail. The soldier is also provided with specific information on his official military personnel file and instructions on which of the three agencies to contact should he need to resolve personnel-related matters. The fourth section contains appendices to the main body of the pamphlet; lists related Army Regulations, Circulars, and Pamphlets to be consulted for further information; and includes actual reprints of the Promotion Points Worksheet and Letters of Instruction to both the E-9 and Advanced NCOES Selection Boards. Field units will be able to requisition individual copies for all unit members via pinpoint distribution. A world-wide message containing requisitioning instructions for DA Pamphlet 624-1 will be released as soon as the pamphlets have been printed and are ready for distribution. Females may participate in nine additional MOS s. bringing the total of 437 of 479 enlisted MOS 's now available to WAC personnel. Additional details appear in DA message DAPC-PM 141200Z May 74.

44 I

NEW HANDBOOK PREPARED BY MILPERCEN ENLISTED DIRECTORS

THE NEW /JHANDBOOi~ FOR PREPARING SOLDIERS TO MOVE OVERSEAS" has been distributed to all CONUS installation/activities requesting port calls. The handbook was prepared by the Enlisted Personnel Directors, US Army Military Personnel Center, to assist the administrative personnel responsible for POR processing by providing a single reference guide for use in determining eligibility for oversea assignment. All information contained in the guide is current as of Aug . 1, 1974.

OPMS SPECIALTI ES ADDED TO OFFICER MASTER FILES THE PRIMARY OPMS SPECIALTIES for lieutenant colonels were added to the Officer Master File maintained at the US Army Military Personnel Center effective Aug. 15. Each record in the file now shows the LTC's primary specialty; alternate specialties are programed for inclusion by mid-October.

PERSONNEL ASSISTANCE POINTS TO BE ESTABLISHED SOLDI ERS ENROUTE TO OR returning from oversea assignments will get better attention once the Army Personnel Centers (Fort Dix, Fort Jackson and Oakland Army Base) and the Returnee­ Reassignment Stations (Travis AF B, McGuire AF B and Charleston AF B) are reorganized and converted into US Army Military Personnel Center (MILPERCEN) Personnel Assistance Points. Conversion of these currently independent centers and stations to Personnel Assistance Points will begin on or about October 1. The reorganization/redesignation of these points into field operation activities of MILPERCEN will give soldiers a direct point of contact with MILPERCEN while they are traveling to or from oversea duty stations. The offices will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and staffed with "extremely well qualified people," according to MAJ George Fasching, Chief, Personnel Movements Branch, MI LPE RCEN. "About 30,000 soldiers pass through these terminals each month; until the idea of Personnel Assistance Points evolved, they had no way of contacting us on a timely basis, just as we at MI LPE RCE N had no real way of contacting them while they were enroute. We have designed the Personnel Assistance Points to counteract this problem - to give the soldiers direct contact with MI LPE RCEN while they are in a travel status." The Personnel Assistance Point officials will not only have the authority to coordinate directly with enlisted assignment managers and compassionate review and policy offices at MILPERCEN; they will be able to verify assignment, administratively amend orders, extend emergency leave and terminate it when the soldier reports in, help with compassionate problems and offer personal advice to those in a travel status. Prior to the development of the Personnel Assistance Point, if a soldier had a personnel problem, he was attached to the nearest installation, and waited until that problem was resolved through channels. By being located where the soldier needs it most, the Personnel Assistance Points will be Detter able to assist him in moving oversea or returning stateside with a minimum of delay.

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