I've noticed a pattern with Asian countries at least and their persistence on this sort of "training". It consists too much of acrobatics and theatrics to qualify as practical hands on training. Perhaps more time spent in marksmanship training and squad level tactics go further.
Spent a bit of time with them over the years, nothing wrong with their fitness levels or marksmanship skills.
Both can be merely academic achievements unless they're practical or realistic. I remember the reaction that the French troops had to American Doughboys and Marines upon their arrival in France in 1918, thinking that our ability with the rifle was "no more than an academic achievement." At this point most western armies were teaching marksmanship on match style rifle ranges on bullseye targets (this became a real issue later during WW2, as it taught two bad habits; hesitation and only firing when a target was visible). I think that what the Koreans/Russians/Chinese are doing by overly emphasizing agility and choreography is a similar drawback.
You can teach discipline through close order drill and exposure to the elements but theyre both of little help considering that most warfare today is mechanized.
This is goofy but it helps portray my point.
You're only mechanized until you're not mechanized any more. Then you're on foot. If you do enough time, you find that out. Then it's heavy rucks on and move out. I still think these guys have units that do these things as a rule, for demo. Just like the US has drill teams.
You're only mechanized until you're not mechanized any more. Then you're on foot. If you do enough time, you find that out.
My platoon's time in the sandbox is an exact example of this, deployed as a Mechwarrior, spent the first 8 weeks Airmobile and humping on foot due to vehicle shortages. Even after we got them, there were times when the cars stayed parked and we were rucks up. Subsequent tours and the transition to static FOB warfare, had the LAV's permanently stationed and the boys humped everywhere on foot. Mechanization is a luxury and the advance doesn't stop just because we are out of wheels.
- Darren 1 PL West Nova Scotia Regiment 2000-2003
1 BN Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry 2003-2013
I think what you gents are referring to is a sort of military reductionism, i.e. training for the worst case scenario. Today this takes the form of training with both the map&compass and GPS...training with the optics but making sure to be adept at iron sights as well...martial arts in case ammo runs out etc etc. Us Americans get a bad rap for relying too much on technology but that is merely because we've taken a lesson or two from the Germans. Rommel used to say: 'The bravest men are nothing without guns, the biggest guns are worthless without ammunition and both are useless unless they are propelled by something into position where they can be of any use.'
I just dont see how circus acts like jumping through a fiery hoop belong in modern military practice.
PM
Originally Posted by Corporal
