On the topic of the Warrior Badge, check this out. It was once posted on a DND website.
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Prepare for battle (long version)
by Maj. Richard H. Eaton
“The first qualification of a soldier is fortitude under fatigue and privation. Courage is only the second; hardship, poverty and want are the best school for a soldier.â€
- Napoleon Bonaparte, Military Maxims -
The Warrior training program has dropped the fitness performance requirement last year.
Over the last few years, the Warrior program fitness requirement changed annually, dropping from the requirement to complete a 12 km battle march carrying 55 lbs, to no physical requirement at all. Will our current methods of physically and mentally preparing ourselves for the most stressful activity known to man – ground combat – be good enough to ensure that our infantry is tough enough to fight and win the next conflict? Are we, in our efforts to be a fair and equitable employer, doing us, our country, our allies, and our soldiers a disservice by operating a selection system which can not effectively or “officially†screen out those who are unable to achieve sufficiently high qualities of battle fitness?
The aim of this article is to challenge infanteers to develop and implement higher, and more consistently applied, fitness based selection standards for our corps. In addition, it will:
• Remind us of the physical realities of the dismounted infantry battle,
• Review the battle fitness requirements of two other infantry organizations well known for their proven battle fitness standards with a view to modeling our own fitness standards after theirs.
It is obvious that the job of an infantryman is hard, physically and mentally demanding work. To successfully close with and destroy the enemy, infantrymen must be capable of carrying heavy loads of weapons, ammunition and provisions for long distances over all types of terrain – and through all types of climactic conditions – while encountering and defeating the enemy. Yes, you can count on it, we will no doubt encounter terrain and situations preventing us from motoring through to the objective comfortably embussed in our LAV/ Grizzly/ Bison/ M113. This job description inevitably means that infanteers must be prepared to pack exceptionally heavy loads as dictated by the enemy and terrain. As described by Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, the experiences of him and his troops on the Italian front in 1917 were intensely physically demanding:
“The capture of Mount Matajur occurred fifty-two hours after the start of the offensive ... My mountain troopers were in the thick of battle almost uninterruptedly during these hours ... Here, carrying heavy machine guns on their shoulders – they surmounted elevation differences of eight thousand feet uphill and three thousand downhill, and traversed a distance of twelve [straight line] miles through hostile mountain formationsâ€.
General Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, Infantry Attacks, pp.225
Sixty-five years later during the Falklands campaign of 1982, the experiences of LCpl Vincent Bramley, 3 PARA MG Platoon, were not much different from Rommel’s. Following a two day, 50 mile advance to contact on foot, 3 PARA – festooned with personal weapons, grenades, GPMGs and tripods, anti-tank weapons, and as much ammunition as could be carried – moved off to the start line for their attack on Mt. Longdon:
“Lying before us was about twelve kilometers of ground and a river. My kit alone weighed about a hundred pounds, possibly more. Many lads in our group had to swap kit throughout the march - a machine gun for a tripod for example. Milans, being bulky and awkward, went from shoulder to shoulder. As daylight faded I could see the thin line of troops disappearing into the darkness, struggling with their kit ...â€
Vincent Bramley, Excursion to Hell – The Battle for Mount Longdon, pp.84
The weight of the ammunition required by the infantry to suppress and destroy the enemy in wartime is clearly the greatest difference between loads we carry in peacetime exercises and war. “Our main load was ammunition.†recounts Cpl. “Lofty†Large of the Jebel Akhdar campaign in Oman, 1959:
“I remember having two 3.5 rockets, four 90 (Energa) grenades ... Eight No 36 grenades, six No 80 (white phosphorous) grenades. Five 20-round magazines of rifle ammunition, plus 100 rounds in bandoliers. One 250-round box of .30 calibre machine-gun ammunition ... My bergen rucksack, loaded and ready to go, weighed 98lb. My belt weighed 22 lb. – 120 lb total [without] my rifle. Everyone had similar loads to carry.â€
Lofty Large, One Man’s SAS, pp.66-67
How much different would be the load of today’s dismounted Canadian infantryman?
Discounting the usual “camping†gear and other superfluous articles we now force ourselves to carry, most of which will no doubt be discarded in preference for more ammo when the “real thing†intrudes on our peacetime reverie, we infantrymen are still looking at hefting a considerable load. In addition to flak jackets, webbing, personal weapons, grenades and ammunition, who is supposed to carry ammo for the crew served weapons?
Rifle company troops of course.
This means that Officer and NCM packing 5.56mm bandoliers and link for use in the platoon, as well as 7.62mm link, 60mm and 81mm mortar ammo for use by our support weapons during the attack/ ambush/ advance to contact etc. In addition, now that we have adopted the new Eryx anti-tank weapon, ammunition for this beastie as well as the weapon system itself, will have to be manpacked as required within the rifle company. It seems reasonable to assume that the requirement to manpack loads weighing up to 100 pounds will not be out of the question for our dismounted infantry, now and into the future.
The consequences of inadequate preparation for dismounted warfare are obviously serious. For example, in contrast to the epic physical performances of Parachute Regiment battalions and Royal Marines Commando units in the Falklands War, soldiers of 5 Infantry Bde – taken from a mechanized role – were not nearly as physically or mentally prepared for the realities of dismounted infantry warfare:
“On the afternoon of 3 June [1982], the Welsh Guards began an attempt to march to Goose Green. They walked for twelve hours before 5 Brigade agreed with their CO that the exercise should be abandoned ... however enthusiastic and efficient their officers and men, they could scarcely be as mentally and physically attuned to a campaign in the Falklands as 3 Commando Brigade. They were trained to fight from armoured personnel carriers. “We are not bergen soldiersâ€, as one of their officers said.â€
Max Hastings and Simon Jenkins, The Battle for the Falklands, pp.269
As countless infanteers before us have discovered to their disappointment, helicopters and vehicles will not always be available – or able – to carry us to the Assembly Area. So what then should we do? It may be instructive to look at the physical training programs of two infantry based formations renowned for their fitness standards – The Parachute Regiment and Royal Marines – to gain some insight into what our own infantry battle fitness standards should be.
British Parachute Regiment and Royal Marines
These two British infantry organizations are well noted for their high standards of physical fitness. As proven in the Falklands conflict of 1982, and well documented since then, physical toughness and associated mental stamina were key battle winning elements for the British Infantry in that campaign. It is instructive to review their selection systems in comparison to our own:
The Parachute Regiment
The Parachute Regiment recruits its soldiers directly from “civvy street†via army recruiting depots. The training regimen for Parachute Regiment soldiers consists of what at first glance seems a fairly typical 24 week syllabus for infantry recruits. The major difference, however, is not only the 4 week parachute training course at RAF Brize Norton, comprising weeks 13 to 17, but the physically and mentally demanding Pre-Parachute Selection Course (PPS, or “P†Company) tests which occur throughout Week 12. This selection process is designed to weed out those unlikely to succeed in the British Airborne Forces.
Consequently, in addition to the usual types of training delivered in the first three months of any infantryman’s career, the Parachute Regiment recruit is also subjected to a progressively more challenging battle fitness training program preparing them for success at “P†Company. The “All Arms†version of the course – a three week condensed version of the recruit’s experience – is attended by prospective Parachute Regiment officers immediately following their graduation from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, as well as all other personnel hoping to serve in the UK’s 5 Airborne Brigade. All candidates must pass “P†Company prior to joining either the Parachute Regiment or Airborne Forces. In recognition of their leadership role, Officers are expected to perform to higher standards than other ranks, and are graded against those standards.
Standards are maintained by the “P†Company staff, a permanently established training team based at the Depot the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces. “P†Company staff accompany candidates throughout the course - setting the example by carrying the same if not more weight in their equipment - and constantly review candidate performance based on established standards. “P†Company staff are commanded by a Parachute Regiment Major, and include Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) from the Army Physical Training Corps (APTC) as well as Senior NCOs from the Parachute Regiment and other 5 Airborne Brigade formations.
In the mid-1980s, the “P†Company selection process was as described below:
Pre-Parachute Selection (“P†Coy) – 4 Weeks
2 Week Preparation:
Most candidates prepare intensively for P Coy prior to arrival at Depot PARA either individually, or with one of the Airborne Brigade units who runs specific preparation courses. Prior to test week, P Coy staff run candidates through an intensive preparation period including circuit training and other gym work, running, and progressively longer marches with weights up to 35 lbs and rifle. Following the 2 week “beat upâ€, candidates move to Test Week as follows:
P Coy Test Week:
Phase Activities Dress/ Equipment Standards
Friday, Day 1 2 mile cross country steeplechase boots, trousers, PT vest under 18 min,
Log Race boots, trousers, PT vest, helmet 8 man teams per 130-140 lb log, 1.5 miles across steep terrain, best effort
Pairs “milling†PT strip, 16oz boxing gloves One minute controlled aggression
Weekend Rest
Monday, Day 2 10 mile battle march 35 lb pack, belt order, rifle Cross country in steep terrain, 1 hr 45 min, finish with the PTI and lead group
Trainasium, High level confidence course (40-50 ft) Boots, PT Vest, helmet Successfully negotiate all obstacles without hesitation
Assault Course Boots, PT Vest 3 times around in under 18 minutes
Travel to Wales for Days 3, 4 and 5
Tuesday, Day 3 18 mile approach march through mountainous terrain 35-40 lb pack, belt order, rifle 4 km/hr, finish with the PTI and lead group
Wednesday, Day 4 Pen Y Fan: Approx 2,900 ft ascent & descent, 7 miles 35-40 lb pack, belt order, rifle 4km/ hr, finish with the PTI and lead group
Fan Fawr: Approx 2,400 ft ascent & descent, 5 miles 35-40 lb pack, belt order, rifle 4km/ hr, finish with the PTI and lead group
6 mile speed march 35-40 lb pack, belt order, rifle 1 hr 10 min, finish with the PTI and lead group
Thursday, Day 5 Stretcher race Belt order, rifle, helmet 180 lb stretcher, 10-12 man teams, 7.5 miles walk and run (Approx 4 km/hr)
Royal Marines Commando Course – 8 weeks
Like 5 AB Bde, the Royal Marines recruit both directly from civvy street, as well as running Commando training qualifying Army personnel for service with Brigade support units (e.g. logistics, engineers and artillery). Commando training is supervised by the Training Team at CTCRM Lympstone. Like “P†Company, Training Team staff include physical training instructors, and all staff participate in all selection tests undertaken by course candidates. In contrast to the Paras’ fondness for Wales, the Royal Marines prefer to use the nearby Dartmoor mountain training area in south west England for their longer exercises and marches. In the mid-1980s, the Royal Marines Commando course consisted of the following major components:
Phase 1: Pre-All Arms Commando Course: 2 weeks
Passing In Standards:
• Boots, denims, combat shirt, 50 sit ups in 2 minutes, 5 chin ups,
• 1.5 miles in 15 minutes group run followed by same route individual best effort in under 11.5 minutes
• Basic swim test jump from high board in combats and runners & tread water for 2 minutes
• Combat Fitness Test: 8 mile march/run cross country 22 lbs webbing, rifle, helmet, in 150 minutes
• Jump 5 foot gap, climb into truck
• 100 m fireman’s carry in less than 45 sec
Other Requirements:
• 4 mile speed march cross country 22 lbs & rifle under 40 minutes.
• 30 ft rope climb 22 lbs webbing and rifle
• Assault course in under 5 mins
• 200 m fireman’s carry under 90 sec
• Full rope regain
• Basic fieldcraft, weapons, navigation, tactics, two field exercises including progressively longer marches with full equipment (up to 60 lbs or more)
Following successful completion of Phase 1, course candidates complete the final phase of the course as follows:
Phase 2: Commando Course: 4 weeks
• 12 mile load carry cross country, 60 lbs, under 4 hrs
• 4 mile cross country endurance course (including water and other obstacles) in under 72 mins carrying 22 lbs webbing and rifle, with a 10 round 100m shoot at the end
• 9 mile speed march under 90 mins carrying 22 lbs webbing and rifle
• "Tarzan" assault course (1 mile) in under 13 mins carrying 22 lbs webbing and rifle
• 30 mile Dartmoor march in under 8 hrs carrying 22 lbs webbing, 30 lb pack and rifle
• Final exercise Dartmoor, company level dismounted ops, 15-20 km marches, Company sized raiding operations.
In these two examples, it is clear that the key components of a proven, battle winning infantry fitness training program includes:
• A clearly defined, widely communicated, battle proven physical fitness standard
• A progressive training program culminating in travelling long distances over mountainous terrain carrying heavy loads of weapons and equipment
• A combination of “garrison†and “field based†physical preparation and selection tests, and
• High levels of participation and leadership from a highly qualified training team staff specifically accountable for course delivery standards and outcomes.
In summary, although it is highly likely that our infantry must be physically fit enough to dismount and fight on foot during any kind of operational deployment, Canada’s infantry battle fitness standards are currently ill defined. History continues to prove that to fight and win a dismounted battle, the infantryman must be physically and mentally prepared to carry the weapons, equipment and – above all – the ammunition required to successfully close with and destroy the enemy, regardless of the terrain, weather conditions and levels of personal fatigue. It is also reasonable to expect that the combat load of the individual dismounted infantryman will continue to top 100 pounds on occasion, especially for those who man support weapons. Those who insist that the load of the infantryman can be kept at a maximum of “1/3 of body weightâ€, and that “first line†ammo scales will be limited to a few magazines and grenades, are ignoring history and the physical realities of dismounted infantry warfare. While it is imperative for both leaders and the led to continue to examine ways to reduce the weight carried by the infantryman, we must also face reality, and continue to seek ways to improve our physical standards while refusing to condone physical mediocrity at all levels in the infantry.
To guide us in the improvement of our fitness standards, we have access to several examples of high quality, battle tested, infantry fitness preparation programs – of which those of the British Parachute Regiment and Royal Marines are only two. Through such analysis, we have the opportunity to benefit from lessons learned the hard way by other infantry organizations around the world and, once and for all, establish a challenging, consistently applied, “Canadianized†battle fitness training program for our infantry. Given today’s tumultuous world political environment, we must be ready for anything. Consequently, an acceptance of anything less than “world class†levels of infantry battle fitness could prove disastrous to our soldiers, our country and our allies.
Today, we have good reason to heed that oft-quoted maxim: “Train hard, fight easyâ€.
Major Richard H. Eaton is currently serving with the Canadian Scottish Regiment based in Victoria BC. His military background includes RESO training, parachute training at the CABC, eight years service as an officer with the British Parachute Regiment and Royal Marines, and five years service as a rifle company commander with the militia in BC. His 20-year part – and full-time military career has taken him to far-flung posts such as Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Hawaii and Resolute Bay. In civilian life, he is a founding partner in the Victoria-based management consulting firm, Berlin Eaton and Associates Ltd., specializing in organizational performance improvement.
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