Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

The 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade has it all and more. Not only do they train all the air defense artillery initial entry Soldiers, they also teach the air defense Basic Officer’s Course, Captain’s Career Course, Pre-command Course and foreign students. Actually, all you have to do is think “ADA” and “school,” and the 6th Brigade is the master of all. On any given day, there are more than 600 enlisted, 150 officer and 100 international students. They are training in one of seven different military occupational specialties. They have dynamic leaders in their officers and noncommissioned officers, and take great pride in teaching and training to standard to produce some of the finest Soldier warriors in the Army today. Recently, they have taken on a several new missions and through a lot of hard work and initiatives, Soldiers have worked hard to make simulators of some of these training areas and devices at minimal cost. The brigade has developed several training sites to prepare AIT students for the Contemporary Operating Environment and their first unit.

The focus in AIT has shifted from being all technical to include the warrior tasks and battle drills. AIT students now qualify with their assigned weapon, the M16A2, while in training here. Weapons immersion training will be implemented shortly as well. Soldiers will be assigned a weapon and will keep the weapon until graduation. This means sleeping, eating and training with the weapon every day. Field commanders fully endorse this initiative and Soldiers who participated in immersion training and deployed into theater are experiencing almost no negligent discharges and perform exceptional maintenance on their weapons. In the future, you can expect to see numerous clearing barrels around the installation like in front of the PX, the barber shop and other locations. The end state is a Soldier who is ready to deploy with his first unit within 30 days of arrival.

To produce the absolute best product possible, “A trained Soldier capable of deploying within 30 days of arriving at his first unit,” 6th Brigade has developed metrics for each of the MOS’ to include 14E, 14T, 14S, 14J and the officer, warrant officer and NCO courses. For the enlisted Soldiers, the metrics are divided into four areas: Soldierization, Physical, Technical and Tactical skills required for graduation. Each area has in-depth metrics that define the desired product, “a trained Soldier.” Commissioned and noncommissioned officers have similar metrics, but include leadership skills versus soldierization. Each year, field commanders are asked to review these metrics for relevance to current and future missions.

The 2nd Battalion, 6th ADA has been working hard on developing ADAM Cell training and obtaining the necessary equipment. They are well on their way to having a fully developed, state-of-the-art training lab with three complete ADAM Cell systems for 14J/140A/OBC/CCC training. More equipment is arriving weekly. The 2-6 will also receive an ADAM Cell system sometime next fiscal year. The ADAM Cell course has developed from merely a PowerPoint overview into a fully resourced, hands-on course. It is now preparing Soldiers and officers to serve in ADAM Cells as they are fielded.

The battalion has developed and implemented an IED Driver’s course using actual streets here on the installation to simulate urban terrain in places like Iraq. Soldiers are presented with all the latest Iraq Insurgent Tactics Techniques and Procedures as they negotiate a prescribed route. Prior to executing the route, Soldiers walk a demonstration lane and receive vehicle-hardening instruction.

Officers entering the Army next year will now go through a new training regimen known as Basic Officer Leadership Course. All new 2nd Lts. will attend BOLC at one of four sites before attending their Officer Basic Course. BOLC focuses on basic combat and leadership skills and gives all officers a common set of basic skills. Two BOLC companies will fall under 2-6 ADA. There will be a pilot course this summer at Fort Benning, Ga., and a multi-site pilot course at the four BOLC II sites including Fort Bliss in January 2006. McGregor Range will undergo major renovations to house the more than 500 students and cadre who will live out there. Renovations are scheduled to begin in June.

The 3rd Battalion, 6th ADA Soldiers built the Mini-MOUT Site located in Bldg. 645. It is used to teach students how to clear rooms and buildings. It is a state-of-the-art facility equipped with pop-up targets and students must distinguish between friendly and hostile targets. All training can be recorded on a computer and played back for after action reviews and it can be burned on a disc for units to keep and review later.

The battalion is home to the brigade’s Combative Program. They conduct Level I, II and III Combatives training for AIT students as well as FORSCOM Soldiers here and elsewhere. They have sent instructors and conducted courses at Fort Huachuca, Fort Knox, and in Germany. They are widely recognized for their high level of skills and abilities and are in high demand. This is a key part of instilling the Warrior Ethos into our Soldiers.

The battalion also runs the AIT field training exercise. Approximately every other week, AIT students conduct an FTX, which is the culminating event where they demonstrate proficiency in all the individual skills they have been training on. This is where they put the 39/9 warrior tasks and battle drills to use in a simulated combat environment. Future improvements to the FTX include the construction of a Forward Operating Base and the inclusion of crew served weapon ranges and a convoy live-fire range. The 3-6 is also constructing a full-size MOUT site adjacent to their FTX site. It is under construction now and will be the size of a small village. It will be ready for use early this summer.

The 1st Bn., 56th ADA has developed and Entry Control Point and Search training site that is used to train students on Entry Control Point procedures. It simulates an entrance of a Forward Operating Base in Iraq. Students learn how to provide security and the proper techniques for searching vehicles and personnel before they are admitted into the FOB. The 2-6 is in the process of constructing a full size FOB at McGregor to support BOLC and 3-6 is turning the AIT FTX site into an FOB.

Fort Bliss is one of two sites in the Army that train 88M Motor Transport Operators. The Motor Transport Operator Course will train approximately 1,200 Soldiers in FY 05 and this will increase to 2,000 in FY 06. Last quarter, the 88M school here trained 211 Soldiers as 88M Motor Transport Operators. The 88M is trained to operate the 2.5 and 5-ton tactical vehicles with trailers and M915 Tractor Trailers. During their training at Fort Bliss 88Ms receive 40 hours of classroom instruction on driver safety, PMCS and publications. Training then becomes more hands-on as they conduct vehicle PMCS, simulator training, various driving courses, both night and day convoys and road tests. In addition to these MOS specific skills, Soldiers receive training on 39/9 warrior tasks and drills that help them to develop the Warrior Ethos and prepare for future combat operations.

Delta Company has two truck simulators and 13 more are projected in this FY. A new 6,800 square foot building will be built in Abernethy Park to house all the simulators and is scheduled to be ready by January. This will co-locate the simulators with the controlled driving area where students learn basic driving skills. The Truck Simulator allows a Soldier to sit in a replicated vehicle cab and drive a variety of military vehicles with choice of cargo. The simulator can replicate almost any type of terrain, weather, road conditions and traffic congestion. In this environment, Soldiers can gain experience, make mistakes and prepare to get behind the wheel of a large tactical vehicle with minimal risk to the Soldier, the vehicle, the cargo or the environment.

The 1-56 has been making many improvements in how they care for AIT students while they are here. They are responsible for their health and welfare and housing. They conduct physical training and get them to chow and back each day. They complete the soldierization process that was started in basic training. They have implemented Separate and Secure in Delta Company and moved 88M females to the 88M barracks so there is better unit cohesion in Delta Company. Formerly, all females, regardless of MOS, were housed in Alpha Battery. They have also replaced much of the dayroom furniture throughout the battalion.

The gym equipment has been updated in 1-56 with elliptical machines, treadmills, stationary bikes and Bowflexes. This was done to support the Rehab PT program. This program is run with the help of the Troop Medical Clinic’s physical therapy staff and is aimed at helping injured Soldiers stay fit while recovering from their injuries. The Brigade has also constructed a state-of-the-art gym facility for its permanent party physical fitness rehab program. This initiative is paying huge dividends by helping return injured Soldiers back to duty that are fit and preventing re-injury by having their recovery monitored and supervised by a trained cadre.

I can’t say enough about the great things going on in 6th Brigade. They are truly striving to turnout combat ready Soldiers who can contribute to their unit as soon as they arrive. The training they are receiving will help them survive on the battlefield and help the Army win.

Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane
Fort Bliss Commanding General



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	April 28, 2005

	Troop Talk The 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade has it all and more. Not only do they train all the air defense artillery initial entry Soldiers, they also teach the air defense Basic Officer’s Course, Captain’s Career Course, Pre-command Course and foreign students. Actually, all you have to do is think “ADA” and “school,” and the 6th Brigade is the master of all. On any given day, there are more than 600 enlisted, 150 officer and 100 international students. They are training in one of seven different military occupational specialties. They have dynamic leaders in their officers and noncommissioned officers, and take great pride in teaching and training to standard to produce some of the finest Soldier warriors in the Army today. Recently, they have taken on a several new missions and through a lot of hard work and initiatives, Soldiers have worked hard to make simulators of some of these training areas and devices at minimal cost. The brigade has developed several training sites to prepare AIT students for the Contemporary Operating Environment and their first unit. The focus in AIT has shifted from being all technical to include the warrior tasks and battle drills. AIT students now qualify with their assigned weapon, the M16A2, while in training here. Weapons immersion training will be implemented shortly as well. Soldiers will be assigned a weapon and will keep the weapon until graduation. This means sleeping, eating and training with the weapon every day. Field commanders fully endorse this initiative and Soldiers who participated in immersion training and deployed into theater are experiencing almost no negligent discharges and perform exceptional maintenance on their weapons. In the future, you can expect to see numerous clearing barrels around the installation like in front of the PX, the barber shop and other locations. The end state is a Soldier who is ready to deploy with his first unit within 30 days of arrival. To produce the absolute best product possible, “A trained Soldier capable of deploying within 30 days of arriving at his first unit,” 6th Brigade has developed metrics for each of the MOS’ to include 14E, 14T, 14S, 14J and the officer, warrant officer and NCO courses. For the enlisted Soldiers, the metrics are divided into four areas: Soldierization, Physical, Technical and Tactical skills required for graduation. Each area has in-depth metrics that define the desired product, “a trained Soldier.” Commissioned and noncommissioned officers have similar metrics, but include leadership skills versus soldierization. Each year, field commanders are asked to review these metrics for relevance to current and future missions. The 2nd Battalion, 6th ADA has been working hard on developing ADAM Cell training and obtaining the necessary equipment. They are well on their way to having a fully developed, state-of-the-art training lab with three complete ADAM Cell systems for 14J/140A/OBC/CCC training. More equipment is arriving weekly. The 2-6 will also receive an ADAM Cell system sometime next fiscal year. The ADAM Cell course has developed from merely a PowerPoint overview into a fully resourced, hands-on course. It is now preparing Soldiers and officers to serve in ADAM Cells as they are fielded. The battalion has developed and implemented an IED Driver’s course using actual streets here on the installation to simulate urban terrain in places like Iraq. Soldiers are presented with all the latest Iraq Insurgent Tactics Techniques and Procedures as they negotiate a prescribed route. Prior to executing the route, Soldiers walk a demonstration lane and receive vehicle-hardening instruction. Officers entering the Army next year will now go through a new training regimen known as Basic Officer Leadership Course. All new 2nd Lts. will attend BOLC at one of four sites before attending their Officer Basic Course. BOLC focuses on basic combat and leadership skills and gives all officers a common set of basic skills. Two BOLC companies will fall under 2-6 ADA. There will be a pilot course this summer at Fort Benning, Ga., and a multi-site pilot course at the four BOLC II sites including Fort Bliss in January 2006. McGregor Range will undergo major renovations to house the more than 500 students and cadre who will live out there. Renovations are scheduled to begin in June. The 3rd Battalion, 6th ADA Soldiers built the Mini-MOUT Site located in Bldg. 645. It is used to teach students how to clear rooms and buildings. It is a state-of-the-art facility equipped with pop-up targets and students must distinguish between friendly and hostile targets. All training can be recorded on a computer and played back for after action reviews and it can be burned on a disc for units to keep and review later. The battalion is home to the brigade’s Combative Program. They conduct Level I, II and III Combatives training for AIT students as well as FORSCOM Soldiers here and elsewhere. They have sent instructors and conducted courses at Fort Huachuca, Fort Knox, and in Germany. They are widely recognized for their high level of skills and abilities and are in high demand. This is a key part of instilling the Warrior Ethos into our Soldiers. The battalion also runs the AIT field training exercise. Approximately every other week, AIT students conduct an FTX, which is the culminating event where they demonstrate proficiency in all the individual skills they have been training on. This is where they put the 39/9 warrior tasks and battle drills to use in a simulated combat environment. Future improvements to the FTX include the construction of a Forward Operating Base and the inclusion of crew served weapon ranges and a convoy live-fire range. The 3-6 is also constructing a full-size MOUT site adjacent to their FTX site. It is under construction now and will be the size of a small village. It will be ready for use early this summer. The 1st Bn., 56th ADA has developed and Entry Control Point and Search training site that is used to train students on Entry Control Point procedures. It simulates an entrance of a Forward Operating Base in Iraq. Students learn how to provide security and the proper techniques for searching vehicles and personnel before they are admitted into the FOB. The 2-6 is in the process of constructing a full size FOB at McGregor to support BOLC and 3-6 is turning the AIT FTX site into an FOB. Fort Bliss is one of two sites in the Army that train 88M Motor Transport Operators. The Motor Transport Operator Course will train approximately 1,200 Soldiers in FY 05 and this will increase to 2,000 in FY 06. Last quarter, the 88M school here trained 211 Soldiers as 88M Motor Transport Operators. The 88M is trained to operate the 2.5 and 5-ton tactical vehicles with trailers and M915 Tractor Trailers. During their training at Fort Bliss 88Ms receive 40 hours of classroom instruction on driver safety, PMCS and publications. Training then becomes more hands-on as they conduct vehicle PMCS, simulator training, various driving courses, both night and day convoys and road tests. In addition to these MOS specific skills, Soldiers receive training on 39/9 warrior tasks and drills that help them to develop the Warrior Ethos and prepare for future combat operations. Delta Company has two truck simulators and 13 more are projected in this FY. A new 6,800 square foot building will be built in Abernethy Park to house all the simulators and is scheduled to be ready by January. This will co-locate the simulators with the controlled driving area where students learn basic driving skills. The Truck Simulator allows a Soldier to sit in a replicated vehicle cab and drive a variety of military vehicles with choice of cargo. The simulator can replicate almost any type of terrain, weather, road conditions and traffic congestion. In this environment, Soldiers can gain experience, make mistakes and prepare to get behind the wheel of a large tactical vehicle with minimal risk to the Soldier, the vehicle, the cargo or the environment. The 1-56 has been making many improvements in how they care for AIT students while they are here. They are responsible for their health and welfare and housing. They conduct physical training and get them to chow and back each day. They complete the soldierization process that was started in basic training. They have implemented Separate and Secure in Delta Company and moved 88M females to the 88M barracks so there is better unit cohesion in Delta Company. Formerly, all females, regardless of MOS, were housed in Alpha Battery. They have also replaced much of the dayroom furniture throughout the battalion. The gym equipment has been updated in 1-56 with elliptical machines, treadmills, stationary bikes and Bowflexes. This was done to support the Rehab PT program. This program is run with the help of the Troop Medical Clinic’s physical therapy staff and is aimed at helping injured Soldiers stay fit while recovering from their injuries. The Brigade has also constructed a state-of-the-art gym facility for its permanent party physical fitness rehab program. This initiative is paying huge dividends by helping return injured Soldiers back to duty that are fit and preventing re-injury by having their recovery monitored and supervised by a trained cadre. I can’t say enough about the great things going on in 6th Brigade. They are truly striving to turnout combat ready Soldiers who can contribute to their unit as soon as they arrive. The training they are receiving will help them survive on the battlefield and help the Army win. Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane Fort Bliss Commanding General