Sustainment Battalion Convoy VI.

After successfully completing the gunnery skills test

(GST), GT I, GT II, GT III, GT V, and GT VI, the crew
becomes a certified CPP.

Protection Platform Gunnery To provide a level of stabilization that facilitates an ac-

curate shoot-on-the-move capability, a CPP uses vehicles
that have mounted crew-served weapons without fire-
control systems.
by Captain Tiffiney N. Brooks
Convoy Escort Team
Sustainment units often must provide their own protection for supply convoys A CET is made up of at least four CPPs. These crews
are groomed to function as one cohesive unit dedicated
but seldom are trained to do so. Using a new convoy protection training circular, to protecting the force and ensuring the success and
the 49th Transportation Battalion (Movement Control) conducted gunnery training safety of the mission. This entails more than just going
out to the range 1 day and firing a few bullets. The certi-
before deploying to Afghanistan. fying event for CETs is the section gunnery.
Planning
The key to a successful gunnery is adequate prepara-
tion, effective presentation, practice, and thorough evalu-
ation. Because of the challenge of coordinating gunnery
training requirements (such as forecasting ammuni-
tion 90 days out and requesting facilities and training
aids) with the available resources, the planning process
should begin at least 6 months before the execution of
the gunnery. The necessary resources, such as facilities,
training products, simulators, ammunition, and any other
resource critical to the execution of the gunnery, should
be acquired as soon as possible. Coordination should
be continuous from long-range planning through short-
range and near-term planning and training execution.
The senior or master gunner should be at the forefront
of the planning process. When planning the gunnery, the
senior gunner is the most valuable asset. The senior gun-
A gunnery crew returns from the range ner is a key player in gunnery training because he serves
after completing a gunnery table. as the subject-matter expert.
Training Plan
The master gunner and the gunnery officer-in-charge
(OIC) should create a gunnery training plan 6 months
before execution, if possible. The training plan will allow
the unit to maintain a consistent mission focus, coordi-

O
n today’s battlefield, sustainment organizations (GTs), such as section gunnery. TC 3–20.21.1, Individual develop individual Soldiers and VGCs in a progressive nate with task-organized supporting organizations, and
with minimal self-defense capabilities are often and Crew Live-Fire Prerequisite Testing, and Field manner. They should be sequenced to provide quality focus on the correct timeline. The 8-step training model
exposed to direct combat. These organizations Manual (FM) 3–20.21, Heavy Brigade Combat Team VGCs within resource constraints. Successful comple- (plan, develop an operation order, teach, perform a re-
often lack sufficient training to ensure their survivability. (HBCT) Gunnery, complement TC 4–11.46, especially tion of all gunnery phases prepares the unit for a section connaissance, rehearse, execute, conduct an after-action
Although convoy protection platforms (CPPs) are not for planning and executing section gunnery (GTs VII to gunnery that is an exercise intended for platoon-sized review, and re-execute) should be used.
new to the military, sustainment units are now beginning IX). elements. (A section is made up of two CPPs.) A sample 6-month gunnery training schedule follows.
to establish and execute doctrine on how to use whatever The gunnery program enables sustainment units to 6 months out. Conduct senior gunner certification,
platforms are available to successfully engage threats. train and deploy convoy escort teams (CETs) with CPPs. Convoy Protection Platforms and begin the planning process, to include acquiring
In April 2010, the Army Combined Arms Support Program participants become more proficient at imple- A CPP is one VGC, typically consisting of a driver, resources, forecasting ammunition needs, and conducting
Command released Training Circular (TC) 4–11.46, Con- menting tactical procedures for direct combat using their vehicle commander, and gunner. It is crucial for this crew simulator training.
voy Protection Platform Gunnery, which outlines specific assigned weapons to survive in any area of operations. to maintain its integrity throughout the training and gun- 5 months out. Conduct preliminary marksmanship
training requirements for sustainment units. Although The training enables CPPs to bring intense, accurate, and nery execution process so that it can develop as a whole, training and qualification, and conduct diagnostic GST
this manual provides sustainment units with a great foun- deadly fire on enemy targets. maintain continuity, and allow the vehicle commander and GT I simulator training.
dation for training convoy protection crews and certify- The vehicle gunnery crew (VGC) gunnery program to develop and maintain mission command. Crews are 4 months out. Conduct classroom instruction, driver’s
ing convoy protection platforms, it provides little detail should be divided into four phases—preliminary, ba- regarded as VGCs until they successfully complete the training, and simulator training, and tentatively schedule
regarding the execution of higher-level gunnery tables sic, intermediate, and advanced gunnery—in order to basic gunnery phase and have qualified on GTs I through range maneuver areas and training devices.

32 Army Sustainment September–October 2012 33

 A gunnery crew conducts termine statistics and unit weaknesses. The statistics help individual tasks, a training calendar, and a timeline with
after-action review. to develop future firing scenarios and are maintained by gates (suspenses) by which certain training or tasks had
the master gunner, small arms master gunner, or senior to be completed based on the battalion commander’s
gunner. intent. The unit was also given a suspense to provide the
and Close Combat Tactical Trainer (CCTT) allow crews VCEs must consider multiple factors when scoring a names of the crews to the battalion. After that suspense,
to build the confidence and muscle memory needed to be VGC, including the different timing matrices based on all crew changes had to be approved by the battalion
successful in the live-fire execution. At the simulators, the vehicles’ posture (defensive or offensive). To suc- commander.
the crews start to see the culmination of all the individual cessfully complete a GT, crews must score at least 700 The unit was responsible for updating its training plan
and collective tasks they have trained on thus far. These points in 7 engagements on the respective table. To and ensuring that everything was entered into the Digital
simulators provide an opportunity for crews to conduct qualify on an engagement, crews must score at least 70 Training Management System. The unit was required to
vehicle-mounted combat tasks in a virtual environment. points on that engagement after any deductions. provide the master gunner with the exact date and time it
The CCTT and WST can serve as the final gateway for would be executing the training so that he could oversee
crews moving forward to a live-fire gunnery range.
Ammunition Allocation it; the master gunner would be present at all live-fire
The 49th Transportation Battalion (Movement Control) Determining the total amount of ammunition needed range events.
developed a training and evaluation standard that served for gunnery training can prove to be quite a challenge. The unit was also responsible for training itself with
as a tool to determine if a crew was ready to move from Ammunition requests are based on firing scenarios. TC the assistance of the master gunner. The battalion co-
simulation to blanks and live fire. The battalion saw a 4–11.46 provides Department of the Army Pamphlet ordinated driver’s training, high-mobility multipurpose
positive correlation between the amount of time a crew (DA Pam) 350–38, Standards in Training Commission, wheeled vehicle egress training, weapons qualification
spent at the simulators and their success during live fire. as a reference for determining how much ammunition is on tripod, and weapons familiarization with the weapons
The purpose of GT II, or the crew proficiency course, needed for gunnery training. mounted on the vehicle.
is to prepare the VGC for live-fire qualification. VCEs DA Pam 350–38 allocates 1,500 rounds for gunnery At the same time, the gunnery OIC and master gun-
must consider the VGC’s ability to determine the en- qualification all the way through the advanced phase. ner identified the range detail requirements, including
gagement time to quickly engage threat targets in order However, FM 3–20.21 allots 2,450 rounds just for the the VCEs. Approximately 30 days before the gunnery
to successfully complete GT II and proceed to GT III, the basic phase. Furthermore, the HBCT gunnery manual started, the master gunner began training the VCEs.
basic gunnery phase. allocates 50 rounds per target. The TC does not break Two weeks before the gunnery started, the VCEs were
3 months out. Conduct record GST and GT I simulator down the number of rounds per target. assigned to the CCTT and WST simulation training. At
training. Gunnery Phases Since sustainment units can only engage two targets this time, the VCEs began to make their first assessment,
2 months out. Conduct GST and GT I simulator train- The basic gunnery phase encompasses GTs III through per engagement, they are limited to 100 rounds per using the CCTT and WST evaluation created by the 49th
ing (gateway to the live-fire table), and lock in use of VI and develops skills learned in the preliminary gun- engagement. There are a total of ten engagements per Transportation Battalion. This also allowed the VCEs to
range maneuver areas and training devices. nery phase. This is the first time VGCs fire live ammuni- GT. The 49th Transportation Battalion requested 4,000 see how a crew functions as a VGC. It allowed the VCEs
1 month out. Conduct OIC, vehicle crew evaluator tion from their respective vehicle platforms. During GT rounds per crew in consideration of the possibility of to identify potential risks and make necessary adjust-
(VCE), and range safety officer certification and GT II VI, crews are certified as CPPs in order to transition to crews having to re-engage one or more tables. The battal- ments before live fire.
simulator training. the intermediate gunnery phase. ion experienced no ammunition shortages or large excess
Proper planning allows for tough, realistic, and intel- The intermediate gunnery phase is also referred to as with this forecast. Preparation of Crews
lectually and physically challenging gunnery training. section gunnery. This phase includes tables VII to IX and For crews to move on to the standard GT II set forth
Realistic gunnery training will build competence and develops coordination, fire distribution, and control dur- The 49th Transportation Battalion’s Experience by TC 4–11.46, a virtual qualification had to be created;
confidence by developing and honing skills while inspir- ing section practice (GT IX). Because of the high operating tempo for sustainment it had to have an evaluation form to capture the standards
ing excellence by fostering initiative, enthusiasm, and The next phase of gunnery is the advanced phase. Its units, it is imperative that gunnery be a battalion-level necessary to meet the virtual trainer certification. The
eagerness to learn. purpose is to develop coordination and fire distribution event. Balancing the gunnery training requirements qualification guidelines closely paralleled those of the
and control during convoy and CET qualification (GT and garrison mission requirements is quite a challenge. actual live-fire GTs. The only major difference was that
Preliminary Gunnery Phase XII) and base defense operations. Therefore, it is important for the battalion section respon- the tasks were not timed because the virtual trainer was
Training for gunnery is conducted in four phases and After successful completion of the basic, intermedi- sible for the training (usually S–3) to work closely with available to accommodate gunnery for sustainment units.
encompasses individual and collective training. The first ate, and advanced gunnery phases, commanders can the unit commander and first sergeant. However, the evaluation form that was created for sus-
phase is the preliminary phase, which includes the GST elect to conduct collective gunnery. Collective gunnery I recommend qualifying only 6 to 8 crews at a time. tainment units contained all the criteria that the live-fire
and GTs I and II. During this phase, individual Soldiers is comprised of the intermediate and advanced gunnery However, the 49th Transportation Battalion was faced tables have by task.
and VGCs are trained using classroom instruction, simu- phases. Collective GTs (IX and XII) are designed to test with the challenge of training and certifying 24 crews. The guidelines were that the crews had to meet the
lators or virtual training, and home-station training. the unit’s and leader’s ability to take knowledge learned Six weeks were allocated for the gunnery, and 5 of those minimum proficiency levels outlined in the TC for
Simulators are essential in the “walk” phase of the from previous GTs and apply it to tactical combat weeks were dedicated to crew certification on GTs II, 10 tasks, including vehicle commander engagements,
gunnery. They are used most during the GST and GT scenarios at the section-, platoon-, and company-team III, V, and VI. Approximately eight crews per week went defensive and offensive engagements, moving targets,
I. Simulators provide realistic training and serve as a levels. The 49th Transportation Battalion did not conduct through certification. One week was dedicated to section short halts, a short-range engagement, and a long-range
platform for the training and evaluation of the GST. The the collective gunnery phase. gunnery for CET certification. engagement. Other conditions evaluated were the defi-
GST evaluates each crew member’s ability to execute lade and enfilade, the proper commands given, and the
selected gunnery-related skills, and GT I evaluates the Scoring Preparing for the Gunnery Range timeliness from the last command given by the tower
entire vehicle crew’s ability to execute selected tasks. (A Three different forms are used to document all train- Each unit of the battalion being certified was provided to the termination command given by the vehicle com-
list of the required tasks can be found in TC 4–11.46.) ing and ultimately factor scores from each gunnery table. with a detailed training plan created by the master gunner mander. Once the evaluation form was created, the VCEs
Simulators such as the Warrior Skills Trainer (WST) These results should be maintained and compiled to de- and gunnery OIC. The plan included collective and were trained on how to use it and were evaluated on its

34 Army Sustainment September–October 2012 35

 Brigadier Gunnery Table III the target scoring requires that 50 percent of the targets
General engaged must be hit. This percentage is then added to
Terance J. GT III proved to be the most difficult table for most of
the crews. During week 1, none of the 24 crews received the T, P, U evaluation. The section must have a total of at
Hildner awards
Soldiers a Q1 (qualification the first time through) and only 8 of least 70 percent for the evaluated tasks and targets hit.
with a coin the 24 crews receive a Q2 (qualification the second time The 49th Transportation Battalion was the first sustain-
in recognition through). During the second time through, crews only ment unit to complete section gunnery. The battalion’s
of a job well fired the engagements on which they had not qualified. section gunnery consisted of five sections with four to
done on their Subsequent crews were required to re-engage the entire five CPPs in each section. The evaluation began with
gunnery table, and they did so successfully. I believe the crews the unit commander being alerted through a notifica-
training. had the most difficulty with this table because it was tion sequence from his higher echelon (the battalion S–3
the first time that they had to put all the skills they had section). Each section had a set time that it was to be at
learned together with the difficult task of quickly engag- the motor pool with 100-percent accountability to receive
ing actual targets, including some that were moving. The further guidance.
crews that achieved a Q2 on GT III did very well, with The evaluators (two captains and one major, since
on gunnery until scores ranging from 743 points in 8 engagements to 887 evaluators had to be at least the same rank as the com-
completion, and points in 9 engagements. pany commander) met the sections at the motor pool
because of time where the assessment would begin. The evaluators issued
constraints, it Gunnery Tables V and VI an operation order to the section commander, who in turn
was imperative Despite GT V having a more difficult scenario, with conducted a convoy brief using a sandtable. The section
that the other further targets and more moving targets, this was by far commander was evaluated on his troop-leading proce-
crews be ready the crews’ best table. By GT V, the crews’ confidence dures. Once that phase was complete, the section con-
to replace a was up and their skill sets were well developed, leading ducted a tactical road march (which was several miles)
crew should a to outstanding scores. Five crews achieved a Q1, with to the section gunnery range. The section was still being
use for 2 days for a total of approximately 16 hours. crew not be able to complete the gunnery. scores ranging from 750 points in 7 engagements to 935 evaluated by the evaluator, who rode in the vehicle with
The only obstacle that was not resolved was that Despite prior planning, week 1 had a slow start be- points in 10 engagements. Eleven crews achieved a Q2, the section commander.
the virtual trainer was not tailored to sustainment unit cause the vehicle platforms were not ready on time for with scores ranging from 712 points in 7 engagements to After arriving at the section gunnery range, the evalu-
gunnery. This obstacle included the system’s lack of pickup. This had a large effect on the gunnery because 960 points in 10 engagements. ation process paused so that crews could receive a safety
scenarios with the capability of tracking the open and it affected the battalion S–6 section’s ability to ensure The crews were also very successful on GT VI, with 6 brief and get oriented to the range and so vehicle safe-
close times, delay times, defilade and enfilade times, and that all requested communications equipment was with crews obtaining a Q1 qualification and 11 crews qualify- ties could enter each vehicle. The evaluator served as
moving targets. the vehicles, fully mission capable, and compatible with ing Q2. Four of the crews surpassed the sustainment unit the safety in the section commander’s vehicle. After the
the range radios prior to gunnery execution. During the crew record that was held by a crew in a sister battalion. safety brief, the crews mounted their vehicles and the
Crew Qualification first couple of days of gunnery, several communication The Q1 scores for GT VI ranged from 721 points in 7 evaluation process continued. The crews drew their am-
Successfully certifying all of the crews on all GTs issues led to a mandatory cease-fire until the issues could engagements to 864 points in 9 engagements. The scores munition and executed the live-fire portion of GT IX.
required many personnel and much effort by everyone be resolved. This affected the crews’ momentum and of the 11 crews who obtained Q2 scores on table VI After the live-fire portion, the safeties cleared the
involved. The success of the gunnery depended on the confidence and resulted in several hours of lost training ranged from 742 points in 8 engagements to 864 points weapons and the section conducted a final situational
careful planning and staging of all training required to time. It also affected the master gunner’s ability to proof in 9 engagements. training exercise lane, where they were evaluated on se-
qualify the crews for the life-fire GTs. This involved the range one last time with the platforms before gun- lected battle drills and reports. All five sections success-
careful selection of the right tasks to train on, weapons to nery execution. Section Gunnery fully completed GT IX.
be used, the right resources, and most importantly, time Section gunnery is no more than a lanes evaluation
management. Gunnery Table II culminating with a certifying live-fire exercise. The tasks Crew gunnery is a long, drawn-out process that re-
Another important element was the leaders (master Once the issues with the vehicles and communication are selected based on the unit’s mission-essential task list quires extensive planning and preparation. However, if
gunner, gunnery OIC, range OIC, range noncommis- were resolved, crews began GT II, dry fire. Crews tran- or mission to be conducted if deploying. Once the tasks it is done according to the TC guidelines, any unit can
sioned officer-in-charge [NCOIC], company commander, sitioned from GT II to GT III, live fire, when the VCEs are selected, the training is set up for those specific tasks conduct it to standard. The 49th Transportation Battalion
first sergeant, and executive officer) conducting in- and the master gunner were confident that the crews and trained accordingly. never deviated from the TC. It conducted the gunnery the
process reviews to ensure that all that was needed was were proficient in identifying and engaging targets using The overall section certification is based on a two-part way every unit should.
being acquired. This also included selecting the right the proper firing commands while conducting short halts. evaluation. One part covers the tasks that have been se-
range OIC, NCOIC, and safety officer to put the range in The gunner (and vehicle commander when they were lected for certification and are evaluated in a T (trained),
motion. Once that was accomplished, all that was needed firing) was evaluated on his ability to transition the P (needs practice), U (untrained) evaluation format. The
was for the crews to be present at all of the training and weapon to appropriate sectors of fire in order to pre- other part covers live-fire certification and is based on
the same minimum proficiency levels as the crew gun- Captain Tiffiney N. Brooks is the movement control
be certified in the respective GST and GT I tasks. vent friendly fire and accurately engage enemy targets. officer for the 49th Transportation Battalion (Move-
Drivers were evaluated on their ability to maneuver the nery, with a four- or five-vehicle section participating as ment Control) at Fort Hood, Texas. She holds a B.S.
Getting Started vehicle safely throughout the course and from enfilade the CET. The only difference is that the CET commander degree in marketing from Georgia Southwestern State
Week 1 of gunnery began with eight crews. While and defilade positions. assigns the sectors of fire and authorizes the crews to fire University and an M.B.A. degree from the University
these 8 crews were executing GTs II, III, V, and VI, the Once the master gunner was confident that the crews within those sectors upon enemy contact. of Phoenix. She is a graduate of the Army Officer
remaining 16 crews continued to go through simulation were proficient in these skill sets, the crews transitioned The scoring is based on the number of targets pre- Candidate School and the Army Transportation Basic
training. It was important for all crews to remain focused to live fire. All crews successfully completed GT II. sented and the number of targets hit. The baseline for Officer Leader Course.

36 Army Sustainment September–October 2012 37