Armor, March-April 1985 Edition

56 Pages·2007·3.72 MB·English

United States Army Armor School
Com mandant
MG FREDERIC J. BROWN
Assistant Commandant
BG GORDON R. SULLIVAN
Deputy Assistant Commandant
COL MICHAEL H. CRUMLEY
Chief of Staff
COL RALPH R. WOLFE
Command Sergeant Major
CSM JOHN M. STEPHENS
INSTRUCTIONAL DEPARTMENTS
Maintenance
COL G. L. THOMAS
Command and Staff
COL JAMES M. LYLE
Weapons
COL DAVID V. HARBACH
Training Group
LTC JAMES L. KLUENDER
NCO Academy/
Drill Sergeant School
SGM DONALD H. DEVINE
DIRECTORATES
Evaluation and Standardization
COL JOHN C. THOMPSON
Training and Doctrine
COL DUDLEY M. ANDRES
Combat Developments
COL ROBERT W. DeMONT
UNITS
Center/School Brigade
COL WILLIAM M. BOICE
1s t Armor Training Brigade
COL ROBERT B. FRANKLIN, JR.
“To disseminate knowledge of the military arts and sciences,
4th Training Brigade
with special attention to mobility in ground warfare, to promote
COL WILLIAM M. MATZ, JR.
professional improvement of the Armor Community, and to
preserve and foster the spirit, the traditions, and the solidarity of
194th Armored Brigade
Armor in the Army of the United States.” COL PAUL E. FUNK
A R , M O R T h eMa gazine of Mobile Warfare
FEATURES
Editor-in-Chief
LTC CHARLES R. STEINER, JR. 13 Armor’s First Struggle
by Captain Edward G. Miller
Managing Editor
JON T. CLEMENS 18 Big Men and Tanks
by Ronald W. Cammarata
Assistant Editor
ROBERT E. ROGGE 20 Preventing Combat Vehicle Injuries
by June Greer
Administrative Assistant
VIVIAN THOMPSON 24 The Pros and Cons of the New Ultralights
by Edwin W. Besch
Contributing Artist
MARK KAYROUZ 31 Integrating Tactics and Gunnery Training
by Lieutenant Colonel William W. Hansen and
ARMOR magazine (ISSN 0004-2420) is
published bimonthly by the U.S. Army Captain Anthony Coroalles
Armor Center, 4401 Vine Grove Road,
Fort Knox, Kentucky 401 21. Unless 34 Mounting the Deep Counterattack
otherwise stated, material does not
represent policy, thinking, or endorse- by Major Stephen J. Broussard
ment by any agency of the U.S. Army.
Use of appropriated funds for printing of 36 The Deep Attack Helicopter Raid
this publication was approved by the
Department of the Army 6 January 1984. by Captain Ralph Peters
ARMOR is not a copyrighted publication
but may contain some articles which 38 Modernizing Turkey’s Tanks
have been copyrighted by individual
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pyright may be reprinted if credit is given
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6 Commander’s Hatch 48 Recognition Quiz Answers
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ARMOR may be forwarded to military COVER
personnel whose change of address is
caused by official orders (except at APO The development of ultralight combat vehicles, including
addresses) without payment of addition- several for U.S. forces, grows out of a need for greater
ai postage. The subscriber must notify
the postmaster. strategic mobility. But ultralights aren’t an easy answer in
USPS 467-970 themselves, warns former CIA analyst Edwin W. Besch in an
article that begins on page 24.
March-April 1985 Vol XClV NO. 2
worldwide amphibious assault landings. fantry. The German infantry figures are
The Sergeant Has It Right He was awarded the Legion of Merit for probably high. Accurate figures just do
his work in this area. not exist. Armored fighting vehicles are
Dear Sir, He retired from his position as an insu- easier to count and include tanks, tank
rance executive in 1968. A native of destroyers and shell-firing armored cars.
I was pleased to see the article, “A
Green Bay, Wisc.. he was one of the
Gunner’s Thoughts on the Tank Tables.”
original founders of the Green Bay Pack- 17 December
in the November-December 1984 issue
of ARMOR Magazine. ers. Id AFV
His first book on armor, co-authored German 1,520 24
The entire text brought back memories with Major Ralph Jones and Captain Ge- us 4,410 442
of the range and ammunition allocation
orge Rarey, was “The Fighting Tanks, 18 -D
problems that i experienced during my
Since 1916 .” was published in 1933. German 8,900 92
active duty days, from tank platoon lead- He was a regular contributor to the fu- us 4,410 442
er to division commander. It seems that
ture of armor, the Army and the Patton 19 December
when we had the ranges we were short of
Museum for over half a century. He will German 5,518 64.
ammunition, and vice versa. never be forgotten. us 4,410 442
As Sergeant Gray points out, there are
20 -D
many variables to tank gunnery training
JOHN A. CAMPBELL German 12,029 134
and qualification courses. Personally, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) us 4,410 442
although I feel we came close, we never
Patton Museum Volunteer 21 -23D ecember
licked them and I have serious doubts
German 17,673 220
that they will ever be wholly conquered. us 4.410 442
Be that as it may, the article depicts
Little Big Horn Group Because of lack of accurate figures, I
the concerns of a tank commander or
did not count artillery, but U.S. troops
gunner who must undergo this training
as a professional. It is he who has to do Dear Slr, had almost unlimited support while the
it on a daily basis and he should be lis- Cavalrymen who are interested in the Germans had only light support until aft-
tened to by all concerned. study of the Battle of the Little Big Horn er 21 December. I do not know if any
Congratulations to you, Sergeant Gray. (Custer’s Last Stand), Custer and his counter-battery fires were used by either
You are on the right track. times, and the old horse cavalry of that side.
day should contact the Little Big Horn Generally, the opposing armor was
GEORGE S. PATTON Association and become acquainted with equal, for almost no Panther tanks were
Major General, USA (Ret) others who hold the same interests. present, the majority of German armor
You may write to the Little Big Horn being the Panzer IV and the Sturm-
Association, P.O. Box 633, Boaz, Alaba- geschutze. The few King Tigers (no Tiger
Colonel lcks Remembered ma, 35957 for more information on this Is were used) belonged to the 501st SS
interesting and historical battle and peri- Panzer Abteilung (section) assigned to
Dear Sir, od. the 1s t SS Panzer Division and were only
On 19 February 1985, the world lost in the area on 18 December.
one of the great research pioneers and JOHN M. CARROLL The famous story of the Tiger tank
authors on armored fighting vehicles and Bryan, Texas killed by an M8 armored car deserves
armored warfare with the death of Colo- looking into. It is an unlikely event be-
nel Robert J. Icks, AUS Retired. cause the 37-mm gun on the M8 would
Colonel lcks was the author or co-au- Some StV ith Thoughts have to have had penetrated an inch or
thor of seven books and many articles more of armor than it was capable of do-
published here and in Europe and the Dear Sir, ing. If a picture of this supposed incident
“Encyclopedia Britannica” between The article on the battle of St. Vith exists it probably shows a Panzer IV
1929 and 1976, including the first book (“Armor’s Stand At St. Vith,” November- rather than a Tiger. The Ferdinandthat is
on armored warfare published in the U.S. December 1984 ARMOR) raised several claimed to have been encountered in the
He was a member of the Ordnance- good questions, but left some important Bulge could well have been a
Industry Tank Committee from 1950 to ones out. A basic question in studying Jadgpanzer as no Ferdinands served on
1959. His library of thousands of books, military history must be answered before the Western Front. Vehicle ID was not
research papers and photographs has analyzing any battle. That question is: Is one of our strong points at St. Vith.
been received by the Patton Museum at a battle won by what one side did right, or (Some things never change).
Fort Knox, Ky. where it will be available by the side that did the least number of The troops assigned to the 7th
to armor researchers. things wrong? From my reading, the lat- Armored Division fought well, but mis-
Colonel lcks served in the Merchant ter seems to be true. Each side must be takes were made that cost heavily. The
Marine and as an Army enlisted man in looked at to determine their objectives worst losses occured during the with-
WW I. He graduated from Ripon college and their mistakes if the lesson is to be drawals. What the U.S. operations at St.
in 1922 and became a Reserve officer in learned. Vith did display was the ignored side of
1927. During WW II he was in charge of What happened at St. Vith is easier to inititative (See Gaining and Exploiting
automotive testing at Aberdeen Proving understand if you look at the actual fight- The Initiative,” July-August 1984
Ground, where he designed the Munson ing strength on each side. Naming the ARMOR ). If you can make the enemy
and Churchville test courses. Later, at units does not accurately reflect the react to your moves and you can choose
the Office of Chief of Ordnance-Detroit, combat power in the line. Using the au- the time, place and conditions of an
he set up vehicle manufacturing inspec- thorized TOBE strengths and, where engagement then you have the initiative.
tion standards and then became deputy known, the actual strengths, I assembled Offensive action is simply an extreme
chief of the Engineering-Manufacturing the following tables. The infantry column example of this.
Division. He directed the development of lists only the number of troops in line in- The efforts of U.S. troops at St. Vith
vehicle waterproofing devices used in fantry squads and not support troops, would have been in vain if not for the fol-
the 1942 North African and, later, although many of these were used as in- lowing facts:
2 ARMOR march-aprill985
rank insignia, and full color unit patches.
1. The tremendous traffic jams behind Captain Henry misses the point of uti-
We have never gone back to this and
the German lines that held up some units lizing IFV-equipped infantry without di-
for 2-3 weeks before they could get to continued from the basic green fatigues rect tank support. The argument is not
battle. to camouflaged BDUs. over whether a TOW missile is better to
2. The very best German units availa- I do not think that camouflage is a “de- have on the ground than a tank gun. The
ble to capture St. Vith (the 1st 8 2d fensive” item, nor do l think that the only entire IFV package gives properly de-
reason for using it is lack of air superiori-
Panzer Divisions) were advancing west. ployed mechanized infantry more inde-
Only the 18th Volksgreenadier Division ty. pendent staying power. Dug-in infantry
Camouflage is both cheap insurance
(VGD) was assigned to capture this criti- supported by the heavier weapons of the
and a force multiplier. Offensive or de-
cal road junction. IFV, will make it harder for the enemy to
fensive, air superiority or not, any time
3. The German infantry lacked radios. achieve a breakthrough.
that we can deceiye the enemy as to our
They were authorized radios down to While in the short run the defense may
strength, position, or intentions, we have
platoon level, but most units had them gained a tactical - if not strategic - be stronger if tanks are also up in the
only to company level. U.S. forces had frontline, once the penetration is made,
advantage.
radios down to squad level. the defense will be much weaker for lack
I believe that there is another reason
4. Losses in Normandy and the retreat of that fresh battlefield reserve.
for emphasis on camouflage, one that is
through France had cost the Germans After all, what is the difference
equally important. Camouflage is a state
heavily in commanders at the small unit between a 40-1 breakthrough or a 20-1
of mind. Camouflage is needed because
level. U.S. forces did not suffer compara- breakthrough? In both cases, the enemy
people are going to be out there doing
ble losses. will breakthrough. Sure, at 20-1 he will
. their utmost to kill you. The use of cam-
What would have happened if.. suffer more losses, but so will the defen-
ouflage in non-tactical and training situ-
1. Kampfgruppen Sandig and Hansen der, who has put in more troops to be
ations can help bring that awareness
(2 SS panzer regiments with 24 assault chewed up. And the end result is the
home; therefore it can prepare people for
guns and 50 tanks) had pushed on to Vi- same: the bad guys have broken through
the realities of the combat environment.
elsalm from Poteau instead of turning and are driving for the Channel. But in
Camouflage is a personal protection de-
north at midday on 18 December? the 40-1 situation, the defense probably
vice, a kind of a cross between a flak
2. The 2d Panzer Division had exploit- won’t collapse as readily as in the 20-1
jacket and a foxhole. And, just as the Ar-
ed the success of the 293d Regiment of because more forces have been pres-
my doesn’t issue foxholes on the individ-
the 18th VGD on the morning of 17 De- erved, not wasted in attempting to stop
ual level, we will not be issued tactical
cember? an enemy who is going to break through
camouflage. What is issued is the knowl-
3. The Fuhrer Belief Brigade had anyway.
edge of how to dig a foxhole and how to
exploited the success of the 294th and Even Captain Henry probably sees the
employ camouflage.
295th regiments of the 18th VGD on the military wisdom in keeping a reserve. But
morning of 18 December? he probably sees the holding back of the
MICHAEL M. SMITH
4. St. Vith had been assigned to the bulk of the tank forces as too radical. Aft-
Captain, CE
6th Panzer Army and 1 st SS Panzer Divi- er all, he cites the traditional dominance
Laurel. FL.
sion was to have captured it? of the main battle tank to be “largely as a
Any one of these would have changed result of its much greater volume of fire.”
Combined Arms; An Author’s
the course of the Battle of the Bulge. The But that’s not true. The tank can domi-
St. Vith battle progressed the way it did Reply nate not because of its firepower, but be-
mainly because of what the Germans did cause of the coupling of that firepower
not do rather that what the 7th Armored Dear Sir, with maneuver/off ensive action.
Divison did do. I was very pleased to see Captain Pet- The tank, no matter how we look at it, is
I am not trying to take anything away er Henry’s reply to my article, “A New basically an offensive weapons system.
from what our GIs did. it was because of Concept For Combined Arms,” that To use it in any other way is to waste that
them that St. Vith was held as long as it appeared in the January-February 1984 maneuver which has allowed it to domi-
was. US. soldiers have always been our issue of ARMOR Magazine. The stirring nate.
strong point, but how and what they, were up of professional thought is, after all, Why have our tanks dig in with the ln-
trained for, and our equipment, have nev- the whole purpose behind the magazine. fantry and attrite the enemy, then get
er been up to their levels. However, I wish to clarify and restate my pinned down and be picked off them-
One last item. For the reconnaissance views on certain of the points brought up selves? Wouldn’t it be much better to
purist, I suggest reading very carefully by Captain Henry. have them cooling their heels to the rear,
how cavalry units were used during the I do not advocate the de facto aban- poised to come at the flank of the Soviet
Bulge. The cavalry was used just like in- donment of the combined arms concept main thrust in a counterattack? A defen-
fantry and armor. Their light vehicles and at battalion level and below. What I do sive battle could easily be transformed
weapons only resulted in needless loss- advocate is the meshing of our systems into a meeting engagement. Who do you
es when faced with superior enemy of maneuver to more closely match their think would have the advantage in a
armor. Look at how many scout jeeps capabilities and limitations with what meeting engagement, the set-piece Rus-
had armor put on them in an effort to history has shown us works best. The sians, or the flexible, spunky Ameri-
save the crews. only abandonment I have advocated is cans?
the blatant penny-packing of our limited Captain Henry cites me for “retaining a
CHRISTOPHER F. SCHNEIDER tank assets in the role of direct support trace of combined arms capability” by
Staff Sergeant, Armor of infantry. While it might be nice to have suggesting a mechanized infantry com-
Cicero, IN tanks in every mechanized company or pany be assigned to each tank battalion.
battalion, history has shown us that This is not just to humor him. While IFV
tanks work better when massed, and infantry may be able to function on the
Camouflage: State of Mind? when allowed to maneuver. battlefield without direct tank support as
It‘s a tradeoff. of course, but the arrival long as there is indirect tank support in
Dear Sir, of the IFV makes the tradeoff more the form of an armored reserve, tanks
As a relative old timer, I would like to acceptable. I imagine that even Captain cannot survive without close-in infantry
throw in my two cents on the question of Henry wouldn’t mind having a fresh support. This type of infantry has the job
camouflage. In particular, I would like to armor reserve poised to counterattack of maintaining the forward momentum of
comment on Sgt. Smith’s letter in the No- when the Russians finally do break the tanks by providing a 360-degree
vember-December issue. through, as their doctrine says they will observation, suppression of enemy AT
When I first went to Vietnam, we were stop at nothing to achieve a break- fires, and, yes, the clearance of terrain
still wearing white name tapes, yellow through. less suitable for tanks.
ARMOR march-aprill985 3
Captain Henry thinks I am robbing our The 9-millimeter did not meet those traits, selflessness is key and foremost.
field commanders of the flexibility to de- standards then and it does not today. Emulate his qualities and true patriotism.
termine their own tank:infantry ratio and Perhaps those in charge of such mat- Football and coaching is the source of
making it harder to organize for rare situ- ters believe that the opposition is not as the third rock. It comes from the late,
ations (such as the employment of a tough now as in 1906 or 1911 . I do not great Paul “Bear” Bryant and his guiding
tank-pure battalion). subscribe to that theory. principle for his players on the field and
Nothing can be further from the truth. Those of us who may someday be in life. Ask any former Alabama, Texas
Our field forces should be organized for called upon to do battlefield work have A&M, Kentucky, or Maryland athlete who
the norm. This will give our commanders been let down. I am a serious student of played under the magnificent leader from
much more flexibility in not having to the pistol and I do not take the matter Mor0 Bottom, Arkansas, and they all re-
continually reorganize into the norm. lightly. late the same message: “Always show
They will have more time to worry about your class”. There is also no secret
the task at hand and nothing is stopping FRANK D. RANDALL under the hickory tree in Birmingham.
a commander from adjusting his forces SSG. 1-10 8 Armor There they are. Deny yourself. Be a
to the situation. Additionally, if our forces GA ARNG Sam Damon. Always show your class.
are organized as they will fight, stronger, These three rocks have a great utility
more cohesive units will result. “Only the Rocks Live Forever” and value to our country far beyond my
Finally, Captain Henry sums up his humble ability to relate them. I hope that
discussion with the statement that they will serve you forever.
This is a personal perspective on ide-
“maneuver units employed in essentially
als for the professional military leader of
static roles, particularly those astride ROBERT LEE POWELL
the armed forces in terms of values and
obviously dominant terrain, will be locat- Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry
ed. . . and either .ta med or rendered com- watitlilt ubdee rse.m Meym hboepree ids a thnadt wthilel sbee t hofo usogmhtes HQ, FORSCOM
bat ineffective. .” Because of this, he
future use to leaders as a simple guide
sees IFV infantry becoming solely a
and framework in serviceof our country. Steel Production and Ammo
maneuver element alongside tanks, as
There was an old Georgia Creek Indian
“the absolute difference between attack
saying that only the rocks live forever.
and defend has lost much of its signifi- Clausewitz stated that the commander Dear Sir,
cance, at least at the lower echelons.” must stand like a rock on which the I would like to comment on the letter
But the potential enemy has much more waves break in vain. George Patton said from Gordon J. Douglas in the Novem-
on the ground than we do, and that we that a military officer or non-commis- ber-December 1984 issue of ARMOR
definitely do need the advantages of the sioned officer must be a rock to with- Magazine.
defender in such a case is lost on him. stand the storms and tests of time. Harry C. Thompson, author of “The
What infantry does best is hold ground I have selected three rocks to serve as Technical Services: The Ordnance De-
and defend. The argument that it will be- a beacon for the leader, rocks to provide partment: Procurement and Supply,
come combat inefficient through indirect strength and be a bulwark against the 1960,” in a table on page 152, shows that
actions by the enemy is as old as WW I, temptations and ordeals of life. the Army procured from July 1940 to Au-
where many lives were lost to prove it The first rock comes from the study of gust 1945 more than 93.000,OOO rounds
wrong. Infantry, properly deployed in military history. Most historians differ on of 105-mm howitzer ammunition. Mr.
depth, dug in and reinforced with obs- the great leaders of the past. My selec- Douglas’ guess is short by 50 percent
tacles, then smartly used once the battle tions, on the basis of leadership, are: concerning the number of rounds pro-
is joined, is the fulcrum of the battlefield. Hannibal of Carthage, George Washing- duced in WW II.
It is around this fulcrum that our armor ton, Napoleon Bonaparte. Robert E. Lee, Second, on page 113 of the same
should be employed to take the wind out and George Patton. In attempting to find book. we see that the ordnance program
of the enemy’s sails. We do not want to a common thread from comprehensive consumed 4,000,000 tons of steel in
commit our forces to maneuvering any-
study of these five, I have selected an 1943 and the tank-automotive program
where and everywhere against a numeri- excerpt from Freeman’s last volume on used 7,000,000to ns. I would like to say
cally superior foe, as Captain Henry Lee: that most procurement programs peaked
seems to suggest. We want to save our
“And if one, only one, of the myriad in 1943 and the steel shortage was eas-
punch for when and where the enemy
incidents of his stirring life had to be se- ing by this time.
shows his hand and then make our blow
lected to typify his message, as a man, to Assuming that each steel ‘can’ weighs
decisive.
the young Americans who stood in 10 pounds, 465,000 tons of steel would
hushed awe that rainy October morning have been used to can all the 105-mm
JOHN J. McGRATH
as their parents wept at the passing of howitzer ammunition used in WW II.
1s t Lieutenant, (P) Inf.
the Southern Arthur, who would hesitate Once again my calculations are differ-
in selecting that incident? It occurred in ent from Mr. Douglas’ because I assume
Northern Virginia on his last visit there. A that no steel is returned for recycling.
Dislikes New Pistol young mother brought her baby to him to Even assuming this, the amount of steel
be blessed. He took the infant in his arms that would have been consumed is small
Dear Sir, and looked long at it and then at her and in comparison to the total amount of steel
To an informed student of the pistol, slowly said: ‘Teach him he must deny used in WW II.
the Army’s decision to replace our cur- himself!’ That is all. There is no mystery The Reader’s Digest Almanac 1984
rent service pistol with a 9-millimeter au- in the coffin at Lexington there in front of states that U.S. steel production in 1983
to pistol is both disgusting and confus- the windows that look to the sunrise.” was more than 1OO,OOO,OOO tons, which
ing. The second rock is. “Be a Sam Da- indicates that (10 5-mm howitzer
The minimum standard set forth in the mon.” Of course, many have never read ammunition packaging) whould have
1906 U.S. military trials in search of a “Once an Eagle”, by Anton Myrer. The amounted to 0.0465 percent of the 1983
new service weapdn was: .45 caliber, book is a historical novel about two pro- production.
200 grain bullet, at about 900 feet per fessional soldiers, Courtney Massengale Packaging of ammunition is a very
second muzzle velocity. These stand- and Sam Damon. The former is a career- important function of its production. If a
ards were set after the most extensive ist, ticket-puncher, self-seeker, and a round does not function due to environ-
testing and consideration of all available political officer. The latter is a real sol- mental or shipping damage, it is nothing
pistol rounds. The Thompson-LaGarde dier of great integrity, loyalty, courage, more than an expensive piece of junk.
report on this matter was the most defini- dedication, knowlege. and selflessness.
tive work ever done and remains so to- It is a simple comparison of extremes. MARK SCHWALENBERG
day. Sam Damon is the ideal. Among his Brookfield. WI
4 ARMOR rnarch-aprill985
Red Tanks at Tatsinskaya Soviet Tank Forces Losik's Stroitef'stvoi i Soviet literature such as Sverdlov's
8oevoe Primemenie Sovetskikh Tankovykh Takticheskiy Manevr (Tactical Maneuver).
Dear Sir. Voisk v Gody Velikoi Otechestvennoi Voiny or the 1984 edition of Istoriya Voennogo
In his article, "Tatsinskaya and Soviet (The Building and Use of Soviet Tank For­ Iskusstva (History of the Military Art) - to
OMG Doctrine." Captain (P) Harold W. ces During the Great Patriotic War), and name but two leave little doubt as to
Coyle, in the January-February ARMOR Krupchenko's Sovetskie Tankovye Voiska Soviet intentions with regard to the use of
Magazine, incorrectly described the compo­ 1941-1945 (Soviet Tank Forces 1941­ nuclear weapons. These works recognize
sition of a Soviet tank corps in 1942. 1945). the uniqueplace such weapons continue to
While true that a tank corps then fielded For fire support, the tank corps relied on hold in Soviet military doctrine.
three tank brigades, the two tank battalions 32 45-mm and 76-mm artillery pieces as This can be partly attributed to the signi­
of each brigade consisted of 21 and 31 well as 8 8M-8 or 8M-13 multiple rocket ficant advances the West has made in
tanks respectively, and not 23 tanks as launchers and 44 82-mm and 120-mm weapons technology, especially in the field
stated. The first battalion of each ofthe two mortars. Each tank corps also had an inde­ of helicopters, ATGMs and FASCAM (fami­
tank brigades was of homogenous compo­ pendent motorcycle battalion or an ar­ ly of scatterable mines) which some Soviet
sition and consisted of 21 T-34 medium mored car battalion organic to it. military writers feel have altered the cor­
tanks. The second battalion wasa lighttank In all, a Soviet tank corps of 1942 fielded relation of forces enough to deny the
unit and consisted of a medium tank com­ 7,800 personnel, 168 tanks (98 medium, Soviets the ratios necessary to ensure
pany (10 T-34s) and two light tank com­ 70 light), and 84 mortars, artillery pieces victory in a conventional conflict in Europe.
panies (10 T-60s or T-70s). When the and rocket launchers. The first such forma­ Additionally, because of their destructive
battalion commander's light tank is added, tions were formed in April and May 1942 capability and their high accuracy, the
this battalion fielded 31 tanks. Each tank with 11 created in support of the various Soviets classify these new weapons as
brigade fielded 53 tanks, including the fronts and 14 in the STAVKA reserve. weapons of mass destruction comparable
brigade commander's tank. Captain Coyle's statement that the OMG to nuclear weapons in their effectiveness.
The article also stated that each tank is not a new phenomenon, but rather the This is one reason the Soviets have turned
corps fielded a motorized infantry battalion. revamping of proven tactics to which mod­ once again to mobile formations, in con­
This is incorrect. In addition to an infantry ern weapons have been added, is a key junction with nuclear strikes, to ensure
battalion in each tank brigade, the corps paint often overlooked by Western ana­ victory in a European war.
also had an infantry brigade organic, thus lysts. It should be noted that while in a What many Western analysts fail to
totaling 6 infantry battalions. conventional war, they will pose a grave recognize when examining the renewed
Captain Coyle is also in error when he threat to NATO forces, when used in con­ emphasis the Soviets have given to mod
stated that each tank corps had two self­ junction with nuclear strikes their speed rnizing their ground forces is their indis­
propelled (SP) artillery regiments as part of and lethality will be even greater. pensability - according to the Soviets in
its organization. According to Soviet mili­ At a time when many Western experts ensuring their success in a nuclear war.
tary sources, SP artillery regiments were are arguing that the creation of OMGs is The OMG is thus only a part of the Soviet
not part of a tank corps until 1943. While proof of the shift in Soviet military doctrine formula for success in a European war. It
there is a possibility that two such regi­ from a nuclear to a conventional emphasis, should be examined in this context rather
ments were added to Major General Bada­ Soviet military literature continues to than independently.
nov's 24th Tank Corps for the Tatsinskaya stress the importance of nuclear strikes, in
operation, Soviet military literature does conjunction with conventional forces, to
GILBERTO VILLAHERMOSA
not mention this (see A. I. Radzievskiy's inflict a decisive defeat on an opponent in Captain, Armor
Tankovyy Udar (Tank Strike), Marshal of the shortest possible time.
HQ, XVIII Airborne Corps
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ARMOR march-april 1985 5
MG Frederic J. Brown

Commanding General

U.S. Arm'YArmor Center
Manning Issues Revisited
To meet the challenges of the Army of Excellence, estimates, offense, defense, the Threat, and combat
which requires fully trained soldiers and thoroughly service support (CSS). In the second week, the MILES
professional leaders, the Armor Center is changing the system will be used for intensive field trainingin proven
program of instruction (POI) of both officer and NCO structured training exercises.
courses, developing leader certification to ensure ex­ • The Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course
cellence, and moving forward with the Excellence in (ANCOC) is being improved to help develop solid
Armor program (EIA) - formerly "FastTrack" - to get platoon sergeants who are also capable of battlefield
outstandingsoldiers into the tank commander's station command ofcompanies andtroops ifneeded. Thecourse
earlier in their careers. has also been changedto align CMF 19with Division 86
We are also working to resolve currentconcerns, such doctrine and to include CSS training.
as CMF 19 restructure, turnaround time, and OPMS/ • The Tank Commander's Course and the Scout
EPMS issues. Commander's Course are now being taught at Fort
Knox. They are designed to train vehicle commanders
Leadership to Win on a specific vehicle. These coursel'l will also be used to
refresh the training of soldiers of all grades who have
We've restructured leadership courses to develop
been away from a vehicle for two years or more.
leaders accustomed to assuming the initiative knowing
• The Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course
the intentofthe commander, onewho is mentally agile,
(BNCOC) has been lengthened to six weeks and now
able to make decisions. and able to take decisive action
requires an NCO to pass the Tank Commander's Certi­
in the absence ofcommand communications. Our lead­
fication Test I (TCCT·I), our TCGST, prior to gradua­
ers, first and foremost, must be technically and taco
tion.
tically competent. To meet these demands, the Armor
This test requires demonstrated competence in the
Center has made changes in some ofthe leader courses:
individual technical skills a leader requires. TCCT-I is
• Although the Armor Officer Advanced Course
intended to be an annual test for all tank commanders
(AOAC) has been shortened to 20 weeks, theintensityof
or prospective tank commanders and can serve as the
hands-on technical and tactical training has been
basis for the commander's evaluation of the Skill
greatly increasedwith theinclusion offive weeks in the
Qualification Test (SQT).
field. The first 14 weeks now stress the skills necessary
to function as a company/troop commander, while the The TCCT is designed to be administered by the unit
remaining time is devoted to training in how to fight at master gunner as a hands-on, vehicle·specific test. The
the battalion/squadron and brigade/regimental levels. standards will be published so therewill be no surprises.
Course content is being updated to accommodate new TCCT·I will also be integrated into the graduation
weapons systems, devices, and doctrine. requirements of the AOB and will be a prerequisite for
• To help Reserve component company commanders entry to both the AOAC and the ANCOC. The TCCT is
keep pace with their active duty counterparts, the the Tank Crewman Gunnery Skills Test (TCGST) from
Armor Commander's Course has been scheduled to the new FM 17·12 series. !tis proven, itiscurrent, andit
begin this summerat Gowan Field, Idaho. The 1I8-hour formalizes an ongoing event. It does not add a new test
course is divided into two parts. The first week is for the force - it ensures that an existing test is given
devoted to staff planning, operations and intelligence proper visibility and importance.
6 ARMOR march-april 1985
A second·level test, TCCT·II, is also being developed the DCSPER andthe Vice ChiefofStaffofthe Army are
to be administered to top students in the Excellence in most encouraging.
Armor program after their completion of BNCOC. The
individual who passes this tough test will then be quali· Career Management
fied for a rangeofpositivepersonnel actions whichweat
The OPMS study recently released concludes that
Knox are working out with field commanders and the
many officer positions arenot properly coded, making it
Deputy ChiefofStafffor Personnel (DCSPER).
difficult to select the best qualified for a specific posi­
The Armor Center does not dictate who will get into
tion. Another major point of the study is that more
the Excellence in Armor program; this is and must
combat arms officers are needed at the lieutenant level
remain a chain-of-command call. Fornewentry soldiers
and more captains in combat support and combat
considered as potential ExcellenceinArmorcandidates,
service support. The chief of staff has approved these
the 1st Armor Training Brigade provides the soldier
findings and has directed early implementation: .
with extra training and promotion to PFC. Once a sol­
The strategyfor doing this will startwith a reVISiOn of
dier arrives at the unit, his unit chain of command
AR 611-101 and DA Pamphlet 600-3, followed by a TOE
decides whether he remians in the program. An out.
and TDA "scrub" to code the positions accordingly.
standingsoldier whois alreadyina unitcan beplacedin
Captains and lieutenants will be polled in July, infor­
the program by his unit chain ofcommand at any time.
mally, to determine the willingness of the officer to
Candidates have been graduating from the Excellence
rebranch voluntarily. Iftoo few agree to rebranch, then
in Armor program since last July.
the needs of the service will be met by involuntary
We propose that ifa soldier fails the TCCT-II, he will
rebranching. The Armor Force will have a representa­
be dropped from the program.
tive on the board to ensure that rebranching is done
We see the TCCT·II as an 8-hour comprehensive
fairly. The rebranching process now being test~d will
written and hands-on test of the skills and concepts a
consider Other Than RA (OTRA) officers, usmg an
tank commander will need to fight his vehicle and
order of merit list from the top, middle, and bottom
survive. A test leading to implementation is plannedfor
thirds of the officer pool. It's expected that force align­
this coming fall. We at Knox want to ensure that this
ment rebranchings will occur during FY 87 for the
and the other programs we are developing to enhance
FY 84 group.
tanker/cavalrymen excellence are right.
NCO careers need to be managed just as carefully as
The Armor Center is also developing TCCT· III, a test
officers' careers. There is an Enlisted Personnel Man·
to reconfirm a master gunner's knowledge of tank
agement System (EPMS) study group now me~ting to
combat training. Division master gunners will be certi­
address this need. The Armor Center has publIshed a
fied at Fort Knox annually, and theyin turn will certify
pamphlet, "Armor Enlisted Professional Develop­
the other mastergunners in theirdivisions. The testwill
ment," that describes normal career patterns, the pres­
be validated, beginning in April, with implementation
ent EPMS, and board procedures.
possible as early as this fall for division master
(Copies of the Pamphlet, USAARMC Field Circular
gunners and earlynext year for unit master gunners.
21-309, can be obtained by writing: Commander, USA
Force Structure
MILPERCEN, Attn: DAPC-EPK-I, 200 Stovall Street,
Last year, the Armor Center tackled the mission of Alexandria, V A 22332-0400.)
restructuring CMF 19. We have completed the task and Overall, the health of CMF 19 is improving. In MOS
have documented the required changes. The purpose of 19K, E-7 promotion opportunities are adequate, and in
the changes is to provide more experienced leaders in 19E and 19D, they are improving. A recent E-7 promo­
critical tank commander positions in armor and caval­ tion board noted that too many N COs are working outof
ry units and to enhance the promotion system to create their primary MOSs for too long a time, too many times
a reasonable promotion opportunity from SSG to SFC in their careers. While one tour or occasional tours
and from MSG to SGM. We needed this change: in the outside the soldier's primary MOS may be necessary to
past, a 19Z has had a l-in-14 chance of making SGM, meet the needs of the army, extended or frequent tours
while in other branches, the chances were as high as are inadvisable. NCOs who had been away from troops
l-in-4. Under the revised system, the chances for an for a long time were not considered as immediately
armor master sergeant will be about 1-in-5. qualified as were those who had more time with troops.
The restructure also upgrades battalion master gun­ Those who performed well in the tough troop environ­
ners to MSG rank and battalion/squadron operations ment did much better on the selection criteria. The
sergeants to SGM. The tank commander of one of the board urges SSGs to seek the tough jobs with troops,
headquarters tanks in tank companies and cavalry perform well there, ensure that their photo is updated
troops is to be upgraded to SFC, and this slot will be and uniform correct, review and update records reli­
filled by the unit master gunner. giously, work to raise their GT score over 100, validate
The restructure will be effective when a unit transi­ their SQT, and complete military education success­
tions to the J -series TOE or when the next version ofthe fully.
MTOE is published. The Armor Center will continue to work these issues
The current Standard Grade Authorizations (SGA) while developing plans to meet our future needs. As
for tank crews are also to be changed, with the senior ChiefofArmor, I really need yourcomments as we work
tank crewman, now a SP5, becominga SGT. This brings on the specific programs and your active participation
the slot more into line with other CMFs and offers a as we exec teo Forge the Thunderbolt!
needed training plateau to prepare junior NCOs for the
responsibilities of leaders and tank commanders. The
recoding of the SP5 position to SGT should be finished
in October 1985.
As for turn around time, we are working hard to
increase it to 36 months. Results of recent briefings to
7
CSM John M. Stephens

Command Sergeant Major

U.S. Army Armor Center
Is the Master Gunner
Coinpetitive?~~~~~
While visiting armor units in recent months, I found many petitive with his peers? You must have a successful tour as a
noncommissioned officers who did not feel they had made lSG to become a SGM, but how does an E-8 master gunner
the right decision when they elected to become master gun­ become a ISG, and if he does, who will ensure that he
ners. There are numerous reasons for these attitudes. remains in the job long enough to learn the demanding skills
Many of these soldiers began with the feeling that master required at that position? I talked to one E-8 master gunner,
gunners were the elite of the armor force. It's an under­ serving as a ISG, who told me that his training program was
standable attitude, given the demands placed on the NCO so good that he was moved to the battalion S-3 office with
while he is attending the course. The standards are tough; less than five months on the job as a lSG. He never went
almost is not good enough. It almost seems as if they want back.
you to fail, which is far from the truth. These tough stand­ We have to ensure that all our E-8s serve as ISGs because
ards make the master gunner stand out from his peers as an it is important to the Army's leadership system to have a
NCO trained to a higher degree of proficiency in task skills progressive pattern of challenges with increased responsibili­
than the tank commanders and platoon sergeants in his unit. ty at the different levels of leadership. But the Chief of
Should he be trained to a higher degree of technical profi­ Armor and MILPERCEN must find a solution to the master
ciency? That question has come from every level of leader­ gunner assignment problem: if a master gunner is serving as
ship, both officer and noncommissioned officer. a 1S G, he is not performing the role of a master gunner and
Many of the comments on this came from master gunners should not be counted as one. As the system now stands, a
who are not being used in that role within their company or master gunner in a CSM slot is included in the unit's master
troop, and there are many. Some asked, "Why am I the gunner strength.
target NCOIC?", "How can I become a platoon sergeant?" Let's look at the future of the program, keeping in mind
It's tough being a platoon sergeant and a company master that we will continue to train master gunners at the same
gunner while doing both jobs at the proper level of profes­ class rate in both the Active and Reserve components.
sionalism. The new change which moves the master gunner Three to four years from now, I see an E-8 and E-9 master
to the headquarters tank section should help. The more gunner strength of 400-500 and a total complement of 800­
intensive gunnery training being given in BNCOC and 900 master gunners.
ANCOC should also relieve some of the training burden the The last E-9 promotion list showed that master gunners
master gunner carries within his unit. More proficient tank were selected for promotion at about the same percentile as
commanders and platoon sergeants will allow the comman­ other armor E-8s. On the last E-8 list, E-7s who were master
der to point the master gunner in the direction he was gunners did better than their peers. It will be interesting to
trained for. see what pattern develops when the next E-7 list is pub­
Gradually, we have been building the program to the point lished. Also remember that of the 57 E-8s selected for E-9,
where there can actually be one master gunner per company all had successfully served as ISGs. Ifyou don't serve suc­
or troop. There are now master gunners at all levels of com­ cessfully in a leadership position, you don't get promoted!
mand within FORSCOM, USAREUR, TRADOC, and MIL­ Getting back to the original question: Are master gunners
PERCEN. This task has not come easily: master gunner competitive? The answer is yes, and they will become even
classes are small because of resource constraints; there is a more competitive as their numbers increase. But a master
high attrition rate; and there were difficulties in the selection gunner must understand that the additional skill qualifier
process. does not make one competitive. They must be proficient
master gunners and noncommissioned officers. Challenging
Today, there are over 600 master gunners in the active and demanding leadership positions await those who want to
force, although over 100 of these are E-8s and E-9s; some be successful. The professionalism of our NCO corps is the
are command sergeants major. Since the decision has been responsibility of our senior noncommissioned officers. It's a
made to put E-8s at battalion and brigade levels and E·9s at responsibility we learn by demonstrating our capabilities
the separate brigade, regimental, and divisional level, the while assigned as platoon sergeants and first sergeants. By
need for senior master gunners will increase. serving successfully in those positions, master gunners be·
The problem is, how does the master gunner remain com· come even better leaders because of their additional skills.
8 ARMOR march-april 1985