At what point is there too much training?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 07:20:41 -0400

I truly enjoy my job and love to train. I would like to know your thought on how you can tell if training has been pushed too much.

Response by 1SG Eric Rice made Mar 31 at 2014 8:19 AM

1SG Eric Rice — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 08:19:18 -0400

Sir, I do not believe there can be too much training. But that means the right training must be conducted and not waisting a soldier's time. Training must be tailored to the desired outcome of what the soldier's need to know.  SFC Rice

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 9:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 09:18:34 -0400

There is a difference between Garrison and Field training and yes there can be to much. I think some people forget that a lot of the field training(over night=time away from family's) can also be accomplished in an open field notionally. Some tend to think you have to be in the suck in order it to be considered "Hooaaahh".

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Mar 31 at 2014 9:22 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 09:22:31 -0400

Too much training? Could you elaborate with an example or two?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2014 12:14 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 00:14:14 -0400

I appreciate everyone's input. In reference to the question that I asked, I am more focused on MOS related training. The reason being is that as an FSO, in addition to MOS specific competency, we also have to support the company in their training. My main goal is to be able to maximize the training that we accomplish without wasting time or burning people out.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2014 10:20 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 10:20:18 -0400

LT Klein, your team, section, or platoon has a culture, and with it will comes an appetite of a certain size for training, retraining, "AARing," rehearsing, etc. Any element can certainly become burned out if pushed too hard, or if not given the proper motivation to keep going (reinforcement and encouragement, not punishment). Your job as a leader is to push that element (team/section/PLT/Company) to higher levels of readiness. The trick is in getting them to want to do it. Changing a unit's culture is probably a leader's hardest task.

Since you are currently an FSO I'll mention that I've never known a FIST that didn't want to always improve. Fire Support Teams have one of the best jobs in the Army, go blow something up! Also, Virtual Battle Space 3 just came out, and it's supposed to have a good Call-for-fire trainer. If you need the link, send me a message.

Response by CSM Dwayne Perry made Apr 2 at 2014 8:55 PM

CSM Dwayne Perry — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 20:55:53 -0400

When soldier interest is lost while conducting a training event then you not only lose their individual attention but respect over time. The key ingredient to training is understanding subtasks, collective tasks, and how it supports the organizations METL. I have found that the quickest way to lose soldier interest is when they don't understand the big picture and when they don't have the resourses to make the training tough and realistic