Haggis
Army.ca Veteran
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Petamocto said:MWO (Haggis),
Thank you very much for your reply. It is exactly your point about the PAM way being the official way, and that is what I am doing what I am with the PAM re-write. The Inf Sch is the SME, and as long as claims are logically backed up and tested, we propose the changes to LFDTS and the PAM gets changed. It's getting changed anyway for the A2 architecture.
As stated in my original reply, I'm a CWO. Certainly an SME should pay better attention to detail! ;D
Petamocto said:For example, when you claim that the new drills won't stop a mechanical stoppage (broken extractor, hard double feed requiring Leatherman, etc), you are exactly right. However, what we are testing and identifying is how often that would actually happen? When we weigh pros and cons, we're looking at "No the tap/rack won't solve everything as an immediate IA, but will it solve 95% of stoppages in half the time?". If so, then it would be a matter of having X as the immediate IA, and Y for the prolonged stoppage.
You must remember, of course, that not all CF units have the A2. Some still have the original C7 (i.e. ships) . Secondly, the universal drills must suit the needs of the "lowest commin denominator" user, i.e. those members who rarely (almost never) use the CF service rifle (C7, C7A1 or C7A2) but still require a rudimentary skill and knowledge to meet PRV requirements. Not everybody needs to learn "Gunfighter" style handling drills.
Although I don't have a copy of B-GL-385-001/PT-001 handy at home to refer to (yes, I know I should have one) I seem to recall being taught, all the way back to the C1A1 to feel for the position of the breechblock/bolt carrier at night during the IA.Petamocto said:Further, yes the PAM drills can identify all types including an empty mag that the tap/rack would not fix), but can you do it at night? Pretty tough to identify the position of the bolt in pitch black or fumbling with a flashlight or refocusing the NVG while getting shot at. Those are the sorts of pros/cons we're weighing.
Petamocto said:While I am remaining entirely objective, it is hard to not notice a very obvious range slant toward the current PAM drills, and a combat focus to the new drills. For example, if you are getting shot at, is it really more important to do up your mag pouch than return fire?
Again, I ask you to remember at what level these drills are being initially taught, that is BMQ/BMOQ. At this level, "doing up your mag pouch" has as much to do with handling drills as it does with teaching recent civvies to look after and keep track of a whole new set of tools and accessories with which they are not yet familiar. At this stage I can guarantee you that the "range slant" is exactly where we need to be. To do otherwise, at this level, will inculcate the soldier with a trepidation born from preventable incidents which will undermine his confidence in both the weapon and his abilites to safely handle it.
Petamocto said:Thank you very much for your detailed reply, it's exactly that sort of info and opinion that I'm looking for.
You are welcome.