Technology and Training
Technology and Training
With advances in technology in the advent of the information age, IPhones and IPads can now assist us in land and aerial navigation, survey and census collection, and basic communication via text and email.
One the one hand, these innovations are combat multipliers because they can make our jobs easier. On the other hand, they come with two significant drawbacks: 1. Apps are open source and provide our enemies access to their utility, 2. The ease of function can diminish our military’s understanding and comprehension of basic military techniques.
In reference to training and education, these problems are easily resolved- train your troops with the basics first. New platoon leaders and young sergeants should learn the basics of using compass and a map. Once these tasks are mastered, the technology becomes an additional asset but not mission essential.
As the military continues to evolve and improve, Jeff Schogol, The Stars and Stripes‘ Rumor Doctor, weighs in to answer Has the Army eliminated bayonet training?
Warfare has evolved since Joshua Lawrence Chamberlin led the bayonet charge down Little Round Top to save the Union army at Gettysburg, so it wasn’t a surprise when media outlets reported the Army had dropped bayonet training as part of the sweeping changes to basic training that went into effect in July.
But the Army insists it has not abandoned the bayonet. While soldiers may no longer be learning how to fix a bayonet to the end of a rifle and stab an enemy, they are still learning to use the bayonet, just in a different way.
Times are a changing, but with an emphasis of getting back to the basics, our military will maintain combat effectiveness. All this requires is good leadership.
