AllTogetherNow


Tactical network training becomes more holistic and more versatile with every capability set fielding


by MAJ Jonathan Swan, CPT Keith Jordan and Mr. Larry Spence W


hen fielding complex new equipment to a unit, there’s only one chance to get it right. If


the training is off—in content, timing or audience—the unit can end up worse than it was without the new gear.


To get the most out of the Army’s advanced communications network, Sol- diers need to understand how to fully employ their systems to satisfy their mis- sion requirements, and how to maximize system capability as part of a holistic net- work that spans the entire force.


As the Army fields its network capability sets, it is leveraging Soldier feedback and lessons learned from previous fieldings, deployments and Network Integration Evaluations to improve equipment and training. Te service has learned the importance of taking a holistic, collective approach to network training while


14 Army AL&T Magazine


infusing that training with operationally relevant scenarios that hone in on the requirements of specific military occupational specialties (MOSs). Tis approach is expected to improve Soldiers’ performance and expand network capability while reducing burdens on the Soldier and the unit.


Te Army has fielded Capability Set (CS) 13 to two division headquarters and four infantry brigade combat teams (BCTs), with three of the BCTs and both division headquarters deploying to Afghanistan with the system.


Tis integrated package of radios, sat- ellite systems, software applications, smartphone-like devices and other network components provides connec- tivity across the entire BCT formation, from the static main command post to the commander on-the-move to the dismounted Soldier.


July–September 2014


Troughout 2014, the Army will field CS 14 components to seven BCTs and two division headquarters, building on CS 13 with hardware and software enhance- ments and adding the dual-channel Handheld, Manpack, Small Form Fit radio. User feedback identified the need to simplify the network to make it eas- ier to use; provide quicker and more dynamic task reorganization; incorporate more time to train and prepare; and bet- ter synchronize capability set fielding and training with other unit tasks.


SUCCESS FACTORS After the intensive developmental pro- cess for each system and the effort to integrate the systems into a capability set, the next phase—new equipment train- ing (NET) and new equipment fielding (NEF)—might


seem initially like the


easiest part of the life cycle. However, executing capability set NET/NEF intro- duces new challenges to ensure that these


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