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United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...
Armor Armour (British English) or armor (American English; see spelling differences) is a covering used to protect an object, individual, or vehicle from physical injury or damage, especially direct contact weapons or projectiles during combat, or f ...
School (formerly Armored Force School) is a training school located at
Fort Benning Fort Benning is a United States Army post near Columbus, Georgia, adjacent to the Alabama– Georgia border. Fort Benning supports more than 120,000 active-duty military, family members, reserve component soldiers, retirees and civilian employee ...
, Georgia. Its primary focus is the training of
United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...
soldiers,
non-commissioned officer A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is a military officer who has not pursued a commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks. (Non-officers, which includes most or all enli ...
s, warrant officers, and
commissioned officers An officer is a person who holds a position of authority as a member of an armed force or uniformed service. Broadly speaking, "officer" means a commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer, or a warrant officer. However, absent context ...
in the operation, tactics, and maintenance of armored forces. It also trains for equipment handling including the
M1 Abrams The M1 Abrams is a third-generation American main battle tank designed by Chrysler Defense (now General Dynamics Land Systems) and named for General Creighton Abrams. Conceived for modern armored ground warfare and now one of the heaviest t ...
, the
Bradley Fighting Vehicle The Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) is a tracked armoured fighting vehicle platform of the United States developed by FMC Corporation and manufactured by BAE Systems Land & Armaments, formerly United Defense. It is named after U.S. General Om ...
, the
Stryker Mobile Gun System The M1128 Mobile Gun System (MGS) is an eight-wheeled armored car of the Stryker armored fighting vehicle family, mounting a 105 mm tank gun, based on the Canadian LAV III light-armored vehicle manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems for ...
, assorted crew-served and personal weapons, various other equipment including radios, and more. The Armor School moved to Fort Benning in 2010 as part of the United States
Base Realignment and Closure Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) is a process by a United States federal government commission to increase United States Department of Defense efficiency by coordinating the realignment and closure of military installations following the end ...
program.


History

The United States Army Armor School was established on October 1, 1940, in
Fort Knox Fort Knox is a United States Army installation in Kentucky, south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. It is adjacent to the United States Bullion Depository, which is used to house a large portion of the United States' official gold re ...
, Kentucky."ARMORED SCHOOL". ''Army and Navy Journal'', 18 November 1944, p. 347, Vol. LXXXII, No. 12. Eighty thousand students passed through the school in its first four years, with the first class starting November 4th of the same year. As of September 30th, 1965, the Armor School has had 214,122 students graduate – of which 59,737 were officers, another 140,909 were enlisted soldiers, and 13,476 were officer candidates – as well as other students from 63 different nations."ARMOR SCHOOL MARKS 25th YEAR OF SERVICE". ''Armor Magazine'', November–December 1965, pp. 32-33, Vol. LXXIV, No. 6. The school was established by then–Lieutenant Colonel Stephen G. Henry under the guidance of
Brigadier General Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointe ...
Adna R. Chaffee Jr. Adna Romanza Chaffee Jr. (September 23, 1884 – August 22, 1941) was an officer in the United States Army, called the "Father of the Armored Force" for his role in developing the U.S. Army's tank forces. Early life and education Chaffee was bor ...
, for whom the headquarters building is now named. On July 1, 1957, the school was given its current name. It originally consisted of seven departments:
Tank A tank is an armoured fighting vehicle intended as a primary offensive weapon in front-line ground combat. Tank designs are a balance of heavy firepower, strong armour, and good battlefield mobility provided by tracks and a powerful ...
,
Wheeled vehicle A wheel is a circular component that is intended to rotate on an axle bearing. The wheel is one of the key components of the wheel and axle which is one of the six simple machines. Wheels, in conjunction with axles, allow heavy objects to b ...
, Motorcycle, Communication, Tactics, Gunnery, and Field Engineering.


194th Armored Brigade—Programs of Instruction

The
194th Armored Brigade The 194th Armored Brigade is a separate brigade of the US Army. All armor, cavalry, and armor and cavalry mechanic soldiers, and Marines in equivalent specialties, are trained by the 194th under the armor component of the Maneuver Center of Excell ...
is focused on developing soldiers in initial entry training—led by
Drill Sergeants A drill instructor is a non-commissioned officer in the armed forces, fire department, or police forces with specific duties that vary by country. Foot drill, military step, and marching are typically taught by drill instructors. Australia Austr ...
—and advanced armor and cavalry training via subject matter expert instructors. The brigade conducts training including One Station Unit Training (OSUT), Basic Combat Training (BCT), and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for the following U.S. Army career fields: * Armor Crewman (19K) * Cavalry Scouts (19D) * M1A2 SEPv2 Abrams System Maintainer (91A) * Bradley Fighting Vehicle System "Maintainer" (91M)


316th Cavalry Brigade—Programs of Instruction

The 316th Cavalry Brigade educates and trains leaders serving in all components throughout the U.S. Army to operate in critical assignments, in order to increase maneuver units' ability to fight as part of a combined arms team and deliver direct fires effectively on the battlefield. The brigade is responsible for conducting the following course for the U.S. Army,
U.S. Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through co ...
, and some international military students:


Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course

The Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course (ABOLC) is the introductory skills course for
United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...
Cavalry Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from "cheval" meaning "horse") are soldiers or warriors who fight mounted on horseback. Cavalry were the most mobile of the combat arms, operating as light cavalry in ...
and
Armor Armour (British English) or armor (American English; see spelling differences) is a covering used to protect an object, individual, or vehicle from physical injury or damage, especially direct contact weapons or projectiles during combat, or f ...
Second The second (symbol: s) is the unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), historically defined as of a day – this factor derived from the division of the day first into 24 hours, then to 60 minutes and finally to 60 seconds ea ...
and
First Lieutenant First lieutenant is a commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces; in some forces, it is an appointment. The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations, but in most forces it is sub-divided into a ...
s.Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course (ABOLC)
benning.army.mil, last updated 25 September 2018, last accessed 7 February 2020
These officers (all recent graduates of the
United States Military Academy The United States Military Academy (USMA), also known Metonymy, metonymically as West Point or simply as Army, is a United States service academies, United States service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a f ...
,
Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AROTC) is the United States Army component of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. It is the largest Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program which is a group of college and university-based offic ...
, and
Officer Candidate School An officer candidate school (OCS) is a military school which trains civilians and enlisted personnel in order for them to gain a commission as officers in the armed forces of a country. How OCS is run differs between countries and services. Ty ...
) receive 19 weeks of training in basic leadership skills, maneuver and firepower tactics, gunnery,
platoon A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two or more squads, sections, or patrols. Platoon organization varies depending on the country and the branch, but a platoon can be composed of 50 people, although specific platoons may rang ...
&
company A company, abbreviated as co., is a legal entity representing an association of people, whether natural, legal or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common purpose and unite to achieve specific, declared ...
level strategy, and strategic & tactical planning. The purpose of ABOLC is to produce armor officers capable of decisive and effective operations to lead a tank platoon in support of a combined arms team.


Cavalry Leaders Course

The Cavalry Leaders Course trains officers, warrant officers, and non-commissioned Officers (NCOs) who are involved in the planning and execution of reconnaissance collection and tactical security tasks at the Troop and Squadron level, as well as joint asset planners and operators who help support ground operations. Students focus on applying the fundamentals of reconnaissance and security, as well as established doctrine and TTPs, into the planning of various high intensity and counter insurgency operations in time constrained environments.


Maneuver Leaders Maintenance Course

The Maneuver Leaders Maintenance Course (MLMC) is a ten-day course designed to develop maneuver leaders expertise in battalion and small unit level maintenance operations. Students learn maintenance fundamentals, how to run a command maintenance program with an emphasis on Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS) and 5988E flow. They also learn to execute command maintenance and a Commander's Inspection Program (CIP) for maintenance to the U.S. Army standard. Additional instruction focuses on maintenance information systems, that is, how battalion/squadron level systems interface with higher level maintenance organizations and Global Combat Support System-Army (GCSS-A) to order repair parts for the battalion/squadron. Using GCSS-A, students track and account for all battalion/squadron level materiel readiness financial resources. Students learn to assess materiel readiness issues using business intelligence and business warehouse tools. Students learn to apply AR 750-1 to determine the effectiveness of a Command Maintenance Discipline Program (CMDP). Students also learn to conduct maintenance in the tactical environment including, but not limited to recovery operations and the planning considerations for Unit-Maintenance Collection Point (UMCP) emplacement.


Scout Leader's Course

The Scout Leader's Course (formerly the Army Reconnaissance Course or ARC) is designed to train reconnaissance, security leaders and develop advanced skills of R&S. They develop their skills to better understand the commander's information requirements, to communicate battlefield information, and to develop understanding of employing supporting assets while maneuvering a scout platoon in a combined arms unit.


Simulations Training Management Course

The Simulations Training Management Course (STMC) trains soldiers assigned to armor brigade combat teams and Stryker brigade combat teams to manage simulation training for stabilized and mounted machine gun platforms. Initial training includes mounted machine gun gunnery scenario development utilizing the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST). The second training module cover AGTS, MGS AGTS, and COFT-SA manager's functions, track crew progression, system troubleshooting, and PAAR capabilities or VBS3 scenario development based on platform specific student needs. The final module covers unit training plans and exportable training packages certifying students to train peers and subordinates at their home station.


Advanced Situational Awareness Course

The Advanced Situational Awareness (ASA) Course curriculum focuses on teaching students to integrate the six domains of human behavior into training and combat; and to demonstrate how they can be applied to enhance the Squads ability to achieve
overmatch Overmatch is a concept in modern military thinking which prizes having overwhelming advantages over an adversary to a more significant margin than in traditional warfare. It is related to military superiority. Overmatch uses a military force's "ca ...
in a universal operational environment. This is accomplished by placing students in classroom and field environments, and presenting them with experiential based, predictive, tactical based, problem solving situations. ASA focuses on:Advanced Situational Awareness
benning.army.mil, updated 2 May 2018, last accessed 2 February 2020
* Integrate ASA principles and Human Behavior Pattern Recognition and Analysis (HBPR & A) problem-solving into training and combat operations * Mitigate insider threats using (HBPR & A) * Apply Human Behavior Pattern Recognition and Analysis to Soldier fitness and resilience * Sustain ASA basic knowledge, abilities and attitudes training


Dismounted C-IED Tactics Master Trainer Course

The Dismounted Counter-Improvised Explosive devices (C-IED) Tactics Master Trainer (DCT-MT) Course is a two-week course teaching Master Trainers (MT) the foundation to become an subject matter expert in C-IED tactics. The MT will apply knowledge to assist leaders with C-IED training, planning, executing, and supervising at company and battalion level. The MT will advise unit leaders and personnel about IED threats; recommend enablers to mitigate IED threats; incorporate C-IED TTPs into the unit training plan; conduct a company level C-IED training program.


Tank Commander's Course

The Tank Commander's Course (TCC) focuses on technical rather than tactical instruction. The instruction includes crew stations and duties, tank maintenance, unit gunnery management, bore sighting, armor accuracy checks, plumb and synchronization, tank ammunition and weapons, screening, and tank gunnery. Students are trained using conventional training methods, stand-alone training devices, and simulators. The course is a ''gunnery systems intensive functional course'' that trains the soldier to function as an M1A1 or M1A2 SEP tank commander.


Mobile Gun System Commander's Course

The Mobile Gun System Commander's Course (MGSCC) is designed to train officers and non-commissioned officers to be technically and tactically proficient on the
Stryker Mobile Gun System The M1128 Mobile Gun System (MGS) is an eight-wheeled armored car of the Stryker armored fighting vehicle family, mounting a 105 mm tank gun, based on the Canadian LAV III light-armored vehicle manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems for ...
(MGS). The MGS Commander's Course is designed to produce leaders that are fully qualified as an MGS Commander, with the technical and tactical knowledge to maintain and employ the MGS in a combat environment.


Master Gunner Common Core

The Master Gunner Common Core (MGCC) trains non-commissioned officers on ** advanced universal gunnery methodologies, ** gunnery training with a focus on vehicle mounted machine gun weapons systems, ** planning and implementation of gunnery training programs. MGCC is taught in 27 days in four modules: # Direct fire and weapons training # Ammunition and ballistics # Gunnery training management # Unit training plan The mission of the Master Gunner is to train the unit for combat and act as subject matter expert for all weapon system platforms in the
Armored Brigade Combat Team The brigade combat team (BCT) is the basic deployable unit of maneuver in the U.S. Army. A brigade combat team consists of one combat arms branch maneuver brigade, and its assigned support and fire units. A brigade is normally commanded by ...
(ABCT). The Master Gunner advises commanders at all echelons, and assists with the planning, development, execution, and evaluation of all combat and gunnery-related training (individual, crew, and collective).


Abrams Master Gunner Course

The Abrams Master Gunner Course (AMG) is a thirty-nine-day course with the mission of creating Master Gunners for the U.S. Army. Four days of the course are spent in the field and the balance thirty-four days consist of classroom instruction. Students complete six exams and an all-hands-on exams with 100% accuracy. This is the most focused of the courses offered at the Armor School, with eighteen students per class and a 2:1 student to teacher ratio. It focuses on the
M1A2 Abrams The M1 Abrams is a third-generation American main battle tank designed by Chrysler Defense (now General Dynamics Land Systems) and named for General Creighton Abrams. Conceived for modern armored ground warfare and now one of the heaviest ta ...
System Enhancement Package (SEP) Tank.Master Gunner
benning.army.mil, dated 31 July 2018, last accessed 2 February 2020


Bradley Master Gunner Course

The Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle System Master Gunner Course (BMG) is an eight-week two-day course which utilizes small group training methodologies to train master gunners on Bradley Fighting Vehicle weapon systems maintenance and ABCT gunnery training strategies. BMG focuses on two core training requirements:BRADLEY INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLE SYSTEMS MASTER GUNNER – 010-ASIJ3
benning.army.mil, dated 15 May 2018, last accessed 2 February 2020
* Maintenance training, which focuses on identifying malfunctions, troubleshooting, and maintaining the Bradley Fighting Vehicle turret components * Gunnery training, which focuses on unit training plan development and briefs, and increasing lethality in unit gunnery programs


Stryker Master Gunner Course

Stryker Master Gunner Course (SMGC) is a thirty-nine-day course. The course mission is to train select non-commissioned officers to assist unit leaders in the planning and implementation of gunnery training programs. These master gunner graduates train unit combat vehicle crews in techniques and procedures to engage the full capability of their weapon platforms in precision direct fire engagements and can support unit level maintenance on Stryker variant fire controls and weapon systems.
www.benning.army.mil, last updated 22 May 2018, last accessed 7 February 2020


Awards


Sullivan Cup—Best Tank Crew Competition

The competition embodies its namesake, General (Retired) Gordon R. Sullivan. General Sullivan was commissioned as an Armor officer and commanded numerous armor formations throughout his storied career. General Sullivan retired from the Army after more than 36 years of service, which culminated as the 32nd Chief of Staff.Sullivan Cup Precision Gunnery Competition
benning.army.mil, 24 May 2018, 2 February 2020
The competition is a physically and mentally demanding world-class event that rigorously tests U.S. Army soldiers, U.S. Marines, and international partners in tank crew maneuver, sustainment, and gunnery skills. The Sullivan Cup provides a realistic and challenging tank crew competition that builds esprit de corps within the armor force and returns the pride of mobile protected firepower gunnery to its rightful place in the mounted force's mindset.


Gainey Cup—Best Scout Squad Competition

The Gainey Cup is named in honor of
Command Sergeant Major A command sergeant major (CSM) is a non-commissioned rank and position of office in the United States Army. The holder of this rank and position is the most senior enlisted member of a color-bearing Army unit (battalion or higher). The CSM is ap ...
William "Joe" Gainey, the first
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman The senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (SEAC) is the most senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) position overall in the United States Armed Forces. The SEAC is appointed by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of ...
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (SEAC). During his extraordinary 33 years of service to our nation, he served in multiple enlisted leadership positions, from gunner to command sergeant major. His leadership, technical and tactical expertise epitomizes the professionalism of the U.S. cavalry formations around the world.2019 GAINEY CUP BEST SCOUT SQUAD COMPETITION
benning.army.mil, dated 23 April 2019, last accessed 2 February 2020
This competition is for scout squads from the U.S. Army and international partners. The Gainey Cup challenges these scout squads in tasks such as: ** conducting reconnaissance and security operations in close proximity to enemy forces, ** information relay to the commander's priority intelligence requirements, ** employment of indirect fires on known enemy positions, ** fighting for information through use of direct fire just to name a few.


Excellence in Armor

The purpose of the Excellence in Armor (EIA) Program is to identify outstanding armor and cavalry soldiers in the ranks of
Private Private or privates may refer to: Music * " In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorde ...
through
Sergeant Sergeant ( abbreviated to Sgt. and capitalized when used as a named person's title) is a rank in many uniformed organizations, principally military and policing forces. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in The Rifles and other ...
and
2nd Lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until 1 ...
through
Captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...
who have demonstrated performance and leadership potential, either in OSUT or ABOLC.Excellence in Armor, Building Tomorrow's NCO Corps Today
U.S. Army Armor School, Office of the Chief of Armor, benning.army.mil, dated May 2018, last accessed 2 February 2020
Thunderbolt Blast, Armor School Newsletter
U.S. Army, dated Spring 2020, last accessed 1 June 2020
The goal of the EIA Program is to: * Increase combat readiness across Armor and Cavalry units through identification and promotion of highly qualified highly motivated armor and cavalry soldiers. * Identify highly qualified, highly motivated armor and cavalry soldiers, whose superior potential warrants accelerated training in order to fully and more rapidly realize their-potential for advanced leadership roles. * Encourage and facilitate armor and cavalry soldiers career progression and leadership growth. * Provide incentives that will lead to early promotion and retention of highly qualified soldiers. * Support commanders decision-making process for accelerated position appointments and promotion. Soldiers receive a
Department of the Army The United States Department of the Army (DA) is one of the three military departments within the Department of Defense of the U.S. The Department of the Army is the federal government agency within which the United States Army (U.S.) is org ...
Certificate of Achievement, an EIA coin, and a Memorandum for Record from the Chief of Armor.


See also

* 316th Cavalry Brigade *
194th Armored Brigade The 194th Armored Brigade is a separate brigade of the US Army. All armor, cavalry, and armor and cavalry mechanic soldiers, and Marines in equivalent specialties, are trained by the 194th under the armor component of the Maneuver Center of Excell ...
*
United States Army Training and Doctrine Command The United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) is a major command of the United States Army headquartered at Fort Eustis, Virginia. It is charged with overseeing training of Army forces and the development of operational doctrine. ...
* Maneuver Center of Excellence


References


External links


U.S. Army Armor School official Website
{{Authority control Army Armor School United States Army Training and Doctrine Command