Soviet Tank Training

Introduction Soviet history credits its massive tank armies with the expulsion of the Gcrman Army in

WWII.

Reflecting lessons learned during WWII, Soviet doctrine still identifies tank troops as the primary striking arm of the Soviet Ground Forces. The introduction of nuclear weapons has not significantly reduced the Soviet regard for tanks, but crews now prepare to fight undcr NBC conditions. There are approximately 50 tank divisions in the Soviet Ground Forces with an inventory of over 45,000 tanks. To defeat this massive army, it is necessary to understand how it trains and plans to light in the next war. The Sovict tank training program is an intensive system that reflects recent constraints of increasing cost, greater complexity of weapons, the 1%7 reduction of Sovict military service to two years, and the semiannual troop rotation. The objective of the system is to achieve total crew proficiency within six months. In pursuing this goal, the Soviet system of tank training differs somewhat from the American system. The semiannual troop rotation in the Soviet military results in an influx of new tank crew members every six months. The Soviet system does not replace entire tank crews but, under most conditions, will replace one member of the crew at a time. A crcw member eligible for discharge is not allowed to leave the unit until his replacement has arrived and has achieved a specified level of competency in training. High-performance and highly-destructive modern weapon and equipment systems require rapid reaction, very accurate aiming, and a thorough knowledge of the system's effectiveness and limitations. Soviet doctrine emphasizes that the best training involves continual repetition, with a gradual increase in the difficulty of each task. Each training cycle begins with the emphasis on individual skills, and progresses to crew, small unit (platoon and company), and finally to larger unit (battalion and above) training exercises. Each cycle ends in a major field twining exercise; all combat tanks of the units are tested for proficiency at crew, platoon, company, and battalion lcvcl bcfwe the cycle begins again. Basic Armor Training After the required pre-military training, induction, and unit basic training, the Soviets divide tank crew members into their designated specialty areas (commander, gunner, driver, loader), and for specialized training. Extensive classroom study, manuals, regulations, and teaching aids are used for basic problems. The next period of instruction emphasizes hands-on training, with trainjng devices ranging from a very simple gunner's sight on a tripod to highly sophisticated simulators, which accurately reflect the charac-tcristics of Soviet tanks. Soviet driver-mechanics receive training in both driving and vehicle maintenance. The Soviet driver- 40 ARMOR - January-February

"Soviet tank commanders and their drivers train together extensively in the belief that if the driver knows how his commander wants the vehicle operated, the commander will be free to deal with other requirements during combat." mechanic must be able to negotiate an obstacle course within a given amount of time (with a qualification time for night driving as well as for day). The obstacle course will generally include navigating a cleared strip through a minefield, unimpeded advance over damaged terrain (broken trees, deep holes, etc.), crossing an antitank ditch, mainpaining an even speed on a downhill grade, crossing a railroad bridge, and crossing a lake filled with one-meter-deep mud, without getting stuck. Additionally, the driver-mechanic must be able to perform crew-level maintenance on his vehicle. Soviet gunners learn proper gunnery techniques and qualify with their weapons on alive-lire gunnery range. Soviet doctrine calls for firing from the halt, the short halt, and while on the move. Recent doctrine provides greater emphasis on firing on the move. The Soviet gunner will generally lire once a week at his regimental training area, using a subcaliber insert. As training progresses, targets are exposed for shorter periods, demanding increased concentration and speed in the gunner's calculations and actions. The gunner will generally fire the main gun once each training cycle. Additionally, gunners must be familiar with the operation and crew-level maintenance of all weapon systems on their assigned ve hicle. The Soviet tank commander is the only crew member with any amount of cross-training. The training is a combination of driver and gunner training (without the reyuirements of qualification on the obstacle course and range). Additional training for the tank commander includes map reading, communication procedures, basic tactics, and other skills necessary to his role. Soviet tank commanders and their drivers train together extensively in the belief that if the driver knows how his commander wants the vehicle operated, the commander will be free to deal with other requirements during combat. Crew Training New tankcrs are only trained in the requirements of their specific duty positions until they are assigned to aline unit. (Although some units require crews to fire the qualification course even if a crew member is missing, they do not cross-train). After assignment to the line unit, the integration of the different functions of the crew begins. The Soviets teach combat coordination of the crew with emphasis on gunnery training. The training program in the line unit is when the tank crewman gradually learns to work with the rest of the crew and the unit. Once he is assigned to a unit, the conscript will spend the remainder of his time in service with the same tank. Soviet line unit training is divided into three distinct phases. In the first phase, the unit familiarizes the new member with his specific model of tank, and with the routines established by his crew and his unit. Most of the training, including that for more experienced crew members, is done on simulators, and the goal is to achieve crew cohesion. The second and third phases further develop cohesion and proficiency under stress in the following areas: obstacle course driver training, gunnery, cross-country maintenance, night training, and crossing water obstacles. Platoon and Company Training The second phase of Soviet line unit tank training integrates the various crews into their respective platoons and teaches them to function using platoon tactics. This is rapidly followed by the platoons coordinating at company level. At this level, training is conducted using both simulators and training tanks. Throughout these phases, the tank crew member spends about a third of his day in tactical training using training aids and simulators, or with the regimental training tanks (about one day a week). The Soviets see an advantage in the use of dedicated training tanks. Training tanks are assigned to each regiment and are maintained by mechanics specifically assigned to this task. Training tanks allow the tank crews to practice company-size training exercises and field firing exercises while maintaining the combat readiness of the unit's organic main bottle tanks. Daily work for the tank crews on their main hattle tanks will generally consist of checking and making minor repairs. They generally use these tanks only during major field training exercises (FrXS). Once or twice a month, a platoon will conduct an FTX designed to train the platoon to work as a unit. The company will conduct an exercise approximately every two months. Platoon and company exercises usually last less than 24 hours and are conducted in the regimental training area. During these exercises, the small unit commander can physically maneuver his troops through various formations, using training tanks, and can critique their performance. Soviet tank crews may c( company levi firing simuh benefit of field training is that it allows Soviet unit commandcrs to practice command and control in a somewhat realistic setting. The Sovict Army has an ahun-dance of training areas close to regimental garrisons. These areas are designed to provide Soviet tank crews with the means to conduct maneuver and live-lire training. A sample tank course consists of several parallcl firing lanes, a variety of targets (pop-up, moving, and stationary), a control tower, an ammunition supply point, a subcaliber range, complete with tank "rocking frames" and other devices to sharpen gunner skills, and a variety of other simulators and training aids. Advanced Unit Training The third phase of the training cycle involves advanced unit training at battalion-lcvel and above. This phase allows for futher coordination of command and staff actions in a variety of scenarios. Strengths and Weaknesses The Soviet tank training system has a number of advantages: The use of training tanks and simulators provides maximum training time with minimum negative effect on the combat readiness of the unit's main battle tanks. 0 The repetitivcness of the Soviet system allows a crew mcmbcr to master his task in a short time and be integrated into the unit. 0 The system of platoon and company maneuver on regimental training areas allows for practical experience for small unit commandcrs in the command and control of their of conditions. The Soviet system also has its drawbacks: The boredom produced hy repctilive training is a major problem. Motivation of the seasoncd tank crew member becomes hardcr and hardcr with each repetitive cycle. The Soviet's extcnsive use of training tanks, while creating a high lcvel of "combat readiness," also prevents the Sovict crew mcmber from getting accustomed to his individual combat vehicle. 0 A final potential prohlcm for the Soviets is the emphasis on a concentration of fire by several tanks on one target. Soviet training emphasizes target selection and ammunition selection, not first-round hits based on crew initiative. The Soviet expects to be ablc to compensate for a first-round miss with a second-round hit or by the overwhelming firepower provided by the larger number of Soviet tanks. Therefore, as overwhelming numerical supcriority drops, or availability of ammunition drops, the Soviet unit's effectiveness must also drop. Bibliography The Armed Forces of the USSR, Harriet Fast Scott & William F. Scott. Westview Publishing Co., Boulder, CO. International Defense Review. 16, "Soviet Armed Forces and Their Equipment," Geneva, Switzerland. 1982. "Soviet Tactics for Overcoming NATO Anti-Tank Defenses,": Donnelly, C. N.; "Tactical Problems Facing the Soviet Anny: Recent Debates in the Soviet Military Press," Donnelly, C. N. Soviet AirLand Battle Tactics, William P. Baxter. Presidio Press, Novato, CA.. The Soviet Armv: TrooDs, Oraanization and Tactics, FM 100-2-3, Department of the Army. Soviet Armv Eauipment. Oraanizatlon and Operations, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, E614. Soviet Armv ODerations, Department of the Army, U. S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, U. S. Army Intelligence and Threat Analysis Center. Soviet Militarv Strateay, (3d Edition), V. D. Sokolovskiy, Marshal of the Soviet Union. Taylor & Francis, Inc., NY. Soviet Small Unit Tactics, Department of the Army. Department of the Army. Captain Michael T. Pierson was commissioned in Armor from Carson-Newman College as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1979. He holds a master's degree in geography from East Tennessee State University and attended the Officer Advanced Course and Combined Arms and Services Staff School. He served at the National Training Center as a scout platoon leader, OPFOR regimental S2, and commander, EW/REC, for the OPFOR. He also served as S2 of the 1st battalion, 35th Armor, and S2, 2d Brigade, 1st Armored Division. He is currently M1 Plans Officer for the Combat Manewer Training Center, 7th Army Training Command. 42 ARMOR - January-February