Armor School Reorganization: Raising the 16th Cavalry Regiment

Armor School Reorganization Raising the 16th Cavalry Regiment by MaJor Michael 1. Prevou In January of 1993, Fort Knox and the Armor School reorganized to more efficiently and effectively train soldiers and leaders for the Armor Force. The colors of the 16th Cavalry Regiment were unfurled in February 1993 and stand alongside 1st Armor Training Brigade (IATB) and the Nonconmissioned Officers Academy (NCOA) as the third leg of the Armor School triad (Figure 1).

The 16th Cavalry Regiment is responsible for leader training in 18 Armor School courses. This directorate-level organization replaces the Command and Staff, Weapons, and Maintenance Departments and the 12th Cavalry Regiment. Combining New Armor School Organization January 1993 ARMOR

Flgure 1 the responsibility to provide for cadre and students alike, in all areas of training, administration, logistics, and command and control, the 16th Cavalry Regiment now oversees the leader training instruction, doctrinal development, integration of simulation, and future training strategies under a single commander. Its numerous missions include: *Teaching 18 Armor School courses *Doctrine development for mounted warfare from platoon through brigade. *Providing equipment, personnel, and vehicular support for the professional development couses taught by the 16th Cavalry Regiment and the NCOA.

(Figure 2).

16th Cavalry Regiment Courses Armor Officer Basic Course.............. AOB

Armor Officer Advanced Course............ AOAC Battalion Motw Ofker Course............ BMOC Cavalry Leaders Course................ CLC %ut Platoon Leaders Course.............

Dismounted Armor Scout Course........... DASC Tank Commander Certification Course.......... TC3 Smut Commander Cerijfiation Course.......... SC3 Master Gunner Course................ MG Seniorofficer LogisticsManagementCourse...... SOLMC PreCommand Course................. PCC Armor Orientation Course............... AOC Reserve Component AmKn Basic Course....... AOB(RC) Reserve Component Armor Officer Advanced Course. AOAC(RC) Armor Officer Advanced Course (RC) Phase I1... AOAC(RC)PHII

Senior Instructor Operator Course............ SI0 Separate Armor Brigade Refresher.......... SABR New Equipment Training................ NET Figure 2 *Providing for the administrative and logistical needs of the cadre and students assigned to the Armor School. *Serving as the focal point for Amor School simulations. *Developing fuhm strategies to integrate new equipment and doctrine into the Armor Force. *Producing high-quality instructors and mounted warfare leaders, prepared for combat.

Regiment headquarters 16th Cavalry Regiment headquarters is located in Building 1468A at 3rd and Old Ironsides Avenues. Regimental Squadrons The 16th Cavalry Regiment is comprised of six subordinate units designated as the lst, 2d, 3d, 4th. and 5th Squadrons of the 16th Cavalry and the Combined Arms Training Strategies Division (CATS). Each squadron is designed and responsible for training a specific group of mounted warfighting leaders or supporting their training with equipment and simulators (Figure 3).

Combined Arms Training Strategies Division The CATS Division, located on the 3rd floor of Bldg 1468A, develops an overarching training strategy for the Total Armored Force and identifies the resources required to conduct unit, institution, and soldier training in an integrated and relational manner. CATS provides guidance on how the mixture of training resources (ammunition, OPTEMPO, ranges, maneuver areas, combat training centers, and training aids devices, simulators, and simulations) will be used to train and sustain the Armored Force across the operational continuum. CATS ensures the training integration of heavy, light, and special operations forces of Active, National Guard, and Reserve Components. CATS identifies emerg-ARMOR - 44 16th Cavalry Regiment Training Responsibilities @16 ing training technology, force structure, and equipment changes (e.g. from a personal water heater to anew tank) for integration into armored training, and plans for and coordinates the training requirements for the new technology and equipment. 1st Squadron, 16th Cavalry The 1st Squadron, 16th Cavalry headquarters, located in Building 1467D, is the equipment squadron. This organization is comprised of six troops that provide the equipment (Mls, M3s. and HMMWVs) used by the Armor School. By structuring the equipment squadron as one organization, the regiment can accomplish its mission with improved command and control and scheduling efficiencies. The squadron is also responsible for training TCs and BCs in the Tank Commander and Scout Commander Certification Courses (TCCC/SCCC). 2d Squadron, 16th Cavalry The 2d Squadron, 16th Cavalry headquarters, located in Building 1468B. is the Platoon Training Squadron. The squadron trains and supports the Armor Officer Basic Course (AOBC), Scout Platoon Leader’s Course (SPLC), and the Dismounted Armored Scout Course (DASC). The squadron is divided into three branches: AOBC, Specialty Training, and Doctrine and Training Development.. The AOBC Branch is comprised of the instructors that teach all armor lieutenants their basic armor training.. The Specialty Tmining Branch is responsible for the implementation and instruction of SPLC, DASC, and Tank Gunnery.. The Doctrine and Training Branch is responsible for writing and updating platoon doctrinal manuals, course development for the Basic and Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Courses, and participates in the design, development, and validation of tank platoon training for the M1A2 tank.

3d Squadron, 16th Cavalry The 3d Squadron, 16th Cavalry, located in Skidgel Hall, Building 1734, is the company/team training squadron. This squadron conducts the Armor Officer Advanced Course (AOAC), and is responsible for the implementation and instruction of the Cavalry Leader’s Course (CLC). The squadron is also responsible for the development of all doctrinal publications and training materials (MTPs) for company/team-level operations. Cavalry Branch is located in the 3d Squadron and is responsible for all cavalry instruction and doctrinal development.

4th Squadron, 16th Cavalry The 4th Squadron, 16th Cavalry, located in Boudinot Hall, Building 2010, conducts instruction, doctrinal development, and other matters pertaining to tactical operations at baM-ion/task force/squadron and brigade levels, to include the integration of combat support, combat service support, and professional development instruction. The squadron is responsible for the implementation and instruction of the Separate Armor Brigade Refresher Course, Pre-Command Course (PCC), Armor Orientation Course, Battalion Motor Officer Course (BMOC), Senior Officer Logistics Management Course (SOLMC), and Training Set Forward Observation (TSFO) training and scheduling. 5th Squadron, 16th Cavalry The 5th Squadron, 16th Cavalry headquarters, located in Steele Hall, Building 2426, is the special training and simulation squadron. The squadron is responsible for the implementation and instruction of the Advanced Tactical Gunnery Course (formerly Master Gunner), Senior Instructor Operator Course (SIO), and New Equipment Training Team (NEW. The Gunnery Training Doctrine Branch develops and publishes all gunnery-related publications. The squadron is also the heart of the Armor School’s simulation training. The Combined Arms Tactical Training Center (CA’ITC), the Unit Conduct of Fire Trainer (UCOFT), and the Platoon Gunnery Trainer (PGT), are operated by 5th Squadron and provide armor leaders a cost-effective method of maintaining proficiency from the crew through the brigade level. Active and Reserve Components alike now have the opportunity to share these simulation resources as part of the Fort Knox Reserve Component Center of Excellence.

The 16th Cavalry Regiment -A focused effort, is a self-supporting organization under one commander, dedicated to producing the highest quality mobile armored warriors in the world. Major Michael 1. Prevou served as platoon leader and XO of Co F, 40th Armor, Berlin Brigade, and commanded an antitank (lw company, motorized infantry company, and a tank company with the 9th ID. He served as a tank coRm and battle staff observer wntroller on the NTC live-fire team. Currently, he is the 16th Cavalry Regimental S3.

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