Commando Training for French Armor

Commando Training for French Armor by Colonel Andre L. Rilhac “A soldier is someone capable of holding out indefinitely with only some boiled beef and crackers for food sleeping in the open air in his wet clothes; walking until he falls down exhausted, only to get up again and march into combat.” Marshal Montgomery Commando training is excellent for highly specialized infantry forces. True, but why commando training in the Armored Corps? Answers to that question can be had by asking yet more questions. Will the totally reliable, highly sophisticated, effective weapons systems be fully used on tomorrow’s battlefield if the soldier does not first master fear and fatigue, and if the leader does not succeed in remaining clear-headed and alert in spite of long hours without sleep? Doesn’t military history teach us that units, outnumbered by their foe in strength and armaments, succeed in winning because they know how to hold out? “The great battles were always won by tired units.” When undergoing combat training, any army and any branch of service must improve the physical and emotional stamina of its personnel. Commando training does not seek to replace physical training or sports programs, but rather seeks to comple ment them. Therefore, due to its nature and attributes, it has held a prime place in the French Army since the creation of the Commando training centers in 1961. In this article I will explain a facet of a combat training concept-a concept that may seem trite to some, but origi-Napoleon Bonaparte nal to others-and recount my personal experience with this type of training. And If War Comes Tomorrow.. .? In a future conflict, the threat and effects of nuclear weapons employment, the range and accuracy of weapons systems, and the size of engagement areas will, in all like lihood, cause units to become widely dispersed. This dispersement will, in turn, make infiltration relatively easy and will cause forces to become intermingled. Some smaller units may even become completely isolated for long periods. This situation will be worsened by disruption of command and control, subversion, and the enemy’s use of mechanized and air mobile units operating in rear In the combat that will follow the clash of massive annor formations and the attendent proliferation of local small unit actions, the role of the small unit leader and each of his soldiers will take on increased importance because the outcome of the battle may depend on the few survivors. When faced with the most unfavorable conditions of physical and mental strain, each soldier must steel himself not to succomb to enemy pressure because the survival of the group will hinge on the collective determination of each individual. Physical endurance, which is essential to withstanding long hours of sleep loss, cold, heat, and poorly-prepared or inadequate food, is not innate. It is acquired through long, hard training. This also applies to the mental toughness that makes it possible for the soldier to think rationally areas. 18

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and perform effectively in a hostile environment where death is ever-present and the unexpected is the norm. Because it is recognized as a valuable peacetime method for developing the fundamental qualities of physical stamina and mental attitude that are essential in any soldier, commando training has been established as the specific basis for leader education and unit training in the French b y . Furthermore, commando training gives the soldier the opportunity to surpass himself, discover his true capabilities, and develop his self-confidence. This is done by imbu-ing him with the esprit de choc (spirit of shock) that will enable him to impose his will upon the enemy despite the difficulties with which he is confronted. This training is for all soldiers of all branches and estab lishes precise goals that are valid for all formations in peace or war. They are to: Always accomplish the mission-at- all costs if necessary. Foster a sense of solidarity-“one for all and all for one”; team spirit, and common endeavor. Become hardened physically and mentally-physical strength and strength of character give self-confidence and the ability to overcome fear. Adapt oneself to rapidly changing situations in environments of isolation and insecurity. Commando training also provides units an outstanding framework in peacetime for preparing for modem combat conditions, and it also creates a physical and mental environment that is favorable for enhancing unit cohesiveness. Course Content and Objectives The training level to be attained by any particular unit will depend on the unit’s organization and mission; there fore two priorities for Armor Force units utilizing the Commando Training Center have been established. priority 1 is assigned to divisional reconnaissance units, mechanized companies of tank battalions, and all airborne cavalry units participating in an annual course. Priority 2 is assigned for other tank companies and armored cavalry troops that participate in a commando course every 2 years. While preparing for and completing the course, units must adhere to a Commando Training Center directive that stresses two basic principles-progressiveness and coherence (interrelationship). Progressiveness develops the general physical condition and improves the strength of weaker individuals. This progressive training emphasizes long forced marches over difficult terrain under varying climatic conditions. On the psychological and emotional side, the student’s confidence is developed by providing him with complete information as to how the tactical training is to be conduded as he progresses through the course, and by having him complete an operational test at the end of the course. By adhering to the principle of coherence, commanders can take advantage of the wide range of training possibilities offered by the commando training centers to develop logical, well-balanced programs that are suited to the physical training level of their units. In all instances, emphasis must be placed on collective training and activities that cannot be conducted in garrison. Preparation for participation in the commando training course is preceded by a physical conditioning phase conducted over a 2-month period. During this phase, emphasis is placed on basic physical training such as calisthentics, weightlifting, road marches, and confidence courses. The course then progresses through a 3-week period in accordance with a schedule developed by each battalion commander based on guidance from the Commando Training Center. The subjects, taught and performed in a tactical environment during this phase, follow: Commando March-All personnel must be able to cover 8 kilometers (5 miles) within 1 hour carrying their individual weapon and equipment. Close Combat Course-The goal is to convince the soldier that he can overcome any opponent using hand-tehand combat and bayonet fighting. Commando Run-(individually and by unitj1ts purpose is to develop a “taste of endurance,” sense of risk, and group solidarity through self-motivation and intense physical involvement. Obstacle and River Crossings-includes land navigation and rock climbing-Its objective is to teach the fighter how to overcome obstacles on the battlefield, such as rock cliffs, walls, lakes, and rivers, using light equipment in order to surprise the enemy or to escape from him. Battle Run in a Built-up Area-This exercise is designed to build the soldier’s confidence in his individual weapon and his ability to use it when fatigued, day or night, in a battlefield environment of smoke, explosives, and other distractions. Demolitions-This segment of the course teaches the technical skills needed to emplace explosives, mines, and boobytraps, and to carry out unit-level demolition of obstacles and targets of opportunity. Antitank Close Combat-Here the soldier learns to d e stroy any enemy tank with makeshift devices and boobytraps. Overations in Urban Terrain-These exercises develop

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small-unit immediate response, combined arms techniques, a sense of initiative, and ingenuity in employing all types of fire and tactics in diverse surroundings. Combat Survival and First Aid-This instruction and a series of exercises accustoms the soldier to living in the wild, and teaches him how to: store water and save food; build a makeshift shelter; combat cold or heat; and how to search for, identify, and cook wild foods. The commando training ends with a nonstop, M a y and night field exercise conducted in a realistic tactical environment. It is designed for either a raid or a specific unit mission. If it is conduded as a commando raid, it is focused on performing a mission-type “hit-and-run” attack. The exercise provides practical application of acquired skills and serves as the final test for units completing the command course. What are we to conclude from the foregoing? By now readers, whether they be tankers, platoon leaders, or company or battalion commanders, may well be wondering about the interest in or the need for this special commando training. They may also be saying, “Leave this type of training to the infantryman, the paratrooper, and special units. They are the ones who require the ability to walk long distances, dig foxholes, and cross obstacles. As for us tankers, we must know how to get first round hits. That implies that, for our part, we must train to identify, aim, shoot, and move in the shortest time with constant, precise accuracy.” They are right, and I will not contradict them, but I would like to add that to do those things is not enough and invite readers to ponder the question, “What if war comes tomorrow”? Then perhaps the skeptics will agree that the goals of the Commando Training Course correspond exactly to the mental attitude and physical traits that armor crewmen must possess to succeed in battle. For the past 20 years successive French Army chiefs-of-staff have been deeply convinced of commando training’s 20

September-October 1983 effectiveness, and have continuously emphasized their desire to make it available to all branches of service. If they ever had any doubts, the lessons learned by the commander of the French Army task force that was part of the peacekeeping organization in South Lebanon in 1978-79 would have confirmed their decision. He wrote: “Humanly speaking, the ultimate stress of certain situations requires the highest moral qualities in armor crewmen-“cold-blooded reasoning,” determination, and courage. These words are not strong enough to describe the exemplary performance of men who must wait until the first RPG is fired at them before firing their weapons. A valuable primary lesson for any type of unit emerges from this report-The requirement for cold-bloodness. A man does not fight for long with an overworked, edgy, excited mind. Cold-bloodness is born of training and from a perfect understanding of the mission, courage, and mental physical balance.” A Personal Experience with Commando Training In conclusion, I would like to add a second testimony as to the effectiveness of commando training for tankers. While serving as a tank battalion commander, I participated in the final 3 days of the raid conducted by my companies that were completing the commando training course. I walked alongside soldiers and leaders who were exhausted and emaciated by stress and long periods of strenuous physical effort. But they walked with a radiant pride in having overcome fear and suffering. Every day, these men discovered a little more about themselves by pushing beyond mental and physical limits they believed they had achieved. In addition to learning technical skills from the course, during the raid they acquired the “winner’s morale,” and felt the spirit of comradeship, mutual support, and the desire to surpass normal limits and take “first place.” The units, tank companies as well as mechanized companies, came back to garrison fully transformed-they emerged with a feeling of deep cohesiveness and self-confidence. At dawn, at the end of the raid, when I stood in fiont of these exhausted, unshaven soldiers and leaders, in their wet and mud-stained battle dress-waiting proudly, but with justified impatience, for the names to be called for awards-a thought I had read somewhwere came to me; “In a few days we could leave peace and find ourselves in a situation of crisis. Then, we will have to show what we are capable of doing, and immediately obtain the maximum from our men, because on the battlefield, no one cheats. At war, the masks fall away, laying bare and emphasizing human character.” I

COLONEL ANDRE L. R1L-

HAC was commissioned in Armor from Saint’Gyr. Coetquidan Military Academy, France, in 1953. He has served in Vietnam, Algeria and Germany and was commander of the 11th Chasseurs, French Tank Regiment, in Berlin. He taught at the French Staff College prior to his assignment as French Liaison Officer to the USAARMC. Fort Knox, KY.