Battle Command Staff Trainer

Battle Command Staff Trainer The Army’s Premier Battle Command Systems Collective Task Trainer by Major Michael Spears It is day 3 of the mission rehearsal exercise (MRX) in the 1st Brigade Combat Team’s tactical operations center. The battle captain remains focused on the command post of the future (CPOF) as battalion events continue to populate his “BCT events” effort from simulated, subordinate battalions. The fire support cell shouts out, “acquisition! AO Mustangs!” based on the AFATDS [advanced field artillery tactical data system] display, which immediately causes the brigade staff to execute its indirect fire battle drill. In the white cell room, a “puck-ster” continues to provide event injects (events and reports) from his battle command staff trainer (BCST) computer into the brigade Army battle command systems (ABCS) network… The introduction of various complex digital ABCS networks across the Army over the past several years has been accompanied by creating complicated, and often costly, simulations programs and specialized applications to stimulate the ABCS boxes. Units required a training capability to exercise and sustain ABCS skills to ensure user proficiency and employment of the entire ABCS network. Current simulation programs, such as the corps battle simulation (CBS) and the joint combat and tactical simulation (JCATS) serve very useful purposes for major training exercises, but require high overhead for small unit training purposes. Some of this overhead includes external support and extensive lead time for coordination. History As a result of unit requests for ABCS stimulation assistance, the National Simulation Center (NSC) initially developed a low-overhead software application, known as BCST. Since its creation, the NSC has worked with numerous agencies and program managers to transition BCST and ensure mutual capability refinement. The Product Director, Common Services (PD CS), under direction of Program Manager Battle Command (PM BC), now has responsibility to continue development of BCST. U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Capability Manager-Battle Command (TCM-BC) is responsible for requirements generation and oversight. Training Opportunities BCST is a training program that operates on standard personal computer systems with Microsoft Windows XP and is applicable to both Active and Reserve Component units, as well as battle command training centers (BCTCs). This software application, however, is not hardware or computer, a substitute for ABCS, or a replacement for CBS, JCATS, or other constructive training simulations. These systems, like BCST, were born of necessity and serve a very useful purpose for larger-scale training exercises. BCST enables units to conduct battle staff training on ABCS command and control systems via internal resources with minimal setup, time, and effort; and facilitates collective and individual staff training (sustainment and refresher) for specific sections or entire staffs from battalion through ASCC (Army service component command) levels. Significant training opportunities afforded by BCST include maintaining and improving highly perishable ABCS skills, training new battle staff personnel, applying staff coordination drills, battle rhythm development, and train-up for exercises/events. This software also provides an ability to stimulate the battle staff reactions to friendly and enemy events, as well as planned master scenario events list (MSEL) injects to initiate staff reactions. BCST should only be used on training networks, never on real-world operational networks — the risk of mixed BCST simulated and real-world operational events is too great! How Units Receive BCST Currently, BCST is provided to Army units via unit set fielding (USF) or the BCST Army Knowledge Online (AKO) download site. Based on the approved USF schedule for Active and Reserve/National Guard units, the software fielding and new equipment training (NET) dates are synchronized with the unit’s input. The computer disks issued during NET include the actual BCST program, as well as a reference disk that includes training support packages (TSPs) with specific scenarios. Units that have recently completed USF and ABCS NET may download the BCST program and TSPs from AKO at https://www. us.army.mil/suite/kc/10244567. AKO users can request access to this site from the BCST points of contact. New Equipment Training Prior to BCST NET, units should receive all ABCS equipment and complete NET for those systems. During BCST NET, select personnel from the S3/G3 and S6/G6 will receive instruction on how to connect the BCST to the ABCS network, BCST operator training, and exercise scenario skills. Additionally BCTCs and centers of excellence will receive the BCST program and NET based on delivery coordination. A tiered support apparatus will provide support to units for assistance with the BCST program to resolve identified issues. BCST has tremendous potential for any Army battle staff, especially at brigade and battalion levels. BCST provides a flexible training medium to maintain operator proficiency on its respective systems, flexible training employment, and great resources for quality collective training, at no cost. Additionally, this capability enhances and complements battle command training center-supported events and exercises. The application and references provide a low-overhead training capability package for commanders, staff sections, or institutions to use to train ABCS system-of-systems, with organic resources, when they choose. Questions and comments may be directed to: TRADOC Capability Manager, ATTN: C2 Branch (BCST), 806 Harrison Drive, Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027-2326; Major Michael Spears, via e-mail at michael.r.spears@us.army.mil or commercial telephone at (913) 684-4505; or Mr. Gregory Eddy, via e-mail at gregory.j.eddy@conus.army.mil or commercial telephone at (913) 684-4597. Once units receive the software and soldiers become familiar with it, please send suggested improvements and recommendations for new features to Major Spears and/or Mr. Eddy. Meanwhile, back at the white cell room, the BCST operator checks his MSEL and initiates an event that stimulates the distributed common ground station-Army (DCGS-A) box, as the brigade staff continues to execute its staff coordination and battle drills… Major Michael Spears is currently serving as the TRADOC Capability Manager-Battle Command, Command and Control Branch, Fort Leavenworth, KS. 52 — March-April 2009