The TOW Training Program is a comprehensive program of required training and testing that begins with individual Skill Level 1 tasks and progresses through individual gunner qualification to squad-, section-, and platoon-level testing and verification. This process has been condensed and unified into a program that consists of 12 TOW gunnery tables plus a quarterly Gunner’s Skill Test. All mandatory TOW training and testing are included in this program. Additional types of TOW
training, such as STXs and CO EXEVALs, will be performed with the frequency prescribed in STRAC and in the manner described in ARTEP
7-91. The unit commander must assess the training status of the individual unit to determine what additional TOW training is necessary to support the 12 mandatory training tables and must prepare his crews to pass their required testing.
Section l. TRAINING ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING
Differences between resources required and resources available will affect both the time required to conduct and sustain training and the unit’s ability to meet the required standards. Required resources and maintenance assistance should be planned for and requested well in advance. Nothing should be left to chance, because resources will be wasted and training opportunities lost. A good program must have provisions for routine inspection of the TOW weapon systems by direct support units. Leaders must adjust the training program to meet the changing needs of the unit. (See Table 4-1, page 4-2, for ammunition requirements according to DA Pam 350-38).
4-1. COMMANDER’S
RESPONSIBILITY
All mandatory TOW gunnery training and testing are included in the 12 TOW Gunnery Tables plus the quarterly Gunner’s Skill Test. However, the commander must still conduct an accurate assessment of the state of TOW training in his unit to determine what additional training is necessary to prepare his unit for the quarterly and semiannual tables.
He must remember that his units must meet the standards outlined in DA PAM 350-38 to be certified in the training status C1, fully trained. A good assessment of training requirements and thorough planning produce an effective unit training program. To accomplish this, the commander should start early, be thorough, and be flexible and creative. All aspects of the training program should be coordinated to produce the desired results.
a. The commander should refer to FM 25-101 when developing his unit training program. This FM applies the doctrine established in FM 25-100 and assists leaders in the development and execution of training programs.
b. The heart of an effective training program is the development of a METL and the soldier tasks, leader tasks, and collective tasks that support the METL. Battle focus drives the METL development process; the METL is based on the wartime mission, and the unit 4-1
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must train as it plans to fight. Chapter 2 of FM 25-101 illustrates this process in clear and practical terms.
TRC A*
TRC B
TRC C
TRC D
EVENT/TABLE
(M80 TOW blast
(M80 TOW blast
(M80 TOW blast
(M80 TOW blast
simulator)
simulator))
simulator)
simulator)
GST 0
0
0
TABLES 1 & 2
0
0
0
TABLES 3 & 4
0
0
0
TABLES 5 & 6
240
60
0
TABLES 7 & 8
40
20
0
TABLES 9 & 10
48
24
0
TABLES 11 & 12
48
24
0
*The STRAC determines a unit’s ammunition requirements based on its training readiness condition (TRC). The four major categories are: TRC A, active Army; TRC B, National Guard enhanced brigades; TRC C, USAR and other National Guard units; and TRC D, Reserve training divisions.
Table 4-1. Required TOW gunnery tables and ammunition needed per system per year (IAW DA Pam 350-38 STRAC).
4-2. SUSTAINMENT
TRAINING
AND
EVALUATION
As individual TOW crewmen, squads, sections and platoons become qualified, the commander should maintain that status by sustainment training and evaluation, and by crew stabilization. Personnel changes are inevitable in units. Before TOW squads lose their crew integrity and combat readiness, personnel changes should be examined in detail and alternative solutions sought where possible. Figure 4-1 is an example of a crew stability management chart used to record training milestones and qualifications.
4-3. TOW
TRAINING
GUIDELINES
A soldier must track all targets and perform all individual and collective tasks and battle drills discussed in this manual to become a fully trained heavy antiarmor weapon system crewman. Soldier training publications and ARTEP battle drills for TOW provide tasks, conditions, and standards for combat-critical skills.
a. When a crew member becomes skilled in his job, he should be trained to do another crew member’s job (cross-trained). Therefore, the loss of one crew member will not make the squad combat-ineffective.
b. Training should be conducted under realistic conditions. To properly develop combat skills, training must be conducted in a tactical environment with emphasis on the type of threat the crew can expect to face in combat.
c. Multiechelon training should be conducted to save time and resources. For example, while squads are training in crew tasks, leaders can train to execute their tactical command and control responsibilities.
d. Training should be conducted with supported units. When possible, tactical training should be conducted with the type of units to be supported in combat—infantry, 4-2
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mechanized infantry, and armor. TOW units must be able to interface with the units they support.
Figure 4-1. Example of a crew stability management chart.
e. Training should be concentrated in areas where it is most needed. Time should not be wasted by training skills the unit and soldiers have already mastered. The trainer must know where the weak spots are and train to correct them.
f. Sections and squads will not always be at full strength. The mission in combat and in training can still be accomplished if under-strength units are organized with the following rules in mind:
(1) Key leadership positions should always be filled. For example, the gunner may have to fill the position of the squad leader.
(2) The primary weapon system should always be manned. If the loader becomes a casualty, the squad leader may have to load the TOW and control the squad at the same time. If the gunner becomes a casualty, the squad leader must operate and fire the TOW.
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4-4. TOW
GUNNERY
TABLES
The TOW Training Program consists of 12 gunnery tables plus the Gunner’s Skill Test.
The STRAC establishes the frequency of a unit’s training requirements based on its TRC.
A TRC A (active Army) unit, for example, is required to conduct Tables 1 through 6 and the Gunner’s Skill Test and Tables 7 through 12 semiannually. (See Table 4-2 for frequency of events as required by DA Pam 350-38 STRAC.)
NOTE:
The second quarterly GST should be conducted within seven days before conducting Tables 7 through 12.
EVENT/TABLE
TRC A*
TRC B
TRC C
TRC D
Weapons Training
12
4
1 1
Gunner’s Sustainment
12
4
1 1
GST 4
1
1 1
TABLES 1 & 2*
4
2
1 1
TABLES 3 & 4
4
2
1 1
TABLE 5
4
1
1 1
TABLE 6
4
1
1 0
TABLES 7 & 8
2
1
0 0
TABLES 9 & 10
2
1
0 0
TABLES 11 & 12
2
1
0 0
*See STRAC Table 5-11 for details on personnel required to conduct training and any training devices used.
Table 4-2. Frequency of required TOW gunnery events.
Tables 1 and 2 will be performed by all of the crew with the TOW Gunnery Trainer (TGT). Only gunners will perform tables 3 and 4. Tables 5 through 12 will be performed with the TOW Field Tactical Trainer (TFTT). The TFTT replicates the flight and performance characteristics of the TOW. (See Appendix F for more information on TOW
training devices.)
4-5.
CONDUCT OF UNIT TOW TRAINING
TOW training involves individual and collective training divided into four phases. Each unit must complete these phases as required.
a.
Phase I—Individual Training.
• Conduct refresher training on STP tasks as deemed necessary to prepare for the Gunner’s Skill Test.
• Conduct sustainment training with the TGT as deemed necessary to prepare for TOW Gunnery Tables 1 through 4.
• Conduct Gunner’s Skill Test.
• Conduct TOW Gunnery Table 1, Individual Gunnery Practice.
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• Conduct TOW Gunnery Table 2, Individual Gunnery Qualification.
• Conduct TOW Gunnery Table 3, Advanced Gunnery Practice.
• Conduct TOW Gunnery Table 4, Advanced Gunnery Qualification.
b.
Phase II—Squad Training.
• Conduct refresher training on the installation and operation of TFTT or MILES equipment as deemed necessary in preparation for TOW Gunnery Tables 5 and 6.
• Conduct TOW Gunnery Table 5, Baseline Gunnery Practice.
• Conduct TOW Gunnery Table 6, Baseline Gunnery Qualification.
• Conduct squad-level sustainment training as deemed necessary to prepare for TOW Gunnery Tables 7 and 8.
• Conduct TOW Gunnery Table 7, Squad Gunnery Practice, in preparation for Table 8.
• Conduct TOW Gunnery Table 8, Squad Gunnery Qualification.
c.
Phase III—Section Training.
• Conduct section-level sustainment training as deemed necessary to prepare for TOW Gunnery Tables 9 and 10.
• Conduct TOW Gunnery Table 9, Section Gunnery Practice, in preparation for Table 10.
• Conduct TOW Gunnery Table 10, Section Gunnery Qualification.
d.
Phase IV—Platoon Training.
• Conduct platoon-level sustainment training as deemed necessary to prepare for TOW Gunnery Tables 11 and 12.
• Conduct TOW Gunnery Table 11, Platoon Gunnery Practice, in preparation for Table 12.
• Conduct TOW Gunnery Table 12, Platoon Gunnery Qualification.
4-6. COLLECTIVE
TRAINING
Collective training is the coordinated performance of individual skills and tasks as a team. Collective tasks are normally performed by more than one soldier.
a. Common crew task training is the first level of collective training. Common crew tasks provide the basic technical collective tasks performed by the crew to accomplish the wartime mission. These tasks tell “how to” and allow each soldier in the crew to perform his tasks. As a result, the squad leader, gunner, driver, and loader combine their learned individual technical skills to perform as one crew on their assigned vehicle.
b. The critical squad and platoon collective tasks are called battle drills. Battle drills are mostly independent of METT-TC and require minimal leader actions to execute. They are standardized throughout the U.S. Army. Battle drills are in the applicable drill book for each echelon and equipment-type unit. The battle drills for antiarmor platoons are in ARTEP 7-91-Drill.
c. Common crew tasks are tasks performed by a TOW crew that are not battle drills but are performed in the same manner. An example of a common crew task is Dismount/Remount the TOW. Crew tasks are crucial to applying tactics to enhance survival and to accomplish the TOW crew’s mission of providing antiarmor direct fire support to destroy the enemy.
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d. ARTEP training exercises are used to practice, evaluate, and sustain collective tasks and mission proficiency. They have specific goals and are modified based on METT-T factors. Exercises are structured to the availability of resources, time, and training areas. (See appropriate ARTEP for details on conducting ARTEP exercises.) SECTION ll. TOW TRAINING PHASES
The TOW training program is divided into four phases: individual training, squad training, section training, and platoon training. Phase I (individual training) consists of the Gunner’s Skill Test and TOW Gunnery Tables 1 through 4. Phase II (squad training) consists of TOW Gunnery Tables 5 through 8. Phase III (section training) consists of TOW Gunnery Tables 9 and 10. Phase IV (platoon training) consists of TOW Gunnery Tables 11 and 12. (All scoring forms are located in the back of this manual for local reproduction.)
4-7.
PHASE I: INDIVIDUAL TRAINING
Individual training covers all tasks that are performed by a single TOW crewman. These tasks include Skill Level 1 11B soldier’s manual tasks and individual gunnery. They are the building blocks that form the foundation of TOW training.
a.
Gunner’s Skill Test. The Gunner’s Skill Test comprises the Skill Level 1 tasks for the TOW weapon system listed in STP 7-11B1-SM-TG plus some additional tasks (Figure 4-2, page 4-7 and Figure 4-3, page 4-8). All soldiers assigned to TOW-equipped units must take this portion of the test and receive a GO on at least 70 percent of the tasks. Soldiers must be tested on the group of tasks that applies to the vehicle his unit is equipped with and receive a GO on at least 70 percent of those tasks. Some of the tasks are combined individual/crew tasks. Since every member of the crew must be cross trained, the combined individual/crew tasks will be performed in rotation and every member of the crew will be tested on each part.
TASK: Perform the TOW gunner’s tasks listed in (1) below.
CONDITIONS: Testing will be hands on, with the appropriate equipment. Specific conditions will be found in the reference cited for each task.
STANDARDS: Specific standards for each task listed will be found in the appropriate reference. The overall minimum standard to receive a GO on the Gunners’ Skill Test is for each individual to receive a GO on at least 70 percent of the tasks he is required to test on.
(1) The GST consists of the following tasks.
(a)
071-056-0004
Maintain
an
M220-series launcher system.
(b) 071-056-0007 Load an M220-series launcher system.
(c) 071-056-0008 Unload an M220-series launcher system.
(d) 071-056-0009 Engage targets with an M220-series launcher system.
(e) 071-056-0010 Perform immediate action for an M220-series launcher system malfunction.
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(f) 071-056-0005 Conduct a system check-out on an M220A1 launcher system.
(Tested only if unit is equipped with M220A1 systems.)
(g) 071-056-0013 Conduct a system check-out on an M220A2 launcher system.
(Tested only if unit is equipped with M220A2 systems.)
(h) 071-056-0030 Determine TOW-series launcher system firing limitations.
(i) No Task Number Identify combat vehicles. (See Appendix G.)
(j) No Task Number Determine if a target can be engaged by an M220-series launcher system. (See Chapter 5.)
(k) 071-317-0000 Prepare an antiarmor range card.
(l) No Task Number Assemble an M220-series launcher system. (See TM 9-1425-472-12 [M220A1] or TM 9-1425-450-12 [M220A2].)
Figure 4-2. Example of completed DA Form 7331-R,
Gunner’s Skill Test—Part 1.
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Figure 4-3. Example of completed DA Form 7332-R,
for Gunner’s Skill Test—Part 2.
(4) The following are the tasks, conditions, and standards for the unnumbered tasks in the Gunner’s Skill Test.
TASK: Identify combat vehicles.
CONDITIONS: Given a classroom with appropriate audiovisual equipment and assorted vehicle GTAs. (See the local Training Support Center for the combat vehicle slides.) STANDARDS: Given a 12-second exposure time for each slide, the soldier must correctly identify 36 out of 40 vehicles by nomenclature as described in Appendix G.
TASK: Determine if a target can be engaged by an M220-series TOW launcher system.
CONDITIONS: In the field, given an operational, assembled M220-series TOW launcher system and tactical vehicles placed in realistic situations; or indoors, given a series of graphic presentations of target engageability situations or using the TGT.
STANDARDS: Correctly determine target engageability for the M220-series TOW
launcher system in terms of range and obstructions using both the daysight tracker and nightsight as described in Chapter 5, paragraph 5-1.
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TASK: Assemble an M220-series launcher system.
CONDITIONS: Given a complete but unassembled M220-series launcher.
STANDARDS: Correctly assemble an M220-series launcher system as described in TM
9-1425-472-12 (M220A1) or TM 9-1425-450-12 (M220A2) within 3 minutes.
TASK: Place the M966 HMMWV in the ready-to-fire configuration.
CONDITIONS: Given an M966 HMMWV, an M220-series TOW launcher complete, and an MSR.
STANDARDS: Correctly place the M966 in the ready-to-fire configuration as described in TM 9-1425-475-12 (M220A1) or TM 9-1425-450-12 (M220A2) within 5 minutes.
b.
TOW Gunnery Table 1, Individual Gunnery Practice. TOW Gunnery Table 1
consists of firing a minimum of two practice events (instructional firing) in preparation for actual gunner qualification on TOW Gunnery Table 2. Units will use the TGT to conduct this table.
TASK: Verify on TOW Gunnery Table 1, Individual Gunnery Practice using the TGT.
CONDITIONS: Indoors, using the TGT. The gunner will fire a minimum of two 10-shot events using the TGT. They will be selected from the events listed in Table 4-3 (page 4-10).
STANDARDS: To verify on TOW Gunnery Table 1 and progress to TOW Gunnery Table 2, the gunner must fire at least one 10-shot event with a cumulative score of at least 625
points and at least 6 hits.
(1)
Preparation of the TGT for Gunner Practice. The TGT is not designed for use as an outdoor trainer. Therefore, it should always be set up and used indoors. It may be used in tents or under shelter as long as it is not exposed to the elements, particularly dust or blowing sand. It may be used in either the tripod-mounted mode or in the HMMWV-mounted mode. The TGT should never be mounted on a moving HMMWV. It should be assembled and operated according to the instructions in TM 9-6920-452-10.
(2)
Personnel Duties. Normally, only two people at a time, the gunner and the trainer, will be involved in training with the TGT. The trainer will usually be either the squad or section leader. Other members of the squad should be occupied with concurrent training.
Other gunners should not be allowed to watch during conduct of the event. Once the TGT
has been assembled and warmed up, the trainer must assemble a plan group that conforms to one of the 10-shot events listed in Table 4-3 (page 4-15). The trainer should have the TGT inspected and warmed up, and the plan group constructed before the gunner is brought in to begin engaging targets. When constructing the plan group, the trainer ensures battle sounds are ON, target size is set at 100 percent, and obscuration is set to last for 1.5 seconds for the thermal sight and for the daysight tracker. When everything is ready, the trainer should bring the gunner in and brief him before beginning the event. The briefing should include the following:
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• Safety considerations.
• Breath control—remind the student of proper procedures.
• Obscuration—tell the student the obscuration setting used.
• Sight—tell the student which sight he will use.
• Special conditions—tell the student any special conditions (multiple targets and so forth) that apply.
(3)
Conduct of Training. When the TGT is ready for operation, the plan group has been constructed, and the gunner has been briefed and is in place, the trainer begins conducting the table. Before the trainer starts each mission, he gives the gunner a fire command and tells him to fire when ready. During the mission, the trainer does not coach the gunner in any way. The gunner must determine when to fire and at which target. After each mission, the trainer gives the gunner the results and then proceeds to the next mission.