Brian Baker - Skilled Infantryman

[MAJ Patterson]

As always post as soon as you have read this test in it’s entirety, without answers, so that I know you have read this and know when to start the clock. You have 6 days to complete this certification test and must pass with a minimum of 70% to be awarded the certification, remember, you automatically miss any question you leave blank, so at least give them all a shot.

1 – What are the limitations of an Infantry battalion?
2 – Define “Contact Continuum”
3 – What is the only indirect FS the Infantry battalion takes with them?
4 – You have asked for illumination flares for a defensive during urban operations, describe where you would be expecting the flares to be deployed.
5 – What are the three elements of a Tactical Road March? Describe each of them (this counts as four questions)
6 – This question (along with most questions on most of the tests I give) is a more modern one, but it hits a little closer to home for myself, I served in one of these for the majority of a year, what is a FOB? And I’m not just looking for the spelled out abbreviation either.
7 – This final question is more of a list, a list of Abbreviations that an infantryman (in my eyes anyway) should know, you don’t have to get them all right to get the question right, but a majority would be nice.

MFP –
QRF –
FSE –
CCIR –
BDA –


Good Luck,
-JT

[SGT. Brian Baker]

You may begin the clock

[SGT. Brian Baker]

1) There are many limitations of an Infantry Battalion. First off, the Infantry Battalion has a lack of rapid mobility, to get from point A to point B. This means that they will have to walk to their objectives unless they have vehicles (jeeps, hummers, tanks, etc) present. All infantry battalions are comprised of foot soldiers, and they require vehicles that can carry the soldier and supplies around. The Infantry Battalion also lacks the protection and firepower of a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) Infantry Battalion or Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT). While the Infantry Battalion is on the move, they are vulnerable to ambushes and chemical, biological, and nuclear (CBRN) attacks. The Infantry Battalion can only conduct operations for a short period of time. If they were to be conducting longer operations, then they would have to see what supplies are immediately available to the unit, future requirements, and a plan where supplies can be brought in that fits with the maneuver plan.

2) Contact Continuum is when the Infantry Battalion would make contact with the Scout Platoon and lead company to analyze the situation while in contact with the enemy. The lead company then held up the enemy, which allowed the remainder of the battalion to move to a more overwhelming (means assailable, tried figuring that one out) flank. This method was based upon the Infantry Battalion’s ability to move throughout all types of terrain with little difficulty. In addition to combat power (the weapons company) and the information system (INFOSYS), a new method of making contact is required. The newer version of Contact Continuum consists of knowing and understanding the situation and moving to a good position of advantage so the Infantry Battalion can make contact with the enemy on their conditions. An advantage of the newer version of Contact Continuum is that the Infantry can amass overwhelming combat power at the turning point to achieve its objective more efficiently and effectively. The Infantry Battalion Commander must also consider that the BCT Reconnaissance Team may provide the first situational understanding (SU) of the enemy, or may be in contact with the enemy, which will allow the Infantry Battalion to maneuver out of contact to a new position to commence contact with the enemy on the Infantry Battalion’s terms.

3) The only indirect FS (Fire Support) the Infantry Battalion takes with them are mortars.

4) (This one was the toughest one.) In the defensive, I would deploy the Illumination Flares behind the friendly troops. Doing this will cast the friendly troops in the shadows as the flares rise, and the flares will then shine on the enemy positions. Buildings will lessen the illumination by creating shadows. If the Illumination were to continue, then close coordination would be needed between the FO and FDC to maximize the proper effect of the illumination over the defensive positions as the enemy advances on the buildings.

5) There are three elements to the Tactical Road March. These elements are the March Column, Serial, and March Unit. The March Column includes all elements of an Infantry Battalion use the same route for a single movement under one commander. To reduce closing time, a battalion may march over many routes. If there were to be a large column march, it may be made up of many subdivisions, each subdivision under control of one commander. The Serial is a subdivision of the March Column. It consists of elements of a March Column moving from one area over the same route at the same time. Every element moves to the same area and are directed under one commander. The Serial may also divided into two or more marching units. The last, but not least, element of the Tactical Road March, the March Unit, is the smallest subdivision of a March Column. This usually is a squad, section, platoon, or company. The March Unit is commanded by a single commander, who moves and stops the unit by using visual or vocal communications (I’m thinking of a Drill Instructor in Basic, perhaps?). If there are no other means of communication, then the commander will use a radio.

6) First off, an FOB stands for Forward Observation Base (I’ve heard of these, been to one kind of, too). Now, the purpose of the FOB is used to give support for tactical operations. Most of the time, the tactical operations are associated with stability or civil support, but this isn’t the case all the time. Pending the circumstances, the FOB Facilities may be established for short term or long term operations. These bases have been used a lot by Infantry Battalions in OIF and OEF as a base to direct missions. A Forward Operating Base includes a secure place to rest for the men, recover, fix and maintain equipment, plan and organize future operations. Other agencies or units may also be allowed to work in a Forward Operating Base, knowing that they are in a secure location, and act as specialty roles.

7) MFP-Multiple Mortar Firing Points
QRF-Quick Reaction Force
FSE-Fire Support Element
CCIR-Commanders Critical Information Requirements
BDA-Battle Damage Assessment

[SGT. Brian Baker]

I am gonna guess that I got a 5 or 6 out of 7

[MAJ Patterson]

And the only one you got wrong was the last one...and by that I mean when you thought that you missed one or two of them.

Sorry about the wait, but RL stepped in and things needed to be handled.

Baker you have not only passed this cert test but have aced it in it's entirety, I wasn't expecting such detailed answers but it looks like you did your homework and I like to see that.

I'm happy to award you with the Skilled Infantryman certification you have requested.

Congratulations and be sure to put it to good use!

Allied Instructor (2nd Generation)
Captain Henry Ford Patterson





-JT

[SGT. Brian Baker]

Thanks man, hope everything is going well with you in Real Life. That does come first. Anyways, what was the correct answer for the last question? Which abbreviation did I get wrong? Need that Cert thing everyone else has too.

[Edward"Butcher"McMillan]

Due to some confusion, Baker paid for a tier one cert test, and I gave him a tier one cert test, the title of this thread was incorrect as I could not see the skill table. That issue has been resolved.

-JT