TRAINING TO FIGHT AND WIN:
TRAINING IN THE CANADIAN ARMY
PREFACE

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My purpose in writing this booklet is to pass on my thoughts on training in the Canadian Army. As a minimum, I wish to stimulate thought, discussion and action on this subject - but my ultimate objective is to help create and maintain an operationally effective army. This is not the “Bible” on training, it only offers a point of view on sonic of the many aspects of this very complex and important subject - some would say, myself included, the most important subject of concern to the Army, short of operations.

Years ago I wrote a paper entitled “Training To Be Sound Soldiers and Good Gunners”. Twenty years later on, I was surprised to see it still being used at the Field Artillery School, some 20 years later, as a reference for the Instructor-In-Gunnery Course and other courses. This is not a credit to me; rather, it is a reflection of the dearth of thought and writings on this vital subject, or more importantly, the lack of coherence and relevance of the doctrine that does exist. I am not sure how relevant that paper really is today, but my gut feel is that the principles of training haven't changed that much -over the years, much as people and learning principles haven't change that radically. Equipment, doctrine and tactics change, and should change, but training principles remain constant. In fact, when I wrote that paper I referred frequently to a First World War pamphlet, “Field Artillery Training 1914”. My impressions at that time were that the training principles were reasonably timeless and they ' were relatively universal. I still believe that.

Good training and hence operationally effective units will be the result of applying the principles effectively. Those who choose to ignore or overlook the fundamentals might well achieve short-term aims, but their troops will not be sufficiently well trained to withstand prolonged operations or meet the multiplicity of demands of today and the future.

This booklet sets out some of my reflections on training based on over 37 years in uniform, in the Reserves and Regular Force, from gunner to brigadier-general. I have seen some outstanding trainers in that time. There is no question but that the best training happened to be when we' had a clear operational focus and dynamic, imaginative leadership. Instructor-in-Gunnery and Company Commander courses taught me much - but not as much as when I observed professional trainers. in action. The great trainers were-also superb leaders who knew what they wanted, understood the motivation and capacity of people and applied logic and common sense to-achieve high standards. They realized how important training is to discipline, morale, competence, cohesion and professionalism, and how important these are in training.

Perhaps had there been greater attention to training throughout the Army over the past few generations we may have been spared some of our most recent traumas. I for one have learned a lot and reflecting on `my lessons learned' has been instructive. I am convinced that systemically a lot more reflection, energy and resources should go into training because this will save the lives of young Canadians, while enabling the Army presence, readiness and to win in operations. Given adequate resources, good leadership and sound training the Army will be able to perform as asked.

I attempted to make this a booklet which could be applicable to both . the Regular Force and the Reserves. No doubt my mostly Regular Force background shows, and although the principles would apply equally to the Militia, especially if and when mobilized.

My thanks to all those who assisted in developing this booklet, and especially the many soldiers I have served with and trained with over the years. I sent my drafts to many, and the advice, wisdom, and sound counsel I have received is much appreciated. If I chose to disregard it or if I missed the point, I accept full responsibility. If this booklet is useful, it is because of the input of others and of what I have learned from fellow soldiers over the years.

I dedicate this booklet to the memory of Brigadier (Uncle) Stanley Todd, CBE, DSO, ED, CD, a veteran of the First and Second World Wars, a dedicated Militia officer, the CRA of 3 Canadian Infantry Division on D-Day, Commander Corps Artillery of the 2nd Canadian Corps, Brigade Commander First Canadian Infantry Brigade, and a soldier and trainer of great renown. He was still lecturing at the Army Staff College in May of 1996, at the age of 98, weeks before he tragically died right before the eyes of his colleagues at a RMC Club dinner! He was a trainer, teacher and mentor to almost eight generations of Canadian soldiers in peace and war in the Permanent Force and in the Militia. No doubt he would critique this from his “Stand Easy” position in the sky.

Since retiring I have conducted my own comprehensive “After-Action Review,” and on the subject of training these are my reflections. I hope that my “lessons learned” will be of benefit to future generations of the Canadian Army.