Initiative-Oriented Training.

This study investigates the degree to which conventional infantry battalions light, mechanized, airborne, and air assault are conducting realistic home-station unit training to prepare soldiers to face a willing and able foe. The study analyzes training based largely upon three criteria developed from extensive literature review and analysis 1 cognitive mental stressors uncertainty, ambiguity, information overloaddeprivation, and so forth, 2 environmental physical stressors sights, sounds, and smells of the battlefield, and 3 conditions that unleash soldiers initiative understanding the purpose and commanders intent. Additionally, the study analyzes the degree to which U.S. Army training doctrine supports operational, leader development, and combat stress doctrine. Using both quantitative and qualitative analysis, the study makes a set of inferences and generalizations about the current state of infantry training. The study concludes with recommendations to company and battalion commanders on how to improve their individual and collective home-station training.