Army getting serious about their 11B series
It looks like Big Green is pumping up training not only in Basic (marksmanship training is moving from 500-rounds/83 hours to 600 rounds/92 hours to include the use of co-witnessed iron sights and the Aimpoint M2/M68 close combat optic) but also in One-Station Unit Training for Infantry as well.
In 2019, the U.S. Army will extend OSUT at Benning for Infantry Soldiers from 14 weeks (a standard they have had since 1974) to a whopping 22 weeks.
Changes to the program are meant to increase Soldier readiness, making them more lethal and proficient before they depart for their first duty assignment, according to the Infantry School commandant, Col. Townley R. Hedrick.
Big changes include a full 40-hours for combat lifesaving, a week of land nav (up from a day), use of the ACOG and PSQ-20 NVG to include day/night quals, 40 hours of combatives (up from 22), more reaction drills, more MOUT, a 16-mile road march (up from 12), more crew-served weapon time, lots more maneuver training in small units among other things.
In short, the Army is getting closer to the model the Brits have used for generations. At Catterick, all Tommies run a 26-week course (28 weeks for the Paras or Guards).
