I don't think you heard about it because it is simply a
legend in its own mind... :D
IOW, it doesn't exist. Unfortunately, BTMS is far more than long range planning. It tried -- and failed -- to say the Bn Cdr was the Trainer of the unit; it introduced the Task, Condition and Standard stupidity to the Army (as well as the flawed ARTEP) and it attempted to place task performance on a "Go-No Go" basis allowing standards to be modified to achieve 'acceptable' "Go" rates in institutional training.
It was introduced in TRADOC service schools in the late 70s, finally made it to the field in early 80s. It was designed by Civilian training specialists with no military experience to replicate industrial training practice and it was flawed from the beginning. That the Army today, marginally trained as it is, does much right is a tribute to a host of Officers and NCOs who have managed to train people fairly well in spite of a deeply flawed training process.
Combat is not accomplishment of tasks, it is the amalgamation of many tasks to accomplish a mission and one has to KNOW which tasks must be accomplished and which are not necessary. Conditions vary widely -- my pet example is clear a building; the Capitol, your local City Hall, The Ford plant or a mud hut in Outer Bafloofistan? I watched standards manipulated downward to enhance the 'Go' rate for a good many years. Fortunately, that got spotted in the 90s and has generally been reversed...
It's a dumb system and needs to be retired so we can move to Outcome Based Training and Evaluation.
ok... I'll take the dangled bait
Only because we are talking about Ricks...
I believe in his earlier postings he referred to TRADOC in general and Dempsey in particular as "Intellectually sloppy"...
Hmmm...
"I know the concept isn't new, but this is the first time I can recall an Army doctrinal document elevating the issue to key aspect of command. I take back some of the bad things I said about TRADOC recently."
The document to which Mr. Ricks refers is a Capstone Concept not doctrine...
As for whether it is novel in Army doctrine... no... it's in an obscure manual called FM 3-0, Operations (Chapter 7)...
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
7-59. Information management is the science of using procedures and information systems to collect, process, store, display, disseminate, and protect knowledge products, data, and information. Information management disseminates timely and protected relevant information to commanders and staffs. Information management helps commanders develop situational understanding. It also helps them make and disseminate effective decisions faster than the enemy can. Among other aspects, information management includes lower level mechanical methods, such as organizing, collating, plotting, and arranging. However, information management is more than technical control of data flowing across networks. It employs both
staff management and automatic processes to focus a vast array of information and make relevant information available to the right person at the right time. Information management centers on commanders and the information they need to exercise command and control. It has two components: information systems and relevant information.
Petty... I know:D
These transgressions only required a sharp slap of the hand across the back of his head... the kind my pappy used to deliver on a routine basis to signal that I had once again miscalculated my left and right limits