17 MAY 2011- FIRES SEMINAR DAY 1
Speaker 1
General Cone, TRADOC CDR, kicked off the first day of the Fires Seminar speaking on the “Army Operating Concept.”
His talking points included:
Training is one of the major challenges we will face in the future. Currently the demand of OPTEMPO down range is limiting training time in the Garrison environment. Upon a units return, training needs to be a Commander Centric Business. In order to maximize effective training time between deployments, training must be balanced with “Top down” directed MTT training and training owned by the Commander.

When discussing the Profession of Arms, there needs to be a dialog to identify these fundamental concepts among the ranks. The solution needs to start with the current generation and address mastery of their knowledge in the Profession of Arms.

With the Army Learning Concept there is a need to deliver information anywhere to the right audience.

Challenges to policies driving the way ahead include finding a balance and giving officers the opportunity to serve in both TRADOC and down range. We need to bring talent and experience back to TRADOC.

Speaker 2

Following General Cone, MG Halverson spoke on the “State of Fires.”

His Talking points included:

7% of the Army’s personnel and equipment are Fires Soldiers, serving in the 13 or 14 series branches; showing that the vast majority are located on Active Duty in Brigade Combat Teams.
The current issues that both branches are facing in the current operating environment is that ADA is a “high demand, low density unit” and that Field Artillery branch remains one of the highest deployed branches in the Army.
MG Halverson also explained the close relationship that the Fires community has with the Acquisition Corps of the Army. This is important to maintain the technological advantage that the United States currently holds over their adversaries.
MG Halverson explained the solutions to the Warfighting Function which begins with understanding joint partner capability. Using this determines the possible ways for Fires to support their missions.
It’s imperative that the Fires Community share intellect through FKN, Blogs and White Papers. Lessons learned needs to be applied and shared to facilitate leader development.
The attributes that the Fires Community needs are critical thinking, adaptable, innovative, and culturally astute Soldiers. The way to produce these types of leaders is to facilitate an environment where life- long learning is not only encouraged and expected.

Speaker 3

COL Hisle, JACI Director, followed MG Halverson speaking on “Joint Fires.”

His talking points included:

Joint and Coalition Interoperability is critical to current and future operations of the US.

Joint Fires Observer – graduation rate is currently at 80%. Many allied countries are following our lead and implementing JFO training. Because the Air Force cannot provide us with enough JTACS, in order to fill this gap, the Army is trying to have at least one JFO per platoon.

JAGIC – Joint Air/Ground Integration Cell - USAF is standing up13 ASOCs across Army Installations.

Way Ahead –

Education Changes in BOLC and CCC
Senior Leader Education
Precision Fires Training
Increase US JFO MTOE Allocation to 4300 – Multi-National Adoption
ABCA Joint Fires Project team – CSPRM Interoperability 2011/12
JAGIC in Division – CTJF Development


Speaker 4

Mr. (SES) Tison, Assistant Deputy US Army G8, followed COL Hisle speaking on “Investment Strategy/ Army Modernization.”

His talking points included:

FY11 Budget- DoD requested $703.3B, H.R. 1473 provides $688B, Army requested $245.6B, H.R. 1473 provides $239.2B

Infrastructure is not growing as fast as our Forces.
Our National Economic situation requires all of us to do our part in restoring Economic Security.

Unresolved Challenges- Civilian workforce reduction, TESI reduction, AC end strength reduction, Global posture review, implementation of efficiencies, organizational consolidations, and Energy security investment requirements.

$400B Security spending reductions beyond savings in FY12 Budget