The Combined Arms School

Introduction

The Combined Arms School (CAS) is a 2nd Battalion (Squad) School operated as part of S7 - Training. CAS delivers individual training at the trooper, crewman and pilot level, from basic infantry skills to advanced vehicle commander and leadership courses.

The School delivers training along multiple broad pathways: Infantry, Armored, Rotary Wing Training.

The Combined Arms School was renamed from "The School of Infantry" previously. The designation "SOI" was used until 2020, the school was re-designated The Combined Arms School to reflect the many roles of the school, teaching Infantry, Armored, Rotary Wing courses.

Infantry Training

An infantryman issues orders to his Squad during a Field Training Exercise.

In the Infantry Training courses, Troopers are instructed on all manner of Infantry Tactics. The goal of the Infantry Training Section is to train individual troopers on all tactics and capabilities of the Infantry squad. This training is delivered via four courses, Basic Assault Movement Course (BAMC), Advanced Individual Training (AIT) 1 & 2, Weapons Qualification Course (WQC) and Combat Lifesaver Course (CLS).

Basic Assault Movement Course (BAMC)

This course is to give the trooper a basic understanding of how Squads and platoons are broken down, as well as teach them how they move in combat scenarios. In this course students will learn basic concepts of formations, bounding and over watch, and other combat principles.

1. Understand basic tactics
2. Employ effective use of radio reports / disciplined communications
3. Scout an area or map for use in combat / training scenarios
4. Understand maneuver vs. Movement

Pre-Requisites

No active negative action

Pen and Paper

Squad installed and working prior to class start time

Weapons Qualification Course (WQC)

This course is to train the student on each of the personal weapons systems most used in Squad and qualify their ability to utilize each.

1. The M72 L.A.W. (Light Anti-tank Weapon)
2. The M240B
3. The M203 40mm Grenade Launcher
4. The M17 Modular Handgun System

Pre-Requisites

No active negative action

Pen and Paper

Squad installed and working prior to class start time

Advanced Individual Training (AIT) 1 & 2

This course is to give the trooper a basic understanding of how Squads and platoons are broken down, as well as teach them how they move in combat scenarios. In this course students will learn basic concepts of formations, bounding and over watch, and other combat principles.

Phase 1

1. Proper way to React to Contact
2. How to properly space and utilize cover.
3. How to properly sustain fire rates.
4. Basic formations most used in Squad
5. Understand commands given from the control element.

Phase 2

1. Proper way to conduct Diamond Formation.
2. How to properly move across Linear Danger Areas.
3. How to breach rooms with a Fire Team.
4. How to clear and control building floors.
5. How to handle multiple doorways.

Pre-Requisites

Completion of Basic Assault Movement Course (BAMC)

No active negative action

Pen and Paper

Squad installed and working prior to class start time

Combat Lifesaver Course (CLS)

This course the trooper will be able to effectively administer first aid while in combat and become a great asset on the battlefield. This will improve the troopers overall effectiveness as a soldier, and will improve the survivability of our combat sections.

1. Basics of the CLS load out
2. Best practices for casualty recovery
3. Effective communications as a CLS
4. Risk assessment
5. Reacting to contact as a CLS

Pre-Requisites

Completion of Basic Assault Movement Course (BAMC)

No active negative action

Pen and Paper

Squad installed and working prior to class start time

Explosive Ordinance Disposal Course (EOD)

This course will enable a trooper by detecting, identifying, conducting on-site evaluation, rendering safe, exploiting, and achieving final disposition of all explosive ordnance, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and weapons of mass destruction (WMD); provide support to joint, interagency, intergovernmental and multinational operations as required.

1. Proper way to conduct a convoy when IEDs are present
2. How to spot IEDs
3. IED Avoidance
4. How to properly remove IEDs from the field
5. How to most effectively utilize IED and landmine assets

Pre-Requisites

Completion of Basic Assault Movement Course (BAMC)

No active negative action

Pen and Paper

Squad installed and working prior to class start time

Indirect Fire Course (IDFC)

This course will give the trooper the basic skills needed to functions a soldier within a mortar team and provide indirect fire support to line infantryman in the heat of battle.

1. Basics of the Mortar
2. Mortar Squad Composition
3. Mortar Squad Leader Communications
4. Types of Fire Missions
5. Mortar Placement
6. The Mortar Calculator
7. Key Terms

Pre-Requisites

No active negative action

Pen and Paper

Squad installed and working prior to class start time

A M1A2 tank uses concealment while engaging enemy.

Armor Training

In the Armored Training Section, Troopers are instructed on all manner of operations related to the M1A2 Main Battle Tank (MBT). The goal of the Armored Training Section is to train individual Troopers on all crew roles in the M1A2, tactics, and capabilities of the platform. This training is delivered via three courses, The Basic Armor Crewman Course (BACC), Advanced Armor Crewman Course (AACC) "pending", and the Tank Commander Course (TCC) "pending".

Basic Armor Crewman Course (BACC)

This course is to give a basic understanding of crewman task and gunnery skills.

1. Introduction to Driver Role
2. Learn Driver Controls and Commands
3. Comprehension Check of Driver Commands
4. Introduction to Gunner Role
5. Learn Gunner Controls
6. Learn Gunner Commands
7. Comprehension and Check on Learning of Gunner Commands

Pre-Requisites

Completion of Basic Assault Movement Course (BAMC)

No active negative action

Pen and Paper

Squad installed and working prior to class start time

Rotary Wing Courses

A UH-60 Medium Lift Helicopter

Rotary Wing Operations (RWO)

The objective to best equip the future pilots of the Echo Co. as well as bolster the knowledge base of existing pilots. Currently the Combined Arms School offers one aviation course: the Rotary Wing Operations Course. Students learn the basics of the UH-60M Medium Lift Helicopter, Flight patterns, practices for pickup and drop-off of Soldiers, and then culminate with a flight examination. The course covers:

• Rotary Wing Basics
• Basic Flight Introduction
• Basic Flight Patterns
• Pick Up and Drop Off (PUDO) Best Practices
• Advanced Flight Patterns
• Hot PUDO Best Practices
• Flight Wing Qualification

School Standard Operating Procedures

Instructor Qualification Policy

All new instructors to the school will start as assistant instructors - that is to assist others in the running of their courses. To become qualified as a full instructor and run their own courses the instructor must do the following:

• Be qualified in the class prior as a student.
• Attend one course as an assistant instructor.
• Teach the course as a lead instructor under the supervision of a fully qualified instructor
• Be added to the School of Infantry qualification tracker

Guidance to Instructors

Instructors already qualified must remain current with the material and assist other instructors as required. They must remain proficient with the tools of administrating a course, namely posting and scheduling classes, posting the graduation work and recommending medals for courses that award any badge or award. Instructors should take the time to develop instructors in training, allowing them to conduct the necessary administration as training as part of the qualification process. Instructors should refer to this document for any future queries.

Guidance to Combined Arms School Commander

The CAS Commander must audit classes whenever possible to ensure the Infantry School standard is maintained.

Assigning a new Fully Qualified Instructor to a course

The CAS Commander is responsible for evaluating and passing Instructors in Training. Once the Instructor in Training has displayed the ability to lead that course effectively, the Commander will:

• Ensuring that the Instructor in Training is familiar with the correct graduation post and forum post formats and locations.
• Verify the Instructor in Training shows effective leadership
• Inform the Instructor in Training that they are now a fully qualified instructor.

New Instructor In-Clearance Routines

The CAS Commander will:

• Have the Instructor bookmark the S7 Forums
• Have the Instructor bookmark the 7CAV Operations and Training Google Calendar
• Explain the course scheduling policies
• Add the Instructor to the CAS S7 Tracker
• Add the Instructor to the CAS Google Drive
• Conduct an in-person Initial Counselling Statement, and discuss:
  • Minimum requirement of attending one course per month
  • Discuss instructor interests to assign the correct section
  • Explain the process to becoming fully qualified
• Create a new position assignment in the Position Announcements