A/ACD - Section Practice Memorandum
| This is the Document Release Information | |
| Article Number: | 7Cav-AACD-006 |
| Scope: | Section Practice Memorandum |
| Version: | Version 1.0 |
| Effective Date: | 16JUN2026 |
| Last Modified Date: | 16JUN2026 |
| Approving Authority: | Auxiliary Combat Detachment Commander |
| Point of Contact: | Auxiliary Combat Detachment HQ |
Section Practice Standards
Purpose
The purpose of this SOP is to establish a standardized process for planning, briefing, executing, evaluating, and reporting Section Practices in order to ensure training is purposeful, consistent, and aligned with the Monthly Training Plan. This SOP also ensures Section Leadership are armed with all tools necessary to meet all administrative and instructional requirements before, during, and after each Cav Week.
Scope
This SOP applies to all A/ACD Section Leaders, Assistant Section Leaders, Flight Leads, Cadres, and Troopers participating in DCS Section Practices. It is a baseline that establishes the planning, preparation, execution, evaluation, administrative tracking, AAR submission, and reporting requirements associated with Section Practices conducted within the DCS Area of Operations.
Definitions
Section Practice (SP): A scheduled section-level training event conducted to develop Trooper proficiency, reinforce section cohesion, and support the Monthly Training Plan or approved section training objectives.
Monthly Training Plan (MTP): The established training guidance that identifies the primary topics, skills, or focus areas to be trained during a given month.
Training Goal: The broad purpose of a Section Practice that identifies what skill or capability the training is intended to develop.
Learning Objectives: Specific, measurable outcomes that define what Troopers should understand, demonstrate, or perform by the end of the training event.
Learning Material: Any reference, checklist, guide, briefing, demonstration, mission file, or other instructional resource used to support the training objective.
Brief: A structured explanation provided before or during training that outlines the purpose, objectives, standards, execution method, and expectations for the Section Practice.
Evaluation: The process of observing or assessing Trooper performance to determine whether the stated training objectives were met.
After Action Review (AAR): A post-training review used to document attendance, summarize what occurred, identify sustainments and improvements, and record any required follow-up actions.
Roll Call: The required attendance tracking method used to account for section participation and maintain administrative accuracy.
Cav Week: The weekly administrative and training cycle during which roll calls, Section Practices, AARs, and weekly reports are completed.
Section Leadership: The Section Leader, Assistant Section Leader, Flight Leads, or any assigned instructor responsible for planning, executing, evaluating, or reporting section-level training.
Cav Week Timeline
This section outlines the workflow of a "Cav" Week (0000z Saturday to 2359z Friday).
Beginning of the Week
Section Leadership will ensure that section roll calls are posted and tagged with "Active" in the appropriate forum location no later than 0700 Zulu every Sunday. The roll call templates are located in each section's forum folder and shall be utilized each week. A roll call is used to establish attendance expectations for the upcoming SP, and give the Section Leadership enough time to consider expected attendance at the next SP, training limitations, and make up practice preparations.
The attendance block shall be filled out completely within an hour of the end of the Section Practice.
Pre Section Practice
Section leadership shall have a mission ready and available on the server no later than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the Section Practice. The mission shall be directly related to the MTP unless otherwise directed by Platoon Staff. If freedom of choice is authorized by the Platoon Leader, the Section Leader may adjust the SP focus as required by section needs.
The Tactical Realism Server is not authorized for use for section practice unless explicitly defined in the MTP. The Tactical Realism server cannot effectively meet the needs of each and every SP Training Goal, and Section Leaders must familiarize themselves with basic mission making practices to facilitate Section Practices.
A pre brief or classroom brief is required at the beginning of every SP that identifies any necessary information such as training goals, learning materials, threats, hard deck, and any other pertinent information to the practice. This is the Template that shall be used.
Prior to SP:
- Mission is loaded and functioning correctly.
- Required aircraft slots, airfields, ranges, objectives or training areas are available.
- The SP topic supports the MTP or approved section needs.
- Troopers are instructed to sign roll call.
- All Section Leadership understands the training goal.
- A Pre Brief has been prepared utilizing the template provided.
Post Section Practice
At the end of the SP, Section Leadership is required to perform an AAR. The After Action Report or De-Brief is to be held once all Troopers have landed or are not airborne. The Section Leader or Assistant Section Leader will then ask the Troopers in attendance what they enjoyed about the practice, and something that needs improvement. Attendance reporting accuracy of the roll call shall also be verified at the end of the SP.
Post SP:
- Perform AAR once all Troopers are no longer airborne
- What was trained.
- Attendance.
- What went well.
- What needs improvement.
- Any Troopers requiring follow-up training.
- Any issues with the mission, server, training material, or execution.
- Whether the SP aligned with the Monthly Training Plan.
- AAR is filled out on Roll Call.
- Attendance is recorded accurately on Roll Call.
End of the Week
At the end of the Cav week, Section Leadership is required to submit a section report. Refer to the section forum folder for the link to submit the report. Report submissions are due as soon as Section Practice concludes to ensure accuracy in the report and no missed details. Carefully select the correct date (following friday), correct battalion, company, platoon, and section on the report to prevent the necessity of resubmission. Failure to file a report by the next Saturday at 2359 Zulu, shall result in disciplinary action.
Pre Brief Structure
This section outlines the key points during a brief and provides examples on how to effectively deliver the classroom portions of a Section Practice.
Training Goal
Every SP shall have a training goal outlined by the MTP.
Format: The goal of this Section Practice is to develop Trooper proficiency in [skill/task] in order to improve [operational outcome] during DCS operations.
Example: The goal of this Section Practice is to develop Trooper proficiency in CASE I recovery procedures in order to improve carrier landing discipline, pattern consistency, and operational readiness.
Learning Objectives
Learning objectives should define what Troopers are expected to understand, perform or become more familiar with by the end of the SP. This is a Training Goal that has been broken down into measurable and achievable standards.
Example:
By the end of this section practice, Troopers will be able to:
- Explain the purpose and sequence of [procedure/task].
- Identify common mistakes associated with [procedure/task].
- Demonstrate proper execution of [procedure/task] during practical application.
- Perform the task with minimal instructor correction.
Required Learning Material
The Section Leader or instructor should identify all required material before SP.
- MTP Topic.
- Diagrams.
- Weapon employment tutorials.
- Instructor demonstration.
- Aircraft checklists if applicable.
- Mission file or range setup.
- Informational graphics.
- Written explanations of topics when required.
The collection of training material does not need to be overcomplicated, the intent is to ensure quality preparations have been made for the Trooper.
Section Practice Execution
Outlined is a recommended timeline to follow as Section Leadership.
- 00:00 - 00:15 | Roll Call reminder, Conduct Brief. Ensure Troopers are connected to the server before the conclusion of the brief.
- 00:15 - 00:20 | Demonstration if necessary.
- 00:20 - 00:40 | Guided practice, assist as required and go down the list to ensure no Trooper is left behind.
- 00:40 - 00:55 | Unguided practice/assessment period.
- 00:55 - 01:00 | AAR and Closeout.
- Additional time is recommended for more complex training goals, or additional practice.
Instructor/Cadre Standards
The presents of an additional Instructor, Cadre, Flight Lead is recommended when breaking out into small groups. Instructors should be prepared with the following formatting to facilitate a productive environment.
Instructors will demonstrate the assigned task when practical before requiring Troopers to execute it independently. Demonstrations should be clear, concise, and directly tied to the stated learning objectives.
Example:
- Step-by-step explanation.
- Correct execution.
- Common failure points.
- Expected standard.
- One normal-speed demonstration when practical.
Evaluating Standards
Every structured SP may include some form of evaluation. This does not always need to be a pass/fail test. It can be observational. The following checklist may be used/modified to provide a measurable evaluation of a Trooper.
- Instructor observation
- Practical demonstration
- Checklist completion
- Successful mission task
- Safe execution
- Correct radio calls
- Proper formation discipline
- Weapon employment accuracy
- Recovery or landing proficiency
SP Conduct
Section Leadership will ensure their attention is not divided on individual troubleshooting issues for an excessive period of time. If a Trooper requires extended assistance, clear instructions will be given and the SP will continue while support is delegated when possible. If one Trooper is having technical, control, aircraft, or system issues that delay the group, Section Leadership should:
- Give clear instructions once.
- Attempt a quick correction if practical.
- Assign another qualified Trooper or staff member to assist.
- Continue the SP for the rest of the section.
Makeups
Refer to 7CAV-ACD-002 for ACD Section Practice Policy
References
Accountability
Failure to adhere to this standard will result in disciplinary action. This SOP is effectively meant to be a baseline to build off of.
Effective Date
This SOP is effective immediately upon publication and remains in force until amended or revoked by Company-level directive.