TC-3-09-8 Fire Support and Field Artillery Certification Download
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Chapter 1 1-10 TC 3-09.8 C1 22 July 2020 Realistic training with limited time and resources demands that commanders focus their unit training efforts to maximize training proficiency. Therefore, an objective way to assess and evaluate unit readiness is critical to mission accomplishment and survival on the battlefield. Figure 1-4 supports the linkage from training to assessing and reporting training readiness. Figure 1-4. Process to evaluate, assess and report Training Readiness EVALUATION 1-16. Evaluations can be internal or external. Internal evaluations are conducted at all levels, and they must be a routine component of all training. EXEVALs are usually more formal and are normally conducted by a headquarters two echelons above the unit being evaluated. “Evaluations may be informal, formal, internal, external or any combination of these” (FM 7-0). Refer to FM 7-0 for definitions and criteria for evaluations. Commanders and units conduct and document training proficiency during any and all training events using the Objective Task Evaluation Criteria Matrix in the tasks Training Evaluation and Outline. All training events require one of these types of evaluations. However, evaluations for certification and qualification tables must be conducted by a certified evaluator appointed by the appropriate commander who has the authority for the evaluation. 1-17. A Technical Evaluation is an external validation of qualified sections/teams/crews, platoons, batteries and battalions. All certifications and qualifications are evaluated to ensure an organization’s technical ability to shoot, move and communicate while conducting the mission of the FA. Evaluation of the unit’s technical ability is different than a fully resourced EXEVAL. It is not necessary to conduct an EXEVAL in conjunction with a Live Fire event. EXEVAL must be approved by the commander two echelons higher than the unit being evaluated. The EXEVAL is a resource intensive event that requires external evaluators, a white cell, combatants, and multiple enemy threats used to exercise the organizations ability to survive on the battlefield. 1-18. EXEVALs are unit proficiency evaluations. They are formal in nature and conducted external to the unit. The EXEVAL provides commanders with an objective way to evaluate their unit mission-essential tasks or selected collective task proficiencies. All units in the Army undergo an EXEVAL to validate task proficiency ratings. 1-19. An EXEVAL includes the following key requirements: The higher commander two levels up approves the plan and resources it (for example, a brigade approves and resources a battery-level EXEVAL). Forecasts and manages ammunition for qualification and evaluations. The commander resources the conditions to achieve a minimum of T or T- task proficiency rating. The higher commander (one or two levels up) trains and certifies evaluators for Artillery Tables VI and external observer, coach/trainers for AT XII, XV and XVIII. The senior observer, coach/trainer can be from an adjacent unit within the higher command of the unit evaluated. Training and evaluation outlines are the objective basis of the evaluation. The higher commander two levels up supervises the final after action review. The commander (one level up) discusses with the unit commander the expected proficiency levels for mission-essential tasks and battle tasks (to include battle drills) and overall level of proficiency for readiness reporting units (see AR 220-1). FULL OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY AND DEGRADED REQUIREMENTS 1-20. To be successful in fighting large-scale combat operations, FA units should train to consistently meet the 5 requirements for accurate predicted fire to include in a degraded, disrupted, or denied operational environment which can and will effect systems which rely on digital communications, positioning,