FORT BENNING, Ga., (Sept. 16, 2015) -- Armor Basic Officer Leader Course second lieutenants learned the importance of precision through preparation in working toward lethality Sept. 11 at the Digital Multi-Purpose Range Complex. The Soldiers observed cadre complete Live Fire Accuracy Screening Tests.
"The day you LFAST is probably the most important day of the entire gunnery rotation," said Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Eck, senior instructor at ABOLC.
The purpose of LFAST is ensuring the tank is precise as it can possibly be, similar to zeroing a rifle, said Capt. Brett Wright, B Troop commander, 2nd Squadron, 16th Cavalry Regiment.
This instills confidence in the Soldier's weapon and in their team.
"It's all about the precision - it is preparatory work before they get out on the range and engage targets," Wright said.
The Soldiers learned about the LFAST as part of the second of three phases of ABOLC. In the course, cadre conduct the LFAST but the lieutenants must understand the process, said Master Sgt. Barry Robinson, tank committee team chief.
"You can't expect to lead Soldiers if you don't know what they're doing," said 2nd Lt. Alexander Morales, ABOLC student. "So, it's important for us to learn how each position fits in to the team and how all (the roles) combined lead to success."
The process includes putting a tank in a fighting position and shooting at 1,500 meter targets. Soldiers will do fire-control checks and ensure the target was hit. If the round does not hit the target, the master gunner is responsible for going through his checklist to determine the reason and then working to get it corrected.
Robinson said the checklist includes checking for accurate bore sight data, checking ammunition, checking ammunition inputs and making sure the tank is fully operational. The checklist helps determine if the miss is due to a crew error, a fire-control error or an ammunition error.
"It gives the lieutenants confidence in their fire-control system and M1-series tank so that when they go to further training and units, they know the tank has the capability of killing targets all the way out to 4,000 to 5,000 meters," Robinson said. "And, they can do that confidently and competently."
Morales said the course teaches Soldiers to be the gunner on a tank, how to drive it and how to be a commander, which is important as the Army works toward building more smart, fast, lethal and precise Soldiers to fight in a complex world.
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