Stryker gunnery is often viewed as a task, a series of exercises and training sessions that units must complete to achieve proficiency. However, this perspective undersells the true significance of Stryker gunnery. In reality, it is an operation that shapes a lethal, cohesive team — one that is capable of dominating on the battlefield. The process of Stryker gunnery is not just about technical mastery but about building a team that can work together seamlessly, anticipating and overcoming challenges in high-pressure situations.
I have seen firsthand how crews can stumble in gunnery training, often due to poor habits or a lack of focus early on. Crews that cannot get their systems aligned, with thermal and visual imaging modules (TIM/VIM) out of sync, will struggle to perform effectively. However, this failure is not just a technical issue but rather a symptom of a larger problem. It is a problem that begins long before crews hit the field during the early stages of preparation and planning. Half of Stryker gunnery is an operational process, but the other half is about putting lethality into actual use — mastering the small but crucial details that lead to success.
The role of NCOs is critical in this process. NCOs must be proactive in guiding the team through the crucial moments of Stryker gunnery, anticipating challenges before they become mission-stopping issues. They must be highly visible and involved in every stage of the process, from preparation to execution. By doing so, they can instill discipline and a sense of urgency in the team, driving them to master the technical aspects of Stryker gunnery and to work together as a cohesive unit.
To understand how Stryker gunnery builds lethal teams, it is helpful to break the process down into phases. Each phase is critical, and success in one phase sets the stage for success in the next.
Phase 1: Long-Term Preparation and Crew Selection
The first phase of Stryker gunnery is long-term preparation and crew selection. This phase begins approximately 18 months before the actual training exercises, and it is during this time that leadership identifies key personnel. The Soldiers who will attend the Master Gunner Course and the crew members who will train with simulators like Virtual Battlespace (VBS) 3 are selected during this phase. This is similar to scouting in sports, where the right players are identified and developed to create a winning team. Passion drives mastery, and the right personnel are essential to building a lethal team.
During this phase, leadership must also begin to develop a training plan that will prepare the crew for the challenges of Stryker gunnery. This plan should include a mix of classroom instruction, simulator training, and live-fire exercises. The goal is to create a comprehensive training program that will prepare the crew for every eventuality, from routine maintenance to complex combat scenarios.
Phase 2: Building Proficiency Through Training
The second phase of Stryker gunnery is building proficiency through training. This is where the bulk of the work happens, and it is during this phase that crews begin to come together or fall apart. Technical mastery is the focus of this phase, with crews working to align TIM and VIM, using embedded trainers and running through driver’s training to handle preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS) and operational assessments. NCOs play a critical role during this phase, troubleshooting issues and instilling discipline in the process. The more crews refine their basics, the better they will perform when the pressure is on.
During this phase, crews must also begin to develop their teamwork and communication skills. Stryker gunnery is a complex and dynamic process, and crews must be able to work together seamlessly to achieve success. This requires a high level of trust and communication, as well as a deep understanding of each crew member’s role and responsibilities.
Phase 3: Live Fire and Results — The Moneyball Moment
The third and final phase of Stryker gunnery is live fire and its results, which I like to call the “Moneyball” moment. This is where everything comes together, and crews either shine or struggle. Live-fire exercises and real-time adjustments are the focus of this phase, and it is during this time that units can measure their lethality and identify gaps in training. The involvement of NCOs during the early phases pays off during this phase, as crews that have been guided and disciplined from the start will perform more effectively. If NCOs have not been involved, cracks in performance will become apparent, and leadership must step in to recalibrate.
During this phase, crews must be able to apply the skills and knowledge they have learned in a realistic and dynamic environment. This requires a high level of situational awareness, as well as the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and unexpected challenges. Crews that can perform effectively in this environment are truly lethal and are capable of dominating on the battlefield.
Lethality and Warfighting
At the end of the day, everything we do in Stryker gunnery comes back to one thing: creating lethal teams that are ready for warfighting. Every phase, every piece of training, and every moment of leadership involvement feed into this goal. The teams that take gunnery seriously, that focus on building a cohesive unit and mastering the technical aspects of Stryker gunnery, are the ones that become more than just proficient — they become a force capable of dominating on the battlefield. Stryker gunnery is not just a task; it is an operational crucible that shapes lethal teams and prepares them for the challenges of warfighting. By understanding the phases of Stryker gunnery and the critical role of NCOs, units can build teams that are capable of achieving success in the most high-pressure situations.
In conclusion, Stryker gunnery is a complex and dynamic process that requires a high level of technical mastery, teamwork, and leadership. By breaking the process down into phases and focusing on the critical role of NCOs, units can build lethal teams that are capable of dominating on the battlefield. The key to success lies in a comprehensive training program that includes a mix of classroom instruction, simulator training, and live-fire exercises. With the right personnel, training, and leadership, units can achieve a high level of proficiency and become a truly lethal force.
CSM Raul "Rudi" Soto currently serves as the command sergeant major for the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO. He has held every position from rifleman to platoon sergeant while stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, culminating in him serving as operations sergeant major for 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division. CSM Soto then returned to the 1st Battalion, 73rd Cavalry Regiment as first sergeant for C Troop before serving as an instructor for the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at Colorado State University. His other assignments include serving as an operations sergeant major for United States Army Africa at Camp Ederle, Italy; first sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1/4 SBCT; operations sergeant major for 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA; operations sergeant major for 1st Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division; and command sergeant major for 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, Fort Wainwright, AK.
This article appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Infantry. Read more articles from the professional bulletin of the U.S. Army Infantry at https://www.benning.army.mil/Infantry/Magazine/ or https://www.lineofdeparture.army.mil/Journals/Infantry/.
Social Sharing