Introduction to Artillery TDGs
A Decision Forcing Case subcategory
Our previous topics on The Polemologist have covered the theoretical and political realms. This week, we are unveiling a new section of the site, called Decision Forcing Cases, or DFCs. These may come in the form of Case Studies, Ethical DFCs, or Tactical Decision Games (TDGs). Each one of these have their own unique teaching value. We begin our DFC section with two TDGs focusing specifically on Field Artillery (FA) Tactics.
Artillery training in peacetime has all too often proved inadequate in war, for two reasons: the difficulty of demonstrating or simulating firepower on a realistic scale, and the inclination of gunners to neglect tactical aspects and to concentrate on introverted technical aspect of their profession.
-Major General J. B. A. Bailey, Field Artillery and Firepower (2nd Ed), Chapter Six
This quote is especially gripping to anyone who has spent time in the Field Artillery. There are large online repositories of TDGs, but I have seldom found any that develop the tactical thought of artillerymen specifically. There are TDGs involving artillery units, but they are convoy scenarios, patrolling scenarios, et cetera. We are developing these artillery-centric TDGs in hopes to enable the tactical education of artillerymen around the world.
We begin with the fundamentals of Reconnaissance, Selection, and Occupation of Position (RSOP). This critical skill of an artillery platoon or battery is often overlooked in training, or white-washed by local range regulations. Each TDG includes talking points at the end to help guide discussions and encourage tactical thought.
Artillery TDG #1: RSOP Fundamentals for HIMARS
Artillery TDG #2: RSOP Fundamentals for Towed Artillery
