44th ESB visit provides feedback, analysis on the Signal Training Strategy

BAUMHOLDER, RP, GERMANY

01.17.2020

Courtesy Story

44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion

Members of the 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion hosted contractors from the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence, Ft. Gordon, Georgia, and its Collective Training Development Branch, Nov. 20-22, 2019. The visit allowed 44th ESB staff an opportunity to provide on-ground feedback and analysis on the Signal Training Strategy during its culminating field training exercise. The three-day visit featured several digital gunnery table validations, field interviews with Soldiers and roundtable discussions.

One visitor, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Pflieger, was once the command sergeant major for the U.S. Army Signal and Cyber Centers of Excellence. Pflieger, now a contractor with the CCoE Lessons Learned Division, said his previous experience allowed him to visit many units and observe multiple training events.

“What I witnessed during my visit with the 44th ESB was refreshing,” he said. “I saw companies and teams maximizing the training time allotted and the battalion's senior leaders protecting that time to ensure effective training was conducted allowing team leaders to focus on assessment tables and to validate their teams in accordance with the Signal Training Strategy ... a great team effort!”

According to 1st Lt. Jonah Birnberg, 44th ESB signal training strategy coordinator, as U.S. Army Europe’s largest tactical signal unit, the 44th ESB has a uniquely demanding operational tempo. Consequently, 44th ESB Soldiers are required to conduct rigorous, technical training year-round.

“The 44th ESB’s operational environment also makes it particularly well-suited to provide key insights and recommendations for the Signal Corps’ newest doctrine – the Signal Training Strategy,” he said.
As CCoE members re-write the Signal Training Strategy, they look to integrate signal validation tables with the gunnery tables of maneuver counterparts. By doctrinally aligning training with other branches, the Signal Corps hopes to provide stronger communications support to the warfighter, said Birnberg.

The site visit also allowed the 44th ESB team to showcase their Table VI assessments, which certifies their teams’ abilities to provide communications support for large-scale combat operations. Further, the Signal Assessment Tables are the Signal Regiment’s common language and standard framework for training tactical signal crews and sections. The assessments were used to validate more than 30 teams in preparation for DEFENDER-Europe 20. Upon compiling the extensive Table VI data, the unit members seek to conduct further research on how to optimize the signal team.

“This ambitious project has already yielded practical, actionable recommendations for our branch’s doctrine,” said Birnberg. “As we continue to collect data on-the-ground and refine our practices, we hope to further shape the future of the Signal Corps.”

• Date Taken: 01.17.2020
• Date Posted: 01.17.2020 10:12
• Story ID: 359590
• Location: BAUMHOLDER, RP, DE