{"id":34417,"date":"2019-08-12T15:04:13","date_gmt":"2019-08-12T15:04:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/08\/12\/four-takeaways-from-the-new-tradoc-commander\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T02:05:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T02:05:19","slug":"four-takeaways-from-the-new-tradoc-commander","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2019\/08\/12\/four-takeaways-from-the-new-tradoc-commander\/","title":{"rendered":"Four takeaways from the new TRADOC commander"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FORT MONROE, Va. \u2015 The new general in charge of Army Training and Doctrine Command<\/a> has been in the seat for a little more than a month, but he spoke with Army Times to give an early view of his coming tenure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gen. Paul E. Funk II took command of TRADOC on June 21 and is currently in an \u201cassessment phase” to see where his predecessor, Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, left off and what needs to be done to turn the Army\u2019s multi-domain operations<\/a> concept into doctrine, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe got to turn it into doctrine. We got to start changing our organizations. We got to get some of the equipment fielded in order to do those things,” Funk said. \u201cOur job is to bring that to life, to apply it across the force in the training base and then provide them to [Army Forces Command].”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The service released its latest MDO concept<\/a> in December, and there are plans for a version 2.0 to be released after a series of war games and joint exercises this year. The evolving doctrine is intended to flesh out how the Army, as part of a joint force with the other services, will compete against great power rivals like Russia and China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the MDO push to work, the Army says it needs to acquire the right equipment, including kit for combat troops, next-generation vehicles and long-range, precision fires, as well as implementing the training and doctrinal changes to match that new technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not getting ahead of technology<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Army established Futures Command in Austin, Texas, last year in order to consolidate and speed up the acquisition process. But even with the new four-star command, it takes time to bring equipment to troops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One part of TRADOC\u2019s responsibility is to \u201cnot get too far ahead\u201d of modernization, according to Funk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can change much faster, because I\u2019m changing words and ideas and driving it down in through the schools, into the centers, into the basic training formations,\u201d Funk said. \u201cThat\u2019s much easier to do than bend metal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Funk\u2019s goal is to keep doctrinal changes in sync with technology development, but some modernization priorities are already on the horizon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, Funk\u2019s predecessor, Townsend, expressed concern in March 2018<\/a> that soldiers at the squad and platoon level no longer over-match their opponents in combat. To get that edge back, soldiers need updates to rifles, night vision and protective equipment, Townsend said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what the mobile protected firepower<\/a> piece is all about. We\u2019re bringing out the new rifle<\/a>. We brought out the new pistol<\/a>. We\u2019re really pushing on that piece,\u201d Funk said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Project Manager Soldier Sensors and Laser demonstrates the capabilities the Family of Weapon Sights-Individual (FWS-I)\/Enhanced Night Vision Goggle (ENVG-III) Rapid Target Acquisition (RTA) technology, which will provide Soldiers a capability they have never had on the modern battlefield. Master Sgt. Lashon Wilson, holds an M-4 with the FWS-I mounted, during the demonstration. (Alan Lessig\/Staff)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the Army\u2019s latest iteration of night vision<\/a>, which adds binocular vision, shifts green glow to white and lets soldiers see their weapon sight in their device<\/a>, will be deployed with an armored brigade combat team<\/a> this fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As that gear is fielded, TRADOC managers will ensure doctrine, organizations and leader development updates to keep pace for the soldiers who train under their schools, Funk said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acquiring the right people<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those schools overseen by TRADOC are right now pumping out the soldiers who will lead the Army on the next battleground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not even the type of soldier I am going to need, it\u2019s the type of leader I\u2019m going to need. The kids who are going to lead America\u2019s next battle are probably coming into our schools, our basic training, officer schools, now,” Funk said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo what we\u2019re trying to project is what capabilities they\u2019re going to need and how we\u2019re going to develop them as leaders,\u201d he added. “How are we changing the way they do fitness, how are we acquiring the right pieces of kit to make sure they can be successful and win in the next war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t