Battle Focused Training (FM 7-1)

Battle Focused Training, FM 7-1, is the Army's doctrinal foundation for how to train, and it is applicable to all units and organizations of the Army. It explains how the Army assesses, plans, prepares, and executes training and leader development; it is critical to all the Army does. The goal of this manual is to create leaders who know how to think and apply enduring training principles to their units and organizations. FM 7-0 introduces the training cycle, the linkage of Army training and leader development, and the three domains where training occurs-the operational, institutional, and self-development domains. FM 7-1 defines The Army Training System, outlines who is responsible for training and training support, and describes how to conduct training. This top-to-bottom understanding of training-ranging from policy and resources allocation at Headquarters, Department of the Army to unit and organization methods-is critical to executing training successfully and to linking the three domains where training occurs. The training doctrine in this manual will shape Army training regulations and support unit and organization training plans. The emphasis is on teaching leaders to think through the training process, as opposed to simply following a prescribed method. There is no training model or strategy that can achieve warfighting readiness in a unit without intensive leadership to build both competence and confidence. FM 7-1 builds on task, condition, and standards-based training. Knowing the task, assessing the level of proficiency against the standard, and developing a sustaining or improving training plan is the essence of all Army training and development. But warfighting readiness is about more than just technical competence. It is about developing confidence through trust-soldier-to soldier, leader-to-led, and unit-to-unit-and the will to succeed. It is about leadership. Understanding how to conduct tough, realistic training at every echelon of the Army sets the foundation for successful multi echelon, joint, interagency, and coalition operations. Leaders train the unit and organizational capabilities required to fight and win across the full spectrum of operations. This manual provides leaders with the doctrinal guidelines for how to train, and is the basis for successful training and operations. Soldiers have never let the nation fail-it is essential to train soldiers and units to uphold the Army's nonnegotiable contract with the American people-to fight and win the nation's wars, decisively.