Mrap Analysis

Question: What are the force management training related issues in the rapid fielding of the Mine

Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicle?

The increase in casualties from Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) in Iraq and subsequently

Afghanistan, prompted the Department of Defense (DOD) to replace most of the up-armored

High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) with MRAP vehicles. It was seen as the

right thing to do at the right time and right place without anticipating the training effects. DOD

went from an inventory of zero MRAPs to 15,000 vehicles in less than three years, which meant

that the military had to play a game of catch-up. The normal fielding of a new vehicle can take

up to seven years but MRAP took nine months to field. (1) The rapid fielding of MRAP has led to

numerous issues to include lack of required training, outdated doctrine, and undefined list of

inventory repair parts is what my essay will focus on.

Training using the Doctrine, Training, Material, Leadership, Personnel, and Facilities

(DOTMLPF) analysis model to plan and incorporate training to the force structure. The

DOTMLPF is used to analyze future capabilities of potential technological breakthroughs and

attempt to counter those breakthroughs (2). Training development produces the training

documents, devices, course and techniques to teach organizations and individual how to employ

doctrine and equipment to execute their mission. DOTMLPF is a joint tool that provides

structured, rigorous integrated analysis and solution to capability gaps using capability based

assessment. Thereby enhancing the ability to achieve a desired effect through the combination of

means and ways. (3)

Doctrine is one of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Commands (TRADOC)

functions. It is the Army organization responsible for force generation incorporating accessions,

training and doctrine. The generating force primary purpose is to...