Why Fundamentals Matter

by BG James E. Rainey

We are an Army at War and we will remain an Army at War for the foreseeable future. It is our job at the United States Army Infantry School (USAIS) to ensure Infantry forces remain ready for today and prepared for tomorrow. The USAIS exists to develop the best Infantry Leaders, Soldiers and Capabilities in the world in order to provide Operational Commanders with Infantry forces capable of closing with and destroying the enemy as part of a combined arms and JIIM team. The timeless fundamentals of “shoot, move, communicate, and survive” that enabled our Soldiers to win in past conflicts are the same fundamentals that will enable us to win in future conflicts.

Our mission is to support the MCoE Commanding General’s priorities and focus areas, provide the fighting force with well trained Soldiers and Leaders and ensure the health and viability of the Infantry Branch and Career Management Field. We have six objectives that we will always work towards to ensure we stay on the right path. These six objectives are:

  1. Build and collaborate with the Maneuver Community
  2. Understand the evolving nature of war and shape the future maneuver force
  3. Develop competent, committed Leaders of character
  4. Conduct realistic, rigorous and properly resourced training
  5. Deliver clear, relevant and current doctrine
  6. Develop and integrate required concepts and capabilities based on the future operational environment(s) and role of the Infantry

We will be decisive in establishing, developing, and preserving the core combat competencies that support Department of Defense maneuver warfare capabilities. We will develop smart agile Soldiers and Leaders who are fast both physically and cognitively. We will instill the importance of being precise and lethal. But most importantly we will develop Soldiers and Leaders who are adaptive and can constantly learn, think through and react to changes no matter the magnitude. This can be accomplished only through close coordination with the operating force. We welcome your input and experience as we work together to field an Army that will prevent conflict, shape security environments, and Win in a Complex World.

One force, one fight! Follow me!

Send us your Feedback