Fratricide and a Correlation to ABCS Training Levels

: This monograph explores the correlation between incidents of Fratricide and levels of training on the Army Battle Command System (ABCS) individual systems. It begins with an examination of the elements of Battle Command as both an art and a science. This monograph then describes the individual systems that make up the ABCS suite. The development and introduction of these systems is also covered. A careful examination of the training requirements for the ABCS suite is discussed next, as that is central to the argument of the monograph. Following this is a definition of fratricide and the factors surrounding these incidents. This monograph does not delve into a discussion of prevention, but rather identification of the relation of the incidents to the training levels of individual operators and leaders of the systems. Finally, this monograph offers several recommendations to improve the training levels and tracking requirements for training in an effort to reduce the likelihood of incidents of fratricide.