M1 Armor Crewman TC Commands

This document will establish all TC(Tank Commander) Commands for the driver and gunner positions. It will be explained, thoroughly, in order to prepare the crewman for their individual roles on the Abram’s and what is expected of them to be combat effective. This document will also cover battle drills for the driver and TC/gunner firing procedures.

TC COMMANDS FOR DRIVER

“Driver move forward”. At this time the driver will advance in a steady, but not extreme speed in the forward direction.
“Driver move backwards”. At this time the driver will advance in a steady, but not extreme speed in the backwards direction.
“Driver hard right”. At this time the driver will maneuver the tank to the “right” at a steady, but not extreme speed.
“Driver hard left”. At this time the driver will maneuver the tank to the “left” at a steady, but not extreme speed.
“Driver halt”. At this time the driver will execute a sudden and complete stop.
“Driver quick halt”. At this time the driver will perform a sudden, brief, and momentary stop until ordered to advance. 

TC COMMANDS FOR GUNNER

“Gunner identified either troops, tank, trucks or air”. At this time the gunner will traverse the turret and ask for a bearing (Directional bearing) or map direction (North, South, East, West). Once the gunner has identified the target the TC will continue to scan for more targets. If there are no more targets in site the TC will observe if the gunner has destroyed the target during/after firing. The gunner will then, on their own judgement, engage target/ targets until destroyed (changes shapes, turret pops, or visibly on fire with obvious crew bailout). Before firing the gunner will announce “ON THE WAY!” to let the crew know they are firing the main gun or the gunners coaxial machine gun. After completion of target engagement gunner and/or TC will announce “Target Destroyed”.

BATTLE DRILL

In this section we will establish the drivers battle drill. When engaged or engaging enemy targets the TC will initiate TC/ Gunner firing procedures and commands. During this time the driver will automatically come to a crawl or be given the command to crawl at the TC’s discretion!. A crawl is an advancing maneuver in which the tank is barely moving, but not completely stopped. The TC may give a directional command to go “half left” or “half right”. This gives the gunner adequate time to line up an effective shot on the enemy targets in an advantageous position. “Half Right” means a half right maneuver and the driver maintains a straight forward advancing maneuver after the initial movement. “Half Left” means a half left maneuver and the driver maintains a straight forward advancing maneuver after the initial movement. 

Example 1 

TC: “Gunner identified TANK” 

GUNNER: “Direction?” 

TC: “Bearing 249..Driver half right” 

GUNNER: “Identified TANK ON THE WAY!” 

TC: “Driver quick halt” 

TC and/or GUNNER: “Target Destroyed” 

TC: “Driver half left, half right, then move forward”.
Engagement Complete.