Student Review: Trench Assault Class July 2024: ‘Green Tip’

Trench Assault Class at MVT 2024

Wow, what a great class and experience. I don’t know where to start. Well let’s start at the beginning. I first came to MVT in 2017 and since I have taken Heat 1 2x, Heat 2 3X, CBQ 5x, Force on Force 1x and Squad Tactics 1x. Plus trained at other places. I have a well-rounded resume by this point. The point is I have been around the block and this class was totally unique (nobody teaches this) and great. At the end of each class, we always have an After Action Review. Stuff we liked about class and ways to improve and training. I always say bunkers, well what goes with bunkers that is trenches of course. I have wanted these from a historical perspective as my grandfather was in the Korea in 1952-1953 and by this point each side had dug in and trenches and bunkers were back in style.

Class lasted two days Saturday and Sunday. We arrive for class at 0800 in the parking lot for the normal administrative stuff to ensure everybody was ready for class. We did have a short bit of classroom and off to the trenches. I assumed the trench systems would not be super big and would be simple. Man was I wrong it was huge and you could easily get turned around. We started off like all classes with the crawl, walk and run. We went through alone, pairs, then four and more. Max and First Sergeant explained to us how to move forward in and secure the trenches from the methods used in WW1 to present day Ukraine. First Sergeant dove deep into trench fighting methods through out history. Max followed up with modern trench fighting and how technology has changed trench fighting with an emphasis on drone usage in Ukraine.

Saturday afternoon we started to pick squad leaders for runs against the opposition force in the trench system. Sunday, we had more runs through the trenches with various squad leaders. Each would design a hasty plan to get into the trench and defeat the opposition force. During the planning Max would help the squad leaders if they need a slight nudge in the right direction while planning and briefing the students. During each exercise Max would also give the students a nudge if they needed some quick help. After each run Max and First Sergeant would dissect and critique what went right and wrong and lesson learned. The students would give feedback of why they did what they did during the exercise.

In review the class was lots of fun. I got to learn about trench warfare as it was something I was interested in. It would be brutal to be involved in a real trench fight. It’s dirty and dusty and I can only imagine what water, cold and snow would be like. Then you add artillery, mortars, and drones. You have limited places to move to and cover to take. It was a great experience, and I can’t recommend it enough.

GreenTip

Max Adds: You don’t think you will ever get into a trench warfare fight using grenades? Fair enough. However, this class combines a bunch of useful tactical skills and creates a testing environment where communication, teamwork and leadership are paramount. It is excellent tactical training, never mind the ability to test yourself against the sorts of scenarios that are being seen in the war in Ukraine.