ABOUT Directorate of Training and Doctrine, USAFAS
- Origins in Training: The Directorate of Training and Doctrine (DOTD) at the U.S. Army Field Artillery School (USAFAS) was established to standardize and modernize artillery training, doctrine, and tactics for U.S. Army field artillery units.
- Location: DOTD is located at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, which has been the home of the U.S. Army Field Artillery since 1911 and is famously known as the "Home of the Field Artillery."
- Doctrine Development: DOTD is responsible for developing field artillery doctrine, ensuring that tactics, techniques, and procedures are up to date and reflect lessons learned from recent conflicts.
- Integration of Technology: The Directorate played a crucial role in integrating new technologies into field artillery operations, such as digital fire control systems and precision-guided munitions.
- Joint and Coalition Training: DOTD regularly collaborates with allied and partner nations, sharing doctrine and training methods to improve interoperability in multinational operations.
- Influence on Army Publications: Many of the U.S. Army’s Field Artillery manuals and field manuals (FMs) are authored or heavily influenced by DOTD subject matter experts.
- Historical Impact: During the Cold War, DOTD developed tactics for nuclear and conventional artillery, shaping the way U.S. forces would fight in Europe.
- Live Fire Exercises: DOTD oversees the planning and execution of large-scale live fire exercises at Fort Sill, which are considered among the most complex in the U.S. Army.
- Support to Combat Operations: DOTD rapidly updates doctrine and training based on feedback from units deployed to combat zones, ensuring that lessons learned in Afghanistan and Iraq are quickly disseminated across the force.
- Heritage and Traditions: DOTD personnel participate in the preservation of Field Artillery heritage, including ceremonies, historical research, and the maintenance of the Field Artillery Museum at Fort Sill.