2
2
0
A single (horizontal engineer) platoon, supporting an armored brigade's rotation. Any words of wisdom to help ensure I can support my guys and limit the amount they'll get jerked around by a maneuver unit we have never worked with before? Thank you in advance for any input.
Platoon
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 6
3
3
0
Know your rates of work and what your capabilities are. Understand that you will be able to accomplish much, but if your Soldiers know you are looking out for their welfare while factoring the ever-important accomplishment of the mission, you'll get an extra boost. Make your cheat sheet, or "menu" and have your PSG and Squad Leaders/Section Leaders validate before you go. That way, you can clearly explain what is and is not on the menu depending upon your customer unit's appetite. It'll be a pinch, but you'll get through and your team will appreciate your efforts. Get ready for some long days! Oh, and good luck.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
Sir,
I work at NTC and honestly the most I can say is best of luck, and listen to your OC's they will assist. We have a lot of platoons that get attached to units they have never worked with before, and everything goes to your training, pay attention during your STX lanes.
(3)
(0)
Also, here is the RP unit page for all the units and personnel assigned to NTC right now as Cadre. There are a ton of them, including several of your LT peers who are assigned to NTC units. I would invite them to connect via RP, and then message them to get some tips. I was a LT when I went through NTC, and the LT Mafia is alive and well...and useful! :)
Join members of National Training Center (NTC) on RallyPoint. Subordinate unit of US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), and adjacent unit to I Corps (I Corps), III Corps (III Corps), XVIII Airborne Corps ...
(2)
(0)
SFC Mark Merino
I fought the old school fight there from 1992-1995. We even lost one of our brothers there in a horrible roll over in the middle of a battle. RIP SSG Fitzpatrick "Fitz".
(1)
(0)
I would expect some really long days, as this is often deliberately planned into your schedule while at NTC. I would also expect some sudden FRAGOs, changes to the enemy situation, etc. as you may have guessed, since your OCs should want to test your unit's agility and ability. A lot of it is just expectation management -- you'll have slower days there, and you'll have really long days that smoke you and your Soldiers pretty bad. But it's all good training. Just try to learn as much as possible and be a sponge, and ask for help and guidance when you need it. Good luck!
(2)
(0)
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
Ft Irwin sponsored long days and minimal nights before NTC was established.
I will never forget rolling by that brightly illuminated Goldstone Tracking Station while we were under blackout convoy conditions for OSD Test I & 2 in 1972 and 73.
I remember Colonel Blaney saying our Mech Bn and attached Tank Co stretched out for 8 miles on those marches. CPT Aaron Kletzing
I will never forget rolling by that brightly illuminated Goldstone Tracking Station while we were under blackout convoy conditions for OSD Test I & 2 in 1972 and 73.
I remember Colonel Blaney saying our Mech Bn and attached Tank Co stretched out for 8 miles on those marches. CPT Aaron Kletzing
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
CPT (Join to see)
It went very well considering the limited timeline my platoon was given to prepare for the rotation (we were notified roughly 2 months before RSOI was set to begin). We all learned a great deal as we suffered through dust storms and dealt with the enemy (OPFOR and OCs, haha).
While there we set an NTC record for the most amount of anti-tank ditch dug in a 24 hour period: a total of 4.1km with 2.8km being a continuous ditch spanning between two ridges (picture attached). From a buddy of mine that is an OC for a rotation now, they are STILL talking about the platoon that built the impossible tank ditch.
Thanks for asking, SFC Mark Merino !
While there we set an NTC record for the most amount of anti-tank ditch dug in a 24 hour period: a total of 4.1km with 2.8km being a continuous ditch spanning between two ridges (picture attached). From a buddy of mine that is an OC for a rotation now, they are STILL talking about the platoon that built the impossible tank ditch.
Thanks for asking, SFC Mark Merino !
(2)
(0)
SFC Mark Merino
As a member of the OPFOR bad dudes club, I can attest that there is no greater combat multiplier than the Engineer Corps. Sappers SUCKED for us! Well done!
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google