How have you enjoyed your assignment as oc/t at NTC? What are the pros and cons of this assignment?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 May 2016 00:25:54 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2016 3:21 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:21:45 -0400

I was a guest OC/T there. I learned that I've got some knowledge to share with younger soldiers. Except for the weather and the isolation, it's a good job.

Response by SSG Michael LeGrand made May 22 at 2016 4:49 AM

SSG Michael LeGrand — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:49:27 -0400

To be honest it depends on what you are expecting when you go down there... I was a combat trainer there in 2010 and I enjoyed it for the most part.... The best part is just sharing knowledge and experiences with soldiers/leaders. Another part is being around other combat trainers and just learning about their units and how they do day to day operations....

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2016 11:15 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 May 2016 11:15:20 -0400

I was a permanent party OC-T. It was a great professional experience. If you go to either Ops Group or Regiment, you'll be going to box and getting a lot of field time. No other units get this amount of training (which is a positive). You will be 2.5 from Las Vegas, 3 hours from San Diego, and 2.5 from LA. You will also know your training schedule up to 2 years in advance. The post is very isolated. You'll more than likely have to live on post because the nearest town is Barstow and its 40 minutes from post. I hope this helps.

Response by SSG Michael Hale made May 22 at 2016 8:44 PM

SSG Michael Hale — Sun, 22 May 2016 20:44:00 -0400

I've been to NTC over 12 times it was great training

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2016 7:48 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 May 2016 07:48:01 -0400

I love it here!! Good for the family and the OC job is fun! It'll either humble you cause you'll realize you didn't know as much as you thought or you'll be impressed with how much you know and be compelled to teach others. Either way it's a hidden gem to stationed here.

Response by SPC(P) Mark Mathews made May 23 at 2016 11:20 AM

SPC(P) Mark Mathews — Mon, 23 May 2016 11:20:53 -0400

Cons:
Far from town
Hot as Hell
2 weeks in field a month

Pros:
OPFOR Connelly Award Chow Hall!!! Best food in the Military!!
2 weeks off
Actual Iraqi/Russian equipment and vehicles on post
Painted Rock (History of Units that rotated through and got their hats handed to them).
The pride in knowing you are the best trained and you are used to train our military.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 1:55 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 01:55:15 -0400

I was stationed with the 11th ACR. If you like the best part of field exercises i.e.. playing OPFOR/ night operations and or coordinating the two, then you will have a blast. However, you will be in the field every month for 11 months. If you are married and live on post it won't be that bad. I was there in 2007 so things might have changed a lot. I just remember when rotating units come in, it was nearly impossible for that first week to go to the chow hall or food court because the rotating units used to be allowed to use our facilities. Also, on the 12th month of the year the 11th ACR went through the training that we would put other units through. Another good point the MAJ Cordero said, you will know what you are doing for the next two years. You will also have block leave schedules twice a year (July/December).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2016 1:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 May 2016 13:57:29 -0400

It's alright. When you aren't out with the units there is plenty of time for school( college and military). All in all good stuff.

Response by SSG Robert Velasco made Jul 16 at 2020 8:13 PM

SSG Robert Velasco — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 20:13:10 -0400

That place is crazy weather, terrain and military personnel. But I wasn't opfor, just rotated through. The dust was everywhere and there was never enough water around. The night bites with cold and the day sears with heat.