Posted on May 22, 2016
SFC Maintenance Supervisor
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LTC Information Operations Deputy Director
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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.
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SFC Maintenance Supervisor
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Major Cordero, does Ops Group and Regiment have oc/t's or just Ops Group?
I have been to NTC twice but during unit rotations, never as guest or permanent OC/T. I am considering a broadening assignment and think this will be a good assignment to not only broaden my knowledge within my CMF but also be able to provide valuable feedback to rotating units. Thanks for your previous response.
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LTC Information Operations Deputy Director
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SFC (Join to see) - Yes both Ops group and Regiment have OC-Ts. In OPS GROUP. You will be closely designated to the team that supports your MOS and pay grade. Unlike JRTC it's not typical that SSG go maneuver teams unless you are promotable, because the NCOs typically OC platoon or higher. However if you are a 13F series it is more than likely to end up on a maneuver team. It's not to say that it's impossible but they look for prior PSG experience. On the other hand Regiment has Pale Horse (OC-T) that OC Blackhorse. They are typically SSG and above. I can only speak from the OPS GROUP side but you get more bordening from OPS GRP due to your exposer to multiple units.
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SFC Maintenance Supervisor
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Awesome info, thanks. Not promotable as of now but I hope i am in a few months. This will be my first look, in secondary zone. I am trying to see what broadening assignment i can do thay keeps me close to my CMF, 91 series (mechanical maintenance). So far oc/t and instructor come to mind. Thanks again for the info Sir....
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SFC S1 Personnel Ncoic
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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.
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SFC S1 Personnel Ncoic
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SFC (Join to see) - Operations Group. I started off as a BDE S-1 Trainer but needed more actual S-1 time for promo competetiveness so after 9 months in the box I moved to the S-1. Been here about 2 years.
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SFC Maintenance Supervisor
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Thx SFC Davis. I am seriously considering a stint as oc/t if there are slots within my CMF. However, I'd like to stay here at Bliss another year. How exactly is it good for the family?
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SFC Tracy Johnson
SFC Tracy Johnson
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I was on the Bronco Team from 2010-2012 as a Bde S-1 OC/T. It was in interesting job and great learning from the various brigade S-1s that came through. I tell people that I was stationed there and always got crazy looks. I always told them that Ft. Irwin wasn't as bad as they thought. Of course most them only saw it as a training unit.
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SFC S1 Personnel Ncoic
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SFC Tracy Johnson - Heeeeey, 28A!! Lol Yea I learned a lot too and do like it here.
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SSG Michael Hale
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I've been to NTC over 12 times it was great training
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How have you enjoyed your assignment as oc/t at NTC? What are the pros and cons of this assignment?
SSG Michael LeGrand
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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....
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SSG Robert Velasco
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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.
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SSG Observer   Controller/Trainer (Oc/T)
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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.
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SFC Chief Public Affairs NCO
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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).
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SFC Maintenance Supervisor
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Thx a lot for the information SFC Roberts. How would you compare the 11th ACR with OPS group?
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SFC Chief Public Affairs NCO
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We (11th ACR & OC/Ts) worked closely together during the actual training events. OPS was the mastermind behind the scenarios we would throw at the units. OC/T would walk around with their magic "your dead laser gun" and other training aids to add some complexity to the situations. They would also have one or two personnel at any given time, with a clipboard, evaluating the unit's reactions to certain situations. Fun part was, that the OC/T/OPS would give the role players objectives and it was mostly up to the 11th ACR/ role players to figure out how to accomplish that mission. We were pretty much left up to our imagination as long as it was realistic.
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SPC(P) Mark Mathews
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Edited >1 y ago
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.
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MSG Human Intelligence Collector
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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.
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SFC Maintenance Supervisor
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Thanks for the response. Were you a SFC when you did it or a SSG? In November I'll complete two years as Motor Sereant and i am seriously considering a tour as OC.
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MSG Human Intelligence Collector
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I was an SFC, but I was only there as a guest OC/T. I think if you're looking for a good broadening assignment it might pay off for you.
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