How important do you think the Combat Training Centers are?

CSM Carl Cunningham I think it should continue and be part of a BCT's trianing cycle and validation whether we are deploying BCTs anymore or not. We must always remain ready and this should be part of the training budget. We can slow down the training cycle or stretch it out, because of the slow down in OTEMPO! Isay it needs to stay and the same thing for the STB's, ESCs, and TSCs in the Logistics arena. They need training at that level where commanders are managing battalions and brigades in support of the War Fighter. Just my opinion and I know it cost dollars, but let's just not fold up and sti around waiting for the next war. Let's be prepared and take advantage of the War Fighter's combat experience and those who bring that experience to newly assigned soldiers coming off AIT.

SGM Carl Cunningham I feel it is important to keep the CTC's open so units can see who their best Field/Combat troops are. As you can see from the attached photos I have a Parchment from CSM Blackwood that I received at Ft Polk in 2002 after my Officers and NCO's were captured or killed & I became Senior as a Specialist who hadn't been on Active Duty in 12 years. I took the remaining soldiers I had left and captured or killed the OPFOR who had taken out the leadership & was able to get ENDEX for the exercise. My Command & I were able to use this experience in Iraq in 2003 during the war phase of the conflict when deciding on who went on which missions as well as who was in charge of the different teams. I was promoted to Sergeant in Mosul in 2003 thanks in part to my training at CTC prior as well as my performance in theater.

Training should continue, as we never know when (not if, but when) the next conflict will begin, and this will keep us from having to scramble at the last minute trying to get experienced/refreshed BDE level troops down range in one shot... Space the rotations out a bit more to save funds since they wouldn't be driven by deployment rotations, but continue the training...
My personal opinion: I don't mind dying for my country, but to die for my country because my country failed to adequately train me, well, that really freakin sucks... Just saying...

I weigh in on this as I got the opportunity to attend the NTC as an evaluator on a few occasions and have seen it up close and personal... Quite impressive...