Posted on Sep 6, 2015
How important do you think the Combat Training Centers are?
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The slow down in deployments will limit the chances for brigade sized units to work collectively. CTC's, like the National Training Center, give large maneuver units, like ABCT and SBCT's, the chance to show their stuff. However, it is extremely expensive to train at the CTC's. I would love to hear thoughts on whether we should continue to train BCT's at the CTC's.
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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.
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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.
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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...
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...
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SSG (Join to see)
Off topic, but great quote.
"The goal is not to die for my country, but to allow my enemy the honor of dying for his"
"The goal is not to die for my country, but to allow my enemy the honor of dying for his"
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Yes they are very important. Even more important now that the draw down is kicking in and we're getting back to the basics. Now with the cost I really like the concept of the XCTC. It does need some fine tuning, but overall it is very effective.
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I believe it is a good training opportunity. BUT, many bases these days have the training area's to support such training at home. Significantly reducing costs.
In my opinion, Company and Battalion (inter-company) level training is all that is truly necessary at ground level. BN and BDE HQ Elements have the ability to digitally train via war gaming.
But, that's just my 2 cents having working at each of those levels.
In my opinion, Company and Battalion (inter-company) level training is all that is truly necessary at ground level. BN and BDE HQ Elements have the ability to digitally train via war gaming.
But, that's just my 2 cents having working at each of those levels.
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CSM Carl Cunningham
I understand what you are saying SSG (Join to see) , but I am not so sure that there are that many bases that support BDE level live fire exercises which is the ultimate goal here. Plus we do force on force which cannot be replicated at home station.
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SSG (Join to see)
SGM Cunningham,
While all locations may not, there are instillations in closer proximity to those that do than they are to Fort Irwin or Fort Polk. The cost to transition these units a nearer distance is less, I don't know specifics, I'm not a UMO, but couldn't see how that wouldn't be true.
And as for as opposing forces and force on force, I think the training value of unit on unit would be far more valuable than unit on designated OPFOR.
This allows units to "certify" two units at a time. And provides a realistic training value more in tune with Global Readiness than simply clearing rooms and villages.
While clearing rooms and villages is ultimately a great and necessary training focus, 99% if think hat can be tackled at unit level.
BN on BN is what I truly believe would be the best task. Winning hearts and minds is great, but as a military power we must be capable and competent enough to focus on fighting other major powers.
Training mud huts isn't going to do that.
While all locations may not, there are instillations in closer proximity to those that do than they are to Fort Irwin or Fort Polk. The cost to transition these units a nearer distance is less, I don't know specifics, I'm not a UMO, but couldn't see how that wouldn't be true.
And as for as opposing forces and force on force, I think the training value of unit on unit would be far more valuable than unit on designated OPFOR.
This allows units to "certify" two units at a time. And provides a realistic training value more in tune with Global Readiness than simply clearing rooms and villages.
While clearing rooms and villages is ultimately a great and necessary training focus, 99% if think hat can be tackled at unit level.
BN on BN is what I truly believe would be the best task. Winning hearts and minds is great, but as a military power we must be capable and competent enough to focus on fighting other major powers.
Training mud huts isn't going to do that.
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CSM Carl Cunningham
SSG (Join to see) - I am glad you brought up the clearing rooms and villages piece. That is no longer done at the CTC's. The COIN fight is NOT what we are training on anymore. There is not longer fighting from FOB's because it is not realistically how we are going to fight our next battle. We are learning how to truly sustain ourselves and fighting from TAA's like we used to.
As far as your OPFOR comment, they are here because it is really cheaper to keep a unit here to be the OPFOR. They have zero advantage over the RTU other than the fact they know the terrain well. They do not get the RTU's plan at all. The only thing they know is what kind of BCT it is. The OPFOR is also significantly smaller than the RTU to help even out their advantage of terrain knowledge. With that said, the next country we invade would have that same knowledge of their own terrain so that is realistic in my opinion.
The days of the CTC's "certifying" units for deployment are gone. Units come here trained and we just stress them out. They should not be here to train, that takes away from the leadership doing what they should be doing at homestation.
As far as your OPFOR comment, they are here because it is really cheaper to keep a unit here to be the OPFOR. They have zero advantage over the RTU other than the fact they know the terrain well. They do not get the RTU's plan at all. The only thing they know is what kind of BCT it is. The OPFOR is also significantly smaller than the RTU to help even out their advantage of terrain knowledge. With that said, the next country we invade would have that same knowledge of their own terrain so that is realistic in my opinion.
The days of the CTC's "certifying" units for deployment are gone. Units come here trained and we just stress them out. They should not be here to train, that takes away from the leadership doing what they should be doing at homestation.
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