Category Archives: Guest Post

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NTC Update (NOV 19)

Military Intelligence Company Observations & Best Practices

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The BCT’s military intelligence company provides a diverse set of capabilities to a Brigade Combat Team. Whether facilitating the execution of HUMINT operations in a local urban area, SIGINT operations by attaching small teams forward with reconnaissance elements, or information collection activities with UAV assets, every MICO should allow the Commander to better understand the tactical situation. Yet, to employ this formation effectively, it should be intimately comfortable operating in small teams, dispersed throughout the organization, trained to provide capability when and where it is needed to facilitate intelligence operations. Too often, Commanders relegate the training of these small teams to a series of command post exercises without critically thinking through how to best employ these crucial Soldiers on a modern battlefield. 

A U.S. Army paratrooper assigned to 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, throws a small unmanned aircraft system Raven into flight prior to expected enemy contact in Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, during Saber Junction 19, Sept. 22, 2019. Forward observers who double as unmanned aircraft system operators can utilize equipment like the Raven to observe enemy targets from a safer distance and different perspective. S (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Lucas)
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NTC Update (NOV 19)

Engineer Company Observations & Best Practices

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Engineer Companies represent some of the most diverse, in demand, formations in a Brigade Combat Team in a DATE scenario. Capable of providing mobility, counter-mobility, or survivability assets these formations uniquely shape a BCTs ability to maneuver against a determined enemy. Effectively integrating these highly specialized units into the scheme of maneuver requires sound SOPs, thoughtful consideration during planning, meticulous tracking during preparation, and integrated support from other maneuver units in the midst of execution. Whether you are a Company or BCT Commander, understanding how to properly integrate engineer support into your operations is paramount to success. 

A Soldier breaches a steel door with an exothermic cutting torch during training in the Republic of Korea. The torch is just one of many tools engineers use to breach obstacles.The Soldier is with 3rd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Scott Kuhn)
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NTC Update (NOV 19)

Signal Company & C2 Observations & Best Practices

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The criticality of command and control as a warfighting function cannot be overstated. Without the ability to communicate, units cannot conduct synchronized operations. Without proper systems that enable control, synchronization of activities across the formation becomes nearly impossible. Yet, formations habitually dedicate less time to training how to effectively communicate at echelon than many other tasks. The lack of training and associated routine operator level maintenance results in improperly maintained or non-mission capable equipment, automatically degrading the combat power of the larger combined arms team. Remember, if you can’t talk, you can’t fight. 

Paratroopers assigned to 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, advance into the woodline while participating in the unit’s Spur Ride in Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Nov. 20, 2019. The Spur Ride is the only means of joining the Order of the Spur, aside from a wartime induction. The conduct of Spur Ride varies but it is generally an event held over multiple days during which a trooper must pass a series of physical and mental tests relevant to the Cavalry. (U.S. Army photo by Henry Villarama)
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NTC Update (NOV 19)

BSB Disto Company Observations & Best Practices

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The role of the BSB distribution company is to plan, direct, and supervise supply distribution to the brigade. It conducts daily receipt, storage, and issue of supply classes I, II, III, IV, V and IX and transports cargo for the brigade. This unit is employed in the brigade support area and operates throughout the supported brigade area. 

An M2A3 Bradley assigned to 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, prepares to move during Decisive Action Rotation 20-01 at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, Oct. 09, 2019. Decisive Action Rotations at the National Training Center ensure Army Brigade Combat Teams remain versatile, responsive, and consistently available for current and future contingencies. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Angel Sanchez, Operations Group, National Training Center.)
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NTC Update (NOV 19)

Transportation Company Observations & Best Practices

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According to ATP 4-11 (Motor Transportation Operations), one Transportation Composite Truck Company (Heavy) is designated per Division with an Armored Brigade Combat Team (BCT). The CTC is assigned to the Sustainment Brigade in support of Division operations usually attached to a Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB) (Sustainment Handbook, 2019). The CTC Mission is to perform Transportation and convoy security support to Sustainment Brigade operations for a Heavy Division. They provide transportation assets for the movement and distribution of dry and refrigerated containerized cargo, general non-containerized cargo, ammunition, bottled water, bulk water (when equipped with tank racks / hippos), heavy equipment, tanks and oversized loads as well as perform unit moves, transport personnel, and provides escort services for contracted trucks. 

(U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Brooke Davis, Operations Group, National Training Center)
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NTC Update (NOV 19)

Brigade Medical Company Observations & Best Practices

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The Brigade Role 2 MTF has the capability to provide packed red blood cells (liquid), limited x-ray, clinical laboratory, operational dental support, combat and operational stress control, preventive medicine, and when augmented, physical therapy and optometry services. The Role 2 MTF provides a greater capability to resuscitate trauma patients than is available at Role 1. Those patients who can return to duty within 72 hours are held for treatment as long as the Role 2 remains in place and/or has the lift capacity to move patients during a displacement. The Role 2 is also responsible for evacuation of patients from each battalion’s Role 1 (ATP 4-02.55). 

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Taylor McGinnis)
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NTC Update (NOV 19)

Forward Support Company Observations & Best Practices

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The Forward Support Companies (FSC) provide direct logistic support to each maneuver battalion in a Brigade Combat Team (BCT). The FSC Commander is responsible for assisting the battalion S4 and, executing logistics support according to both the BSB and supported maneuver commander’s guidance, and serving as the link between organizations (FM 3-96, 9-7). To accomplish these tasks, the FSC echelons assets across the battlefield throughout the company trains, combat trains, and field trains. Synchronizing these elements requires unfettered communication between the key nodes at each echelon including the supported battalion Tactical Operations Center (TOC), Combat Trains Command Post (CTCP), and Field Trains Command Post (FTCP). Manning and equipping the CTCP and FTCP is an implied task for the FSC but, it should be well defined. A symptom of BCTs tendency to perform collective training at the battalion level and of FSC culture which prides itself on not requiring support from the BSB is that Forward Support Companies struggle to provide adequate support during large scale combat operations (LSCO). 

Crew members and mechanics from Golf Forward Support Company, 101st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, reinstall an engine during National Training Center Rotation 16-08 in August 2016. (Photo Credit: Capt. Jonathan Camire)
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NTC Update (NOV 19)

BSB HQ (Field Feeding & Mortuary Affairs) Observations & Best Practices

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This paper outlines observations and describes best practices of Brigade Support Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Company’s Field Feeding Section and Mortuary Affairs (MA) Soldiers while deployed during large-scale combat operations (LSCO). Successful field feeding teams deploy prepared and proficient in several key areas, which include but are not limited to utilization of the commodity shops, synchronization with BN staff, and maintenance management. The Field Feeding Section provides field-feeding support with the use of all available equipment and personnel within the specified time constraints in the mission OPORD and in accordance with (IAW) the approved Army standards identified in commanders guidance, applicable internal and external TASOP, and approved Army regulation. 

The field feeding team from 1-89 Cavalry won the corps-level competition last year and placed second in the U.S. Army Forces Command-level competition. (Photo Credit: Courtesy photo)
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NTC Update (NOV 19)

BSB Maintenance Company Observations & Best Practices

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This paper outlines observations and describes best practices of Field Maintenance Company (FMCs) while deployed as rotational training units (RTUs) to the National Training Center (NTC) during FY19. Identifying lessons learned and best practices allows FMC commanders and Leaders to better assess, plan, and prepare units for Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO). Successful FMCs come to the NTC prepared and proficient in several key areas, which include but not limited to utilization of the commodity shops, synchronization with BN staff, and battalion maintenance meeting. The Army’s two-level maintenance system (field and sustainment levels) generates and regenerates combat power, which is critical for fight and win during LSCO. The Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) can maximize its FMCs potentials to enhance the Forward Support Company (FSC) capabilities to sustain supported unit’s combat operations. 

Although the number of Army accidental fatalities has steadily declined over the past several years, Soldiers are still injuring themselves in preventable accidents. Courtesy photo. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo)
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JMRC MASCAL Lessons Learned for LSCO

Exercise Saber Strike 2018

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During one of the annual Saber Strike rotations at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC), a medic team brought a soldier onto a trauma table in the Role 2 with his casualty card attached. The doctor took a look at the injuries listed on the card, examined the interventions in place, and studied the line of Soldiers waiting for treatment. Satisfied, the doctor shouted, “We can’t save him, send me someone else!”

A simulated casualty is prepared for evacuation during Saber Strike in Bemowo Piskie, Poland (photo by SPC Robert Douglass)