The Combined Training Centers (CTCs) are the premier training facilities in the world. The National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin is the best combined arms crucible short of armed combat. The Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk provides a complex environment for IBCTs and SFABs. And the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) at Hohenfels, Germany is the only CTC outside the United States. A CTC rotation provides countless lessons learned. But why wait for your unit to go through a CTC to benefit from these lessons?

This page is the direct source of CTC lessons learned straight from the Observe Coach/Trainers and Rotational Units. We will regularly consolidate and publish documents like the NTC Update and other lessons from the front right here on this page. Subscribe now to have all new posts delivered directly to you inbox.

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The National Training Center 

• NTC Update (NOV 2019), by NTC Ops Group
  • Scout PLT & Cavalry TRP, by NTC Cobra Team
  • Armor CO/TM, by NTC Panther Team
  • Mechanized Infantry CO/TM, by NTC Tarantula Team
  • Field Artillery BTY, by NTC Wolf Team
  • Attack Helicopter CO, by NTC Eagle Team
  • Military Intelligence Company, by NTC Sidewinder
  • Engineer Company, by NTC Sidewinder
  • Signal Company & C2, by NTC Lizard
  • BSB Distro CO, by NTC Goldminer Team
  • Transportation Composite Truck CO, by NTC Wagoneer Team
  • Brigade Medical CO, by NTC Goldminer
  • Forward Support CO, by NTC Goldminer
  • BSB HHC, by NTC Goldminer
  • BSB Maintenance CO, by NTC Goldminer Team
• Feats of a BSA Defense, by Maj. Dan Cole
• The First Element: Leadership & Combat Power, by Lt. Col. Jeff Barta & Capt. Patrick O’Keefe
• Building Your Brigade Training Staff, by NTC Ops Group
• Assuming Risk to Save Lives, by Capt. Patrick Smith
• The NCO Task Crosswalk Guide, by NTC Ops Group
• Improving Company Performance in the CAB, by Maj. Lawrence Csaszar
• Offensive Operations for the FA BN and Below, by NTC Ops Group, Wolf Team
• Winning the Maintenance Fight at Pace, by Col. Michael Simmering (Outlaw 01)
• Battalion S1’s Guide to Success at the NTC, by Maj. David Leverett
• NTC Update (MAR 2020), by NTC Ops Group
  • Cavalry Defensive Operations Against a Near-Peer Threat, by NTC Cobra Team
  • Armor and Infantry in the Defense Against a Near-Peer Threat, by NTC Scorpion Team
  • Battalion Engagement Area Development Teach, by NTC Tarantula Team
  • Defensive Operations for the Field Artillery Battalion, by NTC Wolf Team
  • Lift Aviation in the Defense and Counterattack, by NTC Eagle Team
  • Engineer Success in the Defense, by NTC Sidewinder Team
• Maintaining at Pace, by Col. Michael Simmering (Outlaw 01)
  • Cavalry Squadron Maintenance, by NTC Cobra Team
  • Combined Arms Battalion Maintenance, by NTC Ops Group
  • Sustaining Army Aviation Combat Power, by NTC Eagle Team
  • Field Artillery Battalion and Below Maintenance, by NTC Wolf Team
  • Maintenance in the Brigade Engineer Battalion, by NTC Sidewinder Team
  • Brigade Maintenance at Pace; by NTC Goldminer Team
• A Practical Approach to RETRANS Certification, by Capt. Alex Bridgeforth
• Splitting the Battalion Aid Station, by Capt. Dana Messer
• Leader Development in Contact – NTC Update
  • Battlefield Leadership – From the Fort to the Front; by Col. Michael Simmering, Outlaw 01
  • Moments that Matter: Leading in Crucial Moments at the National Training Center; by Lt. Col. (Promotable) Andrew Steadman, Bronco 07
  • The Importance of Relationships and Their Effects on the Battlefield;  by Lt. Col. Jonathon M. Genge, Cobra 07
  • Battlefield Leadership Starts Before the Battle; by Lt. Col. Neil J. Myres, Tarantula 07
  • Commander’s Decisions; by Lt. Col. Jeff Barta, Scorpion 07
  • Indirect Influence:  Considerations for Organizational Leadership; by Lt. Col. Justin D. Harper, Panther 07
  • Leadership of the Brigade Combat Team Joint Fires Enterprise; by Col. Thomas Caldwell, Wolf 07
  • From Where does the Aviation Task Force Commander Fight?; by Lt. Col. Timothy Jaeger, Eagle 07
  • The TACP – A Lesson in Incorporating Enablers;  by MSgt. Aaron Cass, USAF, Raven 40
  • Making Your C2 Enterprise Facilitate Your Leadership; by Lt. Col. Rett Burroughs, Lizard 30
  • The Intelligence War-fighting Function – Battlefield Leadership of a Team of Teams; by Lt. Col. Brendon Devers, Lizard 09
  • A Training Relationship:  How Sustainment Leaders and Units are Developed; by Lt. Col. Fenicia Jackson, Goldminer 07

Follow the NTC YouTube Channel HERE and the Ops Group Channel HERE.

The Joint Readiness Training Center

• The Science of Control, by JRTC Ops Group & Major David Chichester
• Introducing “Defense of the Cajun Bayou”, by JRTC Ops Group
  • The PDF Document
• A Peak Behind the Curtains, by JRTC Ops Group’s Mary Thompson-Jones & Kathleen Kerr
• Bringing the Crucible to your Couch, by Col. David Gardner

Check Out These Resources from JRTC!

The Joint Multinational Readiness Center

• JMRC MASCAL Lessons Learned in LSCO, by Sgts. 1st Class Edwards & Najera
• Common Trends in Brigade Medical Operations from JMRC, by Capt. Chris Moe
• The Skolkan OPFOR Empire, by Staff Sgt. Kyle Smith
• Who Should Serve as TF Engineer in an IBCT, by Capt. Scott Rayburn
• Creating a Better Training Culture, by Sgt. 1st Class Godina & Capt. Gummert
• Ambulance Exchange Point Ops in LSCO; by Sgts. 1st Class Alexander Voyce & Brian Worster

Lessons from Rotational Units

• Attacking Razish – Part I; by Lt. Col. Jimmy Howell
• Attacking Razish – Part II; by Lt. Col. Jimmy Howell

Other Resources

• Tactical Decision Games
• Operationalizing the Battle Staff, by The Desert Tortoise

• • Part I–Train Like You Fight
  • Part II–Processes & Procedures
  • Part III–Getting your Battle Staff Reps in Garrison
  • Part IV–Prepare for Friction