From battlefront to battle lab Published Feb. 24, 2012 By Army Spec. Michael J. Davis 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Piercing winds and icy roads did not stop scores of Soldiers, Airmen, families and friends from filling a large training bay at the New Jersey Army National Guard Joint Training and Training Development Center, Feb. 12 for the change of command ceremony, here. Colonel Dennis W. Devery officially relinquished command of the high-tech combat training center, also known as the battle lab, to Col. Robert J. Jarvis. Devery, a 30-year veteran, said it was a privilege to lead a unit of excellence. "They are an exceptional unit that does an exceptional job," said Devery, who commanded the unit for more than a year. Devery said his Soldiers excelled in their primary duties as trainers, but also distinguished themselves in their contributions to recent New Jersey Guard's mobilizations in response to multiple state emergencies last year including Hurricane Irene and the devastating snowstorms last winter. "Colonel Devery did an excellent job," said Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff, acting Adjutant General of the New Jersey National Guard. "He left the place in a better condition than he found it, what more could you ask for?" Jarvis and Devery both began their military careers as enlisted infantrymen. Devery became an Army Aviator after receiving his commission, but Jarvis opted to remain with the infantry after becoming an officer. Jarvis, a traditional drilling guardsman, said it is a privilege to be selected to lead one of the New Jersey National Guard's major subordinate commands. "Colonel Jarvis is an excellent example of a National Guard Soldier the ability to balance a civilian career, family and the guard life," Cunniff said. "He is well prepared for the position." The JT2DC is a state-of-the-art facility to train warfighters from all branches of the armed services using computer simulators to generate real-world combat scenarios. More than 15,000 troops were trained at the battle lab last year.