Training the Force: 72nd Field Artillery Brigade – On Time, On Target!

Published Jan. 12, 2010

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- At the home of the Ultimate Weapon, Mobilization Training Center Dix, the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade sustains the Army's busiest mobilization platform in the country, hosting more unit detachments than any other First Army MTC.

The 72nd trains an average of 9,000 servicemembers each year in support of ongoing contingency operations. Since Oct. 1, 2001, Team Dix has trained, mobilized and deployed more than 78,000 servicemembers for missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa.

The 72nd is comprised of eight battalions (three active-duty and five reserve) with "boots on ground" at MTC Dix. They work around-the-clock to provide premier multi-component, mission-specific training to mobilized units. The 72nd provides joint-service pre-mobilization support while also conducting full spectrum post-mobilization training operations, serving as First Army East's primary multi-component MTC.

Not only Soldiers, but Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard personnel rely on the 72nd to provide them the training they need to accomplish their mission. Building on each unit's base of knowledge, the 72nd advises and assists, providing current, tailored and mission-focused training to reflect the unit's mission. By incorporating Soldiers who have recently returned from theater, sharing lessons-learned downrange, the 72nd trains the most recent tactics, techniques and procedures, relevant to the unit's mission, ensuring all servicemembers are prepared for the road ahead.

The 72nd is responsible for facilitating mobilized unit commanders' training plans and remaining current in TTPs employed in the respective theater of operations. Aiming for a seamless transition from pre-mobilization training to post-mobilization training, the 72nd works hand-in-hand with mobilized unit leadership from start to finish. Using active mission plans and the Commander's Training Tool as guides, the trainer and trainee together, can reduce post-mob timelines and implement a unit-tailored training plan.

The CTT is a Web-based program developed by First Army to assist units in executing mandatory pre-deployment training during their pre-mobilization period prior to arrival at the MTC. In order to minimize redundancy and maximize efficiency in regards to mobilization training, the CTT provides commanders a common set of tasks, conditions and standards, along with access to training support material, for all required pre-deployment training mandated for follow-on forces deploying in support of operations in Southwest Asia. The CTT identifies the individual, leader, crew and battle staff training tasks that all alerted National Guard and Reserve component units must complete before deployment. In addition, the CTT provides standardized training resources and references to go along with the pre-deployment tasks and provides a method for commanders to document their pre-mobilization training. The Defense Training Management System, linked to the CTT, is a new tool being implemented to track completion of the tasks, along with a host of other Army training requirements. By completing these tasks "left of the line," commanders set the conditions for successful post-mobilization collective training. Streamlining their training schedule here at the MTC maximizes the respective units' "boots on ground" time in theater.

To validate for deployment, all assigned servicemembers must complete all specified training, with respect to their rank and position, as defined by FORSCOM Training Guidance. The goal is to devise a collaborative, single mobilization training timeline tailored to the unit.

Placing responsibility on mobilized unit commanders for their unit's individual skills training allows the 72nd to concentrate on core competency post-mobilization collective training. Core competencies are those tasks that each unit, regardless of their primary military occupation specialty, must be trained and proficient in order to execute full spectrum operations. By first reinforcing individual skill sets, such as basic rifle marksmanship and combat lifesaving, the unit is then ready to execute collective training events. Core competencies are collective tasks including but not limited to convoy operations, base defense operations, casualty medical evacuation and squad reflexive-fire movement. Essentially, core competencies test each unit's ability to communicate effectively and remain flexible - paramount to operating in an asymmetrical warfare.

The convoy operations training lane tests servicemembers' ability to navigate from point 'A' to point 'B' across unfamiliar terrain while reacting to both direct and indirect fire. The units' must utilize their respective battle drills and SOPs in order to successfully pilot the training lane, all the time adapting and updating their TTPs.

Base defense training tests the units' ability to hold a perimeter and respond to different variables at various entry control points. Those variables consist of, but are not limited to, vehicle search TTPs, local nationals attempting access to the base, and responding to a hostile encounter.

Servicemembers apply their individual combat lifesaving skills during casualty medical evacuation training, demonstrating their ability to provide care under fire and prepare the casualty for evacuation by air or ground. Tasks include applying tourniquets, stabilizing fractures, bandaging wounds, and requesting medical evacuation using the standard 9-line message.

The squad reflexive-fire movement training lane tests the servicemembers' ability to shoot, move and communicate as a team. Units must effectively navigate obstacles as a cohesive element under hostile conditions, minimizing casualties and ensuring survivability.

Again, the key to core competency training is to put the units' SOPs and battle drills to the test prior to the real-life situation in theater. Building on individual skills and core competencies, the units must train for their specific mission in theater. The 72nd, at MTC Dix, focuses on joint-sourced training missions, to include situational training exercises specific to police transition teams and information operations components - civil affairs, public affairs and psychological operations.

Training for Police Transition Teams consists of seven days of classroom instruction and practical exercise followed by a four-day Mission Readiness Exercise. Practical exercises include recruiting new police officers for the mock police station, establishing a 30-, 60-, and 90-day training plan for the police station and conducting joint patrols. Emphasis is placed on developing a fully capable police force by creating a solid communication base with the local host-nation police command and designing a training schedule that is formidable and fits the current operation tempo of the particular area of responsibility.

Ensuring each and every servicemember is trained to standard, the MTC observer controller/trainers work side-by-side with unit commanders throughout the pre-deployment cycle. The end result is a combat-ready force that is competent, confident, and disciplined in its skills, knowledge and abilities, ready to execute global contingency operations.

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