August 21, 2016 –
For Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX) 86-16-03 held from Aug. 6 – 26 at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, training coordination is a key component for observers, coaches/trainers.
Three units are the driving force behind providing these facilitators and developing the training. The 84th Training Command, the executing agent of six exercises per year including three CSTX, partnered with the 75th Training Command and First Army to design a system that ensures each exercise provides the best training platform possible.
The 181st Infantry Brigade, First Army, provides trainers for companies and detachments, the 75th Training Command trainers cover battalions and higher, while the 86th Training Division, a subordinate unit of the 84th Training Command, coordinates oppositional forces, provides support where needed and directs the exercise. An exercise with so many units conducting training involves a lot of coordination. For the trainers, this is accomplished through unit liaisons that assist in passing information to all the different levels.
“We work together, but not truly side-by-side,” said Capt. Daniel Burch, engineer OC/T, 1st Battalion, 310th Infantry Regiment, 181st Infantry Brigade, First Army. “We have to have that communication, otherwise it doesn’t work. The liaison is the best way to do that for us.”
The OC/Ts may communicate with various command structures through a liaison, but their interaction with the unit they work directly with begins early. The OC/Ts attend each planning workshop and are in constant contact with the unit they are assigned to. Most of the OC/Ts at this CSTX began coordinating with their units back in January.
“You better be in contact with them because they have a lot of products they have to build and you have to do their mission command seminar and you’ve got to be prepared,” said Lt. Col. Jim Allen, chief OC/T for 535th Military Police Battalion, 75th Training Division. “You have to have a thought on how they’re doing leading up to the exercise. You have to prepare them for all the things leading up to the exercise so they can be successful.”
The planning conferences are also when the unit’s commander identifies what they want the unit to train on. The training objectives are used to develop a training plan, which are given to the OC/Ts so they can start their coordination.
“We get all that information passed to us so we understand what they want to be trained on and what their focuses are,” said Burch. “Then when we come out and observe the training, we have laid out step-by-step how every task is supposed to be performed, and we use that to identify areas they need improvement on.”
The OC/Ts of First Army are currently part of a new strategy which began this year. It’s an initiative designed to improve premobilization readiness by establishing partnerships within the Army Reserve and National Guard through assistance visits at armories and local training areas, providing OC/T support during extended combat training events, assisting with training plans and key collective training exercises, and providing training support during battle assemblies and home station training events.
“Now, with the First Army partnership with Reserve units, this company I’m working with is now an enduring partner with me,” said Burch.
Reserve OC/T units also recognize the importance of building relationships with the units that they train.
“Our unit is moving to where we’ll actually be imbedded. We’re a Reserve unit out of Massachusetts and I’m part of the military police team,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael DeBisz, oppositional forces OC/T, 86th Training Division. “We’re going to start getting with the local military police units so we can imbed with them and figure out where they’re at before they come to exercises like this.”
Preparing units before and after extended combat training such as CSTX is important as it is usually only available to Soldiers prior to them deploying.
“Unfortunately, it’s a rare opportunity,” said Allen. “But, it allows them to be a lot more viable if called upon.”
While the OC/Ts are responsible for ensuring quality training, the participating units are not the only ones who walk away with lessons learned.
“I’ve actually been able to learn a lot and take away some stuff I might actually use down the road when I’m not an OC/T anymore, when I go and become a platoon sergeant down the road,” said DeBisz. “It’s actually a really good learning experience. A lot of people should do it because you can really figure out what the engineers are doing, the MPs are doing, the chemical guys. I’ve dealt with so many different units. It’s quite the education. It’s very rewarding.”
CSTX 86-16-03 is the final Combat Support Training Program exercise of the year, but next year the OC/Ts will be back at it, observing and training another group of units.