Behind the curtains. We are Soldiers, trained by Soldiers. Every single Soldier is taught by another who went before them. It is an honor for us to serve. It is also an honor to mentor those who serve. The world and warfare has evolved. Information is weaponized. Maneuvering the battlefield becomes more complicated everyday and the demands for civil-military operators and information capabilities increase. To prepare for the challenge, we rely on previous real-world experience as well as challenging simulated environments, such as the National Training Center. Designed to portray near-peer threats that include conventional forces, insurgents, criminal activity, humanitarian crisis and civilians on the battlefield. Designed for Soldiers to win, to fail, to learn, to grow, and to focus. Designed to build cohesive teams and develop talented leaders. Designed to strengthen U.S. forces. U.S. Army trainers responsible for overseeing information related capabilities including Information Operations, Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations and other capabilities are consolidated under the “Ghost Team” at NTC. If you are interested in becoming an Observer, Coach / Trainer for Ghost Team email ntc.ghostteam@gmail.com

U.S. Reserve Soldiers from the 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion, Bravo Company took part in a community relations training exercise in Cooperstown, New York. The training involved actors from Cooperstown who played the roles of mayors, religious leaders, or civilians from fictitious nations dealing with ethnic and religious disagreements in order to create as close to a real environment as these Reserve Soldiers may experience in a deployed environment.

U.S. Army Maj. Richard Schultz, chaplain for the 308th Civil Affairs Brigade, speaks about the efforts he and his team took to collect donations from the Green Bay, Wisconsin, area and transport them to the Team Rubicon warehouse at the National Guard Armory in Sparta, Wisconsin, to then be sorted and brought to Fort McCoy, Sept. 14, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Rhianna Ballenger, 55th Signal Company)

Community relations can be a valuable asset, which is why U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion, located near Syracuse, New York, are speaking with police, fire department, and department of public works in Sackets Harbor, New York. The plan is to develop a working relationship to protect and serve their community.

Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Lombardo, U.S. Army Reserve Command, speaks about the changes and implementation of the new ACFT 2.0. The U.S. Army challenges all Soldiers to pass the ACFT at the gold standard. The ACFT will strengthen our fitness culture, reduce injuries, and increase Army readiness. COVID19 has had an enormous impact on our nation and on our Soldiers. Leadership has assessed the situation and adjusted our implementation of the ACFT across the force. As a result of that assessment, we now introduce ACFT “2.0,” which will physically prepare us all for combat. ACFT 2.0 is the Army’s continuous effort to assess and evolve the ACFT by reviewing its scoring standards and alternate events. Performance data will continue to inform modifications and updates over the next few years. The Army Reserve will remain open and transparent in our scoring standards. When changes are implemented, we will provide appropriate training guidance in our doctrine. For now, no adverse administrative actions will be taken against a Soldier for failing the ACFT. This guidance is in place at least through 31 March 2022.