What are some good lessons learned from NTC?

2017-02-21T14:05:17-05:00

I just returned from a ride along with the 11th ACR at the NTC and Fort Irwin. What are some good lessons learned from your experience at the NTC?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2017 2:08 PM

2017-02-21T14:08:39-05:00

As a Army Reserve Company Commander I went to NTC in 2013 to support a AD BCT. My advice is to include reserve enablers in all aspects of the training event, particularly the LTP. I personally got the most benefit from the LTP, as far as establishing connections with the BCT staff and get an idea from the BCT Commander on what they expected from me and my Soldiers.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2017 2:10 PM

2017-02-21T14:10:50-05:00

I learned during my time there (1997-2000), as part of the OPFOR, that when BLUFOR units would return....more often than not the new Leaders and Commanders would make the same mistakes as their predecessors. It seemed that AAR's were never read or information/experience was never passed on the the replacement Commanders.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2017 2:16 PM

2017-02-21T14:16:04-05:00

I've always managed to some how miss those rotations because either the unit I arrived at just got back or the unit left right after I did. Darn...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2017 2:32 PM

2017-02-21T14:32:32-05:00

What type unit are you in?

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Feb 21 at 2017 6:09 PM

2017-02-21T18:09:19-05:00

Do not reach for the ground.

I broke my foot there jumping into the "box." It was the jump for my Senior Parachutist wings in 2002. I remember that jump every time I exit an aircraft.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2017 6:10 PM

2017-02-21T18:10:10-05:00

my 1st trip was very educating and very specific to my job 38b civil affairs, the bct we operated with understood our mission and integrated it to they're mission, my 2nd was a wtf moment, we were not integrated and spent most of our time sitting in our vics not doing our jobs, 25th id, they were still in the door kicking and ass taking mode, my team had zero support while there, we actually ended up making our own missions with the help of ODA(SF), our grader did little to support us as CA asset, left a really bad taste in my mouth

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2017 6:28 PM

2017-02-21T18:28:37-05:00

I learned how often HMMWV Tires pop and how much caffeine my 1SG takes in on an hourly basis. Good times always at NTC. Also just had my first rotation in the summer there and that sucked. August is a miserable time there.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 21 at 2017 9:33 PM

2017-02-21T21:33:03-05:00

Understand you are in a tank company but something's to consider
- LTC Private RallyPoint Member has some good advice for you.
- ensure your TMDE, especially for your Maintenace team, won't drop out of calibration during NTC. Your unit calibration coordinator can pull your units listing from the TMDE lab and check this. Don't dump it all the week before.
- take special care on your 1750s for containers in case something is lost in transit.
- two gunneries (if they still do them) are important, what used to be the STAMIS gunnery for the sustainment systems and MILES gunnery. If you don't zero your miles you won't hit anything.
- who,ever is doing your LOGSTAT: it is critical that it is right and on time. You will basically need fuel every twelve hours.
- if your unit task organizes and they split up your tank platoons, don't forget that maintainer expertise and spares/parts need to be cross attached too. Same goes for when you recieve bradleys.
- SOPs. Use them. Capture the things that could stand to be SOPs that aren't.
- pre combat checks, pre combat inspections.
- the unit that wins the counter recon fight is the one that usually is successful. I am unsure how the OPFOR is using recon assets in the contemporary DA rotations, but the terrain lends itself to the whole kit bag of recon. The terrain is generally canalized to the passes. There is little to obscure day and night observation and targeting. Dismounted Recon Teams (affectionately referred to as Dirts) are hard to find and they are very effective if resupplied or operating off caches. Popular scout sets are pieces of high ground that cover multiple pieces of key terrain and avenues. They tend to be employed in overlapping sets in case some are compromised. The wadis and goat paths are prime for sneaking wheeled and tracked Recon elements with little visible or audible signature.
- there was a tendency way back when for units to be hyper focused on the breach in the offense. A TTP was to build a very elaborate defense at a random spot just to get a unit to breach...for no apparent reason. Can you easily bypass and not break your momentum?
- recovery is going to be very important. Ensure your crews are prepared for recovery. Turning your equipment at the unit maintenance collection point will be critical.
- Most Hooah thing I ever heard about was a UMCP about to be over run, quickly towed tanks up into a firing position and Got them turret power so they could fight. Might be worth having the conversation with the BMT.
- pay special care and have your leaders validate the transition between force on force and live fire. Nothing is a bigger distractor than validating all the training/sim ammo is turned in and the live is issued and vice versa once live ammo turns up in the wrong spot.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Feb 22 at 2017 12:04 AM

2017-02-22T00:04:05-05:00

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member For some reason, painted rock looks different as if units have painted over other units rocks. Any ways, while I was there at NTC as OPFOR, we would always see units drop their guard especially at night. I can't count the times that we would sneak up and walk right up to their vehicles and write "OPFOR was here" with white chalk. Our scouts found radio guards sleeping on their shifts and unsecure gear and weapons at times. Our OC would pass this information along to the BLUFOR OCs so that the companies will defend their AOs much tighter and learn from simple mistakes that could cost lives in theater.

AARs are just as important. This is where you learn from mistakes to become more proficient at your MOS. Never under estimate the enemy either. When the BLUFOR thought they secured the area on "Move to Contact" mission, along came another MRB that literally overran them from avenues of approach not scanned by gunners or a gap in the defense.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Feb 22 at 2017 4:29 PM

2017-02-22T16:29:11-05:00

Deserts can get really cold at night in January.
Also, sand sticks to the chapstick on your lips.

Response by SPC James Anderson made Feb 23 at 2017 8:34 PM

2017-02-23T20:34:17-05:00

From and enlisted standpoint. Did 3 rotations Jan 1999, Mar 2000, Sept 2001. TOC and position security are a must, OC's have CS canisters and are NOT afraid to use them especially at night. Check Check and recheck that everyone has their gear secured at all times. Guys seem to always under pack. The desert is cold at night. Any bad habit you have double what you think you need and add 10. If you dont smoke or chew take a cartoon or log along for trade. Cigs are gold about day 10. Finally post guards on your vehicles in the turn in motor pool. People will steal the tires off your 5 tons and road wheels from your Bradleys, people will steal anything to get their vehicle turned in and get the hell out of there. Oh ya, the Ravens and coyotes both know MRE's are food and will steal them from where ever you have them stashed. For tactical data you will need to try someone else!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2017 9:43 PM

2017-03-09T21:43:06-05:00

Don't be assigned to 11th ACR. OPS GRP is where it's at. NTC is like a karate class vs a real fight. Pay attention and hopefully you take something good away from it. I hope you learned that you cannot ever control a situation. You just have to react accordingly.