FORT BENNING, Ga., (Oct. 30, 2013) -- Fort Benning is one step closer in its march toward reorganization with the creation of a Provost Battalion.
3rd Battalion, 81st Armor Regiment, was realigned under the 199th Infantry Brigade Oct. 2 to provide centralized administrative support for MCoE directorates, staff and students.
Lt. Col. Jeff McCoy, battalion commander, said this is important because it allows the instructors to focus on teaching, not the minutia of running an army, and Soldiers will get a better learning experience.
McCoy said the provost battalion is an efficient way to manage manpower because it centralizes administrative functions. The battalion structure includes four companies: Headquarters and Headquarters Company, MCoE; P Troop from 3rd Squadron, 16th Cavalry, also known as the International Military Student Office; B Company from 3rd Bn., 81st Armor Regt.; and the 283rd Army Band, better known as the MCoE Band.
The battalion, previously aligned with the 194th Armored Brigade, managed the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and M1 Abrams tank system maintainers advanced individual training and was responsible for the integration of women Soldiers into two of the six combat support jobs that opened to women this year.
McCoy said he is excited about the realignment.
"It will be completely different mission, but as TRADOC's first provost battalion, we'll be an efficiency model for in- and outprocessing, provide battalion support to the MCoE headquarters and band and take advantage of combining the IMSO and the MCCC."
B Company provides the administrative support for the international Soldiers and the students the Maneuver Career Captains Course, McCoy said. The Directorate of Training is still responsible for the instruction, but B Company will handle the in- and outprocessing.
"So the teachers can focus on teaching and not on the administrative details of soldiering," he said. "We'll help the MCoE staff with the routine and let them take care of the future."
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