MCTP holds senior mentor symposium

Mission Command Training Program's senior leaders and mentors came together for a Senior Mentor Symposium Feb. 29 at the McHugh Training Center.

Col. Edward Bohnemann, commander of the Mission Command Training Program, opened the symposium by giving a brief overview of what MCTP has done over the last two and half years -- conducting more than 50 exercises and training more than 160 headquarters from the Army level down to brigades.

Bohnemann also touched on how MCTP is implementing Army readiness guidance as well as specific training guidance from the Forces Command commander.

MCTP is doing this through warfighter concepts that support the Army Operating Concept. This includes implementing expeditionary conditions at all command post levels and increasing Special Forces integration in warfighters to name a few.

Following the overview, Lt. Gen. Robert B. Brown, Combined Arms Center commander, facilitated discussion among the senior mentors. The main topics included trends, challenges, resources and doctrine.

MCTP receives support from 15 retired general officers with brigade, division and corps command experience.

"It's real powerful when you have multi-component warfighters, to see the synergy it generates in helping each other and the cross walking of operations" said retired Maj. Gen. Walter M. Golden of the total Army concept. "It's a learning experience for everyone."

As the symposium went on other discussions took place on how to maximize the warfighters as the Army continues to operate in uncertain and constantly changing environments. The key to deal with uncertainty is the use of experience coupled with education.

MCTP educates by conducting mission command training, partnering with the Centers of Excellence, the Center for Army Lessons Learned and the Army Training Network. Each one of these organizations brings a unique capability that enables MCTP to help units solve problems through education.

Another issue was the significance systems play in command post operations. As units operate, they must understand that systems are not perfect and the focus should be on procedures and people.

MCTP leverages senior mentors' experiences and expertise, which in turn helps the Army chief of staff achieve his No. 1 priority -- readiness.

"The opportunity to continue to serve and work with an institution that loved me for 36 years is great," said retired Lt. Gen. Donald M. Campbell when asked why he continues to serve.

"As a senior mentor you have more time to do the mentor part than you did while on active duty … and most importantly is seeing the unit grow and build readiness from the mission command training to the end of the warfighter gives me satisfaction," Campbell said.

Retired Maj. Gen. James F. Boozer echoed Campbell's remarks and added, "I can remember senior mentors helping me through exercises providing lots of insight … most importantly the impact it made to lieutenant colonels and majors as they listen to the experiences of the senior mentors."

The symposium was designed to facilitate face-to-face discussion about critical topics that impact mission readiness and have implications for preparing and assessing brigade, division and corps commanders and staffs for current and future challenges.

Additionally, the senior mentors received key exercise briefings on topics such as ethics, distributed mission command, emerging doctrine and the opposing force/hybrid threat.

During a warfighter, senior mentors are aligned with operations groups for each designated training audience from brigade through the Army service command components. The senior leaders' knowledge and experience assists commanders and improves unit readiness at the operational and tactical levels.

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Mission Command Training Program