Training opportunities highlighted during Working Group

By W. Wayne MarlowApril 8, 2016

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1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – First Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Michael S. Tucker, gives opening remarks during the First Army Training Support and Synchronization Working Group on April 5 in First Army headquarters. The working group allows Reserve Component units to forec... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Attendees at the First Army Training Support and Synchronization Working Group listen to opening remarks by First Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Michael S. Tucker, on April 5 in First Army headquarters. The working group allows Reserve Component u... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. - The support and resources First Army offers Army National Guard and Reserve units was the focus of a Training Support and Synchronization Working Group (TSSWG), held at First Army headquarters here April 5-8.

The working group's main task was to forecast Reserve Component training exercise opportunities in order to ensure commander teams can determine which ones will best serve their units.

In opening remarks, First Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Michael S. Tucker, reviewed the deployment tempo of the last 20 years and noted that mission requirements are continuing worldwide. This highlights the importance of Reserve Component Soldiers and units being ready when called upon, Tucker said. He told attendees, "We've got to make the training count."

Following Tucker's remarks, Col. Timothy Bush, First Army deputy chief of staff for operations, training, and plans discussed training support priorities and how they fit into the deployment cycle.

This set the tone for the conference, as the working group was designed to give attendees a better understanding of how available training exercises will help hone warfighting skills, both collectively and individually. Attendees included officers and senior civilian personnel from the Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Forces Command, and First Army units.

The TSSWG built on Army Total Force Policy, which aims to ensure active and Reserve Component forces are trained to one standard. First Army, as FORSCOM'S designated coordinating authority for implementation of the Army Total Force Policy, partners with United States Army Reserve and Army National Guard leadership to advise, assist, and train Reserve Component formations to achieve Department of the Army directed readiness requirements during both pre- and post-mobilization through multi-component integrated collective training, enabling FORSCOM to provide Combatant Commanders trained and ready forces in support of worldwide requirements.

Part of this requirement is helping the National Guard and USAR increase unit achieve readiness. This is done by designing and supporting exercises and providing observer coach/trainers to RC units, and this was highlighted during the working group. Jeff Perry, with the Mission Command Training Program's operations directorate, said this teamwork helps set Reserve Component units up for success.

"There is coordination between First Army, training support brigades, the National Guard Bureau, the United States Army Reserve Command, and Forces Command to make sure exercises that support Reserve Component formations include the appropriate units, based on their readiness cycles," Perry said. "Each of these First Army brigades are charged with training, advising, and supporting Reserve Component units' evolution through their five-year training cycle, the fifth year being their available year for deployment."

Perry was attending his third TSSWG, while Capt. Robert Vozdej was here just two weeks after being assigned to the Army Reserve Management Team at III Corps.

"My unit sent me here so I can better understand the synchronization between the Reserve and Active Duty, and to learn what training opportunities are available and which best fit the units we support," he said. "I just started this job, so this is great timing for me. It helps me understand how we plan out Warfighters or combat training center rotations. I will take what was discussed here back to my supervisor and it will help us go forward with getting our units trained and ready."

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