Introduction
Given the complexity of training U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) petroleum units (RPUs) and the limited training days available to Component 2 and 3 units, it is imperative that commanders of these units make the most of every available moment. Fortunately, the Army enterprise provides a wealth of resources to assist leaders in training Soldiers and units across the entire Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model (ReARMM).
The USAR includes 93% of quartermaster (QM) petroleum support battalions, 84% of QM petroleum support companies, 90% of QM petroleum liaison detachments, all petroleum pipeline and terminal companies, and all QM groups (petroleum and water), which will evolve to theater petroleum and water groups. Therefore, trained RPUs are critical for addressing unique challenges over the horizon. These units play vital roles in enabling a commander’s freedom of maneuver in large-scale combat operations (LSCO) by providing uninterrupted petroleum support across the battlefield. However, this exceptional capability necessitates the need for highly trained units.
Challenges in Training Petroleum Units
The problem of training RPUs arises from the disparity in the number of training days available for USAR component Soldiers. By statute, USAR component Soldiers are authorized 29 days of annual training and 48-unit training assemblies (UTAs). Due to time constraints, it may be difficult to fulfill all the training requirements related to mission essential task (MET) performance steps and measures or to prepare unit members sufficiently for petroleum operations.
RPUs may have limited functional equipment for petroleum operations training. Finding appropriate training locations and ensuring the facilities satisfy their specialized needs are also challenging.
Training RPUs properly requires awareness, a proactive approach, and the leveraging of available resources that enhance individual and collective competencies.
This article identifies training resources and tools for RPU commanders in planning and executing effective training across the ReARMM cycle.
ReARMM Cycle
ReARMM is the force generations model by which the Army produces prepared forces and makes them available to combatant commands (CCMDs). USAR units transition through five phases during ReARMM: modernization, individual, crew, and squad (ICS), year 1; training, ICS, year 2; collective training (CT), year 3 and year 4; and mission, year 5.
During years 1 and 2, RPUs focus on ICS online training and available schoolhouse resources such as the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Sustainment Knowledge Network (SKN); the Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM) Army Sustainment Resource Portal, which features several QM 92F virtual trainings and interactive videos; and the Petroleum & Water Officer Course (PWOC), formal instruction on senior-level petroleum and water management.
During years 3 and 4, the most valuable training and resources available are the Petroleum Operations Sustainment Training (POST), formerly known as the U.S. Forces Command Petroleum Training Module, which provides a suite of petroleum hands-on training courses; and the QM Liquid Logistics Exercise (QLLEX), an Army and Defense Logistics Agency-Energy (DLA-E) exercise that trains petroleum units on bulk petroleum transportation and distribution.
During year 5, RPUs that are prepared for their wartime mission can participate in CCMD overseas deployment training (ODT) exercises. Conducted within a host nation, an ODT exercise is a bilateral/multilateral exercise focused on deployment, employment, and interoperability with allies and partner forces.
Units must ensure that their training programs align with the requirements of each phase. The training and resources available for RPUs enhance and align those units at any phase in the ReARMM cycle.
The training tools and resources that RPUs should use during each ReARMM phase are discussed below.
Modernization, Years 1 & 2 (ICS)
During the modernization phase in year 1, USAR units modernize, which may include force structure changes and prioritization of equipment reset, as well as fielding and equipping new equipment and required training. Units focus on retraining individual Soldiers in specific training tasks and enrolling them in professional military education and additional skill identifier (ASI) institutional curriculum.
During year 2, USAR units focus on individual and team training. Individuals can complete technical recertification and ASI courses, such as the 92L Petroleum Quality Analysis System-Enhanced refresher course, the 92F fuel handler’s refresher course, and the R8 PWOC. These refresher courses are incredibly beneficial for RPU Soldiers because they are designed to re-familiarize petroleum supply specialists and laboratory specialists with essential Army regulations, technical bulletins, Army training publications, and safety standards that govern bulk petroleum operations, the safe operation of refueling equipment, and the operation of quality assurance.
Strategies to enhance the training of RPUs during the modernization phase are online training resources available through the SKN SharePoint site. These online tools are the most fundamental instruments for teaching petroleum Soldiers in the digital world. These online resources educate Soldiers on the required skills and abilities that petroleum Soldiers must possess and maintain. Skills outlined in Soldier Training Publication (STP) 10-92F15-SM-TG, MOS 92F Petroleum Supply Specialist, cover general petroleum operations, fuel tank vehicles, bulk petroleum operations, and pipeline operations. The STP outlines the military occupational specialty training requirements that the petroleum Soldier should review to enhance their understanding and ability to retain critical tasks. These key competencies and training tasks can be studied often and easily.
The SKN SharePoint site provides comprehensive technical resources on petroleum operations, including equipment, vehicle, petroleum laboratory, and quality assurance training. The petroleum references and operations planning tools encompass a range of Army technical literature and regulations, military standard documents, and calculation tools. Soldiers should know about these knowledge centers and regularly use them during UTA and drill periods to improve their comprehension of petroleum operations. Soldiers can engage in self-study or group study during UTAs under the guidance of NCO leadership.
The SKN SharePoint site also has online digital training enablers, which provide instructional training videos on the 92L Petroleum Laboratory Specialist skill sets.
TRADOC is responsible for overseeing and running the SKN SharePoint site. The Petroleum and Water Department at the U.S. Army Quartermaster School is responsible for managing certain materials included within it.
Officers in years 1 and 2 can improve their knowledge by attending the PWOC. All RPUs are required to send their officers to the PWOC training at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia. The PWOC is the most advanced petroleum and water management training available in the Army. This course equips individuals with the necessary expertise and understanding to effectively carry out responsibilities related to petroleum and water logistics management in various roles, including staff and managerial positions. The course lasts for eight weeks, and the Army officer is designated as R8 (for example, 90A92R8) after completing it.
The significant advantage in having all officers in an RPU complete the PWOC and obtain the R8 designation is that these leaders will then be equipped to provide instruction and guidance to their formations. The R8-designated petroleum officer has undergone extensive training in the most up-to-date petroleum resources, references, and advanced training in petroleum operations, fuel system supply point (FSSP), pipeline operations, and staff petroleum and water operations training. As a result, they possess a wealth of knowledge and can develop training programs tailored to their units. The highly skilled R8 petroleum officer can train and improve the entire RPU or sustainment staff.
For the more virtually inclined petroleum specialist Soldier, there is the CASCOM Army Sustainment Resource Portal, which features several QM 92F virtual training and interactive videos. The videos, which can be downloaded or streamed, provide practical guidance on operating equipment during petroleum operations. Examples of the virtual training resources pertinent to the 92F are the videos on the heavy expanded mobility tactical truck, FSSP, modular fuel system and pump rack module, inland petroleum distribution system (IPDS), etc. The videos are procedural and virtually describe the step-by-step process to safely and efficiently operate equipment used during petroleum operations.
Soldiers do not need a common access card to access training that covers 27 different 92F virtual training resource lessons during UTAs. This convenience puts the Soldier in control of their learning journey. The virtual training resources cover a wide range of equipment operating steps and procedures for the 92F Petroleum Supply Specialist Soldier. This comprehensive coverage instills confidence in Soldiers, preparing them to correctly operate equipment during petroleum operations.
Train, Year 3 to Year 4 (CT Event)
In years 3 and 4, the unit transitions to CT activities related to the unit mission essential task list (METL).
Using POST is a valuable training strategy for RPUs during this phase. POST offers extensive hands-on instruction options, including training on the assault hose line, FSSP, IPDS, tactical petroleum terminal (TPT), early entry fluid distribution system, refuel on the move, forward arming and refueling point, and additional bulk distribution/retail systems as specified by commanders’ training objectives. POST has recently added petroleum rail tank cars training to complement training possibilities for RPUs.
RPUs travel to Fort Barfoot, Virginia, to undergo hands-on training with POST instructors and other units as part of their two-week AT. POST supplies the training equipment systems for comprehensive instruction at no cost to the unit.
The POST program provides unit commanders with a refined and developed training plan using their METL assessments to determine the level and frequency of technical and tactical training. Most beneficial, POST provides realistic tactical and technical fuel training based on the commander’s assessment. The commander can focus on particular METL performance steps and measurements. During training, POST instructors offer valuable guidance, oversight, and instruction to the RPU while conducting petroleum operations. POST offers RPUs a distinct chance to enhance their CT proficiency in their METL. Additionally, RPUs can request that TRADOC, or two-levels up within their command, provide external evaluators to attend the unit’s POST training when an official assessment of METL is needed. POST also offers scenario-based fuel training for group and battalion petroleum staff.
POST provides mobile training teams (MTTs) that can be deployed to designated places to deliver specialized instruction on petroleum operations and a laboratory-based curriculum to Soldiers. The training programs, whether conducted in person, online, or by MTT, are provided at no cost to the unit.
RPUs conduct CT exercises in the annual QLLEX, which is an Army exercise that trains petroleum units on bulk petroleum transportation and distribution. During the exercise, RPUs work with the DLA-E team to train on various petroleum handling, discharge, and transportation functions. During the exercise, RPUs replace the commercial supply-chain transportation capabilities with USAR transportation and petroleum support capabilities.
During QLLEX, RPUs train on specific METs and their collective task. A QM petroleum support company trains on establishing the petroleum tank farm TPT, conducting bulk petroleum storage operations and petroleum distribution operations. The QLLEX provides opportunities for training on the collapsible fabric fuel tank (CFFT) site preparation, including the layout and placement for the major items of equipment in the FSSP, such as the collapsible tanks, the pumps, and the filter separators. A petroleum pipeline and terminal operating company has a storage and issue section, which performs similar functions as the bulk storage section within the petroleum support company. During QLLEX, the pipeline and terminal company trains on establishing and managing the petroleum terminal operation. DLA-E-capitalized fuel is transported from defense fuel supply point locations to QLLEX FSSPs.
RPUs must continue to engage in the yearly QLLEX, which trains units on fuel support missions, enabling emergency preparedness. The QLLEX adds value to RPUs by allowing units to train on FSSP setup, petroleum terminal operations, and recovery. The QLLEX provides ample time and space for Soldiers within an RPU to properly lay out and set up an FSSP CFFT with all associated manifolds, pumps, and filter separators.
Mission Year, Year 5
During mission year 5, the unit is prepared to conduct overseas deployments in support of contingency operations or to participate in an ODT exercise supporting a CCMD. An ODT exercise provides RPUs with increased levels of preparedness and readiness. This is achieved through the unit’s involvement in a four-year joint exercise life cycle, focusing on bilateral/multilateral operations in Pacific Pathways or Defender Europe. The RPU gains the opportunity to establish relationships with the CCMD team and to support participating units and host nation partners.
The CCMD conducts ODT exercises, which provide comprehensive and dynamic training opportunities for RPUs. Coordinating and participating in an ODT exercise requires extensive planning and alignment over several years. A high level of dedication and focus is required for the successful execution of an ODT exercise. RPUs (and higher commands) should actively pursue participation in ODT exercises due to their eventual integration into U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and European Command (EUCOM) exercises in the upcoming years as QLLEX evolves.
CCMDs are preparing for LSCO and operations involving near-peer competition, requiring specific theater bulk petroleum capabilities for uninterrupted petroleum support across the battlefield and seas. Since the majority of petroleum units are in the USAR, RPUs must train to execute joint logistics over-the-shore and joint petroleum over-the-shore in the USINDOPACOM island chains. RPUs also train to execute rail tank car operations in NATO countries throughout EUCOM.
Conclusion
This article emphasizes the critical training resources needed to prepare RPUs at various stages of the ReARMM cycle. Leveraging these resources, RPUs can surpass other units in their knowledge of petroleum operations. It is imperative for RPUs to use these resources, given the time constraints. RPU commanders must carefully select and conduct training to equip their Soldiers for petroleum operation activities.
Training RPUs is a demanding task that requires significant time and resources. However, providing effective training is paramount because it directly influences the preparedness and effectiveness of these units in supporting petroleum operations. The Army enterprise provides an array of resources and tools that can significantly enhance RPU training. By using these resources, RPU commanders can take charge of their company training programs and deliver impactful training that equips their personnel to support and execute petroleum operations accurately, fulfilling their duties and contributing to overall mission success.
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LTC Jerry M. Cole serves as the petroleum officer of the Sub Area Petroleum Office, United States Central Command, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.
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This article was published in the winter 2025 issue of Army Sustainment.
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