As Brig. Gen. Terry Ferrell begins his tenure as the National Training Center and Fort Irwin's newest leader, he wants the community to know he's glad he's here.
"First and foremost, I would tell you that it is with great honor and pride that I have the opportunity to serve as your commander," said Ferrell. "My wife and I both are excited to be here. We look forward to the opportunity to serve with our Soldiers, families and civilians that make the mission happen every day."
Ferrell assumed command of the NTC and Fort Irwin Feb. 7 after serving as special assistant to Brig. Gen. Robert "Abe" Abrams, Ferrell's predecessor, since November. Prior to arriving at Fort Irwin, Ferrell served as assistant division commander for the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. From 1992 to 1994, he was stationed at the NTC as a combat trainer with Scorpion Team, Operations Group.
Ferrell's fond memories of serving with Scorpion Team are big part of why he's pleased to be back in the High Desert, he said.
"The training we received and the training we provided was a great, great education for me," he said.
Reflecting on how the NTC and Fort Irwin have changed since 1994, Ferrell praised improvements to the post's housing areas and other facilities. But he said the biggest change has been in the NTC's training focus, which has shifted from full-spectrum, high-intensity operations to counterinsurgency.
"The goal is to prepare our Soldiers for all challenges that they're going to face on the battlefield, and the training center has evolved to do that," Ferrell said.
There will be more changes in the near future as the NTC prepares for its first hybrid threat rotation, Ferrell said. Hybrid threat training combines elements of traditional warfare with counterinsurgency, and the NTC is set to conduct its first hybrid threat rotation in August. Ferrell said many changes to the area known as "The Box" will involve enhancing existing infrastructure, such as forward operating bases and towns. Instrumentation will also be improved so the NTC can bring more forces into "The Box" and provide highly detailed, accurate feedback, he said.
"I want to make sure we stay on the cutting edge of knowledge and the ability to train our Soldiers to prepare for combat and deploy to combat," Ferrell said. "That is our number-one focus."
The "box" isn't the only part of life at the NTC and Fort Irwin that can expect changes under Ferrell's leadership. The commanding general said he is committed to expanding engagement with off-post communities and that subordinate commanders will become more involved in community engagement as well.
"The priority is for us to make sure they understand what we do here and why we do it, and not be 'That place out in the desert,'" Ferrell said. "We're ambassadors for the Army. We have to tell the story. We have a different mission, but we're still part of hometown USA."
Ferrell acknowledged that the geographical divide between Fort Irwin and off-post communities is a challenge for some who live and work here, but said he wants all the installation's Soldiers to have a sense of belonging to the same community. To help foster that sense of community, Ferrell and other installation leaders will evaluate ways to continue improving quality of life for Fort Irwin's families. Some possibilities include expanding the post's continuing education offerings, and implementing programs specifically for teenagers. He added that a new hospital to improve on the existing Weed Army Community Hospital facility is being discussed.
"We've got to build that relationship so that everyone wants to make Fort Irwin the assignment of choice," Ferrell said. "That's my real desire."
Ferrell said Fort Irwin's unique location is part of what makes it special, and he encouraged Soldiers to explore Southern California and Nevada during their time off.
"You can't become a part of the infrastructure of Fort Irwin when you get assigned here," Ferrell said. "You've gotta get off the post. Experience all the attractions that a lot of our duty stations don't provide you the ability to see."
Ferrell praised the accomplishments of Fort Irwin's units and said today's Soldiers are some of the best the Army has ever had.
"To watch these young men and women do what they do, it is just phenomenal," he said. "Their abilities, their desire, their willingness to commit all, are unsurpassed by anything I could ever imagine being associated with.
"It's all about the team. As a team we can accomplish anything."
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