FORT POLK, La. " Let’s say you are a unit commander who wants to train his unit on the latest mission command system, a section leader who wants to teach his Soldiers how to integrate their mission command systems with other systems in the unit, or a Soldier looking to become more proficient at your job and earn promotion points at the same time.
Let’s also say that one of the reasons driving your motivations is an upcoming deployment or tasking that requires specialized training.
If one of those scenarios fits your bill, then the Fort Polk Mission Command Training Center and Don Pardon is where you need to turn.
Pardon is the operations chief/scheduler for the center, previously known as the Battle Command Training Center. He said he is happy to schedule a class or specific training to meet a unit’s needs.
“To leverage this asset (MCTC), any tenant Fort Polk unit, any Army Reserve or National Guard unit in Louisiana, the southern half of Mississippi or the eastern border counties of Texas can come here to train,” Pardon said. “Currently, there are Soldiers that need training " that we can train " that aren’t being trained. We want commanders to know what is available.”
To facilitate unit-training needs Pardon said the MCTC has adopted a new approach " pre-scheduled instead of on-demand training.
“Our training schedule is listed on the Army’s Digital Training Management System " DTMS " at DTMS.Army.mil,” Pardon said. “Any unit can look on DTMS, see when classes are scheduled and register their Soldiers for individual classes.”
For unit level training, Pardon said it’s best to call him to set up a class. He recommends scheduling four to six weeks out for small unit training (platoon or below), six to eight weeks out for company level training, 120 days out for a battalion command post exercise (CPX) and 180 days out for a brigade CPX.
Pardon said the following types of training are offered at the MCTC:
• Level one: Individual training. Soldiers can be trained on whatever mission command system or systems are needed for them to do their job. Not only do they learn how to use a system, they also learn how to use it with other systems via a common teaching scenario. Soldiers earn promotion points for sergeant and below and receive a certificate upon completing the course.
• Level two: Section training. In this scenario, a section (S1, S2, S3) is provided with a Battle Command Sustainment Support System (BCS3) and work on collaboration. Specific scenarios can be developed for different sections.
• Level three: Battle drill training. During this training, all sections in a unit use a common teaching scenario to do collaborative planning using different battle command systems in the same environment and at the same time. The ultimate goal is to provide a common operational picture.
The staff is then brought together and given a situation. They plan an operation and hand it to MCTC staff for programming. The next day, the staff returns and “fights the battle.” Pardon said the outcome is not predictable and the “good guys” don’t always win.
• Level four: Command post exercise. The entire battle staff functions as if in actual combat. They’ll receive a mission from higher headquarters, create their plans and conduct operations using the Joint Land Component Constructive Training Capability " Entity Resolution Federation system.
In level four training Soldiers fight the battle and the enemy can be as big as a division if necessary.
The training employs every system available to a military unit, from a pistol to an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, and uses it all. Also, for outdoor tactical equipment, generators aren’t needed " commercial power is available. Level four is the final step in preparing a unit to conduct a warfighter exercise " level five.
• Level five " Warfighter exercise, which may include multiple brigades or up to an entire corps, in a distributed (multi-site) exercise.
Another training option is the Army Gaming Solution " Virtual Battle Space 2, a first-person shooter video game, used to facilitate small-unit/team collective training. Pardon said the game is programmable and there are no levels. When a Soldier is killed, they stay dead. When they run to the top of a hill, they are winded and can’t hold their rifle steady.
Any scenario from a rifle range to thermonuclear war can be played out. Any type of unit can go to the MCTC and run a situational training exercise (STX) without having to use real estate and equipment.
At any point a unit leader can stop the game, hold an after action review, watch a video of what has been done to that point, and then start the game over.
“The only thing you’ll miss with this game is the smell of cordite,” Pardon said. “And it’s very cost effective " you don’t need land, to draw ammo, burn fuel or use your vehicles.”
In addition to the training available at the MCTC, Pardon said leaders could also use the facilities when receiving new equipment.
“For any unit being fielded equipment, we provide our systems and classrooms to receive new equipment training,” Pardon said. “All a leader has to do is coordinate with us.”
Other types of training include refresher classes for level one and learning labs. Upcoming classes for which seats are available include:
• Tactical Battle Command " Command Post of the Future: July 5-8 and Aug. 22-25.
• Tactical Ground Reporting: July 7-8 and Aug. 15-16.
• Force 21 Battle Command Brigade and Below " Blue Force Tracker: July 11-14 and Aug. 15-18.
There are also squad- and company-level collective training vacancies in July, August and September.
Call 531-8867 to schedule an appointment.
“On behalf of the staff of the Fort Polk Mission Command Training Center, we thank you for the opportunity to train your Soldiers,” Pardon said. “Please consider us an extension of your training office and do not hesitate to ask how we can assist your unit in meeting your training needs.”
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