JOINT READINESS TRAINING CENTER

The Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) is the Army's premier combat training center. The JRTC is one of the three CTCs that conduct tough, realistic, multi-echelon, joint and combined arms training to train leaders to deal with complex situations; to create flexible, skilled Soldiers; and develop highly proficient, cohesive units capable of conducting operations across the full spectrum of conflict.

Training rotations are focused on the Contemporary Operational Environment (COE) and Counterinsurgency (COIN) operations.

Soldiers training against our opposing forces experience civilians on the battlefield, urban terrain and media. They come away from the exercise fully capable and prepared to handle situations that may arise in any theater of operations.

We want a Soldier's worst day to be here and not in combat. We're teaching them how to think, to be alert, and observe enemy patterns and how to best exploit them.

The JRTC is the place a BCT can train for war in a joint COE with all its personnel, equipment, and supporting Air Force and special operations forces.

The training provided by JRTC has had a tremendous impact on the readiness of our special operations and conventional forces. We adapt JRTC training scenarios to meet commanders' intent and emerging training needs of the contemporary battlefield. Our scenarios are constantly evolving based on input from OIF and OEF theaters of operations.

Observer/Controllers (O/C) help make JRTC training effective. The O/Cs have a duty to the training unit and the Army to observe unit performance, control engagements and operations, teach doctrine, coach to improve unit performance, monitor safety and conduct professional after action reviews (AARs). O/Cs are required to have successfully performed the duties of their counter-part. They constantly strive for personal and professional development and are well versed in current operational doctrine and tactics, techniques, and procedures.

AARs provide immediate feedback for each element, from platoon through brigade task force. AARs provide impartial feedback that encourages interaction and discussion of unit strengths and weaknesses by all members of the unit. Every AAR orients on a specific mission and/or system, identifying good and bad trends, and provides units the opportunity to determine not only what their weaknesses are, but how to fix those weaknesses.