Expanding jointness at the Joint Readiness Training Center

Military Review, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Mick Bednarek, Thomas P. Odom, Stephen Florich

* Development and implementation of tactical information operations plans to support operational-and strategic-level information operations plans or guidance.

* Employment of joint tactical airlift load procedures with emphasis on assault zone preparations and combat control team control measures in a hostile environment.

* Coordination of joint ground maneuver between Army, USMC, and SOF organizations at the tactical level (brigade and below).

Is the above task list complete? Will accomplishing the tasks replicate a truly joint operation in OIF or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)? The loss of two friendly fighters because of fratricide during OIF reminds us there are clear challenges ahead. The JRTC and the Air Defense Artillery Center are pushing integration of air-defense assets (air missile defense teams) with ground maneuver forces in offensive operations for future rotational scenarios. Other joint training exercises (the joint Red Flag/Blue Flag series, Roving Sands, and so on) are also integrating these critical enablers.

The JNTC and JRTC's purpose is to stitch together service capabilities in a joint training environment to achieve seamless operations when called to fight. Today, a commander's common operational picture (COP) is three-dimensional. The joint fight must look the same in American service training exercises as it would in Karbala or Kabul.

Joint maneuver training centers reinforce these initiatives. In May 2004, the JRTC hosted the 2d Marine Division, 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, in a rotation focused on situational training exercise lanes. Army OCs coached, taught, and mentored sister service brethren in emerging TTPs and lessons learned from OIF and OEF within a joint context. The results were gratifying. The 2d Reconnaissance Battalion took advantage of the JRTC's expertise, fully exploiting the training materials the JRTC Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) Cell offered, and demonstrating a truly professional approach in learning as it trained. Several other USMC units have voiced a desire to expand their strong service core capabilities within a more joint context at the JRTC.

The Future Joint Force

Who could have foreseen 5 years ago that Army or Marine company commanders would be charged with establishing the security and social conditions to allow a safe, secure, legitimate electoral process to begin in hundreds of villages and cities across Iraq? If we had thought that possible, would we have been willing to commit to the changes necessary to train those commanders for such a mission? DOD recognizes that the JNTC has a commitment to do better.

People remain the centerpiece of successful joint operations. To fully benefit from these increased efforts in joint training, the Army's maneuver CTCs and other service training centers and facilities must continue to foster a joint and expeditionary mindset reflecting a greater level of flexibility, joint doctrinal understanding, and versatility. On the ground, soldiers and Marines must understand the core capabilities each service brings to the fight.