Brigade Passes Last Hurdle to NTC
Story & Photos by SGT Charles Ames - Posted Jul 03
 |
Read the "Washington Rifles" Newsletter Chronicling This Year's Annual Training
4700 members of the National Guards premier Enhanced Brigade, the 81st Armor Brigade (Heavy) (Separate), participated in a historical mobilization of epic proportions. Guardsmen from 9 states converged on the blistering terrain of Camp Roberts and Camp Hunter Liggett to ply their trade and get a taste of the year to come.
 |
The Armys National Training Center at Ft. Irwin, deep in California's Mojave Desert, is a crucible that tests the metal of weapons and the mettle of troops. Few units survive the storied OPFOR and the constantly updated real-world testing. So the Rehersal Annual Training - or "REHAT" - leading up to NTC, is of critical importance.
 |
Commander of the 81st Bde and the Brigade Combat Team (BCT), COL (Promotable) Oscar Hilman said, My intent was to rehearse our deployment and redeployment for Annual Training and replicate our road to NTC for year 2004. Although it was a typical AT in many ways, all the Task Force elements from many states had to come together and work together".
 |
The CSM Arthur Ohler, the Brigade's top Non-Commissioned Officer, said "NCOs got to do all those good NCO things, got to take care of soldiers, watch after them, perform their duties in a safe manner. Accidents take away from training successes. Youve got to be aware because accidents happen so quickly". Despite the non-stop, realistic training, there were no major accidents during the exercise.
 |
The CSM went on to note a unique aspect of the exercise; Its a huge exercise that we havent been through since I don't know if weve ever gone through it at this level. This brigade has never been deployed outside of Washington State as a brigade since its re-activation in the 60s. We took a task force to Korea in 89, but that was just one battalion. This was a brigade operation! with forces attending from 10 other states.
 |
All agree that the movement of the Brigade was well-orchestrated with a minimum of troop imposition and the business of mobilization was made clear for every troop. "We want to be prepared not only for the National Training Center, but also for future operations," COL Hilman stated. "Most important to the Army Guard and the 81st BCT is the soldier and their safety. This means leadership, discipline, standards, safety, and soldier care.
We have a great organization with great leaders and we have great outstanding soldiers. We want our soldiers and staff to demonstrate that this is the best Enhanced Brigade Combat Team in the Army".
Speaking of next year's trip to NTC, COL Hilman emphasizes "What I ask of everyone is to know the roles, the guiding regulations and to treat the soldier with respect and dignity. I ask leaders to do safety briefings and risk assessments and be conscious about safety and taking care of the soldiers. Use your technical manuals. Use your field manuals. Use your SOPs. Do it right. Its going to be hard training, but we want it to be memorable and fun.
 |
COL(P) Oscar Hilman (Center) & 81st Brigade Staff |
 |
 |
|
|