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2011 proved to be a year of significant milestones for the Mission Command Training Program.
During 2011, MCTP trained the staffs of 18 brigades, five divisions and nine other units. Observer/trainers traveled to Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, and also conducted a division-level exercise at Fort Leavenworth. Exercises were also conducted outside the United States in Korea and Germany and individual MCTP members served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Two officers were among the last to leave Iraq once the mission was closed down there.
Altogether, MCTP members traveled more than 10 million miles in support of training missions, with the majority of miles traveled by commercial air. Although all members of the organization safely traveled during 2011, some trips faced unexpected delays because of weather. During one such trip, MCTP members found themselves stranded in Tokyo while trying to return from an exercise in South Korea. Last year’s earthquake in Japan grounded their flight for almost 24 hours.
Not all milestones for MCTP were training events. 2011 saw Col. Charles E. A. Sexton take command of the organization and the unit renamed. Formerly the Battle Command Training Program, the renamed Mission Command Training Program better reflects today’s doctrine. The program celebrated its 25th anniversary in October, having spent more than two decades training U.S. Army brigade, division and corps staffs for missions.
In conjunction with the silver anniversary, MCTP held its first-ever organization day, celebrating with a golf tournament, running and other sports competitions. MCTP presented its first Commander’s Cup, recognizing Operations Group Alpha for winning best overall in the competitions.
MCTP provided support to the local community, both on and off post. Individual members voluntarily worked with the Boy Scouts, churches and other organizations in the Leavenworth area. On an organizational basis, the Mission Command Training Program assists the Exceptional Family Member Program, such as during last summer’s SOAR Camp when it provided counselors and other support, and for the Hope House Domestic Violence Services. MCTP, in conjunction with the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, has assumed responsibility for the annual Turkey Trot 5-kilometer run.
2012 promises to be another year of significant milestones for the training organization. MCTP will be training units during Vibrant Response-12, an annual training event that helps prepare federal and state forces to respond when needed, and two Unified Endeavor exercises, which are designed to prepare units for duty in Afghanistan. MCTP will also train its first corps-level warfighter exercise this summer.
“We are excited about the year ahead,” Sexton said during the MCTP awards ceremony in December. “Training deploying units is an honor and privilege for members of our organization.”
MCTP trains the staffs of U.S. Army units at the highest levels, and consists of seven operations groups that deploy from Fort Leavenworth to unit home stations to provide challenging training. By employing computer simulations and combat-experienced observer/trainers, MCTP makes training as challenging and realistic as possible.
2011 proved to be a year of significant milestones for the Mission Command Training Program.
During 2011, MCTP trained the staffs of 18 brigades, five divisions and nine other units. Observer/trainers traveled to Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, and also conducted a division-level exercise at Fort Leavenworth. Exercises were also conducted outside the United States in Korea and Germany and individual MCTP members served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Two officers were among the last to leave Iraq once the mission was closed down there.
Altogether, MCTP members traveled more than 10 million miles in support of training missions, with the majority of miles traveled by commercial air. Although all members of the organization safely traveled during 2011, some trips faced unexpected delays because of weather. During one such trip, MCTP members found themselves stranded in Tokyo while trying to return from an exercise in South Korea. Last year’s earthquake in Japan grounded their flight for almost 24 hours.
Not all milestones for MCTP were training events. 2011 saw Col. Charles E. A. Sexton take command of the organization and the unit renamed. Formerly the Battle Command Training Program, the renamed Mission Command Training Program better reflects today’s doctrine. The program celebrated its 25th anniversary in October, having spent more than two decades training U.S. Army brigade, division and corps staffs for missions.
In conjunction with the silver anniversary, MCTP held its first-ever organization day, celebrating with a golf tournament, running and other sports competitions. MCTP presented its first Commander’s Cup, recognizing Operations Group Alpha for winning best overall in the competitions.
MCTP provided support to the local community, both on and off post. Individual members voluntarily worked with the Boy Scouts, churches and other organizations in the Leavenworth area. On an organizational basis, the Mission Command Training Program assists the Exceptional Family Member Program, such as during last summer’s SOAR Camp when it provided counselors and other support, and for the Hope House Domestic Violence Services. MCTP, in conjunction with the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, has assumed responsibility for the annual Turkey Trot 5-kilometer run.
2012 promises to be another year of significant milestones for the training organization. MCTP will be training units during Vibrant Response-12, an annual training event that helps prepare federal and state forces to respond when needed, and two Unified Endeavor exercises, which are designed to prepare units for duty in Afghanistan. MCTP will also train its first corps-level warfighter exercise this summer.
“We are excited about the year ahead,” Sexton said during the MCTP awards ceremony in December. “Training deploying units is an honor and privilege for members of our organization.”
MCTP trains the staffs of U.S. Army units at the highest levels, and consists of seven operations groups that deploy from Fort Leavenworth to unit home stations to provide challenging training. By employing computer simulations and combat-experienced observer/trainers, MCTP makes training as challenging and realistic as possible.
