FORT RILEY, Kansas – The 35th Infantry Division conducted a combined command post exercise with the 1st Infantry Division at the Mission Training Center at Fort Riley Aug. 9-23.
Key components to a successful training event include the interoperability of the warfighting function’s fighting systems and the training partners who help facilitate an environment conducive to learning and growing as a staff. The Army National Guard’s Mission Command Training Support Program and observers from 1st Army assisted with the 35th Infantry Division commander’s training guidance.
MCTSP provides units with mission command training up to a division-level entity. This training aids commanders in achieving their mission command objective requirements through doctrinal academics, training development, information system operator training and simulation-supported exercises for staff, communication, command post and field training.
“[MCTSP] is a Guard Bureau program that enables the training of really the entire National Guard,” said Robert Marshall, MCTSP training partner and subject matter expert in fires, fire support planning, and fires execution. “So, it brings a variety of capabilities that are available for commanders to integrate into their training.”
Marshall said one of the goals was for the 35th Infantry Division to conduct a CPX with another division headquarters.
This CPX at the division level between two different components of the United States Army, or COMPO 1 and COMPO 2, is historical for the 35th Infantry Division.
The U.S. Army comprises three components: COMPO 1, the regular Army; COMPO 2, the Army National Guard; and COMPO 3, the Army Reserves. Typically, the Army plans training for divisions on a singular, rotational schedule. So this CPX is rare not only because two divisions are training together, but because those two divisions are from different Army components and from the same state.
In addition to MTCSP, another training partner, 1st Army East, observed the CPX. Col. Reginald Williams, commander of 177 Armor Brigade, 1st Army, observed training during the course of action development brief of the MDMP process with 35th Infantry Division staff.
“I was taken aback …really blown away and impressed,” said Williams. “We talk about total Army and partnership training and execute real-world missions. It was the first time in my Army career where I’ve seen a training event, without being dictated by Army Forces Command, where you have two divisions that mutually agreed to support one another in a CPX.”
First Army Division East partners with, advises, and assists the Reserve components to establish the conditions for generating total Army readiness.
“This CPX serves a dual purpose: It allows your staff to look over the shoulder in side-by-side training with the 1st Infantry Division in order to develop a relationship as well as develop your own staff, and it is an opportunity to test some of the systems that [the 35th Infantry Division] will use in your future CPXs,” said Williams. “At the conclusion of this CPX, the key takeaway that the commander should have is where the staff is. It should set a foundation and set an azimuth or a glide path going forward.”
For two weeks, 35th Infantry Division staff conducted operations using the military decision-making process, including a combined arms rehearsal with elements from 1st Infantry. Then, through digital simulations, it conducted joint decisive operations from its command post.
As the 35th Infantry Division completes this training with 1st Infantry Division, the staff will update tactical standard operating procedures based on the lessons learned. The many partners, like MCTSP and 1st Army, continue to help build readiness at the state and national level for a total Army force.