Mission Command Training Program facts for kids

The Mission Command Training Program (MCTP), located at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, is a special training center for the U.S. Army. It's the only one of its kind that can be sent anywhere in the world. MCTP helps senior Army leaders and their teams practice how to lead missions. This training makes sure they are ready for any challenge, no matter where they are.

MCTP also has experienced "Senior Mentors." These are retired high-ranking generals who share their wisdom with Army commanders. Plus, professional "observer-trainers" give helpful feedback and ideas for improvement.

How MCTP Helps the Army

MCTP is like a workshop where the Army tries out new plans and ideas. It helps the Army learn what works best for future missions. No other group in the Army can bring together large Army units, like divisions and corps, for the same training exercise.

Each year, MCTP collects important lessons from different Army groups. This helps the Army grow and get better for the future. For example, in 2016, MCTP helped with many large training exercises. These included practices for corps, divisions, and National Guard teams. Each big exercise usually takes about a year to plan.

MCTP is a top training center for many Army groups. This includes brigades, divisions, and corps. They train on important tasks needed for "Unified Land Operations." This means working together on land missions. The exercises happen in many places and include all parts of the Army. This means active duty soldiers, National Guard, and Reserve forces.

MCTP provides a highly trained "opposing force." These are soldiers and contractors who act as a realistic enemy. This makes the training very challenging. MCTP also has professional observers, coaches, and trainers (OC/Ts). They also have senior mentors, who are retired generals. These experts help commanders and their teams practice their skills. They also help them see how ready they are for real missions.

MCTP's Story

The Mission Command Training Program is the U.S. Army's main combat training center. It began in 1987 as the Battle Command Training Program (BCTP). Its first goal was to make battlefield leadership better. It did this through tough and realistic training. This training used computer simulations for divisions and corps. On May 10, 2011, BCTP officially changed its name to the U.S. Army Mission Command Training Program, or MCTP.

MCTP helps train Army groups for missions around the world. These missions can involve many different countries and organizations. The goal is to give Army leaders experiences that help them develop strong leadership skills. Many of today's Army generals have trained with MCTP.

From the start, MCTP used key parts of combat training. This included a "free-thinking" enemy force. It also used experienced observer-trainers. Advanced technology helped gather information. The training followed a set plan, from choosing a scenario to a review after the exercise. MCTP also added new ideas. These included computer-simulated battles and senior mentors for commanders. This helped fill a gap in training for larger Army groups.

After the Gulf War and the end of the Cold War, MCTP's mission grew. It started to train more types of Army groups. It also simulated more kinds of conflicts. In 1992, MCTP added Team C to train brigades. In 1993, Team D was added for joint training. This was for Army units working with other military branches.

After the events of 9/11, MCTP created a special team. This team helped with security training for Army bases. Before Operation Iraqi Freedom, MCTP developed special training on fighting rebellions. In 2008, MCTP continued to help the Army with Teams Sierra and Foxtrot. These teams trained specialized brigades.

MCTP started with one exercise team, Team A, and civilian contractors. Its first big exercise was in January 1988. This proved that the idea of training divisions and corps was a good one. Later that year, Team B was added to train more groups. MCTP also became its own unit.

Today, MCTP has eight operations groups, called OPSGRPs. OPSGRPs Alpha and Delta train larger Army groups. OPSGRP Charlie trains brigade combat teams. OPSGRPs Bravo and Foxtrot train specialized brigades. OPSGRP Juliet trains Special Forces units. OPSGRP Sierra trains supply brigades. OPSGRP X-Ray plans and controls the exercises.

MCTP has always been able to help with current missions. It also changes its training to provide better support. MCTP will continue to help the Army grow and improve. MCTP has received the Army Superior Unit Award twice. Once in 2009 and again in 2014, for excellent service.

How MCTP is Organized

The Mission Command Training Program has eight operations groups. It also has a supporting unit from the U.S. Air Force. Each operations group trains commanders and their teams. They learn how to work together effectively in different situations. The observer-trainers from these groups provide seminars and reviews. This helps improve the readiness of each training group.

• Operations Groups A and D: These groups travel worldwide. They train large Army groups like corps and divisions. This helps them be ready for missions anywhere.
• Operations Groups B and F: These groups also travel worldwide. They train specialized brigades, like aviation or military police units. This helps these units improve their readiness.
• Operations Group C: This group travels worldwide to train National Guard brigades. They also train active duty specialized brigades. This helps them be ready for combat.
• Operations Group J: This group travels worldwide to train Special Operations Forces. They help conventional Army forces learn how to work with special operations units.
• Operations Group S: This group travels worldwide to train supply brigades. They help these units improve their readiness for missions.
• Operations Group X: This group plans and controls all the training exercises. They make sure the exercises are realistic and challenging. They work with other groups to coordinate the training.
• 505th Command and Control Wing, Detachment 1 (United States Air Force): This Air Force unit travels worldwide. They help integrate air power and air capabilities into Army land operations.

Observer, Coach, Trainers (OC/Ts)

MCTP provides senior mentors and observer, coach, trainers (OC/Ts) during exercises. They work with commanders and teams from many different Army groups. These include corps, divisions, and brigades. OC/Ts are very important for giving feedback. They do this informally through daily talks. They also do it formally through reviews after the exercise. These reviews help the training groups know what to keep doing well and what to improve.

OC/Ts help with leadership training 24 hours a day. They work with unit leaders and staff in their command centers. OC/Ts cover all parts of a mission, like leading, moving, fighting, and getting supplies. Officer OC/Ts are usually lieutenant colonels or senior majors. They have a lot of field experience. Enlisted OC/Ts are sergeants first class to sergeant majors.

OC/Ts are chosen carefully by MCTP leaders. They are experts in Army plans and their specific mission areas. They also go through tough training to learn how to give feedback. During an exercise, they watch how units operate. Being an OC/T is a rewarding experience. It helps them truly understand how the Army fights at higher levels.

The OC/T experience helps officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) learn more about their jobs. It improves their skills in planning and applying Army rules. It also shows them the challenges the Army might face in the future. OC/Ts gain a lot of experience quickly by watching many different training groups. They also get a unique view of the Army's challenges and solutions. OC/Ts help shape how the Army will fight now and in the future. OC/Ts are not there to judge. They are there to help units grow their fighting skills and improve their readiness.

Senior Mentors

Senior Mentors guide commanders before and during training exercises. They help commanders set training goals. They also take part in leadership seminars. They help create the after-action reviews and give feedback on important observations. They also help with future training and exercise plans.

These mentors are experts in Army policies and programs. They have a lot of experience in developing good leaders. They are skilled at designing today's Army and making sure it learns and adapts. They review ideas to train and develop a strong Army that works well together.

They use their knowledge of Army programs to mentor generals and senior leaders. They analyze information for MCTP exercises and warfighting courses. They also help with planning and decision-making exercises for high-level Army personnel. This includes joint exercises with other military branches and allied countries. These exercises prepare military leaders for combat.

Warfighter Exercises

A warfighter exercise is a training event that uses a special environment. This environment is called the Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE). It's used for corps, divisions, and brigades. The DATE is the same environment used in all combat training centers.

Each year, MCTP supports many warfighter exercises. These include exercises for corps, divisions, and brigades. They also support exercises for Army Service Component Commands and National Guard brigades. MCTP can bring together division and corps headquarters in the same exercise. These training experiences help senior Army leaders develop strong leadership skills.

These exercises happen in many different places around the world. They include all parts of the Army: Active Duty, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve. They also focus on how Special Operations Forces work with other units.