James P Cassella

Media on the Battlefield Training at the National Training Center: A Question of Resources James P Cassella

Publisher Marketing: This study investigates the organization to support media on the battlefield training at the National Training Center (NTC) and the standards by which rotational units are assessed in their ability to facilitate news media representatives under simulated combat conditions. The National Training Center's media on the battlefield organization is compared against those developed by other combat training centers (CTCs) and the pillars of the CTC model as established in Army Regulation 350-50, The Combat Training Center Program (1997). This study reveals the resource shortfalls and lack of doctrinal standards that mitigate against challenging, doctrinally correct, effective, and consistent media on the battlefield training. It then presents feasible solutions to provide adequate resources to conduct this training despite the constraints of a zero-growth environment. Further, the study analyzes the different standards in use at each CTC, recommending specific tasks, conditions, and standards for inclusion in brigade and battalion mission training plans and soldier skill manuals. This would fill a critical gap in Public Affairs doctrine and provide tactical units with the necessary guidance to train in order to facilitate media on the battlefield.