Fort Polk

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Fort Polk & The Joint Readiness Training Center


caption=Joint Readiness
country=USA
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type=Training Post
branch=Regular Army
dates=1941 - Present
specialization=Joint Readiness Training Center
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Fort Polk is a United States Army base located near Leesville, Louisiana. Its primary ZIP code is 71459.

History

Fort Polk was established in 1941 and named in honor of the Right Reverend Leonidas Polk, the first Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana and a Confederate general.

Thousands of soldiers learned vital lessons of war through hard training during World War II's Louisiana Maneuvers. Afterwards,the post was opened for the Korean War and then closed.

It wasn’t until the 1961 Berlin Crisis that Fort Polk reactivated on a more permanent basis and became an infantry training center in 1962. Subsequently, it was selected to conduct Vietnam- oriented advanced training.

The 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) became Fort Polk's major unit, redesignated when the 2nd Armored Division moved to Fort Hood, Texas. In 1992, the 108th ADA Brigade Brigade was moved to Fort Polk, Louisiana, becoming a Patriot unit. In 1996, they moved to Fort Bliss, Texas.

On March 12, 1993, Fort Polk officially became the home of the Joint Readiness Training Center, which relocated from Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Fort Polk is also home to 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, which contains several combat support units. Medical, dental and military police commands also support the installation.

The 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment called Fort Polk home since the early 1990s, but furled its flag for movement to Fort Lewis, WA where it converted to one of the Army's new Stryker brigades. Redesignated the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, it is currently stationed in Germany where it will be permanently headquartered.

The 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, one of the Army’s new modular brigades, officially activated January 19, 2005 at Fort Polk.

The Army is restructuring from a division-based to a brigade-based force, consisting of self-sufficient, brigade-based modules that will greatly improve strategic responsiveness.

Brigade Combat Teams are stand-alone, self-sufficient, and standardized tactical units that consist of between 3,500 and 4,000 soldiers. Modular supporting brigades will provide aviation, fires, logistics, and other support to the Brigade Combat Teams, will create greater operational autonomy, and enhance joint, interagency, and multi-national operations.

Currently Fort Polk is supporting the War on Terrorism by providing contingency training for the Army's light infantry and special operations forces and by deploying home station and reserve component forces in support of Operations Joint Endeavor, Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Iraqi Freedom.

Medical Facilities

Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital is the medical institution providing care for the post. The Emergency department is staffed by both military, civil service, and contract medical staff. Occasionally, activated reservists augment the medical staff.

Joint Readiness Training Center

The Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) is focused on improving unit readiness by providing highly realistic, stressful, joint and combined arms training of conflict (current and future).

The JRTC is one of the Army’s three “Dirt” Combat Training Centers resourced to train infantry brigade task forces and their subordinate elements in the Joint Contemporary Operational Environment.

With great emphasis on realism, the JRTC provides rotational units (BLUEFOR) with the opportunity to conduct joint operations whichJRTC scenarios allow complete integration of U.S. Air Force and other military services as well as host-nation and civilian role players. The exercise scenarios replicates many of the unique situations and challenges a unit may face to include host national officials and citizens, insurgents and terrorists, news media coverage, and non-governmental organizations.

Observer/Controllers (O/C) help make JRTC training effective. The O/C's have a duty to the training unit and the Army to observe unit performance, control engagements and operations, teach doctrine, coach to improve unit performance, monitor safety and conduct professional After Action Reviews (AARs). O/C's are required to have successfully performed the duties of their counter-part. They constantly strive for personal and professional development, and are well versed in current operational doctrine and tactics, techniques and procedures.

After Action Reviews (AARs) provide immediate feedback for each element, from platoon through brigade task force. AAR's provide impartial feedback, that encourage interaction and discussion of unit strengths and weaknesses by all members of the unit. Every AAR orients on a specific mission and /or system, identifying good and bad trends, and provides units the opportunity to determine not only what their weaknesses are, but who is going to fix that weakness.

External links

* [http://www.jrtc-polk.army.mil/ Official website]
* [http://www.swpictures.co.uk/archive/0483.html USA: Training for Iraq (Documentary about Fort Polk)]