Louisiana governor, legislator visit LANG Soldiers at JRTC

Photo By Patricia Dubiel | Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards (left) and Fourth District Congressman Mike Johnson visit with Soldiers assigned to the Louisiana National Guard's 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team June 14 during Rotation 19-08 at the Joint Readiness Training Center.  

LOUISIANA, UNITED STATES

06.21.2019

Story by Chuck Cannon 

Fort Johnson Public Affairs Office

“I was here 26 years ago working in a tactical operations center as a battle captain,” Edwards, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, said. “The terminology has changed a little bit, but overall, it’s very similar. It brought back good memories. I did three JRTC rotations — two as a company commander — and all three were right here at JRTC. The mission that our Soldiers are training for now is similar to the mission we were training for back then. Instead of training for the war on terrorism, we’re now training for decisive action.”
Edwards said he was impressed by what he saw from Louisiana’s Soldiers during the visit.
“There are only about 11 rotations at JRTC each year and to have the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the Louisiana National Guard get one of those rotations is a spectacular opportunity,” Edwards, a former Ranger, said.
“I believe we have the best war fighting Guard in the country and I know we have the best disaster response. But to be able to see these Soldiers and commanders, that I personally know, out in the field, I’m really proud of them.”
Edwards said he’s sure the Soldiers are taking advantage of the training they’re receiving during Rotation 19-08.
“I know they’re learning a lot,” he said.
“This is the most difficult training the Army has for units and they’re going to get better as a result of the training they’re getting here. I’m proud of the effort they’re putting forth. This is the best training in the Army to make sure the units are proficient, and give Soldiers the opportunity to experience as much as possible before they actually go into battle. That way they’ll perform better and more will return home safely, so it’s critically important.”
Johnson, who said he brought his family to JRTC for a “box” tour in 2018, said it’s impressive to see what goes into a JRTC rotation.
“Seeing the individual Soldiers has been an incredible experience,” he said. “I wish we could get more people from North Louisiana and other parts of the state to come down and experience this.”
The opportunity to see Soldiers who live in Louisiana train “has been fantastic,” Johnson said.
“These are the greatest men and women in the state. They serve selflessly, they are out here suffering in the heat and doing it for all of us. They deserve our respect.”
Johnson said it was important for him to see the Soldiers going through the crucible that is a JRTC rotation up close — to gain a new perspective.
“I can take that perspective back to Congress and advocate for the needs of the military installations in our state,” he said.
“It’s a big thing for the state, the region and the nation. And everything we do here is bragging rights for us on Capitol Hill.”
Maj. Gen. Glenn Curtis, adjutant general for the Louisiana National Guard, explained the importance of the visit by Edwards and Johnson.
“The governor provides funding for the Louisiana National Guard to help us maintain our readiness, and Congress provides funding and equipment for us,” he said.
“It’s important they see how hard our Soldiers train, and how difficult and tough they are.”
As for his Soldiers, Glenn said the JRTC rotation is a golden opportunity.
“The JRTC and National Training Center are the premiere training centers in the world for an Army or brigade combat team,” he said.
“So the experience for the 256th to come here and train is important. The leadership development across the brigade has grown tremendously and will serve us well into the future.”
It’s difficult for a National Guard unit to maintain its readiness when they drill one weekend a month and two weeks annual training, Glenn said.
“We must maintain squad and platoon level efficiency until we get a rotation like this to work the entire unit together,” he said.
“This place is not designed to be easy — it’s tough as nails out here. But what I like is that I’ve seen the (majority) of this brigade stay positive and that’s good.
“They’re dirty, they’re nasty, they haven’t slept, they’ve been doing a lot, and training hard, so the fact their morale is high is great.”
Brig. Gen. Patrick D. Frank, commanding general, JRTC and Fort Polk, said he appreciated the time Edwards and Johnson took to visit their Soldiers.
“It’s important for the governor and the congressman to be here today to see their Soldiers, Louisiana’s 256th IBCT, here at JRTC training in a decisive action environment, and see the investment they have in these Soldiers, the resources and time the state’s provided to them for training,” Frank said.
“Last year they were at Camp Shelby (Mississippi), this year they are at the pinnacle, JRTC, against a world-class opposing force.
“It’s great for the governor and congressman to actually see how well the brigade is performing out here in the box,” said Frank.
Of the 11 rotations slated for JRTC in fiscal year 2019, two are for National Guard units.
“The last time this brigade was at a (combat training center) was (the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California) when they were a heavy unit in 2001,” Frank said.
“So, 18 years later, they are back at a combat training center. It shows you the value of driving your training strategy towards a training center rotation. You get that peak readiness inside of a brigade combat team.
“I think the governor was very proud of that — he saw readiness being built inside his Louisiana formations,” he said.
As for as his JRTC team, Frank shared his pride in his Soldiers’ work. “I’m exceptionally proud of our entire team at JRTC and Fort Polk,” he said.
“What all of these professionals do for the United States Army, for fellow Soldiers in formations across the Army — building combat readiness so that when the nation calls, those units will be ready — that’s what the JRTC does for our Army. And that is especially important here today on the 244th birthday of the U.S. Army.”

• Date Taken: 06.21.2019
• Date Posted: 06.21.2019 10:36
• Story ID: 328650
• Location: LOUISIANA, US