{"id":41123,"date":"2021-10-12T13:54:52","date_gmt":"2021-10-12T13:54:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/10\/12\/new-formations-scenarios-take-shape-at-the-armys-maneuver-center\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T03:25:56","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T03:25:56","slug":"new-formations-scenarios-take-shape-at-the-armys-maneuver-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/10\/12\/new-formations-scenarios-take-shape-at-the-armys-maneuver-center\/","title":{"rendered":"New formations, scenarios take shape at the Army\u2019s maneuver center"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The shift to large scale, peer combat is happening at the Maneuver Center of Excellence<\/a>, at Fort Benning, Georgia \u2014 the Army\u2019s nexus for ground combat force development and entry-level to mid-career infantry and armor courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve changed all of our training scenarios from the Middle East to Europe or the Pacific Rim to focus on the threats and adversaries,\u201d said Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahoe, who heads the MCOE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Donahoe spoke with Army Times ahead of the Association of the U.S. Army\u2019s annual meeting. He gave an overview of the work done over the past year at MCOE and how it affects the ground combat element and the rest of the Army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the captains career course, they\u2019ve moved away from cordon and search scenarios. And they\u2019ve added into each classroom access to command post computing environments, as well as updated battle command systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow that the students can access that inside our classrooms, we\u2019re off map sheets and off plexiglass and now planning and operating on Army battle command systems before they go to the force,\u201d Donahoe said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of training, MCOE also develops new units and puts concepts to the test to see if they work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCurrently, the heavy divisional cavalry squadron, its force design, is going through a number of turns at the Maneuver Battle Lab,\u201d Donahoe said. \u201cWe\u2019re developing the light brigade and motorized brigade, taking a series of turns with those on European and Asian terrain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An armored assault company is also being designed. If approved by Army leadership, it would include two Bradley Fighting Vehicle platoons led by an armor lieutenant and all of those crewman would have the 19C MOS \u2013 a purpose built Bradley crewman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside that assault company there are also two infantry platoons led by an infantry lieutenant and sergeant. The students leaving Fort Benning will be Bradley drivers from day one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MCOE has also become the centerpiece of where soldiers are working with tactical robots<\/a>, from ground robotic wingmen<\/a> to pocket-sized drones<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019ve done work with those organizations on how to employ robotics systems in an infantry platoon or combined arms company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou never know how things are going to be employed by soldiers in a sterile laboratory,\u201d Donahoe said. \u201cYou have to do it in the dirt outside the lab, inside the squad and platoon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n