Robinson Maneuver Training Center, also known as Camp Joseph T. Robinson, is a 32,000 acres (13,000 ha) Arkansas Army National Guard installation located in North Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas. It hosts the Joint Force Headquarters of the Arkansas National Guard, the Headquarters of the Arkansas Air National Guard, the Headquarters of the 77th Combat Aviation Brigade, the Headquarters of the 87th Troop Command, and the Camp Pike U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Complex. The installation is also home to three National Guard training centers: The National Guard Professional Education Center (PEC), the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center (NGMTC), and the 233d Regiment (Regional Training Institute).

History

An underground hospital dug out of sandstone and solid rock at Camp Joseph T. Robinson (1943)

Established on 18 July 1917, the facility was originally named Camp Pike in honor of U.S. Army Brigadier General Zebulon Pike.[1] Camp construction was supervised by Major John R. Fordyce, the son of Samuel W. Fordyce.[2] It was garrisoned by the 162d Depot Brigade and used for the mobilization of the 87th Division during World War I. From 1919 to 1921, Camp Pike was the home of the 3rd Division. In 1921, the 3rd Division was relocated to Camp Lewis in Washington state and the facility was transferred to the Arkansas National Guard.[1] In 1922, the Arkansas National Guard headquarters were moved there.[3] In 1937, it was renamed Camp Joseph T. Robinson in honor of the late U.S. senator Joseph T. Robinson of Arkansas.[1]

In 1939, discussions began over enlarging the facility and creating a U.S. Army training camp in preparation for World War II. The original buildings built for World War I were demolished, and construction of the new enlarged camp began in fall 1940. In early 1941, the 35th Infantry Division was assigned to the camp for one year of training, before departing for California after the Pearl Harbor attacks in December 1941. In 1943, three detention compounds with a 4,000-bed total capacity were built for German prisoners of war. In 1945, a fourth 1,100-bed compound was added. In 1946, Camp Joseph T. Robinson was returned to state control.[3]

Units

List of units at Robinson:[4]

  • 77th Combat Aviation Brigade
  • 87th Troop Command Headquarters
    • HHC, 87th Troop Command
    • Recruiting and Retention Command
    • 106th Army Band
    • 61st Civil Support Team
  • 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Brigade Headquarters
    • HHC, Infantry Brigade Combat Team
    • Company A, 239th Brigade Engineer Battalion
    • Company D, 239th Brigade Engineer Battalion
  • Joint Force Headquarters
  • RMTC Institute Support Unit
  • Army Aviation Support Facility
  • Detachment 30, Operational Support Airlift Command
  • Medical Command
  • 233d Regiment (Regional Training Institute)
  • National Guard Marksmanship Training Center
  • 326th Trial Defense Team

Military education

National Guard Professional Education Center

Robinson is home to the PEC and its 75-acre campus consisting of 25 buildings and a total staff of approximately 420 military, civilian contractor personnel. We annually provide instruction to over 20,000 members of the military force. The Professional Education Center also hosts over 5,000 conferees annually from the National Guard, Army Reserve, Active Army, DOD, State and Federal agencies. These conferences typically provide 3 to 5 day training sessions covering specific subjects and discussions on a wide variety of issues such as: mobilizations and deployments; standards; new tactics, techniques, and procedures; and leadership development. The Army National Guard Senior Commanders' Conference, FORSCOM Command Readiness Program Conference, Winston P. Wilson Marksmanship Competition, Training and Requirements Opportunities Sourcing Conference, Army National Guard Fixed Wing Conference, and the Army National Guard Chief of Staff Advisory Council Conference are just a few of the conferences held at PEC.[5]

National Guard Marksmanship Training Center

The Marksmanship Training Center (MTC) programs and provides institutional training within Marksmanship related activities which will enhance effectiveness of unit level training programs in the Army and Air National Guard and missions based on the collective requirements identified by NGB-ART-I (Individual Training Branch), the Army Program for Individual Training (ARPRINT) for the Army National Guard, the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR), and the Active Component (AC) in support of the Army's Modular Force. Administer NGB Marksmanship training and competitive programs at all levels, stressing the development of combat skills to improve proficiency above basic marksmanship requirements and increase battlefield survivability. Provides training, training support and validation of mission essential task performance for the Army SNIPER training programs. Conduct mobile training team assistance and/or assessment visits to units. The MTC provides coordinating authority, quality assurance (QA), assessment and accreditation oversight for training responsibilities. The MTC provides for the review and development of associated TATS courseware in response to the Army's training needs and the Contemporary Operating Environment (COE). Additionally, the MTC provides operational, training, administrative, logistical, and resource management support as required to accomplish the mission to train the Army Warrior within each respective State and Territory as specified and approved by The Adjutant General (TAG).[6]

Regional Training Institute

The 233d Regiment (Regional Training Institute) has a long and proud history. It began in 1957 with the first Officer Candidate Class. For the next 39 years the Arkansas Military Academy built a proud heritage in the Arkansas National Guard setting the standard for some of the best officers in the Army. The RTI provides training to Soldiers from all 54 States and Territories.

In 1984, General Herbert Temple had a vision to develop a two-week course that would hone and improve the soldier combat skills needed to win on the modern battlefield. For ten years the Battle Skills School trained soldiers from all over the United States on the basic skills of survival and small unit tactics.

The Total Army School System took shape in Arkansas as the 233d Regiment (Regional Training Institute) in October 1994. The 233d RTI was organized from the Arkansas Military Academy and the Battle Skills School combining their respective TDAs.

The Mission of the RTI is to train infantry and artillery, and communications military occupational specialties, as well as non-commissioned officer education, and officer candidate school. The 233rd operates the second largest infantry school in the Army, only second to Fort Benning. Approximately 1,930 soldiers graduated training at the RTI during Fiscal Year 06.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Clay, Steven E. (2010). U.S. Army Order of Battle 1919–1941 (PDF). Vol. 1. Fort Leavenworth, Kansas: Combat Studies Institute Press. pp. 63, 208. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  2. ↑ "John Rison Fordyce Papers: Biographical Information". University Libraries ArchivesSpace at the University of Arkansas. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Hope, Holly (2008). ""We've Gotta Get Tough": History of World War II Home Front Efforts in Arkansas, 1941–1946" (PDF). Arkansas Historic Preservation Project. pp. 24–25, 53. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  4. ↑ https://media.defense.gov/2018/Sep/19/2002042635/-1/-1/1/MAPINSERT_2018_V6.PDF
  5. ↑ Laverne E. Weber, National Guard Bureau Professional Education Center, Accessed 5 October 2010, http://www.pec.ngb.army.mil/AboutPEC/ Archived 2010-06-19 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ Arkansas National Guard, National Guard Marksmanship Training Center, accessed 5 October 2010, "NGMTC". Archived from the original on July 4, 2010. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  7. ↑ Arkansas National Guard, 233rd RTI, "233rd RTI". Archived from the original on July 4, 2010. Retrieved October 5, 2010.

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