Texas Army Guard Sharpens Battle Command in Warfighter Exercise | Article

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. — The Texas Army National Guard’s 36th Infantry Division wrapped up a high-stakes Warfighter exercise this month, putting its command teams and staff through a grueling, simulated campaign that tested their ability to plan, coordinate and fight as a unified force — all without firing a single live round.

The training was conducted at Camp Atterbury entirely through the Army’s Command Post Computing Environment, or CPCE. This sophisticated digital system allows commanders to direct simulated troops, track battlefield movements and coordinate everything from ammunition deliveries to complex maneuvers in real time.

For a National Guard division whose Soldiers typically come together only during monthly drill weekends and annual training, the exercise was a rare and critical opportunity to rehearse the demands of sustained combat operations. With a deployment on the horizon next year, leaders say the Warfighter was more than just a test; it was a proving ground.

“This exercise was about making decisions under pressure, synchronizing our efforts and learning how to fight as one,” said Brig. Gen. Matthew James, the division’s deputy commanding general for maneuver. “We trained like we’ll fight, using every tool available to us to keep the enemy off balance and maintain the initiative.”

Across the simulated battlefield, the division directed multiple brigades in seizing key terrain, disrupting enemy formations and forcing opposing forces into a defensive posture. Every move was deliberate, and every order contributed to CPCE’s common operating picture, providing commanders at every level with a unified, real-time view of the fight.

Sustainment, the lifeline of any operation, was also at the forefront. Using CPCE’s logistics tools, planners rehearsed moving massive quantities of supplies to forward positions. In a single 24-hour period, the division simulated delivering nearly 200,000 units of food, more than 339,000 gallons of fuel, more than 59,000 units of barrier and construction materials, and more than 300,000 rounds of ammunition.

“Our sustainment teams worked hand-in-hand with maneuver to make sure operations never slowed down,” said Brig. Gen. Theresa Cogswell, the division’s deputy commanding general for support. “Even in simulation, you can’t win without anticipating needs and pushing resources where they’re required most.”

The 36th Infantry Division’s performance at Warfighter builds on a proud legacy. Known as the “Texas Division” and wearing the distinctive “T-Patch,” the unit has fought in some of the most pivotal campaigns in U.S. Army history — from landing at Salerno during World War II to serving in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. That tradition of service continues today, with the division preparing to add a new chapter to its history in the coming deployment.

Maj. Gen. John Bowlin, commanding general of the 36th Infantry Division, said the exercise proved the division’s ability to operate as a cohesive, combat-ready force despite geographic separation during most of the year.

“When we deploy, it won’t matter that our Soldiers normally train in separate locations across Texas and beyond,” Bowlin said. “What matters is that we know how to integrate our capabilities, make rapid decisions, and execute as one division. This Warfighter showed we can do exactly that.”

For many Soldiers, the exercise was the most immersive training they’ve experienced outside of a deployment.

“It was fast-paced, and it pushed all of us to think ahead,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jaime Meza, a paralegal with the division’s Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. “You could see how every decision in the command post had a ripple effect on the fight. It made me feel confident about what we can do when we’re overseas.”

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