Originally established at Fort Chafee in Arkansas in 1987 and relocated to Fort Polk in Louisiana in 1993, the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) Operations Group’s mission is to improve unit preparedness by conducting combined arms training that is both realistic and stressful. Mission objectives are crafted to reflect participating units’ essential tasks, with many scenarios serving as rehearsals for upcoming operations. To make the training for contingency missions as lifelike as possible, the exercises include civilians and government officials from a host nation, insurgents, reporters and journalists, and even non-governmental organizations.
As an Airborne unit, JRTC Operations Group personnel wear an organizational flash on their beret and an oval under any authorized Parachutist or Air Assault badges they have won. A total of five versions of the flash and oval were manufactured before the sixth time proved lucky; it was adapted for wear 14 May 1991 (the unit was known as simply Joint Readiness Training Center at that time).
Related Items:
JRTC Operations Group Unit Patch (SSI)JRTC Operations Group Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB) JRTC Operations Group Unit Crest (DUI)