C002491

Round shaped, brass colored coin, 2 inches in diameter.

SIDE 1 -

SIDE 2

Building on the success of the National Training Center which began training armored and mechanized forces in 1981, the Army also recognized that light infantry forces needed similar unit training and the Joint Readiness Training Center was born. The JRTC now makes its permanent home at Fort Polk as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure recommendations approved by Congress in 1991. At a redesignation ceremony March 12, 1993, Fort Polk made the official transition from the home of an Infantry division to the home of a combat training center.

JRTC's heavy integration of Air Force and other military services, as well as host-nation and civilian personnel, makes its training uniquely realistic. As in a real world situation, light forces depend on the Air Force for airlift, close-air support and resupply. Air Force units have been involved in JRTC exercises to date. Units from the Navy and Marine Corps continue to increase their level of involvement, as have military units from foreign countries.