Introduction

An intensive month of training activities aimed at qualifying Army personnel from various operational units as first and second level Observer/Coach-Trainers (O/C-T) has concluded at the Monte Romano Force Preparation Centre.

The Basic Course

The basic course, which is essential for the qualification of new personnel, took place over three weeks. It involved military personnel from the 80th “Roma” Regiment, the Military Academy of Modena, the 183rd Parachutists Regiment “Nembo”, and the Brunico Force Preparation Centre.

The first week focused on acquiring fundamental knowledge about the O/C-T role, while the rest were centered on day and night practical activities. These culminated with 48 hours of continuous exercise in a combat scenario, testing what the future O/C-T’s have learned during the course.

Roles and Responsibilities

Observers have always been employed in opposing parties’ exercises. Thanks to the establishment of Tactical Training Centres in 2014, the observer’s role has evolved into the current Observer/Coach-Trainer, expanding specific skills. Today’s O/C-Ts, besides serving as coaches, also have skills as trainers/mentors, and are entrusted with evaluating the training performances of the units they are attached to, which are reviewed in the After Action Review (AAR).

O/C-T’s represent a highly qualified and invaluable figure, making every exercise a dynamic learning laboratory capable of increasing the experiential database of every trained soldier.

Therefore, the 80th “Roma” Regiment reaffirms itself as a national training hub of excellence in the field of simulation and tactical training, offering high realism in conducting training activities.

Source and photo credit @Italian Army-Command for Evaluation and Innovation of the Army