Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana

June 13-15, 2001
Contact: Washington FPC Defense Program Officer Rick Machamer
Tel: (202) 504-6356; e-mail: MachamerRF@state.gov

The Washington FPC conducted a three-day tour to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, June 13 - 15. Reporters observed the realistic training of Army units being deployed to Bosnia in October. The reporters focused on the detailed realism of the training environment, the extensive preparation by the units, and the National Guardsmen’s professionalism. The reporters also noted the 300 civilians from the region now living in the U.S. who are contracted by the military to role-play the citizens of Bosnia; all three ethnic groups live and work together during the two-week exercise and, according to them, "get along fine."