The overall aim of military training is to maintain and improve the competence of the Corps Staff, the Command Support Brigade (CSB) and formations of Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE) throughout the entire spectrum of operations. Training & exercises prepare the Corps Staff as a whole, or individual elements, to deploy and accomplish tasks as a headquarters at both the Corps and Higher Command level. Training & exercises warrant the operational effectiveness of all functional areas or branches of the Corps Staff and their interfaces in terms of Combat, Combat Support and Combat Service Support.
Due to its status as part of the Graduated Readiness Forces (Land), HQ MNC NE follows a three-year training cycle, which is coordinated with the framework nations, the participating states and all NATO Commands.
Training & exercise activities range from study periods to live exercises with the main emphasis on the first. HQ MNC NE usually chooses Command Post Exercises (CPX) and Computer-Assisted Exercises (CAX) as the appropriate means of training.
Command Post Exercises (CPX) provide opportunities for the Commander and his staff to train procedures and decision-making processes. Participants simulate opposing forces (OPFOR) or situational forces (SITFOR) on the paper play. The staff is able to train different kinds of conflicts during such exercises – High-Intensity War-Fighting (HIW), Crisis Response Operations (CRO) or Peace Support Operations (PSO), thereby providing essential training at minimum cost, which serves as a training basis for more complex exercises.
Computer-Assisted Exercises (CAX) take CPX’es one step further – the units are employed in a sophisticated computer simulation, a kind of "war-game". A major advantage of CAX in comparison with other forms of exercises is the capability to conduct various types of conflict involving force-on-force operations. Nevertheless, not everything can be mirrored or depicted in the simulation, like consumption rates, side effects etc. As a consequence, computer-assisted exercises are well suited for High-Intensity War-Fighting (HIW), Crisis Response Operations (CRO), and Peace Support Operations (PSO). However, additional efforts to replicate an appropriate scenario are required in order to thoroughly educate the Corps Staff.
Live Exercises (LIVEX) are used to integrate forces in an exercise in order to achieve synergetic training effects for both the headquarters and subordinate formations. It is the most comprehensive and realistic form of exercise, since it combines computer simulation and field training exercises. However, it is also the most expensive kind of training. Live exercises contribute significantly to the operational readiness of a headquarters and of subordinate forces by providing them the opportunity to build up tactical and operational skills at the national levels.
With the purpose of fundamentally orientating MNC NE to the future tasks, missions and challenges, Commander MNC NE has specified his training & exercise policy principles. This mission driven policy requires a flexible and multiyear approach at all levels, and focuses on the mission preparation training requirements and effects based joint training. It also requires assigned formations and capabilities to be provided by the Nations, earmarked for dedicated training and exercise activities in order to allow the Corps to meet training requirements applicable to Graduated Readiness Forces (Land) Headquarters.
