3rd Brigade, 78th Division (Training Support)
[ex- 3rd Support Brigade ]
3D Brigade 78TH Division (TS) is located in Devens, Mass., approximately one hour west of Boston. Four seasons make Devens an ideal place to live and work. The Brigade reorganized effective 1 October 1999 to provide a Tri-Component structure (Active, Reserve and National Guard) for training support assistance and evaluations for National Guard and Reserve Units throughout New England.
General Order 339, Headquarters, United States Continental Army Command , dated 21 June 1973, directed the organization of U.S. Army Readiness Region III, to include Readiness Group Devens as on element, effective 1 July 1973. Organization of the Army Readiness Regions and their subordinate Readiness Groups was a historic first. Never before had a single organization been responsible for providing assistance to both the Army Reserve and Army National Guard. Prior to 1985, the title of commander was not authorized. On 18 January 1985, the title of commander was approved and Colonel Jamo Powell became the first to hold that position. On 30 October 1997, the Readiness Group was redesignated as 3d Support Brigade, and on 14 September 1999, the unit was further redesignated as the 3d Brigade, 78th Division (Training Support).
Operation Desert Shield/Storm provided the opportunity for RG Devens to perform it's wartime mission of activating a Mobilization Assistance Team. The Group ultimately was responsible for preparing over 3,500 Reserve Component soldiers in over 35 designated units for deployment. Acronyms, methodology, doctrine, mission priorities and organizational structures have evolved over time; however, the Brigade's mission to provide assistance and instruction to Reserve Component units throughout the New England region has remained virtually unchanged. Whether assisting in the recent deployment of Reserve Component units to Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Endeavor, or providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the six New England States, the mission remains constant.
On order, 2d Battalion provides or augments Mobilization Assistance Teams (MAT) to assist installation and Reserve Component (RC) unit commanders in pre- and post-mobilization training and validation of mobilized units for deployment.
Units Prepare and Execute Lanes Training Exercise (LTX) Observer/ Controller-Trainer (O/C-T) support for Reserve Component (RC) units. RC unit in Training Support Battalion (TSBn) Area Of Responsibility (AOR) requests Aviation, Engineer or Military Police O/C-T support or Training Support Brigade (TSB) tasks TSBn to provide support to unit from inside/outside TSB AOR. LTX may occur during Annual Training and/or IDT and includes detailed Exercise Rules Of Engagement (EXROE) designed to enhance realism and safety. Unit trains at level organized (e.g., Company) and adheres to FORSCOM 80% Technical / 20% Tactical guidance for Combat Support unit training.
Second Battalion is primarily organized to provide Training Support to Engineer, Military Police and Aviation units. It also have the capability to provide limited branch-specific Training Support to Armor, Infantry and Field Artillery units. It provides general Training Support (e.g., Military Decision Making Process) and Functional Assistance (e.g., Supply Room Operations) to any type of Reserve Component unit. The 3d Battalion 310th Regiment, provides support for Combat Service Support units.
