United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence

United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence
Unit name	Maneuver Center of Excellence
Caption	Distinctive unit insignia
Dates	2009–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States
Type	Training and Doctrine Command center
Role	Maneuver force proponent
Garrison	Fort Moore, Georgia
Garrison label	Headquarters
Commander1	LTG (promotable) Patrick D. Frank
Commander1 label	Commanding General
Commander2	CSM Jason D. Wilson
Commander2 label	Command Sergeant Major

United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence. The United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence is a major United States Army Training and Doctrine Command organization responsible for developing the doctrine, training, and leader development for the Army's maneuver forces. Headquartered at Fort Moore in Georgia, it serves as the proponent for the Infantry and Armor branches, shaping the capabilities of the close combat force. The center integrates the capabilities of several historic schools and commands to prepare soldiers and units for full-spectrum operations.

History

The center was established in 2009 as part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure commission recommendations, which consolidated several major training institutions. Its creation merged the United States Army Infantry School and the United States Army Armor School, the latter relocating from Fort Knox in Kentucky to Fort Benning, which was renamed Fort Moore in 2023. This merger brought together the legacies of iconic units like the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and the historic 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment. The consolidation aimed to foster integrated combined arms training and doctrine development under a single command, enhancing the synergy between infantry and armor forces.

Organization and structure

The Maneuver Center of Excellence is commanded by a lieutenant general who also serves as the Commanding General of Fort Moore. Key subordinate elements include the Maneuver Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate, which oversees future force design, and the Henry Caro Noncommissioned Officer Academy. The center directly commands several brigades, including the 198th Infantry Brigade and the 316th Cavalry Brigade, which are responsible for executing training missions. It works in close coordination with other United States Army Training and Doctrine Command centers, such as the United States Army Fires Center of Excellence at Fort Sill and the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Novosel.

Mission and functions

The primary mission is to develop, design, and integrate capabilities for the United States Army's maneuver force, ensuring dominance in close combat. Core functions include writing and validating doctrinal publications like the Army Doctrine Publication 3-90 and managing the Army Universal Task List for maneuver tasks. The center serves as the proponent for Infantry and Armor military occupational specialties, determining training requirements and career progression. It also conducts rigorous analysis and experimentation to inform future Next Generation Combat Vehicle programs and soldier lethality initiatives.

Training and doctrine development

The center conducts the Army's premier entry-level training for Infantry and Armor soldiers through One Station Unit Training. It executes advanced individual courses like the Infantry Officer Basic Course and the Armor Basic Officer Leader Course. Doctrine development is centralized within the Maneuver Center of Excellence Directorate of Training and Doctrine, which publishes critical field manuals and coordinates with the United States Army Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth. Training emphasizes integrated combined arms operations, often conducted alongside the 75th Ranger Regiment and 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade at the expansive Maneuver Center of Excellence ranges.

Component schools and units

Principal component schools include the United States Army Infantry School and the United States Army Armor School, which reside under the center's umbrella. Key training units are the 198th Infantry Brigade, which trains Infantry soldiers, and the 316th Cavalry Brigade, responsible for Armor and cavalry training. The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation also falls under the center's purview, providing professional education to international military partners. Operational units stationed at Fort Moore for support and opposing force roles include the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and elements of the 3rd Infantry Division.

Facilities and location

The center is situated at Fort Moore, a major United States Army installation spanning portions of Muscogee County and Chattahoochee County in Georgia. Its vast training infrastructure includes the Maneuver Center of Excellence's McKenna Urban Operations Complex and the Red Cloud Complex for live-fire exercises. The installation features extensive ranges, such as those at Sand Hill, and simulation facilities like the Dismounted Soldier Training System. The location provides strategic access to other major training areas, including the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson and the National Training Center at Fort Irwin.

Category:United States Army Training and Doctrine Command Category:Fort Moore Category:Training establishments of the United States Army