Next month the new Medium Brigades will get a trial by fire. The first fully equipped Medium Brigade (well, actually a reinforced battalion), will participate in exercises at the National Training Center (NTC). Since the 1980s, the NTC has provided very realistic exercises for army combat units. Using a form of laser tag, a large exercise area and skilled opponents, the value of the NTC was proven during the Gulf War. Units that fought in Iraq attributed a lot of their success to the realistic experiences they underwent at their NTC exercises. For some hints on how the exercise might unfold, check the Team Trackless page at strategypage.com.