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Guardsman Takes Command Of T3BL; New Labs Dedicated

Story by Roman Martyniuk, NJDMAVA/PA. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kryn Westhoven, 444 MPAD

Col. Charles Ragucci assumed command of the Training and Training Technology Battle Lab (T3BL) at Fort Dix Nov. 3.

Col. Ragucci is the first traditional Guardsman to assume command of the facility. He currently serves as the Construction Facility Management Officer, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

The Urban Night Fighting Lane at T3BLCol. Ragucci has served in the New Jersey Army National Guard for more than 32 years. He enlisted in February 1970 with the 5th Squadron 117th Cavalry. After nine years as enlisted, he served an additional four as a warrant officer before attending Officer Candidate School at the New Jersey Military Academy in Sea Girt. Upon commission as a second lieutenant, he served with the 2nd Battalion 113th Infantry, Division Support Command, and the 50th Main Support Battalion. He is a graduate of Roger Williams University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and has completed the United States Army Command and General Staff College. His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

The ceremony also included the dedication of Phases I and II in the expansion of the T3BL. The Lab serves as a national center for simulators and simulations; a distance learning hub; and a battle staff training site.

The Phase I facility is the Theater of War hub that has the capability to link with multiple locations worldwide. Phase II includes four Night Fighting Lanes, a Close Combat Tactical Trainer bay to accommodate an M-1Abrams and Bradley Fighting Vehicle Company. It will also be linked to the Consolidated Logistics Maintenance Training Site at Lakehurst, the Army’s Leader Development Center in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and other training facilities.