166th Regiment: building readiness, developing leaders in FY26

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. — From classrooms and ranges to medical aid stations and field training exercises, the 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute (RTI) spent fiscal year 2026 preparing Soldiers to lead, fight and serve across the Army.

Located at Fort Indiantown Gap, the 166th Regiment RTI is a Pennsylvania Army National Guard-operated military training institution that trains U.S. Army National Guard, active Army and Army Reserve Soldiers. Its four training battalions conduct courses ranging from maneuver and field artillery to professional military education and combat medical training, while a team of support staff keeps the training network operating day after day.

From Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026, the Regiment trained approximately 4,250 Soldiers, supported 75 external training and resource requests, and provided training or other support to more than 9,200 external personnel. The Regiment also ranked No. 1 among RTIs nationwide for student throughput for the third consecutive year.

“Fiscal year 2026 was a highly successful year for the RTI. The quality of our instructors and the courses they instruct is phenomenal,” said Lt. Col. Gordon Kinneer, deputy commanding officer of the 166th Regiment. “Despite multiple fiscal constraints and significant reductions in manning, our instructors accomplished an incredible amount. The Regiment’s top ranking among RTIs nationwide speaks to their work ethic and the quality of the training they deliver.”

The Regiment’s 1st Battalion instructs courses including the Infantry Advanced Leader Course, Cavalry Scout Advanced Leader Course, Maneuver Senior Leader Course, Officer Candidate School and Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) Operator Course. The battalion trained 954 students across 23 classes and safely fired more than 163,000 rounds of live ammunition. It also supported the Pennsylvania National Guard’s combatives program and Ranger/Sapper assessment program, strengthened its SUAS program by securing 3D printing capabilities, and achieved the highest RTI student throughput nationwide for its 11B Infantry Advanced Leader Course and the second-highest for its Maneuver Senior Leader Course.

The RTI’s 2nd Battalion provided field artillery-focused instruction while conducting four live-fire exercises using the M119, M777 and M109A6 Paladin howitzer systems. The battalion exercised the full artillery fires chain, from forward observers and fire support specialists through fire direction centers and gun crews, giving students realistic, hands-on training from target acquisition to rounds downrange. Instructors fired more than 500 155mm rounds and more than 675 105mm rounds in total. The battalion increased its assigned personnel from 76% to 93% and supported Joint Fires Observer training that qualified more than two dozen U.S. Air Force Airmen.

The 3rd Battalion, Noncommissioned Officer Academy, focused on professional military education and leader development. The battalion trained more than 2,150 Soldiers through its Basic Leader Course (BLC) and Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course, while playing a key role in developing and validating the Army’s new 29-day BLC for Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers. In support of the Army’s vision for the extended course, 3rd Battalion instructors developed new course materials, concepts of operation and training products, then put them to the test through a field-intensive curriculum designed to challenge aspiring NCOs’ decision-making, troop-leading procedures and leadership under stress.

The 4th Battalion, Medical Battalion Training Site (MBTS), prepared combat medics through its 68W Military Occupational Specialty Transition Course and Comprehensive Medical Training programs. The battalion trained more than 280 Soldiers, certifying 115 combat medics, including 64 newly certified and 51 recertified Soldiers. The year also marked a major step in medical training integration as the Fort Indiantown Gap Medical Simulation Training Center consolidated under MBTS, aligning two critical training platforms to deliver more efficient, cohesive instruction and better support the Army’s medical readiness mission. Beyond its resident courses, the battalion supported more than 25 external training and resource requests for military and civilian partners, extending its medical expertise throughout the region.

While the training battalions serve as the visible face of the RTI’s instructional mission, the Regiment’s staff sections provide the infrastructure that makes that training possible.

The Regiment’s Human Resources office processed more than 2,000 personnel actions and 2,000 electronic personnel records. It also facilitated 300 Soldier awards and more than 400 federal recognition actions, ensuring the Regiment maintained the personnel support necessary to train and operate effectively.

The Regiment’s Operations office synchronized training resources and requirements across the organization, enabling the execution of 4,263 training seats against a forecasted requirement of 5,264, an 80% training throughput execution rate well above the nationwide RTI average. Looking ahead to fiscal year 2027, the office is focused on strengthening the Regiment’s training enterprise through updated operating procedures, continued accreditation efforts and modernization of the systems that support training and resource management.

The Regiment’s Supply section supported the physical requirements of training, issuing more than 287,000 rounds of ammunition, managing 437 maintenance work orders, issuing 1,179 meals and completing 27 equipment loans to external units. Its day-to-day responsibilities include issuing clothing and equipment, managing and dispatching the Regiment’s vehicle fleet, and maintaining and upgrading facilities to ensure students, instructors and staff have the resources required to accomplish their missions.

Meanwhile, the Regiment’s signal, communications and information technology staff provided audiovisual and IT support for 54 major events involving 7,899 people, modernized hundreds of computers and printers, expanded network capabilities and facilitated Microsoft 365 access for approximately 750 students.

As the 166th Regiment moves into fiscal year 2027, its focus remains on expanding instructor expertise, modernizing training capabilities and adapting instruction to the demands of an ever-changing operational environment, ensuring Soldiers leave the RTI better prepared to lead and accomplish their missions.

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