First Army Academy Advances Simulation and Instructor Training
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The First Army Academy (FAA) reports a year of major progress in training modernisation, instructor development and simulation‑enabled readiness.
The academy, responsible for preparing Observer Controller/Trainers (OC/Ts) to deliver the latest doctrine and tactics, trained more than 1,700 OC/Ts in 2025 with an instructor staff of just 18 personnel.
FAA Commandant Command Sgt. Maj. Santos Soto highlighted a mission focused on modernising instruction, strengthening partnerships, expanding instructor capability and enhancing readiness across the force. Over the past year, the academy updated and implemented its Program of Instruction while integrating new OC/T competencies, including data management and H2F‑I. FAA also launched a pilot virtual simulation course designed to replicate any training environment, placing OC/Ts “at the point of friction” in realistic, adaptive scenarios.
“These enhancements elevated OC/T proficiency, standardised instructional quality and aligned FAA training with emerging Army modernisation requirements,” Soto said.
The academy strengthened external partnerships through collaboration with the 1st Cavalry Division, 84th Training Command and Reserve MEDCOM units. FAA also supported two Mobile Training Teams to improve OC/T capability at the unit level, expanding First Army’s influence and improving interoperability.
Instructor development advanced significantly, including the certification of 10 senior instructors, development of one master instructor and the expansion of H2F‑I capability, enabling the replacement of civilian instructors without loss of instructional quality. FAA also halved its certification timeline and launched a mentorship programme to support Soldiers entering OC/T roles.
Facility upgrades, including new monitors, whiteboards and enhanced classroom security, contributed to improved instructional efficiency. The academy also increased student throughput from 72 to 96 during a government shutdown and improved Additional Skill Identifier management.
Soto said the year’s achievements strengthened institutional knowledge and directly increased First Army readiness.
