According to Col Ragucci, “The T3BL has provided cost effective and extremely realistic simulated combat training to troops from both Guard and Reserve units as well as personnel from the United States Coast Guard, US Navy, and a number of troops from allied countries. The proximity of Ft Dix to McGuire Air Force Base provides convenient air transportation support thereby enabling soldiers from throughout the eastern United States to utilize the T3Bl during weekend training activity. With the addition of the new state-of-the art phase I & Phase II facilities, we’ve become even more versatile and more valuable to our nation’s national defense preparedness.”

Ragucci is the first M-day (mobilization day) or part-time, traditional Guardmember to assume command of the facility. He served as the first Director of the Regional Training Site Maintenance (which is co-located with the T3BL) and currently is employed full time with the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs as the CFMO (Construction Facility Management Officer). 

Ragucci has served in the New Jersey Army National Guard for more than 32 years. He enlisted in February of 1970 with the 5th Squadron 117th Cavalry headquartered in Westfield. After nine years as enlisted, he served an additional 4 years as a Warrant Officer before attending Officer Candidate School (Class # 21) at the New Jersey Military Academy in Sea Girt. Following his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, he served with the 2nd Battalion 113th Infantry in Newark, DISCOM (Division Support Command), and the Main Support Battalion in Teaneck. He is a graduate of Roger Williams University with a BS degree in Public Administration and completed the United States Army Command & General Staff College. His military awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. Colonel Ragucci and his wife Susan currently reside in Jackson Township. They have two married daughters, Kimberly Bruss and Victoria Parker.

Relinquishing command is Col H. Donald Capps who will be assuming new responsibilities as the Deputy G-3 (Training Officer) at the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C. 

The Change of Command ceremony also will include the dedication of Phase I& II expansion of the Army National Guard’s premier high technology training facility. 

There will be a guided tour of the entire T3BL facility following the conclusion of the ceremony.

Phase I provides a primary support facility for the Army National Guard’s Training and Training Technology Battle Lab (ARNG T3BL). The T3BL which serves as a national testing and fielding center for Training Aids, Simulators and Simulations (TADDS); a site for maintenance training and training development; a distance learning hub; and a site to conduct battle staff training. In addition this newly added portion of the facility will support the uplink, downlink, development and production of interactive courseware. 

The expanded T3BL will serve as the northeast hub for distance learning and will significantly reduce Operations (OPTEMPO) costs to the Army National Guard. 

Phase I consists of the Synthetic Theater of War (STOW) hub that has the virtual and constructive capabilities to link multiple locations throughout the USA or with locations in any other country that has the capability to connect unique and varied simulators and simulations equipment / systems. 

Phase II construction includes four Night Fighting Lanes, a Close Combat Tactical Trainer (CCTT) / SIMNET bay to accommodate an M-1Abrams main battle tank and Bradley Fighting Vehicle “Company Suite” and a Fire Support Combined Arms Tactical Trainer Bay as well as eight (8) multimedia classrooms. These classrooms, which can accommodate up to 20 students and instructors, can function independently for small classes or be configured to accommodate larger classes involved in training courses that require remote access to computer based training, audio conferencing / audiographics, satellite signal reception, and video teleconferencing. 

Phase II will provide connectivity to other training sites across the country, thereby incorporating the T3BL into a training simulation network that will include the new Consolidated Logistics Maintenance Training Site located in nearby Lakehurst, NJ, the Army’s Leader Development Center in Ft Leavenworth, KS, and other various training facilities involved in simulation exercises and training. 

Originally built in 1987, the T3Bl was intended to have been one of several Regional High Tech Training Centers across the country. However, it remains the only one of its kind facility in the country. There currently are more than 7,000 Army National Guard troops serving in 32 active armories throughout 20 of the 21 counties in the Garden State.