75th USARIC conducts Operation Catalyst Forge at Camp Shelby

Courtesy Photo | Maj. Pixley Ospina conducts M17 pistol marksmanship ahead of the Innovator Challenge at Camp Shelby, Miss, July 15, 2026. The Innovator Challenge tested the ability to perform physical tasks, logic challenges and marksmanship under pressure. M17 marksmanship was conducted as a stress shoot. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Davis, 75th U.S. Army Reserve Innovation Command)  

CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI, UNITED STATES

07.15.2026

Courtesy Story

75th US Army Reserve Innovation Command

Story by Capt. Lauren Pascale, 75th USARIC

CAMP SHELBY, Miss.— The 75th U.S. Army Reserve Innovation Command conducted Operation Catalyst Forge from July 12–25, 2026, here.

Designed by the 75th USARIC’s Army Materiel Command – Army Reserve Element the two-week training event allowed the command’s Soldiers, who typically focus on technical assessments and specialized modernization missions, to sharpen their core warrior skills, tasks and battle drills, while also participating in professional development training and to continue building unit morale.

“Operation Catalyst Forge is a readiness-enhancing event designed to enhance Warrior proficiency, build camaraderie and morale, and invest into intellectual capital knowledge within 75th USARIC,” Col. Bradley Docimo, commander, AMC-ARE, explained. “The comprehensive menu of certifications, seminars, and workgroups empowered Soldiers to pursue individual interests and passions and leverage strengths while building lasting benefit for the Army Reserve.”

Week 1: Warrior Week & The Innovator Challenge The first half of the exercise, called Warrior Week, focused heavily on tactical readiness and fundamental Soldier skills. The training curriculum included:

• Core Readiness: Army warrior tasks including land navigation, physical fitness, casualty treatment, individual movement techniques, and Soldier readiness.
• Weapons Qualification: M4 carbine and M17 pistol ranges.
• A two-week additional skill identifier producing specialized certification courses: Holistic Health and Fitness and Operational Contract Support.

Warrior Week culminated in the Innovator Challenge, a demanding capstone crucible event. The competitive race pushed participating Soldiers to their limits, testing physical strength, logic and marksmanship under pressure.

A Historic Integration During the training, Maj. Gen. Michelle Link, commanding general, 75th USARIC, officiated a patching ceremony to formally welcome Soldiers from the Army Reserve Sustainment Command into the 75th USARIC.

In her address to the newly unified formation, Link emphasized the strategic importance of the merger, noting it establishes "unity of command and unity of effort in pursuit of modernization."

"I am privileged to have shared in this moment with you," Link said in her remarks to the group of newly 75th patched Soldiers. "I have great expectations of what you will bring to the formation, and I am immensely proud to see both organizations together as one."

Week 2: Innovator Week & Staff Operations The second half of the exercise, Innovator Week, transitioned to elective professional development, specialized workgroups and staff exercises. Key training tracks and operations included:

• Professional Certifications: Army Sustainment University Supply Chain Management Certification course and Warrior Acquisition University’s Contracting Officer of Record 222 course.
• Sustainment and Care: Combat Lifesaver certification course ensured the organization is postured to provide medical stabilization and treatment at the point of injury, enabling future warrior task training.
• Warrior Acquisition University also presented a leadership development track, providing professional growth and development for NCOs and Officers across the formation not attending certification courses.
• Operational workgroups: Three workgroups used Innovator Week to serve on dedicated workgroups supporting 75th USARIC operational missions, providing valuable doctrine, frameworks, and products for the Army Reserve including: Twice the Talent , a skills collection and metrics tool; Counter-UAS workgroup, developing acquisition, sustainment, and management doctrine for the USAR; and G-TEAD Kinetic Reach workgroup, which conducted 13 technical assessments evaluating USAR purchase of cutting edge technology proposals.

Back to Basics The hands-on tactical environment was well received by the participants, offering an opportunity for technical specialists to return to tactical field operations.

"It’s good that we are getting senior leadership out here," said Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Plunk, Detachment 1, AMC-ARE, 75th USARIC. "We are getting back to Soldier-level tasks—firing weapons, conducting land nav], moving and communicating. This is the most field time we have had. It has been an opportunity for continual improvement."

• Date Taken: 07.15.2026
• Date Posted: 09.02.2026 19:25
• Story ID: 573836
• Location: CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI, US