As the Army adjusts its forces to a new way of warfare, the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado, conducted the first division-level command post exercise in preparation for their warfighter exercise in 2025. This exercise, called Lethal Ivy, involved 1,000 soldiers practicing the Army’s multidomain operations doctrine with various joint units.
The exercise tested communication, coordination, and planning skills across different units, including Army National Guard, Marine Reserve, Air Force, and Space Force. Brig. Gen. Eugene “Buddy” Ferris, from 4th ID, highlighted the importance of practicing the new doctrine and shared insights from the effort at the Maneuver Warfighter Conference in Fort Moore, Georgia.
Lessons learned from the exercise included the need for timely coordination among units, especially at battalion and company levels. The exercise also revealed challenges in adapting command post setups for multidomain operations, emphasizing the importance of integration and quick decision-making.
Overall, the exercise provided valuable experience and highlighted areas for improvement as the Army transitions from counterinsurgency operations to multidomain operations. The 4th Infantry Division’s efforts to align with various operational units demonstrate the ongoing adaptation required to effectively implement multidomain operations doctrine.
