Rees Training Center

About Us

On behalf of the State of Oregon, the Governor, and the Oregon Military Department, welcome to Raymond F. Rees National Guard Training Center (RTC).

RTC stands on a foundation of distinguished service and transformation. Established in October 1941 as the Umatilla Army Ordnance Depot, the site was instrumental in supporting the U.S. war effort during World War II. At its peak, more than 2,000 civilian personnel—27 percent of them women—were employed to store and distribute munitions. This critical mission continued through Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

In 1962, the facility was re-designated as the Umatilla Army Depot and began the storage of chemical munitions. By 1996, it became known as the Umatilla Chemical Depot, holding 12 percent of the nation's chemical weapons stockpile. Disposal operations commenced in 2004 and concluded successfully in 2011. The depot was officially closed in 2012.

Today, the installation enters a new operational phase as Raymond Rees National Guard Training Center. Honoring its legacy of service, RTC now provides mission-ready training space, lodging, and billeting support for military units across the region. As a vital component of Oregon's military infrastructure, RTC is committed to supporting unit readiness, tactical proficiency, and the development of the modern warfighter.

Training Capabilities

Raymond Rees National Guard Training Center (RTC) is a mission-ready installation designed to support both individual and collective training for units up to battalion size (approximately 300–800 soldiers). Encompassing roughly 8,000 acres, RTC provides a range of training environments, including weapons firing ranges, limited maneuver space, tracked vehicle driver training areas, and the infrastructure necessary to support both Inactive Duty Training (IDT) and Annual Training (AT) periods.

RTC is also home to the Regional Training Institute (RTI), one of only two infantry training schools located west of the Mississippi River. The RTI is capable of housing and feeding up to 120 soldiers simultaneously. Course offerings vary in duration and focus, ranging from 5-day Tactical Certification Courses to 19-day Advanced Leadership Courses, conducted on a recurring monthly schedule throughout the year.

Outside of scheduled course cycles, RTI facilities are utilized by the Oregon Training Command and Oregon Army National Guard units for IDT and AT missions. Training emphasis includes tactical proficiencies such as weapons qualification, land navigation, and driver training for both wheeled and tracked military vehicles.

UXO AWARENESS:

Remember the 3Rs of Explosive Safety:

Recognize: Realize when you may have seen ammo.

Retreat: Do not touch, move or disturb ammo - carefully leave the area, but do not run.

Report: Call local authorities

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While we do have amenities for R&R, please remember Rees Training Center is foremost a military training center.

The above link is a coloring book that was developed to promote safety awareness to children who may encounter remnants of military munitions while playing.

American Historical Events For the Month of October:

October 5th 1921 - The World Series was Broadcast on radio for the first time.

October 11th 1984 - Space Shuttle Challenger astronaut Kathryn Sullivan bcomes the first American woman to walk in space.

October 13th 1775 - The U.S. Continental Navy was created.

October 16th 1962 - The Cuban Missle Crisis begins.

October 18th 1867 - The U.S. purchased the territory of Alaska from Russia for $7.2M. What a deal it was!!

October 20th 1803 - The U.S ratifies the Louisian Purchase.

October 21st 1797 - "Old Ironsides", the USS Constitution was launched in Boston, MA.

October 25th 1983 - U.S. forces invade Grenada.

October 28th 1886 - France presents the U.S. with the Statue of Liberty.

Burrowing Owl Conservation Project

Rees Training Center and the adjacent land managed by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) currently supports one of the most remarkable Burrowing Owl conservation success stories in the Western United States. In 2008, with the Burrowing Owl population dwindling to just five nesting pairs, a vital conservation program was launched. Rees Training Center, now the premier training facility of the Oregon National Guard under the Oregon Military Department, has continued efforts alongside the CTUIR which have resulted in a thriving population of over 100 nesting Burrowing Owl pairs. These efforts have not only contributed to the recovery of the Burrowing Owl population here but have come to serve as a model for other Department of Defense installations. This success story demonstrates that military readiness and environmental stewardship can not only co-exist, but can thrive, proving that protecting mission-sensitive species is possible even in active training environments.

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