About Us
On behalf of the State of Oregon, the Governor, and the Oregon Military Department, welcome to Raymond 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.