The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts for operational planning: MAJ Brandon Kilthau, the outgoing DIV G-3 Planner for Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control and MAJ Mike Stewart, the BDE S-3 Ops OIC OCT for BDE Command & Control (BDE HQ).   This episode explores why an effective battle rhythm is the backbone of successful command and control in large-scale combat operations. Rather than treating meetings as routine calendar events, the discussion emphasizes that a disciplined battle rhythm synchronizes planning, current operations, future operations, targeting, sustainment, intelligence, and command decision-making into a continuous cycle. The hosts examine how recurring events such as CUBs, BUBs, targeting working groups, logistics synchronization meetings, and rehearsals create shared understanding across the staff, allowing commanders to make timely decisions while ensuring information flows efficiently between higher, adjacent, and subordinate headquarters.   The conversation also highlights that a battle rhythm is only effective when it is deliberate, protected, and tied directly to the commander’s priorities. The panel discusses common pitfalls, including meeting overload, poor sequencing, unclear outputs, and allowing battle rhythm events to become information briefings rather than decision-making forums. Practical recommendations focus on building predictable reporting cycles, enforcing disciplined running estimates, integrating all warfighting functions, and ensuring every recurring event produces actionable decisions that enable faster planning, synchronized execution, and a more agile formation capable of maintaining operational tempo against a peer adversary.           Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts from within JRTC’s Brigade Command & Control Task Force (BDE HQ): MAJ Mike Stewart is the BDE S-3 Ops OIC OCT. MAJ Steve Yates is the BDE S-6 Signal OIC OCT. CW2 Chris Puthoff is the BDE S-6 Signal Network OCT. And SFC Aaron Breitbach is the BDE Fires OCT.   This episode examines the importance of digital fires in accelerating and improving the sensor-to-shooter kill chain. The discussion traces how fire missions move from forward observers using Precision Fires-Dismounted and the Joint Effects Targeting System through company and battalion fire-support elements, AFATDS, and ultimately the firing unit. Digital transmission reduces transcription errors, incorporates automated safety checks, improves target accuracy, and can cut mission processing from more than 20 minutes over voice to only a few minutes. The episode emphasizes that this speed is essential for delivering responsive fires, maintaining valid triggers, and supporting Soldiers in close contact before the tactical situation changes.   The conversation also addresses why digital fires frequently struggle despite their advantages. Effective employment requires fires and signal personnel to jointly design, resource, test, and sustain the architecture rather than treating it as the responsibility of a single warfighting function. Topics include limited network profiles, radios tied to specific IP addresses and mission plans, equipment compatibility, redundant digital pathways, PACE planning, and the consequences of late changes to the maneuver plan. The episode recommends making digital sustainment training and technical rehearsals recurring battle-rhythm events, beginning at home station and extending from the forward observer through the entire fires enterprise. Ultimately, reliable digital fires depend on disciplined repetitions, stable planning timelines, tested equipment, cross-functional integration, and an architecture proven before the formation enters the fight.            Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Senior Enlisted Medical Advisor and Role II Observer-Coach-Trainer for the Task Force Sustainment (BSB / CSSB), MSG Timothy Sargent on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are four seasoned senior NCOs within one of our infantry task forces. CSM Edwards Cumming is the TF CSM, 1SG Jeremiah Guerra is a CO Team 1SG, 1SG Mark Varley is a CO Team 1SG, and SFC William Deutsch is the Senior Medical Observer – Coach – Trainer within Task Force 3 (IN BN). This follow-on episode continues the discussion on casualty care within maneuver formations, shifting the focus from point-of-injury treatment to the realities of casualty evacuation, prolonged field care, and integrating the medical and maneuver enterprises during Large Scale Combat Operations. Leaders discuss common observations from JRTC, emphasizing that the greatest contributor to preventable casualties is often delayed evacuation caused by poor planning, ineffective communications, and a lack of understanding of CASEVAC and MEDEVAC capabilities. Topics include casualty collection points (CCPs), ambulance exchange points (AXPs), Role I and Role II care, prolonged field care, casualty triage, evacuation decision-making, and the importance of incorporating medical leaders into the planning process from the outset. A recurring theme is that casualty evacuation is a command-and-control problem as much as a medical one, requiring rehearsed PACE plans, clearly defined responsibilities, and disciplined execution to preserve combat power.   The discussion also explores how units can better bridge the gap between the maneuver and medical communities through integrated training, shared understanding, and realistic repetitions. Leaders emphasize embedding medics within platoons, cross-training infantry Soldiers in lifesaving skills, developing SOPs that are understood at every echelon, and preparing junior leaders to assume greater responsibility when key personnel become casualties. Additional topics include maintaining momentum during casualty evacuation, using evacuation assets for both medical evacuation and logistical backhaul, building trust between medics and maneuver leaders, and exposing combat medics to realistic trauma training before deployment. Ultimately, the episode reinforces that casualty care in LSCO extends far beyond medical treatment—it requires disciplined planning, effective leadership, rigorous rehearsals, and a culture in which medics and maneuver leaders train together long before the first casualty occurs.    Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the outgoing Senior Enlisted Advisor and Command Sergeant Major for the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, CSM Oracio Pena, Jr on behalf of the Commanding General and Commander of Ops Group (COG). CSM Pena will become the CSM for G-3 at Transformation and Training Command (T2COM). Today’s guests are four seasoned senior NCOs within one of our infantry task forces. CSM Bryan Jaragoske outgoing, acting Command Sergeant Major of Operations Group (formerly BC2 CSM). CSM Lucas Young is the TF CSM for Task Force 2 (IN BN) and CSM Edwards Cumming is the TF CSM with Task Force 3 (IN BN). And last but not least is CSM James Miller, the Command Sergeant Major of 1-509th IN (ABN) (OPFOR), known as Geronimo. This episode examines the long-term trends, strengths, and shortcomings of infantry platoons and squads observed across multiple JRTC rotations. Senior leaders discuss how the character of warfare is changing and how small units are adapting to increasingly complex operational environments shaped by drones, electronic warfare, contested communications, and peer threats. While today’s Soldiers have become increasingly proficient at integrating emerging technologies such as small unmanned aircraft systems, digital mission command tools, and other modern battlefield capabilities, the discussion emphasizes that technology alone cannot compensate for weak fundamentals. Leaders highlight recurring observations including declining fieldcraft, overreliance on digital navigation, poor security during halts and patrol bases, inconsistent priorities of work, and a tendency to neglect foundational infantry skills in favor of new technology. Throughout the conversation, the panel reinforces that lethality begins with disciplined execution of the basics, and that units which master the fundamentals are best positioned to capitalize on technological advances.    The discussion also provides practical recommendations for platoon sergeants, squad leaders, and team leaders preparing for combat or a JRTC rotation. Topics include maximizing security zones, conducting reconnaissance and security patrols, integrating analog and digital mission command systems, sustaining dispersed formations, strengthening reporting and operational security, and developing initiative through disciplined home-station training. Leaders stress the value of hip-pocket training, ruthless repetition, realistic live-fire exercises, and creating leaders who can adapt when technology fails. A recurring theme is that squads should never wait to be told to execute priorities of work or prepare for the next mission. Instead, successful formations continuously train, anticipate friction, and maintain the mindset that every halt is an opportunity to improve survivability, sustain combat power, and prepare for the next fight. Ultimately, the episode argues that while the tools of war continue to evolve, disciplined leadership, tactical proficiency, and mastery of the fundamentals remain the decisive factors that separate effective infantry units from those that struggle on the modern battlefield.      Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer – Coach – Trainer and MSG Jared Cawthon, the BDE Fires Support NCOIC OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts from within JRTC’s fires support enterprise: MAJ David Nelson is the FA BN S-3 Operations Officer OCT, SFC Larry Gillispie, Jr. is the Fires Direction Center Senior OCT, and SFC Ryan Bruno is the Battery 1SG OCT for TF Fires (FA BN / DIVARTY). And MSG Austin Moss is the Senior Targeting NCOIC OCT for BC2.   This episode examines the fires technical rehearsal and why it is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, events in preparing a brigade for combat. The discussion explains how the fires technical rehearsal validates the entire sensor-to-shooter kill chain, ensuring observers, fire support personnel, fire direction centers, and gun crews can execute the plan before rounds are fired in combat. Leaders emphasize that the rehearsal is far more than a communications check—it validates fire support coordination measures, target refinement, firing data, ammunition availability, primary and alternate shooters, PACE plans, and the timing required to synchronize fires with maneuver. A recurring theme is that a simple plan supported by detailed fire support products and disciplined version control enables the brigade to identify friction early and refine tactical triggers into achievable technical triggers before execution.    The conversation also highlights common shortcomings observed during JRTC rotations, including conducting the first technical rehearsal only after arrival at the training center, poor transition from plans to current operations, inadequate battle rhythm integration, and failure to involve the entire fires enterprise in rehearsals. Leaders discuss the importance of digital sustainment training at home station, rehearsing degraded communications, validating ammunition requirements, conducting deliberate handovers between shifts, and continuously refining the fire plan as the tactical situation changes. The episode reinforces that technical rehearsals should become a routine battle rhythm event rather than a one-time exercise, allowing staffs to uncover problems before they become combat failures. Ultimately, the discussion argues that disciplined technical rehearsals build confidence, improve synchronization between maneuver and fires, and give commanders the information needed to execute timely, accurate, and lethal fire support on the modern battlefield.            Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the G-4 Senior Sustainment Planner from Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control Task Force on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the Battalion Commander for the 82nd Light Support Battalion, LTC Peter van Howe.   The 82nd Light Support Battalion (LSB), formerly the 82nd Brigade Support Battalion (BSB), serves as the sustainment backbone of the 3rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, providing logistics, maintenance, medical, transportation, and distribution support to enable the brigade’s rapid deployment and expeditionary operations worldwide. Known by its Hollywood call-sign, “Gator,” the battalion has a long history of supporting airborne and contingency operations, ensuring paratroopers can seize, hold, and fight from key terrain under austere conditions. As the Army transitions from the BSB to the LSB construct, the battalion continues to evolve its sustainment capabilities to support dispersed operations, contested logistics, and prolonged combat against peer threats. The battalion’s motto, “Service to the Line,” reflects its enduring commitment to projecting, generating, and preserving combat power for the brigade, ensuring maneuver forces remain lethal, mobile, and ready to fight whenever and wherever the Nation calls.   This episode explores the employment of the Light Support Battalion (LSB) and how sustainment formations are adapting to survive and sustain maneuver forces on the modern battlefield. The discussion focuses on base cluster design, command and control, survivability, distribution operations, and the constant balance between protection and sustainment throughput. Leaders examine different approaches to organizing the Brigade Support Area, emphasizing that there is no single solution and that sustainment leaders must remain flexible based on the enemy situation, terrain, mission requirements, and available resources. Topics include dispersed versus consolidated support areas, use of forward logistics elements, deception operations, engineer support, survivability positions, signature management, and the employment of decoy command posts. A recurring theme throughout the episode is that sustainment formations must think and fight like maneuver formations, continuously adapting their posture to maintain survivability while preserving the ability to project, generate, and preserve combat power for the brigade.    The conversation also focuses on the critical relationship between maneuver units and the sustainment enterprise. Leaders discuss the importance of accurate LOGSTAT reporting, synchronization across echelons, understanding the roles of the S4, Support Operations Officer (SPO), G4, and G8, and ensuring sustainment is integrated into planning from the outset. Additional topics include running estimates, logistics common operating pictures, rehearsals, battle rhythm events, sustainment forecasting, and the role of NCOs in MDMP. The episode highlights how sustainment success depends on shared understanding, continuous communication, and deliberate synchronization in time and space. Ultimately, the discussion reinforces that the LSB is far more than a logistics provider—it is a combat multiplier that enables brigade operations by ensuring forces can continue to fight, move, communicate, recover, and sustain themselves throughout prolonged operations against a capable peer threat.      Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts from within one of JRTC’s infantry battalion task forces: MAJ Reed Ziegler is the executive officer and CPT Michael Boster is a Rifle Co Commander OCT for TF-1 (IN BN).   This episode explores the importance of transitions on the battlefield and the mindset required to execute them successfully. Leaders discuss how many units arrive at JRTC with a strong offensive mindset but often struggle when operations require a rapid transition from one tactical task to another. The conversation focuses on the difference between simply completing a mission and maintaining a continuous combat mindset that anticipates what comes next. Topics include transitioning from offense to defense, preserving combat power, recognizing decision points, identifying transition criteria during planning, and understanding when risk to force or risk to mission requires commanders to adjust their approach. A recurring theme is that successful units do not wait for instructions after achieving an objective—they immediately begin preparing for the next problem while maintaining security, momentum, and situational awareness.    The discussion also examines how home-station training and planning practices often unintentionally condition leaders to think in discrete events rather than continuous operations. Leaders highlight common observations such as units seizing an objective only to become static, failing to establish hasty defenses, neglecting security, or losing initiative while awaiting guidance. Additional topics include building transition criteria into MDMP, preparing for both offensive and defensive actions simultaneously, understanding that the enemy always gets a vote, and developing the endurance required to sustain operations over extended periods. Ultimately, the episode argues that combat is not a series of separate offensive and defensive events but a continuous contest of action and reaction. The most successful formations are those that constantly ask, “What’s next?” and remain mentally prepared to transition faster than the enemy can adapt.          Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts across JRTC: LTC Mario Burch is the Senior Signal WfF OCT, MAJ Steve Yates is the BDE S-6 Signal OIC OCT, MAJ Mike Stewart is the BDE S-3 Ops OIC OCT, and CW2 Chris Puthoff is the BDE S-6 Signal Network OCT for BDE Command & Control (BDE HQ). And CPT Craig Muncaster is the BN S-6 Signal OIC OCT for TF Fires Support (FA BN).   This episode explores the importance of developing, training, and employing effective PACE (Primary – Alternate – Contingency – Emergency) plans as a cornerstone of command and control in Large Scale Combat Operations. The discussion emphasizes that a PACE plan is not simply a communications checklist or a menu of available systems, but a deliberate framework that enables commanders to maintain decision advantage despite contested, degraded, or disrupted communications. Leaders discuss common mistakes observed at JRTC, including building PACE plans around systems that units are not proficient with, relying on multiple communication methods that share the same digital backbone, and failing to account for how enemy actions, terrain, or operational phases will impact communications. A recurring theme is that communications systems must be realistic, transport-diverse, and nested with the commander’s operational requirements rather than built solely around available technology.    The conversation also focuses heavily on training and implementation, stressing that PACE plans must be rehearsed extensively at home station before arriving at a combat training center. Topics include mission command validation exercises, integrating all warfighting functions into communications training, developing phase-specific PACE plans, accounting for enemy jamming and electromagnetic threats, and ensuring commanders understand when and how to transition between communications methods. Leaders emphasize that communications plans should evolve throughout an operation based on conditions, control measures, and enemy activity rather than remaining static. Ultimately, the episode reinforces that successful command and control depends not on having the newest equipment, but on disciplined training, realistic testing, shared understanding across the staff, and a PACE plan that can survive first contact with the enemy.        Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Senior Enlisted Medical Advisor and Role II Observer-Coach-Trainer for the Task Force Sustainment (BSB / CSSB), MSG Timothy Sargent on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are four seasoned senior NCOs within one of our infantry task forces. CSM Edwards Cumming is the TF CSM, 1SG Jeremiah Guerra is a CO Team 1SG, 1SG Mark Varley is a CO Team 1SG, and SFC William Deutsch is the Senior Medical Observer – Coach – Trainer within Task Force 3 (IN BN). This episode explores the critical relationship between casualty care and maneuver operations, emphasizing that medical support cannot exist separately from the fight. Leaders discuss how the realities of Large Scale Combat Operations are forcing units to rethink long-held assumptions developed during the counterinsurgency era, particularly the expectation of rapid evacuation and uncontested medical support. Topics include self-aid, buddy-aid, casualty collection points (CCPs), ambulance exchange points (AXPs), casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), mass casualty planning, and the difficult balance between continuing the mission and treating the wounded. A recurring theme throughout the discussion is that survivability begins at the point of injury, and units that fail to train Soldiers on individual and buddy care often experience significantly higher rates of preventable losses. The episode reinforces that casualty care is not solely a medical responsibility—it is a leader responsibility that must be integrated into every operation from planning through execution.    The conversation also focuses on the importance of integrating medical personnel into the planning process at every echelon. Leaders highlight common shortcomings observed at JRTC, including poorly understood medical SOPs, ineffective CCP placement, underutilization of AXPs, and failure to include medical NCOs and medics in MDMP, rehearsals, and tactical planning. Additional discussion centers on building combat-ready medics who understand maneuver operations, establishing trust between medics and line units, developing casualty evacuation plans that are realistic for contested environments, and training medical tasks during everyday operations rather than treating them as standalone events. Ultimately, the episode argues that successful casualty care in LSCO requires synchronization between the medical and maneuver enterprises, disciplined planning, aggressive training, and leaders who understand that integrating medical capabilities into the fight saves lives while preserving combat power.    Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixtieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by CSM James Miller, the Command Sergeant Major of 1-509th IN (OPFOR), known as Geronimo, on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group.  Today’s guests are subject matter experts on all things defense within Geronimo’s Baker Company: 1SG Larson Palsis, the Baker Co First Sergeant; SFC Woodroof Musser, Platoon Sergeant for 1st PLT; and SSG Joseph DuBrul, Squad Leader for 2nd SQD, 1st PLT. This episode examines the art and science of conducting a successful defense against a peer threat, using Geronimo’s defensive operations as a framework for discussing proven tactics, techniques, and procedures. The conversation centers on the doctrinal characteristics of the defense—disruption, mass and concentration, security, preparation, flexibility, maneuver, and operations in depth—and how these concepts are applied on a modern battlefield. Leaders discuss the importance of engagement area development, obstacle integration, reconnaissance, early warning systems, and synchronizing direct and indirect fires to create multiple dilemmas for attacking forces. A recurring theme is that successful defenses are not passive. Rather, they are active, intelligence-driven operations designed to disrupt enemy tempo, attrit combat power, and set the conditions for a future counterattack.  The episode also highlights common shortcomings observed among rotational units, particularly in the areas of preparation, time management, communication, and defensive planning. Leaders stress that units often rush through defensive operations after focusing heavily on offensive tasks, resulting in poorly developed engagement areas, inadequate rehearsals, and limited flexibility once contact is made. The discussion reinforces the importance of reconnaissance, reporting, and maintaining a shared understanding across all echelons so commanders can make timely decisions and properly position forces. Additional insights include the value of counterattacks, defense in depth, reserve employment, and building multiple branches and sequels into the plan. Ultimately, the episode argues that the best defensive formations are those that master the fundamentals, aggressively prepare positions, rehearse actions, and continuously adapt faster than the enemy can react.    Part of S11 “Conversations with the Enemy” series.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts across JRTC’s Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control: MAJ Amy Beatty, the Senior G-4 Sustainment Planner and CPT Cody Kindle, an S-4 Sustainment Planner. (MAJ Beatty was formerly the TF Executive Officer OCT for Task Force Sustainment (CSSB / LSB).)   This episode continues the discussion on base cluster employment TTPs, diving deeper into how sustainment formations are adapting Brigade Support Area operations for survivability and effectiveness on the modern battlefield. The conversation focuses heavily on the realities of dispersing sustainment nodes, balancing survivability against operational efficiency, and the growing complexity of terrain management inside the brigade support area. Leaders discuss the challenges of deconflicting land with artillery positions, planning secondary and tertiary displacement sites, and integrating engineers into survivability efforts for sustainment formations. A major theme throughout the episode is that sustainment survivability is a brigade fight requiring close coordination between sustainers, engineers, fires, and maneuver staffs to properly prioritize protection, movement, and terrain allocation. The discussion also highlights how smaller, dispersed base clusters dramatically reduce vulnerability compared to the legacy “massive BSA” model, but at the cost of increased manpower demands, complexity, and command-and-control challenges.    The episode also explores the difficult balance between displacement and survivability in a battlefield dominated by drones, indirect fires, and persistent surveillance. Leaders debate whether sustainment nodes are safer moving or remaining dug in, emphasizing that displacement itself creates risk due to large convoy signatures and limited protected routes. Additional topics include work-rest cycles, security requirements, noise and light discipline, and the importance of conducting detailed manpower calculations before arriving at JRTC. A recurring lesson learned is that sustainment units must deliberately train base cluster operations at home station rather than attempting to improvise them during a rotation. The discussion highlights one Light Support Battalion that successfully avoided detection by OPFOR through exceptional camouflage, dispersion, and discipline, reinforcing that survivability on the modern battlefield often depends less on technology and more on disciplined fundamentals and thoughtful planning. Ultimately, the episode frames base cluster operations as a constantly evolving balance between protection, sustainment throughput, mobility, and operational tempo in large scale combat operations.       Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Will Montoya, the Multi-Domain Effects Cell Chief for 1-509th IN (OPFOR), known as Geronimo, on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guests are subject matter experts on drone warfare within Geronimo: SGT Colin Rock, SGT Darius Shumpert, and SPC Collin Palm. SGT Rock is a Team Leader and drone operator for Able Company, 1-509th IN (OPFOR). SGT Shumpert and SPC Palm are first person viewer small unmanned aircraft systems operators for MDEC, 1-509th IN (OPFOR).   This episode dives into the evolving employment of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) from the perspective of Geronimo’s Multi-Domain Effects Cell (MDEC), focusing heavily on practical TTPs, rapid battlefield adaptation, and lessons learned from observing modern conflicts like Ukraine. The discussion explores the full spectrum of drone employment—from ISR and route reconnaissance to one-way attack FPVs, heavy-lift “mothership” drones, and autonomous strike systems. A major theme throughout the episode is the incredible pace of innovation in drone warfare, where countermeasures and counter-countermeasures evolve in cycles measured in weeks rather than years. Leaders discuss how cheap, expendable systems are reshaping battlefield economics by destroying million-dollar platforms, compressing the kill chain, and creating persistent threats that traditional formations are not yet fully prepared to handle. The episode also reinforces that drones are not replacing soldiers, but instead dramatically increasing the lethality, reach, and survivability of small units when properly integrated.    The conversation also focuses heavily on the Army’s current training and organizational gaps regarding sUAS employment. Topics include FPV pilot skill development, simulator training, procurement challenges, autonomous targeting systems, airspace integration, electromagnetic warfare threats, and the need for dedicated drone specialists at echelon. Geronimo operators stress that not every Soldier can effectively fly advanced FPV systems, arguing that drone operations should become a formalized specialty or additional skill identifier similar to sniper or joint fires qualifications. Additional insights include the importance of “mothership” resupply concepts, loitering munitions, fiber-optic drones resistant to jamming, and the requirement for units to develop realistic reactions to drone threats instead of treating them as novelty systems. Ultimately, the episode frames drone warfare as one of the most significant battlefield evolutions in generations, requiring the Army to rethink training, procurement, survivability, and tactical employment before facing these threats in real combat.    Part of S11 “Conversations with the Enemy” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts across JRTC: MAJ Charles “Dave” Johansen, CPT George Slawski, and SFC Brian Reigle. MAJ Johansen is the BDE Senior CBRN OIC OCT for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ). CPT Slawski is the BN CBRN OIC OCT for TF-5 (Enablers). And SFC Reigle is the CBRN NCOIC OCT for TF-2 (IN BN).   This episode explores Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) operations at the brigade level, focusing on the realities of integrating CBRN planning into Large Scale Combat Operations rather than treating it as a standalone specialty. A major theme throughout the discussion is that units consistently fail to plan for CBRN requirements before arriving in Torbia, particularly when it comes to sustainment, logistics, and protection integration. Topics include MOPP levels, decontamination planning, JSLIST forecasting, water requirements, toxic industrial chemicals/materials (TICs/TIMs), and the challenges of operating in contaminated environments while maintaining tempo. The panel emphasizes that CBRN should not exist in isolation; it must be integrated into MDMP, protection working groups, intelligence preparation of the battlefield, and sustainment planning from the very beginning.    The conversation also focuses heavily on the underutilization of CBRN officers, NCOs, and reconnaissance assets at echelon. Leaders discuss how many brigade and battalion staffs fail to integrate CBRN personnel into planning processes, often relegating them to secondary duties instead of leveraging them as subject matter experts during operations. Additional topics include chemical reconnaissance platoons, detection and contamination management equipment, command-and-support relationships, and the importance of home-station training that extends far beyond the gas chamber. The episode reinforces that success in a contaminated battlefield environment depends on aggressive program ownership, staff integration, confidence from CBRN leaders, and building foundational proficiency across the force before arriving at combat training centers. Ultimately, the discussion frames CBRN not as a niche capability, but as a core component of protection and battlefield survivability in modern warfare.    Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience’. Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two of the Army’s most seasoned noncommissioned officers: CSM Raymond Harris, Command Sergeant Major of Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) and CSM(Retired) Todd Sims, the 23rd Command Sergeant Major of Forces Command (FORSCOM).   The Army is undergoing one of its most significant organizational transformations in decades with the transition away from the legacy structures of United States Army Forces Command and United States Army Training and Doctrine Command toward the newly established Transformation and Training Command and Western Hemisphere Command constructs. This shift is designed to better align Army force generation, experimentation, modernization, and readiness with the demands of large scale combat operations and regionally aligned combatant command requirements. Under the new framework, T2COM integrates force design, training, experimentation, doctrine, and leader development into a single organization capable of rapidly testing and refining future warfighting concepts, while WHC focuses on force readiness and operational alignment across the Western Hemisphere. Together, the changes are intended to increase speed, scale, and adaptability across the Army as it prepares for increasingly contested, multi-domain conflict environments.   This episode discusses Army transformation, modernization, and the importance of maintaining the fundamentals while adapting to the realities of the modern battlefield. The conversation explores how the Army is leveraging the Combat Training Centers (CTCs) as large-scale experimentation platforms to test new formations, equipment, and concepts before integrating them across the force. Topics include Transformation in Contact (TiC), experimentation with new technologies, and how the Army is trying to close the gap between emerging capabilities and operational readiness by getting equipment into soldiers’ hands earlier for home-station training. A major theme throughout the episode is that no amount of technology can replace disciplined fieldcraft, security, camouflage, and leadership. The discussion repeatedly reinforces that soldiers must still master the basics—digging fighting positions, reducing electromagnetic signatures, rehearsing battle drills, and maintaining security—even while integrating drones, autonomous systems, and other modern capabilities into operations.     The episode also dives into leadership development, sustainment in contested environments, and the evolving role of Noncommissioned Officers in preparing formations for Large Scale Combat Operations. Leaders discuss how modern warfare has eliminated the idea of “safe areas,” forcing every formation—including sustainment units—to think about survivability, protection, and electromagnetic concealment. Additional topics include lessons from Ukraine, the integration of drone threat response into Army training, changes to NCO Professional Military Education, and the importance of honest feedback loops between soldiers, units, and senior leaders to improve equipment and doctrine. Throughout the discussion, the speakers emphasize that effective leadership remains the decisive factor in combat power: leaders must be present, committed, and relentlessly focused on preparing their soldiers for the harsh realities of ground combat. Ultimately, the episode frames modernization not as replacing the human element of warfare, but as enhancing disciplined, cohesive teams capable of adapting and surviving in increasingly complex multi-domain environments.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts within JRTC’s Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) task force: MAJ Michael Stewart, the BDE S-3 Operations Officer OCT; MAJ Steve Yates, the BDE S-6 Signal Officer-in-Charge; CW2 Christopher Puthoff, the BDE S-6 Signal Planner; and MSG Randell Conway, the BDE Intelligence NCOIC OCT.   This episode explores the challenges of establishing and maintaining a common operating picture (COP) in support of command and control during large scale combat operations. The discussion emphasizes that a COP is far more than a digital map with graphics—it is the collection of synchronized fighting products, graphics, timelines, and running estimates that enable commanders and staffs to understand and control operations across space and time. Leaders stress that units often become overly reliant on technology while neglecting the fundamentals of analog systems and collaborative planning. A recurring theme is that the best COPs are built through deliberate staff collaboration, standardized products, and continuous refinement, rather than simply relying on software or digital platforms to generate shared understanding. The episode reinforces that a COP only becomes “common” when every echelon understands, updates, and actively contributes to it.    The conversation also dives into the friction points that routinely degrade command and control at JRTC, including poor knowledge management, lack of standardization, excessive digital clutter, outdated graphics, and inconsistent reporting from subordinate units. Leaders discuss the importance of maintaining both analog and digital COPs, especially in austere environments where weather, terrain, or system failures can rapidly degrade digital systems. Topics such as operation synchronization meetings, battle rhythm discipline, layer management, graphic refinement, and bottom-up feedback are explored as essential practices for maintaining shared understanding across the formation. Ultimately, the episode argues that effective command and control is less about technology and more about disciplined processes, rehearsed SOPs, collaborative planning, and ensuring the entire organization—from brigade to company level—is operating from the same understanding of the battlefield.   Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the G-4 Senior Sustainment Planner from Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control Task Force on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts across JRTC: CSM Edward Cummings is the Task Force Command Sergeant Major Observer-Coach-Trainer for TF-3 (IN BN) and CPT Cody Kindle the S-4 Sustainment Planner for JRTC’s Plans / EMC TF.   This episode explores the realities of brigade sustainment on the modern battlefield from both the maneuver and sustainer perspectives, focusing on how logistics directly drives tempo, survivability, and operational reach in large scale combat operations. The discussion highlights the growing tension between what maneuver forces want and what sustainment systems can realistically support, especially within the Army’s evolving force structure where combat logistics companies (CLCs) are significantly smaller than the legacy forward support companies they replaced. Leaders examine how inaccurate LOGSTATs, poor running estimates, and “lazy logistics” create cascading problems that can culminate not only brigades, but entire divisions. From the infantry perspective, the episode emphasizes that sustainment must remain synchronized with maneuver operations, because units that outrun their logistics eventually lose momentum, combat power, and freedom of action.    The conversation also dives into practical sustainment solutions and best practices observed at JRTC, including “no wasted calories” backhaul operations, trickle resupply concepts, standardized vehicle load plans, and the importance of continuously updating running estimates instead of blindly trusting planning factors. A major theme is that sustainment is fundamentally a human and leadership problem, requiring trust between maneuver leaders and sustainers at every echelon. Topics such as water distribution, casualty evacuation tied to resupply, sustainment node survivability, and balancing push versus pull logistics are discussed in detail. The episode reinforces that sustainers must think beyond simply delivering commodities and instead focus on generating options and decision space for commanders. Ultimately, the discussion frames sustainment as a decisive component of combat power that requires disciplined planning, accurate forecasting, adaptive leadership, and full integration with the maneuver fight to survive and win on a transparent, contested battlefield.      Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the G-4 Senior Sustainment Planner from Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control Task Force on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the Battalion Commander for the 626th Light Support Battalion, LTC Adam DiGiovanni.   The 626th Light Support Battalion (LSB), formerly the 626th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB), serves as the sustainment backbone of the 3rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasan,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Carrying the Hollywood call-sign “Assurgam”—Latin for “I Rise Up”—the battalion traces its lineage through decades of airborne and air assault sustainment operations supporting the division across combat deployments, contingency operations, and large-scale training exercises. As part of the Army’s transition from the legacy BSB structure to the modern LSB construct, the battalion now synchronizes sustainment operations across dispersed formations through combat logistics companies (CLCs), while remaining directly integrated with the brigade’s maneuver fight and closely linked with division sustainment assets. Today, the 626th LSB continues to adapt for large scale combat operations, providing the Rakkasans with the logistics, maintenance, medical, and distribution support necessary to fight and win in contested, multi-domain environments.   This episode focuses on how the light support battalion (LSB) operates within the mobile brigade combat team under the Army’s new mobile brigade force structure, and the opportunities and challenges that come with replacing the legacy brigade support battalion (BSB) and forward support companies (FSCs). The discussion highlights how the transition to CLCs fundamentally changes sustainment relationships inside the brigade, requiring sustainers to balance centralized control with direct support to maneuver battalions. Leaders emphasize that the LSB is no longer simply a logistics provider in the rear, but a command-and-control headquarters responsible for synchronizing sustainment, protection, maintenance, distribution, and operational reach across dispersed formations in a contested environment. The episode explores how sustainers must now integrate more deliberately into MDMP, LOGSYNCs, targeting cycles, and current operations while managing significantly smaller formations and reduced manpower.    The conversation also examines how the new CLC construct changes the relationship between maneuver and sustainment units at echelon. Rather than functioning as permanently tied FSCs, the CLCs remain part of the LSB and operate in direct support relationships that allow the battalion commander to mass sustainment capability where needed most. Leaders discuss the cultural adjustments required on both the maneuver and sustainment sides, the importance of building trust between battalion commanders and logisticians, and the difficulty of sustaining operations with extremely small distribution platoons. Additional topics include sustainment at distance, sustainment culmination, base cluster operations, and the challenge of maintaining command and control while supporting deep and distributed operations. Ultimately, the episode reinforces that the success of the modern brigade depends on an LSB capable of synchronizing sustainment across the battlefield while remaining agile, survivable, and fully integrated into brigade operations.    Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by LTC Trevor Jones, the Battalion Commander of 1-509th IN (OPFOR), known as Geronimo, on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guests are subject matter experts on drone warfare: LTC Michael Roscoe, COL(Retired) Bill Edwards, CW2 Brendan Henske, LTC(R) Mark Leslie, and CPT Christopher Chelson. LTC Roscoe is the Tactical Analysis, Communications, and Simulations Support (TACSS) Chief. COL(R) Edwards is the Director of Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Operations for ENSCO. And CW2 Henske is the Senior UAS Operations Planner for Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control (Task Force Zulu). LTC(R) Leslie is the Director of the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, & Security (DPTMS) for Fort Polk.  CPT Chelson is the Innovation Officer within the Multi-Domain Effects Cell for Geronimo.   This episode explores the rapid evolution of drone warfare, framing it as a true revolution in military affairs and focusing on the dynamic competition between UAS employment and counter-UAS (C-UAS) responses. The discussion highlights how modern conflicts—especially Ukraine—have accelerated innovation, compressing the kill chain and making drones persistent across the battlefield for reconnaissance, targeting, and strike. Units are now facing a layered threat that includes ISR drones, one-way attack systems, and emerging capabilities like fiber-optic controlled UAS that are resistant to traditional electronic warfare. As a result, the battlefield has become increasingly transparent, forcing formations to adapt their tactics, survivability measures, and signature management just to operate.   The conversation then shifts to the C-UAS fight, emphasizing that defeating drones is not a single solution problem but a layered, multi-echelon effort that starts with detection and ends with mitigation or destruction. Key insights include the importance of early warning systems, integration of passive measures like camouflage and dispersion, and the use of both kinetic and non-kinetic defeat mechanisms. The episode underscores that C-UAS is an “everyone problem,” requiring integration across warfighting functions and deliberate ownership at echelon. Ultimately, success in this fight depends less on chasing technological silver bullets and more on combining disciplined fundamentals, clear procedures, and integrated systems to outpace the evolving threat in both offense and defense.   Part of S11 “Conversations with the Enemy” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer – Coach – Trainer for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts across JRTC: MAJ Michael Stewart, the BDE S-3 Operations Officer OCT and MSG Jared Cawthon, the BDE Fires Support NCOIC for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ). CSM Edward Cummings, is the Task Force Command Sergeant Major OCT for TF-3 (IN BN) and MAJ Nicholas Cain, is the BN S-3 Operations Officer OCT for TF-5 (Enablers).     The conversation explores the evolution of battlefield geometry in modern warfare, focusing on the changing role of the brigade. The participants argue that, contrary to past structures, the modern brigade no longer possesses a "deep area" of operations. This shift is attributed to a reallocation of assets, where capabilities for sensing and shaping the battlefield at a distance, such as long-range artillery and reconnaissance, are now held at the division level. As a result, the brigade's primary function has been redefined to setting conditions for its immediate close fight and supporting the division's broader objectives, rather than influencing distant engagements. This change reflects a larger paradigm shift from a counter-insurgency (COIN) mindset, where brigades operated with more autonomy and resources, to a large-scale combat operation (LSCO) framework, where they function as a more integrated component of a larger division or corps-level fight.   To adapt to this new reality, the discussion emphasizes the need to return to fundamental doctrinal principles and clear communication. This includes using precise, standardized terminology instead of buzzwords to ensure shared understanding across units. Effective command and control requires simplifying the battlefield for subordinate units through clear tasking, limited and focused intelligence requirements, and disciplined use of control measures like boundaries and phase lines. The integration of new unmanned sensor technologies is also critical, requiring a deliberate framework to deconflict airspace and synchronize reconnaissance efforts to answer the commander's essential questions about the enemy, ultimately enabling the brigade to effectively execute its role within the larger operational plan.   Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fiftieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts across JRTC’s sustainment cyberspace electromagnetic activities enterprise: MAJ Brian Jones is the Cyber Electro-Magnetic Activities Planner for the Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control task force and CW2 Luis Alicea is the Senior Electromagnetic Warfare Targeting OCT for Brigade BC2.   This episode explores Army cyberspace electromagnetic activities (CEMA) from a tactical perspective, focusing on lessons learned at JRTC and how units can better integrate these capabilities into planning and execution. A central theme is that many formations still struggle to understand what CEMA can realistically deliver, often defaulting to complex deception or electronic attack concepts without first mastering the basics. In reality, the most effective employment at echelon is often through electromagnetic sensing and reconnaissance, helping build the enemy picture and feed the targeting process rather than attempting low-probability jamming effects with limited organic systems. The discussion reinforces that CEMA must be integrated early in MDMP and nested within intelligence, fires, and maneuver planning—not treated as a niche or standalone capability.   The conversation also highlights persistent friction points, including inexperienced and under-resourced CEMA cells, poor staff integration, and unclear command relationships with assets like the MFRC and EW platoons. Units frequently fail to empower junior officers and NCOs to contribute during planning, resulting in missed opportunities and “money left on the table.” Training recommendations emphasize building foundational understanding at home station, conducting capability briefs with subordinate units, establishing clear reporting and communications architecture, and rehearsing how CEMA feeds targeting and decision-making in real time. Ultimately, success in CEMA is less about advanced technology and more about leader education, disciplined integration, and owning the capability within the staff process to generate meaningful effects in a contested electromagnetic environment.   Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts across JRTC’s sustainment enterprise: LTC Daniel Cole is the Task Force Senior OCT, MAJ Sumalindinie Serion is the DSSB Executive Officer OCT, and MAJ Amy Beatty is the TF Executive Officer OCT for TF Sustainment (DSSB / LSB).   This episode examines planning within a Brigade Combat Team from a sustainment perspective, with a specific focus on the critical transition from planning to current operations (CUOPS). The discussion emphasizes that sustainers must be deeply involved throughout MDMP, not just as a supporting function but as a key driver of what is feasible in execution. Effective sustainment planning requires early integration, continuous refinement through running estimates, and clear visualization of how logistics will support each phase of the operation. The episode highlights that many units struggle not in planning itself, but in translating that plan into action—often due to a lack of shared understanding, unclear triggers, and insufficient coordination between planners and operators.   The conversation further explores best practices for bridging this gap, stressing the importance of deliberate handoffs between plans (FUOPS) and current operations (CUOPS). Successful units rehearse these transitions, establish clear decision points, and ensure that sustainment triggers—such as resupply windows, displacement timelines, and casualty evacuation plans—are well understood across the formation. Common friction points include stove-piped staff sections, lack of synchronization between maneuver and sustainment timelines, and failure to update plans based on real-time conditions. Ultimately, the episode reinforces that sustainment is not static; it requires continuous assessment, communication, and adaptation in CUOPS to maintain tempo and prevent culmination in a contested, large-scale combat environment.   Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the Task Force Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer from Task Force Sustainment (Division Sustainment Support Battalion / Light Support Battalion) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are CPT Cody Kindle and CPT Blake Walker. CPT Kindle the S-4 Sustainment Planner for JRTC’s Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control Task Force. CPT Walker is the Light Sustainment Battalion’s Senior Maintenance Chief OCT from Task Force Sustainment (DSSB / LSB).   This episode focuses on maintenance operations within a brigade combat team (BCT), emphasizing that maintenance is fundamentally a planning and leadership problem, not just a technical function. The discussion breaks maintenance into two core challenges—scheduled services and unscheduled repairs—and highlights the importance of aggressively planning and forecasting both. Units that succeed treat maintenance with the same priority as training events, building detailed service schedules months in advance and integrating them with the training calendar. Leaders stress the importance of visualization tools, troop-to-task alignment, and routine synchronization through maintenance meetings to ensure effort is focused on what matters most. Ultimately, maintenance is framed as a key enabler of maneuver—units may be ready to shoot, but without disciplined maintenance, they are not ready to move.   The episode also highlights common friction points, particularly at the company and forward support company level, where competing priorities, lack of forecasting, and reactive habits degrade readiness over time. Units often arrive at training already behind due to poor home-station maintenance, compounded by challenges during RSOI such as unplanned recovery operations and lack of integration with enabler units. Best practices include planning services 6–12 months out, deliberately creating white space to absorb unscheduled maintenance, and even “scheduling the unscheduled” by forecasting parts arrival and aligning repair timelines. The importance of daily leader presence in the motor pool, effective QA/QC by NCOs, and early coordination with attached units for parts, personnel, and systems access are reinforced. Units that take ownership of maintenance as a continuous, proactive process—not a last-minute requirement—generate significantly higher combat power and readiness in the field.   Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT and MSG Jared Cawthon, the BDE Fires Support Intelligence Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts across JRTC: CSM Edward Cummings is the Task Force Command Sergeant Major OCT for TF-3 (IN BN) and MSG Randell Conway is the BDE S-2 Intelligence NCOIC for BC2.   This episode examines the role of noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) in planning and the persistent gap in how units integrate them into MDMP and troop leading procedures (TLPs) at echelon. The discussion highlights that while NCOs are often viewed primarily through an execution lens, their experience, continuity, and practical understanding of operations make them invaluable contributors to planning. When properly integrated, NCOs provide critical context on feasibility, sustainment realities, timelines, and Soldier-level execution that officers and staffs may overlook. The episode reinforces that planning is not solely an officer function—effective formations deliberately incorporate NCOs throughout MDMP to improve shared understanding and produce plans that are executable at the lowest level.   The conversation also addresses common friction points, including cultural barriers, lack of formal training (such as Battle Staff Course attendance), and underutilization of NCOs in staff processes. Best practices focus on deliberately assigning NCOs roles within MDMP, involving them in mission analysis, course of action development, and rehearsals, and empowering them to challenge assumptions and refine plans. Units that successfully leverage NCOs treat them as integral members of the staff, not just executors of the plan, resulting in more grounded decision-making and improved synchronization across warfighting functions. Ultimately, the episode underscores that better integration of NCOs in planning directly enhances combat effectiveness and bridges the gap between concept and execution.   Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts across JRTC: CW3 Michael Horrace is the Senior Targeting OCT, MAJ Edward Pecoraro is the BDE S-2 Intelligence Officer-in-Charge OCT, and MSG Randell Conway is the BDE S-2 Intelligence Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge for BC2. This episode explores the relationship between intelligence, fires, and the targeting process, centered on the question of whether intelligence has become overly focused on targeting at the expense of broader situational understanding. The discussion highlights that while targeting is a critical function—especially in a sensor-rich, time-compressed battlefield—intelligence must first and foremost enable decision-making and understanding of the operational environment, not just feed the fires enterprise. Overemphasis on target production can lead to a narrow focus on high-payoff targets while neglecting the development of a holistic enemy picture, including disposition, capabilities, and intent. The episode reinforces that effective intelligence drives both maneuver and fires, not just the latter. The conversation also emphasizes the need to rebalance intelligence efforts through disciplined integration within MDMP and continuous refinement via running estimates. Best practices include aligning collection with commander’s critical information requirements (CCIRs), ensuring IPOE/SPOE is thorough and continuously updated, and maintaining a clear linkage between intelligence assessments and decision points—not just target lists. Additionally, the targeting process is framed as a commander-driven, staff-enabled function that requires synchronization across warfighting functions, rather than being owned solely by fires or intelligence sections. Ultimately, success depends on maintaining a balance: leveraging intelligence to enable precise and timely targeting, while preserving its primary role in building shared understanding and informing operational decisions across the formation. Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the Task Force Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer from Task Force Sustainment (Division Sustainment Support Battalion / Light Support Battalion) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are CPT Cody Kindle and MAJ Charles Alley. CPT Kindle the S-4 Sustainment Planner for JRTC’s Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control Task Force. MAJ Alley is the Senior Sustainment Operations Officer S-3 OCT from Task Force Sustainment (DSSB / LSB).   This episode focuses on the importance of logistics synchronization (LOGSYNC) meetings as the central mechanism for aligning sustainment operations with maneuver across the formation. Rather than being a routine battle rhythm event, the LOGSYNC is framed as a decision-making forum where commanders and staff integrate supply, maintenance, transportation, and medical support with the operational timeline. The discussion emphasizes that effective LOGSYNC meetings are driven by accurate and timely data—particularly LOGSTATs—and enable leaders to anticipate requirements, prioritize limited resources, and posture sustainment assets in advance of key events. When done correctly, LOGSYNC ensures sustainment is proactive rather than reactive, directly contributing to tempo and freedom of maneuver in Large-Scale Combat Operations.   The episode also highlights common friction points and best practices in executing LOGSYNC at echelon. Units often struggle with incomplete or inaccurate reporting, lack of participation from key leaders, and failure to tie sustainment planning to decision points and phases of the operation. Best practices include enforcing disciplined reporting standards, maintaining a clear and consistent battle rhythm, and using shared running estimates and visualization tools to drive discussion. The conversation reinforces that LOGSYNC is not solely a sustainment function—it requires integration across all warfighting functions to ensure protection, movement, and sustainment efforts are synchronized. Ultimately, effective LOGSYNC meetings enable commanders to make informed decisions, mitigate risk, and sustain combat power throughout the fight.   Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the BDE Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the JRTC expert for JRTC for airspace management: CW3 Bryan Hartt, the Air Defense Airspace Management OCT (formerly Brigade Aviation Element) for BC2.   This episode examines air defense operations at the brigade and division echelons, emphasizing that effective protection against aerial threats begins with disciplined planning during MDMP—particularly mission analysis. A key theme is that units often fail to properly assess the specific air threat they face, resulting in mismatched capabilities and ineffective employment of available systems. Rather than simply positioning assets, leaders must understand the threat—whether fixed-wing, rotary, or UAS—and resource appropriate countermeasures early, often requiring coordination with division-level assets. The discussion highlights that air defense is not just a system or capability, but a planning problem that must be integrated across the staff, especially within the protection warfighting function.   The conversation also explores the realities of operating with limited organic air defense capability at the brigade level, where units often rely on external assets and must prioritize what to protect rather than attempting to cover everything. Integration challenges—such as balancing airspace management with air defense, coordinating with electronic warfare for counter-UAS, and maintaining visibility of distributed ADA assets—are highlighted as common friction points. The episode reinforces the importance of passive air defense measures—camouflage, concealment, dispersion, deception, and emissions control—as essential, immediately available tools that significantly enhance survivability. Ultimately, success at echelon depends on clear prioritization, staff integration, and a realistic understanding of both capabilities and limitations in a contested, multi-domain fight.   Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the BDE Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are experts across JRTC: MSG Jared Cawthon as the BDE Fires Support NCOIC, MSG Randell Conway as the BDE Intelligence NCOIC OCT, both from BC2 (BDE HQ), and MAJ Lorenzo Evans is the Support Operations Plans Officer OCT for TF Sustainment (DSSB / LSB).   This episode focuses on the critical outputs of the military decision-making process (MDMP) and how their quality directly determines a unit’s ability to execute in combat. Rather than viewing MDMP as a series of steps, the discussion emphasizes that its true value lies in the products it produces—clear commander’s guidance, refined mission statements, synchronized warfighting function inputs, and shared fighting products that enable subordinate units to act. Key outputs such as planning guidance, initial and refined timelines, targeting products, and decision support tools are highlighted as essential for translating analysis into executable operations. When done correctly, these outputs create a common understanding across the formation and allow units to operate with speed, clarity, and purpose in a complex environment.   The conversation also underscores that poor or incomplete MDMP outputs are often the root cause of friction during execution. Vague guidance, inconsistent graphics, and lack of version control lead to desynchronized efforts and missed opportunities on the battlefield. Best practices focus on producing simple, clear, and timely outputs that are continuously refined through running estimates and rehearsals. The importance of early dissemination, shared digital and analog products, and enforcing standards across the staff is reinforced to ensure all echelons are aligned. Ultimately, the episode highlights that MDMP is only as effective as the outputs it delivers, and units that master these products gain a decisive advantage in large-scale combat operations.   Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the BDE Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are experts across JRTC: MSG Jared Cawthon as the BDE Fires Support NCOIC, MSG Randell Conway as the BDE Intelligence NCOIC OCT, both from BC2 (BDE HQ), and MAJ Lorenzo Evans is the Support Operations Plans Officer OCT for TF Sustainment (DSSB / LSB). This episode emphasizes the critical role of rehearsals within the MDMP and broader operations process, framing them as the bridge between planning and execution where units transform concepts into synchronized action. The discussion highlights that rehearsals are often the first thing sacrificed when time is constrained, yet they are the very mechanism that prevents plans from failing under the friction of combat. A full “rehearsal suite”—including combined arms, intelligence and fires, sustainment, and other functional rehearsals—serves to validate plans, confirm triggers, align resources, and ensure each warfighting function is nested in time and space. When executed properly, rehearsals expose gaps in planning, refine synchronization, and build the shared understanding necessary for units to mass effects in a complex, multi-domain fight. The conversation also highlights common challenges and best practices associated with rehearsals, emphasizing that they must be interactive, friction-focused events rather than scripted performances or “dog and pony shows.” Success depends on having the right participants—not just attendees—who can make decisions, contribute to problem-solving, and adapt the plan in real time. Leaders stress the importance of using proper fighting products, detailed terrain models, and enforcing simultaneity to identify conflicts that would otherwise go unnoticed. Ultimately, rehearsals are described as a forcing function that reveals weak planning, validates feasibility, and ensures that every echelon—from brigade to last-mile logistics—can execute with confidence when the operation begins.   Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) and MAJ Jeff Horn, the Executive Officer OCT for Fires Support Task Force (FA BN / DIVARTY), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are experts within JRTC’s BC2: MSG Jared Cawthon as the BDE Fires Support NCOIC, MSG Austin Moss as the Senior Targeting NCOIC OCT, CW3 Michael Horrace is the BCT Targeting Officer OCT, and MSG Randell Conway as the BDE S-2 Intelligence NCOIC OCT.   This episode focuses on the fundamentals and execution of an effective integrated fires support plan, emphasizing that true integration begins early in the MDMP process and is anchored by a well-constructed and disciplined timeline. The discussion highlights the importance of the higher headquarters’ operational timeline (HOP), nested planning timelines, and synchronization across echelons to ensure fires are aligned with maneuver. A key theme is the tight coupling between intelligence and fires during mission analysis, particularly through IPOE/SPOE, where accurate enemy templating, event templates, and collection planning directly enable lethal and effective targeting. Without this integration, fires risk becoming terrain-focused rather than threat-focused, leading to ineffective effects and missed opportunities to shape the fight.   The episode also explores best practices for sustaining integration throughout planning and execution, including the role of running estimates, valid planning assumptions, and the continuous feedback loop between MDMP and the targeting process. It underscores the necessity of disciplined target refinement cutoffs, version control, and shared fighting products to ensure all echelons operate from a common understanding prior to rehearsals. Additionally, the conversation highlights that integrated fires is a full staff effort—not just fires and intelligence—but includes sustainment, protection, signal, and maneuver elements working together through both planning and execution cycles. Ultimately, success is tied to mastering fundamentals, maintaining synchronization through clear processes and products, and enabling commanders to make informed, timely decisions in a dynamic fight.    Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fortieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by LTC Trevor Jones, the Battalion Commander of 1-509th IN (OPFOR) on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guests are members of JRTC’s intelligence community: Mr. Jason McAnally, MAJ Will Montoya, and CPT Graham Gifford. Mr. McAnally is the JRTC G-2 Intelligence Officer. MAJ Montoya is the Multi-Domain Effects Cell Chief for Geronimo. And CPT Gifford is the S-2 Intelligence Officer for Geronimo.   This episode centers on how the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) is actively working to close the gap between training and the rapidly evolving realities of modern warfare by replicating a more lethal, complex, and peer-driven operational environment. The discussion highlights how lessons from contemporary conflicts—particularly the Russia-Ukraine war—are driving a shift toward incorporating realistic threat capabilities such as massed UAS, electronic warfare, and precision fires into OPFOR replication. Emphasis is placed on ensuring that rotational units encounter these threats in training first, rather than in combat, by exposing them to continuous surveillance, contested electromagnetic environments, and the persistent threat of unmanned systems operating across depth.   The conversation also explores how OPFOR (Geronimo) is evolving its tactics, organization, and capabilities to better mirror near-peer adversaries like Russia and China. This includes replicating multi-domain effects across disruption, battle, and support zones, integrating emerging technologies such as FPV drones, robotic systems, and AI-enabled targeting, and experimenting with new forms of mass that combine traditional fires with unmanned and electronic effects. A key theme is the transition toward “machines first” contact—leveraging robotics and UAS to initiate engagements—while forcing units to adapt to degraded communications, contested airspace, and high-casualty environments. Ultimately, the episode reinforces that closing the gap requires continuous adaptation, iterative experimentation, and translating lessons learned into behavioral change across the force.     Part of S11 “Conversations with the Enemy” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-thirty-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE Executive Officer OCT, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are experts within JRTC’s BC2: MAJ Steven Yates, the BDE S-6 Signal OCT and MAJ Michael Stewart, the incoming, BDE S-3 Operations Officer OCT. This episode examines the role of running estimates within the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP) and why they are essential to maintaining shared understanding between current operations and future planning. The discussion highlights that running estimates are not simply formatted slides or quad charts, but rather a continuous analytical process conducted by staff subject matter experts across each warfighting function. Effective running estimates synthesize facts, assumptions, constraints, and limitations while identifying risks and emerging tasks, enabling staff to translate raw information into meaningful assessments for commanders. Rather than simply listing data such as available assets or equipment, staff must analyze what those resources actually enable the force to accomplish and communicate the operational implications.  The conversation also explores best practices for maintaining useful running estimates throughout planning and execution. Leaders emphasize that running estimates must be continuously updated as operations unfold and integrated into key staff forums such as the operations synchronization meeting, Battle Update Brief /Commander’s Update Brief, and other battle rhythm events to ensure planning remains aligned with battlefield realities. When neglected or treated as static documents, units risk planning against outdated assumptions, leading to flawed courses of action and ineffective execution. Ultimately, the episode reinforces that running estimates are the “connective tissue” between plans and current operations, allowing staffs to translate evolving battlefield information into timely recommendations, risks, and decisions that support effective command and control.  Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-thirty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the Task Force Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer from Task Force Sustainment (Division Sustainment Support Battalion / Light Support Battalion) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are CPT Cody Kindle and CPT Christopher Ward. CPT Kindle the S-4 Sustainment Planner for JRTC’s Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control Task Force. CPT Ward is the A Co CDR OCT (Distro / BSA) from Task Force Sustainment (DSSB / LSB).   This episode examines the employment of base clusters within the brigade support area (BSA) as a survivability technique in the modern battlefield. The discussion highlights how sustainment units must adapt to a highly transparent and lethal operating environment where UAS surveillance, long-range fires, and precision targeting threaten traditional large logistics footprints. Rather than concentrating sustainment elements in a single BSA, base clusters disperse key functions—such as maintenance, distribution, medical support, and command nodes—across multiple smaller positions that remain mutually supporting. This dispersion reduces the likelihood that a single enemy strike can disrupt sustainment operations while still enabling brigades to maintain logistics flow to maneuver battalions.   The conversation also emphasizes the planning and synchronization required to make base clusters effective. Leaders discuss the importance of terrain analysis, security integration, camouflage and signature management, and disciplined reporting to maintain a shared operational picture across dispersed sustainment nodes. Effective base clusters require coordinated movement control, rehearsed displacement drills, and strong communications architecture to ensure that dispersed elements can still function as a cohesive support network. Ultimately, the episode frames base clusters as a critical adaptation for sustainment survivability in large-scale combat operations, enabling brigades to continue fueling, arming, and repairing combat forces despite persistent enemy reconnaissance and precision strike threats.    Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-thirty-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE Executive Officer OCT, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are expert sustainers from across JRTC: MAJ Amy Beatty, the TF Executive Officer for TF Sustainment (DSSB / LSB) and CPT Cody Kindle, the S-4 Sustainment Planner in Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control (TF Zulu).   This episode dives into the importance of base clusters, which are a survivability and sustainment technique used by brigades and battalions to disperse logistics and command elements while maintaining mutual support in a contested battlespace. Instead of concentrating sustainment nodes such as the brigade support area (BSA), field trains, and maintenance sites in a single large footprint, units distribute smaller elements across a wider area in multiple mutually supporting positions connected by terrain, security, and communications. This approach reduces the vulnerability of sustainment assets to long-range fires, UAS surveillance, and precision strike systems that dominate the modern battlefield. By dispersing logistics nodes while maintaining coordination through disciplined reporting, movement control, and security integration, base clusters allow sustainment elements to remain survivable, mobile, and capable of supporting maneuver forces in large-scale combat operations (LSCO).   Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-thirty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by LTC Trevor Jones, the Battalion Commander of 1-509th IN (OPFOR) on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guests are members of JRTC’s infamous Opposing Force, Team Geronimo: CPT Jeremiah Cox, 1SG Terence Newby, and SFC Walter Jinks. CPT Cox is the Company Commander for Able Company, 1-509th IN. 1SG Newby is the First Sergeant for Easy Company, 1-509th IN. SFC Jinks is the Engineer Platoon Sergeant within Easy Company.   This episode explores how the JRTC Opposing Force—Geronimo—is evolving its tactics through what the unit calls “new forms of mass.” Rather than relying solely on traditional concentrations of combat power, the discussion highlights how OPFOR is integrating robotics, unmanned systems, electronic warfare, and precision effects to generate combat mass across multiple domains. Leaders describe how small multi-purpose equipment transports (SMETs), unmanned aerial systems, and remotely operated platforms are being used to conduct breaching operations, deliver precision fires, transport sustainment, and even serve as deception or targeting tools. These systems allow Geronimo to make first contact with machines rather than soldiers, reducing risk to personnel while increasing tempo and battlefield confusion for rotational units.    The conversation also focuses on how these technologies enable new ways of synchronizing effects during offensive and defensive operations. Examples include integrating electronic warfare and drone strikes into the suppress phase of a breach, using unmanned systems to obscure and reduce obstacles, and deploying robotic platforms armed with crew-served weapons to support maneuver. In the defense, robotic systems are used to extend screening operations, attrit enemy forces forward of the main battle position, and provide early warning. The episode concludes by discussing challenges such as maintenance, connectivity, and data transport while emphasizing that the future battlefield will require every soldier to understand and employ unmanned systems. Ultimately, Geronimo’s experimentation is designed to force rotational units to confront a modernized threat capable of creating mass through distributed sensors, robotics, and precision effects across the battlespace.    Part of S11 “Conversations with the Enemy” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-thirty-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE Executive Officer OCT, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are intelligence and operations subject matter experts from across JRTC: MAJ Michael Stewart is the BDE S-3 Operations Officer OCT, MAJ Edward Pecararo is the BDE S-2 Intelligence OIC OCT, and MSG Randell Conway is the BDE S-2 Intelligence NCOIC OCT from the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) plus the BN S-2 Intelligence OCT, CPT Nathaniel Epps from TF-5 (Brigade Engineer Battalion).   This episode dives into Mission Analysis within the MDMP process, focusing specifically on Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment (IPOE)—or as framed at JRTC, Staff Preparation of the Operational Environment (SPOE). A central theme is dispelling the myth that IPOE is solely an S2 responsibility. The panel emphasizes that effective SPOE requires a whole-of-staff effort, integrating all warfighting functions to build shared understanding of terrain, threat capabilities, and operational variables. Key outputs discussed include the modified combined obstacle overlay (MCOO), clearly defined areas of operations and interest, civil considerations, threat courses of action, and the development of event templates and event matrices. The conversation reinforces that these products are not checklist items but foundational tools that drive collection planning, targeting, decision support matrices, and ultimately course of action development.     The discussion also highlights common failure points—treating IPOE as a one-time event, failing to update PIRs as operations evolve, and neglecting to refine running estimates between phases. Leaders stress that predictive analysis suffers when staffs become plan-focused instead of threat-focused, losing sight of enemy capabilities in time and space. Effective SPOE requires continuous refinement, aggressive assessment of collection, integration with reconnaissance and fires, and disciplined maintenance of a shared intelligence picture across echelons. Ultimately, the episode frames mission analysis not as a procedural step to “get through,” but as the intellectual fight that enables commanders to anticipate enemy decisions, shape the battlefield, and close both the intelligence and targeting kill chains in LSCO.     Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-thirty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the Task Force Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer from Task Force Sustainment (Division Sustainment Support Battalion / Light Support Battalion) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is CPT Cody Kindle the S-4 Sustainment Planner for JRTC’s Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control Task Force.   This episode breaks down the “5Ls of Logistics” framework, with a deep focus on the LOGSTAT as the foundational communication tool that drives the entire sustainment enterprise. The discussion emphasizes that a LOGSTAT is not just a report—it is a demand signal and a running estimate that enables anticipatory logistics. Leaders explore how inaccurate or inconsistent submissions distort the log sync, misinform commanders, and create artificial crises. Key friction points include routing confusion between battalion S4s, brigade S4, and the SPO; unclear units of measure (raw numbers vs. days of supply vs. percent of capacity); and the dangers of oversimplifying commodities like Class V or Class VIII into vague “DOS” shorthand. The panel stresses that LOGSTATs must reflect commodities on hand, projected resupply, and consumption rates over time—not simply a thumbs-up status—if they are to support real forecasting and informed decision-making.     The conversation also highlights battle rhythm discipline and parallel planning as critical enablers of effective sustainment. Twice-daily submissions feed the log sync, allowing sustainers to track 12- and 24-hour resupply windows, anticipate friction, and cross-level commodities within the brigade before shortages become emergencies. The panel underscores that sustainment math begins with accurate running estimates during MDMP and must continuously adjust based on actual consumption—not static planning factors from garrison. Ultimately, the LOGSTAT is framed as a two-way dialogue between maneuver and sustainment: maneuver communicates requirements; sustainment confirms capability. When synchronized through SOP-driven reporting, disciplined analysis, and aggressive follow-up, the LOGSTAT becomes a combat multiplier rather than administrative white noise.     Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-thirty-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ Michael Stewart, BDE S-3 Operations OCT, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts from the Brigade Command & Control task force: CPT Lowell Gothard is the Air Defense Support Element / Air-Ground Integration Element OCT (formerly the Air Defense Airspace Management / Brigade Aviation Element OCT), MAJ Edward Pecoraro the BDE S-2 Intelligence Officer OCT, CW2 Luis Alicea the Senior BDE Electronic Warfare Targeting Officer OCT, and CSM Bryan Jaragoske acting Command Sergeant Major of Operations Group (formerly BC2 CSM).   This episode examines how infantry brigade combat teams must reclaim reconnaissance and security as core competencies following the loss of cavalry squadrons. A central theme is that while the structure has changed, the requirement has not—brigades still must answer PIRs, develop NAIs, and shape the fight before committing combat power. Without a dedicated squadron headquarters to plan and synchronize reconnaissance, those responsibilities now sit squarely with the brigade staff. The discussion highlights friction points in intelligence architecture, reporting pathways, and the synchronization of collection assets, stressing that reconnaissance is no longer “someone else’s problem.” Infantry battalions, multi-purpose companies (MPCs), and multi-functional reconnaissance companies (MFRCs) must all contribute to the reconnaissance fight, requiring commanders and staffs to deliberately task, synchronize, and integrate ground patrols, UAS, and other sensing capabilities.    The conversation also underscores the need to return to fundamentals—patrolling, reporting discipline, and combined arms integration across warfighting functions. Leaders emphasize that reconnaissance is not limited to scout formations; any element with the capability and proximity can be tasked to collect and report, provided it understands the task and purpose. Effective reconnaissance now demands tighter integration between S2, S3, aviation planners, and electronic warfare sections to sequence sensors, manage airspace, and fuse reporting into actionable intelligence. The key takeaway is clear: brigades must deliberately plan reconnaissance during MDMP, publish detailed reconnaissance guidance, and train these skills at home station. Without that discipline, formations risk fighting blind in LSCO.       Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-thirty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE XO OCT (formerly the BDE S-3 Operations OCT), from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are JRTC’s very own Unit Ministry Team: MAJ(CH) Sean Kitchens, CPT(CH) Byron Denman, SFC Malik Carrigan, and SFC Dannell Bing.   This episode focuses on the employment of Unit Ministry Teams (UMTs) in a combat training environment, highlighting both their doctrinal responsibilities and the persistent integration challenges observed at JRTC. A central theme is that UMTs possess two primary capabilities—religious support provision and commander advisement—yet often struggle with full integration into the staff process. The discussion emphasizes that advisement, particularly on morale, ethical climate, and the intangible health of the formation, is one of the chaplain’s most critical contributions. However, without deliberate participation in battle rhythm events, shift-change briefs, MDMP touchpoints, and staff synchronization forums, UMTs can lose situational awareness and inadvertently become disconnected from the fight. Leaders note that successful teams deliberately synchronize internally, align with planning decision points, and ensure shared understanding between chaplain and religious affairs specialist to balance ministry presence with staff integration.    The episode also explores the evolving role of UMTs in LSCO, particularly in high-casualty, non-linear environments where mass casualty events, temporary interment operations, and distributed maneuver demand proactive planning rather than reactive presence. The panel highlights the paradigm shift from fixed FOB-based ministry during the Global War on Terror to a more mobile, forward, and flexible posture in LSCO. Best practices include “spring-loaded” religious support to reinforce high-threat sectors, pre-assault ministry to shape morale before decisive operations, and deliberate home-station training focused on operational staff proficiency rather than solely garrison requirements. Ultimately, the conversation reinforces that UMT effectiveness depends on integration, operational awareness, and the ability to anticipate where religious support will have the greatest impact across the battlefield.        Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-thirty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE XO OCT (formerly the BDE S-3 Operations OCT), from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts from one of our infantry battalion task forces at JRTC: CPT Michael Boster is a Rifle Co Commander OCT, SFC John Corpier is an Infantry Platoon OCT, CPT Logan Wilson is the Fires Support Officer OCT for the TF, and MAJ Reed Ziegler is the Executive Officer XO from TF-1 (IN BN).   This episode examines the defense at echelon, focusing on how brigades and battalions design, build, and fight the main battle area (MBA) within the broader battlefield geometry. The panel breaks down the relationship between the security zone, the main battle area, and the brigade rear area, emphasizing that many defensive shortcomings stem from poorly defined boundaries—such as the forward edge of the battle area (FEBA), no-penetration lines, and rear area limits. Leaders discuss how units often conduct map reconnaissance without validating terrain on the ground, resulting in shallow defenses, limited depth (often only 500–1000 meters), and battle positions chosen based on where units culminate rather than where terrain is most advantageous. A recurring theme is that successful defense requires deliberate terrain analysis during planning, early reconnaissance, and continuous refinement between brigade and battalion to ensure obstacle plans, engagement areas, and maneuver graphics are coherent and mutually supportive.    The conversation also highlights common friction points across warfighting functions, particularly the integration of obstacles and fires. Units frequently fail to mass effects, synchronize mortars with field artillery, or prioritize high-payoff targets such as enemy breaching assets during defensive operations. Adjacent unit coordination is often weak, resulting in disconnected company engagement areas rather than a mutually supporting battalion fight. The panel reinforces that effective defense is not passive; it demands offensive action within the defense—shaping fires, clearly defined triggers, deliberate obstacle emplacement, and disciplined reporting. Ultimately, the episode underscores that depth, mutual support, and integration across maneuver, fires, engineers, and sustainment are what transform a static position into a resilient and lethal main battle area capable of stopping the enemy.        Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-thirtieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the Task Force Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer from Task Force Sustainment (Division Sustainment Support Battalion / Light Support Battalion) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is MAJ Alice Bechtol, the Executive Officer for the 325th Light Support Battalion of 3rd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.   The 325th Light Support Battalion, known by its Hollywood call sign “Mustang” and guided by the motto “Support to the Front,” serves as the sustainment backbone of 3rd Brigade Combat Team. Stationed in Hawaii and aligned to fight in the Indo-Pacific, the battalion traces its lineage to the Army’s modular transformation era, evolving from a Brigade Support Battalion into a Light Support Battalion under the Army’s restructuring efforts. As part of the “Bronco” Brigade within the 25th Infantry Division, the 325th LSB has adapted its structure and sustainment concepts to meet the demands of archipelagic and jungle operations, emphasizing smaller distribution packages, agile base cluster designs, and expeditionary logistics capable of supporting dispersed maneuver forces across restrictive terrain.      This episode examines lessons learned from a Light Support Battalion (LSB) executing a DATE-Pacific archipelago rotation at JPMRC, with a strong focus on sustainment command-and-control, base cluster design, and staff proficiency under high turnover. A central theme is the deliberate investment in MDMP repetitions prior to deployment—conducting multiple internal reps despite 80% personnel turnover—to build shared understanding and accelerate staff performance in the box. Leaders discuss the importance of not waiting for a “perfect” higher headquarters order, instead executing concurrent MDMP, publishing early, and refining through FRAGOs to maintain tempo. The battalion’s approach to battle tracking—assigning mission numbers to both forecasted and unforecasted sustainment requirements—allowed the staff to regain control of chaotic demand signals and manage flash taskings without losing visibility. Additionally, the LSB experimented with splitting its staff between tactical and main command posts to preserve survivability while maintaining continuity in day/night operations, accepting friction in order to train to the harder standard.    The discussion also highlights the sustainment realities of operating in a Pacific archipelago environment, where terrain, vegetation, and dispersed maneuver elements require smaller, more agile distribution packages. Leaders describe efforts to break bulk commodities down earlier in the sustainment chain, leverage smaller platforms, experiment with caches, and refine fuel and water distribution concepts to better support infantry formations operating at slower movement rates in restrictive terrain. Integration with the Division Sustainment Brigade under the new R-struct proved beneficial, particularly through synchronized battle rhythms and shared intelligence and communications awareness, while maintaining strong habitual relationships with maneuver battalions and their Combat Logistics Companies (CLCs). The overarching takeaway is that success in this environment required disciplined MDMP, flexible sustainment packaging, protected staff development, and a willingness to adapt systems and processes in real time to preserve tempo and survivability in LSCO.   Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MSG Jared Cawthon, the BDE Fires Support NCOIC, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts from across JRTC: MSG Austin Moss is the Senior Targeting NCOIC OCT from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ). SFC Ryan Bruno is the Battery 1SG OCT with TF Fires (FA BN / DIVARTY). And 1SG Mark Varley is a Company First Sergeant OCT with TF-3 (IN BN).   This episode explores the practical and philosophical differences between Sergeant’s Time Training (STT) and Leader’s Time Training (LTT), arguing that the debate is less about terminology and more about ownership, trust, and purpose. The discussion emphasizes that STT is a critical venue for developing junior NCOs as trainers—forcing them to understand tasks to standard, plan instruction, and build confidence in leading Soldiers. When NCOs own training, they develop the skills required to train, certify, and mentor at higher echelons later in their careers. However, the episode also highlights a recurring friction point: junior NCOs often struggle when training is not clearly nested within commander intent or unit METL priorities, leading to well-intentioned but misaligned training that does not advance the formation toward its operational objectives.    The conversation further addresses best practices for balancing STT and LTT, advocating for a blended approach where commanders provide direction and protect time, while NCOs execute and innovate within that framework. Key themes include the importance of white space for creativity, competition among NCOs to improve training quality, and leader presence during training—not to take over, but to observe, coach, and provide meaningful AARs. The panel stresses that protected training time is essential, especially in high-tempo units, and that much effective training requires minimal resources if leaders are deliberate and disciplined. Ultimately, the episode reinforces that STT succeeds when leaders trust NCOs, give them clear intent, and hold them accountable—producing formations that are more competent, confident, and prepared for the demands of combat.       Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE XO OCT (formerly the BDE S-3 Operations OCT), from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject experts are mainly from the Task Force Aviation (CAB) at JRTC: MAJ Steven Yates is the BDE S-6 Signal OCT from the Brigade Command & Control Task Force (BDE HQ). CW2 Brendan Henske is the Unmanned Systems OCT, CW3 Sean Deegan is the Aviation Mission Survivability Expert OCT, and CPT William Landrum is an Attack Aviation / Close Combat Attack OCT from TF Aviation (CAB).   This episode examines the persistent challenges of integrating aviation enablers into brigade and division operations, emphasizing that most failures stem from planning, communications, and relationship gaps rather than technical limitations alone. A central theme is that aviation routinely enters the fight late, under-integrated, and without a shared understanding of the supported unit’s command-and-control architecture. Units struggle to establish effective PACE plans, COMSEC alignment, and interoperable mission command systems, often discovering incompatibilities only once operations are underway. The discussion highlights how compressed timelines, lack of habitual relationships, and insufficient lead time for satellite access, Link 16, and network approvals create cascading effects that degrade air-ground integration. The episode reinforces that if aviation and ground forces cannot communicate reliably, they cannot synchronize maneuver, fires, or protection—turning aviation from a force multiplier into a liability.    The conversation also explores best practices for enabler integration, stressing that success is driven by commander emphasis and deliberate preparation at home station. Effective formations establish habitual training relationships, exchange LNOs early, rehearse air-ground communications repeatedly, and validate both digital and analog common operating pictures. Particular attention is given to the importance of shared graphics, airspace coordination, and rehearsed battle drills for degraded or denied communications. The panel underscores that enabler integration is not the responsibility of a single staff section; it requires commanders, S3s, S6s, aviation staffs, and supported units to collectively own the problem. The key takeaway is clear: aviation integration in LSCO succeeds when it is planned early, rehearsed often, and treated as a core warfighting task—not an afterthought added during RSOI or once units are already in contact.      Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE XO OCT (formerly the BDE S-3 Operations OCT), from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject experts from the Brigade Command & Control Task Force (BDE HQ) at JRTC: MAJ Steven Yates is the BDE S-6 Signal OCT, MAJ Michael Stewart is the incoming BDE S-3 Operations Officer OCT, MAJ Edward Pecoraro is the Senior Brigade S-2 Intel OCT, MAJ Adeniran Dairo is the Brigade S-4 Logistics OCT, CW3 Michael Horrace is the Senior Targeting OCT, and SFC Benjamin Pealer is the Brigade CEMA NCOIC OCT.   **There was a technical issue during transcoding and a group image had to be utilized inside of “live” video due to a file corruption. Thanks for your understanding in advance.**   The Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) is the Army’s premier combat training center for preparing joint and multinational forces to fight and win in the Indo-Pacific region. Designed to replicate the complexity of LSCO in an archipelago environment, JPMRC challenges units across dense jungle, mountainous terrain, and dispersed islands while integrating land, sea, air, space, cyber, and the electromagnetic spectrum. To execute these demanding training rotations, JPMRC relies on the expertise of the Joint Readiness Training Center, drawing on JRTC Observer-Coach-Trainers and OPFOR subject-matter experts through borrowed manpower to provide realistic opposition and doctrinally grounded feedback to rotational units.     This episode examines the unique challenges of conducting large-scale combat operations in an archipelago environment, highlighting how terrain, distance, weather, and dispersion fundamentally reshape operations across all warfighting functions. A recurring theme is that island and jungle terrain compresses the fight vertically and horizontally, limiting mobility corridors, restricting observation, and degrading traditional ISR advantages. Dense vegetation and complex terrain reduce the effectiveness of aerial and space-based sensors, forcing units to rely more heavily on dismounted reconnaissance, local security, and detailed terrain analysis. Communications planning emerges as a critical friction point, as triple-canopy jungle and mountainous terrain degrade line-of-sight and satellite-dependent systems, requiring deliberate EMS analysis, redundant pathways, and adaptive low-signature solutions. Across the board, the panel reinforces that archipelago operations demand more time, more reconnaissance, and more deliberate planning than continental fights.    The discussion also underscores how LSCO in an island chain is inherently joint, non-contiguous, and resource-constrained, placing a premium on integration and disciplined execution. Sustainment challenges dominate the problem set: moving personnel, equipment, fires, and supplies across multiple islands requires improvisation, redundancy, and acceptance that weather and the enemy will disrupt even the best plans. Fires and maneuver are constrained by limited positioning options, making predictability a vulnerability and forcing commanders to think in terms of infiltration, distributed operations, and attacking systems and nodes rather than massed formations. Mission command and detailed graphics become essential, as junior leaders may operate semi-independently with limited communications for extended periods. The episode reinforces a clear takeaway: archipelago LSCO magnifies friction across every domain, rewarding formations that plan in detail, rehearse relentlessly, empower subordinate leaders, and integrate effects across land, sea, air, space, and the electromagnetic spectrum.     Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Senior Enlisted Medical Advisor and Role II Observer-Coach-Trainer for the Task Force Sustainment (BSB / CSSB), MSG Timothy Sargent on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are all combat medicine professionals with Live Fire Division. SFC Anthony Norris is the Senior Medical OCT and SFC Tulio Perez is one of the Medical OCTs.   This episode focuses on medical planning, execution, and sustainment requirements for live-fire training at JRTC, emphasizing that success hinges on deliberate preparation rather than improvisation once training begins. The discussion highlights how rotational units must plan medical coverage early, accounting for asset allocation, Class VIII forecasting, casualty evacuation timelines, and route familiarity. A major theme is the gap between briefed plans and executable plans, particularly for CASEVAC and MEDEVAC under realistic conditions. Common friction points include poorly rehearsed CASEVAC plans, vehicles improperly configured for casualty movement, weak communications between objectives and higher headquarters, and a lack of shared understanding of evacuation decision authority. The episode reinforces that medics, leaders, and units must rehearse medical operations at home station, not during validation, to ensure rapid, confident execution when real-world casualties occur.    The conversation also dives deeply into casualty collection points (CCPs), heat injury mitigation, and medical logistics, identifying recurring trends observed across rotations. CCPs are frequently under-planned, poorly resourced, or inadequately communicated below leadership level, creating delays during mass casualty or heat-injury events. The panel stresses the importance of time-distance analysis, realistic evacuation timelines from objectives to Role I and beyond, and prioritizing CASEVAC over waiting for limited MEDEVAC assets. Heat injuries emerge as a dominant driver of casualties, underscoring the need for disciplined hydration, nutrition, sleep, ice resupply, arm-immersion cooling, and sufficient thermometer probes and Class VIII supplies forward. The episode closes by reinforcing that medical success at JRTC—and in LSCO—depends on repetitions, rehearsals, logistics discipline, and leader involvement, ensuring medical systems can sustain tempo, preserve combat power, and return Soldiers to the fight.       Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the Task Force Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer from Task Force Sustainment (Division Sustainment Support Battalion / Light Support Battalion) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is CPT Cody Kindle the S-4 Sustainment Planner for JRTC’s Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control Task Force.   This episode explores sustainment in Large-Scale Combat Operations by breaking down how logistics must be planned, synchronized, and executed to survive and enable maneuver in prolonged, high-tempo fights. A central focus is clarifying the roles of the brigade S4 and the SPO, emphasizing internal versus external sustainment responsibilities and how confusion between the two creates friction, duplicated effort, and missed requirements. The discussion repeatedly returns to the idea that sustainment success is not personality-driven but competency-driven, rooted in disciplined math, running estimates, and forecasting. Log stats are framed not as reports for awareness, but as tools to validate assumptions, detect deviations from forecasts, and drive timely decisions. The episode stresses that effective sustainment requires forecasting 72–96 hours out at a minimum, with deliberate synchronization of consumption from the individual Soldier level through FSCs, the BSB/LSB, and higher sustainment echelons.    The conversation also highlights best practices observed at JRTC, particularly the use of the logistics synchronization matrix as the sustainment fight’s primary combat product. When shared and nested across echelons, the sync matrix allows units to deconflict time and space, avoid emergency resupply, protect limited distribution assets, and maintain tempo without culminating. Leaders discuss how failures in synchronization lead to predictable breakdowns, including overworked distribution platoons, stalled maneuver units, and sustainment “blackout” periods during displacement. The episode concludes by framing sustainment in LSCO as a contested, continuous operation that demands redundancy, disciplined staff processes, and strong working relationships between logisticians at every echelon. Units that treat sustainment planning with the same rigor as maneuver planning are better positioned to endure the hardest days of ground combat and keep combat power forward.     Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE XO OCT (formerly the BDE S-3 Operations OCT), from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two subject experts of the military decision making process at JRTC: MAJ Brent Paish and MAJ Michael Stewart. MAJ Paish is an Australian Army Exchange Officer serving as the S-3 Operations Officer OCT for TF-3 (IN BN). MAJ Stewart is the incoming BDE S-3 Operations Officer OCT for BC2 (BDE HQ).   This episode focuses on the often-skipped but foundational MDMP step: Receipt of Mission, arguing that many downstream planning failures stem from rushing or ignoring this phase. The discussion highlights why staffs frequently bypass receipt of mission—time pressure, overconfidence, and a desire to jump straight into “productive” planning products—while overlooking its true purpose: baselining the staff, establishing shared understanding, and setting conditions for disciplined execution. Key friction points identified include assuming everyone has read and interpreted the order the same way, failing to properly define task and purpose, and neglecting to separate immediate operational requirements from future planning tasks. Without a deliberate receipt-of-mission process, units routinely miss critical outputs such as a meaningful WARNORD, a coherent planning timeline, and early identification of specified and implied tasks.    The episode also explores best practices observed at JRTC, emphasizing the value of a receipt-of-mission huddle to synchronize the staff, clarify roles, and prevent siloed planning. Effective units use this moment to align planning horizons, assign responsibilities, and ensure subordinate elements can begin parallel planning in accordance with the 1/3–2/3 rule. The panel stresses that receipt of mission is not a formality but a force-multiplier that enables tempo, prevents stagnation, and supports timely movement and transitions once units are already in contact. By deliberately executing this step, commanders and staffs reduce friction, improve mission analysis quality, and create the shared understanding required to operate effectively in LSCO under compressed timelines and degraded conditions.    Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the Task Force Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer from Task Force Sustainment (Division Sustainment Support Battalion / Light Support Battalion) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is LTC Ryan Wilson, the Battalion Commander for the 307th Light Support Battalion, 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team (MBCT), 82nd Airborne Division.*   The 307th Light Support Battalion, formerly the 307th Brigade Support Battalion, is the sustainment backbone of the 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team (MBCT), 82nd Airborne Division. Known by its Hollywood call sign “Blackdevil” and guided by the motto “Ready to Support,” the 307th traces its lineage to World War II, where it supported airborne operations in the European Theater before continuing service through the Cold War, the Global War on Terror, and into today’s LSCO-focused force. As a Light Support Battalion, the 307th has evolved from traditional rear-area logistics into a highly mobile, dispersed, and survivable sustainment formation—capable of supporting forced entry, austere operations, and prolonged combat while operating under constant enemy observation.   This episode examines tactical sustainment and logistics in LSCO, focusing on how Brigade Support Battalions must modernize to survive, enable maneuver, and remain relevant on a transparent, multi-domain battlefield. The discussion highlights evolving base cluster design as a survivability and command-and-control problem, not just a logistical one. Rather than mirroring legacy company-based layouts, effective units organize sustainment nodes around capability, unity of command, and protection, deliberately reducing signatures while preserving functionality. The episode also addresses the persistent friction between moving versus maneuvering logistics, emphasizing that sustainment formations are designed to distribute bulk commodities, not fight their way forward without protection. Best practices include integrating FSCs early into planning, rehearsing transitions from bulk to retail distribution, and treating sustainment as a shared responsibility between maneuver and support units rather than a transactional service.    The conversation further explores multi-domain and modernization challenges shaping the sustainment fight, including EMS vulnerability, convoy survivability, and the difficulty of maintaining synchronization during frequent displacement. Leaders discuss how degraded communications, leadership attrition, and mass casualties compound sustainment friction, requiring disciplined initiative and empowered NCO leadership at echelon. Repeated emphasis is placed on concealment, noise and light discipline, timeliness, and rehearsed staff processes as decisive factors that protect sustainment combat power. The episode underscores that logistics in LSCO is not a rear-area function but a contested fight where culture, repetition, and leader-driven standards determine success. Ultimately, the takeaway is clear: units that modernize sustainment through protection, integration, and disciplined execution are better positioned to sustain the fight and enable decisive maneuver during the opening and sustaining battles of LSCO.    Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.   *For the purposes of this podcast, the titles LSB and BSB are interchangeable just as DSSB and CSSB.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE XO OCT (formerly the BDE S-3 Operations OCT), from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are senior non-commissioned officers of JRTC: MSG Jared Cawthon, MSG Randell Conway, and SFC Corey Rinn. MSG Cawthon is the BDE Fires Support NCOIC and MSG Conway is the BDE Intelligence NCOIC OCT in Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ). SFC Rinn is the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Senior OCT for TF-5 (BDE Engineer BN).   This episode focuses on leadership through the deliberate and effective utilization of Noncommissioned Officers at echelon, emphasizing that success in LSCO is fundamentally leader business, not officer business versus NCO business. A central theme is the NCO’s role in identifying and mitigating friction before it manifests in execution. Drawing on repeated JRTC observations, the discussion highlights how experienced NCOs sharpen plans through rehearsals, checklists, and anticipation of second- and third-order effects—time, distance, sustainment, displacement, and execution risk—that are often missed in rushed or staff-centric planning. When NCOs are fully integrated into MDMP, mission analysis, COA development, and rehearsals, staffs are more synchronized, plans are more executable, and formations adapt faster once friction is encountered.    The episode also addresses persistent gaps in how formations employ NCOs, particularly on staffs. Too often, senior NCOs are relegated to security or administrative tasks instead of being empowered contributors to planning, targeting, and cross–warfighting function integration. The panel underscores disciplined initiative, delegation of authority, and clear roles and responsibilities as decisive leadership practices that unlock NCO potential. Effective formations deliberately train NCOs to operate confidently in planning environments, leverage their experience to challenge assumptions, and serve as connective tissue between operations, intelligence, fires, sustainment, and protection. The consistent takeaway is clear: units that empower NCOs as planners, synchronizers, and leaders—not just executors—operate with less friction, greater cohesion, and higher combat effectiveness in the hardest fights.    Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience’. Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG).   Established during the fierce fighting in the Italian campaigns of World War II, 1/82 was employed in multiple brush wars throughout the Cold War as well as in Operation Desert Storm and later as part of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo before deploying in support of the Global War on Terror. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Devil” and the motto of “Strike and Hold.”   This episode brings together commanders from across an Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) to examine JRTC trends and best practices for preparing units for their hardest days of ground combat in LSCO across multiple domains. A recurring theme is the reality of operating under extreme friction, speed, and uncertainty, where units must fight the enemy—not the plan—while managing constrained planning timelines, high operational tempo, and limited resources. Commanders discuss how early phases of the fight, particularly airborne or austere insertions, expose weaknesses in logistics distribution, predictive sustainment, and mobility, often culminating units faster than anticipated. The panel reinforces that many perceived “logistics problems” are actually distribution and prioritization problems, solvable through disciplined LOGSTATs, predictive analysis, and deliberate LOGSYNC forums that align brigade priorities with battalion-level realities.     Across echelons, leaders emphasize that success in LSCO depends on shared understanding and commander-driven dialogue, not perfect plans. Best practices highlighted include battlefield circulation to validate task and purpose, frequent commander-to-commander and commander-to-staff engagements, and clear articulation of risk to force, risk to mission, and opportunity gained. The discussion underscores persistent challenges in synchronizing fires, maneuver, and sustainment when staffs fall behind the fight, communications degrade, or units outrun their own situational awareness. Survivability and lethality on a transparent battlefield require formations to stay light, manage signatures, rehearse displacement, and ensure every Soldier—not just designated specialists—can employ critical systems like anti-armor weapons. Collectively, the panel reinforces a core JRTC lesson: disciplined fundamentals, predictive logistics, honest risk dialogue, and empowered leaders at echelon are what enable IBCTs to endure, adapt, and win during the opening battles of LSCO.     Part of S02 “If I Would Have Only Known” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twentieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience’ and the fifth* annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium. Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are all seasoned observer-coach-trainers (OCTs) from across Operations Group, LTC Amoreena “Ammo” York, MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, MAJ Marc Howle, MAJ Amy Beatty, MAJ Jeff Horn, CSM Frank Enriquez, SGM Matthew Bollinger, and MSG Lacey Remillard as well as CW3 Roy Sandoval from the US Army Special Operations Command’s Special Operations Training Detachment. Opening remarks were provided by GEN David Hodnes (Available only live via Teams), the Commanding General of Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) and BG Jason Curl, the Commanding General of the Joint Readiness Training Center. Our panel members are observer-coach-trainers with numerous decisive action training environment rotations between them. LTC York is the Task Force Senior for the TF Aviation (CAB / ATF). MAJ Pfaltzgraff is the BDE S-3 Operations OCT and MAJ Howle is the Protection OCT for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ). MAJ Beatty is the Executive Officer OCT and MSG Remillard is the S-3 Operations Sergeant Major OCT for Task Force Sustainment (BSB/DSSB). MAJ Horn is the Executive Officer OCT for the Fires Support Task Force. CSM Enriquez is the Command Sergeant Major OCT for Live Fires Division. SGM Bollinger is the Senior Enlisted S-2 Intelligence Advisor for the Intelligence Warfighting Function. CW3 Sandoval is the Rotational Planner for USASOC’s Special Operations Training Detachment.   The purpose of the ‘LSCO Symposium’ is to advance conversation on warfighting and share observations and lessons learned. We will discuss large scale violence today, but this discussion transcends mission sets. Train for high end competition and scale down as required. This episode synthesizes JRTC trends and best practices for preparing units for their hardest days of ground combat in Large-Scale Combat Operations across multiple domains. A central theme is that continuous transformation must be anchored to disciplined fundamentals. Leaders repeatedly emphasize that emerging capabilities—UAS, ITN, AI-enabled targeting tools, precision fires, and advanced sustainment systems—amplify poor discipline as much as they amplify competence. Units struggle when they trade foundational skills for technology, compress training timelines, or assume proficiency in basics like MDMP rigor, rehearsals, reporting, security, and sustainment forecasting. The discussion reinforces that formations are not failing because of a lack of tools, but because of gaps in training management, insufficient repetitions at home station, and an erosion of shared doctrinal language that enables synchronization under stress.    The episode also highlights how LSCO success depends on integration across warfighting functions over time, not single moments of convergence. Best-performing units demonstrate disciplined commander–staff and commander–commander dialogue, deliberate risk articulation, and active NCO involvement throughout planning and execution. Persistent challenges include rushed or truncated MDMP, weak course-of-action analysis, fragmented IPO/SPO processes, and poor sustainment visibility that leads to overstocking, vulnerable cache sites, and exposed logistics nodes. Survivability on a transparent battlefield emerges as a recurring lesson: units must balance dispersion with functionality, manage electromagnetic signatures, rehearse degraded communications, protect sustainment forces, and treat rear areas as contested terrain. Taken together, the episode underscores a clear JRTC message—winning the first battles of LSCO requires disciplined fundamentals, rigorous planning, and relentless rehearsal long before units ever make contact.  If you’d like to read along, you can visit our LinkTree account and view either Scenesetter (https://tr.ee/P8GenLNFvW) or EXSUM (https://tr.ee/HPpEc3ckHP).   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   Don’t forget to checkout our first, second, third, and fourth annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium, episodes sixteen, thirty, sixty-six, and ninety-three of ‘The Crucible.’   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.   *The first annual LSCO Symposium was conducted at Ft. Benning/Moore but hosted by the JRTC Team.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-nineteenth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the Commanding General for the fabled 82nd Airborne Division, MG Brandon Tegtmeier, All American 06. The 82nd Airborne Division specializes in joint forcible entry operations via vertical envelopment, both airborne and air assault, into denied areas with a U.S. Department of Defense requirement to respond to crisis contingencies anywhere in the world within 18 hours. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “All American” Division and the motto of “In Air, On Land.”   This episode explores trends and best practices observed through the lens of an airborne division preparing for large-scale combat operations, with a consistent emphasis on fundamentals, training management, and condition setting at echelon. The discussion reinforces that success at division level is anchored in company-level and below proficiency, arguing that brigades and divisions can adapt rapidly during a CTC rotation, but deficiencies in small-unit fundamentals cannot be fixed once in contact. A recurring theme is the deliberate decompression of training—allowing platoons, companies, and battalions sufficient time to learn, rehearse, and apply lessons rather than rushing through compressed events. This approach enables leaders to internalize battle drills, reduce cognitive load under stress, and fight effectively in JRTC’s “friction factory,” where units are tested under sustained pressure, casualties, logistics shortfalls, and enemy contact.    From an operational perspective, the episode highlights how airborne formations must think differently about setting conditions across the fight, integrating intelligence, fires, sustainment, protection, and deception over time rather than relying on single convergence moments. Key topics include commander-driven MDMP, disciplined risk dialogue between commanders and staffs, and the necessity of clearly articulating information requirements to higher headquarters when organic collection assets are limited. The conversation also addresses emerging best practices such as protecting long-range fires, using maneuver forces to enable deep effects, embracing deception and EMCON to survive on a transparent battlefield, and offloading risk to robotics and UAS through formations like the MFRC. Sustainment realities for light forces—especially water and ammunition management following airborne or austere insertions—are repeatedly emphasized as decisive factors. Taken together, the episode presents a clear message: airborne divisions win by mastering fundamentals, deliberately preparing leaders at every echelon, and synchronizing effects over time to preserve combat power and maintain momentum in LSCO.    Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   Don’t forget to check-out XVIII Airborne Corps’ social media pages, their handles are ‘82ndAirborneDivision’ on Facebook, ‘82ndABNDiv’ on X, and ‘82ndairbornediv’ on Instagram.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-eighteenth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Senior Enlisted Medical Advisor and Role II Observer-Coach-Trainer for the Task Force Sustainment (BSB / CSSB), MSG Timothy Sargent on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are all combat medicine professionals across the JRTC. SFC William Deutsch is the Senior Medical OCT with TF-3 (IN BN), SFC Robert Schimmelpfenneg is the Medical Advisor and Role II OCT with TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB), and SFC Anthony Norris is the Senior Medical OCT with Live Fire Division.   This episode dives deep into combat medicine at the tactical small-unit level, focusing on what 68W medics truly face in a large-scale combat operations environment. The discussion highlights how today’s medics arrive from Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training with significantly more clinical capability: whole blood transfusions, chest tubes, finger thoracotomies, FAST exams, etc. Yet often lose proficiency once they reach their units due to lack of repetitions, limited clinical exposure, and competing taskings like motor-pool duties and gate guard. The panel emphasizes the widening gap between what new medics learn in the schoolhouse and what line units actually reinforce day to day. Just as importantly, the episode stresses that modern LSCO demands a return to mastery of basics: triage under mass-casualty conditions, reassessments, deliberate casualty collection point (CCP) management, documentation, and base-level soldier tasks such as security, dispersion, movement, and survivability. We routinely observe high-casualties at JRTC, often 60–80 casualties at once and hundreds per rotation. Poor triage and poor soldier-skill fundamentals, not lack of “sexy medicine,” are the leading causes of died-of-wounds outcomes.    The episode also examines how units can better sustain medical readiness during home-station training. Leaders discuss integrating medics into ER rotations, EMS ride-alongs, sick-call operations, and realistic trauma/medical lanes that reinforce both prolonged field care and everyday DMBI cases. They argue that NCOs must reclaim ownership of training through proper DTMS programming, use of existing doctrinal resources, and deliberate linkage to mission-essential tasks. The conversation closes on three high-value priorities for the future fight: deliberate triage, accurate/documented patient care, and competent CCP & CASEVAC execution—all grounded in disciplined soldiering, not just advanced interventions. Ultimately, the episode makes clear that on the LSCO battlefield, combat medics must be clinicians, communicators, and soldiers, capable of saving lives while enabling commanders to maintain combat power forward.    Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-seventeenth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE S-3 Operations OCT, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are senior members of JRTC’s fires support enterprise: MAJ Jeff Horn, MSG Esteban Melendez, and SFC Larry Gillispie, Jr. MAJ Horn is the Executive Officer OCT for the Fires Support Task Force. MSG Melendez is the Battery Senior NCO OCT and SFC Gillispie is the Fires Direction Center Senior OCT for the Fires Support TF.   This episode centers on the critical role of indirect fires in enabling brigade and battalion maneuver during large-scale combat operations (LSCO). Discussion emphasized how modern battlefields—defined by continuous observation, rapid enemy counterfire, and contested electromagnetic terrain—demand faster, simpler, and more integrated fires processes. The episode explored the necessity of marrying intelligence, targeting, and maneuver to generate timely and accurate effects, noting that units frequently struggle with building effective EVENTEMPs, aligning priority intelligence requirements with high-payoff target lists, and ensuring fire support elements understand the commander’s visualization. Indirect fires are no longer a supporting arm that can be “plugged in” at the end of planning; instead, fires must lead maneuver, set conditions, disrupt enemy reconnaissance, and shape the tempo of operations. Units that succeeded at JRTC did so by developing disciplined fires rehearsals, maintaining digital pathways for observers and FSEs, and employing simple, survivable fire support plans that could be executed under degraded conditions.    The episode also examined common shortfalls in fire support execution and provided practical solutions rooted in LSCO best practices. Many units struggled to connect sensors to shooters, often due to poor task organization, inconsistent digital connectivity, or a lack of rehearsed triggers and decision points. The conversation stressed that fires must be integrated early, beginning at WARNO 1, so that reconnaissance, counter-reconnaissance, and targeting all feed a coherent fires architecture. Leaders must enforce conditions that enable fires in contact: dispersed artillery positions, rapid survivability moves, redundant communications, and timely, accurate reporting. Best practices discussed included using decoys to force enemy action, leveraging sUAS for battle damage assessment and real-time refinement, simplifying TLWS/TTLODAC products, and conducting thorough fires technical rehearsals. Ultimately, the episode reinforced that mastery of indirect fires is inseparable from mastery of LSCO itself—units that can sense, decide, and deliver effects faster than the enemy preserve freedom of maneuver and dominate the fight.   Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixteenth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Senior Medical Operations Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer for the Task Force Sustainment (BSB / CSSB), CPT Victor Velez on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is CPT Christina Pierce, the Officer-in-Charge, Joint Aid Station-Rear (JAS-R) attached to Bayne Jones Army Community Hospital on Fort Polk, LA.   This episode of The Crucible podcast focuses on the coordination and integration of medical operations from Role I through Role 2+, with particular emphasis on the Joint Aid Station-Rear (JAS-R) at the JRTC. The discussion outlines how units often underestimate the staffing, equipment, and Class VIII requirements needed to effectively run a JAS-R. Leaders are reminded that the JAS-R is designed to function as a Role I facility with limited expansion, and its true effectiveness is shaped by what the unit brings—particularly providers, medics, and a robust Class VIII package. A bare minimum staffing model (one provider and 12 medics split across shifts) is described as unsustainable, with best practices suggesting multiple providers and additional medics to manage patient flow, casualty movement, and external appointments. The podcast highlights how equipment such as exam tables, AEDs, suction systems, and crash carts are available in the facility, but units must stock and maintain them.   The conversation further emphasizes coordination with JRTC JAS-R staff and Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital (BJACH) at Ft. Polk to ensure proper credentialing, MHS Genesis access, and Class VIII ordering prior to arrival. Units are cautioned against arriving with inadequate supplies or relying solely on CTC funds allocation for replenishment, which is intended for sustainment, not initial stocking. Critical points include managing referrals to BJACH and local civilian hospitals, establishing transportation plans for follow-up care, and ensuring effective communication between providers, medics, and the white cell for accountability and patient tracking. The episode stresses that medical planning is not just a surgeon’s responsibility but a command responsibility, and leaders must treat the JAS-R as a training opportunity and readiness rehearsal for the demands of LSCO.   Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifteenth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE S-3 Operations OCT, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two senior members of JRTC that most units coordinate with but rarely see in-person: MAJ Jacquelin Marrero and MAJ Brandon Kilthau. MAJ Marrero is the G-4 Sustainment Officer at the Joint Readiness Training Center’s headquarters. MAJ Kilthau is the S-3 Operations Officer for Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control. Plans/EMC plan, resource, and supervise the rotations from start to finish. (Think of the man behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz.)   This episode focuses on the often-overlooked but decisive phase of reception, staging, onward movement, and integration (RSOI) at JRTC. The discussion highlights recurring friction points as units arrive in Torbia—ranging from poor Soldier discipline and lack of acclimatization to the Louisiana heat, to wasted time at staging areas instead of conducting pre-combat checks (PCCs), pre-combat inspections (PCIs), and final system checks. The key message is mindset: leaders and Soldiers must treat RSOI as the beginning of combat, not downtime before the “real” fight. Units that operationalize RSOI—using the time to validate communications, establish sustainment accounts, rehearse movement, and begin integrating attachments—set the conditions for success. Those that view it as a last break or administrative hurdle often find themselves behind before entering the box.   The conversation also underscores the importance of coordination with the JRTC G4 to ensure prepositioned (“pre-po”) equipment is properly drawn, maintained, and matched to operational requirements. Many units fail to establish essential accounts for Class I, III, IV, V, and VIII supplies until arrival, creating preventable shortfalls. Best practices include using RSOI to rehearse convoy movements, validate communications architecture with available support, and build relationships with enablers or foreign attachments before moving to the training area. Leaders are encouraged to deliberately involve NCOs in these processes to extend command oversight, enforce discipline, and maximize use of time. Ultimately, the episode frames RSOI as more than an administrative requirement: it is the first tactical problem of the rotation, and units that succeed here carry momentum into the fight.   Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fourteenth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE S-3 Operations OCT, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two senior sustainers within JRTC: MAJ Amy Beatty, the Task Force Executive Officer from Task Force Sustainment (Combat Sustainment Support Battalion / Brigade Support Battalion) and MAJ Adeniran Dairo, the BDE S-4 Sustainment Observer-Coach-Trainer from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ).   This episode on logistics and sustainment in LSCO highlights the recurring friction points’ units face when bringing their formations to JRTC. One of the central themes is the lack of clearly defined roles and responsibilities between the brigade S4 and the SPO. While the S4 is doctrinally responsible for sustainment planning and the SPO for executing those plans, experience gaps, personality differences, and poor coordination often blur the lines. This creates confusion over who produces critical products, such as the sustainment paragraph of the OPORD or synchronization matrices, leading to missed opportunities in planning and execution. The discussion stresses the need for deliberate conversations between S4s and SPOs—ideally starting at home station—to clarify duties, build trust, and ensure planning outputs are synchronized with maneuver requirements.   The conversation also emphasizes the importance of running estimates and the broader framework of the “5 Ls of Logistics”: LOGSTATs, LOGSYNC matrices, LOGSYNC meetings, LOGCOP, and LOGPACs. Too often, junior officers and commodity managers fail to update their estimates as operations progress, leading to mismatched forecasts, overestimations, or shortfalls that erode trust between maneuver and sustainment elements. This disconnect compounds when formations apply blanket percentage increases at each echelon, inflating requirements far beyond reality. Solutions discussed include dual reporting between FSCs and BSBs to balance individual consumption data against bulk stocks, prioritizing survivability over efficiency in sustainment operations, and treating the transition from bulk to individual commodity distribution as a battle drill rehearsed at home station. Ultimately, survivability, trust, and disciplined sustainment practices are framed as decisive factors in ensuring brigades can fight and endure in LSCO.   Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-thirteenth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE S-3 Operations OCT, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are LTC Amoreena “Ammo” York, the Task Force Senior from Aviation Task Force and SSG Nikolas Pappas, the AVN Maintenance Tech Platoon Sergeant from the Aviation Task Force.   This episode of The Crucible podcast delves into the complex realities of sustaining Army rotary-wing aviation units during large-scale combat operations (LSCO). With an emphasis on enabler operations, the discussion highlights three primary friction points aviation units routinely encounter at JRTC: time management in MDMP across multiple simultaneous mission sets, underutilization of NCO expertise in planning and rehearsals, and the technical and doctrinal challenges of Forward Arming and Refueling Points (FARPs). The speakers emphasize that unlike home-station exercises with limited mission scope, JRTC rotations demand that aviation units execute deep attacks, displacements, and air assaults while simultaneously managing logistics and force protection—often without enough time or capacity to rehearse. A key takeaway is the criticality of aggressive MDMP timelines and the use of the “SHOPE” timeline—placing sustainment as the first priority to ensure aviation success.   Further, the episode underscores the need to integrate aviation planning with brigade-level operations, particularly when coordinating terrain management, graphic control measures, and airspace deconfliction. Successful units are those that involve mid-grade NCOs early, especially those with realistic insights into timelines and requirements for tasks like establishing a survivable FARP. The conversation also exposes a widespread lack of familiarity with aviation-specific requirements among brigade and division staff, particularly in managing shared airspace and synchronizing fires and SUAS activity. Finally, the hosts point out that survivable FARPs require camouflage, rapid setup and teardown, and minimal electromagnetic signatures—making blackout comms and distributed rehearsals essential. The episode concludes with a challenge to division-level leaders to solve the enduring problem of rotary-wing sustainment in LSCO through rapid, integrated air logistics—bypassing hours-long convoys and empowering CABs to bridge the final tactical mile.   Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twelfth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Senior Medical Operations Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer for the Task Force Sustainment (BSB / CSSB), CPT Victor Velez on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts in each of their warfighting fields, MAJ Jon Austin, SFC Scott Gallagher, 1LT Andy Cornelison, and LTC Max Ferguson. MAJ Austin is an armor officer from the Close Combat Lethality Task Force at the Maneuver Center of Excellence. SFC Gallagher is the former senior medic for 2-14 IN BN and is currently the Senior Enlisted Medical Advisor OCT for TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB). 1LT Cornelson is a former Army Special Forces medic and is now the Physician’s Assistant for 2-14 Infantry BN, “Golden Dragons” of 2nd IBCT, 10th Mountain Division. LTC Max Ferguson is the former BN Commander for 2-14 IN BN and is now the G-3 Operations Officer for 10th Mountain DIV as well as serving as the J-3 for the JTF Southern Border.   The 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, known by its Hollywood call-sign “Commando Brigade”, is a light infantry unit headquartered at Fort Drum, New York. Carrying the proud motto “Courage and Honor,” the brigade traces its lineage to the 10th Mountain Division’s storied World War II legacy in the mountains of Italy, where it earned distinction for its rugged combat effectiveness in extreme terrain. Reactivated in the post-Vietnam era, 2nd IBCT has since deployed multiple times in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, exemplifying rapid deployment capability, adaptability, and lethality. Today, the Commando Brigade remains a cornerstone of the Army’s light infantry force, specializing in mountain and cold-weather operations while preparing for large scale combat operations across multiple domains.   The “golden hour” concept from the Global War on Terror era is being expanded in LSCO to account for prolonged casualty care under contested evacuation timelines. Whole blood and walking blood banks extend treatment coverage, creating larger windows for evacuation to the next level of care. While long practiced within Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF), this marks the first employment of the concept by a conventional unit in recent history.   In this episode of The Crucible podcast, the panel continues its in-depth discussion on prolonged casualty care (PCC) in large-scale combat operations (LSCO), building on themes introduced in part one. A key focus is on how modern units—especially those operating in austere, isolated, or logistically constrained environments—must adapt to provide lifesaving care when evacuation within the “Golden Hour” is not possible. From operations in Syria and the U.S. southern border to anticipated LSCO scenarios, the conversation highlights the reality that prolonged field care (PFC) is not a future problem—it’s a current operational requirement. We unpack the complexity of holding casualties for hours (or days), examining scenarios where role 1 and 2 facilities become primary treatment centers in the absence of immediate access to surgical capabilities.   The conversation also addresses the practical responsibilities of leaders—both medical and maneuver—in creating the conditions for success. Topics include the importance of tourniquet conversion training, integrating whole-blood programs, designing low-signature CASEVAC platforms, and standardizing tactical combat casualty care (TC3) across formations. Leaders emphasize the need to build experiential knowledge in junior medics through trauma center exposure, paramedic fellowships, and realistic simulation labs. The gap in trauma experience across the force—especially among junior NCOs and medics—is framed as a critical training challenge, compounded by outdated equipment and inconsistent SOPs. The episode concludes with a call to prioritize medics’ professional development, create scalable medical rehearsals nested within maneuver plans, and cultivate confidence in combat casualty care as a decisive enabler in LSCO.   Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-eleventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE S-3 Operations OCT, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are MAJ Steven Yates, the BDE S-6 Signal OCT from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) and SFC Daniel Pippin, the BN S-6 Signal NCOIC from the 1-509th IN (ABN) Opposing Force.   This episode of The Crucible centers on the challenges of command and control (C2) integration and the employment of enablers within brigade combat teams (BCTs) at JRTC. The discussion highlights recurring issues with overcomplicated signal plans, inadequate COMSEC readiness, and a persistent lack of basic communications skills across maneuver formations. Despite widespread fielding of advanced systems like ITN, many units arrive without validated PACE plans or shared understanding of how to communicate across formations and enabler teams. A key friction point is the failure to execute realistic COMEX and VALEX rehearsals, which often leads to failure in establishing a functioning network prior to movement into the box. When soldiers can’t log into CPCE or MAVEN or don’t know how to employ SATCOM or FM, the entire C2 enterprise falters before first contact.   The episode also stresses the importance of simplifying communications, cross-training non-signal personnel, and involving maneuver leaders in signal planning. A lack of distributed competence creates overreliance on limited 25-series personnel. The team praises aviation’s model of integrating comms training into pilot academics and encourages similar investments at the BCT level—where every Soldier using a radio must understand its function and limitations. Integration of enablers—particularly aviation, foreign partners, and multi-echelon elements like MEC teams—demands proactive coordination well before RSOI. The key takeaway: units that treat RSOI as part of the operations process, not just an administrative requirement, set the conditions for success. C2 must be validated with full mission threads—sensor-to-shooter, PED, and digital fires—before rolling into the box. Anything less risks operational paralysis in the first 48 hours.   Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-tenth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Senior Medical Operations Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer for the Task Force Sustainment (BSB / CSSB), CPT Victor Velez on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts in each of their warfighting fields, MAJ Jon Austin, SFC Scott Gallagher, 1LT Andy Cornelison, and LTC Max Ferguson. MAJ Austin is an armor officer from the Close Combat Lethality Task Force at the Maneuver Center of Excellence. SFC Gallagher is the former senior medic for 2-14 IN BN and is currently the Senior Enlisted Medical Advisor OCT for TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB). 1LT Cornelson is a former Army Special Forces medic and is now the Physician’s Assistant for 2-14 Infantry BN, “Golden Dragons” of 2nd IBCT, 10th Mountain Division. LTC Max Ferguson is the former BN Commander for 2-14 IN BN and is now the G-3 Operations Officer for 10th Mountain DIV as well as serving as the J-3 for the JTF Southern Border.   The 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, known by its Hollywood call-sign “Commando Brigade”, is a light infantry unit headquartered at Fort Drum, New York. Carrying the proud motto “Courage and Honor,” the brigade traces its lineage to the 10th Mountain Division’s storied World War II legacy in the mountains of Italy, where it earned distinction for its rugged combat effectiveness in extreme terrain. Reactivated in the post-Vietnam era, 2nd IBCT has since deployed multiple times in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, exemplifying rapid deployment capability, adaptability, and lethality. Today, the Commando Brigade remains a cornerstone of the Army’s light infantry force, specializing in mountain and cold-weather operations while preparing for large scale combat operations across multiple domains.   The “golden hour” concept from the Global War on Terror era is being expanded in LSCO to account for prolonged casualty care under contested evacuation timelines. Whole blood and walking blood banks extend treatment coverage, creating larger windows for evacuation to the next level of care. While long practiced within Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF), this marks the first employment of the concept by a conventional unit in recent history.   This episode of The Crucible podcast explores the evolving challenges and adaptations required for effective medical operations in LSCO. With evacuation timelines stretching well beyond the traditional “golden hour,” the discussion centers on how leaders must anticipate prolonged casualty care in contested environments. Panelists emphasized that bleeding remains the leading cause of battlefield death, and maneuver elements—not just medics—must assume responsibility for initiating lifesaving interventions at the point of injury. A key enabler discussed is the implementation of walking blood banks using pre-screened low-titer O donors to provide whole-blood transfusions far forward, drastically extending survivability in austere environments where surgical care is delayed or inaccessible.   The conversation also dives into the training implications for units preparing to conduct prolonged care. Leaders must invest time and energy into building whole-blood programs, standardizing procedures across echelons, and ensuring both medics and maneuver elements are prepared to manage triage, resource allocation, and life-saving interventions. Emphasis was placed on incorporating these efforts well before deployment—ideally as part of the training glidepath and Soldier Readiness Processing process—and enabling unit-level adjudication through validated kits and simplified protocols. The Joint Trauma System guidelines, Ranger Regiment best practices, and Marine Corps programs like Valkyrie were all cited as models for force-wide adoption. This episode represents a critical push toward institutionalizing practical solutions to the hard realities of LSCO casualty care.   Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE S-3 Operations OCT, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are CPT Joshua Ash, a Company Commander with 1-509th IN (ABN) (Opposing Force), MAJ Reed Ziegler, the BN S-3 Operations OCT in TF-1 (Infantry BN), SFC Walter Jinks, the Explosive Hazard Advisor OCT in the Fires Support TF, and MSG Brandon Roberts, the BDE Fires Support NCO OCT in BC2 (BCT HQ).   The Hip Pocket Training series is a short-form series focused on single-topic insights for the warfighter on the go. Quick, relevant, and ready when you are!   This episode of The Crucible focuses on the application of the military decision-making process (MDMP) in the defense, emphasizing how terrain, threat, and timing uniquely shape defensive operations during large-scale combat operations (LSCO). The hosts and guests walk through the interconnected steps of MDMP and engagement area development, noting that these are not mutually exclusive but instead must be integrated. The team emphasizes the importance of early terrain analysis during mission analysis, identifying enemy avenues of approach, and positioning most casualty-producing weapon systems. Fires planning is highlighted as both enemy- and terrain-informed, with best practices including placing targets in front of, on, and beyond the position to avoid over-saturating the battlespace and ensure rehearsable and executable fires.   Preparation emerges as a central theme, with observations that many units wait too long to plan and begin defense construction, leading to compressed timelines and poorly executed operations. The podcast outlines critical practices such as conducting a defense preparation rehearsal before line of departure (LD), synchronizing Class IV/V deliveries, employing engineer assets efficiently, and securing battle positions from UAS observation. The episode also explores friction points with fires rehearsals—especially the importance of digital tech rehearsals—and the lingering challenge of replacing lost cavalry reconnaissance capability with company- and battalion-level initiatives. Ultimately, the conversation drives home that successful defenses are those planned early, prepared thoroughly, rehearsed repeatedly, and executed with integrated fires, concealment, and security that match the enemy’s tempo and capability.   Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG) and CSM Bill Gallant, the Command Sergeant Major of Ops Group (CSMOG). Today’s guest is the Commander of 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, COL Eric Soults.   The 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, is the premier infantry formation of the Iowa Army National Guard, headquartered in Boone, Iowa. As part of the storied “Red Bull” Division, the brigade carries forward a legacy of combat excellence dating back to North Africa and Italy in World War II and extensive deployments in the Global War on Terror. The division’s official motto, “Attack, Attack, Attack,” captures the offensive spirit ingrained in its culture. The brigade’s Hollywood call-sign is “Ryder.”   This episode dives deep into the realities of modern warfare from the perspective of the Army National Guard, drawing on the experience of a recent JRTC rotation and upcoming deployment to the CENTCOM AOR. Topics include joint interoperability with international partners such as Kosovo and Jordan, the complexity of managing a brigade built from 19 states, and the use of tools like the “Ryder Way” to enforce standards and discipline. The conversation emphasizes the need to establish early relationships with partner forces, ruthlessly enforce battle rhythm and reporting discipline, and adapt to rapidly changing mission sets across operational phases from training to mobilization.   Other key points include the challenges of sustainment and the innovative use of a sustainment common operating picture or “SUSCOP” to enable proactive logistics. The brigade’s leadership emphasizes empowering NCOs, enforcing standards across dispersed units, and maximizing limited training time by focusing on the fundamentals—especially at the squad and platoon level. The episode concludes with insights on the importance of effective commander-to-commander and staff dialogue, clear expectations, and synchronization of drill periods, all critical to preparing an Army National Guard brigade for LSCO and deployment abroad.   Part of S02 “If I Would Have Only Known” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Senior Medical Operations Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer for the Task Force Sustainment (BSB / CSSB), CPT Victor Velez on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two senior medical professionals, SFC Daniel Booker and MSG Bradley Robinson. SFC Booker is the Medical Operations NCO OCT for Aviation TF (CAB) and MSG Robinson is the Senior Enlisted Medical Advisor OCT for TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB).   This episode explores the evolving landscape of medical operations in large-scale combat operations (LSCO), emphasizing both clinical care and medical logistics under austere, high-tempo conditions. The discussion begins by highlighting training shortfalls in areas such as prolonged field care, expectant casualty care, and the degradation of trauma skills due to lack of high-acuity exposure. The panel underscores the importance of standardizing Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) and incorporating behavioral health (BH) into austere environments. Updated triage doctrine—including a two-pass system and the mass casualty management model—is discussed as a key development, reinforcing that triage is not just a medical responsibility but a leader’s responsibility across the formation.   Observed trends during recent rotations were highlighted, such as the motivation and preparedness of young medics, the resurgence of fieldcraft (digging in, concealment, basic weapons handling), and the movement toward analog systems to reduce complexity. Leader certification and talent management emerge as recurring themes, emphasizing the need for medics to integrate operational planning and communicate effectively with maneuver leaders. Best practices include early development of the medical common operating picture (MEDCOP), effective use of LTP, cross-functional training opportunities, SOP development, and creative training under constraints like limited drill periods. The episode closes with guidance on improving air and ground casualty evacuation operations, promoting distributed medicine concepts, and empowering medics as force multipliers—not just clinicians, but warfighters.   Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by CSM Bill Gallant, the Command Sergeant Major of Ops Group (CSMOG). Today’s guests are four seasoned infantry task force command sergeants major. CSM Lucas Young is the TF CSM for Task Force 2 (IN BN) with ten rotations as an Observer – Coach – Trainer and four rotations as a rotational training unit. CSM Bryan Jaragoske is the TF CSM for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) with three rotations as an OCT and five rotations as RTU. CSM Edwards Cummings is the TF CSM for Task Force 3 (IN BN) with nineteen rotations as an OCT and four rotations as RTU. And CSM Robert Absher is the TF CSM for Task Force 1 (IN BN) with four rotations as an OCT and eight rotations as RTU. In this episode of ‘The Crucible,’ the conversation centers on the evolving and enduring role of noncommissioned officers (NCOs) in infantry warfighting during large-scale combat operations (LSCO). The discussion highlights how NCOs are stepping up in planning processes—especially in course of action development—providing ground truth from the field, validating feasibility, and integrating fire and maneuver. NCOs’ battlefield experience enables them to shape planning guidance, refine timelines, and ensure plans account for realistic sustainment, movement, and transition conditions. The panel underscores the importance of rehearsals and timelines, the application of fieldcraft, camouflage, deception, and understanding terrain—not just through mapping, but through hands-on analysis and feedback. The episode also explores how infantry NCOs are central to managing the fight during transitions, supporting fire planning, and leading security zone operations.   A recurring theme is the necessity of blending technological advancement with mastery of fundamentals. The speakers caution against overreliance on tech like ATACs or drones without maintaining proficiency in basic soldiering skills such as map and compass navigation or patrolling under load. The conversation moves through sustainment challenges, especially medical evacuation, logistics discipline, and terrain management, offering best practices like rehearsing casualty evacuation and involving junior leaders in sustainment planning. Ultimately, the discussion affirms that well-trained, thinking NCOs—those who know the commander’s intent and can adapt when the plan breaks—are vital to combat effectiveness. Leadership, initiative, and the ability to bridge modernization with the realities of the battlefield form the cornerstone of successful infantry operations in LSCO.   Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are four seasoned infantry task force seniors. LTC Andy Smith is the TF Senior for Task Force 2 (IN BN) with ten rotations as an Observer – Coach – Trainer and six rotations as a rotational training unit. LTC Matt Bandi is the TF Senior for Task Force 3 (IN BN) with nine rotations as an OCT and four rotations as RTU. LTC(P) Timothy Price is the TF Senior for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) with twenty-one rotations as an OCT and seven rotations as RTU. And LTC Chuck Wall is the TF Senior for Task Force 1 (IN BN) with nine rotations as an OCT and five rotations as RTU. This episode of The Crucible centers on the raw, uncompromising realities of infantry warfighting in the LSCO environment, drawing directly from firsthand observations at JRTC. The discussion highlights how success on the modern battlefield is built on a foundation of small-unit fundamentals—movement, marksmanship, reporting, and rehearsals. Leaders emphasize that doctrinal clarity and simplicity at the squad and platoon level remain decisive, especially under pressure from drone surveillance, EW interference, and contested logistics. Units that survive and win are those that maintain discipline in their fieldcraft: they camouflage well, rehearse everything, and operate with a combat mindset that anticipates disruption rather than being surprised by it.   The conversation also underscores the importance of deliberate leadership placement, effective use of terrain, and clarity in commander’s intent. Fieldcraft isn’t just about staying hidden—it’s about moving smart, planning for degraded comms, and sustaining yourself under fire. Leaders describe how critical it is for junior NCOs and officers to own their piece of the battlefield, from shaping local security zones to enforcing LOGSTAT discipline. The episode drives home that modernization won’t compensate for a lack of tactical proficiency—and that high-tech tools like sUAS, ATAK, or digital fires architecture only matter if teams have mastered the analog skills to shoot, maneuver, communicate, and survive under stress.   Remember, Professionals train for the fight—they rehearse under pressure, refine fundamentals, and prepare for the worst-case scenario. Amateurs train until they get it right; professionals train until they can’t get it wrong. In LSCO, that difference means survival.   Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB), LTC Bruce Roett on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are three seasoned medical professionals with 1st Mobility Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division. LTC Justin Bowmen is the Battalion Commander for the 426th Light Support Battalion of the 1st Mobility Brigade Combat Team in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). MAJ Ryan Morris is the Brigade Support Operations Officer (SPO) for 1st MBCT of the 101st ABD (AASLT). CPT William Breedlove is the S-3 Operations Officer for the 426th LSB of the 1st MBCT of the 101st ABD (AASLT).   The 426th Light Support Battalion (LSB), formerly the 426th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB), serves as the sustainment backbone of the 1st Mobility Brigade Combat Team “Bastogne,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Known by its Hollywood call-sign “Taskmasters,” the battalion carries the proud motto “Taskmasters Can!” and has a long lineage of support excellence dating back to its origins in World War II. Initially activated as part of the 101st Division Support Command, the unit provided critical logistics support during key operations in Europe, including Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge. Reorganized as the 426th BSB in the modular force era, the battalion has since deployed in support of multiple contingency operations, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, as one of the Army’s first Light Support Battalions under the Division Sustainment Brigade model, the 426 LSB is pioneering new methods of distributed sustainment, mobile logistics, and command post survivability in support of LSCO as part of Task Force Bastogne’s transformation-in-contact initiative.   This episode delivers an in-depth discussion on the employment of the Light Support Battalion (LSB) within the new Mobility Brigade Combat Team (MBCT) framework, using 426th LSB for 1st MBCT of the 101st Airborne Division as a case study. The episode explores the structural transition from a traditional Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) to an LSB under the Division Sustainment Brigade (DSB), including the reorganization of support companies into more mobile and modular Combat Logistics Companies (CLCs). These companies are purpose-built for direct support to light infantry battalions in LSCO environments. Key topics include changes to task organization, reductions in personnel and equipment, and the resulting impacts on mission command and sustainment support. The LSB’s experimentation with a three-cluster BSA configuration was highlighted, emphasizing survivability through dispersion, redundancy in support capabilities, and operational flexibility.   Best practices included deliberate MDMP planning cycles, the integration of emerging technologies such as Skydio drones for BSA security and route reconnaissance, and the execution of detailed sustainment rehearsals using physical props to visualize commodity flow. Friction points were numerous and centered around command and control challenges created by dispersed nodes, difficulty in maintaining a shared common operating picture (COP), digital system limitations, and underutilized analog backups. Suggested improvements included co-locating SPO and staff leadership for planning synchronization, building greater analog COP redundancy, improving digital communications through more widespread fielding of TSM/MUOS radios, and formalizing a more mobile and survivable C2 infrastructure. The episode concludes with a recognition that while the LSB construct is still maturing, it provides a more adaptive and threat-informed sustainment capability suitable for LSCO.   Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). The COG is joined by the Aviation Task Force’s TF Senior, LTC Amoreena “Ammo” York. Today’s guest is Deputy Commanding General for Support of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), BG Travis McIntosh (Eagle 09).   The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), known as the “Screaming Eagles” and bearing the callsign “Eagle,” is one of the most storied and combat-proven divisions in U.S. Army history. Activated in 1942, the division gained immortal fame during World War II with combat jumps into Normandy and Holland and its heroic defense of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Since then, it has served with distinction from Vietnam to the Global War on Terror, transforming from parachute infantry to the Army’s only air assault division. With its motto “Rendezvous with Destiny,” the 101st continues to lead from the front—now as the Army’s premier Transformation-in-Contact division. As part of the Army’s mobility and modernization focus, the 101st is pioneering the integration of multi-domain capabilities, advanced sUAS platforms, electronic warfare, and the next-generation squad weapons within highly mobile infantry formations. Their next rendezvous with destiny will not just be defined by historic legacy—but by shaping how the Army fights and wins in large-scale combat operations on tomorrow’s battlefield.   In this episode we discuss the re-emergence of large-scale, long-range air assaults as a possibly decisive form of maneuver in the 21st-century fight and the some of the capabilities required to achieve success. Our guest highlights that the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is reclaiming its mantle as America’s premier vertical envelopment force. These operations extend deep into contested terrain, often beyond traditional fire support coverage, and demand precision planning, synchronized fires, and an adaptive joint team. The division’s air assault capabilities, when executed at echelon, enable rapid massing of combat power across extended distances to seize key terrain, disrupt enemy formations, and establish lodgments for follow-on operations. However, these assaults cannot succeed without Joint Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (JSEAD). The ability to suppress, deceive, or destroy enemy integrated air defense systems is foundational to aviation survivability and mission success. Airspace must be contested—and then cleared—through layered fires and effects across domains. As BG McIntosh and Task Force Bastogne demonstrated during recent large-scale exercises, air assault isn’t just a legacy tactic—it’s a modern instrument of tempo and shock when paired with precision intelligence, hardened command posts, and rapid sustainment.   The 101st’s renewed focus on scale, range, and survivability represents its next Rendezvous with Destiny. Gone are the days of low-intensity, air corridor-based insertions. Today’s battlefield requires lift platforms operating in low-signature modes, digitally integrated with maneuver elements, and prepared to operate inside denied or degraded electromagnetic environments. With the introduction of the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) ecosystem on the horizon, and the ongoing proliferation of UAS and electronic warfare, Army aviation must evolve from just being “mobility” to becoming a key component of multi-domain convergence. Under McIntosh’s vision, the division is shaping the doctrine and culture necessary to fight and win in LSCO: aggressively training mission command at distance, investing in distributed planning tools, and adapting air-ground integration to incorporate SOF, cyber, and space enablers. The air assault is no longer just an insertion method—it’s a high-risk, high-reward maneuver enabled by fires, intelligence, and the ironclad trust between aviators and ground commanders.   Part of S08 “The Aviator’s Corner” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the former Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are the command team for 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). COL Patrick “Pat” Nelson is the Commander of 7th SFG(A). CSM Adam Dunn is the Command Sergeant Major of 7th SFG(A). And CW5 Jose Villarreal is the Command Chief Warrant of 7th SFG(A).   The 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), known by its call-sign “Red Empire” and affectionately referred to as “La Familia,” is one of the most storied units within U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Headquartered at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, 7th SFG(A) has a rich legacy of conducting Unconventional Warfare, Foreign Internal Defense, and Counterinsurgency missions—particularly in Latin America, where it has maintained deep strategic partnerships for decades. The group played a key role in Cold War-era advisory missions, post-9/11 operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and continues to remain at the forefront of global Special Operations Forces (SOF) engagements. Its motto, “Lo Que Sea, Cuando Sea, Donde Sea”—Spanish for “Anything, Anytime, Anywhere”—embodies its agile, mission-first ethos. Today, 7th SFG(A) is leading the way in integrating Special Forces capabilities into Large-Scale Combat Operations, leveraging its regional expertise, cultural fluency, and tactical excellence to shape the battlefield in support of joint force commanders.   This episode explores the evolving role of U.S. Army Special Forces—commonly known as Green Berets—in Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO). The conversation emphasizes how Special Forces must adapt from their traditional fast and flexible mindset to operate with greater precision, depth, and coordination within a conventional division fight. The leaders from 7th Special Forces Group discuss lessons learned from their groundbreaking Combat Training Center (CTC) rotation, which required ODAs to integrate with division-level planning and synchronize across time, space, and domains. The challenge of transitioning from unconventional warfare to supporting a Joint Forcible Entry and operating in support of division commanders is central, as Special Forces teams are often forward-deployed and must now shape the battlefield not just tactically, but operationally—anticipating information requirements and transitions before a fight begins.   Additionally, the episode identifies specific points of friction and critical learning moments. These include the challenge of synchronizing SOF timelines with conventional unit operations, the sustainment burdens in contested environments, and the complexity of operating in terrain saturated with sensors, drones, and electronic warfare. Best practices included conducting a full Leader Training Program (LTP) to understand the conventional planning process, refining staff-level battle drills and MDMP execution, and committing to humble, self-aware learning. The leaders also stress the importance of strategic relationships—both with conventional forces and international partners—as a long-term enabler of influence and access. In LSCO, they note, tactical decisions can have strategic consequences, and the margins for error are razor-thin. Success for Green Berets in future conflict will depend on their ability to master the basics, think in depth, and execute with discipline and precision, in lockstep with the broader joint force.   Part of S12 “The JIIMs of JRTC: Working with Our Unified Action Partners” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-one episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Senior Intelligence Observer-Coach-Trainer for the Intelligence Task Force, COL Cory Reiter on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the senior military analyst at the China Desk within the Foreign Military Studies Office at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, Mr. Peter Wood You can access Mr. Wood’s intro to China reference booklet at: https://tr.ee/ukc6JINPfn  The Foreign Military Studies Office (FMSO), located at the U.S. Army’s Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, is a key research organization dedicated to analyzing foreign military trends, doctrine, and operational concepts to inform U.S. military understanding and readiness. Within FMSO, the China Desk plays a crucial role by providing focused, open-source research on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Chinese Communist Party (CCP) military strategies, and China’s evolving approaches to multi-domain operations. The China Desk produces analytical reports, threat assessments, and scholarly publications that help inform U.S. Army and joint force planners about Chinese doctrine, modernization efforts, and lessons learned from regional and global conflicts. By maintaining deep subject matter expertise, the China Desk equips military leaders and planners with the insights needed to better prepare for competition and potential conflict with a sophisticated and adaptive peer adversary.   This podcast episode provides a detailed introduction to China’s threat tactics, offering U.S. military leaders and planners a foundational understanding of how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) approach modern warfare. The conversation highlights that China is assessed as the United States’ primary pacing threat—not simply because of a single capability, but because of the integrated strength of its modernization efforts, personnel, training, and cross-domain investments. The episode explores how China blends military and civilian power through its concept of “military-civil fusion,” builds operational depth through advanced space, cyber, and electronic warfare capabilities, and sharpens its military edge through sophisticated training programs, including its own combat training centers. The discussion also addresses the widespread misunderstanding in U.S. circles that China’s economic interdependence with the West deters it from military action, underscoring that China continues to develop systems and posture itself for protracted conflict, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.   Additionally, the episode explores China’s multi-domain approach to warfare, combining kinetic capabilities with influence operations, psychological warfare, legal maneuvers, and advanced technology integration. The discussion explains how China has invested in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, uncrewed systems, and resilient satellite communications to build decision advantage and disrupt U.S. capabilities. One critical takeaway is that the PLA is a learning organization—adapting through lessons from other global conflicts and continuously refining its doctrine and training. Best practices suggested for U.S. leaders include regularly incorporating China-based threat injects into training exercises, familiarizing staffs with Chinese operational concepts, and leveraging available resources such as the TRADOC G-2 China Landing Zone and red-team scenario materials. The episode closes by encouraging listeners to approach the China threat with intellectual rigor and humility, recognizing that the competition space is dynamic and requires constant adaptation and informed preparation.   Part of S11 “Conversations with the Enemy” series. Again you can access Mr. Wood’s intro to China reference booklet at: https://tr.ee/ukc6JINPfn  For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are all seasoned observer-coach-trainers (OCTs) from Task Force Two (IN BN). LTC Andrew “Andy” Smith is the TF Senior for TF-2 (IN BN). MAJ Mackenzie “Macks” Colella is the BN Executive Officer OCT while CPT Ethan Milukas is the BN S-3 Operations Officer OCT is the TF. And SFC Tulio Perez is the BN Fires Support NCO OCT for the TF.   This episode offers an in-depth look at battalion-level command and control (C2) during large-scale combat operations (LSCO), with a specific focus on the commander’s role in the operations process, staff organization, and command post design. A recurring theme is the challenge of executing the operations process—especially during the military decision making process (MDMP)—in the face of junior staff experience, compressed planning timelines, and insufficient rehearsals. The team identifies four consistent friction points observed at JRTC: commanders not driving the operations process, poor adherence to planning timelines, skipping MDMP steps, and failing to weigh the future operations (FUOPS) effort appropriately. These gaps lead to ineffective plans, lack of synchronization across warfighting functions, and poor transitions in execution. The episode underscores that success begins with deliberate planning, strong commander guidance, and repeated MDMP practice prior to arrival at the CTC.   The conversation also explores best practices in building functional, survivable, and synchronized command posts. Our guests emphasize the use of analog products—such as a well-maintained COP and detailed running estimates—to ensure shared understanding across the staff, even in low-bandwidth or degraded environments. Effective command posts feature clear roles, physically separated FUOPS and current operations (CUOPS) sections, and a deliberate battle rhythm that supports decision-making and maintains tempo. The importance of noncommissioned officers (NCOs) is also highlighted, particularly in enforcing standards, ensuring CP survivability, and serving as the common-sense check during planning. The episode concludes with a detailed discussion on running estimates as the connective tissue between planning and execution, advocating for detailed but simple products that enable timely decisions and transitions. The consensus is clear: battalion success in LSCO hinges on disciplined processes, deliberate staff training, and empowering both officers and NCOs to operate confidently in chaos.   You can reference JRTC TF-2’s Battalion Example Products at: https://tr.ee/zXovtS99IM Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-nineth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the LTC Westly “West” LaFitte, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer for Brigade Command & Control on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two other senior members of BC2, MAJ David Pfaltzgraff and MAJ Marc Howle. MAJ Pfaltzgraff is the BDE S-3 Operations OCT and MAJ Howle is the Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for BDE C2 (BDE HQ). This is part two of our two-part series on MDMP with the previous episode being episode ninety-one of ‘The Crucible.’   This episode focuses on the military decision-making process (MDMP) within the broader operations process and its critical role in enabling successful warfighting at scale. The discussion emphasizes that MDMP is often misunderstood or misapplied, particularly when staffs abbreviate or skip steps like course of action (COA) analysis and war-gaming. The speakers highlight that war-gaming is not simply a formality but an essential method for integrating all warfighting functions—fires, sustainment, intelligence, and protection—into a coherent plan that goes beyond maneuver. When war-gaming is skipped or rushed, staff outputs like execution matrices, decision support tools, and synchronization efforts suffer, creating confusion and inefficiencies during execution. One common friction point is the tendency to rely on directed COAs or key leader discussions as a shortcut, which introduces confirmation bias and bypasses vital coordination and risk analysis.   The episode identifies several best practices to improve MDMP execution. These include empowering a dedicated plans chief to drive the planning effort, enforcing the use of version-controlled fighting products during rehearsals, and requiring all warfighting functions to contribute to synchronization tools like the execution matrix. The team also stresses the importance of integrating current operations with planning efforts to maintain updated running estimates and preserve operational tempo. Another critical topic covered is the misapplication of the rapid decision and synchronization process (RDSP), which doctrine now clarifies must be used only for branches and sequels—not as a substitute for MDMP. Ultimately, success in time-constrained environments comes from repeated practice of full MDMP, adherence to doctrinal principles, and disciplined use of planning tools like the HOPE-SW timeline. The conversation closes with a strong reminder: mastering MDMP is not about perfection—it’s about building cohesive teams that can plan, synchronize, and fight effectively under pressure.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience. Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the TF-1 (IN BN), LTC Charles “Chuck” Wall on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the First Sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company of Operations Group, 1SG Will Pogue. 1SG Pogue was previously a Company Team First Sergeant Observer-Coach-Trainer at the JRTC.   In this episode, we focus on warfighting fundamentals at the team through platoon level during large-scale combat operations (LSCO), emphasizing the gap between familiarity and true proficiency. A central issue discussed is how units often rush through collective training gates without ensuring mastery of basic tasks. This “check-the-box” mentality results in units arriving at the JRTC underprepared, especially when it comes to troop leading procedures (TLPs), indirect fire integration, support-by-fire shifts and lifts, and graphic control measures. The lack of unit-wide standard operating procedures (SOPs) and insufficient repetitions in home-station training were identified as key friction points. Best practices emphasized include deliberate, planned retraining windows; leader certification on SOPs; and daily reinforcement of team through company-level standards—especially through structured sergeant’s time training.   Another focal point is the inconsistency within and across units when it comes to weapons squad performance, patrol base occupation, and movement to contact. The discussion notes that some platoons within a company display exceptional coordination and fire discipline, while others show significant knowledge gaps. The causes include high leader turnover, lack of doctrinal grounding, and insufficient focus on junior NCO development. Recommendations include certifying leaders before executing training, embedding retraining as a standard step in the 8-step training model, and reinforcing collective standards through battalion-wide forums or training events. The episode closes with a reminder that excellence in LSCO starts with discipline in the fundamentals—fieldcraft, communication, tactical planning, and leadership—and that repeated, standards-based training at home-station is the only path to achieving real warfighting proficiency.   Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the Commanding General for XVIII Airborne Corps, LTG Gregory Anderson.    The XVIII Airborne Corps was founded in January of 1942 just five weeks after the US entered World War II at what was previously called Camp Polk (what would become Ft. Johnson). They saw extensive service during World War II, throughout much of the various conflicts of the Cold War, Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm, and in support of the Global War on Terror. The corps is designed for rapid deployment anywhere in the world and is referred to as "America's Contingency Corps." They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Sky Dragons” or simply as “Dragon” and the motto of “All the Way.”   In this episode, we provide a comprehensive overview of warfighting in large-scale combat operations (LSCO), highlighting lessons learned from division and corps-level training, planning, and execution. A key focus is the importance of mastering the fundamentals—fieldcraft, tactical movement, and field maintenance—particularly at the platoon through battalion level. Leaders discuss the tension between prioritizing high-end, division-level collective training and maintaining basic soldier tasks. Another major theme is the underutilization of the military decision-making process (MDMP), especially the lack of commander involvement and the widespread tendency to skip or rush through key steps such as wargaming and time horizon management. The discussion emphasizes that MDMP is not just a staff exercise; it is a leadership-driven process that must be rehearsed and refined to achieve synchronization and shared understanding across formations.   Additional topics include sustainment operations at scale, the role of the corps in shaping the deep fight and enabling the division’s close fight, and the enduring value of reconnaissance across all echelons. The episode critiques assumptions that technology can replace people, stressing instead that tools should enhance—not substitute—human decision-making. Best practices highlighted include commanders conducting and attending rehearsals using real planning products, emphasizing command-to-command dialogue, and enforcing the disciplined use of planning and training management tools such as the 8-step model. The episode concludes with a call for leaders to think creatively, embrace simplicity in execution, and invest in building resilient, cohesive teams. Ultimately, success in LSCO hinges not just on equipment or doctrine but on disciplined training, adaptive leadership, and a relentless focus on fundamentals.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   Don’t forget to check-out XVIII Airborne Corps’ social media pages, their handles are ‘XVIII Airborne Corps’ on Facebook, ‘18airbornecorps’ on X, and ‘18thairbornecorps’ on Instagram as well as LTG Anderson’s previous episode as the CG for 10th Mountain Division, episodes fifty-six of ‘The Crucible.’   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ), LTC Timothy Price on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are the notorious “Geronimo 06,” LTC Mason Thornal, and a seasoned Observer-Coach-Trainer across the fire support enterprise at the JRTC, CW3 Jerrad Rader. LTC Mason Thornal is the Battalion Commander of 1-509th IN (OPFOR). CW3 Jerrad Rader is the Brigade Targeting Officer OCT for BC2 (BCT HQ) with seventeen rotations as an OCT. In this episode, we focus on the integration and employment of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) at echelon during large-scale combat operations (LSCO). The conversation explores how sUAS platforms—ranging from short-range quadcopters to medium-range reconnaissance systems—are increasingly prevalent across formations, including at the squad, company, and battalion levels. While these tools enhance battlefield transparency and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) capabilities, they also introduce significant challenges in areas such as target identification, airspace deconfliction, and command and control. Rather than solving new problems, sUAS platforms are reframing existing warfighting challenges with different tools and at new echelons, placing additional emphasis on defining authorities, refining standard operating procedures (SOPs), and ensuring operators understand their role within the broader targeting process.   The episode also highlights best practices and points of friction in employing sUAS across the force. A major issue is the lack of standardized processes and knowledge management systems to handle the influx of information generated by sUAS. Brigades must move beyond simply acquiring new platforms to fully integrating them into the targeting cycle, using tools like targeting synchronization matrices and engagement criteria. Proficiency and training are recurring themes—highlighting that operator skill can be the difference between mission success and failure. The episode concludes by urging leaders to invest in home station training, share lessons learned across units, and foster innovation at the lowest levels, reinforcing that success with sUAS in LSCO will come from disciplined process integration, not just hardware acquisition.   Part of S04 “Scouts Out” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB), LTC Bruce Roett on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two seasoned medical professionals with TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB), CPT Victor Velez and SFC Jason Kohne. CPT Velez is the Senior Medical Operations Officer OCT and SFC Kohne is the Medical Operations NCO OCT.   In this episode, we examine the critical role of medical operations during large-scale combat operations (LSCO), emphasizing the complex realities faced by medics in high-intensity environments. The conversation underscores the physical, emotional, and tactical demands placed on Army medical personnel who must operate with minimal rest, high casualty volumes, and limited evacuation windows. The discussion highlights the need for rigorous, realistic pre-deployment training—such as TCCC, paramedic certification, and stress-inducing field exercises like “Gator Top Dog”—to prepare medics for the brutal realities of sustained combat. A key theme is the importance of leader involvement, particularly from NCOs, in building emotional resilience, monitoring burnout, and creating a culture of trust where medics can ask for help and remain mission-effective throughout the fight.   The episode also delves into key best practices for organizing and supporting medical operations across echelons. Notable lessons include the effective use of FLA (field litter ambulance) staging forward with infantry battalions, use of Class VIII speedballs during casualty evacuation, and the importance of a synchronized and well-communicated medical concept of support. The team discussed common points of friction such as overuse or underuse of medical transport assets, breakdowns in communications between various medical nodes, and lack of rehearsals between sustainers and combat leaders. Additionally, the discussion covers medical evacuation planning and the importance of maintaining a well-structured casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) process to support prolonged combat engagements. The episode closed with emphasis on integrating joint and partner forces, refining base cluster security measures, and the need for a return to basic soldier skills and medical readiness.   Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is a familiar face on The Crucible, the former Command Sergeant Major of Ops Group (CSMOG), CSM Michael Hall.   This episode explores the evolving role of non-commissioned officers (NCOs) in large-scale combat operations (LSCO), with a special emphasis on the sergeant major’s critical influence on unit discipline, readiness, and execution. Discussions highlight the transition from counterinsurgency to LSCO, emphasizing how the Army is adapting to the realities of high-intensity warfare. The conversation underscores the importance of disciplined formations, accountability, and a strong combat mindset, which sergeant majors play a central role in fostering. The episode also delves into leadership at echelon, emphasizing the need for NCOs to hold each other accountable and build a culture of excellence through rigorous training and adherence to the fundamentals.   A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the involvement of sergeant majors in planning and execution, particularly in mitigating risk, ensuring mission success, and developing junior leaders. The conversation explores how NCOs can better integrate into mission analysis, wargaming, and staff planning to enhance operational effectiveness. Additionally, the importance of battlefield circulation, command presence, and real-time decision-making is emphasized, with insights on how sergeant majors can alleviate command anxiety by identifying and addressing points of friction. The episode concludes with a strong call for NCOs to instill a combat-ready culture through meticulous training, trust-building, and fostering pride in the profession, ensuring formations are prepared for the challenges of LSCO.     Part of S02 “If I Would Have Only Known” series.     For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience’ and the fourth* annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium. Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are all seasoned observer-coach-trainers (OCTs) from across Operations Group, LTC Bruce Roett, LTC Amoreena York, LTC Westly “West” LaFitte, MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, MAJ Danielle Villaneuva, SGM Nancy Martinez, and MSG Bradley Robinson as well as a senior member of the JRTC’s Opposing Force, MAJ Dustin Lawrence and SGM Robert Listau from the US Army Special Operations Command’s Special Operations Training Detachment. Opening remarks were provided by LTG Christopher LaNeve, the Commanding General of Eighth Army and Chief of Staff for Combined Forces Command (Korea).    Our panel members are observer-coach-trainers with numerous decisive action training environment rotations between them. LTC Roett is the Task Force Senior and MSG Robinson is the Senior Enlisted Medical Advisor OCT for TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB). LTC York is the Task Force Senior for the TF Aviation (CAB / ATF). LTC LaFitte is the Brigade Executive Officer OCT and MAJ Pfaltzgraff is the BDE S-3 Operations OCT for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ). MAJ Lawrence is the Battalion S-3 Operations Officer for 1-509th IN (OPFOR) “Geronimo.” MAJ Villaneuva is the BN Executive Officer OCT for TF-5 (BEB). SGM Martinez is the Senior Enlisted Advisor OCT for the Intel TF. MSG Robinson is the SGM Listau is the Senior Enlisted Advisor OCT for the Special Operations Training Detachment.   The purpose of the ‘LSCO Symposium’ is to advance conversation on warfighting and share observations and lessons learned. We will discuss large scale violence today, but this discussion transcends mission sets. Train for high end competition and scale down as required.   In this episode, we delve into the realities of warfighting in large-scale combat operations (LSCO), with a strong emphasis on the core principles of maneuver warfare, fire support, and sustainment operations. LSCO demands a shift in mindset from counterinsurgency operations to a high-intensity, multi-domain fight requiring coordination across vast operational areas. Key topics include the importance of decentralized command and control (C2), rapid decision-making under pressure, and the necessity of training units to operate with dispersed formations to enhance survivability in a contested battlespace. The discussion also underscores the role of divisions in shaping the battlefield for brigades, ensuring that combat formations can mass effects at decisive points.   Additionally, the episode explores the integration of emerging technologies and lessons learned from recent conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine, to better prepare for future engagements. The conversation addresses how logistics and fires remain the backbone of LSCO, requiring synchronization at all echelons to sustain the fight. Commanders need to think deeply about sustainment at the point of need, the role of reconnaissance in shaping the fight, and how brigades can best leverage enablers in their operations. Overall, the discussion reinforces that while the domains of warfare may evolve, the fundamental principles of war—mass, maneuver, and tempo—remain unchanged and must be mastered to ensure success on the modern battlefield.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   Don’t forget to checkout our first, second, and third annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium, episodes sixteen, thirty, and sixty-six of ‘The Crucible.’   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.   *The first annual LSCO Symposium was conducted at Ft. Benning/Moore but hosted by the JRTC Team.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ), LTC Timothy Price on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two senior command sergeants major, CSM Oracio Pena and CSM Michael Hall. CSM Pena is the Post Command Sergeant Major for the Joint Readiness Training Center. And CSM Hall is the former Command Sergeant Major of Operations Group (CSMOG) at the JRTC.   In this episode, delve into the critical role of Command Sergeants Major (CSMs) in large-scale combat operations (LSCO), emphasizing how their responsibilities have shifted significantly from previous counterinsurgency conflicts. Unlike the Global War on Terror (GWOT) era, where CSMs frequently engaged directly in tactical-level fights, LSCO demands that they operate at the brigade and division levels to ensure synchronization of sustainment, logistics, and mission execution. The discussion highlights how CSMs serve as key advisors to their commanders, focusing on maintaining operational tempo, enforcing discipline, and ensuring sustainment operations keep pace with maneuver elements. This episode stresses that effective CSMs must actively engage with their staff, understand logistical constraints, and provide mentorship to ensure that friction points—especially in sustainment and medical evacuation—are addressed before they become mission failures. A significant theme throughout the conversation is the importance of proactive leadership and presence. CSMs are not simply battlefield observers but are expected to shape unit culture, mentor leaders at echelon, and enforce standards that directly impact combat effectiveness. The episode underscores the need for CSMs to actively participate in staff planning, particularly during the military decision-making process (MDMP), rehearsals, and sustainment operations. Another key takeaway is the role of CSMs in refining unit training at home station to prepare soldiers for the scale and complexity of LSCO. The discussion concludes by emphasizing that CSMs must move beyond their traditional comfort zones, focusing less on small-unit leadership and more on the broader operational picture, ensuring their units remain combat-ready and function effectively within a larger joint and coalition force.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the LTC Westly “West” LaFitte, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer for Brigade Command & Control on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two other senior members of BC2, MAJ David Pfaltzgraff and MAJ Marc Howle. MAJ Pfaltzgraff is the BDE S-3 Operations OCT and MAJ Howle is the Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for BDE C2 (BDE HQ).   In this episode, we focus on the military decision-making process (MDMP) and the common pitfalls that units encounter when executing it during large-scale combat operations (LSCO). A central theme is the misconception that skipping or abbreviating MDMP steps saves time, when in reality, it creates gaps in mission analysis, weakens course of action (COA) development, and leads to incomplete wargaming. The discussion highlights how units often struggle due to a lack of experience, insufficient staff training, and the failure to apply MDMP rigorously before arriving at combat training centers (CTCs). The speakers emphasize that effective planning is not just about following doctrine but also about ensuring that the process remains disciplined and repeatable under stress. Additionally, they discuss the importance of parallel planning and how mismanaging transitions between planning and execution can derail operations.   The episode also explores the integration of staff members across warfighting functions to improve MDMP execution. It stresses that commanders must empower their staffs to conduct deliberate planning rather than relying on directed COAs that bypass critical analysis. A key takeaway is the role of noncommissioned officers in the planning process—often overlooked, their experience and tactical awareness are invaluable in refining mission details and ensuring feasibility. The conversation highlights the need for clear transition points between planning and current operations, ensuring that staff handoffs are seamless and do not disrupt tempo. Ultimately, the discussion underscores that MDMP is a leadership challenge requiring constant refinement, disciplined adherence to doctrinal steps, and a commitment to training at home station to build the repetitions necessary for success in LSCO.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninetieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ), LTC Timothy Price on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are three seasoned Observer-Coach-Trainers across the intelligence warfighting function at the JRTC. LTC Cory Reiter is the TF Senior of the Intelligence Task Force and senior OCT for the brigade intelligence staff section as well as any division echelon intelligence assets at the JRTC. He has over fourteen rotations as a TF Senior. MAJ Kassie Thompson mentors the brigade S-2 intelligence officer as part of the BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ) TF. CW2 Jon Delima is the BDE All-Source Analyst OCT for the BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ) TF.   In this episode, we delve into the critical role of military intelligence in large-scale combat operations (LSCO) and how the intelligence warfighting function supports commanders in decision-making. The discussion emphasizes the importance of intelligence support across four key tasks: force generation, situational awareness, targeting, and information collection. The shift in Army force structure, particularly the removal of brigade-level military intelligence companies and the redistribution of assets to division-level intelligence organizations, is explored in depth. This change presents new challenges for brigade and battalion S2 sections, forcing them to adapt to a leaner structure while maintaining effective intelligence processes. Additionally, we highlight the need for improved synchronization between intelligence and maneuver elements to ensure accurate assessments of enemy courses of action, targeting priorities, and operational planning. The conversation also addresses the importance of integrating intelligence efforts within the broader staff functions, ensuring that the S2 section does not operate in isolation but instead collaborates closely with fires, operations, and sustainment elements. The necessity of refining standard operating procedures (SOPs) and implementing rigorous home-station training for intelligence personnel is emphasized as a way to mitigate the impact of staff turnover and maintain continuity in planning processes. The episode stresses the significance of commander-to-intelligence officer relationships, ensuring that intelligence is presented in a way that informs and influences decision-making effectively. The discussion concludes with a focus on the evolving battlefield, the integration of intelligence assets from higher echelons, and the importance of timely, actionable intelligence in shaping battlefield success in LSCO.   Part of S10 “Out-Thinking the Enemy” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the eighty-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are three JRTC sustainers, LTC Bruce Roett, CPT Darrius Chisholm, and CPT Chad Lipe. LTC Roett is the Task Force Senior for the TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB). CPT Chisholm is the Deputy Support Operations (SPO) OCT and CPT Lipe is the Forward Support Company OCT for TF-2 (IN BN).   In this episode we delve into the critical role of sustainment operations in large-scale combat operations, emphasizing the need for logisticians to adopt a combat mindset. We discuss the numerous sustainment and logistical challenges and best practices encountered during operations at the JRTC. Sustainers must integrate with maneuver units to ensure survivability and operational effectiveness. The panel explores lessons learned from Combat Training Center (CTC) rotations, stressing the importance of disciplined sustainment practices, from base cluster dispersion to signature management. Units are increasingly recognizing that LSCO differs significantly from counterinsurgency operations, necessitating a shift in sustainment posture. We also address how sustainment leaders are refining techniques to conceal logistics hubs, maintain operational security, and leverage combat service support assets effectively.   Another key topic is the synchronization of sustainment efforts with maneuver operations. We also highlight several best practices in logistics planning, the role of base clusters, and the integration of dig assets to enhance survivability. Communication challenges in sustainment operations are also a focal point, with insights into improving command and control (C2) across dispersed sustainment nodes. Additionally, the discussion covers medical evacuation planning and the importance of maintaining a well-structured casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) process to support prolonged combat engagements. Emphasis is placed on sustainment rehearsals, ensuring that sustainers operate as an integral part of the combined arms fight rather than a separate entity. Ultimately, the episode underscores that sustainment is not just about delivering supplies—it’s about ensuring that warfighters remain combat-effective in a highly contested environment.   Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the eighty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the MAJ(P) Westly “West” LaFitte, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer for Brigade Command & Control on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two Infantry Officers at the Maneuver Captain's Career Course, CPT Joe Wilson and 1LT Jack Hoover.   The Maneuver Captains’ Career Course (MCCC or MC3), hosted by the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Moore, Georgia, is a 22-week program designed primarily for U.S. Army infantry and armor officers, with participants also including U.S. Marine Corps captains and officers from allied nations. The course’s mission is to equip these officers with the skills necessary for effective company command and to fulfill tactical planning duties as battalion S-3 operations staff officers. MCCC has its roots in the former Infantry and Armor Officer Advanced Courses, which prepared captains for command and staff roles within their respective branches. Since 2008, MCCC has merged these curricula into a unified “maneuver” focus, reflecting the integrated requirements of modern warfare. The course is organized into three teams, each led by a senior major and divided into 12 seminars of about 15 officers, guided by a senior captain or major. Offered six times annually, MCCC runs three classes concurrently, supporting a student body of approximately 400 to 600 officers at any given time.   In this episode, we discuss the role of infantry formations during large-scale combat operations. The discussion highlights the importance of preparing for LSCO by refining individual and unit-level competencies, particularly through rigorous training cycles leading up to CTC rotations. We emphasize the value of properly developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) at the platoon and company levels, ensuring that units arrive at training events with well-rehearsed systems rather than creating them on the fly. We also stress the necessity of fostering a mindset that embraces the challenges of JRTC or NTC as culminating events designed to validate training rather than as administrative burdens. Additionally, the conversation touches on the role of junior leaders in setting the tone for their formations, ensuring that battle drills, reporting procedures, and sustainment operations are ingrained long before units step onto a high-intensity training environment.   A significant portion of the discussion is dedicated to the staff experience and the importance of mastering the military decision-making process (MDMP) at the battalion and brigade levels. Our guests recount their initial challenges in grasping MDMP’s complexity, particularly from the perspective of sustainment and logistical planning. We highlight how exposure to staff processes at earlier stages in their careers, including serving as S4s or executive officers, provided them with invaluable insights into how different warfighting functions interact to support maneuver. The importance of pace planning, redundancy in communications, and maintaining a clear logistics picture were recurring themes, with examples of how failures in these areas created friction during their CTC rotations. We also discuss the need for self-development beyond formal education, encouraging peers to actively seek mentorship, read doctrine, and engage in professional discussions outside of duty hours to build a more holistic understanding of the battlefield.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the eighty-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are three seasoned Observer-Coach-Trainers across the fire support enterprise at the JRTC with over an astonishing one hundred completed rotations collectively.   LTC Russell Cummings is the TF Senior of Fires Support Task Force and OCT for the battalion commander of the various field artillery battalions at the JRTC. He has over fifteen rotations as a TF Senior. LTC Stephen Ficchi is the Brigade Fires Support Officer OCT for BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ). He has an astounding thirty-one rotations under his belt across two assignments to the JRTC. CW3 Jerrad Rader is the Brigade Targeting Officer OCT for BC2 (BCT HQ) with seventeen rotations as an OCT.   This episode is part two of a two-part series, described as the “graduate-level” session, offering deeper insights and more advanced concepts, reflecting the complexities of implementing effective fires in multi-domain operations. The first episode focused on the “undergraduate” level of the discussion on joint fires in LSCO.   In this episode, we dive into the art and application of joint fires during large-scale combat operations (LSCO) across multiple domains. Central to the discussion is the need for precision in planning and execution, emphasizing the delineation of targeting efforts at echelon to ensure effective synchronization. The team highlights the importance of leveraging organic assets and maintaining disciplined staff processes. Key challenges, such as optimizing the digital kill chain and ensuring functional collaboration between fire support elements, intelligence assets, and logistics, are also explored. The conversation underscores the critical role of clear, doctrine-based frameworks, such as the proper use of command and support Relationships, to enhance combat power and efficiency in targeting processes.   We further examine practical strategies to improve targeting and execution, such as prioritizing detailed rehearsals and leveraging lessons learned from rotations. With a focus on the lost art of wargaming and its integration into the military decision-making process (MDMP), the discussion emphasizes the need for units to conduct iterative training to refine their capabilities. The team also stresses the importance of empowering noncommissioned officers, using precise targeting standards, and fostering a system that streamlines coordination between maneuver and fires at every echelon. This graduate-level conversation serves as an essential guide for professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of joint fires in the dynamic battlefield of LSCO.   Part of S07 “Joint Fires Discussions” series. For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the eighty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ), LTC Timothy Price on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the Deputy Commander of Operations Group (DCOG), LTC Ian Ginty. As the DCOG, LTC Ginty primarily focuses on assisting units through the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration (RSOI) process, facilitating sustainment operations, and providing leadership roles within the fictitious division staff as the BCTs higher headquarters.   In this episode, we delve deeply into the often-overlooked yet critical role of wargaming within the military decision-making process (MDMP), emphasizing its importance as a tool to synchronize plans and anticipate operational challenges. Wargaming is not merely a procedural step but a vital exercise in critical thinking, requiring robust staff participation and commander leadership. Topics included the necessity of a well-developed enemy plan, staff synchronization, and the importance of understanding the cascading effects of operational decisions across all warfighting functions. The conversation also underscored the pitfalls of rushed or incomplete wargaming, which can lead to chaos and poor transitions during execution phases.   We further explore the challenges and best practices for integrating wargaming into unit training, particularly at home-station. We highlight the importance of rehearsing wargaming with a rules-based approach to build staff experience and enhance their ability to identify and address points of friction. By conducting tabletop exercises and leveraging simulations, units can refine their processes, ensuring that gaps in synchronization and sustainment planning are addressed before field operations. The discussion reinforced that a disciplined approach to wargaming not only prepares units for combat but also develops critical thinkers who can adapt to the complexities of large-scale combat operations.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the eighty-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ LTC Russell Cummings is the TF Senior of Fires Support Task Force and OCT for the battalion commander of the various field artillery battalions at the JRTC, on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the battalion commander for 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, LTC Christopher Haskell.   The 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment (1-320 FA), known by its call sign “Top Guns,” is a storied artillery unit within the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Originally constituted in 1917, the battalion has a long history of excellence in providing fire support, with significant contributions in World War II, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Its motto, “Volens et Potens”—Latin for “Willing and Able”—reflects the battalion’s dedication to mission readiness and adaptability. As a critical component of 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team, “Strike,” of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 1-320 FA continues to deliver precision fires and integrated support, demonstrating its enduring commitment to excellence on both the battlefield and the training field.   In this episode, we focus on the lessons learned and best practices from 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, during their recent JRTC rotation, with a particular emphasis on the joint fires enterprise. We discussed the challenges and successes in integrating joint fires at the brigade and battalion levels, highlighting the importance of synchronizing fires with maneuver to achieve operational objectives. The use of emerging technologies, such as the SBU-E (Sensitive But Unclassified Encrypted) network and MUOS (Mobile User Objective System), played a critical role in maintaining robust communications for fire support coordination in a contested environment. The team also emphasized the need for rehearsing fires plans and leveraging deception techniques, which proved invaluable for exposing and targeting adversary capabilities. These efforts underscored the importance of a deliberate and cohesive approach to joint fires integration, ensuring the brigade’s success in multi-domain operations.   Additionally, the discussion delves into the brigade’s innovative use of a Multifunctional Reconnaissance Company (MFRC) to enhance joint fires capabilities. By integrating reconnaissance, electronic warfare, robotics, and unmanned systems, the MFRC provided precise, multi-domain targeting information that directly supported fire support operations. We emphasized the critical role of effective observer plans and cross-training within fire support teams to maintain flexibility and redundancy in delivering timely and accurate fires. The conversation also highlighted the necessity of mastering fundamentals—such as concealment, camouflage, and rapid displacement—to protect fire support assets and preserve combat power. This integration of advanced technologies with disciplined warfighting practices demonstrated how the joint fires enterprise can serve as a decisive enabler in large-scale combat operations (LSCO).   Part of S07 “Joint Fires Discussions” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the eighty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ), LTC Timothy Price on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the Deputy Commander of Operations Group (DCOG), LTC Ian Ginty. As the DCOG, LTC Ginty primarily focuses on assisting units through the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration (RSOI) process, facilitating sustainment operations, and providing leadership roles within the fictitious division staff as the BCTs higher headquarters. In this episode, the conversation focuses on the critical challenges of reconnaissance and security tasks for infantry brigades and battalions in the wake of Army Force Structure changes (ARSTRUC). With the removal of cavalry squadrons from Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs), leaders now face the reality of redistributing these tasks within their formations. The discussion emphasizes how companies and battalions must adapt to perform reconnaissance and security functions traditionally carried out by their cavalry scout brethren. Best practices include rethinking task organization, enhancing training for company and platoon leadership, and providing clear reconnaissance guidance to effectively support decision-making at the brigade level. The importance of a detailed operational framework and disciplined staff planning to manage these new responsibilities is highlighted as key to success. Additionally, the discussion covers the challenges of integrating new technology to support reconnaissance and security operations without relying solely on these tools as a solution. While unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and other sensors offer enhanced capabilities, the speakers emphasize that effective reconnaissance begins with clear intent, disciplined initiative, and rigorous training. Leaders must develop the intellectual framework necessary to synthesize information quickly and support timely decisions. The conversation also stresses the need to prepare company commanders and platoon leaders to assume greater responsibility for reconnaissance tasks, promoting adaptability and ensuring that infantry units are capable of meeting the demands of large-scale combat operations (LSCO) in a post-ARSTRUC world. Part of S04 “Scouts Out” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the eighty-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Task Force Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), LTC Westly “West” LaFitte on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are the command team for 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment of the British Army. LtCol Christopher Hitchins is the Commander for 2 PARA with his Regimental Sergeant Major, RSM Christopher Groves.   The 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) is an airborne infantry unit of the British Army, renowned for its rapid deployment capabilities and combat effectiveness. The present day 2 PARA was formed in July 1948 from the 5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion. However, they draw heritage from the 2nd Parachute Battalion which was formed in 1941 during WWII and amalgamated with the 3rd Para Bn in 1947. 2 PARA has participated in a wide-variety of significant military operations, including the D-Day landings, the Suez Crisis, anti-terror operations in Cyprus, stability operations in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, expeditionary operations in support of the Falklands War, and modern conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The battalion’s motto, “Utrinque Paratus,” meaning “Ready for Anything,” reflects its readiness to deploy and fight anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice. Their call-sign, “Pegasus,” symbolizes its airborne heritage and connection to the mythological winged horse. Known for their courage, discipline, and professionalism, 2 PARA continues to serve as a core component of the British Army’s airborne forces, capable of executing complex operations in challenging environments. In this episode, we focus on themes surrounding multinational interoperability and the challenges of conducting operations in restrictive terrain. Our guests on their training experience at the Joint Readiness Training Center, emphasizing the complexities of transitioning from counterinsurgency (COIN) to large-scale combat operations. Topics discussed include adapting British planning processes, such as the combat estimate, to align with the U.S. military decision-making process. The conversation highlights the importance of effective communication between allied forces, the necessity of flexibility in dynamic combat environments, and the integration of new technologies like the ATAK C2 system to enhance situational awareness and ease the cognitive load on commanders. Specifically, this will allow various unified action partners, such as coalition forces or multinational allies to focus on a concept known as I3: Integration, Interoperability, and Interdependence, which emphasizes the collaboration and synchronization between UAPs to maximize combat effectiveness. Best practices for integrating enablers, such as engineers, artillery, and sustainment elements, into battle group operations are also addressed. The discussion reveals challenges posed by dense, restrictive terrain, including logistics management, water resupply, and maintaining battlefield discipline. Leaders underscore the critical role of small-unit leadership, adaptability, and mastery of the basics, such as camouflage, concealment, and fieldcraft, in achieving mission success. These insights offer valuable lessons for improving multinational coordination, overcoming friction in complex environments, and ensuring readiness for high-intensity LSCO. Part of S12 “The JIIMs of JRTC: Working with Our Unified Action Partners” series. For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the eighty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are various seasoned Observer-Coach-Trainers across the fire support enterprise at the JRTC with over an astonishing one hundred completed rotations collectively.   LTC Russell Cummings is the TF Senior of Fires Support Task Force and OCT for the battalion commander of the various field artillery battalions at the JRTC. He has over fifteen rotations as a TF Senior. LTC Stephen Ficchi is the Brigade Fires Support Officer OCT for BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ). He has an astounding thirty-one rotations under his belt across two assignments to the JRTC. CW3 Jerrad Rader is the Brigade Targeting Officer OCT for BC2 (BCT HQ) with seventeen rotations as an OCT. MSG James Morrison is the outgoing BDE Fires Support NCO OCT for BC2 (BCT HQ) with nineteen rotations under his belt. MSG Brandon Roberts is the incoming BDE Fires Support NCO OCT for BC2 (BCT HQ) and has nine rotations as an OCT. And last but not least is SFC Tulio Perez, the BN Fires Support NCO OCT for Task Force 2 (IN BN) and he has thirteen rotations under his belt.   This episode is part one of a two-part series, described as the “undergraduate” level of the discussion on joint fires in LSCO. Part two will serve as the “graduate-level” session, offering deeper insights and more advanced concepts, reflecting the complexities of implementing effective fires in multi-domain operations. Stay tuned for a continuation of this critical exploration of fire support in large-scale combat.   In this episode, we focus on the critical integration of fire support in large-scale combat operations. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of building trust and full integration between fire support teams and maneuver elements to ensure synchronized operations. Detailed planning and effective rehearsals are highlighted as essential practices for success, with a focus on the importance of digital fire systems, observer plans, and cross-training within units to adapt to the complexity of modern battlefields. Additionally, the conversation delves into how fire support planning must align with brigade priorities, including massing fires at the right time and space, leveraging modern unmanned aerial systems, and maintaining proficiency across all echelons.   We also explore the challenges posed by operating in contested and restrictive environments, emphasizing the need for fire support teams to operate with agility and adaptability. Specifically, we discuss how to overcome degraded communication and contested electromagnetic environments by utilizing redundant systems and clear, simple communication plans. Another critical element is ensuring effective observer plans, where joint fires observers, forward observers, and unmanned systems work in concert to provide accurate targeting data in real time. The integration of emerging technologies, such as precision-guided munitions and data-driven targeting, was highlighted as a key enabler to enhance lethality and survivability on the modern battlefield. These efforts underline the importance of rigorous training and seamless collaboration across all levels of command.   Part of S07 “Joint Fires Discussions” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the eighty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are the Commanding General and Division Command Sergeant Major of the 4th Infantry Division, MG David Doyle and CSM Alex Kupratty.   This episode was filmed on Veterans Day during a decisive action training environment rotation at the JRTC and aired on Thanksgiving Day. Veterans Day, celebrated annually on November 11, honors the service and sacrifices of all U.S. military veterans. The date reflects the historic moment of 11:00 AM on November 11, 1918, when the armistice ending World War I took effect—symbolizing peace after immense sacrifice. Originally known as Armistice Day, it was renamed in 1954 to recognize veterans from all conflicts. Veterans Day not only commemorates those who have served but also emphasizes the ongoing need for service to the nation. It serves as a reminder of the dedication required to protect freedom and the responsibility to support those who have borne the burden of safeguarding it.   The 4th Infantry Division, also known as the “Ivy Division,” has a distinguished history dating back to its establishment in 1917 during World War I. Its nickname and patch, featuring four ivy leaves arranged in the Roman numeral “IV,” symbolize tenacity and endurance, as ivy clings to any surface, just as the division perseveres in all missions. The division’s motto, “Steadfast & Loyal,” reflects its commitment to excellence and reliability in combat. Known by its call sign “Ivy,” the division has played pivotal roles in major conflicts, including the D-Day landings at Utah Beach during World War II, extensive combat operations in Vietnam, and deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, the 4th Infantry Division continues to serve as a premier mechanized infantry unit, exemplifying innovation and adaptability on the modern battlefield.   In this episode, we discuss critical preparations for large-scale combat operations, emphasizing the importance of mastering fundamental warfighting skills and leader development. The team highlighted the need for proficiency in combined arms maneuver, sustainment, and reconnaissance, while stressing a return to basics like fieldcraft, effective communication, and the disciplined use of warfighting functions. With the modern battlefield presenting challenges such as contested environments and the need for reduced electromagnetic signatures, the integration of multi-domain capabilities was identified as essential for mission success and survival in combat.   Leader development and training management were also prominent themes, with a focus on prioritizing training to build cohesive, resilient formations. The importance of equipping junior leaders to certify and lead their units was emphasized, particularly in addressing gaps caused by rapid promotions and personnel shortages. Prolonged field exercises were cited as effective for exposing soldiers to realistic combat conditions and building operational endurance. Additionally, we discussed adapting reconnaissance strategies to align with structural changes, encouraging creative task organization and leveraging tools like small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) to enhance situational awareness. These insights reflect a comprehensive approach to preparing for the complex demands of LSCO.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the eightieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the Leader Training Program, LTC Drew Zabriskie on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two senior sustainers, LTC Bruce Roett & LTC Daniel Belzer. LTC Bruce Roett is the Task Force Senior for TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB). LTC Daniel Belzer is the Commander of 526th Light Support Battalion of 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).   The 526th Light Support Battalion, formerly known as the 526th Brigade Support Battalion, is a vital sustainment unit within the 101st Airborne Division, providing logistical and operational support to ensure combat effectiveness. With a history dating back to its inception in World War II, the battalion has evolved alongside modern military needs, transitioning from traditional support roles to a lighter, more agile sustainment structure. Over decades of service, the 526th has supported operations in conflicts such as World War II, Iraq, and Afghanistan, consistently demonstrating its capability to adapt and provide critical logistical support under diverse and challenging conditions. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Performance” and the brigade’s motto of “Best by Performance.”   In this episode we discuss on the logistical challenges and best practices encountered during operations at the JRTC. The focus centers on the experiences of leaders managing sustainment functions in a Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) or Logistics Support Battalion (LSB) and in a Combat Sustainment Support Battalion or Division Sustainment Support Battalion. Key lessons learned include the critical importance of proactive terrain management, the need to decentralize base clusters for survivability, and leveraging innovative practices like additive manufacturing for rapid repair and supply replenishment. The episode highlights the necessity of balancing mobility with operational needs, emphasizing modular approaches to sustainment and security while managing resource constraints.   At the company and platoon leadership levels, a recurring theme is the requirement for clear communication, disciplined planning, and adaptive execution. Leaders must ensure small-unit proficiency in tasks like logistics planning, convoy operations, and decentralized sustainment support, particularly under high-stress, resource-limited conditions. The discussions stress the importance of rehearsing operations extensively, building redundancy into communication and logistics plans, and maintaining flexibility to respond to dynamic enemy actions and environmental factors. These insights collectively underscore the complexity and criticality of sustainment operations in large-scale combat scenarios.   Due to operational security concerns this is the “cut edition” made for the general public. For the “uncut edition,”  please checkout our MilSuite and Microsoft Teams’ channels.   Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the seventy-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the S-3 Operations Officer for the Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control, MAJ Daniel Plumb on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are CPT Princeton Bradley and SFC Michael LaPlant. CPT Bradley is the S-2 Intelligence Observer-Coach-Trainer for TF-3 (IN BN) and SFC LaPlant is the BN Fires Support NCO OCT for the Fires Support TF.   MAJ Plum, with extensive experience as a maneuver planner, brings a strategic perspective to command post operations. CPT Bradley, previously a battalion S-2 and Division G-2 targeting officer, offers insights from an intelligence background, emphasizing the importance of situational awareness and security in command post layouts. SFC LaPlant provides a seasoned NCO’s perspective on discipline and functionality, underlining the challenges and advantages of open-air, camouflaged CPs over traditional setups. Together, these leaders provide a comprehensive view of how modern command posts can operate more effectively across multiple domains in large-scale combat operations.   In this episode we discuss some of the fielding lines of effort to modernize command posts with the goal of increasing survivability in modern warfare. Specifically we look at some of the ways that CP operations on the modern battlefield demand flexibility, mobility, and minimized visibility across multiple domains. We emphasize the need for command posts to be adaptive in layout and function to reduce their electronic and physical signatures, making them less susceptible to enemy detection and targeting. One notable lesson from exercises at JRTC is the evolution from traditional, stationary setups to a more mobile and modular approach where these are strategically positioned. This mobility allows units to quickly relocate command posts as the battle conditions change, leveraging natural terrain and camouflage to avoid detection and reduce vulnerability to enemy indirect fires and electronic warfare.   Another key insight is an effective command post is simply qualified personnel coupled with systems and processes, made easier with specialized equipment. The goal is to get the right people at the right place and right time with the right systems then you’ll be incredibly effective at C2-ing your unit. Additionally, we highlight the importance of modular design and system integration within the command post itself. By organizing vehicles by function and ensuring that essential command elements can operate independently or together, units improve situational awareness and enhance staff integration. This flexibility is particularly valuable in an unpredictable combat environment, where a command post must quickly transition between supporting current operations and planning future movements. Practical lessons show that offsetting signal-heavy components like antenna farms can further enhance survivability by decreasing the likelihood of detection by enemy electronic warfare assets, thus supporting command continuity even under hostile conditions.   Due to operational security concerns this is the “cut edition” made for the general public. For the “uncut edition” and ‘Ideal CP SOP’ please checkout our MilSuite and Microsoft Teams’ channels.   Part of S09 “Got Comms?” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the seventy-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the MAJ(P) Westly “West” LaFitte, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer for Brigade Command & Control on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two Small Group Leaders of the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course at the Maneuver Center of Excellence, CPT Matthew Dunn and CPT Jordan Scanlon.   The Maneuver Captains’ Career Course (MCCC or MC3), hosted by the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Moore, Georgia, is a 22-week program designed primarily for U.S. Army infantry and armor officers, with participants also including U.S. Marine Corps captains and officers from allied nations. The course’s mission is to equip these officers with the skills necessary for effective company command and to fulfill tactical planning duties as battalion S-3 operations staff officers. MCCC has its roots in the former Infantry and Armor Officer Advanced Courses, which prepared captains for command and staff roles within their respective branches. Since 2008, MCCC has merged these curricula into a unified “maneuver” focus, reflecting the integrated requirements of modern warfare. The course is organized into three teams, each led by a senior major and divided into 12 seminars of about 15 officers, guided by a senior captain or major. Offered six times annually, MCCC runs three classes concurrently, supporting a student body of approximately 400 to 600 officers at any given time.   In this episode we discuss key insights into leadership and operational effectiveness at the company and platoon levels during large-scale combat operations. A primary lesson learned is the critical importance of adaptability and readiness within small-unit leadership, as the complex and dynamic battlefield environment demands quick decision-making under pressure. Platoon leaders and company commanders must develop autonomous decision-making skills and a strong understanding of the commander’s intent. This autonomy is essential, especially in scenarios where communication lines may be compromised by enemy electronic warfare efforts. Leaders must ensure that every soldier has a clear grasp of the mission objectives, allowing units to maintain operational effectiveness even when cut off from higher command.   This episode also underscores the importance of “brilliance in the basics,” particularly for foundational skills in movement, coordination, and logistics management. Small-unit leaders stressed that mastery of basic soldiering tasks, such as secure communication practices, tactical movement, and efficient resupply operations, is indispensable for sustaining momentum during prolonged engagements. Additionally, the integration of new assets, such as multifunctional reconnaissance elements and flexible support units, requires company and platoon leaders to be proficient in managing these resources effectively on the ground. These lessons underscore the need for platoon and company leaders to cultivate a blend of tactical proficiency and adaptability, ensuring that they can operate independently and sustain combat effectiveness across diverse and challenging LSCO environments.   Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.   Note from the podcast team: This episode was filmed during the Maneuver Warfighter Conference in April 2024, so the audio and video quality maybe reduced due to filming in an expeditionary manner. MAJ(P) LaFitte has since been promoted to lieutenant colonel.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the seventy-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the CSM Erik Burris, the Task Force Senior Enlisted Observer-Coach-Trainer for TF Aviation on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is COL Nicholas Ploetz, Commander of the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division.   The 4th Combat Aviation Brigade (4th CAB) of the 4th Infantry Division (4th ID) has a storied history that reflects its commitment to supporting ground forces and adapting to evolving combat demands. First activated as the 4th Aviation Company, 4th Infantry Division, at Fort Lewis, Washington on 1 April 1957. They were relocated to Fort Hood (now Ft. Cavazos), Texas in 1995, the 4th CAB rapidly established itself as a formidable aviation force within the division, providing critical air support and mobility. They were later relocated to Ft. Carson, Colorado in 2011. Over its deployments to Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, the brigade demonstrated resilience and tactical versatility, embodying the 4th ID’s legacy of “Steadfast and Loyal.” Their ethos is embedded in the brigade’s dedication to mission support, whether through reconnaissance, assault, or medevac capabilities, earning it a respected place within the U.S. Army’s aviation and combat support structure. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Iron Eagle,” the nickname of “Ivy Eagles,” and the brigade’s motto of “Vigilantia Aeterna” or “Eternal Vigilance.”   In this episode we discuss best practices for effective planning and employment of a combat aviation brigade during large scale combat operations. In LSCO, two core principles emerge as essential for the CAB: standardization in operations and clarity in staff roles and responsibilities. First, standardizing critical elements such as FARPs (Forward Arming and Refueling Points), logistics, and sustainment processes across the CAB enables rapid, adaptable responses to evolving battle conditions. For example, a standardized FARP setup ensures that refueling and resupply can occur with minimal disruption, allowing aviation assets to remain in the fight without delays. This standardization enhances synchronization between the CAB and other units, like the various brigades within the DIV it supports, ensuring timely, mutually reinforcing actions. By embedding standardized protocols, planners can build in contingencies that maintain mission continuity, even when the order or operational environment shifts unexpectedly.   Equally important is cultivating a proficient and well-coordinated staff structure. Clear roles and responsibilities within the CAB’s staff, supported by a rigorous adhered standard operating procedures, are crucial for effective planning and swift decision-making under pressure. Regular military decision-making process repetitions, as observed in training rotations, allow staff members to refine their roles, improving their readiness to tackle complex, high-tempo operations. When staff roles are well-defined and thoroughly rehearsed, the CAB can execute plans more efficiently, maintaining the flexibility needed for fast-paced combat demands. This clarity in structure not only ensures internal cohesion but also strengthens the CAB’s ability to synchronize with division-level goals and respond to DIV support needs effectively.   Together, these practices enable the CAB to operate as a cohesive, agile force that can adapt to and shape the battlefield. Through disciplined standardization and clear, well-rehearsed staff coordination, the CAB is better equipped to deliver sustained support, anticipate operational needs, and reinforce the broader mission objectives in large-scale combat scenarios.   Part of S08 “The Aviator’s Corner” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the seventy-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Command Sergeant Major of Ops Group (CMOG), CSM Michael Hall. Today’s guest is MSG William Kocken, which is the Operations Sergeant Major for 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment.   The 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment of the Red Arrow Brigade, 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) of the Wisconsin Army National Guard, has a distinguished history of service. Known for its long-standing tradition of excellence in both state and national missions, the battalion’s motto, Les Terribles—meaning “The Terrible Ones”—reflects its fierce combat reputation earned during World War I. The Red Arrow Brigade, of which the 2-127th is a part, derives its name from its ability to pierce enemy lines during both world wars, symbolizing the unit’s strength and perseverance. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Black Hats” (the BCT’s call-sign is “Red Arrow”), the nickname of “Wisconsin Volunteers,” and the brigade’s motto of “Forward.”   In this episode we discuss the lessons learned at the battalion echelon for conducting large scale combat operations across multiple domains, particularly in logistics, communications, and standards of discipline. One of the key takeaways was the challenge of maintaining efficient communication across dispersed units, especially during large-scale combat operations (LSCO). Unlike Active Duty forces, the Army National Guard (ARNG) faces unique difficulties in ensuring smooth, real-time communication, which became a critical area for improvement. Additionally, the exercise exposed gaps in logistical sustainment, as ARNG units struggled with coordinating supplies, equipment, and personnel over extended operations. This highlighted the need for more robust logistical planning and the importance of developing a deeper understanding of how to sustain operations in high-intensity environments.   Best practices that emerged from the rotation included a renewed emphasis on “brilliance in the basics” and reinforcing standards and discipline. The importance of mastering fundamental soldiering skills, such as maintaining noise and light discipline, digging proper fighting positions, and ensuring basic field craft, became apparent. Leaders realized that gaps in these areas could have serious consequences in LSCO, where the margin for error is small. The exercise also demonstrated that success depends on rigorous preparation and adhering to the most basic tasks, which in turn allows units to perform better in more complex and dynamic scenarios. Commanders stressed the importance of repetitive training in these foundational areas to ensure that soldiers can respond effectively in high-pressure situations and adapt to modern battlefield demands.   Part of S02 “If I Would Have Only Known” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the seventy-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ), LTC Timothy Price on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the Brigade Commander for 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), COL James Stultz.   The 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), which was activated on 1 July 1941 at Ft. Benning (now Ft. Moore), GA. The MBCT draws its infantry battalions primarily from the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment. 2nd MBCT is the Army’s first mobile BCT construct. As their designation implies, they’re focused on increasing a brigade’s overall mobility and with it the agility and flexibility that it provides. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Strike,” but commonly called “Five oh Duece,” and the motto of “Strike.” (The rest of the motto is “I fight where I am told, and win where I fight.”) They are easily identified by the black heart patches on their helmets dating back to preparation for the invasion of France in World War II and have been known by the enemy as the “Black Hearts Brigade.”   In this episode, we discuss several emerging key lessons, particularly regarding the importance of Transition in Contact (TiC) and the evolving nature of command and control (C2Fix). TiC was highlighted as a critical skill, requiring seamless coordination between the brigade and its multifunctional reconnaissance companies (MFRC) and multi-purpose companies (MPCs), which replaced the traditional anti-tank and heavy weapons companies. These units provided vital intelligence and protection in the deep area, using scout snipers, electronic warfare sections, and anti-air capabilities. However, there were challenges in maintaining a balance between reconnaissance and target acquisition, illustrating the need for constant refinement in how these specialized companies are employed. The introduction of the MFRC and other multifunctional units demonstrated the Army’s shift towards more flexible, mobile brigades capable of long-range operations, especially through the use of large-scale air assaults (L2A2).   In addition to TiC, the exercise reinforced the importance of mastering logistics and communications across multiple domains to support Army modernization efforts. Logistics played a critical role in enabling mobility, especially as light infantry units integrated vehicles like the infantry squad vehicle (ISV), providing new tactical opportunities but requiring extensive training. Effective communications were essential for synchronizing complex operations, particularly in the context of C2Fix, where brigades aimed to reduce their physical footprint and rely more on higher echelons for intelligence processing. Mastery of “brilliance in the basics,” such as security, camouflage, and decentralized command structures, proved essential in navigating these transitions and ensuring brigade effectiveness in large-scale combat operations (LSCO). These insights provide a roadmap for future improvements in integrating modern capabilities while maintaining a focus on foundational warfighting skills.   Part of S02 “If I Would Have Only Known” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the seventy-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the Leader Training Program, LTC Drew Zabriskie on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are BG Eric Riley & CSM Jeremy Carver of the Oregon Army National Guard.   BG Riley is the Commanding General and CSM Carver is the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Land Component Command of OR ARNG. BG Riley is additionally the Deputy Commanding General–ARNG for the US Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence.   The Oregon Army National Guard’s lineage starts with the history of the militia, which dates back to the establishment of the first Oregon militia in 1843. However, the present ARNG was not established until after 1903. The modern Guard includes citizen soldiers, and its motto is "When we are needed, we are there." It responds to state and national emergencies, military conflicts and international natural disasters as well as conducts search and rescue operations when required. It consists of 41 armories across 33 communities.   In this episode, we discuss hard-hitting lessons on resilience, communication, and mastering the basics, all crucial for thriving in the high-stakes environment of large-scale combat operations. Our guests noted how enduring the physical and mental hardships of the rotation strengthened the soldiers’ ability to adapt and persevere. They highlighted that even small issues, such as a lack of communication or minor logistical oversights, could quickly compound into larger problems in a high-stress environment, such as combat. The training reinforced that resilience is not just physical endurance but also the ability to maintain operational effectiveness under continuous pressure. Commanders must ensure that soldiers are prepared for the reality of LSCO, where supply shortages and logistical challenges are the norm, rather than the exception, unlike the relative comforts experienced during previous conflicts.   The discussion also underscored the necessity of mastering the basics, or “brilliance in the basics,” particularly in areas like communication, logistics, and warfighting skills. This is especially true in maintaining soldier discipline at echelon and across every phase of the operation. Effective communication across all levels is vital to ensure accurate reporting, coordination, and execution of tasks. In the LSCO environment, missteps in communication can have far-reaching consequences, and units must be proficient in using equipment and ensuring clear lines of communication. Similarly, logistical planning must be meticulous, with attention given to both what is brought to the field and what is left behind. The training also revealed the need for proficiency in foundational warfighting skills, from individual tasks to large-unit maneuvers, ensuring that units can operate effectively in multiple domains, including land, air, and cyber, while facing the challenges of modern, complex battlefields.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the seventy-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Ricky Taylor. Today’s guest is the Commanding General for the 82nd Airborne Division, MG James “Pat” Work.   MG Pat Work has served for 29 years in the U.S. Army, beginning his career as a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy. He has held key assignments in the 101st Airborne and 3rd Ranger Battalion, where he developed his leadership and operational skills under the mentorship of influential military leaders. Throughout his career, he has focused on preparing units for the complexities of large-scale combat operations, emphasizing the importance of decision-making, adaptability, and logistics. Known for his commitment to leader development and operational readiness, MG Work’s service is marked by his ability to synthesize lessons learned from both his mentors and his own experiences to guide, motivate, and develop his soldiers.   The 82nd Airborne Division, established in 1917 during World War I, is one of the most storied units in the U.S. Army, originally composed of soldiers from all 48 states, earning it the nickname “All American.” It was reactivated during World War II as the first airborne division, pioneering the use of paratroopers in large-scale operations. The division’s motto is often thought to be, “All The Way” (that’s XVIII ABN’s motto), but in truth it is, ““In Air, On Land,” which reflects its commitment to mission accomplishment and enduring resilience in combat.   In this episode we emphasize the complexity and intensity of warfighting, particularly in large-scale combat operations and airborne operations in general. He describes it as fundamentally about “large-scale violence,” requiring commanders to manage immense challenges of speed, scale, and logistics. Effective warfighting, according to MG Work, requires meticulous planning around threats, terrain, and logistical realities. We stress the need for divisions to constantly re-establish their fires architecture while ensuring mobility and sustainment across vast areas of operation. Units must be prepared for continuous movement of supplies, personnel, and damaged assets, all while operating in a joint and coalition environment. For MG Work, warfighting is not only about combat but also understanding the complexity of modern conflicts, from strategic decisions made by commanders to the execution by brigade combat teams on the ground.   In terms of leadership and planning, MG Work emphasizes the importance of preparation before combat begins. Leaders must ensure their troops are mentally and physically ready for the exhaustion and grind of sustained campaigns. He also highlights the value of decision-making processes, where leaders operate with 40-70% certainty and make choices based on limited information. Trust, competence, and a focus on developing subordinates are central to his leadership philosophy. He believes in creating more leaders and ensuring that brigade commanders are focused on thinking deeply and planning ahead, while delegating current operations to trusted subordinates. Leadership, in his view, is a balance between empowering subordinates and maintaining a strategic vision across time and space.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the seventy-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ), LTC Timothy Price on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are MG Patrick Ellis and Mr. Mark Kitz. MG Ellis is the Director of the Army’s Network Cross-Functional Team. Mr. Kitz is the Program Executive Officer for Command, Control, & Communications-Tactical.   The Network Cross-Functional Team is an outgrowth of Army Futures Command, established in 2018 to tackle the Army’s modernization requirements. It is one of eight original teams convened and works closely with the Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications-Tactical (PEO-C3T). The Network Cross-Functional Team is a highly dynamic and responsive unit, integrating cross-domain network capabilities to relay mission-critical data and operational updates with the speed and precision required for Joint All-Domain Command and Control. Its ability to seamlessly connect multiple domains ensures that vital information reaches decision-makers in real-time, making it indispensable to JADC2.   In this episode we discuss some of the modernization efforts being made across the force for our command and control networks. Specifically we look at some of the ways that the new capabilities are being employed and some of the ways that we can improve it. Our Combat Training Centers allow units to not only employ new equipment and theories but to test them under duress against a free-thinking opposing force. NETCFT has taken Chief of Staff GEN Randy George’s words to heart, “Soldiers need to shoot, move and communicate. Technology should facilitate those fundamentals, not encumber them.” This is especially true with the modernization efforts being made for our command posts to be survivable on the modern battlefield.   Part of S09 “Got Comms?” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the seventy-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the former Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. This will be his last episode to host, but we may seem him as a guest in the future. Today’s guests are two key members from 2nd Battalion, 130 Infantry Regiment, MAJ Edward Worman and SGT Ashley Smith. MAJ Worman is the Battalion Commander for 2-130th IN and SGT Smith is the S-2 Intelligence Section Non-Commisioned Officer-in-Charge.   The 2nd Battalion of 130th Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the Illinois Army National Guard. 2-130 IN has an extensive and illustrious history dating back to the War of 1812. Since its establishment, the battalion has served in every conflict that the US Army has participated in, from the Mexican War to the Civil War to Indian Wars of the American Frontier to battlefields of World War I to the island hoping campaign in the Pacific Theater of World War II to the various conflicts of the Cold War and finally in support of the Global War on Terror. They are one of the infantry battalions for the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, formerly the 66th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, but for their rotation at the JRTC they were attached to the 32nd IBCT of the Wisconsin ARNG. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Blackhawks,” the nickname of “Fourth Illinois,” and the motto of “Always Ready.”   In this episode we discuss the lessons learned at the battalion echelon for conducting large scale combat operations across multiple domains. Specifically, we focus on the information requirements for the battalion commander and his subordinate company commanders as well as best practices of an efficient battalion staff. At the battalion echelon, the commander needs timely and accurate reporting; tactical patience; and understand where leaders need to be on the battlefield. Battlefield circulation is critical during transitions between various phases of the operation. Smart-books and the TRADOC G-2 World Equipment Guide (WEG) are your friend. Staff sections should update and maintain their overlays to provide the commander with updated graphics to make decisions, such as modified combined obstacle overlay and threat overlays plus event matrix. The most successful battalions at the JRTC are those that don’t overly rely on digital products and instead use analog products. Remember, to be detected is to be targeted is to be killed.   The number one question that commanders and staff ask across the force is how can we get better at the military decision making processes (MDMP)? There’s no shortcut, it’s simply sets and repetitions that make staffs better at MDMP. While both our guests did exceptionally well during their crucible rotation, it is nearly certain that some may feel that it is unrealistic that such junior leaders would fill those roles. We at the JRTC would argue that the opposite is true as it should be expected that large scale combat operations would inflict a high attrition rate upon our forces, demanding junior leaders to fill the void.   Part of S02 “If I Would Have Only Known” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the seventieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the former Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are two seasoned Observer-Coach-Trainers, CPT Whitney Strong and CPT Joshua Kent. This episode is special because it is a compilation of their insights when they first arrived at the Joint Readiness Training Center as well as now towards the end of their assignment. CPT Whitney Strong is an engineer platoon and company OCT for TF-5 (BDE Engineer BN). CPT Joshua Kent is the lead OCT an administrative / logistics ops center OCT for TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB / DSSB).   In this episode we discuss the lessons learned from company grade officer perspective in preparation for conducting large scale combat operations across multiple domains. Specifically, we focus at large scale combat operations executed at the platoon, company, and battalion echelons, offering perspectives on a variety of topics including combined arms maneuver, transparent battlefield, fires, and contested logistics as well as emerging technologies employment.   We routinely get asked: What’s the daily life of an OCT? Why should you consider becoming a member of the JRTC? And lastly, who are we looking for? Well, we hope that between this episode and the attached information will go a long way to answer those questions. Please checkout https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxeuSwJpaS87pCLAAK2gAn9DQ4HASwF6iO for more info.       Why Join the Joint Readiness Training Center, Operations Group Team? Become an expert in Large Scale Combat Operations and Combined Arms Maneuver across multiple domains. Directly influence the combat readiness of 8-10x Brigade Combat Teams each year. Influence Army Doctrine and emerging TTPs through integration with Centers of Excellence, TRADOC, and CAC. Opportunities to observe units and leaders one level up; prepare for your next operational assignment. Opportunities to attend military schools and earn a Master’s degree through Northwestern State University. Predictable schedule locked one year out, with two dedicated block leave periods each year, and monthly four-day weekend opportunities.   Who Are We Hiring? OCTs within the Task Forces: Post KD MAJs (IN, FA, EN, LG, AV) to serve as BN S3 and XO OCTs Post KD CPTs/1SGs (IN, FA, EN, LG, AV) to serve as CO OCTs Post KD Signal, Intel Officers and NCOs to serve as BN Staff OCTs Individuals with BDE experience to serve as BDE OCTs for all MOSs on the BDE Staff. TF Zulu or Plans/Exercise Maneuver Control: Post KD Officers and NCOs of all MOSs on a DIV Staff to serve as HICON and EXCON for the rotation.   Part of S02 “If I Would Have Only Known” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the sixty-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the former Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the deputy senior mentor at the Leader Training Program at the JRTC, COL(R) Mike Kershaw.   He spent 34 years on active duty as an infantry officer and has been with the Leader Training Program for nearly nine years. The Leaders Training Program at the JRTC is a ten-day planning conference providing commanders and staff an opportunity to hone their military decision-making process skills and systems. The program is facilitated by retired, senior military planning coaches giving units best practices and lessons learned from previous iterations. Be sure to checkout Mike’s other episode, Ep. 45 “Trends & Best Practices at Echelon within the Infantry Battalion.”   In this episode, we dive into the necessity of the modern combat leader to be both well-read and well-written. Reading a wide variety of subjects, especially historical vignettes, is crucial for military practitioners and combat leaders. These narratives offer invaluable insights into the successes and failures of others, providing lessons that can shape decision-making in complex situations. By studying diverse experiences, leaders gain perspective on strategy, tactics, and human behavior in conflict, learning to anticipate challenges and respond more effectively. Writing about these lessons is equally important, as it allows leaders to give back to their profession, sharing knowledge, refining thought processes, and contributing to the collective wisdom that strengthens future generations of military leadership.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series. You can reference Mike’s recommended professional reading list here:  https://ugc.production.linktr.ee/64789615-54d4-4a43-a68f-b152f6b51193_JRTC-LTP-Professional-Reading-Book.pdf  For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the sixty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the former Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the Commanding General of the Joint Readiness Training Center and former COG, BG Jason Curl.   BG Curl commissioned as an infantry officer from the United States Military Academy in 1995 and has served in a variety of maneuver assignments. As the CG at the Joint Readiness Training Center, he has the Hollywood call-sign of “Warrior 06.”   In this episode, we dive into the pivotal role combat training centers (CTCs) play in preparing brigade combat teams (BCTs) and divisions to fight and win on tomorrow's multi-domain battlefield. The CTC experience is a crucible, pushing units to their limits and refining their warfighting skills through realistic, high-intensity scenarios that mirror the complexity of modern warfare. We explore how these rigorous training environments shape the collective glidepath of readiness, fostering adaptability, cohesion, and mastery across land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains. Join us as we discuss how the lessons learned at CTCs are crucial for future mission success. Additionally, we highlight some of the modernization and innovation efforts that have been incorporated into our rotational design as well as some of the modernization of our rotational training units.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the sixty-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience’ and the third annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium. Hosted by CW2 Jerrad Rader, the Brigade Targeting Officer OCT for BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guest is Brigade Targeting Officer for 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, CW3 James Crain.   The 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division is an active Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the United States Army based at Fort Drum in New York. The brigade headquarters carries the lineage of the 10th Mountain Division's original headquarters company, and served as such in World War II, and in peacetime at Fort Riley, Fort Benning, and West Germany in the 1940s and 1950s. 1st BCT has numerous deployments to contingencies around the world in the 1990s and later in support of the Global War on Terrorism. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Warriors” and the motto of “Find a way or make one.”   In this episode, we talk targeting cycle challenges, insights, and best practices for integrating and synchronizing joint fires from the perspective of two seasoned warrant officers. Fires are normally used in concert with maneuver, which helps shape the battlespace, setting conditions for decisive action. At the brigade echelon, this methodology focuses on the employment of fires within the brigade’s deep-fight with the maneuver battalions focused on the brigade’s close-fight. Another effective employment method is their use to support the brigade’s close-fight, which incorporates the use of the maneuver battalions’ mortars into the fires plan. Effective brigade fires during large-scale combat operations require the integration and synchronization of fire support with maneuver plans, leveraging joint fires, and maintaining clear command and control structures. A robust targeting process and decentralized execution allow for rapid and accurate fire missions. Logistical support ensures sustained operations, while counter-fire capabilities protect against enemy artillery. Continuous training and rehearsals are essential to maintaining proficiency and ensuring that brigade fires provide decisive, responsive firepower that supports the brigade’s overall objectives on the battlefield.   Part of S07 “Joint Fires Discussions” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the sixty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience’ and the third annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium. Hosted by the Commanding General of the JRTC and Ft. Johnson, BG Jason Curl and the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are all seasoned observer-coach-trainers (OCTs) from across Operations Group, MAJ Benjamin Pinner, CPT Sheena Henley, CPT Chad Lipe, CW2 Jerrad Rader, and 1SG Ryan Hamilton as well as a senior member of the JRTC’s Opposing Force, MAJ Brandon Kilthau and CSM Chris Gaede from the US Army Special Operations Command’s Special Operations Training Detachment.   Our panel members are observer-coach-trainers with over 150 decisive action training environment rotations between them. MAJ Benjamin Pinner is the S-3 Operations Officer for Operations Group and was formerly the S-3 for Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control. CPT Sheena Henley is the Team Senior for the Air Assault / Air Movement Team of Task Force Aviation. CPT Chad Lipe is the Team Senior for the Administrative / Logistics Ops Center for TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB / DSSB). CW2 Jerrad Rader is the Brigade Targeting Officer OCT for BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ). 1SG Ryan Hamilton is a Rifle Company First Sergeant OCT for TF-3 (IN BN). From the infamous Geronimo team, we have MAJ Brandon Kilthau who is the BN Executive Officer for 1-509th IN (ABN) (Opposing Force). Last but not least is CSM Chris Gaede, the former Command Sergeant Major for USASOC’s Special Operations Training Detachment for the combat training centers. In this special episode, we focus on large-scale combat operations across multiple domains and explore the comprehensive efforts being made to prepare America's Army to fight and win tomorrow's wars. The panel discusses large scale combat operations executed at the platoon through division echelons, offering perspectives on a variety of topics including combined arms maneuver, transparent battlefield, fires, and contested logistics as well as emerging technologies employment. As the nature of conflict evolves, the Army is adapting to meet the challenges of modern warfare, which demands proficiency across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains. By enhancing interoperability with Special Operations Forces (SOF) and integrating multinational coalitions, the Army is fostering a cohesive force capable of dominating in complex, multi-domain environments. Sustainment and logistics are being refined to ensure that the force remains agile and resilient, while joint fires and combined arms maneuver are being honed to deliver decisive effects on the battlefield. This episode delves into the strategies and innovations that are positioning America's Army at the forefront of future conflicts, ensuring that it remains a formidable force capable of securing victory in an increasingly unpredictable world.   LSCO on the modern battlefield involve coordinated efforts across multiple domains—land, air, sea, space, and cyber—spanning from platoon to division echelons. These operations require seamless integration of Special Operations Forces (SOF) and Conventional Forces (CF) through Interoperability, Integration, and Interdependence (I3) to achieve unified objectives. Multinational coalitions bring together diverse military capabilities, enhancing operational flexibility and reach. Joint fires, combining assets from different services, deliver precise, synchronized strikes, while combined arms maneuver leverages the complementary strengths of infantry, armor, artillery, and aviation to dominate the battlefield and achieve decisive results. Sustainment and logistics play a critical role in maintaining the operational tempo, ensuring that forces are supplied and supported throughout the conflict. General John “Black Jack” Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War I, said, "Infantry wins battles, logistics wins wars." This very much reflects the importance of logistics even today, where the importance and role of logistics can be seen very vividly in each rotation.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   Don’t forget to checkout our first and second annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium, episodes sixteen and thirty of ‘The Crucible.’ And if you’d like to explore the CSM(R) Nash & CSM(R) Donaldson’s episode that COL Hardman referenced, look at episode fifty-one.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the sixty-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the Sergeant Major of the Army, SMA Michael Weimer.   SMA Michael Weimer was sworn in as the 17th Sergeant Major of the Army on Aug. 4, 2023. His previous assignment was serving as the Command Sergeant Major for U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. Throughout his career he has served in a variety of positions from team member to Command Sergeant Major of Special Operations Joint Task Force Afghanistan, to Command Senior Enlisted Leader of U.S. Special Operations Command Central.   As the Sergeant Major of the Army, SMA Weimer is the Army chief of staff's personal adviser on matters affecting the enlisted force. He devotes the majority of his time traveling throughout the Army to observe training and interact with Soldiers and their Families. SMA Weimer is the public face of the U.S. Army's Noncommissioned Officer Corps, representing the NCO Corps to the American people in the media and through business and community engagements.   In this episode we discuss warfighting and preparing leaders to lead troops in combat with the US Army’s most senior enlisted soldier, SMA Weimer. Army leaders must be true masters in the art of war, embodying action with confidence and resolve. While warfare is inherently a profession of deep thought, it also requires individuals who excel in the fundamentals and leaders who are experts in their craft. Non-commissioned officers are the backbone of the US Army and thus are responsible for ensuring their troops are ready for war. They do this through rigorous, realistic, and relevant training, which generates forces ready to win America’s wars.  It is imperative that Army leaders, particularly our NCOs, understand the gravity of their responsibility to the soldiers they lead in combat, recognizing that their most critical resource is human lives. Training programs should be designed progressively, building upon previous training and should include multi-echelon opportunities to train at all levels concurrently. Home-station must incorporate the “fog of war,” stress, and the clash of opposing wills as seen at the Combat Training Centers.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   Don’t forget to check-out the SMA’s social media pages, their handles are ‘US Army’ on Facebook, ‘US Army SMA’ on X, and ‘US Army SMA’ on Instagram.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the sixty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the company radio-telephone operator for B Company, 1-504th PIR, 1st BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, SPC Kevin Mitchell.   Established during the fierce fighting in the Italian campaigns of World War II, 1st Battalion of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment was employed in multiple brush wars throughout the Cold War as well as in Operation Desert Storm and later as part of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo before deploying in support of the Global War on Terror. 1-504 PIR now serves as part of 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Red Devils” (the BCT are the “Devils”) and the motto of “Strike and Hold.”   In this episode we discuss how airborne forces would be utilized at the commencement of large-scale combat operations for a joint forcible entry. Specifically, we look at how Airborne forces allow the US Army to set conditions for follow-on operations to meet national objectives anywhere in the world. While in other episodes we have focused at the macro level, in this episode we focus on the micro level, specifically at the platoon and company echelons. Focusing on brilliance in the basics is paramount for the success of airborne joint forcible entry operations, ensuring that every paratrooper is proficient in fundamental skills and tactics. Mastery of these core principles enhances coordination, precision, and effectiveness, critical for executing complex and high-stakes missions.   Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the sixty-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the Deputy Commanding General of United States Army Forces Command, Lieutenant General Stephen Smith.   Forces Command is the largest United States Army command and provider of expeditionary, regionally engaged, campaign-capable land forces to combatant commanders. FORSCOM trains and prepares a combat ready, globally responsive total force in order to build and sustain readiness to meet combatant command requirements. The vision of Forces Command is to provide combat ready and globally responsive total Army forces that are well led, disciplined, trained, and expeditionary that will win in a complex world. Its organizations are expeditionary, campaign focused, and tailorable to provide combatant commanders the required capabilities to be decisive across the range of military operations. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Freedom” and the motto of “Freedom’s Guardian.”   In this episode we discuss the necessity for our leaders and their formations to receive realistic, rigorous, and relevant training for combat across multiple domains as it’s key for success on tomorrow’s battlefields. Specifically, we look at the battalion through corps echelons requirement for such training as it is essential to prepare soldiers for the complexities of modern warfare across multiple domains. Battalions should focus on integrating small unit tactics with real-time intelligence and cyber capabilities, while brigades emphasize combined arms operations and interoperability with joint and coalition forces. Corps-level training should prioritize strategic planning, large-scale maneuver coordination, and multi-domain command and control to ensure dominance in a contested environment.   In testifying to Congress to justify the expense of a large-scale maneuver just prior to our entry into WWII, General George Marshall stated, “My God, Senator, that’s the reason I do it. I want the mistakes down in Louisiana, not over in Europe.” Today we continue this legacy of realistic, rigorous, and relevant training at the DoD’s combat training centers, such as the Joint Readiness Training Center. At home-station, this is done through the divisions managing their intensive training cycles and at the battalion and brigade echelons through becoming predictable, through synchronizing the warfighting functions, and set the conditions for subordinate units to succeed.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   Don’t forget to check-out FORSCOM’s social media pages, their handles are ‘U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM)’ on Facebook, ‘FORSCOM’ on X, and ‘US Army FORSCOM’ on Instagram.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the sixty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are a pre-command and incoming commander for 2nd Brigade Combat Team of 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), COL Anthony Gore and the current commander of 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), COL Trevor Voelkel.   You may notice that this episode may look and sound different than our regular episodes. That’s because this was filmed expeditionary while the team was down at the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Ft. Moore, GA (formerly Ft. Benning, GA).   Established during the build-up of US forces in the Cold War, 2nd BCT / 10th MTN has been continually deployed in support of various contingencies around the world as well as six deployments during the Global War on Terror. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Commando” and the motto of “Courage & Honor.” 1st BCT / 101st ABN started life as 327th Infantry Regiment in WWI and then came to the 101st ABN as a Glider Infantry Regiment. They are one of the most storied infantry brigades in the US Army, having fought in WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Op Desert Storm / Gulf War, and continuously during the GWOT. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Bastogne” and the motto of “Honor & Country.”   In this episode we discuss developing leaders at echelon within our brigade combat teams for the next looming fight. Developing leaders at echelon within BCTs is essential for preparing our force to effectively navigate the complexities of large-scale combat operations across multiple domains. This development begins with comprehensive training programs that emphasize the integration of multi-domain capabilities, ensuring leaders understand how to coordinate and leverage assets across these domains. Leaders must be proficient in multi-domain operational planning and execution, capable of making informed decisions in high-pressure environments. Training scenarios at home-station should replicate the intensity and unpredictability of LSCO as seen at the CTCs, fostering adaptability, resilience, and innovative problem-solving skills. Additionally, leadership development must focus on enhancing communication and collaboration skills, enabling leaders to work seamlessly with joint and coalition forces. By investing in robust leadership training and fostering a culture of continuous learning, BCTs can cultivate a cadre of leaders who are well-prepared to face the dynamic challenges of modern warfare and effectively command operations across multiple domains.   Part of S02 “If I Would Have Only Known” series.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

Please join us for the Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium of ’24 on Thursday, 8 August ‘24 at 0900-1100 CST. Hosted by the incoming Commanding General, BG Jason Curl and the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman on 8 August ‘24. Their guests are several majors and captains observer-coach-trainers with over 125 decisive action training environment rotations between them. The panel will discuss large scale combat operations executed at the company level, offering perspectives on a variety of topics including combined arms maneuver, transparent battlefield, fires, and contested logistics.   This panel will later air as an episode of ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience,’ with two additional episodes airing immediately following the symposium.      Here's the hyperlink for the event: https://tinyurl.com/JRTC-LSCO-Symposium-24 (CAC authentication required, unless prior coordination has been made for alternative dial-in options.)

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the sixty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ James “Jim” Lee is the Brigade Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer for the BDE Command & Control Task Force (BCT HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guest is the Brigade S-3 Operations Officer for 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, MAJ Anthony “Tony” Formica. (MAJ Formica is a repeat offender of The Crucible, as he was on episode 13, titled “Field Grade Lessons Learned from Good Geronimo, 2-501st PIR.”)   Established during the fierce fighting in the Italian campaigns of World War II, 1st BDE / 82nd ABN was employed in multiple brush wars throughout the Cold War as well as in Operation Desert Storm and later as part of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo before deploying in support of the Global War on Terror. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Devil” and the motto of “Strike and Hold.”   In this episode we discuss setting the conditions for the BDE and BNs to succeed during large scale combat operations through staff overmatch. Leaders at all echelons must understand the amount of control and influence leaders must exert to be effective, grasping what you can’t control and not wasting resources in pursuit of it, understanding your area of operations and your sphere of influence within it, and lastly understanding the systems which drive all of these is critical. There’s a common “eureka” moment at the JRTC, when leaders realize that time is your number one “enemy” or concern, not the opposing force. The goal for leaders at all echelons must be to ensure that you’re not creating problems than you’re solving for your subordinates as well as your higher headquarters.   Part of S02 “If I Would Have Only Known” series.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the sixtieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are the Commander of the Special Operations Training Detachment for US Army Special Operations Command, COL Nathanael Joslyn and one of their special operation forces mentor, Mr. Tom Vogel.   The Special Operations Training Detachment (SOTD) at the Joint Readiness Training Center is crucial for preparing special operations forces and conventional forces for integrated combat operations. Responsible for orchestrating training rotations at both JRTC and the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, CA, the SOTD provides realistic, immersive training environments that replicate the complexities of modern warfare. By focusing on interdependence, integration, and interoperability (I3), the SOTD ensures that SOF and CF units can operate seamlessly together. Key aspects of their training include joint mission planning, execution of combined operations, and honing of specialized tactics and techniques, which are essential for mission success in diverse and challenging operational landscapes. The JRTC team’s call-sign is “Sierra” and NTC’s team is “Burro.”   In this episode we discuss special operations during large scale combat operations and the “SOF-CF I3” dynamic. Special operations forces-conventional forces interdependence, integration, and interoperability refers to the collaborative efforts between special operations forces and broader conventional forces, specifically the brigade combat team and any multi-national partners at JRTC and NTC. This framework aims to combine the unique capabilities of SOF, such as agility, precision, and specialized skills, with the larger-scale, sustained power and logistical support of conventional forces. The keys to success in SOF-CF I3 include clear communication, mutual understanding of capabilities and limitations, joint training exercises to build cohesion, and a unified command structure to ensure seamless coordination and effective mission execution.   Part of S12 “The JIIMs of JRTC: Working with Our Unified Action Partners” series.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the fifty-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is senior Army fellow at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies. Following his current assignment, COL Matthew Leclair. Following his current assignment, he will assume command of the 196th Infantry Brigade, the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center at Ft. Shafter Hawaii.   The Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) is a premier training facility designed to enhance the readiness and interoperability of U.S. and allied military forces. Headquartered in Hawaii, it provides a realistic and challenging environment for joint and multinational training exercises. The center focuses on preparing forces for operations across the Indo-Pacific region, incorporating complex scenarios that address contemporary security challenges. By fostering collaboration among various military branches and international partners, the JPMRC plays a critical role in strengthening regional stability and preparedness. It hosts two major combat training center rotations per year, one in Alaska focused on arctic warfare and one in Hawaii focused on either jungle warfare or island hopping operations.   In this episode we discuss leadership lessons from a senior army leader that has risen from a private in 75th Ranger Regiment to a brigade combat team commander. COL Leclair’s journey highlights the importance of continuous self-improvement, mentorship, and the ability to lead by example, demonstrating that perseverance and commitment to excellence can pave the way for significant leadership roles. Specifically, we emphasize the crucial role that junior leaders—lieutenants, staff sergeants, and sergeants first class—play in the broader Army. They are the standard bearers, setting the tone and maintaining the standards for their units. These leaders are often on the front lines of implementation, ensuring that policies and procedures are followed and adapted as necessary. We also discuss the recurring themes of standard operating procedures and the use of standardized tools, such as pre-combat checks and pre-combat inspections. These systems and processes not only establish benchmarks for performance but also provide a framework that allows leaders to maintain operational effectiveness, even under the challenging conditions of sleep deprivation and high stress. By adhering to these established standards, junior leaders help ensure consistency, reliability, and preparedness across the force, reinforcing the Army's overall mission readiness and cohesion.   Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the forty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by LTC Mason Thornal, the Battalion Commander of 1-509th IN (OPFOR) on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guests are members of Geronimo’s infamous Spectre Team, their information warfare team. MAJ Michael Wright, the Info War Cell Chief or officer-in-charge; CPT James Gardiner, the Deputy Chief and their space operations expert; and CW2 Christian Lehr, their electronic warfare expert.   1-509th IN BN is the opposing forces unit for the Joint Readiness Training Center, the infamous “Geronimo.” The information warfare cell focuses on leveraging information to achieve strategic objectives, often within military or intelligence operations. This includes activities such as cyber operations, psychological operations, and the dissemination of propaganda to influence, disrupt, or deceive adversaries. The cell analyzes and exploits data to gain a tactical advantage, protect critical information, and undermine enemy capabilities. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in countering misinformation and ensuring the integrity of its own communications and operations.   In this episode we focus on the employment of information warfare across multiple domains and various innovations that are helping transform our forces while in contact. We define innovation as our ability to turn ideas into valued outcomes and solutions with the goal of staying ahead of determined, and increasingly capable enemies on the modern battlefield. Specifically, we discuss the Joint Readiness Training Center’s new Innovations Initiative Program (I2P) to rapidly share the emerging trends and best practices for the employment of developing technologies into unit systems and processes through a controlled learning environment that is the crucible of the JRTC experience. The I2P includes JRTC’s budding innovations laboratory, which includes multiple 3D printers, drone pilot simulators, and other tools of the OPFOR trade.   Here’s why your team should consider volunteering to partner with JRTC’s I2P: JRTC offers a comprehensive operational environment that is conducive to trying innovative solutions to realistic tactical problem sets. Units are able to plan, execute, assess, and refine at operational speed against determined opponents. Real-time OPFOR & OCT feedback from professionals that facilitate nine or more rotations per year on average. Access to the innovations lab that offers the equipment, material, and most importantly the space to work.   Part of S11 “Conversations with the Enemy” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the fifty-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the Commanding General of the Maneuver Center of Excellence, MG Curtis Buzzard.   The Maneuver Center of Excellence was established in September 2011 when the US Army Armor Center and School moved from Ft. Knox, KY to Ft. Benning, GA (now Ft. Moore) in addition to the US Army Infantry Center and School. Fort Moore supports more than 120,000 active-duty military, family members, reserve component soldiers, retirees and civilian employees on a daily basis. Established in 1918 as Camp Benning and in 1922 Camp Benning became Fort Benning. In 2023 the name was changed to honor LTG Hal Moore and his wife Julia Compton Moore.   In this episode we focus on training and leader development, an area that the Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) specializes in as it offers over 60 courses, ranging from Basic Combat Training to Ranger School to the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course (MCCC). We also discuss some of the modernization efforts being undertaken as the MCoE is the proponent for force modernization for brigade and below formations. Specifically discussed is the deliberate refocusing on brilliance of the basics of small unit tactics, seen especially during Infantry, armor, and cavalry soldiers’ One Station Unit Training that combines basic training with advanced individual training for a twenty-two-week program. Over the last two years, MCoE has striven to incorporate emerging trends and technologies into their courses offered so that Soldiers and leaders alike are able to successfully fight and win any conflict that the US finds itself in tomorrow. This includes incorporating the employment of small UAS and basic EW capabilities into OSUT as well as having guest speakers from current ongoing conflicts at MCCC.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the fifty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), MG Gregory Anderson.   The 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) is the premier light infantry division in the United States Army based at Fort Drum, New York. Formerly designated as a mountain warfare unit, the division was the only one of its size in the US military to receive specialized training for fighting in mountainous conditions. Originally activated as the 10th Light Division (Alpine) in 1943, the division was redesignated the 10th Mountain Division in 1944 and fought in the mountains of Italy in some of the roughest terrain in World War II. The 10th Mountain is one of the most deployed divisions during the Global War on Terror with numerous deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as well as Syria. Their motto is “Climb to Glory” (the proper response is “To the Top”) and have the Hollywood call-sign of “Mountain.”   In this episode we continue to discuss the employment of light infantry divisions, brigade combat teams, and maneuver battalions during large scale combat operations across multiple domains. We highlight some of the heavy-light imperatives: The speed, ranges, and complexity of the battlefield are markedly greater in armored-mechanized formations and requires infinitely more logistics to sustain the fight (Integrated logistics into your maneuver plan). Light forces have greater mobility with the ability to rapidly deploy combined with flexibility in diverse complex-terrain, particularly in restrictive terrain, while maintaining a smaller logistical footprint. Requires effective synchronization, timing, and detailed controlled measures with the emphasis on fighting at distance. Armor-mech. Teams requires utmost dedication to maintaining their equipment, although all formations incorporate it into priorities of work. Leaders must learn to anticipate logistics instead of simply reacting to each situation in order to enable future operations. Most effective when employed together combined arms operations with supporting joint fires and integrated engineers & other enablers. Use of heavy forces to create breakthroughs and exploit enemy weaknesses while light forces conduct rapid maneuvers, seize key terrain, and disrupt enemy rear areas. Additionally, we discuss some of the task organization changes that the Army is undertaking as part of their 2030 concept. Specifically, the suggested transformation that will occur to light infantry formations and the impact to their mission. The main attribute of light infantry formations is to be able to traverse with ease where armor-mech. Forces are unable to traverse.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the fifty-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is Deputy Commanding General for Operations with 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), BG Joseph Wortham.   1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) trains, mans, and equips Special Operations Forces Soldiers and units to conduct special operations worldwide in support of geographic combatant command, U.S. Ambassador and the Nation’s priorities. On order, 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) deploys a Special Operations Headquarters to conduct Mission Command of Special Operations, Conventional, Joint, and/or Coalition Forces anywhere in the world in support of geographic combatant command, U.S. Ambassador and the Nation’s priorities. Their motto is “De Oppresso Liber” or “To Free the Oppressed.”   In this episode we continue to discuss the employment of US Army special operations forces during large scale combat operations across multiple domains. We highlight the importance of conducting multi-echelon training events at the combat training centers to focus on transitioning from competition to crisis to conflict. 1st SFC(A) has over half of its assigned units deployed worldwide across over 80 countries at any given moment and wants to provide realistic, rigorous, and relevant training to their forces preparing to deploy. 1st SFC(A) has begun to pivot to start focusing on the higher echelon training events to better prepare their special operation task force and combined joint special operations task force headquarters to fight and win on the modern battlefield.   Part of S12 “The JIIMs of JRTC: Working with Our Unified Action Partners” series.   Don’t forget to check-out 1st SFC(A)’s social media pages, their handles are ‘1st Special Forces Command (ABN)’ on Facebook, ‘1st Special Forces Command’ on X, and ‘1st Special Forces Command (A)’ on Instagram.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the fifty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Command Sergeant Major of Ops Group (COG), CSM Michael Hall. Today’s guests are all seasoned mortar Observer-Coach-Trainers (OCTs) at the JRTC. SFC Juan Hernandez from Task Force 2 (Infantry Battalion) while SFC Terrance Fusek and SFC Robert Scholle are both from Live Fire Division.   Live Fire Division focuses on conducting brigade and battalion level, multi-echelon, combined arms live fire exercises for each of the rotational training units at the JRTC. CALFEX are multi-day training events that prepare US Army soldiers, leaders, and collective units for large-scale combat operations. CALFEXs are grueling exercises that involve the use of actual ammunition in realistic warfighting scenarios. These exercises help train troopers and units by building team cohesion and leader proficiency.   Within a light infantry brigade combat team, the US Army employs various mortar systems including the 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm. These mortar systems provide essential indirect fire support, enabling the brigade to engage targets beyond the line of sight with high-angle trajectory fires. The M224 60 mm Lightweight Company Mortar System (LWCMS) offers portability and versatility, suitable for rapid deployment and close-in engagements. The M-252 81mm mortar provides increased range and firepower, supporting the brigade's maneuverability and flexibility in diverse operational environments. The M-120 120mm mortar, with its greater range and lethality, serves as a powerful asset for engaging hardened targets and providing sustained fire support during more prolonged engagements. Together, these mortar systems enhance the brigade's combat effectiveness by delivering accurate and timely fire support to maneuver units on the battlefield.   In this episode we continue to discuss employment of indirect fire systems organic to the BCT and warfighting on the modern battlefield. We highlight various best practices and insights gleaned across numerous rotations for integrating and synchronizing mortar fires. The effective employment of the maneuver battalions’ mortars and inclusion in the brigade’s joint fires plan is crucial for the brigade to win their close-fight during large scale combat operations. This in turn helps shape the battlespace and setting conditions for the maneuver battalions’ rifle companies and troops to fight and win on the modern battlefield.   Part of S07 “Joint Fires Discussions” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the fifty-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is Director of Operations Research Center at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, LTC David Beskow, PhD. He has a PhD in Societal Computing from Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science and serves in the Department of Systems Engineering.   The Operations Research Center (ORCEN) provides a dedicated analytical capability that engages problems of national significance for the purpose of enriching cadet education, enhancing the professional development of Operations Research Systems Analysis Officer Faculty, integrating emerging technologies and analytical tools into the Academic Program, and sustaining ties between the Academy, the Army, and the Department of Defense (DoD). The United States Military Academy (USMA) is a United States service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a fort during the Revolutionary War, as it sits on strategic high ground overlooking the Hudson River 50 miles (80 km) north of New York City. It is the oldest of the five American service academies and educates cadets for commissioning into the United States Army.   In this episode we continue to discuss warfighting on the modern battlefield, the incorporation of technology as a combat multiplier, and preparing the force for AI centric warfare of the future. Specifically, we discuss using data to feed intelligence and the operations process as well as how the Army is planning to incorporate emerging technologies into its formations on the modern battlefield. We also look at the application of machine learning to sift through massive amounts of data to find the nuggets of key information, classify it, and then start to do predictive analysis. LTC Beskow’s department has been tasked to look at: How do we become more data enabled as a fighting formation? How can we better utilize technology, especially ML/AI? Do we have the right systems in place to collect the data to feed ML/AI? If not, what methodology would you recommend? For the CTCs like JRTC, his team is looking at: What data do the CTCs produce that the Army could leverage? What changes to the collection requirements would you recommend that would be least impactful from a collection process but be massively impactful to the Army at large? How can we better use the data? Understanding human performance, streamlining our acquisitions, better utilization of ML/AI, etc.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the fifty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer for Task Force 5 (BDE Engineer BN), MAJ David Beale on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group. Today’s guests are the Commandant and Regimental Sergeant Major for the US Army’s Engineer School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, COL Joseph "Clete" Goetz and CSM Zachary Plummer. COL Goetz is the 100th Commandant at the USAES and coincidentally this episode will air in time for Regimental Week for the combat engineer community.   The US Army’s Engineer School was founded as the School of Engineering by General Headquarters Orders at Valley Forge on 9 June 1778. The USAES’ mission is to synchronize and integrate the doctrine, organization, training, material, leader development, personnel, and facilities (DOTMLPF) domains to ensure the Engineer Regiment is prepared to provide engineer support now and into the future. Their vision to field Regiments of tactically and technically competent Engineer warriors and leaders of character serving the commander and committed to overcome any challenge to the success of the team’s mission. The US Army Engineer School provides training that develops a wide variety of engineering skills including combat engineer, bridging, construction, geospatial, topography, diving, and firefighting. Their motto is “Essayons” or “Let Us Try.”   In this episode we discuss how the US Army Engineer Schoolhouse prepares US Army engineers for large-scale combat operations. Specifically, we talk how USAES coordinates with the JRTC team to incorporate lessons learned there into the curriculum at the schoolhouse. A timeless observation is that leaders usually arrive full of confidence and depart humbled with a leader book full of areas to sustain and areas to improve their craft. Leaders are shown the importance of getting “sets & reps” through multi-echelon training at home-station coupled with deliberate mission preparation, which requires efficient planning and specified priorities of rehearsals. Additionally, we discuss some of the major changes coming to the engineer community with the Joint Force of 2030 concept as well as breaching best practices as seen at the JRTC.   Part of S06 “Sappers Up…Into the Breach” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

Congratulations to our commissioned officers that are alumni and current serving Observer - Coach - Trainers for making the centralized selection list from the JRTC Team. The Commander of Operations Group, COL Matthew Hardman, and the CSM of Operations Group, CSM Michael Hall, send their warmest wishes. Your dedication and hard work have truly paid off, showcasing your exceptional leadership skills. Here's to continued success and making a positive impact in all your endeavors.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the fifty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are two seasoned, former command sergeant majors, CSM(R) Adam Nash and CSM(R) Curt Donaldson. CSM(R) Nash is the former 4th Infantry Division Command Sergeant Major. CSM(R) Donaldson is the former 75th Ranger Regiment Command Sergeant Major, known as the Regimental Sergeant Major.   The 4th Infantry Division is a division of the United States Army based at Fort Carson, Colorado and was established in 1917 as a key member of the American Expeditionary Force for World War I. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Iron Horse,” but are commonly called “Ivy Division,” and the motto of “Steadfast & Loyal.” The 75th Ranger Regiment, also known as Army Rangers or simply as Ranger Regiment, is the premier light infantry unit and special operations raid force within the United States Army Special Operations Command. Their lineage dates back to Roger’s Rangers during the French and Indian War in the 18th Century. Their motto is “Sua Sponte” or “Of Their Accord,” with their daily greeting of “Rangers Lead the Way.”   In this episode we discuss warfighting on the modern battlefield, the process of developing junior leaders, and the need to focus leaders on combat mindset. Specifically we talk changing our units’ fighting spirit from focused on garrison life to preparing for war. The modern Soldier’s mindset must embrace the warrior spirit as it is vital to success on the battlefield. Every Soldier from the individual rifleman in a fire team through to the staff at brigade, must change their mindset from “going to JRTC” or “going to the range” to “going to war” because that mindset is what’s going to win the day. Senior leaders have to prioritize establishing and maintaining a leader development program within their units. This includes mentorship between non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers, especially as it applies to standards.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the fiftieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is a Senior Research Fellow for the Army Research Laboratory at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Dr. Robert Semmens. He has a PhD from Stanford University in how people learn with technology.   The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL) is the U.S. Army's foundational research laboratory. The United States Military Academy (USMA) is a United States service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a fort during the Revolutionary War, as it sits on strategic high ground overlooking the Hudson River 50 miles (80 km) north of New York City. It is the oldest of the five American service academies and educates cadets for commissioning into the United States Army.   In this episode we discuss warfighting on the modern battlefield, the incorporation of technology as a combat multiplier, and preparing the force for AI centric warfare of the future. The science and technology team from ARL had four major take-aways for Army robotics of the future based on their observation of the rotation: Time-scale matters, especially when comparing combat units to combat support units. How are we going to man these units that oversee autonomous unmanned systems? How much training and education do these individuals need? What does the Army needs manufactured vs. what does the Army need to train for proficiency as it applies to robotics? How do we sustain this new force? What does the supply chain look like, especially as it pertains to contested logistics in LSCO?   The science and technology team from ARL usually doesn’t have very much interaction with the end-user, the warfighter, but were afforded the opportunity to spend nearly a week with the rotational training unit as they worked through the crucible that is the JRTC experience. This provided the team with invaluable insights into the actual needs of the warfighter as they work towards a variety of autonomous unmanned systems that can operate in groups effectively across a wide variety of support functions.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the forty-nineth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the Commanding General of United States Army Forces Command, General Andrew Poppas.   Forces Command is the largest United States Army command and provider of expeditionary, regionally engaged, campaign-capable land forces to combatant commanders. FORSCOM trains and prepares a combat ready, globally responsive total force in order to build and sustain readiness to meet combatant command requirements. The vision of Forces Command is to provide combat ready and globally responsive total Army forces that are well led, disciplined, trained, and expeditionary that will win in a complex world. Its organizations are expeditionary, campaign focused, and tailorable to provide combatant commanders the required capabilities to be decisive across the range of military operations. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Freedom” and the motto of “Freedom’s Guardian.”   General Andrew Poppas is the 24th commander of United States Army Forces Command at Fort Liberty, N.C. A native of Wisconsin, General Poppas graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned in 1988. He spent most of his career within XVIII Airborne Corps as well as numerous years on the joint staff.   In this episode we discuss warfighting, building lethality, and combat readiness of our formations. Specifically, we look at how = adopting a “fight tonight” mindset while simultaneously keeping an eye towards modernization will enable us to win the next fight. Combat training centers are critical for building lethality into our formations; leaders develop critical skills as they work through the friction of simulated combat. An area that is incredibly difficult, but equally important for leaders is master, is shifting from focusing “down and in” to “up and out” to assist your higher headquarters as well as adjacent unit coordination.   GEN Poppas states that his predecessor, GEN Garrett, identified that a gap in the Army’s preparations for large scale combat operations was preparing squads and platoons to win their first fight by getting back to the basics. He hopes that in his tenure the Army can collectively better prepare for transitions between phases of operations through staffs identifying multiple planning horizons. Battalions and brigades must become more predictable, synchronize operations across warfighting functions, and set the conditions for subordinate units to succeed.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   Don’t forget to check-out FORSCOM’s social media pages, their handles are ‘U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM)’ on Facebook, ‘FORSCOM’ on X, and ‘US Army FORSCOM’ on Instagram.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the forty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are part of a combat advisor team with 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade, SFC Joseph Escalante and SFC Shelby Kelley.   Security force assistance brigades (SFABs) are specialized US Army units with the core mission to conduct advise, support, liaise and assess operations with allied and partner nations. These combat advisors are highly trained and among the top tactical leaders in the Army. Their work strengthens our allies and partners capacities and capabilities while supporting America's security objectives and the combatant commanders' warfighting needs.   The 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade is regionally aligned with the African continent partnered with U.S. Africa Command. The SFAB is a strategic game changer for the United States in Africa, providing hand-selected advisors capable of establishing an enduring presence in key countries and operating in any environment—enabling them to develop enduring relationships from the tactical to the strategic level. Simply put, the SFAB provides the United States with a capability no adversary can match. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Saber” and the motto of “Everyone Fights” while they have the unofficial motto of “Ready for Crisis and Conflict.”   This episode explores the function of security force assistance brigades (SFABs) in large-scale combat operations across various domains. We delve into the challenges of operating as a small-unit that’s been given strategic objectives and the necessity that the team must function cohesively to achieve these critical objectives. Specifically, we address the integration of US forces and multinational partners to coordinate efforts against the enemy in large-scale combat operations. Notably, SFABs typically comprise 40% personnel with maneuver experience, while the remainder possess diverse capabilities, making SFABs highly versatile formations.   Part of S12 “The JIIMs of JRTC: Working with Our Unified Action Partners” series.   Don’t forget to check-out SFAC’s social media pages, their handles are ‘ArmySFAC’ on Facebook, ‘armysfabs’ on Twitter / X, and ‘armysfabs’ on Instagram.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the forty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is a Foreign Exchange Officer serving as an Observer-Coach-Trainer Company Team Senior with Task Force 2 (Infantry Battalion), CPT Will Happel of the British Army. CPT Happel has since become a student Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and has since been promoted to the rank of Major.   In this episode we discuss how the British Ministry of Defense approached their expeditionary efforts during the Falklands War and how these same tenets would be applied to a multinational effort during large scale combat operations (LSCO).   The Falklands War, which took place in 1982, was viewed from the British perspective as a decisive conflict to reclaim the Falkland Islands from Argentine occupation. The UK considered the Argentine invasion of the islands a violation of sovereignty and responded with a military campaign. The British government, led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, sought to protect the rights of the islanders and reestablish British control. The eventual success of the British forces in retaking the Falklands bolstered national pride but also brought attention to geopolitical complexities in the South Atlantic.   Specifically, we discuss that when viewed through the lens of a multinational expeditionary operation during LSCO, reveals the collaborative efforts of the British-led task force. Nations like the United States provided intelligence support, while others offered political and logistical assistance. The conflict underscored the challenges and benefits of coordinating diverse military capabilities in a joint effort to achieve strategic objectives in a remote and contested theater. Additionally, the Falklands War highlighted the importance of interoperability and communication between allied forces, as well as the necessity of rapid deployment and sustained logistical support over long distances. The multinational nature of the operation demonstrated the strength of collective security efforts in addressing regional conflicts and upholding international norms of sovereignty and self-determination.   Additionally, we look at some of the case studies conducted on this conflict: “No Picnic: 3 Commando Brigade in the South Atlantic” by MG Julian Thompson; “Goose Green: The Decisive Battle of the Falklands War – by the British Troops Who Fought It” by Nigel Ely; “Not Mentioned in Despatches: The History and Mythology of the Battle of Goose Green” by Spencer Fitz-Gibbon.   Part of S12 “The JIIMs of JRTC: Working with Our Unified Action Partners” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the forty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by LTC Mason Thornal, the Battalion Commander of 1-509th IN (OPFOR) on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group.  Today’s guest is the Brigade Commander for 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), COL James Stultz.   The 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), which was activated on 1 July 1941 at Ft. Benning (now Ft. Moore), GA. The IBCT draws its infantry battalions primarily from the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Strike,” but commonly called “Five oh Duece,” and the motto of “Strike.” (The rest of the motto is “I fight where I am told, and win where I fight.”) They are easily identified by the black heart patches on their helmets dating back to preparation for the invasion of France in World War II and have been known by the enemy as the “Black Hearts Brigade.”   In this episode we discuss how leaders should prepare for large scale combat operations from an air assault perspective. Specifically, we discuss how the brigade with division assets was able to conduct the first large-scale, long-range air assault for nearly thirty years. Strike was able to lift an entire infantry battalion and various enablers simultaneously. The air assault task force then flew over seven hundred miles, utilizing several forward arming and refueling points (FARPs) before arriving at their area of operation.   Additionally, we look at how commanders and their staffs build training plans, standard operating procedures, and conduct countless rehearsals, staff exercises, and various field problems in preparation for conducting effective air assaults under combat conditions.   Part of S02 “If I Would Have Only Known” series.   Don’t forget to check-out the 101st Airborne Division’s social media pages for more information on large-scale, long-range air assaults, their handles are ‘101st Airborne’ on Facebook, ‘101stAASLTDIV’ on X, and ‘101stabndivaa’ on Instagram.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the forty-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the deputy senior mentor at the Leader Training Program at the JRTC, COL(R) Mike Kershaw.   He spent 34 years on active duty as an infantry officer and has been with the Leader Training Program for nearly nine years. The Leaders Training Program at the JRTC is a ten-day planning conference providing commanders and staff an opportunity to hone their military decision-making process skills and systems. The program is facilitated by retired, senior military planning coaches giving units best practices and lessons learned from previous iterations. In this episode they discuss the various long-term trends at echelon within a brigade combat team, with emphasis on the infantry battalion and some recommendations to rectify some of the deficiencies. Specifically, we look at how the training requirements have evolved from counter-insurgency to hybrid warfare to large-scale combat operations and what it means for infantry battalions.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the forty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the Brigade Commander for 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry, COL Robert Shaw.   The 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division (Light), which was activated on 1 October 1941 in Hawaii mere days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, conducts military operations primarily in the Asia-Pacific region and has been in every conflict the U.S. has been involved in since its activation. On order, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division deploys, fights, and wins in Unified Land Operations any place in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and conducts continuous and persistent engagement with regional partners to shape the environment and prevent conflict across the Pacific area of responsibility. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Bronco” and the motto of “None Better.”   In this episode we discuss how leaders should prepare for large scale combat operations from the light infantry perspective. Specifically, we look at commanders and their staffs build training plans, standard operating procedures, and conduct countless rehearsals, staff exercises, and various field problems in preparation for going to war or arriving at one of the US Army’s combat training centers, like the Joint Readiness Training Center. After each iteration, organizations at echelon should capture their success and their pathways to success to remedy identified vulnerabilities.   An interesting point that is discussed is that leaders need to not only have tenacity but initiative to never quit until the mission is accomplished. This requires leaders to strive to succeed and do the hard tasks in life, which inevitably means that some will not succeed initially but will have to persevere until they do. As leaders we must not only mentor our subordinates but identify talent and then nurture it.   Part of S02 “If I Would Have Only Known” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the fortieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are the Commander and Command Sergeant Major for 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade, COL Jason Clarke and CSM Paul Fedorisin. Security force assistance brigades (SFABs) are specialized US Army units with the core mission to conduct advise, support, liaise and assess operations with allied and partner nations. These combat advisors are highly trained and among the top tactical leaders in the Army. Their work strengthens our allies and partners capacities and capabilities while supporting America's security objectives and the combatant commanders' warfighting needs.   The 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade is regionally aligned with the African continent partnered with U.S. Africa Command. The SFAB is a strategic game changer for the United States in Africa, providing hand-selected advisors capable of establishing an enduring presence in key countries and operating in any environment—enabling them to develop enduring relationships from the tactical to the strategic level. Simply put, the SFAB provides the United States with a capability no adversary can match. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Saber” and the motto of “Everyone Fights” while they have the unofficial motto of “Ready for Crisis and Conflict.”   In this episode they discuss the role of security force assistance brigades during large scale combat operations across multiple domains. We discuss the points of friction when transitioning from competition to crisis to conflict with our unified action partners.Specifically, we talk about integrating US forces and our multi-national partners into a synchronized effort against the enemy within large scale combat operations. It’s interesting to note that most SFABs consist of only 40% of the personnel having a maneuver background while the rest of the formation is all low-density, which makes the SFABs very diverse in their capabilities.   Part of S12 “The JIIMs of JRTC: Working with Our Unified Action Partners” series. For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the forty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by CPT Nicolaus Rohrbough is the battalion assistant S-3 operations observer-coach-trainer for TF-4 (CAV Squadron) on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guest is the Commander of 3-89th Cavalry Squadron, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, LTC Ryan Nugent as well as one of his troop’s executive officers, 1LT Aiden Hutchinson   The 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment draws its lineage from a World War II tank destroyer battalion. In an interesting bit of trivia, the IBCT was for over a decade known as the 4th IBCT of 10th Mountain, but when the Army redesigned division for the “Army of 2020” concept, they became 3rd IBCT of 10th Mountain. (The “Spartan” Brigade was inactivated in August 2014.) They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Slugger” or “Patriot Recon” and the motto of “Ready Now,” while the IBCT has the call-sign “Patriots” and the motto of “Forged for War.”   In this episode we discuss the role of the cavalry squadron in large scale combat operations, supporting both the division as the primary unit of action as well as the BCT’s close fight. The CAV squadron was very aggressive with their employment of small unmanned aircraft systems to further extend their reach while dominating the transparent battlefield. Taking lessons learned from both the Nagorno-Karabakh War and the ongoing Russo-Ukraine Conflict, the squadron trained their troops to deploy their sUAS in support of all operations, but especially while halted and dismounted to ensure that they make contact with the enemy first via a sensor package of their drones. A best practice for their squadron was the establishment of a UAS master trainer to ensure that at each echelon they had depth of the personnel trained on each applicable UAS as well as helping each troop commander build their training plans. The squadron also worked with their MICO to incorporate signals intelligence teams and electronic warfare teams into all major troop level training events. The also incorporated indirect fires as many collective training events as possible to build proficiency in bringing “steel rain” to the enemy.   Part of S04 “Scouts Out” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the forty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by CPT Benjamin Malcolm of 1-509th IN (OPFOR) on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guest is the Deputy Commanding Officer – Operations for the 82nd Airborne Division, COL Andrew Saslav, All American 07. COL Saslav was the COG from 2021-2022 and the commander of 11th DTG  (OPFOR notional higher headquarters).   The 82nd Airborne Division specializes in joint forcible entry operations via vertical envelopment, both airborne and air assault, into denied areas with a U.S. Department of Defense requirement to respond to crisis contingencies anywhere in the world within 18 hours. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “All American” Division and the motto of “In Air, On Land.”   In this episode we discuss how airborne forces would be utilized at the commencement of large-scale combat operations. Specifically, we look at how Airborne forces allow the US Army to set conditions for follow-on operations to meet national objectives anywhere in the world. The individuals that become paratroopers are some of the most versatile, capable, and lethal lightfighters in the world that pride themselves in seizing the initiative and aggressively bringing the fight to the enemy on the complex, dynamic modern battlefield. GEN McGavin, the longest serving CDR of the 82nd ABN said, “You show me a man willing to jump out of an airplane and I’ll show you a man that will fight [and win] for his country.”   An interesting point that is discussed is that previously the DoD’s took for granted that the US would have air supremacy immediately, but lessons from Ukraine has forced the DOD to reevaluate this concept. The 82nd ABN operates under the premise that they will conduct a JFE into a contested environment to seize a key piece of terrain and establish a lodgment for US forces. This can only be done during a set time window along planned air corridors secured through joint suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) assets.    Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   Don’t forget to check-out XVIII Airborne Corps’ social media pages, their handles are ‘82ndAirborneDivision’ on Facebook, ‘82ndABNDiv’ on X, and ‘82ndairbornediv’ on Instagram.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the fortieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the Commanding General for Security Force Assistance Command, MG Donn Hill.   The Security Force Assistance Command (SFAC) is a division-level command element for the United States Army's new security force assistance brigades (SFAB). The SFAC draws its heritage from the Philippine Constabulary Advisory Mission immediately following the Spanish-American War and the Military Assistance Advisor Group throughout the Cold War. The SFAC’s core mission is security force assistance to conduct training, advising, assisting, enabling and accompanying operations with allied and partner nations. The SFAC builds and sustains readiness by manning, training, and validating regionally aligned SFA brigades for employment by combatant commands. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Advisor” and the motto of “Victorious Together.”   In this episode they discuss the evolution of the U.S. Army’s combat advisor program and its role in the Army’s ability to conduct large scale combat operations across multiple domains. We discuss the employment of SFABs attached to our multinational partners to ensure interdependence, interoperability, and integration with U.S. forces in that region. While they are primarily focused on providing security force assistance to our multinational partners through establishing relationships, providing training, and advising throughout the competition and crisis continuum. During the conflict phase, SFABs primarily act as a liaison between U.S. forces and our multinational partners to synchronize and mass effects across multiple domains.   Part of S12 “The JIIMs of JRTC: Working with Our Unified Action Partners” series.   Don’t forget to check-out SFAC’s social media pages, their handles are ‘ArmySFAC’ on Facebook, ‘armysfabs’ on Twitter / X, and ‘armysfabs’ on Instagram.     For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the thirty-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Command Sergeant Major of Ops Group (CSMOG), CSM Michael Hall. Today’s guest is the commander of 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment, LTC Mason Thornal, also known as Geronimo 06.   1-509th IN is the opposing forces unit for the Joint Readiness Training Center, the infamous “Geronimo,” the most hated unit in the Army. Geronimo’s primary mission is to help units see their selves clearly in order to rectify any deficiencies through rigorous, realistic, and relevant training with an aggressive opposing force (OPFOR).   In this episode they discuss Geronimo’s primary mission: helping units see their selves clearly in order to rectify any deficiencies through rigorous, realistic, and relevant training with an aggressive OPFOR. Specifically, we look at not only how Geronimo builds warfighters within its own organization but how it helps units build warfighters within their own organizations. We also look at how a unit’s noncommissioned officers enable commanders and directly impact a unit’s overall mission.   Part of S11 “Conversations with the Enemy” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the thirty-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Christopher Gensler from Task Force 5 (BEB) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is MAJ Jonathan Tucker, the Battalion S-3 Operations Officer for 317thBrigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd IBCT, 10th Mountain Division.   They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Buffaloes” and the motto of “By Industry and Honor,” while the IBCT has the call-sign “Patriots” and the motto of “Forged for War.”   Part of S06 “Sappers Up…Into the Breach” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the thirty-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are all seasoned Observer-Coach-Trainers from across Operations Group, CPT Richard Snyder, CPT Benjamin Malcolm, and CPT Nicolaus Rohrbough. These OCTs have also previously participated in this year’s Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium.   Our guest observer-coach-trainers with over 75 decisive action training environment rotations between them. CPT Richard Snyder (P50) if the Fire Support Officer for Live Fire Division with eighteen rotations. CPT Nicolaus Rohrbough (R03A) is the BN Assistant S-3 Operations OCT for TF-4 (CAV Squadron) with a combination of forty-three rotations between OCT duties and OPFOR. Last but not least is CPT Benjamin Malcolm is the Company Commander for Pathfinder Co, 1-509th IN (Airborne) (Opposing Force) with sixteen rotations.   In this episode we discuss the lessons learned from company grade officer perspective in preparation for conducting large scale combat operations across multiple domains. The panel discusses large scale combat operations executed at the platoon, company, and battalion echelons, offering perspectives on a variety of topics including combined arms maneuver, transparent battlefield, fires, and contested logistics as well as emerging technologies employment.   Key lessons learned for company grade leaders at all echelons when conducting combined arms maneuver during large scale combat operations are ensuring that we are forcing the enemy into a close fight at the time and location of our choosing at a cost that is acceptable and sustainable. Violence of action on any objective should start with indirect fires, this is especially true for fires that organic to infantry battalions, their mortars. Company and battalion leaders need to look at their fires plans to efficiently and effectively layout their echelonment of fires in time and space as your element maneuvers to the objective. The reality of LSCO is that we must be very judicious in how we employ our artillery assets as they’re the keys to success as well as belonging to the division commander. At the squad and section echelons, our leaders ensure that our troops are dispersed, our fighting positions are dug and camouflaged, and that our key weapons systems are effectively emplaced. Tiny wins at the company aggregate to larger victories, which in the end helps ensure that the brigade succeeds.   The two most common myths that companies, batteries, and troops show-up to JRTC with are: 1) Geronimo openly and unapologetically cheats and 2) the training provided during a DATE rotation is focused on small-unit tactics. While we have attempted through this show to dissipate the Geronimo myth, it probably will never go away. As far as the training provided here myth, while partaking in the crucible that is a JRTC rotation, units will have numerous opportunities to conduct small-unit tactics. However, the primary training audience are the brigade and battalion commanders and staffs as there are very view training opportunities available that will simultaneously train an entire brigade combat team’s worth of leaders and staff under duress and in austere conditions against a free-thinking OPFOR.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   Don’t forget to checkout our annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium, episode 16 and episode 30 of ‘The Crucible.’ Tune into the previous episode where we sat down with the Field Grade Officers from the LSCO Symposium of ’23.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the thirty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are all seasoned Observer-Coach-Trainers from across Operations Group, MAJ(P) Drew Zabriskie, MAJ Westly “Wes” LaFitte, and MAJ James Lee.   Our guest observer-coach-trainers with nearly fifty decisive action training environment rotations between them. MAJ(P) Drew Zabriskie (L05) is the BSB Executive Officer OCT for TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB / DSSB) with ten rotations. MAJ Westly “Wes” LaFitte is the BN Executive Officer OCT for the Fires Support TF (Field Artillery BN). MAJ James Lee is the BDE S-3 Operations Officer OCT for the BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ).   (MAJ(P) Zabriskie would become LTC Zabriskie a few short weeks post filming and MAJ Lee would become the BDE Executive Officer for BC2 as well.)   In this episode we discuss the lessons learned from field grade officer perspective in preparation for conducting large scale combat operations across multiple domains. The panel discusses large scale combat operations executed at the battalion, brigade, and division echelons, offering perspectives on a variety of topics including combined arms maneuver, transparent battlefield, fires, and contested logistics as well as emerging technologies employment.   Key lessons learned for field grade leaders at all echelons are understanding the amount of control and influence leaders must exert to be effective, grasping what you can’t control and not wasting resources in pursuit of it, understanding your area of operations and your sphere of influence within it, and lastly understanding the systems which drive all of these is critical. The goal for leaders at all echelons must be to ensure that you’re not creating problems than you’re solving for your subordinates as well as your higher headquarters. Embracing the “teamwork makes the dream work” philosophy and striving to work together as a team across the brigade combat team.   The number one question that commanders and staff ask across the force is how can we get better at the military decision making processes (MDMP)? There’s no shortcut, it’s simply sets and repetitions that make staffs better at MDMP. The largest myths that most field grade officers have when coming to JRTC is that as the “Iron Major” for their echelon that they can’t or won’t fail at any time. The combat training centers have been described as the “Ranger school for command teams and staffs.” With that in mind, every organization that comes to the CTCs is destined to fail by design. It is only through failure that growth can occur.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series. Don’t forget to checkout our annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium, episode 16 and episode 30 of ‘The Crucible.’ Be sure to stay to for a follow-up episode with the company team OCTs from LSCO Symposium of ’23.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the thirty-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Command Sergeant Major of Ops Group (COG), CSM Michael Hall. Today’s guest is the Command Sergeant Major of 3-89th Cavalry Squadron, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, CSM Andrew Baxter. The 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment also draws its heritage from the 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion of infamy during the North African Campaign of World War II. In an interesting bit of trivia, the IBCT was for over a decade known as the 4th IBCT of 10th Mountain, but when the Army redesigned division for the “Army of 2020” concept, they became 3rd IBCT of 10th Mountain. (The “Spartan” Brigade was inactivated in August 2014.) They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Slugger” and the motto of “Ready Now,” while the IBCT has the call-sign “Patriots” and the motto of “Forged for War.” In this episode we discuss the roll of the noncommissioned officer within a cavalry squadron as well as the Army as a whole. The NCOs are the commanders’ “linebackers” with the goal of maintaining good order and discipline of the formation. As leaders, we have to strive to shift our formations from the garrison mindset to a “combat” mindset focused on lethality and overall readiness. We have to re-hone the edge of the NCO corps to be much more focused on direct leadership instead of the more passive, non-confrontational approach while still being professional, especially for our junior NCOs. The value of the specialist within our formations cannot be overemphasized as they fill the gap between Soldier and the NCO corps having proven their merit by mastering their skill level one tasks.   Part of S04 “Scouts Out” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the thirty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division, MG Christopher LaNeve (All American 06). He was previously the Commander of Ops Group from 2015 to 2016.   The 82nd Airborne Division was founded after the American entry into World War I in August 1917 as part of the American Expeditionary Forces. They were redesignated as an airborne division in February 1942 have taken part of every conflict since WWI with the exception of the Korean War. The 82nd Airborne DIV is an airborne infantry division of the U.S. Army specializing in joint forcible entry operations via vertical envelopment, both airborne and air assault, into denied areas with a U.S. Department of Defense requirement to respond to crisis contingencies anywhere in the world within 18 hours. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “All American” Division and the motto of “In Air, On Land.”   In this episode we discuss what an airborne infantry division needs to not only survive but succeed on the modern battlefield, conducting large scale combat operations. All American 06 frames the conversation by highlighting the importance of the training offered at the three Combat Training Centers as well as the training that is required to ensure that the Army is prepared to fight and win on tomorrow’s battlefield. Divisions can prepare their brigades to a fair degree of readiness through their intensive training cycles but simply cannot train a brigade combat team plus attachments against a free-thinking opposing force to scale in time and space. The CTCs are where our Force is able to test new tactics, techniques, and procedures in a realistic operating environment.   XVIII Airborne Corps, their higher headquarters, had tasked 82nd ABN to structure itself and then test it as a unit under the ‘Division of 2030’ concept. The division has restructured itself where the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery (DIVARTY) is the brigade headquarters for each of the field artillery battalions within the division as well as the 82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade is the brigade headquarters for each of the brigade support battalions. This has allowed the Division to focus on “push” style logistics instead of “pull” style logistics that were common over the last twenty years supporting the Global War on Terror. The testing has identified that the DIVARTY needs a BSB itself just like the traditional infantry IBCTs. The Division has also been able to test their mobile assault command posts, making them not only more robust but streamlining to being smaller in-size while being more mobile and thus more survivable. All American 06’s goal: “Uncomfortably light, increasingly lethal” for his formations. His guidance to company through brigade commanders on their command posts has been: Must have both a digital & analog common operating picture Must establish & maintain communications Employ effective & timely joint fires Goal of displacing in under five minutes   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   Don’t forget to check-out XVIII Airborne Corps’ social media pages, their handles are ‘82ndAirborneDivision’ on Facebook, ‘82ndABNDiv’ on X, and ‘82ndairbornediv’ on Instagram.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the thirty-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are two seasoned Observer-Coach-Trainers from within Operations Group, CPT Katherine Elifson and CPT Richard Duam. CPT Katherine “Katie” Elifson (L70) is the distribution company observer-coach-trainer from TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB). CPT Richard “Richie” Duam (C10) is a rifle company OCT for TF-1 (infantry battalion). In this episode we discuss lessons learned in large scale combat operations at the company and battalion echelons from two seasoned company grade officers. From the maneuver side, leaders must shift from “battle tracking” to actually “fighting” their units while maintaining adequate command and control, specifically understanding where units are in time and space in relation to friendly and enemy units. And, to truly be successful on the modern battlefield, leaders must employ combined arms maneuver that is lead with joint fires. From the sustainment side, leaders must understand the capability of assets and then C2 in a complex environment. The only way for sustainers to get “sets & reps” is through the employment of those same assets while at home-station, which is going to require a culture change. Observed attributes of high-performing company grades: Should want to help your battalion/squadron and brigade succeed. Anticipate problems & take the initiative to solve. Give bottom-up refinement. Expect to be the “eyes & ears” of your BCT’s warfighting functions.   Successful battalions: Working off vetted SOPs allows there to be a better balance between current & future ops. Cannot wait for higher headquarters orders, must start basic planning / preparation process simultaneously. LOGSTATs are key to allowing logistics to be adequately forecasted & be able to sustain the fight. Develop systems & processes through the development of subordinate leaders, especially NCOs.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the thirty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are two seasoned Observer-Coach-Trainers from within Operations Group, MAJ Maria Carver and MAJ Kevin Berhnhart. MAJ Carver (O05) is the Chief-of-Staff for JRTC Ops Group staff sections, but previously as an engineer was the Senior Protection WfF OCT at brigade echelon. MAJ Berhnhart (B05) is an infantryman that served as the Brigade Combat Team’s Executive Officer OCT in Brigade Command and Control Task Force.   In this episode we discuss lessons learned in large scale combat operations at the battalion and brigade echelons from two seasoned field grade officers. One of the reoccurring observations for leaders is the notable difference in operations tempo (OPTEMPO) of LSCO compared to counter-insurgency / low-intensity combat conducting during the Global War on Terror. The OPTEMPO for LSCO is incredibly fast-paced and demanding, commonly referred to as small-unit operations on an industrial scale. There’s a common “eureka” moment at the JRTC, when leaders realize that time is your number one “enemy” or concern, not the opposing force. To help mitigate this grueling OPTEMPO, leaders can do three simple things, regardless of echelon: Establish & abide by a battle rhythm Create & publish realistic operational timelines Attempt to adhere to the one-thirds / two-thirds planning rule (The rule states that leaders should use one-third of the time available before mission execution for their planning while allocating the remaining two-thirds to their subordinates for planning & preparations.)   In LSCO, brigade combat teams will consistently be in contact with the enemy across multiple domains. This will force BCTs and their subordinates to plan, prepare, and execute multiple operations simultaneously. A common trend is for units to attempt a very complicated and conceptual plan that becomes too cumbersome to execute effectively. Leaders must provide clear and simple guidance, which allows your subordinates to execute it violently in a timely manner.   While not being nearly as exciting a topic combined arms maneuver, battalions and brigades need to train and develop their staffs. Same concept as training and certifying a fire team as they too need sets and repetitions in order to function as an effective, cohesive team.   Observed attributes of high-performing Field Grades: Extreme ownership & learn to lead peers Presence matters Trust / empowerment of peers & subordinates Establish systems & processes Build relationships & dialogue between staffs & command teams   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the thirty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the Commanding General of XVIII Airborne Corps, LTG Christopher Donahue.   The XVIII Airborne Corps was founded in January of 1942 just five weeks after the US entered World War II at what was previously called Camp Polk (what would become Ft. Johnson). They saw extensive service during World War II, throughout much of the various conflicts of the Cold War, Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm, and in support of the Global War on Terror. The corps is designed for rapid deployment anywhere in the world and is referred to as "America's Contingency Corps." They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Sky Dragons” or simply as “Dragon” and the motto of “All the Way.”   In this episode they discuss the evolution of training to ensure that the U.S. Army is prepared to conduct large scale combat operations across multiple domains. We discuss some of the modernization efforts that XVIII ABN is undergoing as well as the skillsets required at the tactical level to be a learning organization. Leaders must strive to not only meet the challenges today but anticipate the challenges of tomorrow and this requires leaders to shape their organizations in the following ways: Must be able to adapt and integrate. Must be able to understand your environment. Ability to utilize data in all its waveforms. Employ the various forms of mass across multiple domains. Leaders at echelon must strive to set the conditions for success for their subordinate commands. In layman’s terms, we want to ensure that your people are provided an unfair advantage over their opponent. Common leader habits, regardless of echelon: show-up everyday & compete; build resiliency in yourself & your team; and disciplined initiative.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   Don’t forget to check-out XVIII Airborne Corps’ social media pages, their handles are ‘XVIII Airborne Corps’ on Facebook, ‘18airbornecorps’ on X, and ‘18thairbornecorps’ on Instagram.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the thirtieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience’ and the second annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium. Hosted by the Commanding General of the JRTC and Ft. Johnson, BG David Gardner and the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are all seasoned Observer-Coach-Trainers from across Operations Group, LTC Drew Zabriskie, MAJ Paul Scifers, MAJ Matt Cline, CPT Richard Snyder, and CPT Nicolaus Rohrbough as well as a senior member of the JRTC’s Opposing Force, CPT Benjamin Malcolm of the infamous Geronimo.   Our guest observer-coach-trainers with nearly 150 decisive action training environment rotations between them. LTC Drew Zabriskie (L05) is the BSB Executive Officer OCT for TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB / DSSB) with ten rotations. MAJ Paul Scifers (B03) is the BDE S-3 Operations OCT for BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ) with nine rotations at the BDE level (He was previously an OCT as a CPT as well). MAJ Matt Cline (F20) is the BDE Fires OCT for BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ) with five rotations. CPT Richard Snyder (P50) if the Fire Support Officer for Live Fire Division with eighteen rotations. CPT Nicolaus Rohrbough (R03A) is the BN Assistant S-3 Operations OCT for TF-4 (CAV Squadron) with a combination of forty-three rotations between OCT duties and OPFOR. Last but not least is CPT Benjamin Malcolm is the Company Commander for Pathfinder Co, 1-509th IN (Airborne) (Opposing Force) with sixteen rotations.   In this episode they discuss the evolution of training provided to brigade combat teams and the preparation for conducting large scale combat operations across multiple domains. The panel discusses large scale combat operations executed at the company through battalion echelons, offering perspectives on a variety of topics including combined arms maneuver, transparent battlefield, fires, and contested logistics as well as emerging technologies employment.   As the Army transitions from the BCT being the primary effort to the division becoming the unit of action, some of the long-term trends are examined as the training at the JRTC shifted from mission rehearsal exercises to decisive action training environment (DATE) exercises focused on LSCO. A major topic of discussion is the distinction between deficiencies and military activities that are simply challenging tasks, which will always be points-of-friction for warfighters.   Don’t forget to checkout our first annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium, episode 16 of ‘The Crucible.’ And if you’d like to explore the SFC Manship’s episodes that COL Hardman referenced, look at episodes eleven, twenty-six, and twenty-nine.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   The Joint Readiness Training Center’s Large Scale Combat Operations Products: 016 S01 Ep 03 – BCT Trends and Preparing for LSCO with Former COG Panel of ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience' Podcast Podbean Podcast https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-dqbjn-14338ac YouTube: https://youtu.be/bE4c7Jx6-UE A Leader’s Guide to Large Scale Combat Operations https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-1278267 Brigade Combat Teams in LSCO https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-1160917 Ethical Bedrock Vignettes: Law of Armed Conflict in LSCO https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-979043 Homestation battle drills to help achieve success in LSCO https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-1280107 Large Scale Combat Operations at the JRTC, The LSCO Fight at the JRTC white paper, and JRTC LSCO Resources https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-1151260 For additional information and insights from this episode, please checkout our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the twenty-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest has been the only one to pull a “hat trick” or three successful returns to the podcast, the Platoon Sergeant in 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (2-505th PIR), 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, SFC Tyler Manship also known as Muldoon 07. (His other episodes are eleven and twenty-six.)   In this episode we heavily focus on conducting effective offensive operations at the platoon and company echelons. One important aspect of large-scale combat operations is the incorporation of minor defensive operations into deliberate offensive operations and vice-versa. In the offense, this includes establishing hasty defensive positions of recently acquired key terrain and hunter-killer teams or small-kill teams that employ anti-armor weapons or sniper weapons systems in micro-ambushes.   Combined arms maneuver with appropriate sustainment assets and enablers across multiple domains rules the battlefield even in the 21st century. For the platoon this entails executing the basics, small unit tactics, violently and through discipline initiative and creativity employing enablers or technology to be force multipliers. (Such as using small unmanned aerial systems to spot and adjust indirect fire from an Mk-19 40mm automatic grenade launcher onto enemy positions.)   A common point of friction at the JRTC, is how units transition from one operation to another and avoid what is colloquially called “avoiding the valleys of death” that is so often the result of poor transitions. Remember, transitions mark a change of focus in an operation, which can be planned or unplanned as well as mark the conclusion of one operation or a setback of another. Effective transitions require planning and preparation well before their execution, so the platoon can maintain the momentum and initiative against the enemy. A proven best practice is the rehearsal of critical transitions, such as the transition from the defense to the offense. Risks increase during transitions, so commanders establish clear conditions for their execution. At platoon level this is done through the rehearsal of battle drills and immediate action drills, which mitigates some of the risk higher echelons face during transitions.   Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please checkout our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the twenty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are the cyberspace electromagnetic activities (CEMA) cell’s officer-in-charge (OIC), for JRTC’s Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control, MAJ Luke Plante (Zulu 88) and one of JRTC’s opposing force’s senior members of their information warfare cell for 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment, CW2 Christian Lehr.   1-509th IN BN is the opposing forces unit for the Joint Readiness Training Center, the infamous “Geronimo.” The information warfare cell coordinates and executes the collection of tactical information, assurances that their information is valid, spreading of propaganda or disinformation to demoralize or manipulate the rotational training unit and the replicated civilian population, undermining the quality of the RTU's information, and denial of information-collection opportunities to the RTU as well as impede operations within the electromagnetic spectrum. Information warfare is closely linked to electronic warfare, psychological warfare, and cyberwarfare. EW is designed to deny the RTU the advantage of—and ensure friendly unimpeded access to—the EM spectrum. Psychological warfare that focuses on influencing the opinions, emotions, attitudes, and behavior of the RTU. Cyberwarfare attacks computers, software, and command & control systems of the RTU, multinational forces, and replicated civilian population.   Cyberspace electromagnetic activities (CEMA) is the process of planning, integrating, and synchronizing cyberspace operations and electromagnetic warfare in support of unified land operations (ADP 3-0). By integrating and synchronizing cyberspace operations and EW, the RTU gain an information advantage across multiple domains and lines of operations while disrupting the OPFOR’s efforts across multiple domains. The CEMA Cell for P/EMC acts as the higher headquarters for the RTUs’ CEMA elements and/or efforts.   In this episode we discuss how brigade combat teams prepare their battalions and companies for large scale combat operations across multiple domains through the employment CEMA and information warfare. Geronimo not only has the “home-field” advantage but also the competitive advantage of innovation by utilizing unique and tailored solutions using emerging technologies to answer various tactical problems encountered.   A reoccurring theme is the dismantling of the idea of a short-cut to unit cohesion and effectiveness. Instead, modern formations must focus on the fundamentals and being able to execute them violently across multiple domains. For staff’s these means getting “sets & reps” of the going through the entirety of mission planning and execution.   Part of S11 “Conversations with the Enemy” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please checkout our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the twenty-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the Deputy Commander for Support, 42nd Infantry Division (Army National Guard), BG Nathan Lord.   The 42nd Infantry has Division has served in World War I, World War II, throughout the Cold War, and took part in combat operations in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The division headquarters is a unit of the New York Army National Guard while subordinate units includes elements from fourteen different states, including Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. They have the nickname of the “Rainbow Division” and the motto of “Never Forget!”   In this episode we discuss how divisions prepare their battalions and brigades for large scale combat operations as well as some of the differences between an active duty rotation versus an ARNG rotation. An underlying theme that applies to every warfighting function (WfF) is you must master the fundamentals before you can attempt the master skillsets and this applies at echelon. At the battalion, brigade, and division echelons, it means aggregating the success of your squads, platoons, and companies to change the balance of the battlefield.   A reoccurring talking point in the podcast was highlighted in today’s episode, an infantry brigade combat team only has approximately a quarter of its forces as actual infantry units and where the infamous tooth-to-tail ratio (T3R) really starts to come into effect. (The ratio of sustainment or support elements to direct combat units.)   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please checkout our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the twenty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is a repeat offender from episode eleven, the Platoon Sergeant in 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (2-505th PIR), 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, SFC Tyler Manship, also known as Muldoon 07.   The 505th PIR has the honor of being one of the oldest airborne units in the U.S. military as they were activated in July 1942 during World War II and earned four of its five combat jumps during the fierce fighting of WWII. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Panther” with 2nd BN having the call-sign of “Task Force-2 Panther” and the motto of “H-Minus.” (Third Platoon having the call-sign of “Muldoon.”)   In this episode we discuss various nuances of planning and executing joint forcible entry operations through vertical envelopment. Leaders must be very deliberate in their planning of soldier load and the inclusion of mission essential equipment when compared against the commander’s intent and your troops-to-task. The age-old adage, “ounces equal pounds, pounds equal pain,” rings true for the modern lightfighter as it did in ages past.   This episode also heavily focuses on conducting effective defensive operations at the platoon and company echelons. One important aspect of large-scale combat operations is the incorporation of minor offensive operations into deliberate defensive operations and vice-versa. In the defense, this includes conducting reconnaissance and surveillance patrols while during the offense, hasty defensive positions should be dug with critical weapon systems overlooking key pieces of terrain.   Platoons must be prepared emphasis to self-sustain and fully embrace the “no one is coming to save you” mentality. (“The Last Tactical Kilometer.”) An underlying theme that applies to every warfighting function (WfF) is you must master the fundamentals before you can attempt the master skillsets and this applies at echelon.   Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please checkout our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the twenty-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the Brigade Commander for 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne, COL Richard “Ricky” Taylor.   The 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment has the honor of being one of the oldest airborne units in the U.S. military as they were activated in June 1942 during World War II and earned four of its five combat jumps during the fierce fighting of WWII. (The fifth being earned during Operation Urgent Fury to restore a free government to Grenada in October 1983.) After the Vietnam War, the 505th PIR participated in various military operations. Among them were Operation Urgent Fury, Operation Just Cause, Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm, Operation Restore Hope, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation Inherent Resolve. They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Panther” and the motto of “H-Minus.”   In this episode, we discuss some of the lessons learned for brigade and battalion leaders during large-scale combat operations. COL Taylor summarized it as: Being humble and being coachable Importance of synchronization of fire and maneuver Battlefield Circulation of Key Leaders Commander’s Role in the Planning Process Defining risk vs. opportunity & communicating that with DIV HQ A reoccurring theme on the podcast, is the acknowledgement that those that learn fastest on the battlefield are almost always the ones whom succeed on the battlefield. Senior leaders within the brigade mentor junior leaders with special emphasis on company commanders and captains across the staff on both the art and science of conducting combined arms maneuver in LSCO. Specifically, leaders should come prepared to discuss the following 8 questions at every planning session: What’s your combat-power and your projected slant for the next 24hrs? What do you know about the enemy? What’s your composition / disposition? What’s the enemy’s composition / disposition? What are your concerns & risks at your echelon? Do you have any recommendations? What are your logistics / sustainment concerns? What are your planning horizons?   Part of S02 “If I Would Have Only Known” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please checkout our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the twenty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the Battalion Command Sergeant Major for 1-505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd IBCT, 82nd Airborne, CSM Christopher Szalai.   The 505th PIR has the honor of being one of the oldest airborne units in the U.S. military as they were activated in June 1942 during World War II and earned four of its five combat jumps during the fierce fighting of WWII. (The fifth being earned during Operation Urgent Fury to restore a free government to Grenada in October 1983.)They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Panther” with 1st BN having the call-sign of “Task Force-1 Panther” and the motto of “H-Minus.”   In this episode, we discuss embracing change, specifically changing our units’ fighting spirit from focused on garrison life to preparing for war. The modern Soldier’s mindset must embrace the warrior spirit as it is vital to success on the battlefield. Every Soldier from the individual rifleman in a fire team through to the staff at brigade, must change their mindset from “going to JRTC” or “going to the range” to “going to war” because that mindset is what’s going to win the day. While it are the companies that ensure the brigade succeeds in large scale combat operations, it is the senior NCOs that ensure the battalions are meeting the brigade’s intentions. Another point of emphasis is the difference in leader perception of implied versus specified tasks and how in a constrained environment it necessitates leader initiative as far as preparing mission essential equipment and troops-to-task. While brigades must ultimately solve the terrain management problem, the battalions contribute to the answer by providing bottom-up refinement. And the best way to do that is through current up-to-date operations graphics. Finally, leaders at battalion must be able to conduct digital fires to lead with HE in the form of 105mm and 155mm fires.   Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please checkout our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the sixteenth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the Brigade Fire Support Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer with Task Force Fires, MAJ Westly “West” LaFitte (Fox 20).   Joint fire support includes joint fires that assist air, land, maritime, cyberspace, and special operations forces to move, maneuver, and control territory, populations, airspace, cyberspace, electromagnetic spectrum (EMS), and key waters. Effective joint fires produce effects beyond the proportion of effort expended in execution. Effective fires are efforts that have both immediate and long term effects on the enemy's capability and will to prosecute the war.   In this episode they discuss joint targeting cycle challenges, insights, and best practices for integrating and synchronizing joint fires. Fires are normally used in concert with maneuver, which helps shape the battlespace, setting conditions for decisive action. At the brigade echelon, this methodology focuses on the employment of fires within the brigade’s deep-fight with the maneuver battalions focused on the brigade’s close-fight. Another effective employment method is their use to support the brigade’s close-fight, which incorporates the use of the maneuver battalions’ mortars into the fires plan. Time is a commodity that must be safeguarded through the establishment of battle rhythms and the adherence to the targeting cycle to ensure shared understanding and synchronization. Brigade and division fires plans should use both kinetic and non-kinetic to codify types of actions while using effects or outcomes to describe desired results.   Part of S07 “Joint Fires Discussions” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please checkout our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the sixteenth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are two incoming brigade commanders within the 82nd Airborne Division, COL Jason Schuerger and COL Jaron Wharton.   In this episode they discuss how units across the force must approach learning with an emphasis on never repeating the same mistakes in preparation for going to war. Specifically, the need for leaders to focus on learning the science, the fundamentals of their profession of arms, before they focus on the “art” of war. The combat training centers highlight to brigade and division leaders that time is your number one “enemy” or concern, not the opposing force. Leaders must provide clear and simple guidance, which allows your subordinates to execute it violently in a timely manner.   An interesting point highlighted in today’s episode, within most standard maneuver formations, infantry or armor, subordinate commands prepare leaders for the next echelon of responsibility. Time as a platoon leader prepares you to be a company executive officer and company commander and so forth. However, at the brigade echelon is the level of responsibility that focuses much more heavily enabler assets and thus has a much steeper learning curve at the brigade level. An infantry brigade combat team only has approximately a quarter of its forces as actual infantry units and where the infamous tooth-to-tail ratio (T3R) really starts to come into effect. (The ratio of sustainment or support elements to direct combat units.)   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please checkout our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the twenty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman.  Today’s guest is the battalion command sergeant major from 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, CSM Joseph Lachnit within the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.   The 2nd IBCT was officially activated in February 1985 along with the rest of the division. While 10th Mountain Division was originally established to fight in the brutal mountains of the Italian campaign of WWII, 2-14 IN has an extensive and illustrious history dating back to the Civil War. Since its establishment, the battalion has served in every conflict that the US Army has participated in, from the Indian Wars of the American Frontier to the Boxer Rebellion to the mountains of Italy in World War II to the various conflicts of the Cold War and even Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. The battalion’s call-sign is the “Golden Dragons” with the motto of “Right of the Line.”   In this episode we discuss some of the overall mindset required to be an infantryman on the modern battlefield as well as exploring some of the leadership traits required to successfully lead troops in combat. A reoccurring theme highlighted on the podcast is that there isn’t a secret to conducting infantry operations, whether as part of a special operations task force or in conventional forces. Instead, modern infantry formations must focus on the fundamentals and being able to execute them violently across multiple domains. At the battalion level, leaders must focus on helping companies achieve the brigade’s objectives, thus making the entire organization better. In large scale combat operations, senior non-commissioned officers have to own sustainment operations for their organizations. Closing the last tactical kilometer in sustainment operations was also emphasized, which is a reoccurring theme on the podcast.   Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please checkout our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the twentieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guest is the S-2 intelligence officer for 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment, CPT Benjamin Branower.     1-509th IN BN is the opposing forces unit for the Joint Readiness Training Center, the infamous “Geronimo.” Geronimo’s primary mission is to help units see their selves clearly in order to rectify any deficiencies through rigorous, realistic, and relevant training with an aggressive opposing force (OPFOR). Besides functioning as a traditional S-2, CPT Branower also coordinates for the employment of Geronimo’s Special Purpose Forces, electromagnetic /cyber warfare team, and information warfare cell.   In this episode we discuss means in which Geronimo regularly prepares to engage each brigade combat team through the analytical process of searching for vulnerabilities and then exploiting said vulnerabilities, commonly called “red teaming.” What is repeatedly emphasized is that the Geronimo staff isn’t given any “insider” knowledge to each training rotation but instead conducts traditional Army staff work, such as information preparation of the battlefield, followed by aggressive, high-tempo operations against BCTs.   Part of S11 “Conversations with the Enemy” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please checkout our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the nineteenth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the former Deputy Commander of Ops Group and retired, COL Edward Twaddell III, on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are Dr. Lester Grau and Mr. Charles “Chuck” Bartles from the renowned Foreign Military Studies Office at Ft Leavenworth, Kansas.   The mission of the Foreign Military Studies Office is to research and present understudied and unconsidered foreign perspectives in order to better understand the operational environment. Dr. Lester Grau is a senior analyst and the Research Director for the FMSO. He is considered a subject matter expert on tactical, operational and geopolitical subjects involving Russia. Chuck Bartles is a junior analyst and Russian linguist at the FMSO. His specific research areas include Russian and Central Asian military force structure, modernization, tactics, officer and enlisted professional development, and security assistance programs.   While this episode was filmed mere weeks prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the information presented here isn’t based on the observations and trends analysis from that conflict. Instead the assessment was largely formed from Russia’s 2014 annexation of the Crimean Peninsula, their activity in Eastern Ukraine prior to the 2022 conflict, the Cold War-esque saber rattling regarding the Baltics, and their combat operations in support of Syria. We have a future episode where Dr. Grau and Mr. Bartles address some of the lessons learned from the most recent Russo-Ukrainian Conflict.   In this episode we discuss he modern Russian military force structure as it applies to large scale combat operations. The discussion centers around the Russian overall employment methodology, general overview of the assets available at echelon to the tactical ground force commander, and their modernization program. Some of the assets addressed in this episode are their electronic and cyber warfare and communications capabilities as well as armored-mechanized teams, reconnaissance, and indirect fire formations. One fact that is repeatedly emphasized is that the Russian armed forces focus more on commander centric “battle drills” than a military decision making process focused on warfighting functions and maneuver enables fires instead of the Western model of fires enables maneuver.   For a more in depth look at the information covered, please check-out their book, The Russian Way of War, hosted by Army University Press.   Part of S11 “Conversations with the Enemy” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please checkout our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.