Off the Radar, Special Operations Training Detachment

• The Frequency Fight: SOF-Comms and Integrating Tactical Space and Cyber Pt 1 (Ep. 33)

  This is part 1 of our 2-part conversation focused on communications, mission command, digital force protection, and SOF tactical cyber and space operation. During rotations at the National Training Center (NTC) and Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) the Special Operations training units must efficiently and effectively communication within their own formations, across to conventional, host nation, and Joint forces, and out to other governmental agencies. Communication is a challenge in and of itself but when operating across a vast geographic area with forces in a simulated contested or denied environment actively been hunted by the opposing force communicating clearly and timely likely means the difference between victory and defeat. Additional consider the implications to mission command and digital force protection. About the Guest: SGT: Kai Ramirez: SOTD AOB-W signal NCO. He is a 25S SATCOM systems operator and maintainer with over 6 years in the Army and signals experience ranging from tactical to strategic communications. He has been stationed in CENTCOM. About the Host: CPT Weston Rich is a member of SOF Plans at the NTC and former member of Burro Team, the Special Operations Training Detachment OC/T Team at NTC. Prior to his time at NTC, Weston served as a Detachment Commander with 1st SFG (A) and as an Infantry Officer with 3-509th IN (ABN)/4/25 ID (now part of 2/11 ABN DIV). Following his time at NTC, Weston will attend Carnegie Mellon University with a follow-on assignment to Army Futures Command. This episode covers: - SOF and Conventional communication systems integration, Leadership Training Program is too late for training units to integrate their communications architecture, recommend working that integration even earlier like at the initial planning conference - SOF units should work with conventional units at homesteading to integrate communication systems - SOF units do have successes during rotations in terms of communications with conventional forces - SOF training units have been successful by getting tactical radio keys/fills and being able to operate on the conventional units on tactical comms, additionally using the same equipment that the conventional unit uses such as a JBCP (joint battle command platform) - training, experience, and willingness to try new things with the equipment enables success in terms of communication systems, practice practice, practice - understanding command guidance and when to accept risk to communicate or not communicate - High Frequency: might be the answer to most of the digital force protection dilemmas presented at NTC; but comes with its own challenges and limitations; fishing pole antenna gives you up to 500 miles; voice and data - digital force protection must be balanced with risk to force and risk to mission - SOF companies and below have limited understanding of tactical space and cyber but are working through what that looks like in the dirt at the Combat Training Centers; does it require specialized personnel or just specialized equipment? - SOF operations including space and cyber don’t have to be enacted by SOF personal, SOF units work by, with, and through partners to achieve mission success Please like, subscribe, and share these episodes with ARSOF any conventional Soldiers and Leaders to spread the knowledge of ARSOF in LSCO. To provide feedback please email the host, CPT Rich, at [email protected]. Produced, edited, and sound engineering by Micah Popp of Salty Sounds

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• Mission Command in Large-Scale Combat: SF Groups and Integrating at the Division Level Pt 2 (Ep. 32)

  This is part 2 or our 2-part interview focused on training of Special Operations Battalions and Groups at the Mission Command Training Program (MCTP), how MCTP augments the Combat Training Centers (CTCs), and the differences between Warfighters and Training Centers. During specific rotations at the National Training Center (NTC) and Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) the Army shifts its focus from Brigade Combat Teams to Divisions or Special Forces Groups as the main training audience. These rotations demonstrate the difference between a computer exercise and real in the dirt training allowing Division and Group staffs to experience the challenging and realistic training that comes with maneuvering a large force over a large area against a free-thinking opposition force. About the Guests: LTC Ben Shumaker: From his upbringing in South Dakota went through ROTC to join the Army and see the world. Commissioned as a Chemical Officer and deployed in the invasion of Iraq prior to becoming a Special Forces Officer in 5th SFG. Multiple operational deployments with conventional and SOF primarily in CENTCOM. MAJ Frank Schwandt: From Missouri enlisted in the Army Reserves while in high school as a Military Police Officer then entered college and participated in ROTC. Commissioned as an Armor Officer and transitioned to Civil Affairs. He has multiple SOF deployments to EUCOM. About the Host: CPT Weston Rich is a member of SOF Plans at the NTC and former member of Burro Team, the Special Operations Training Detachment OC/T Team at NTC. Prior to his time at NTC, Weston served as a Detachment Commander with 1st SFG (A) and as an Infantry Officer with 3-509th IN (ABN)/4/25 ID (now part of 2/11 ABN DIV). Following his time at NTC, Weston will attend Carnegie Mellon University with a follow-on assignment to Army Futures Command. This episode covers: - Does an SF BN (SOTF) with a Conventional Division, is that the right match up? - Large Scale Combat vs Global War on Terror; SOF enables Conventional/Joint Force versus the other way around; coordination authorities and need for synchronization of efforts and effects, no captain chaos - Risk calculation/ mitigation will be different in LSCO - Warfighters and CTCs are limited in the battle space and operational environment, whereas a real conflict there will be operations or potential influence outside of the conflict zone(s) and in third party countries – deterrence or influence operations - SOF is looking further in the physical domain (battlefield geometry) and in time - SOF has been in the operational area prior to conflict breaking out, there will reporting from prior to conflict there will be known personalities - CTCs provide real training challenges that warfighters don’t have; for example equpiment breaking down - AOB serving as a sustainment node rather than a mission command node to enables detachments, detachments may have direct communication with the SOTF or CJSOTF for mission approval - Division is the future fighting unit of the conventional Army; Brigades will be more mobile and agile - decision making process = MDMP doctrinally, in stride while receiving indirect fires, assume any maneuver element may never come back up on comms - time, resource you cannot get more of, everything using the time resource - sleep is a weapon - know SOF history and doctrine Please like, subscribe, and share these episodes with ARSOF any conventional Soldiers and Leaders to spread the knowledge of ARSOF in LSCO. To provide feedback please email the host, CPT Rich, at [email protected]. Produced, edited, and sound engineering by Micah Popp of Salty Sounds

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• Mission Command in Large-Scale Combat: SF Groups and Integrations at the Division level Pt 1 (Ep. 31)

  This is part 1 of a 2 part interview focused on training ofSpecial Operations Battalions and Groups at the Mission Command Training Program (MCTP), how MCTP augments the Combat Training Centers (CTCs), and the differences between Warfighters and Training Centers.  During specific rotations at the National Training Center (NTC) and Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) the Army shifts its focus from Brigade Combat Teams to Divisions or Special Forces Groups as the main training audience. These rotations demonstrate the difference between a computer exercise and real in the dirt training allowing Division and Group staffs to experience the challenging and realistic training that comes with maneuvering a large force over a large area against a free thinking opposition force.  About the Guests:LTC Ben Shumaker: From his upbringing in South Dakota went through ROTC to join the Army and see the world. Commissioned as a Chemical Officer and deployed in the invasion of Iraq prior to becoming a Special Forces Officer in 5th SFG.  Multiple operational deployments with conventional and SOF primarily in CENTCOM.  MAJ Frank Schwandt: From Missouri enlisted in the ArmyReserves while in high school as a Military Police Officer then entered college and participated in ROTC. Commissioned as an Armor Officer and transitioned to Civil Affairs. He has multiple SOF deployments to EUCOM.  About the Host: CPT Weston Rich is a member of SOF Plans at the NTC andformer member of Burro Team, the Special Operations Training Detachment OC/T Team at NTC. Prior to his time at NTC, Weston served as a Detachment Commander with 1st SFG (A) and as an Infantry Officer with 3-509th IN (ABN)/4/25 ID (now part of 2/11 ABN DIV). Following his time at NTC, Weston will attend Carnegie Mellon University with a follow-on assignment to Army Futures Command.  This episode covers: - 2004 Iraq deployment with 5th SFG comparison tocurrent NTC scenario design as Large Scale Combat Operations; similarities and differences; key difference was the conventional maneuver quickly slowed down while SOF operations ramped up- What the Mission Command Training Program is, focus onDivision and Corps level training through Warfighter exercise, the Army is transitioning from Brigade focused to Division focused - Limitations to systems during warfighter exercises becauseof dated technology, Divisions and Corps staff focus on planning and executing mission command, twice a year Corps level partnered with a SF Group as a Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJSOTF) - MCTP SOF team serves as Observe Coach Trainers when aCJSOTF is executing a Warfighter, and serves as the CJSOTF when there is not a SF Group executing the exercise, MCTP also serves as the planners for the SOF portion of each Warfighter- live training versus constructive training; CTCsuse constructed units and scenario information - MCTP Warfighters also stress staffs on logistics and communication not just mission command- Warfighters incorporation of Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations; synthetic internet for information domain, interagency and host nation are included into the exercise for civil affairs - SOF-CF I3 at the Division level, SOF effects which will likely be fires heavy, so that integration is important to shorten that kill chain  - Large Scale Combat Operations requires SOF integration with conventional force to maximize effects from both elements - Integrating at the Division level is capability focused, selecting the people with the right skill set, knowledge, and interpersonal skill; understanding how the conventional or joint force maneuvers is important  Please like, subscribe, and share these episodes with ARSOF any conventional Soldiers and Leaders to spread the knowledge of ARSOF in LSCO. To provide feedback please email the host, CPT Rich, at [email protected].   Produced, edited, and sound engineering by Micah Popp ofSalty Sounds

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• Sharpening the Edge: CMOC Training & Tactical Lessons Pt 3 (Ep. 30)

  This is the third and final part of our interview focused on how Civil Affairs serves as the connective tissue between the military and civil government during military operations. Civil Affairs engage and leverage the civil component or population of an area, region, or country. Civil Affairs operates during peace time operations, competition, crisis, and conflict by providing guidance and support to both the military and civil government. During rotation 25-02 at the National Training Center (NTC) a Civil Military Operations Center (CMOC), a Company level CA entity, executed SOF operations along side a conventional Brigade. This three part episode discusses the experiences that the CMOC had during that rotation. About the Guests: Jessica Lauder: MAJ Lauder is the CMOC Chief. Jess was an Chemical Officer in the National Guard prior to switching to active duty Air Defense Officer prior to becoming SOF Civil Affairs. As a CA Officer, she has operational experience across CENTCOM. Kevin: Kevin is the operations Sergeant for the CMOC. He has over eight years of SOF Civil Affairs experience. Prior to becoming SOF CA, Kevin was a fueler. He has multiple conventional and SOF deployments to CENTCOM and AFRICOM. About the OC/T: Pat McCluskey: CPT McCluskey is the lead Civil Affairs Observer Coach-Trainer for Burro team. He served as the lead OC/T for this CMOC only rotation. Pat has operational experience in EUCOM. About the Host: CPT Weston Rich is a member of SOF Plans at the NTC and former member of Burro Team, the Special Operations Training Detachment OC/T Team at NTC. Prior to his time at NTC, Weston served as a Detachment Commander with 1st SFG (A) and as an Infantry Officer with 3-509th IN (ABN)/4/25 ID (now part of 2/11 ABN DIV). Following his time at NTC, Weston will attend Carnegie Mellon University with a follow-on assignment to Army Futures Command. This episode covers: - CA serving as the sole ARSOF entity during a CTC rotation, CMOC fulfilling all staff functions and being the sole SOF entity integrating with a conventional brigade - The importance of Intel and having the right people working on Intel, Intel war fighting function in the targeting cycle - integration through physically being co-located versus integrating and interoperating while displaced - Commanders guidance; specifying what the limits might be and the criteria that needs to be met by the unit if action - Prolonged Casualty Care scenario; using non-standard medical network and planning evacuation; passing of information from adjacent unit missions to get unit faction the required information in a timely manner - Balancing operations and resources ins resource constrained environment, managing battle rhythm with rhythm of battle - Deliberate method for planning, communication, and executing the plan - Civil Affairs in Large Scale Combat: consolidation of gains (more USACAPOC task), creating opportunities beyond the FLOT and creating operational time for the maneuver force, horizontal escalation: actions in third countries or separate regions that effect the combat zone, influencing the Division deep and extended deep areas - Commander’s role to visualize the battlefield, commander serving as plans officer to push the planning process further forward and visualize the future battlefield to make decisions now to drive end state - biggest lessons learned: fundamentals: PCC/PCIs, comms, taking training seriously, systems and processes, mentally towards training Please like, subscribe, and share these episodes with ARSOF any conventional Soldiers and Leaders to spread the knowledge of ARSOF in LSCO. To provide feedback please email the host, CPT Rich, at [email protected]. Produced, edited, and sound engineering by Micah Popp of Salty Sounds

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• Sharpening the Edge: CMOC Training & Tactical Lessons Pt 2 (Ep. 29)

  This episode is focused on how Civil Affairs serves as the connective tissue between the military and civil government during military operations. Civil Affairs engage and leverage the civil component or population of an area, region, or country. Civil Affairs operates during peace time operations, competition, crisis, and conflict by providing guidance and support to both the military and civil government. During rotation 25-02 at the National Training Center (NTC) a Civil Military Operations Center (CMOC), a Company level CA entity, executed SOF operations along side a conventional Brigade. This three part episode discusses the experiences that the CMOC had during that rotation. About the Guests: Jessica Lauder: MAJ Lauder is the CMOC Chief. Jess was an Chemical Officer in the National Guard prior to switching to active duty Air Defense Officer prior to becoming SOF Civil Affairs. As a CA Officer, she has operational experience across CENTCOM. Kevin: Kevin is the operations Sergeant for the CMOC. He has over eight years of SOF Civil Affairs experience. Prior to becoming SOF CA, Kevin was a fueler. He has multiple conventional and SOF deployments to CENTCOM and AFRICOM. About the OC/T: Pat McCluskey: CPT McCluskey is the lead Civil Affairs Observer Coach-Trainer for Burro team. He served as the lead OC/T for this CMOC only rotation. Pat has operational experience in EUCOM. About the Host: CPT Weston Rich is a member of SOF Plans at the NTC and former member of Burro Team, the Special Operations Training Detachment OC/T Team at NTC. Prior to his time at NTC, Weston served as a Detachment Commander with 1st SFG (A) and as an Infantry Officer with 3-509th IN (ABN)/4/25 ID (now part of 2/11 ABN DIV). Following his time at NTC, Weston will attend Carnegie Mellon University with a follow-on assignment to Army Futures Command. This episode covers: - Translating CA operations onto graphics and products; link analysis, overlays, common operating picture (depicting human terrain on top of physical terrain) - Coordinating and communicating with the conventional Brigade; using the conventional CA component; attending Brigade battle rhythm events; commander to commander dialog - Handling civilians on the battlefield / displaced civilians; influence the environment to reduce civilian movement through battlefield; balancing risk to networks and capabilities through changes in operational environment - Messaging why the environment is shifting; gas to operational area is shut off to civilians, narrative of who is responsible and why, is Coalition or host nation government delivering gas to civilians during this time - Passing off responsibilities and resources to the conventional CA as the battlefield changes and the SOF focuses shifts farther forward - CA generates options for Special Operations Forces and conventional forces - Understanding authorities and permissions to reduce the approval time for operations - Understanding issuing guidance and allowing down trace units to develop the how, the military decision making process; requesting and speaking in effects Please like, subscribe, and share these episodes with ARSOF any conventional Soldiers and Leaders to spread the knowledge of ARSOF in LSCO. To provide feedback please email the host, CPT Rich, at [email protected]. Produced, edited, and sound engineering by Micah Popp of Salty Sounds

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