The Crucible - The JRTC Experience Podcast

S02 Ep 07 – Fighting Strykers in Complex, Restrictive Terrain with the Mountain Warrior Brigade (2/4th ID) w/COL Kiser & CSM Eierman

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the fourteenth 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 command team from 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, COL Andrew Kiser and CSM Michael Eierman. The SBCT’s Hollywood call-sign is “Warhorse” but are also known as “Mountain Warrior” and their motto of “For Love of Country.”
 
The 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team was established in November 1917 as the 7th Infantry Brigade for the 4th Infantry Division and served valiantly in World War I. The brigade was deactivated just prior to World War II but saw service during the Vietnam War. The Mountain Warrior Brigade is one of the most deployed brigades during the Global War on Terror with numerous deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Their long, distinguished service to the Nation includes nineteen Medal of Honor recipients with three recipients from the GWOT era.
 
The Mountain Warrior Brigade’s rotation at the JRTC was the first Stryker rotation in nearly five years as the rotational training unit. This rotation was an extremely complex rotation as it was almost a Division (-) or at least BCT (+) sized rotation as in addition to being a SBCT, they also had attached 142nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, the Canadian 3 R22eR light infantry battalion, and 83rd Chemical Battalion as well as an armored company and Paladin battery for a grand total of eight thousand Soldiers and 1,600 vehicles training at the Joint Readiness Training Center.
 
In this episode they discuss some of lessons learned from operating Stryker and armored elements across complex, restrictive terrain during large scale combat operations. They emphasized the need to focus on the heavy-light / mounted-dismounted paradigm required to fight across complex terrain at a high operations tempo. As COL Kiser described it, “Fighting Geronimo in a broom closet.” The brigade heavily focused on the dismounted infantry squad being the primary maneuver element with the Strykers simply providing transportation and sustainment with occasional use as support-by-fire assets.
 
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
 
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S02 Ep 06 – Field Grade Lessons Learned from Good Geronimo, 2-501st PIR (1/82nd ABN) w/MAJ Meyer & MAJ Formica

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the thirteenth 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 field grade officers from 2-501st PIR, MAJ Doug Meyer and Anthony Formica from 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
 
The 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment was established in November 1942 as part of the 101st Airborne Division but was deactivated after World War II. 2nd Battalion, 501st PIR was deployed to Vietnam as a member of 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division and then was deactivated following the Vietnam War. Fast-forward to 2013 after some time spent in Alaska, 2-501st PIR became part of 1/82nd ABN as one of their infantry battalions. The battalion’s call-sign is “Geronimo” while at the JRTC they are jokingly referred to as the “Good Geronimo” since our OPFOR has the same call-sign. (The BCT’s call-sign is “Devil and their motto of “Strike and Hold.”)
 
During GEN Mark Milley’s tenure as Chief of Staff of the Army, he stated that he wanted “rotations at the Combat Training Centers to be like Ranger School but for BCT formations.” Our guests in this episode can in fact confirm that the JRTC has lived up to this request.
 
In this episode they discuss some of lessons learned as told through the eyes of a battalion’s two field grade, staff officers. They emphasize the importance of a battalion’s “Top 5” leaders needing to work as an effective team which results in the battalions functioning as a team at large. Additionally, they highlight the need for the field grades across the brigade to have an open dialogue, which will then overcome a lot of the bureaucratic traps that staff sections can often find themselves locked in. The area they emphasized was the need for units needing to establish, vet, disseminate, and test their systems prior to attending a rotation. This comes in the form of roles and responsibilities for staff sections coupled with the establishment of their standard operating procedures.
 
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.
 
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S04 Ep 01 – Armor-Mech Team Lessons Learned from Team Cronos, 3-67 Armor BN (2nd ABCT, 3rd ID) w/MAJ Laplante & CPT Corino

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the twelfth 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 division liaison officer from 3rd Infantry Division, MAJ Joe Laplante and the armor-mechanized team’s commander, CPT James Corino. The armor-mech team that supported 1/82 ABN was Team Cronos, C Company, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armor Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
 
The 67th Armor Regiment has the honor of being one of the oldest armor units in the U.S. military as they were first formed in 1929 as the 2nd Tank Regiment (Heavy) and redesignated as the 67th Infantry Regiment (Medium Tanks) in 1932 and then became the 67th Armor in 1940. During WWII, they took part in the invasion and fierce fighting that followed for North Africa, Sicily, and then mainland Europe. Later they would take part in Operation Desert Storm followed by the various operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. The company team has the Hollywood call-sign of “Cronos” while the BN’s call-sign is the “Hounds of Hell” and the ABCT’s motto of “Mortus et Destructo” or “Death & Destruction” while the BN’s motto is “Ready for War.”
 
For the rotation in question, Team Cronos supported the rotation by providing an armor-mech team to a light infantry brigade combat team in order to provide a highly lethal and mobile force, so as to facilitate winning engagements on any battlefield in any operational environment across the globe. Its effectiveness increases through the synergy of combined arms including M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks, M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, infantry, engineers, and support elements.
 
In this episode they discuss they the various nuances of effectively employing an armor-mech team as part of a larger light infantry task force and the massive learning curve for honing the light-heavy paradigm. The U.S. Army has only recently began task organizing light infantry BCTs from XVIII Airborne Corps with armor-mech teams again and so the Army is having to re-learn some of the fundamentals once again. Sustainment, logistics, and maintenance cannot be over emphasized. Having a liaison from the armor-mech team’s division to the supporting light infantry BCT is definitely an identified “Best Practice.”
 
Part of S04 “Scouts Out” 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.

S03 Ep 02 – Company and Platoon Best Practices for the Grunt from Muldoon 07, 2-505th PIR (3/82 ABN) w/SFC Manship

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the eleventh 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 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. 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.”
 
For the rotation in question, Panther Brigade supported the rotation by providing augmentation leaders and Soldiers to assist as both Observer-Coach-Trainers (OCTs) and Opposing Force (OPFOR) personnel.
 
In this episode they discuss the importance of rigorous, realistic, and relevant training, whether it’s Ranger School for the individual or collectively at the JRTC as the Rotational Training Unit. The importance of these type of training events cannot be overstated as it builds the foundation for our warfighters through arduous trials that cultivate character and humility while providing leaders expertise as well as a shared experience basis. This process gives both the leader and subordinate confidence in themselves, their leadership, and the organization in general. They additionally delve into leader development with an emphasis on the Non-Commissioned Officer side-of-the-house. NCOs must be able to not only understand doctrine but be able to utilize it. Platoons must be prepared 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.
 
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S02 Ep 05 – Reunion with the Devil Brigade (1/82 ABN) After Two Iterations at the Joint Readiness Training Center w/COL Kleisner

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the tenth 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 on the podcast, the commander of 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, COL Theodore Kleisner. 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.”
 
In this episode they discuss some of the trends from the Devil Brigade completing two iterations at the Joint Readiness Training Center with the majority of the leadership throughout the entire process. Also discussed are some lessons learned as well as the points of friction that were identified as the Devil Brigade transitioned from planning to execution. One of the major topics of discussion were the various nuances to building an effective joint task force that is capable of conducting an airborne joint forcible entry operation into a heavily contested environment and the challenges of moving all the heavy equipment into the Devils’ newly seized battlespace.
 
This is the sequel to their episode with COL Kleisner and Team Devil that took place at the end of the Leader Training Program, which is part of the training glide-path for their rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center.
 
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.

S02 Ep 04 – Life as a Staff Officer and Preparing Staffs for Succeeding in Large Scale Combat Operations w/CPT Donais & CPT Ondrla

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the 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 both brigade staff with 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). CPT Pamela Donais is the Chief of Plans and CPT Nickolas Ondrla is the Brigade Training Officer with the S-3 operations staff section. 1/101 ABN has a long and illustrious history dating back to trench-warfare in WWI to glider assaults during WWII to air mobile warfare in Vietnam and then air assault operations in Operation Desert Storm and the Global War on Terror. They are easily identified by the clubs (not shamrocks) patches on their helmets dating back to preparation for the invasion of France in World War II and have the Hollywood call-sign of “Bastogne.”
 
In this episode they discuss life as a brigade staff officer and the preparation glide-path to coming to the Combat Training Centers. Special attention is placed on the common points-of-friction within brigade and battalion staffs as they transition to operating in a large-scale combat operations environment against a peer opposing force. An interesting note, the Bastogne Brigade flew more tactical unmanned aerial systems missions than any other unit over the last five years and conducted more rotary-wing sling-load tactical resupply missions than all the other units combined for the last year. Additionally, they discuss the importance of planning and how the Leader Training Program prior to their rotation allowed them to get multiple iterations / repetitions while conducting multi-echelon planning cycles.
 
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
 
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.

S02 Ep 03 – Preparing Brigade Combat Teams for Success in Large Scale Combat Operations w/COL Sharp

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the eighth 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 commander of 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), COL Kevin Sharp. 1/101 ABN has an extensive and illustrious history dating back to trench-warfare in the Moselle River valley in 1917 and became one of the original members of the 101st Airborne in 1942 as their glider infantry regiment. They are easily identified by the clubs (not shamrocks) patches on their helmets dating back to preparation for the invasion of France in World War II and has the Hollywood call-sign of “Bastogne.”
 
In this episode they discuss some of the things that the Bastogne Brigade would have liked to have known prior to the start of their rotation as well as some of the keys to success they embodied. Specifically, Bastogne’s training glidepath that focused on re-honing their squads and platoons to be able to fire and maneuver during large scale combat operations while their staffs conducted concurrent deliberate planning for future operations. Additionally, they address being able to sustain the fight and how light infantry needs to plan to close the last 100 meters to their units for tactical resupply.
 
Part of S02 “If I Would Have Only Known” series.

S01 Ep 02 – Long Term Trends at Echelon within the Brigade Combat Team w/BG(R) Lehr

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the 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 senior mentor at the Leader Training Program at the JRTC, BG(R) Jon Lehr. Coach Lehr was previously the JRTC COG from 2008 to 2010 and his last posting on active duty was as the commander of Joint Task Force North from 2013 to 2015. During his numerous times as part of the JRTC Team, he has seen the Army transition from air-land battle to counter-insurgency operations during mission readiness exercises to full-spectrum operations to unified land operations and now to large scale combat operations across multiple domains with decisive action.
He has been with the Leader Training Program for the last five 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 and some recommendations to rectify some of the deficiencies.
 
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
 
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.