The Crucible - The JRTC Experience Podcast

028 S11 Ep 04 – OPFOR & BLUFOR Employment of Electronic Warfare on the Modern Battlefield w/CEMA Cell OIC MAJ Plante & CW2 Lehr of Geronimo’s Info War Cell

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.

027 S01 Ep 05 – Preparing Battalion & Brigades for Large Scale Combat Operations w/BG Lord of the 42nd Infantry Division (ARNG)

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.

026 S03 Ep 05 – The Return of Muldoon 07 with More Company and Platoon Best Practices for the Grunt w/SFC Manship of 2-505th PIR (3/82 ABN)

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.

025 S02 Ep 08 – Brigade Warfighting in Large Scale Combat Operations w/Panther 06, COL Ricky Taylor (3rd IBCT, 82nd Airborne)

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.
 

024 S03 Ep 04 – Changing Our Mindsets from Garrison Life to Preparing for War w/CSM Christopher Szalai (1-505th PIR, 3rd IBCT, 82nd Airborne)

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.

023 S07 Ep 02 – Leading with High Explosives thru the Fires Support Team w/MAJ West LaFitte

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.

022 S01 Ep 04 – The BDE’s Tooth-to-Tail Ratio & Other Insights from Two Incoming BDE Commanders, COL Jason Schuerger & COL Jaron Wharton

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.

021 S03 Ep 03 – The Modern Infantry Mindset with the Golden Dragons’ CSM, CSM Joseph Lachnit (2-14 IN, 2nd IBCT, 10th Mountain)

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.