The Crucible - The JRTC Experience Podcast
The Joint Readiness Training Center is the premier crucible training experience. We prepare units to fight and win in the most complex environments against world-class opposing forces. We are America’s leadership laboratory. This podcast isn’t an academic review of historical vignettes or political-science analysis of current events. This is a podcast about warfighting and the skillsets necessary for America’s Army to fight and win on the modern battlefield.
Episodes
Friday Jan 12, 2024
Friday Jan 12, 2024
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.
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
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.
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
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.
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
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.
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
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.
Saturday Nov 04, 2023
Saturday Nov 04, 2023
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.
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
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.
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
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.
What is JRTC?
The Joint Readiness Training Center is the premier crucible training experience. We prepare units to fight and win in the most complex environments against world-class opposing forces. We are America’s leadership laboratory.
The Crucible
The crucible that is the JRTC experience is an arduous ordeal every unit must go through to certify their readiness. It tests every leader and the unit collectively physically, mentally, and morally and is the defining experience of collective training. The crucible takes place over fourteen days of force-on-force as part of a decisive action training exercise, where leaders and units are continuously food & sleep deprived, harassed by opposition forces, and generally under duress.
The bottom line is this—the crucible at the JRTC is a rite of passage that, through shared sacrifice, leaders and units will never forget. With that memory and the core warfighting skills honed throughout this training exercise, they will be able to face any challenges in their path allowing them to fight and win on the modern battlefield.