Special Operations Mountain Warfare with CPT Paul Rogers

This week we're diving into a conversation about mountain warfare, and our guest is about as qualified as they come. Captain Paul Rogers is the commander of the Special Operations Mountain Warfare Training Center (SOMWTC). He is the first Officer to graduate all USSOCOM Mountain Operator Courses and has tackled some extreme mountain objectives. The SOMWTC develops some of the most qualified mountain warfare instructors within the US Military, and is responsible for the certification of USSOCOM Mountain Leaders, operational employment of mountain warfare experts, and doctrine writing for all USSOCOM Military Mountain Operations. In this episode we also spend some time discussing a devastating mountaineering accident that Paul recently experienced. Our human performance folks will appreciate the way that 10th Special Forces Group's interdisciplinary team brought Paul back from nearly dying to a high level performance in a matter of just a few months. We also discuss the mental health ramifications of an experience like that and how he tackled that challenge too. Captain Paul Rogers is a native of Littleton, Colorado and commissioned as an Engineer Officer in 2013 from the United States Military Academy with a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering. Following the Engineer Officer Basic Course, he was assigned to 4th Brigade 25th Infantry Division at Fort Richardson, AK. While at 4-25 IBCT(A) he served as an Airborne Light Equipment Platoon Leader, Sapper Company Executive Officer, and BN Assistant Operations Officer.   CPT Rogers attended the Special Forces Assessment and Selection in 2017 and graduated from the Q Course in 2019, after which he was assigned to 10th Special Forces Group. There he served as the Detachment Commander of SFOD-A 0223 (Mountain). As Detachment Commander he deployed twice in support in support of Operation ATLANTIC RESOLVE and the Russo-Ukrainian War before transitioning into his current role. CPT Rogers is an active member of the American Mountain Guide Association and has completed a number of certifications as an aspiring Ski and Alpine Guide. He lives in Castle Rock, CO with his wife Andrea and their three dogs.