The Crucible - The JRTC Experience Podcast

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-one episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Senior Intelligence Observer-Coach-Trainer for the Intelligence Task Force, COL Cory Reiter on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the senior military analyst at the China Desk within the Foreign Military Studies Office at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, Mr. Peter Wood You can access Mr. Wood’s intro to China reference booklet at: https://tr.ee/ukc6JINPfn  The Foreign Military Studies Office (FMSO), located at the U.S. Army’s Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, is a key research organization dedicated to analyzing foreign military trends, doctrine, and operational concepts to inform U.S. military understanding and readiness. Within FMSO, the China Desk plays a crucial role by providing focused, open-source research on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Chinese Communist Party (CCP) military strategies, and China’s evolving approaches to multi-domain operations. The China Desk produces analytical reports, threat assessments, and scholarly publications that help inform U.S. Army and joint force planners about Chinese doctrine, modernization efforts, and lessons learned from regional and global conflicts. By maintaining deep subject matter expertise, the China Desk equips military leaders and planners with the insights needed to better prepare for competition and potential conflict with a sophisticated and adaptive peer adversary.   This podcast episode provides a detailed introduction to China’s threat tactics, offering U.S. military leaders and planners a foundational understanding of how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) approach modern warfare. The conversation highlights that China is assessed as the United States’ primary pacing threat—not simply because of a single capability, but because of the integrated strength of its modernization efforts, personnel, training, and cross-domain investments. The episode explores how China blends military and civilian power through its concept of “military-civil fusion,” builds operational depth through advanced space, cyber, and electronic warfare capabilities, and sharpens its military edge through sophisticated training programs, including its own combat training centers. The discussion also addresses the widespread misunderstanding in U.S. circles that China’s economic interdependence with the West deters it from military action, underscoring that China continues to develop systems and posture itself for protracted conflict, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.   Additionally, the episode explores China’s multi-domain approach to warfare, combining kinetic capabilities with influence operations, psychological warfare, legal maneuvers, and advanced technology integration. The discussion explains how China has invested in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, uncrewed systems, and resilient satellite communications to build decision advantage and disrupt U.S. capabilities. One critical takeaway is that the PLA is a learning organization—adapting through lessons from other global conflicts and continuously refining its doctrine and training. Best practices suggested for U.S. leaders include regularly incorporating China-based threat injects into training exercises, familiarizing staffs with Chinese operational concepts, and leveraging available resources such as the TRADOC G-2 China Landing Zone and red-team scenario materials. The episode closes by encouraging listeners to approach the China threat with intellectual rigor and humility, recognizing that the competition space is dynamic and requires constant adaptation and informed preparation.   Part of S11 “Conversations with the Enemy” series. Again you can access Mr. Wood’s intro to China reference booklet at: https://tr.ee/ukc6JINPfn  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.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are all seasoned observer-coach-trainers (OCTs) from Task Force Two (IN BN). LTC Andrew “Andy” Smith is the TF Senior for TF-2 (IN BN). MAJ Mackenzie “Macks” Colella is the BN Executive Officer OCT while CPT Ethan Milukas is the BN S-3 Operations Officer OCT is the TF. And SFC Tulio Perez is the BN Fires Support NCO OCT for the TF.   This episode offers an in-depth look at battalion-level command and control (C2) during large-scale combat operations (LSCO), with a specific focus on the commander’s role in the operations process, staff organization, and command post design. A recurring theme is the challenge of executing the operations process—especially during the military decision making process (MDMP)—in the face of junior staff experience, compressed planning timelines, and insufficient rehearsals. The team identifies four consistent friction points observed at JRTC: commanders not driving the operations process, poor adherence to planning timelines, skipping MDMP steps, and failing to weigh the future operations (FUOPS) effort appropriately. These gaps lead to ineffective plans, lack of synchronization across warfighting functions, and poor transitions in execution. The episode underscores that success begins with deliberate planning, strong commander guidance, and repeated MDMP practice prior to arrival at the CTC.   The conversation also explores best practices in building functional, survivable, and synchronized command posts. Our guests emphasize the use of analog products—such as a well-maintained COP and detailed running estimates—to ensure shared understanding across the staff, even in low-bandwidth or degraded environments. Effective command posts feature clear roles, physically separated FUOPS and current operations (CUOPS) sections, and a deliberate battle rhythm that supports decision-making and maintains tempo. The importance of noncommissioned officers (NCOs) is also highlighted, particularly in enforcing standards, ensuring CP survivability, and serving as the common-sense check during planning. The episode concludes with a detailed discussion on running estimates as the connective tissue between planning and execution, advocating for detailed but simple products that enable timely decisions and transitions. The consensus is clear: battalion success in LSCO hinges on disciplined processes, deliberate staff training, and empowering both officers and NCOs to operate confidently in chaos.   You can reference JRTC TF-2’s Battalion Example Products at: https://tr.ee/zXovtS99IM 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.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-nineth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the LTC Westly “West” LaFitte, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer for Brigade Command & Control on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two other senior members of BC2, MAJ David Pfaltzgraff and MAJ Marc Howle. MAJ Pfaltzgraff is the BDE S-3 Operations OCT and MAJ Howle is the Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for BDE C2 (BDE HQ). This is part two of our two-part series on MDMP with the previous episode being episode ninety-one of ‘The Crucible.’   This episode focuses on the military decision-making process (MDMP) within the broader operations process and its critical role in enabling successful warfighting at scale. The discussion emphasizes that MDMP is often misunderstood or misapplied, particularly when staffs abbreviate or skip steps like course of action (COA) analysis and war-gaming. The speakers highlight that war-gaming is not simply a formality but an essential method for integrating all warfighting functions—fires, sustainment, intelligence, and protection—into a coherent plan that goes beyond maneuver. When war-gaming is skipped or rushed, staff outputs like execution matrices, decision support tools, and synchronization efforts suffer, creating confusion and inefficiencies during execution. One common friction point is the tendency to rely on directed COAs or key leader discussions as a shortcut, which introduces confirmation bias and bypasses vital coordination and risk analysis.   The episode identifies several best practices to improve MDMP execution. These include empowering a dedicated plans chief to drive the planning effort, enforcing the use of version-controlled fighting products during rehearsals, and requiring all warfighting functions to contribute to synchronization tools like the execution matrix. The team also stresses the importance of integrating current operations with planning efforts to maintain updated running estimates and preserve operational tempo. Another critical topic covered is the misapplication of the rapid decision and synchronization process (RDSP), which doctrine now clarifies must be used only for branches and sequels—not as a substitute for MDMP. Ultimately, success in time-constrained environments comes from repeated practice of full MDMP, adherence to doctrinal principles, and disciplined use of planning tools like the HOPE-SW timeline. The conversation closes with a strong reminder: mastering MDMP is not about perfection—it’s about building cohesive teams that can plan, synchronize, and fight effectively under pressure.   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.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience. Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the TF-1 (IN BN), LTC Charles “Chuck” Wall on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the First Sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company of Operations Group, 1SG Will Pogue. 1SG Pogue was previously a Company Team First Sergeant Observer-Coach-Trainer at the JRTC.   In this episode, we focus on warfighting fundamentals at the team through platoon level during large-scale combat operations (LSCO), emphasizing the gap between familiarity and true proficiency. A central issue discussed is how units often rush through collective training gates without ensuring mastery of basic tasks. This “check-the-box” mentality results in units arriving at the JRTC underprepared, especially when it comes to troop leading procedures (TLPs), indirect fire integration, support-by-fire shifts and lifts, and graphic control measures. The lack of unit-wide standard operating procedures (SOPs) and insufficient repetitions in home-station training were identified as key friction points. Best practices emphasized include deliberate, planned retraining windows; leader certification on SOPs; and daily reinforcement of team through company-level standards—especially through structured sergeant’s time training.   Another focal point is the inconsistency within and across units when it comes to weapons squad performance, patrol base occupation, and movement to contact. The discussion notes that some platoons within a company display exceptional coordination and fire discipline, while others show significant knowledge gaps. The causes include high leader turnover, lack of doctrinal grounding, and insufficient focus on junior NCO development. Recommendations include certifying leaders before executing training, embedding retraining as a standard step in the 8-step training model, and reinforcing collective standards through battalion-wide forums or training events. The episode closes with a reminder that excellence in LSCO starts with discipline in the fundamentals—fieldcraft, communication, tactical planning, and leadership—and that repeated, standards-based training at home-station is the only path to achieving real warfighting proficiency.   Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” 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.

Lt. Gen. Gregory Anderson, Commanding General of XVIII Airborne Corps, shares his extensive military experience, focusing on the intricacies of large-scale combat operations. He emphasizes the delicate balance between mastering fundamental skills and advanced tactics in military training. The importance of effective military decision-making processes is discussed, as well as the critical role of rehearsal and commanders' presence during wargames. Anderson highlights the need for proactive logistics and adaptive planning to navigate the complexities of modern warfare.

Join Lieutenant Colonel Mason Thornal, known as "Geronimo 06," and CW3 Jerrad Rader as they dive into the world of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) in large-scale combat operations. They discuss how these drones enhance battlefield intelligence while also presenting new challenges in target identification and command control. The duo emphasizes the need for updated training protocols and innovative strategies to address the complexities of integrating sUAS technology, striking a balance between human decision-making and advanced operational tactics.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB), LTC Bruce Roett on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two seasoned medical professionals with TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB), CPT Victor Velez and SFC Jason Kohne. CPT Velez is the Senior Medical Operations Officer OCT and SFC Kohne is the Medical Operations NCO OCT.   In this episode, we examine the critical role of medical operations during large-scale combat operations (LSCO), emphasizing the complex realities faced by medics in high-intensity environments. The conversation underscores the physical, emotional, and tactical demands placed on Army medical personnel who must operate with minimal rest, high casualty volumes, and limited evacuation windows. The discussion highlights the need for rigorous, realistic pre-deployment training—such as TCCC, paramedic certification, and stress-inducing field exercises like “Gator Top Dog”—to prepare medics for the brutal realities of sustained combat. A key theme is the importance of leader involvement, particularly from NCOs, in building emotional resilience, monitoring burnout, and creating a culture of trust where medics can ask for help and remain mission-effective throughout the fight.   The episode also delves into key best practices for organizing and supporting medical operations across echelons. Notable lessons include the effective use of FLA (field litter ambulance) staging forward with infantry battalions, use of Class VIII speedballs during casualty evacuation, and the importance of a synchronized and well-communicated medical concept of support. The team discussed common points of friction such as overuse or underuse of medical transport assets, breakdowns in communications between various medical nodes, and lack of rehearsals between sustainers and combat leaders. Additionally, the discussion covers medical evacuation planning and the importance of maintaining a well-structured casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) process to support prolonged combat engagements. The episode closed with emphasis on integrating joint and partner forces, refining base cluster security measures, and the need for a return to basic soldier skills and medical readiness.   Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” 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.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is a familiar face on The Crucible, the former Command Sergeant Major of Ops Group (CSMOG), CSM Michael Hall.   This episode explores the evolving role of non-commissioned officers (NCOs) in large-scale combat operations (LSCO), with a special emphasis on the sergeant major’s critical influence on unit discipline, readiness, and execution. Discussions highlight the transition from counterinsurgency to LSCO, emphasizing how the Army is adapting to the realities of high-intensity warfare. The conversation underscores the importance of disciplined formations, accountability, and a strong combat mindset, which sergeant majors play a central role in fostering. The episode also delves into leadership at echelon, emphasizing the need for NCOs to hold each other accountable and build a culture of excellence through rigorous training and adherence to the fundamentals.   A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the involvement of sergeant majors in planning and execution, particularly in mitigating risk, ensuring mission success, and developing junior leaders. The conversation explores how NCOs can better integrate into mission analysis, wargaming, and staff planning to enhance operational effectiveness. Additionally, the importance of battlefield circulation, command presence, and real-time decision-making is emphasized, with insights on how sergeant majors can alleviate command anxiety by identifying and addressing points of friction. The episode concludes with a strong call for NCOs to instill a combat-ready culture through meticulous training, trust-building, and fostering pride in the profession, ensuring formations are prepared for the challenges of LSCO.     Part of S02 “If I Would Have Only Known” 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.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience’ and the fourth* annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium. Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are all seasoned observer-coach-trainers (OCTs) from across Operations Group, LTC Bruce Roett, LTC Amoreena York, LTC Westly “West” LaFitte, MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, MAJ Danielle Villaneuva, SGM Nancy Martinez, and MSG Bradley Robinson as well as a senior member of the JRTC’s Opposing Force, MAJ Dustin Lawrence and SGM Robert Listau from the US Army Special Operations Command’s Special Operations Training Detachment. Opening remarks were provided by LTG Christopher LaNeve, the Commanding General of Eighth Army and Chief of Staff for Combined Forces Command (Korea).    Our panel members are observer-coach-trainers with numerous decisive action training environment rotations between them. LTC Roett is the Task Force Senior and MSG Robinson is the Senior Enlisted Medical Advisor OCT for TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB). LTC York is the Task Force Senior for the TF Aviation (CAB / ATF). LTC LaFitte is the Brigade Executive Officer OCT and MAJ Pfaltzgraff is the BDE S-3 Operations OCT for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ). MAJ Lawrence is the Battalion S-3 Operations Officer for 1-509th IN (OPFOR) “Geronimo.” MAJ Villaneuva is the BN Executive Officer OCT for TF-5 (BEB). SGM Martinez is the Senior Enlisted Advisor OCT for the Intel TF. MSG Robinson is the SGM Listau is the Senior Enlisted Advisor OCT for the Special Operations Training Detachment.   The purpose of the ‘LSCO Symposium’ is to advance conversation on warfighting and share observations and lessons learned. We will discuss large scale violence today, but this discussion transcends mission sets. Train for high end competition and scale down as required.   In this episode, we delve into the realities of warfighting in large-scale combat operations (LSCO), with a strong emphasis on the core principles of maneuver warfare, fire support, and sustainment operations. LSCO demands a shift in mindset from counterinsurgency operations to a high-intensity, multi-domain fight requiring coordination across vast operational areas. Key topics include the importance of decentralized command and control (C2), rapid decision-making under pressure, and the necessity of training units to operate with dispersed formations to enhance survivability in a contested battlespace. The discussion also underscores the role of divisions in shaping the battlefield for brigades, ensuring that combat formations can mass effects at decisive points.   Additionally, the episode explores the integration of emerging technologies and lessons learned from recent conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine, to better prepare for future engagements. The conversation addresses how logistics and fires remain the backbone of LSCO, requiring synchronization at all echelons to sustain the fight. Commanders need to think deeply about sustainment at the point of need, the role of reconnaissance in shaping the fight, and how brigades can best leverage enablers in their operations. Overall, the discussion reinforces that while the domains of warfare may evolve, the fundamental principles of war—mass, maneuver, and tempo—remain unchanged and must be mastered to ensure success on the modern battlefield.   Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.   Don’t forget to checkout our first, second, and third annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium, episodes sixteen, thirty, and sixty-six of ‘The Crucible.’   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.   *The first annual LSCO Symposium was conducted at Ft. Benning/Moore but hosted by the JRTC Team.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ), LTC Timothy Price on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two senior command sergeants major, CSM Oracio Pena and CSM Michael Hall. CSM Pena is the Post Command Sergeant Major for the Joint Readiness Training Center. And CSM Hall is the former Command Sergeant Major of Operations Group (CSMOG) at the JRTC.   In this episode, delve into the critical role of Command Sergeants Major (CSMs) in large-scale combat operations (LSCO), emphasizing how their responsibilities have shifted significantly from previous counterinsurgency conflicts. Unlike the Global War on Terror (GWOT) era, where CSMs frequently engaged directly in tactical-level fights, LSCO demands that they operate at the brigade and division levels to ensure synchronization of sustainment, logistics, and mission execution. The discussion highlights how CSMs serve as key advisors to their commanders, focusing on maintaining operational tempo, enforcing discipline, and ensuring sustainment operations keep pace with maneuver elements. This episode stresses that effective CSMs must actively engage with their staff, understand logistical constraints, and provide mentorship to ensure that friction points—especially in sustainment and medical evacuation—are addressed before they become mission failures. A significant theme throughout the conversation is the importance of proactive leadership and presence. CSMs are not simply battlefield observers but are expected to shape unit culture, mentor leaders at echelon, and enforce standards that directly impact combat effectiveness. The episode underscores the need for CSMs to actively participate in staff planning, particularly during the military decision-making process (MDMP), rehearsals, and sustainment operations. Another key takeaway is the role of CSMs in refining unit training at home station to prepare soldiers for the scale and complexity of LSCO. The discussion concludes by emphasizing that CSMs must move beyond their traditional comfort zones, focusing less on small-unit leadership and more on the broader operational picture, ensuring their units remain combat-ready and function effectively within a larger joint and coalition force.   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.