Pineland Underground

On this episode, we delve into the culminating exercise that is Robin Sage. This is the event all students must face in order to become a qualified operator. Here, students will be required to apply everything they have learned throughout their training to effectively work as a team in a simulated special operations mission.

This week we sit down with the Small Unit Tactics Command Team to discuss how operators shoot, move and communicate and gain experience for real word operations.

Meet the new Pineland Underground hosts. The crew will be discussing any and all things related to Army Special Operations this season!

Did you know we can trace the Psychological Operations Regiment to a single person?Did you know PSYOP played a role in the Office of Strategic Services?They were there at the landings of Normandy, in the planning for Desert Storm, and remain a critical component to military victory in the modern age.Join us as we host Dr. Jared Tracy, the Army Special Operations Forces' Deputy Command Historian, as he dives deep with us on the nuances and facts of the PSYOP Regiment and its history. About the guest:Dr. Jared M. Tracy, PhD served six years in the U.S. Army, and became a historian at the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) in December 2010. He earned an MA in History from Virginia Commonwealth University, an MDiv in Theology from Liberty University, and a PhD in History from Kansas State University. Dr. Tracy is now the deputy command historian for USASOC at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. He previously concentrated on PSYOP history, but now he researches and writes on a wide range of ARSOF-related topics. His writing has appeared in Military Review, NCO Journal, Southern Historian, and Veritas: Journal of Army Special Operations History. About the hosts:Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer who served within the re-established PSYWAR School at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. He is now transitioning to attend grad school at Arizona State University with a follow-on assignment at West Point's Army Cyber Institute where he will research misinformation.Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Non-commissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. From the episode:Victory Through Influence (Dr. Tracy's first book):https://www.tamupress.com/book/9781648430343/victory-through-influence/The ARSOC History website:https://arsof-history.org/about.html#tracyDr. Tracy's dissertation is publicly available here:https://krex.k-state.edu/items/333a90d2-6c98-4ac2-aa90-0e33a46c9e3fHis writing on the history of PSYOP and PSYWAR has even been posted to the main army website:https://www.army.mil/article/199431/100_years_of_subterfuge_the_history_of_army_psychological_operations Article on rebuilding the PSYWAR capability:https://arsof-history.org/articles/v7n2_intro_page_1.htmlIs Taylor Swift a PSYOP (featuring Dr. Tracy)?https://www.wired.com/story/taylor-swift-psyop-conspiracy/The Guardian article referenced about Panama (featuring Dr. Tracy):https://www.theguardian.com/music/audio/2021/feb/03/reverberate-episode-2-rick-astley-versus-the-dictator-of-panama-podcastWhat did PSYOP do during Operation Just Cause in Panama. Ash disappointedly was not able to find the interview of the captain, but the ARSOF Historians have covered this exact operation in detail:https://arsof-history.org/articles/21feb_psyop_just_cause_page_1.htmlFrom that article:"Then, LTG Stiner (with Thurman’s approval) ordered a PSYOP-led “sound barrier” around the Nunciature after Christmas to prevent media eavesdropping on negotiations between MG Marc A. Cisneros, Commander, USARSO, and José Sebastían Laboa, the Papal Nuncio (Vatican diplomatic representative). Deafening, round-the-clock music from cassette tapes and local radio stations blared through 450-watt loudspeakers mounted on HMMWVs."The art and science of PSYOP has been written about at length:https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA030140Heber Blankenhorn's story is even more interesting in detail:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1540-6563.1983.tb01579.xThe ARSOF Historian's office has also covered multiple articles that mention Blankenhorn:https://arsof-history.org/icons/blankenhorn.htmlThe Committee on Public Information (CPI) is a rabbit hole unto itself:https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/the-great-war-master-of-american-propaganda/Lippmann wrote the first book on Public Opinion:https://www.amazon.com/Public-Opinion-Walter-Lippmann/dp/B099G6S24P/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uCSJpfoI3vI2Iv8MR449ZCjuaVyRTA3QZ-grEOo-5EOiZYbL8mci1OiMEfmyOzPHFC6acuxTTevKTq2jjgkeGWXccFMnkYkRIHJEOyJOR6OGTB4x9r0YHHP5CjNSJzgHhkQDDHzHOJOIRwlXyZhFPGROmrUxCD-aKDmRwK0SdzQoBq-9vRTUhziliA6pq0OvmaG-bHwQBnBlWyaTUjORLX4SFN-Tizrr5V8c_vWKqd8.5U0CbgjyyhXy9E5E_bJnGfS21HAxqUiQwc-I-2W6NDU&dib_tag=se&keywords=public+opinion&qid=1729801247&sr=8-3Bernays re-wrote the book on Public Opinion:https://www.amazon.com/Crystallizing-Public-Opinion-Edward-Bernays/dp/107827326X/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uCSJpfoI3vI2Iv8MR449ZCjuaVyRTA3QZ-grEOo-5EOiZYbL8mci1OiMEfmyOzPHFC6acuxTTevKTq2jjgkeGWXccFMnkYkRIHJEOyJOR6OGTB4x9r0YHHP5CjNSJzgHhkQDDHzHOJOIRwlXyZhFPGROmrUxCD-aKDmRwK0SdzQoBq-9vRTUhziliA6pq0OvmaG-bHwQBnBlWyaTUjORLX4SFN-Tizrr5V8c_vWKqd8.5U0CbgjyyhXy9E5E_bJnGfS21HAxqUiQwc-I-2W6NDU&dib_tag=se&keywords=public+opinion&qid=1729801247&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1Book - The Averaged American:https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674027428The modern definition of PSYOP:https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/specialty-careers/special-ops/psychological-operationsThe Smith-Mundt Act:https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/5736Morale Operations within the Office of Strategic Services (OSS):https://arsof-history.org/articles/v3n4_oss_primer_page_1.htmlPublic Records on the Office of War Information:https://www.archives.gov/research/foreign-policy/related-records/rg-208Declassified records regarding The Psychological Warfare Division of Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (PWD SHAEF) from the CIA's website:https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP78-01634R000400120001-4.pdfThe First Motion Picture Unit:https://www.archives.gov/files/calendar/know-your-records/handouts-presentations/sept19-presentation.pdfRazzle Dazzles ships:https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/episode-65-razzle-dazzle/The Ghost Army of World War II:https://ghostarmy.org/A book on the history of the Information Control Division:https://nonstopsystems.com/radio/pdf-hell/article-hell-rwnlst.pdfThe United States Information Agency:https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/united-states-information-agencyGen Schwarzkopf and PSYOP:https://arsof-history.org/articles/21oct_psyop_in_operation_ds_pt1_page_1.html Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! If you enjoyed this, join the underground by sharing it with someone else. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

Join Lt. Col. Pete Van Howe, a seasoned logistician and former G4 for the Special Warfare Center, as he delves into the complex world of military logistics. He discusses the critical role of sustainment in special operations, revealing how effective logistics can be a game-changer in military success. Topics include the challenges of modern military operations, the impact of automation and AI by 2040, and the importance of communication and trust. Van Howe also shares insights from his extensive experience, emphasizing that logistics truly wins wars.

Dr. Troy J. Sacquety, an expert in military history and the Army Special Operations Forces' Command Historian, joins the discussion on the fascinating evolution of Special Forces. He delves into the origins of key units like the OSS and Merrill's Marauders during WWII. The conversation uncovers surprising facts, such as the unconventional structure of early special operations and the controversial history of the green beret. Sacquety highlights the significance of historical contexts in shaping modern military strategies, emphasizing legacy and tradition.

Corie Weathers is a licensed professional counselor, speaker, consultant, and author focusing her career for the last 20 years as a clinician specializing in marriage, military and first responders, the service culture, and its impact on families. We sat down with her to speak about the challenges of communication within military families and relationships, returning home after conflict, retention, recruitment, and more. About the hosts:Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer who served within the re-established PSYWAR School at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. He is now transitioning to attend grad school at Arizona State University with a follow-on assignment at West Point's Army Cyber Institute where he will research mis/disinformation.Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Non-commissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. From the episode:Ms. Corrie Weathers has been featured on a variety of media platforms. You can learn more about her work by visiting her website:https://www.corieweathers.com/The Socrates quote mentioned: (469–399 B.C. ) "The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households."The quote, "was crafted by a student, Kenneth John Freeman, for his Cambridge dissertation published in 1907." You can read more about it here: https://quoteinvestigator.com/2010/05/01/misbehave/Most service members are the children of veterans:https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Reports/2022-demographics-report.pdf  Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! And if you enjoyed this, become a member of the underground by sharing with at least one other person. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

Did you know Civil Affairs Soldiers were on the beaches of Normandy and tasked with addressing the cattle killed from the combat operations so that disease outbreaks could be mitigated? Or that Civil Affairs prevented cholera outbreaks during the Korean War?Combat is only one aspect of conflict and war.We dive deep in this episode where we cover the history of Civil Affairs.The Civil Affairs Branch predates the Psychological Operations and Special Forces branches, and even predates the Army Aviation and Military Intelligence branches. The history of Civil Affairs is important for Special Operations practitioners and leaders throughout the military to learn.Join us as we host Dr. Troy J. Sacquety, the Army Special Operations Forces' Command Historian, and recently named Honorary Member of the Civil Affairs Regiment. About the guest:Dr. Sacquety earned an MA from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a PhD in Military History from Texas A&M University. Prior to joining the USASOC History Office staff in August 2006, he worked several years for the Central Intelligence Agency. His research interests include Army and Office of Strategic Services special operations during World War II, and U.S. Army Civil Affairs. About the hosts:Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer who served within the re-established PSYWAR School at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. He is now transitioning to attend grad school at Arizona State University with a follow-on assignment at West Point's Army Cyber Institute where he will research mis/disinformation.Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Non-commissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. From the episode:Brief biography of Col. Irwin L. Hunt, author of the Hunt Report:https://arsof-history.org/icons/hunt.htmlDerek mentioned the famous General, Gen. Lucius D. Clay:https://www.army.mil/article/216006/gen_lucius_d_clay_a_brilliant_administratorInformation on the European Civil Affairs Division and Civil Affairs history:https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-D101-PURL-gpo128986/pdf/GOVPUB-D101-PURL-gpo128986.pdfCol. Charles R. Munske, who began his career as Coast Artillery:https://arsof-history.org/icons/munske.html Brigadier General Crawford F. Sams:https://arsof-history.org/articles/v6n1_crawford_sams_page_1.htmlCORDS:https://www.archives.gov/research/military/vietnam-war/civil-operations.htmlThe Ring Road of Afghanistan:https://www.vox.com/world/2018/1/11/16878056/afghanistan-us-fail-war-taliban Recommended reading from the episode:The Hunt Report:https://www.civilaffairsassoc.org/post/2018/05/08/civil-affairs-centennial-ca100-the-hunt-reportAmerican Military Government of Occupied Germany:https://arsof-history.org/icons/pdf/american_military_government_of_occupied_germany_1918-1920.pdfDr. Sacquety is also the author of the book The OSS in Burma: Jungle War against the Japanese:https://us.amazon.com/OSS-Burma-against-Japanese-Studies/dp/0700619097/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! If you enjoyed this, join the underground by sharing it with someone else. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

Preserving and capturing the lessons learned from the Global War on Terror; what is keeping the newest generation of Army Special Operations Forces (SOF) up at night; how can we continue to develop professional military writing in Army SOF; how to we modernize such efforts? We tackle all of that and more in this episode with two great Special Operations practitioners and recent graduates of the National Defense University.Spread the word! We have two (the very first!) Harding Project Fellows who will now be leading the Special Warfare Magazine. P.S. -- We have a new season! Fear not, Ash is in a better place and will still be featured in several episodes, as we recorded a ton of content prior to his departure. We will have a future transition episode to discuss the end of "Season 2". About the guests:Sgt. 1st Class Ben. Ben is originally from Apex, North Carolina and enlisted in 2012. He completed the Special Force Qualification Course in 2013 as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a Master of Arts in International Strategic Security Studies from the National Defense University.Maj. Emily Lopez. Emily enlisted in the Army Reserves in 2008 and was commissioned from Oklahoma State University as an Ordnance officer in 2013. In 2019, Lopez graduated from the Civil Affairs Qualification Course. Lopez holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Promotion from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies from the National Defense University. About the hosts:Lt. Col. Bobby Tuttle is a Green Beret and co-founder of the Pineland Underground. A proven leader who is currently serving as the Special Warfare Center & School's Strategic Communicator. He is a graduate of both Texas A&M and the Naval Postgraduate School.Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Non-commissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. From the episode:What is the Harding Project:https://www.hardingproject.com/p/welcome-to-the-harding-projectThe Harding Project Fellowship Program:https://www.army.mil/article/278222/first_harding_fellows_strengthen_the_armys_professional_journalsHow to submit an article to the Special Warfare Magazine:https://www.swcs.mil/Special-Warfare/Article-Submissions/How to write a book review from Military Review:https://www.armyupress.army.mil/journals/military-review/online-exclusive/2024-ole/how-to-write-a-book-review/ Recommended reading from the episode:The Special Warfare Magazine Archive:https://www.swcs.mil/Special-Warfare/Special-Warfare-Archive/More information about SWCS's involvement in the Harding Project:https://www.swcs.mil/Special-Warfare/Harding-Project/And keep an eye out for Line of Depature! Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! If you enjoyed this, join the underground by sharing it with someone else. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

Doug Livermore, a former Director of Special Operations and Irregular Warfare, shares his extensive military experience. He explains the definition of irregular warfare and its evolution in modern military strategies. The discussion reveals how contemporary conflicts, like those involving Russia and Iran, employ asymmetrical tactics. Livermore emphasizes the importance of integrating these strategies into conventional military approaches and building international partnerships to address complex global threats.