This is the third of a four-part series focused on
mentorship of Special Forces Companies (Advance Operation Bases, AOBs) conducting Large-Scale Combat Training scenario emphasizing multi-domain operations (land, air, space, cyberspace, information, and human) at the National Training Center (NTC) and Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC). This mentorship and coaching is conducted in role and out of role from retired Special Operations Officers and NCOs.

About the Guests:

Tom Vogel: COL(R) Vogel is from Chicago, IL. He graduated
from West Point where he was commissioned into the Infantry, and became Special Forces. He spent the bulk of his SF career in 10th SFG(A).

Kelly Smith: COL(R) Smith grew up in Montana and attended
Montana State University. Started his Army career as an enlisted military policeman in the reserves. While in ROTC, Kelly switched from reserves to 19th SFG(A) in the National Guard. He was commissioned as an active-duty Infantry Officer and later became Special Forces. He spent time in 10th SFG(A), JSOC, USASOC, and 3rd SFG(A) 

Both Tom and Kelly have multiple Combat deployments and training experiences at the Combat Training Centers.

About the Host:

CPT Weston Rich is a member of SOF Plans at the NTC and
former member of Burro Team, the Special Operations Training Detachment OC/T Team at NTC. Prior to NTC, Weston served as a Detachment Commander with 1st SFG (A) and as an Infantry Officer with 3-509th IN (ABN)/4/25 ID (now part of 2/11 ABN DIV). Following his time at NTC, Weston will attend Carnegie Mellon University with a follow-on assignment to Army Futures Command.

This episode covers:

- Forecasting requirements, visualization, and being able to
put a picture into word. Having a sounding board that will be honest and tell you when something isn’t good enough, when there is still ambiguity

- Using graphic control measures and communicate in phase
lines; sending and receiving communications within organic unit and with external units; disciplined and concise communication using reporting formats; message logs

- Advice on Commander’s Intent; reducing gap between
Commander’s understanding and the down trace units

- Using planning tools to frame the problem and make a decision, such as a modified combined obstacle overlay; or using a narrative to tell a story of the situation; communicating the situation in a short concise manner

- How training and operations from the 1990’s prepared SF
for the War on Terror

- The changes in Doctrine over 30+ years from Air Land Battle, Combined Arms Maneuver, and Multi-Domain Operations; integrating Joint and Combined militaries as well as emerging technologies (space and cyber)

- Special Operations are warriors who are masters in irregular partnered operations, executing operations in the deep and extended deep (whether physically there or through partners) to achieve operational and strategic objectives

Please like, subscribe, and share these episodes with ARSOF any conventional Soldiers and Leaders to spread the knowledge of ARSOF in LSCO.

To provide feedback please email the host, CPT Rich, at weston.rich@socom.mil.  

Produced, edited, and sound engineering by Micah Popp of
Salty Sounds