is the first 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, graduated from West Point where he 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 policemen in the reserves. While in ROTC, Kelly switched from reserves to 19th SFG(A) in the National Guard. He 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 his time at 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:

- Comparing CTC Training pre 9/11 to CTC training today

- The importance of fundamentals and principles in both training and combat regardless of the mission set

- What it means to give back to the force through the role of mentor/role player. Using their experiences as Group level leadership to mentor ARSOF Companies and Detachments.

- Companies and above balancing requirement to support subordinate units with training for war time mission (preparing staffs and headquarters).

- How Detachments and Companies can approach collective training.

- The value of training at a CTC and how leaders need to emphasize training at CTCs

- AOBs have to be able to integrate disciplines other than itself. The AOB will have shortfalls in knowledge and experience in these other areas. Have the humility to know your gaps and have a methodology to overcome those gaps.

- Opening the theater, going expeditionary. Start point zero.

- The importance of creating a network of people to leverage expertise from across the force.

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