This is the second 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:

- Weapon systems of importance in LSCO: Anti-Armor

- Battle rhythm, targeting cycle, doctrine processes and
systems, benefits of getting skilled enablers to augment the AOB staff; ie Military Intelligence

- OC/Ts and mentor role players have to met the rotation
training unit where they are at with respect to knowledge and skill

- Doing something “by the book” or just doing a
brainstorming session to get a “good enough answer”; white board planning sessions

- SOF is LSCO: warriors using partnered forces in irregular
warfare in support of Division and Corps high payoff targets.

- ARSOF in LSCO having more centralized control? Top down control to ensure the right thing is down at the right time. Ensuring Threshold of violence isn’t crossed too early, and the right action is taken at the right place at the right time. This is NOT the 500 mile screwdriver aka micromanaging.

- AOB’s role is to squeeze out all the ambiguity of orders/commander’s intent

- The Teams and Detachments still have latitude on the how when it comes to executing missions during LSCO.

- Initial LSCO, you are the first unit on the ground, you have to start from zero, there are only so many resources to be shared with all the coalition forces

- Risk calculus in LSCO. Kinetic and non-kinetic target approval and risk authority will ebb and flow.

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