This is the second part of a three-part conversation with
CPT Grant Cook discussing Special Operations Forces (SOF) Civil Affairs (CA) Teams and Civil Military Operations Centers (CMOC) conducting training in Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) across multi-domains at the National training Center (NTC) and across Combat Training Centers (CTCs).

CPT Grant Cook shares his experiences and observations on how best to approach a CTC rotation as a SOF CA professional. Through describing his personal experiences in both training and real-world operations; Grant illuminates how SOF CA is organized, how SOF CA functions operationally on its own and with Special Forces and Psychological Operations, and what SOF CA does for the Joint Force.

CPT Grant Cook recently finished his tour at the National
Training Center as the lead Observer Coach / Trainer (OC/T) for Special Operations Forces Civil Affairs. As the lead SOF CA OC/T Grant took part in 6 rotations at the National Training Center and Joint Readiness Training Center coaching and mentoring CA teams, CMOCs, and SF AOB leadership and staff from across US Army Special Operations Command.

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:

- How Observe Coach / Trainer approach coaching and
mentoring Civil Affairs Teams

- What a CAT / CMOC experiences during a CTC rotation leading up to the rotation and once they hit the ground

- CA building rapport and demonstrating value to the AOB Leadership and PSYOP team

-  Recommendation on prioritization of action for CA upon training scenario starting

- Examples of how civil reconnaissance plays an important
role in the whole of ARSOF’s understanding of the operational environment

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