This is part one of a two-part conversation with CPT Dylan Wendt discussing Special Operations approach to Military Intelligence during a Large-Scale Combat Training scenario emphasizes multi-domain operations (land, air, space, cyberspace, information, and human) at the National Training Center (NTC) and Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC).

CPT Dylan Wendt is a Military Intelligence professional with a background in maneuver. Dylan started out his Army career as an Infantry Officer in 3rd BN 509th IN (ABN) in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Following his time as an Infantry Officer, Dylan attended the Military Intelligence Captains Career Course where he became a Military Intelligence Officer. His first assignment as an MI Officer was to 173rd Airborne Infantry Brigade where he served in various assignments as an MI Officer. Following his time in 173rd Airborne, Dylan attended Ranger Assessment and Selection Program and was selected for service in the 75th Ranger Regiment (RR). Dylan has held various MI positions in the 75th RR.

Dylan has attended nearly every Combat Training Center venue during his Army career. As an Infantry Platoon Leader, he conducted a JRTC rotation and served as a guest Observer Coach Trainer at the National Training Center. During his time as a Military Intelligence Officer in the 173rd Airborne, Dylan executed a rotation at Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Germany. As a Military Intelligence Officer in 75th Ranger Regiment, Dylan participated in a Joint Readiness Training Center exercise and the first 75th RR regimental rotation at the National Training Center.

Throughout this conversation, Dylan shares his experiences as a Military Intelligence professional and relates real-world operational experience to training he received at Combat Training Centers. Highlighting insights on what Military Intelligence, primarily focused on SOF MI, looks like in LSCO and recommendations
on how to prepare for an upcoming CTC rotation as a Military Intelligence professional.

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:

- Realism of Military Intelligence: converting raw data into
a percent of certainty of an outcome

- Basics of how intelligence assessments are generated / intelligence cycle

- How Intelligence professionals plan a key role in security in garrison and what a front line leader needs from a MI professional

- Brief overview of Ranger Regiment and Ranger Assessment and Selection Program

- The fundamental things intelligence Soldiers and Leaders should focus on during training

- Compare and contrast conventional Airborne Infantry (173rd Airborne) rotation at Joint Multinational Readiness Center to SOF (75th RR) rotation at the National Training Center

- Role of conventional versus Special Operations Forces; holding terrain or targeting high priority targets, close fight versus deep fight, prioritization of resources

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