This is the second and final part of our 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 (MI) Officer with
a background in maneuver. Dylan started his Army career as an Infantry Officer in 3-509th IN (ABN). Following that, Dylan attended the MI Captains Career Course. His next assignment was to 173rd Airborne  where he served in various assignments as an MI Officer. Then 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.

Throughout this conversation, Dylan shares his experiences as a MI Officer and relates real-world operational experience to training he received at CTCs. Highlighting insights on what MI, 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:

- Training that the RR especially the intelligence practitioners
did to prepare for a 75th RR rotation at NTC, developing the Ranger Operating Concept, ROC. Managing intelligence and analysis from the ground unit of action all the way up the chain of command

- Signature management: physical and electromagnetic. How signature management can impact intel conducting analysis. Where is the best place on the battlefield for intel professionals to be. Potential impact on time and communication of intel products and analysis.

- Lessons learned during 75th RR NTC rotation Spring 23 and lessons learned from JRTC 7th SFG (A) rotation augmented by 75th RR during Spring 24.

- Preparing your unit and your position for the next person.
Ensuring not just you but also the unit has learned the lessons from a CTC and doesn’t have to relearn those same lessons with new leadership.

- Working with SOF Plans at either JRTC or NTC to develop a scenario that incorporates the training objectives your unit has. Attending Leadership Training Program (LTP) to begin that integration piece with not only the Planners but also the other units taking part in the rotation.

- Deploying with as much Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) done as possible.  

- Developing convergence windows to mass effects in time and space on the battlefield to generate relative advantage and enable maneuver, degrade the enemy, and achieve a specific objective. 75th RR uses these convergence windows to penetrate deep into enemy lines to conduct surgical strike operations or establish a foothold for the conventional force to expand lodgment from.

- Advice to those seeking to attend RASP. 1. Physical Fitness. 2. Igo to Ranger School first. 3. know your strengths and weaknesses and own up to them.

- The Abrams charter: RR improves the regular Army through NCOs and Officers cycling back to the CF, developing TTPs or procuring equipment that the CF adopts.

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