Off the Radar, Special Operations Training Detachment

This is the introductory episode for a four-part series focused on how Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations integrate and interoperate at the team/Detachment level. During a recent rotation, a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha, Civil Affairs Team, and Tactical PSYOP Detachment conducted operations at the National Training Center (NTC) as Opposing Force (OPFOR). This cross functional team approach to REDSOF was the first iteration of its kind and yield effective results on the rotational conventional unit and Special Operations unit.   During this interview, the leaders of each element will describe how each ARSOF Tribe integrated and interoperated to achieve their endstate.   About the Guests: Spencer: Detachment Sergeant for the Tactical PSYOP Detachment (TPD) on REDSOF. He has over 15 years of Army experience, 8 of which are SOF PSYOP. Multiple operational rotations in both conventional and SOF units. Former combat engineer.   Michael: Team Leader of the REDSOF Civil Affairs Team (CAT). Former Infantry officer with e multiple CTC rotations both on BLUEFOR and REDFOR.   Andrew: SFOD-A Detachment Commander for REDSOF SFOD-A. From 10th Special Forces Group, SOF operational experience in SOCEUR. Former Infantry officer.   OC/TS: SFC Keanu Caroline: Civil Affairs Team Sergeant. Former CA medic. Operational experience in INDOPACOM and AFRICOM.   SFC Cody Braido: PSYOP Detachment Sergeant. Former Infantrymen from 82nd Airborne. SOUTHCOM and CENTCOM operational experience.   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: - Differences between BLUEFOR and REDFOR, the challenges and benefits of both - Identifying targets that are SOF specific; communicating that with the conventional force, if it isn’t SOF specific then chances are the conventional force should do it not SOF - Train up prior to the rotation, trying to build the cross functional team before arrival at NTC - “Everyone wants to be the prettiest girl at the party” – understand what your role is and what it is not, fulfill your role and allows others to fulfill theirs, building the team is better than building your ego - Leader Training Program, best way to integrate with the conventional unit - Be prepared to execute the mission both physically and equipment wise, don’t go into a mission with negative biases, let the bias be that together you will be the best team on the field   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 [email protected].   Produced, edited, and sound engineering by Micah Popp of Salty Sounds

In this episode, MAJ Sam Pavolko discusses the changes to Special Operations Civil Affairs Doctrine with a focus towards SOF CA conducting Large-Scale Combat emphasizing multi-domain operations (land, air, space, cyberspace, information, and human). MAJ Pavolko observed a rotation at the National Training Center (NTC) to see firsthand how SOF CA is approaching LSCO and MDO at the tactical and operational levels in the dirt.   About the Guest: MAJ Sam Pavolko is the current United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWC) Civil Affairs Branch Proponent Doctrine Chief. This role focuses on reviewing and revising doctrine to ensure current tactics, techniques and procedures are captured in doctrine as well as the lessons from recent trainings and operations are reflected in doctrine. Prior to this role, MAJ Pavolko has served in various leadership positions in CA to include Company Command, Detachment Command, and roles in the conventional Army.   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: - SOF CA working with conventional forces; Civil Affairs in competition during the annexation of Crimea in 2014 - The importance of doctrine; improving one’s branch through enhancing and revising doctrine - Flash to bang inception of a concept to written in doctrine: 21-24 months but requires three successful tests or experiments overseen by USASOC force modernization - Specific Branch Doctrine must be nested within Joint publications, Army publications, and USASOC publications - NTC scenario is deep and wide enough for CA to really dive into and get significant training from - The interaction of SOF CA and conventional CA; how important that is to SOF-CF I3; how that interaction and integration looks on the ground - CA in LSCO: creates multiple dilemmas for the enemy through our civil networks - The handoff of CA responsibilities and governance between SOF and CF CA; as the battlefield geometry changes and the areas of focus shift responsibilities shift as well - value of civil information; the criticalness of analyzing and synthesizing information into intelligence that can feed commander’s decision-making process; displaying civil information graphically - The CTCs, specially NTC, provide valuable and realistic training to SOF CA and ARSOF holistically   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 [email protected].   Produced, edited, and sound engineering by Micah Popp of Salty Sounds

This is the fourth and final section 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: - Battlefield geometry: where does the AOB go? Where do the Civil Affairs Teams, PSYOP teams and detachments go? Are the ODAs only supposed to be in the deep/extended deep? - recognize there are multiple options for battlefield geometry and for operational focus of each ARSOF tribe. It’s a risk based decision and in training we maximize training value - high payoff target list doesn’t have to mirror what is seen at a CTC rotation for a real world operation. There are options for things that are equally relevant to the Joint Combined Force. - similarities and differences between JRTC and NTC. Terrain, weather, unit formation (light infantry versus armor), civil population (real world and scenario). - train an AOB by placing them into a complex environment and separating them from their down trace units - ARSOF units should be attending CTCs. Tom and Kelly share their opinions about how ARSOF units should approach and view CTCs. How important commander’s emphasis is on specific events. - How CTCs best prepare units for the break glass encase of emergency going to war moment. To execute a theater opening operation in LSCO. - Preparing for a CTC starts with rehearsals. Especially at the staff level. Rehears planning and battle rhythm events. Have Commander to Commander dialogs and brainstorming sessions to prepare for what it’s going to be like to be displaced and operate in a comms degraded austere environment. - read, read, read. Prepare yourself and learn from other’s experiences. - moral imperative for leaders to ensure units are trained. Importance of flat and clear comms. Can your unit walk the walk? 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 [email protected]. Produced, edited, and sound engineering by Micah Popp of Salty Sounds

This is the third 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: - Forecasting requirements, visualization, and being able to put a picture into word. Having a sounding board that will be honest and tell you when something isn’t good enough, when there is still ambiguity - Using graphic control measures and communicate in phase lines; sending and receiving communications within organic unit and with external units; disciplined and concise communication using reporting formats; message logs - Advice on Commander’s Intent; reducing gap between Commander’s understanding and the down trace units - Using planning tools to frame the problem and make a decision, such as a modified combined obstacle overlay; or using a narrative to tell a story of the situation; communicating the situation in a short concise manner - How training and operations from the 1990’s prepared SF for the War on Terror - The changes in Doctrine over 30+ years from Air Land Battle, Combined Arms Maneuver, and Multi-Domain Operations; integrating Joint and Combined militaries as well as emerging technologies (space and cyber) - Special Operations are warriors who are masters in irregular partnered operations, executing operations in the deep and extended deep (whether physically there or through partners) to achieve operational and strategic objectives   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 [email protected].   Produced, edited, and sound engineering by Micah Popp of Salty Sounds