Off the Radar, Special Operations Training Detachment

• SOF Liaison Impact: Comms, Fires, and CDR Priorities Pt 2 (Ep. 44)

  This is part two of an episode focused on rotation 25-06 at the National Training Center where 7th SFG (A) sent 3 SF Soldiers to serve as the Special Operation Forces Liaison Element (SOFLE). This was not a typical rotation but still enabled Special Operation Forces – Conventional Forces Integration Interoperability and Interdependence. SOF builds mass and produces outsized effects from it’s formation size. This is true even from a SOFLE, demonstrating credibility and value to the conventional force. About the Guest: MAJ Matthew Song: Served at a Lieutenant with 10th Mountain Division before becoming Special Forces. Served as a Detachment Commander in 1st BN, 1st SFG (A) in Okinawa, Japan and as a SF Company Commander in 2nd BN, 1st SFG (A) in Joint Base Lewis McChord. Sent the last year as the SOTD AOB-W “Burro Team” exercise control director and J3, his next assignment is the Burro Team OIC. About the Host: CPT Weston Rich is the of SOF Plans Chief 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: - What are the DIV and BDE CDR focused on? BDE CDR – combining arms in the close fight; DIV CDR – providing intelligence, integrating fires, forecasting logistics; SOF fits neatly into the priorities of the DIV CDR - SOF holistically can answer the mail for the CJSOTF CDR and DIV CDR simultaneously through multi-layered mutually supporting lines of effort - SOFLE must understand what Command level cares about what information at what time - SOF provides the most value to the Joint Force through focusing efforts on DIV level objectives and targeting; SOF actions have limited effects on BDE close fight - SOF is interdependent on conventional forces for logistics and medical support - BDE become comfortable to conduct kinetic fires on behalf of SOF when SOF requested fires with non-standard observations - SOFLE splitting between BDE TOC and TAC, managing communications equipment and personnel between multiple footprints - SOFLE SITREP enabled AOB and SOTF to understand situation and communicate requirements - Sharing Common Operating Picture; SOFLE used digital COP to share BDE information to AOB, manpower is critical to maintain these multiple systems and must be balanced with other demands 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

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• SOF Liaison Impact: Comms, Fires, and CDR Priorities Pt 1 (Ep. 43)

  This is part one of an episode focused on rotation 25-06 at the National Training Center where 7th SFG (A) sent 3 SF Soldiers to serve as the Special Operation Forces Liaison Element (SOFLE). This was not a typical rotation but still enabled Special Operation Forces – Conventional Forces Integration Interoperability and Interdependence. SOF builds mass and produces outsized effects from it’s formation size. This is true even from a SOFLE, demonstrating credibility and value to the conventional force. About the Guest: MAJ Matthew Song: Served at a Lieutenant with 10th Mountain Division before becoming Special Forces. Served as a Detachment Commander in 1st BN, 1st SFG (A) in Okinawa, Japan and as a SF Company Commander in 2nd BN, 1st SFG (A) in Joint Base Lewis McChord. Sent the last year as the SOTD AOB-W “Burro Team” exercise control director and J3, his next assignment is the Burro Team OIC. About the Host: CPT Weston Rich is the of SOF Plans Chief 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: - Informing for the force via this podcast, USASOC lessons learned, and written After Action Reviews - SOFLE – what capabilities need to be in that element and the type of personnel to consider - Producing SOF actions through constructed / simulated effects since there was no live SOF elements taking part on the ground during the rotation - Communications architecture for SOFLE to communicate with higher SOF headquarters and how to interplays with conventional communications - Digital force protection considerations, inclusion in the written AARs, camouflage - Building systems that can survive in a comms denied environment, through use of a TACSOP - SOFLE can integrate with the CF BDE and assist in their military decision-making process and get SOF capabilities to the forefront of CF CDR’s mind, feeding the BDE’s OODA loop - Understanding command relationships, SOFLE is a coordinating relationship; SOFLE must monitor operations, coordinate, advise, and assist the conventional force; beyond those duties SOFLEs should build rapport, demonstrate creditably, and provide value 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

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• Forging ARSOF: CTCs, Deep Fight, and Basics with Pineland Underground Pt 2 (Ep. 42)

  This is part 2 of a 2-part of the collaboration with Pineland Underground podcast where MAJ Maicke and SFC Coach interview MAJ Ficken, CPT Rich, and SFC Wade of Burro Team, the SOF Observer Coach Trainer team at the National Training Center. This interview focused on training combat ready and lethal Special Operations Forces highlighting the value of training at a Combat Training Center through lessons learned and describing trends observed by OC/Ts. Additionally, giving insight in ways to prepare for a rotation, what Large Scale Combat in a Multi-Domain environment might look like, and more. Off the Radar thanks PU and USAJFKSWC for supporting SOTD’s push to educate and inspire the force. About the Guest: MAJ Phil Ficken commissioned into the Infantry and found his way to Special Forces. He served in 5th SFG (A) with operational experiences in CENTCOM as SOF and conventional. MAJ Ficken has overseen 12 ARSOF rotations at NTC and JRTC. CPT Weston Rich commissioned into the Infantry later switching to Special Forces. He served in 1st SFG (A) and worked at NTC as both an OC/T and SOF planner. Weston has operational experience in INDOPACOM and CENTCOM with SOF and conventional forces. SFC Keith Wade is a Team Sergeant OC/T for Burro Team. He is an 18C Engineer Sergeant from 1st SFG (A) and has operational experience in INDOPACOM and CENTCOM. Keith has served on multiple SFOD-As and as a sniper instructor for 1st SFG (A). About the Hosts: MAJ James Maicke commissioned in the Infantry then became Special Forces serving in 3rd SFG (A) as a CPT and 5th SFG (A) as a MAJ. He has served in multiple theaters both in the conventional and SOF. He is currently finishing his time as a Special Operations Recruiter. SFC Clay Coash is currently a Psychological Operations Senior Leader’s Course instructor. He has operational experience in multiple theater across the world. Prior to being a PSYOP NCO, Clay served in the Marine Corps during the 1990s and during a break in service as a country radio DJ. This episode covers: - Comparing CTCs for ARSOF training value to the ARSOF Training Center at WSMR, NM; biggest difference is CTCs have dedicated OPFOR, larger backside support - SOF training enables creativity through allowing SOF units to choose from multiple training venues and methods: including RMT - ARSOF units train outside of CTC training areas: conducting infrastructure assessments, simple sabotage, influence operations, etc. - Basics: off site comms shots, terrain masking, shoot, move, communicate, sustain, medicate, principles of patrolling; vehicle load out SOPs, camouflage, rehearsals on maneuver, planning, etc; integrating fires (call for fire), issuing guidance - Lessons learned and trends: understanding digital force protection, teams improve over time, simple tasks become harder as rotation goes on and fatigue sets in, understanding the environment and taking prudent risks - Doing the hard right over the easy wrong, make decisions that make tactical sense and don’t hit the easy button - Understanding environment and what is required in that environment and how to best maneuver - Don’t get compliance or get comfortable, that is what gets Soldiers killed - Successes at NTC: long range dismounted winter mountain movement, tandem free fall infiltration of Space Soldier, drone grenade drops, passing control of loitering munition, downed drone example of synchronizing SOF and CF to mutually support each other - ARSOF trains as the opposing force every rotation - CTCs provides training on SOF-CF I3 to help conventional force and SOF understand each other and aid in recruiting future ARSOF Soldiers 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

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• Forging ARSOF: CTCs, Deep Fight, and Basics with Pineland Underground Pt 1 (Ep. 41)

  This is part 1 of a 2-part of the collaboration with Pineland Underground podcast where MAJ Maicke and SFC Coach interview MAJ Ficken, CPT Rich, and SFC Wade of Burro Team, the SOF Observer Coach Trainer team at the National Training Center. This interview focused on training combat ready and lethal Special Operations Forces highlighting the value of training at a Combat Training Center through lessons learned and describing trends observed by OC/Ts. Additionally, giving insight in ways to prepare for a rotation, what Large Scale Combat in a Multi-Domain environment might look like, and more. Off the Radar thanks Pineland Underground and USAJFKSWC for supporting SOTD’s push to educate and inspire the force. About the Guest: MAJ Phil Ficken commissioned into the Infantry and found his way to Special Forces. He served in roles from Detachment Commander, AOB Commander, and Staff Officer in 5th SFG (A) with operational experiences in CENTCOM as SOF and conventional. MAJ Ficken served as Burro Team’s J3 for one year and as the OIC for one year overseeing over 12 ARSOF rotations at NTC and JRTC. CPT Weston Rich commissioned into the Infantry later switching to Special Forces. He served as a Detachment Commander in 1st SFG (A) and worked at NTC as both an OC/T and SOF planner. Weston has operational experience in INDOPACOM and CENTCOM with SOF and conventional forces. SFC Keith Wade is a Team Sergeant OC/T for Burro Team. He is an 18C Engineer Sergeant from 1st SFG (A) and has operational experience in INDOPACOM and CENTCOM. Keith has served on multiple SFOD-As and as a sniper instructor for 1st SFG (A). About the Hosts: MAJ James Maicke commissioned in the Infantry then became Special Forces serving in 3rd SFG (A) as a CPT and 5th SFG (A) as a MAJ. He has served in multiple theaters both in the conventional and special operations. He is currently finishing his time as a Special Operations Recruiter. SFC Clay Coash is currently a Psychological Operations Senior Leader’s Course instructor. He has operational experience in multiple theater across the world. Prior to being a PSYOP NCO, Clay served in the Marine Corps during the 1990s and during a break in service as a country radio DJ. This episode covers: - SOTD task organization, role of an OC/T and value of training at a CTC - Interoperability of SOF with CF and partners forces (PF) through shared training experiences - LSCO: CF against a peer/near peer advisory of equivalent size and how SOF fits into these operations by deep sensing, targeting high priority targets, and enable MDO in the Division deep areas by with and through partners - CTCs: 10 rotations a year, 8 focused on Brigade and SOF Companies, 1 focused on Division level and SOF Battalion (SOTF), and 1 focused on SOF Group leave (CJSOTF) - Training the basics: teams that do the most planning and preparation are the most successful; be off natural lines of drift, camouflage, use micro terrain, principles of maneuver are the same mounted or dismounted - Trends: over reliance on phones / ATAK for planning or communicating, analog products increase shared understanding - Don’t train PF on unsustainable platform (weapon system, planning system, etc). Use what the PF as accessible - Understanding the operational environment and adversary’s capabilities, night vision, thermals, sensors of all kinds, etc - SOF integration with PF and role players, PF plays as host nation forces and role players are that unit’s leadership; role players fulfilling roles in the host nation government, as local civilians, etc - SOF integration with CF happens at the AOB level and through a liaison element at the Brigade 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

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• The Art of Combat Medicine:m with WarDocs: Medicine in the modern battlefield Pt 2 (Ep. 40)

  This is part 1 of a 2-part of the collaboration with WarDocs podcast where MSgt (R) Steve Cum and COL (R) Doug Soderdahl interview SFC Mondrian Bogert. This interview focuses on Special Operations Medical training, specifically Special Forces, at the Combined Training Centers: The National Training Center (NTC) and Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC). Combat medicine saves lives and requires non-medics as well as medics. From care under fire through evacuation the skills, equipment, and knowledge needed to be successful at treating patients and getting your fellow service members home. About the Guest: SFC Mondrian Bogert: Mo is a Special Forces 18D or medical sergeant. He served in the 82nd Airborne as an infantryman prior to graduating the SF Qualification Course. He served as a medical sergeant in 10th SFG (A) conducting multiple training and operations in EUCOM. Mo has nearly 2 years of experience as an SF Observer Coach, Training with over a dozen rotations at NTC and JRTC overseeing multiple medical scenarios including MASCAL and prolonged causality care. This episode covers: - Partner force treatment and transportation, dilemma when to stop treatment on a patient to conserve resources for patients that can be care for - Non-standard CASEVAC examples: use of partner force, use of civilian networks, use of non-medical transportation asset at risk of losing that asset - Actions to take when you cannot get to friendly lines, find alternative means to treat patients including locations to hold and care for patient - Understand all options to accomplish a task such as CASEVAC, create a PACE for transport and understand risks and consequences for using each of those options - Non-medics providing assistance to medics: understanding Care Under Fire = priority security and massing fires, Tactical Combat Casualty Care = knowing MARCH and how to conduct interventions until 18D is available take and record vitals, understand when to stay out of the 18Ds way, familiarity with medical equipment and interventions - Medical cross training is paramount so all Soldiers are prepared to execute combat trauma medicine, this includes understanding where equipment is in an aide bag, truck box, prolonged care bag, etc. - Replication of wounds from indirect fire, small UAS, airborne munitions, RAID - Challenge the SOF medics to motivate them to leave the CTC with a desire to self-study and cross train their Detachment to be more combat ready - Resilience is extremely important for combat medics, ability to be calm in a stressful situation, grit to not quit and push through for your team, being mentally prepared for those situations beforehand - Flexibility and foresight: being able to forecast what medical equipment is needed and flexible enough to execute with what you have on hand - Integration with conventional forces and plan for tactical ground CASEVAC with link up with conventional M113s at a predetermined Ambulance Exchange Point - Field expeditated medicine 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

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