This is part one of a two-part episode focused on Special Operations Force Integration Interoperability and Interdependence, lessons learn at the Detachment and Company level, educating the National Training Center Operations Group on SOF capabilities and SOF’s role in Large Scale Combat Operations. SOF units, chiefly Special Forces Companies (Advanced Operating Base or AOB) conducted numerous rotations annually at the National Training Center and Joint Readiness Training Center working along side of conventional forces. In this episode SFC Gilgenast shares his experiences working as the Burro Team Operations NCO and later Sergeant Major. About the Guest: SFC Erik Gilgenast: Grow up in a military family. His father a 33-year Army aviator, allowed Erik to grow up in various locations around the world. Having enlisted in the delayed entry program, upon graduation from high school in Germany, Erik entered service. Calling Colorado home, and meeting his wife in Colorado. Erik has operational experience in CENTCOM, EUCOM, and AFRICOM. He has served both as a conventional infantryman and a Special Forces communications sergeant. 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:

- Dealing with being a geo-bachelor while serving at Fort Irwin and taking care of the soldiers within your formation

- Roles and responsibilities as the Burro Team Operations Sergeant, and the Burro Team Sergeant Major fo

- appropriate use of SOF units within LSCO

- SOF-CF I3 with NTC OPS GRP and ensuring NYC scenario design makes sense for SOF training

- comparing what is focused on for SOF training versus conventional units training at NTC

- SOF area of operations compared to conventional, SOF bringing mass and supporting the joint fight

- Coaching points from Burro OPS SGT- analog products such as synch matrix, decision matrix, logstat, etc ; should have digital and analog

- OC/Ts learn from training units

- Positive mental attitudes increases the training value, engaged leadership that sets the standard

- understand the basics and execute the basics, use your Ranger handbook 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

This is part two of a two-part episode focused on Special Operations Psychology Operations executing Combat Training Center rotations specially the National Training Center. SOF PSYOP’s role in Large Scale Combat Operations, executing multiple domain operations and integrating with ARSOF and conventional forces. SOF PSYOP executing information operations ins training environment. . About the Guest: SSG Phil Smith: SOF PSYOPer from First PSYOP Group. Prior to that he served as an Infantryman and then before that an Air Force C-17 mechanic. Phil has SOF PSYOP operational experience in SOUTHCOM and has served as a PSYOP OC/T for 2 years. Phil went ARSOF to work in a career field that allowed him to make a difference in support of the Nation’s Objectives. 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:

- methods to influence the information domain: print media, social media, broadcast media, etc

- influence operations are trainable at NTC, role players can be influence to support opposing force or coalition force

- NTC constantly changes and improves and training becomes more realistic and challenging every rotation

- integration early and often is key to success when working with other units, MOSs, branches, etc

- SOF Civil Affairs and SOF PSYOP should work hand in hand, they mutually supporting roles

- SOF and Conventional Forces, must share information and understand each others objectives so that they don’t accidentally degrade each other but instead support each other

- risk to force and risk to mission can be decreased through effective use of influence operations to increase likelihood of mission success

- PSYOPers of all ranks need to be able to speak to a Commander and outline what PSYOP can do for them

- PSYOPers embedding with SFOD-A, when it makes sense, they need to be prepare for austere conditions and provide PSYOP input to the detachment level

- fundamentals of a PSYOPer, understand how to read an OPROD, find the PSYOP tasks and authorities and develop plan to execute those tasks, understand the modalities of information operations, train on offensive and defensive information operations

- understand your operational area

- blacksmith bbq, having a hobby to improve your performance at work, and potentially grow into a business 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

This is part one of a two-part episode focused on Special Operations Psychology Operations executing Combat Training Center rotations specially the National Training Center. SOF PSYOP’s role in Large Scale Combat Operations, executing multiple domain operations and integrating with ARSOF and conventional forces. SOF PSYOP executing information operations ins training environment. . About the Guest: SSG Phil Smith: SOF PSYOPer from First PSYOP Group. Prior to that he served as an Infantryman and then before that an Air Force C-17 mechanic. Phil has SOF PSYOP operational experience in SOUTHCOM and has served as a PSYOP OC/T for 2 years. Phil went ARSOF to work in a career field that allowed him to make a difference in support of the Nation’s Objectives. 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:

- comparing training for PSYOP to operational PSYOP

- PSYOP integrating into SF AOB at a CTC, give a capabilities brief and build rapport

- add value to the AOB staff by getting involved in the staff functions and working groups, leverage special skill sets and knowledge you have to provide value

- Tactical Deception (TAC-D) vs Deception in Support of Operations (DISO): TAC-D creates an action in the enemy force, DISO used to protect OPSEC

- use information operations to create effects now (in near real time)

- SOF direct action raid example: DISO- protects planning and execution of raid, TAC-D influence enemy to move away from objective area

- deception mine field example

- NTC has pre-approved information operations series, don’t reinvent the wheel, use what is already available, share information and ensure AOB knows what you know

- messaging can get approved through higher In 24-48hours at NTC, messaging must be forecasted

- measures of performance and effectiveness must be identified prior to the message going out, have a baseline understand of environment and decision points for messaging and information operations 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