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