The Crucible - The JRTC Experience Podcast

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer – Coach – Trainer and MSG Jared Cawthon, the BDE Fires Support NCOIC OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts from within JRTC’s fires support enterprise: MAJ David Nelson is the FA BN S-3 Operations Officer OCT, SFC Larry Gillispie, Jr. is the Fires Direction Center Senior OCT, and SFC Ryan Bruno is the Battery 1SG OCT for TF Fires (FA BN / DIVARTY). And MSG Austin Moss is the Senior Targeting NCOIC OCT for BC2. This episode examines the fires technical rehearsal and why it is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, events in preparing a brigade for combat. The discussion explains how the fires technical rehearsal validates the entire sensor-to-shooter kill chain, ensuring observers, fire support personnel, fire direction centers, and gun crews can execute the plan before rounds are fired in combat. Leaders emphasize that the rehearsal is far more than a communications check—it validates fire support coordination measures, target refinement, firing data, ammunition availability, primary and alternate shooters, PACE plans, and the timing required to synchronize fires with maneuver. A recurring theme is that a simple plan supported by detailed fire support products and disciplined version control enables the brigade to identify friction early and refine tactical triggers into achievable technical triggers before execution. The conversation also highlights common shortcomings observed during JRTC rotations, including conducting the first technical rehearsal only after arrival at the training center, poor transition from plans to current operations, inadequate battle rhythm integration, and failure to involve the entire fires enterprise in rehearsals. Leaders discuss the importance of digital sustainment training at home station, rehearsing degraded communications, validating ammunition requirements, conducting deliberate handovers between shifts, and continuously refining the fire plan as the tactical situation changes. The episode reinforces that technical rehearsals should become a routine battle rhythm event rather than a one-time exercise, allowing staffs to uncover problems before they become combat failures. Ultimately, the discussion argues that disciplined technical rehearsals build confidence, improve synchronization between maneuver and fires, and give commanders the information needed to execute timely, accurate, and lethal fire support on the modern battlefield. Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series. For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center. Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format. Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future. “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts from within one of JRTC’s infantry battalion task forces: MAJ Reed Ziegler is the executive officer and CPT Michael Boster is a Rifle Co Commander OCT for TF-1 (IN BN). This episode explores the importance of transitions on the battlefield and the mindset required to execute them successfully. Leaders discuss how many units arrive at JRTC with a strong offensive mindset but often struggle when operations require a rapid transition from one tactical task to another. The conversation focuses on the difference between simply completing a mission and maintaining a continuous combat mindset that anticipates what comes next. Topics include transitioning from offense to defense, preserving combat power, recognizing decision points, identifying transition criteria during planning, and understanding when risk to force or risk to mission requires commanders to adjust their approach. A recurring theme is that successful units do not wait for instructions after achieving an objective—they immediately begin preparing for the next problem while maintaining security, momentum, and situational awareness. The discussion also examines how home-station training and planning practices often unintentionally condition leaders to think in discrete events rather than continuous operations. Leaders highlight common observations such as units seizing an objective only to become static, failing to establish hasty defenses, neglecting security, or losing initiative while awaiting guidance. Additional topics include building transition criteria into MDMP, preparing for both offensive and defensive actions simultaneously, understanding that the enemy always gets a vote, and developing the endurance required to sustain operations over extended periods. Ultimately, the episode argues that combat is not a series of separate offensive and defensive events but a continuous contest of action and reaction. The most successful formations are those that constantly ask, “What’s next?” and remain mentally prepared to transition faster than the enemy can adapt. Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series. For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center. Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format. Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future. “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.