The Crucible - The JRTC Experience Podcast

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fortieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by LTC Trevor Jones, the Battalion Commander of 1-509th IN (OPFOR) on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guests are members of JRTC’s intelligence community: Mr. Jason McAnally, MAJ Will Montoya, and CPT Graham Gifford. Mr. McAnally is the JRTC G-2 Intelligence Officer. MAJ Montoya is the Multi-Domain Effects Cell Chief for Geronimo. And CPT Gifford is the S-2 Intelligence Officer for Geronimo. This episode centers on how the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) is actively working to close the gap between training and the rapidly evolving realities of modern warfare by replicating a more lethal, complex, and peer-driven operational environment. The discussion highlights how lessons from contemporary conflicts—particularly the Russia-Ukraine war—are driving a shift toward incorporating realistic threat capabilities such as massed UAS, electronic warfare, and precision fires into OPFOR replication. Emphasis is placed on ensuring that rotational units encounter these threats in training first, rather than in combat, by exposing them to continuous surveillance, contested electromagnetic environments, and the persistent threat of unmanned systems operating across depth. The conversation also explores how OPFOR (Geronimo) is evolving its tactics, organization, and capabilities to better mirror near-peer adversaries like Russia and China. This includes replicating multi-domain effects across disruption, battle, and support zones, integrating emerging technologies such as FPV drones, robotic systems, and AI-enabled targeting, and experimenting with new forms of mass that combine traditional fires with unmanned and electronic effects. A key theme is the transition toward “machines first” contact—leveraging robotics and UAS to initiate engagements—while forcing units to adapt to degraded communications, contested airspace, and high-casualty environments. Ultimately, the episode reinforces that closing the gap requires continuous adaptation, iterative experimentation, and translating lessons learned into behavioral change across the force. Part of S11 “Conversations with the Enemy” 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-thirty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the Task Force Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer from Task Force Sustainment (Division Sustainment Support Battalion / Light Support Battalion) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are CPT Cody Kindle and CPT Christopher Ward. CPT Kindle the S-4 Sustainment Planner for JRTC’s Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control Task Force. CPT Ward is the A Co CDR OCT (Distro / BSA) from Task Force Sustainment (DSSB / LSB). This episode examines the employment of base clusters within the brigade support area (BSA) as a survivability technique in the modern battlefield. The discussion highlights how sustainment units must adapt to a highly transparent and lethal operating environment where UAS surveillance, long-range fires, and precision targeting threaten traditional large logistics footprints. Rather than concentrating sustainment elements in a single BSA, base clusters disperse key functions—such as maintenance, distribution, medical support, and command nodes—across multiple smaller positions that remain mutually supporting. This dispersion reduces the likelihood that a single enemy strike can disrupt sustainment operations while still enabling brigades to maintain logistics flow to maneuver battalions. The conversation also emphasizes the planning and synchronization required to make base clusters effective. Leaders discuss the importance of terrain analysis, security integration, camouflage and signature management, and disciplined reporting to maintain a shared operational picture across dispersed sustainment nodes. Effective base clusters require coordinated movement control, rehearsed displacement drills, and strong communications architecture to ensure that dispersed elements can still function as a cohesive support network. Ultimately, the episode frames base clusters as a critical adaptation for sustainment survivability in large-scale combat operations, enabling brigades to continue fueling, arming, and repairing combat forces despite persistent enemy reconnaissance and precision strike threats. Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” 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-thirty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by LTC Trevor Jones, the Battalion Commander of 1-509th IN (OPFOR) on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guests are members of JRTC’s infamous Opposing Force, Team Geronimo: CPT Jeremiah Cox, 1SG Terence Newby, and SFC Walter Jinks. CPT Cox is the Company Commander for Able Company, 1-509th IN. 1SG Newby is the First Sergeant for Easy Company, 1-509th IN. SFC Jinks is the Engineer Platoon Sergeant within Easy Company. This episode explores how the JRTC Opposing Force—Geronimo—is evolving its tactics through what the unit calls “new forms of mass.” Rather than relying solely on traditional concentrations of combat power, the discussion highlights how OPFOR is integrating robotics, unmanned systems, electronic warfare, and precision effects to generate combat mass across multiple domains. Leaders describe how small multi-purpose equipment transports (SMETs), unmanned aerial systems, and remotely operated platforms are being used to conduct breaching operations, deliver precision fires, transport sustainment, and even serve as deception or targeting tools. These systems allow Geronimo to make first contact with machines rather than soldiers, reducing risk to personnel while increasing tempo and battlefield confusion for rotational units. The conversation also focuses on how these technologies enable new ways of synchronizing effects during offensive and defensive operations. Examples include integrating electronic warfare and drone strikes into the suppress phase of a breach, using unmanned systems to obscure and reduce obstacles, and deploying robotic platforms armed with crew-served weapons to support maneuver. In the defense, robotic systems are used to extend screening operations, attrit enemy forces forward of the main battle position, and provide early warning. The episode concludes by discussing challenges such as maintenance, connectivity, and data transport while emphasizing that the future battlefield will require every soldier to understand and employ unmanned systems. Ultimately, Geronimo’s experimentation is designed to force rotational units to confront a modernized threat capable of creating mass through distributed sensors, robotics, and precision effects across the battlespace. Part of S11 “Conversations with the Enemy” 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-thirty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the Task Force Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer from Task Force Sustainment (Division Sustainment Support Battalion / Light Support Battalion) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is CPT Cody Kindlethe S-4 Sustainment Planner for JRTC’s Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control Task Force. This episode breaks down the “5Ls of Logistics” framework, with a deep focus on the LOGSTAT as the foundational communication tool that drives the entire sustainment enterprise. The discussion emphasizes that a LOGSTAT is not just a report—it is a demand signal and a running estimate that enables anticipatory logistics. Leaders explore how inaccurate or inconsistent submissions distort the log sync, misinform commanders, and create artificial crises. Key friction points include routing confusion between battalion S4s, brigade S4, and the SPO; unclear units of measure (raw numbers vs. days of supply vs. percent of capacity); and the dangers of oversimplifying commodities like Class V or Class VIII into vague “DOS” shorthand. The panel stresses that LOGSTATs must reflect commodities on hand, projected resupply, and consumption rates over time—not simply a thumbs-up status—if they are to support real forecasting and informed decision-making. The conversation also highlights battle rhythm discipline and parallel planning as critical enablers of effective sustainment. Twice-daily submissions feed the log sync, allowing sustainers to track 12- and 24-hour resupply windows, anticipate friction, and cross-level commodities within the brigade before shortages become emergencies. The panel underscores that sustainment math begins with accurate running estimates during MDMP and must continuously adjust based on actual consumption—not static planning factors from garrison. Ultimately, the LOGSTAT is framed as a two-way dialogue between maneuver and sustainment: maneuver communicates requirements; sustainment confirms capability. When synchronized through SOP-driven reporting, disciplined analysis, and aggressive follow-up, the LOGSTAT becomes a combat multiplier rather than administrative white noise. Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” 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-thirty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE XO OCT (formerly the BDE S-3 Operations OCT), from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are JRTC’s very own Unit Ministry Team: MAJ(CH) Sean Kitchens, CPT(CH) Byron Denman, SFC Malik Carrigan, and SFC Dannell Bing. This episode focuses on the employment of Unit Ministry Teams (UMTs) in a combat training environment, highlighting both their doctrinal responsibilities and the persistent integration challenges observed at JRTC. A central theme is that UMTs possess two primary capabilities—religious support provision and commander advisement—yet often struggle with full integration into the staff process. The discussion emphasizes that advisement, particularly on morale, ethical climate, and the intangible health of the formation, is one of the chaplain’s most critical contributions. However, without deliberate participation in battle rhythm events, shift-change briefs, MDMP touchpoints, and staff synchronization forums, UMTs can lose situational awareness and inadvertently become disconnected from the fight. Leaders note that successful teams deliberately synchronize internally, align with planning decision points, and ensure shared understanding between chaplain and religious affairs specialist to balance ministry presence with staff integration. The episode also explores the evolving role of UMTs in LSCO, particularly in high-casualty, non-linear environments where mass casualty events, temporary interment operations, and distributed maneuver demand proactive planning rather than reactive presence. The panel highlights the paradigm shift from fixed FOB-based ministry during the Global War on Terror to a more mobile, forward, and flexible posture in LSCO. Best practices include “spring-loaded” religious support to reinforce high-threat sectors, pre-assault ministry to shape morale before decisive operations, and deliberate home-station training focused on operational staff proficiency rather than solely garrison requirements. Ultimately, the conversation reinforces that UMT effectiveness depends on integration, operational awareness, and the ability to anticipate where religious support will have the greatest impact across the 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-thirtieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the Task Force Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer from Task Force Sustainment (Division Sustainment Support Battalion / Light Support Battalion) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is MAJ Alice Bechtol, the Executive Officer for the 325th Light Support Battalion of 3rd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. The 325th Light Support Battalion, known by its Hollywood call sign “Mustang” and guided by the motto “Support to the Front,” serves as the sustainment backbone of 3rd Brigade Combat Team. Stationed in Hawaii and aligned to fight in the Indo-Pacific, the battalion traces its lineage to the Army’s modular transformation era, evolving from a Brigade Support Battalion into a Light Support Battalion under the Army’s restructuring efforts. As part of the “Bronco” Brigade within the 25th Infantry Division, the 325th LSB has adapted its structure and sustainment concepts to meet the demands of archipelagic and jungle operations, emphasizing smaller distribution packages, agile base cluster designs, and expeditionary logistics capable of supporting dispersed maneuver forces across restrictive terrain. This episode examines lessons learned from a Light Support Battalion (LSB) executing a DATE-Pacific archipelago rotation at JPMRC, with a strong focus on sustainment command-and-control, base cluster design, and staff proficiency under high turnover. A central theme is the deliberate investment in MDMP repetitions prior to deployment—conducting multiple internal reps despite 80% personnel turnover—to build shared understanding and accelerate staff performance in the box. Leaders discuss the importance of not waiting for a “perfect” higher headquarters order, instead executing concurrent MDMP, publishing early, and refining through FRAGOs to maintain tempo. The battalion’s approach to battle tracking—assigning mission numbers to both forecasted and unforecasted sustainment requirements—allowed the staff to regain control of chaotic demand signals and manage flash taskings without losing visibility. Additionally, the LSB experimented with splitting its staff between tactical and main command posts to preserve survivability while maintaining continuity in day/night operations, accepting friction in order to train to the harder standard. The discussion also highlights the sustainment realities of operating in a Pacific archipelago environment, where terrain, vegetation, and dispersed maneuver elements require smaller, more agile distribution packages. Leaders describe efforts to break bulk commodities down earlier in the sustainment chain, leverage smaller platforms, experiment with caches, and refine fuel and water distribution concepts to better support infantry formations operating at slower movement rates in restrictive terrain. Integration with the Division Sustainment Brigade under the new R-struct proved beneficial, particularly through synchronized battle rhythms and shared intelligence and communications awareness, while maintaining strong habitual relationships with maneuver battalions and their Combat Logistics Companies (CLCs). The overarching takeaway is that success in this environment required disciplined MDMP, flexible sustainment packaging, protected staff development, and a willingness to adapt systems and processes in real time to preserve tempo and survivability in LSCO. Part of S05 “Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids, Batteries, Water, & Fuel” 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 p

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE XO OCT (formerly the BDE S-3 Operations OCT), from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject experts are mainly from the Task Force Aviation (CAB) at JRTC: MAJ Steven Yates is the BDE S-6 Signal OCT from the Brigade Command & Control Task Force (BDE HQ). CW2 Brendan Henske is the Unmanned Systems OCT, CW3 Sean Deegan is the Aviation Mission Survivability Expert OCT, and CPT William Landrum is an Attack Aviation / Close Combat Attack OCT from TF Aviation (CAB). This episode examines the persistent challenges of integrating aviation enablers into brigade and division operations, emphasizing that most failures stem from planning, communications, and relationship gaps rather than technical limitations alone. A central theme is that aviation routinely enters the fight late, under-integrated, and without a shared understanding of the supported unit’s command-and-control architecture. Units struggle to establish effective PACE plans, COMSEC alignment, and interoperable mission command systems, often discovering incompatibilities only once operations are underway. The discussion highlights how compressed timelines, lack of habitual relationships, and insufficient lead time for satellite access, Link 16, and network approvals create cascading effects that degrade air-ground integration. The episode reinforces that if aviation and ground forces cannot communicate reliably, they cannot synchronize maneuver, fires, or protection—turning aviation from a force multiplier into a liability. The conversation also explores best practices for enabler integration, stressing that success is driven by commander emphasis and deliberate preparation at home station. Effective formations establish habitual training relationships, exchange LNOs early, rehearse air-ground communications repeatedly, and validate both digital and analog common operating pictures. Particular attention is given to the importance of shared graphics, airspace coordination, and rehearsed battle drills for degraded or denied communications. The panel underscores that enabler integration is not the responsibility of a single staff section; it requires commanders, S3s, S6s, aviation staffs, and supported units to collectively own the problem. The key takeaway is clear: aviation integration in LSCO succeeds when it is planned early, rehearsed often, and treated as a core warfighting task—not an afterthought added during RSOI or once units are already in contact. 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.