030 S01 Ep 06 – Large-Scale Combat Operations Symposium of 2023 w/BG David Gardner

The Crucible - The JRTC Experience Podcast

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the thirtieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience’ and the second annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium. Hosted by the Commanding General of the JRTC and Ft. Johnson, BG David Gardner and the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today’s guests are all seasoned Observer-Coach-Trainers from across Operations Group, LTC Drew Zabriskie, MAJ Paul Scifers, MAJ Matt Cline, CPT Richard Snyder, and CPT Nicolaus Rohrbough as well as a senior member of the JRTC’s Opposing Force, CPT Benjamin Malcolm of the infamous Geronimo.

Our guest observer-coach-trainers with nearly 150 decisive action training environment rotations between them. LTC Drew Zabriskie (L05) is the BSB Executive Officer OCT for TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB / DSSB) with ten rotations. MAJ Paul Scifers (B03) is the BDE S-3 Operations OCT for BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ) with nine rotations at the BDE level (He was previously an OCT as a CPT as well). MAJ Matt Cline (F20) is the BDE Fires OCT for BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ) with five rotations. CPT Richard Snyder (P50) if the Fire Support Officer for Live Fire Division with eighteen rotations. CPT Nicolaus Rohrbough (R03A) is the BN Assistant S-3 Operations OCT for TF-4 (CAV Squadron) with a combination of forty-three rotations between OCT duties and OPFOR. Last but not least is CPT Benjamin Malcolm is the Company Commander for Pathfinder Co, 1-509th IN (Airborne) (Opposing Force) with sixteen rotations.

In this episode they discuss the evolution of training provided to brigade combat teams and the preparation for conducting large scale combat operations across multiple domains. The panel discusses large scale combat operations executed at the company through battalion echelons, offering perspectives on a variety of topics including combined arms maneuver, transparent battlefield, fires, and contested logistics as well as emerging technologies employment.

As the Army transitions from the BCT being the primary effort to the division becoming the unit of action, some of the long-term trends are examined as the training at the JRTC shifted from mission rehearsal exercises to decisive action training environment (DATE) exercises focused on LSCO. A major topic of discussion is the distinction between deficiencies and military activities that are simply challenging tasks, which will always be points-of-friction for warfighters.

Don’t forget to checkout our first annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium, episode 16 of ‘The Crucible.’ And if you’d like to explore the SFC Manship’s episodes that COL Hardman referenced, look at episodes eleven, twenty-six, and twenty-nine.

Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.

The Joint Readiness Training Center’s Large Scale Combat Operations Products:

• 016 S01 Ep 03 – BCT Trends and Preparing for LSCO with Former COG Panel of ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience' Podcast
  Podbean Podcast https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-dqbjn-14338ac
  YouTube: https://youtu.be/bE4c7Jx6-UE

• A Leader’s Guide to Large Scale Combat Operations
  https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-1278267
• Brigade Combat Teams in LSCO
  https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-1160917
• Ethical Bedrock Vignettes: Law of Armed Conflict in LSCO
  https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-979043
• Homestation battle drills to help achieve success in LSCO
  https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-1280107
• Large Scale Combat Operations at the JRTC, The LSCO Fight at the JRTC white paper, and JRTC LSCO Resources
  https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-1151260

For additional information and insights from this episode, please checkout our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast

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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.