Podcasts about usasoc

Send us a textU.S. Army Special Operations Command Sergeant Major JoAnn Naumann returns to the podcast—this time from the range at Fort Bragg—for a conversation on leadership, transformation, and enabling the next generation of special operations forces.With nearly three decades in uniform and two years as the senior enlisted leader of USASOC, CSM Naumann shares the mindset shifts, hard-won lessons, and bottom-up insights that have shaped her time in the seat. She opens up about the transition from doer to enabler, why modeling honest feedback is non-negotiable for leaders, and how she's staying grounded while helping shape the future of Army Special Operations.In this episode, they explore:Why she believes she has the best job in the Army—and how she stays energized by the Soldiers around herWhat it means to lead across 80+ countries, and how she stays connected to the ground truthHow USASOC is driving transformation in structure, tech, and human performance—and why speed and soldier feedback are essentialThe challenge (and opportunity) of going from “operator” to enabler—and how shifting mindset scales impact across 36,000 teammatesWhy NCOs must be willing to say “that's a dumb idea”—and the importance of modeling that kind of candor for the forceThe value of reading, curiosity, and lifelong learning in sustaining leadership at the highest levelsHow she adapts her approach to different commanders—and what it really takes to make that relationship workWhether you're an NCO navigating your first staff job, a commander looking to build trust across the chain, or a lifelong learner looking for leadership insights forged under pressure, this episode delivers a front-row seat to how transformation happens—one question, one conversation, one Soldier at a time.Command Sergeant Major JoAnn Naumann currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader for U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), where she advises on matters affecting over 36,000 Soldiers across the special operations enterprise.Born and raised in New Jersey, CSM Naumann graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in American Studies and Government before enlisting in the Army in 1996 as a 35P Voice Language Analyst. She completed the Arabic Basic Course at the Defense Language Institute and Advanced Individual Training at Goodfellow Air Force Base.Over nearly three decades of service, CSM Naumann has held a range of leadership positions, including assignments with the 311th MI Battalion, the 344th MI Battalion, and Special Mission Units. She has deployed 14 times across CENTCOM and AFRICOM, and previously served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for Special Operations Command–Korea (SOCKOR), and as the Command Sergeant Major for the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) Intelligence Brigade.She is a graduate of the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy and has completed numerous military schools, including the Military Freefall Course, Airborne and Air Assault Schools, and the SOF Intel Leaders Course.CSM Naumann's awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (1OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, and the Order of Saint Michael. She is married to SGM (Ret.) Thomas Baird, who most recently served as the TRADOC G3 Sergeant Major.

CSM JoAnn Naumann planned on serving one enlistment in the Army to get a clearance and learn a language so she would be competitive for the Foreign Service. 28 years and 14 deployments later she's now the USASOC Command Sergeant Major.We originally got in touch because she appreciated our episode with Alyssa Clark where we talked about ultra marathon running. CSM Naumann recently completed her first fifty miler at fifty years old (at a pace faster than she's required to run on the ACFT two mile, according to the Army). In addition to hearing about her approach to training, we also discussed her experience with embedded human performance teams in special operations, including the challenges around integrating human performance professionals while preserving NCOs' role in physical training leadership. She joined the special operations community before POTFF was established and has watched it evolve over the course of her career.

In this episode, we sit down for a long awaited Part 2 with Bryan Pickens, a retired Army Special Forces veteran who after 20 years of service has transitioned from an elite military career to Hollywood consulting and building custom hot rods and motorcycles. As the founder of Gas & Garters, Bryan shares his journey from the battlefields of Iraq, Afghanistan, and most recently Ukraine to advising on major film productions, and finally, crafting some of the most jaw-dropping custom vehicles on the road. From combat to creativity, this conversation is packed with insight, inspiration, and stories of resilience. Don't miss it!

Did you know we can trace the Psychological Operations Regiment to a single person?Did you know PSYOP played a role in the Office of Strategic Services?They were there at the landings of Normandy, in the planning for Desert Storm, and remain a critical component to military victory in the modern age.Join us as we host Dr. Jared Tracy, the Army Special Operations Forces' Deputy Command Historian, as he dives deep with us on the nuances and facts of the PSYOP Regiment and its history. About the guest:Dr. Jared M. Tracy, PhD served six years in the U.S. Army, and became a historian at the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) in December 2010. He earned an MA in History from Virginia Commonwealth University, an MDiv in Theology from Liberty University, and a PhD in History from Kansas State University. Dr. Tracy is now the deputy command historian for USASOC at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. He previously concentrated on PSYOP history, but now he researches and writes on a wide range of ARSOF-related topics. His writing has appeared in Military Review, NCO Journal, Southern Historian, and Veritas: Journal of Army Special Operations History. About the hosts:Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer who served within the re-established PSYWAR School at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. He is now transitioning to attend grad school at Arizona State University with a follow-on assignment at West Point's Army Cyber Institute where he will research misinformation.Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Non-commissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. From the episode:Victory Through Influence (Dr. Tracy's first book):https://www.tamupress.com/book/9781648430343/victory-through-influence/The ARSOC History website:https://arsof-history.org/about.html#tracyDr. Tracy's dissertation is publicly available here:https://krex.k-state.edu/items/333a90d2-6c98-4ac2-aa90-0e33a46c9e3fHis writing on the history of PSYOP and PSYWAR has even been posted to the main army website:https://www.army.mil/article/199431/100_years_of_subterfuge_the_history_of_army_psychological_operations Article on rebuilding the PSYWAR capability:https://arsof-history.org/articles/v7n2_intro_page_1.htmlIs Taylor Swift a PSYOP (featuring Dr. Tracy)?https://www.wired.com/story/taylor-swift-psyop-conspiracy/The Guardian article referenced about Panama (featuring Dr. Tracy):https://www.theguardian.com/music/audio/2021/feb/03/reverberate-episode-2-rick-astley-versus-the-dictator-of-panama-podcastWhat did PSYOP do during Operation Just Cause in Panama. Ash disappointedly was not able to find the interview of the captain, but the ARSOF Historians have covered this exact operation in detail:https://arsof-history.org/articles/21feb_psyop_just_cause_page_1.htmlFrom that article:"Then, LTG Stiner (with Thurman's approval) ordered a PSYOP-led “sound barrier” around the Nunciature after Christmas to prevent media eavesdropping on negotiations between MG Marc A. Cisneros, Commander, USARSO, and José Sebastían Laboa, the Papal Nuncio (Vatican diplomatic representative). Deafening, round-the-clock music from cassette tapes and local radio stations blared through 450-watt loudspeakers mounted on HMMWVs."The art and science of PSYOP has been written about at length:https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA030140Heber Blankenhorn's story is even more interesting in detail:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1540-6563.1983.tb01579.xThe ARSOF Historian's office has also covered multiple articles that mention Blankenhorn:https://arsof-history.org/icons/blankenhorn.htmlThe Committee on Public Information (CPI) is a rabbit hole unto itself:https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/the-great-war-master-of-american-propaganda/Lippmann wrote the first book on Public Opinion:https://www.amazon.com/Public-Opinion-Walter-Lippmann/dp/B099G6S24P/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uCSJpfoI3vI2Iv8MR449ZCjuaVyRTA3QZ-grEOo-5EOiZYbL8mci1OiMEfmyOzPHFC6acuxTTevKTq2jjgkeGWXccFMnkYkRIHJEOyJOR6OGTB4x9r0YHHP5CjNSJzgHhkQDDHzHOJOIRwlXyZhFPGROmrUxCD-aKDmRwK0SdzQoBq-9vRTUhziliA6pq0OvmaG-bHwQBnBlWyaTUjORLX4SFN-Tizrr5V8c_vWKqd8.5U0CbgjyyhXy9E5E_bJnGfS21HAxqUiQwc-I-2W6NDU&dib_tag=se&keywords=public+opinion&qid=1729801247&sr=8-3Bernays re-wrote the book on Public Opinion:https://www.amazon.com/Crystallizing-Public-Opinion-Edward-Bernays/dp/107827326X/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uCSJpfoI3vI2Iv8MR449ZCjuaVyRTA3QZ-grEOo-5EOiZYbL8mci1OiMEfmyOzPHFC6acuxTTevKTq2jjgkeGWXccFMnkYkRIHJEOyJOR6OGTB4x9r0YHHP5CjNSJzgHhkQDDHzHOJOIRwlXyZhFPGROmrUxCD-aKDmRwK0SdzQoBq-9vRTUhziliA6pq0OvmaG-bHwQBnBlWyaTUjORLX4SFN-Tizrr5V8c_vWKqd8.5U0CbgjyyhXy9E5E_bJnGfS21HAxqUiQwc-I-2W6NDU&dib_tag=se&keywords=public+opinion&qid=1729801247&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1Book - The Averaged American:https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674027428The modern definition of PSYOP:https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/specialty-careers/special-ops/psychological-operationsThe Smith-Mundt Act:https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/5736Morale Operations within the Office of Strategic Services (OSS):https://arsof-history.org/articles/v3n4_oss_primer_page_1.htmlPublic Records on the Office of War Information:https://www.archives.gov/research/foreign-policy/related-records/rg-208Declassified records regarding The Psychological Warfare Division of Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (PWD SHAEF) from the CIA's website:https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP78-01634R000400120001-4.pdfThe First Motion Picture Unit:https://www.archives.gov/files/calendar/know-your-records/handouts-presentations/sept19-presentation.pdfRazzle Dazzles ships:https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/episode-65-razzle-dazzle/The Ghost Army of World War II:https://ghostarmy.org/A book on the history of the Information Control Division:https://nonstopsystems.com/radio/pdf-hell/article-hell-rwnlst.pdfThe United States Information Agency:https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/united-states-information-agencyGen Schwarzkopf and PSYOP:https://arsof-history.org/articles/21oct_psyop_in_operation_ds_pt1_page_1.html Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! If you enjoyed this, join the underground by sharing it with someone else. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

On this episode we sit down with third time guest Chuck Pressburg from Presscheck Consulting. During our conversation we talk with Chuck about Sons Of Liberty Gun Works 6 max rifle, rifle set up, performance shooting, training issues, OIS, Force on Force Training and Team Culture.https://presscheckconsulting.com/2024-coursesSGM(R) Pressburg retired from the US Army on January 1, 2017 after 26 years of active service, mostly in Special Operations and Special Missions Units. After Infantry and Airborne Training in 1990, Chuck completed the Ranger Indoctrination Program and was assigned to the 1st Bn, 75th Ranger Regiment. Chuck's experience includes:10 years in the 75th Ranger Regiment including Platoon Sergeant of a 65-man strike force that was deployed to Afghanistan two times in 2001/2002. Chuck's platoon was highly decorated for combat action receiving 10 Silver Stars and 11 Bronze stars with “V” during their first deployment.24 months Rifle and Sniper Squad Leader - 82nd Airborne Division.2 years Asymmetric Warfare Group (AWG) (Founding member, 1st active Army unit member deployed to combat, Selection Class #1, Operational Training Course (OTC) Class #1).20 months in Operation Iraqi Freedom conducting Small Kill Team (SKT) operations and Direct Action raids in support of conventional and Special Operations Forces.12 years, HQ USASOC performing various operational and staff tasks including a two-year assignment to the G8 section where Chuck performed Science and Technology R&D. While assigned to USASOC, Chuck graduated from the Defense Acquisitions University's Combat Developer's Course and The Human Factors Engineering (MANPRINT) Course. Chuck spent several years assisting in material acquisition programs for SOF.  

"Without sustainment, you're just camping with guns."Did you know it takes quite a lot to sustain an organization like the Special Warfare Center & School? Join us as we discuss sustainment for the organization, sustainment for Special Operations, and how logistics wins wars. About the guest:Lt. Col. Pete Van Howe served as the G4 for SWCS and previously served as executive officer of the 407th BSB, 82nd Airborne Division. He holds a bachelor's degree from Purdue University and a master's degree from Troy University. He is a graduate of the Theater Sustainment Planner's Course, Joint Operation Planning and Execution System Action Officer and Support Personnel Courses, Air Assault School, and Jumpmaster School. He is the current Brigade Support Battalion Commander within the 3rd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division. About the hosts:Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer who served within the re-established PSYWAR School at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. He is now transitioning to attend grad school at Arizona State University with a follow-on assignment at West Point's Army Cyber Institute where he will research mis/disinformation.Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Non-commissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. Bull Halsey quote (on page 16):https://www.moore.army.mil/infantry/magazine/issues/2005/SEP-OCT/pdfs/SEP-OCT2005.pdfBaltimore Bridge Collapse:https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/26/us/key-bridge-collapse-baltimore-what-to-know.htmlShip stuck in the Panama Canal:https://www.businessinsider.com/traffic-jam-outside-panama-canal-hundreds-ships-2023-8The cost of the Suez Canal obstruction in 2021:https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56559073Setting a Theater: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/May-June-2018/Setting-the-Theater-Effective-Resourcing-at-the-Theater-Army-Level/Talent management for Special Operations logistics:https://www.army.mil/article/179943/joint_special_operations_forces_logistics_talent_management Additional Reading:Lt. Col. Van Howe has been previously published (page 51):https://alu.army.mil/alog/ARCHIVE/PB700201902FULL.pdf Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! If you enjoyed this, join the underground by sharing it with someone else. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

Army Special Operations Forces are led by LTG John Braga, Commander of United States Army Special Operations Command. General Braga and Creator and Host Fran Racioppi stormed the Utah Beach Communication Bunker responsible for the coordination of German defenses and later the facilitation of the largest amphibious assault in history. From this iconic setting, we unpacked the significance of World War II on international norms still in play today and challenged at a level not seen since the pre-war era. General Braga shared his vision for Army Special Operations, his focus on threat-informed decision-making, and how Special Operations has evolved; but more importantly where it needs to go and why it's not there yet. He also explains how Special Operations are preparing for conflict with nation-states like China and Iran, while also ensuring terrorist organizations have no sanctuary across the globe. Finally, we talk about integration, and why Special Operations is a critical node in the cyber and space fight deep behind enemy lines. Check out our conversation from underneath Utah Beach. Head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch all our coverage from the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. And don't miss our first documentary, Unknown Heroes: Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day, the story of Operation Jedburgh available now only on YouTube. Highlights0:00 Introduction3:25 Welcome to the Le Roosevelt Cafe Bunker on Utah Beach8:14 Significance of Operation Jedburgh10:15 Rangers on Omaha Beach13:35 US Army Special Operations mission19:10 Role of Psychological Operations24:10 Winning Cognitive Warfare?29:43 A change to the Special Forces teams?32:10 Top priority on the next battlefield?41:10 Combatting an enemy that doesn't value life?44:32 The USASOC culture49:43 Destroying the enemy55:28 USASOC's future1:00:05 Foundations to Success Quotes“Here we have the Jedburghs, with small teams having complete outsized impacts.”“We challenge the force…to be strategically driven in everything you do.” “We weren't created for counter-terrorism.” “You need to be an information officer.” “People are the weapon system of USASOC. That's our greatest investment.”“Every STEM robotics club in high school in America needs to know we have a home for them in Army Special Operations. “We have to modernize. We have to change. Or we'll be behind the adversary.”“The only way to win is a whole of nation and whole of society approach.” “I want to be surrounded by people who want to push themself.” “Everyone should be challenging the training calendar. What are you training for?”“We can't be afraid of changing because we might get something wrong.”The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.

Did you know the Special Forces Operation Detachment Alpha hasn't always had twelve people in it?Did you know only 1% of the first official Special Forces organization was made up of members of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS)?The history of Special Forces is a tapestry, weaving together organizations like Merrill's Marauders (or Unit Galahad), the Philippine resistance movements in WWII, the original PSYWAR School, and the Ranger Regiment's early days.Join us as we host Dr. Troy J. Sacquety, the Army Special Operations Forces' Command Historian, as he dives deep with us on the nuances and facts of the impetus and history of the Special Forces Regiment.And listen through the end to hear the controversial history of the green beret! About the guest:Dr. Sacquety earned an MA from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a PhD in Military History from Texas A&M University. Prior to joining the USASOC History Office staff in August 2006, he worked several years for the Central Intelligence Agency. His research interests include Army and Office of Strategic Services special operations during World War II, and U.S. Army Civil Affairs. About the hosts:Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer who served within the re-established PSYWAR School at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. He is now transitioning to attend grad school at Arizona State University with a follow-on assignment at West Point's Army Cyber Institute where he will research mis/disinformation.Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Non-commissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. From the episode:Brief biography of Brig. Gen. Evans Carlson:https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/People/Whos-Who-in-Marine-Corps-History/Abrell-Cushman/Brigadier-General-Evans-F-Carlson/All Special Forces Groups in the 1st Special Forces Regiment trace their official U.S. Army lineage and honors to the FSSF activation on 9 July 1942:https://arsof-history.org/first_special_service_force/legacy.htmlThe Coordinator of Information (COI), which became the Office of Strategic Services (OSS):https://www.soc.mil/OSS/the-beginning.htmlThe origins of the OSS and its relationship with modern Army Special Operations:https://arsof-history.org/articles/v3n4_oss_primer_page_1.htmlBritish Special Operations Executive:https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/SOEThe French Bureau Central de Renseignements et d'Action (BCRA):https://www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr/en/bcra-dgseThe OSS also required immense amounts of coordination and logistics to be successful:https://arsof-history.org/articles/v3n1_supplying_resistance_page_1.htmlJedburghs (including their epically great patch):https://www.soc.mil/OSS/jedburghs.htmlThe Green Berets, written by Robin Moore, was the book mentioned from the Vietnam era: https://www.specialforceshistory.info/books/the-green-berets-robin-moore.htmlDetachment 101:https://arsof-history.org/articles/v4n3_myitkyina_part_2_page_1.htmlSpecial Forces in the Korean War:https://arsof-history.org/articles/v2n2_catch_as_catch_page_1.htmlSpecial Operations in the Korean War:https://www.army.mil/article/268487/army_special_operations_in_the_forgotten_war_commemorating_the_70th_anniversary_of_the_korean_armisticeThe Alamo Scouts:https://www.army.mil/article/214389/the_alamo_scoutsThe Alamo Scouts have been recognized as Distinguished Members of the Special Forces Regiment:https://www.swcs.mil/Portals/111/sf_alamo-scouts.pdfA diary of the Alamo Scouts:https://arsof-history.org/articles/v4n3_alamo_scouts_page_1.html Maj. Gen. McClure:https://arsof-history.org/articles/v7n2_mcclure_page_1.htmlBrig. Gen. Russel Volckmann:https://arsof-history.org/icons/volckmann.htmlCol. Wendell Fertig:https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/MR-Book-Reviews/January-2017/Book-Review-011/Lt. Col. Melvin R. Blair:https://arsof-history.org/articles/v7n1_smoke_bomb_hill_page_1.htmlLt. Martin Waters:https://arsof-history.org/articles/v4n1_myitkyina_part_1_page_1.htmlCol. Aaron Bank:https://arsof-history.org/icons/bank.htmlColombian Lanceros:https://arsof-history.org/articles/pdf/v2n4_colombian_sof.pdf8240:https://arsof-history.org/articles/v3n3_wolfpack_donkeys_page_1.htmlFormation of the Rangers:https://arsof-history.org/articles/v2n3_rangers_wwii_page_1.htmlThe history of Special Operations Command (not to be confused with 1st SOCOM):https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/1800521/The history of 1st SOCOM:https://arsof-history.org/1stsocom/index.htmlThe Lodge Act:https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP57-00384R001000010010-1.pdfProgram of Instruction (POI) is essentially the syllabus for Army instruction.The Special Forces tab was approved in 1983:https://web.archive.org/web/20000510192433/http://www.qmmuseum.lee.army.mil/airborne/sf_tab.htmHistory of the ODA and its size over time:https://arsof-history.org/articles/v19n1_evolution_of_the_special_forces_oda_page_1.htmlThe history of the green beret:https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2023/10/10/how-the-green-beret-became-the-symbol-of-us-army-special-forces/Edson Raff's involvement:https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-22-me-passings22.1-story.html95th Civil Affairs patch:https://www.shopmyexchange.com/army-unit-patch-95th-civil-affairs-brigade-ocp-/7048045Want a deeper dive on the conflict in Burma? Dr. Sacquety did another interview at the following link:https://www.fpri.org/multimedia/2024/06/an-american-irregular-warfare-success-story-oss-detachment-101-in-burma-during-wwii/Detachment 101 and John Ford:http://www.easaul.com/oss-detachment-101.htmlThe Range of Military Operations (ROMO): https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Doctrine/concepts/joc_deterrence.pdf?ver=2017-12-28-162015-337 Recommended Civil Affairs reading:The Hunt Report:https://www.civilaffairsassoc.org/post/2018/05/08/civil-affairs-centennial-ca100-the-hunt-reportCivil Affairs articles from the ARSOF Historian's Office:https://arsof-history.org/pdf/handbook_civil_affairs.pdf Recommended Special Forces reading from the episode:The Green Berets by Robin Moore:https://www.amazon.com/Green-Berets-Robin-Moore/dp/0312984928From OSS to Green Berets:https://www.amazon.com/Oss-Green-Berets-Special-Forces/dp/0891412719Dr. Sacquety is also the author of the book The OSS in Burma: Jungle War against the Japanese:https://us.amazon.com/OSS-Burma-against-Japanese-Studies/dp/0700619097/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! If you enjoyed this, join the underground by sharing it with someone else. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

Corie Weathers is a licensed professional counselor, speaker, consultant, and author focusing her career for the last 20 years as a clinician specializing in marriage, military and first responders, the service culture, and its impact on families. We sat down with her to speak about the challenges of communication within military families and relationships, returning home after conflict, retention, recruitment, and more. About the hosts:Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer who served within the re-established PSYWAR School at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. He is now transitioning to attend grad school at Arizona State University with a follow-on assignment at West Point's Army Cyber Institute where he will research mis/disinformation.Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Non-commissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. From the episode:Ms. Corrie Weathers has been featured on a variety of media platforms. You can learn more about her work by visiting her website:https://www.corieweathers.com/The Socrates quote mentioned: (469–399 B.C. ) "The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households."The quote, "was crafted by a student, Kenneth John Freeman, for his Cambridge dissertation published in 1907." You can read more about it here: https://quoteinvestigator.com/2010/05/01/misbehave/Most service members are the children of veterans:https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Reports/2022-demographics-report.pdf  Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! And if you enjoyed this, become a member of the underground by sharing with at least one other person. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

Did you know Civil Affairs Soldiers were on the beaches of Normandy and tasked with addressing the cattle killed from the combat operations so that disease outbreaks could be mitigated? Or that Civil Affairs prevented cholera outbreaks during the Korean War?Combat is only one aspect of conflict and war.We dive deep in this episode where we cover the history of Civil Affairs.The Civil Affairs Branch predates the Psychological Operations and Special Forces branches, and even predates the Army Aviation and Military Intelligence branches. The history of Civil Affairs is important for Special Operations practitioners and leaders throughout the military to learn.Join us as we host Dr. Troy J. Sacquety, the Army Special Operations Forces' Command Historian, and recently named Honorary Member of the Civil Affairs Regiment. About the guest:Dr. Sacquety earned an MA from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a PhD in Military History from Texas A&M University. Prior to joining the USASOC History Office staff in August 2006, he worked several years for the Central Intelligence Agency. His research interests include Army and Office of Strategic Services special operations during World War II, and U.S. Army Civil Affairs. About the hosts:Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer who served within the re-established PSYWAR School at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. He is now transitioning to attend grad school at Arizona State University with a follow-on assignment at West Point's Army Cyber Institute where he will research mis/disinformation.Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Non-commissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. From the episode:Brief biography of Col. Irwin L. Hunt, author of the Hunt Report:https://arsof-history.org/icons/hunt.htmlDerek mentioned the famous General, Gen. Lucius D. Clay:https://www.army.mil/article/216006/gen_lucius_d_clay_a_brilliant_administratorInformation on the European Civil Affairs Division and Civil Affairs history:https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-D101-PURL-gpo128986/pdf/GOVPUB-D101-PURL-gpo128986.pdfCol. Charles R. Munske, who began his career as Coast Artillery:https://arsof-history.org/icons/munske.html Brigadier General Crawford F. Sams:https://arsof-history.org/articles/v6n1_crawford_sams_page_1.htmlCORDS:https://www.archives.gov/research/military/vietnam-war/civil-operations.htmlThe Ring Road of Afghanistan:https://www.vox.com/world/2018/1/11/16878056/afghanistan-us-fail-war-taliban Recommended reading from the episode:The Hunt Report:https://www.civilaffairsassoc.org/post/2018/05/08/civil-affairs-centennial-ca100-the-hunt-reportAmerican Military Government of Occupied Germany:https://arsof-history.org/icons/pdf/american_military_government_of_occupied_germany_1918-1920.pdfDr. Sacquety is also the author of the book The OSS in Burma: Jungle War against the Japanese:https://us.amazon.com/OSS-Burma-against-Japanese-Studies/dp/0700619097/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! If you enjoyed this, join the underground by sharing it with someone else. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the sixty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience' and the third annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium. Hosted by the Commanding General of the JRTC and Ft. Johnson, BG Jason Curl and the Commander of Ops Group (COG), COL Matthew Hardman. Today's guests are all seasoned observer-coach-trainers (OCTs) from across Operations Group, MAJ Benjamin Pinner, CPT Sheena Henley, CPT Chad Lipe, CW2 Jerrad Rader, and 1SG Ryan Hamilton as well as a senior member of the JRTC's Opposing Force, MAJ Brandon Kilthau and CSM Chris Gaede from the US Army Special Operations Command's Special Operations Training Detachment.   Our panel members are observer-coach-trainers with over 150 decisive action training environment rotations between them. MAJ Benjamin Pinner is the S-3 Operations Officer for Operations Group and was formerly the S-3 for Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control. CPT Sheena Henley is the Team Senior for the Air Assault / Air Movement Team of Task Force Aviation. CPT Chad Lipe is the Team Senior for the Administrative / Logistics Ops Center for TF Sustainment (BSB / CSSB / DSSB). CW2 Jerrad Rader is the Brigade Targeting Officer OCT for BDE Command & Control (BCT HQ). 1SG Ryan Hamilton is a Rifle Company First Sergeant OCT for TF-3 (IN BN). From the infamous Geronimo team, we have MAJ Brandon Kilthau who is the BN Executive Officer for 1-509th IN (ABN) (Opposing Force). Last but not least is CSM Chris Gaede, the former Command Sergeant Major for USASOC's Special Operations Training Detachment for the combat training centers. In this special episode, we focus on large-scale combat operations across multiple domains and explore the comprehensive efforts being made to prepare America's Army to fight and win tomorrow's wars. The panel discusses large scale combat operations executed at the platoon through division 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 nature of conflict evolves, the Army is adapting to meet the challenges of modern warfare, which demands proficiency across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains. By enhancing interoperability with Special Operations Forces (SOF) and integrating multinational coalitions, the Army is fostering a cohesive force capable of dominating in complex, multi-domain environments. Sustainment and logistics are being refined to ensure that the force remains agile and resilient, while joint fires and combined arms maneuver are being honed to deliver decisive effects on the battlefield. This episode delves into the strategies and innovations that are positioning America's Army at the forefront of future conflicts, ensuring that it remains a formidable force capable of securing victory in an increasingly unpredictable world.   LSCO on the modern battlefield involve coordinated efforts across multiple domains—land, air, sea, space, and cyber—spanning from platoon to division echelons. These operations require seamless integration of Special Operations Forces (SOF) and Conventional Forces (CF) through Interoperability, Integration, and Interdependence (I3) to achieve unified objectives. Multinational coalitions bring together diverse military capabilities, enhancing operational flexibility and reach. Joint fires, combining assets from different services, deliver precise, synchronized strikes, while combined arms maneuver leverages the complementary strengths of infantry, armor, artillery, and aviation to dominate the battlefield and achieve decisive results. Sustainment and logistics play a critical role in maintaining the operational tempo, ensuring that forces are supplied and supported throughout the conflict. General John “Black Jack” Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War I, said, "Infantry wins battles, logistics wins wars." This very much reflects the importance of logistics even today, where the importance and role of logistics can be seen very vividly in each rotation.   Part of S01 “The Leader's Laboratory” series.   Don't forget to checkout our first and second annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium, episodes sixteen and thirty of ‘The Crucible.' And if you'd like to explore the CSM(R) Nash & CSM(R) Donaldson's episode that COL Hardman referenced, look at episode fifty-one.   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.

Preserving and capturing the lessons learned from the Global War on Terror; what is keeping the newest generation of Army Special Operations Forces (SOF) up at night; how can we continue to develop professional military writing in Army SOF; how to we modernize such efforts? We tackle all of that and more in this episode with two great Special Operations practitioners and recent graduates of the National Defense University.Spread the word! We have two (the very first!) Harding Project Fellows who will now be leading the Special Warfare Magazine. P.S. -- We have a new season! Fear not, Ash is in a better place and will still be featured in several episodes, as we recorded a ton of content prior to his departure. We will have a future transition episode to discuss the end of "Season 2". About the guests:Sgt. 1st Class Ben Latigue. Ben is originally from Apex, North Carolina and enlisted in 2012. He completed the Special Force Qualification Course in 2013 as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a Master of Arts in International Strategic Security Studies from the National Defense University.Maj. Emily Lopez. Emily enlisted in the Army Reserves in 2008 and was commissioned from Oklahoma State University as an Ordnance officer in 2013. In 2019, Lopez graduated from the Civil Affairs Qualification Course. Lopez holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Promotion from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies from the National Defense University. About the hosts:Lt. Col. Bobby Tuttle is a Green Beret and co-founder of the Pineland Underground. A proven leader who is currently serving as the Special Warfare Center & School's Strategic Communicator. He is a graduate of both Texas A&M and the Naval Postgraduate School.Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Non-commissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. From the episode:What is the Harding Project:https://www.hardingproject.com/p/welcome-to-the-harding-projectThe Harding Project Fellowship Program:https://www.army.mil/article/278222/first_harding_fellows_strengthen_the_armys_professional_journalsHow to submit an article to the Special Warfare Magazine:https://www.swcs.mil/Special-Warfare/Article-Submissions/How to write a book review from Military Review:https://www.armyupress.army.mil/journals/military-review/online-exclusive/2024-ole/how-to-write-a-book-review/ Recommended reading from the episode:The Special Warfare Magazine Archive:https://www.swcs.mil/Special-Warfare/Special-Warfare-Archive/More information about SWCS's involvement in the Harding Project:https://www.swcs.mil/Special-Warfare/Harding-Project/And keep an eye out for Line of Depature! Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! If you enjoyed this, join the underground by sharing it with someone else. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

Episode 58 – Eric Czaja – Below the Surface In this episode, U.S. Army Maj. Eric Czaja discusses his career from his time as a platoon leader leading up to experiences as an NPS student and his thesis research focusing on regenerative agriculture. This episode is hosted by U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Karl Flynn. This episode was recorded on April 12, 2024. Watch Maj. Czaja and his thesis partner, Maj. Ian McAlpine discuss their research in the NPS Student Profile video. Download a transcript of this episode. Segment 1 of 3 – Operational Experiences - [0:00] Segment 2 of 3 – Homesteading and Agricultural Thesis Research - [11:25] Segment 3 of 3 – Advice to Students - [30:20] Eric is a graduate of Marquette University and commissioned as an Infantry officer in 2011. He served as a Rifle Platoon leader, Reconnaissance Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer and Assistant Operations Officer in the 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA. After successfully completing the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2018, Eric served as a Special Forces Operation Detachment- Alpha Commander in 3rd Special Forces Group. Eric has successfully led Soldiers in Africa and Afghanistan and is a June 2024 graduate with an M.S. degree in Defense Analysis at the Naval Postgraduate School. [Disclaimers] The Trident Room has been brought to by the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association and Naval Postgraduate School Foundation. The views expressed in this interview are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the US Navy, or the Naval Postgraduate School. For comments, suggestions, and critiques, please email us at TridentRoomPodcastHost@nps.edu, and find us online at nps.edu/tridentroompodcast. Thank you!

Did you know the entire Joint Force engages in Irregular Warfare? Often defined differently depending on the individual or organization you speak to, we have Doug Livermore on to help define and discuss Irregular Warfare, the nature of conflict, and how our named adversaries also apply it across the globe. Listen in to learn how Irregular Warfare is not only a job for Special Operations. About the guest:Doug Livermore formerly served as the Director of Special Operations, Irregular Warfare, Special Programs, and Sensitive Activities for the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy. He is also a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard serving as the Deputy Commander of Special Operations Detachment – X. Previously, Doug served as a sensitive activities advisor to both the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict and the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. Multiple international affairs and security studies journals have distributed Doug's works, including many publications in War on the Rocks, Small Wars Journal, and the Military Times. Doug is the National Director for External Communications for the Special Forces Association and is also the Director of Communications with West Point's Irregular Warfare Initiative. Additionally, he is on the Board of Directors for both No One Left Behind and the Special Operations Association of America where he has been instrumental in the ongoing evacuation and resettlement of Afghan interpreters and their families. Doug earned his undergraduate degree in Military History at West Point, his graduate degree in International Security Affairs from Georgetown University; he excelled in the Army Command and General Staff Officer Course. About the hosts:Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer serving in the re-established PSYWAR School at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School.Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Non-commissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. From the episode:To read more about Irregular Warfare, visit the following websites and articles:https://irregularwarfarecenter.org/Did you know Congress authorized the development of the Irregular Warfare Center?https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2022/11/the-congressionally-authorized-irregular-warfare-functional.htmlHere's the Irregular Warfare Annex to the National Defense Strategy:https://media.defense.gov/2020/Oct/02/2002510472/-1/-1/0/Irregular-Warfare-Annex-to-the-National-Defense-Strategy-Summary.PDFThe Joint Definition of Irregular Warfare:https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Doctrine/concepts/joc_iw_v2.pdf?ver=2017-12-28-162021-510The definition has been discussed by many:https://mwi.westpoint.edu/redefining-irregular-warfare-legitimacy-coercion-and-power/Pirates vs. Privateers:https://www.nps.gov/articles/privateers-in-the-american-revolution.htmThe Peninsular War:https://www.britannica.com/event/Peninsular-WarKorean War White Tigers:https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/potomac-books/9781574886054/Doug's article It's Time for Special Operations to Dump ‘Unconventional Warfare':https://warontherocks.com/2017/10/its-time-for-special-operations-to-dump-unconventional-warfare/National Security Presidential Memorandum - 3: Presidential Memorandum Plan to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syriahttps://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-memorandum-plan-defeat-islamic-state-iraq-syria/The instruments of national power (aka, DIME):https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/2106566/putting-the-fil-into-dime-growing-joint-understanding-of-the-instruments-of-pow/China's Three Warfares:https://warontherocks.com/2018/01/chinas-three-warfares-perspective/Russia's Six Phases of New Generation Warfare:https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/September-October-2020/Derleth-New-Generation-War/Iran's military doctrine:https://www.mei.edu/publications/upgrading-irans-military-doctrine-offensive-forward-defenseSecurity Cooperation:https://www.dsca.mil/foreign-customer-guide/security-cooperation-overviewNational Guard State Partnership Program:https://www.nationalguard.mil/leadership/joint-staff/j-5/international-affairs-division/state-partnership-program/ Recommended reading from the episode:Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare:https://www.amazon.com/Ministry-Ungentlemanly-Warfare-Churchills-Warriors/dp/1681443929Wild Bill Donnovan:https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Bill-Donovan-Spymaster-Espionage-ebook/dp/B003UV8TF4?ref_=ast_author_mpbWhite Tigers:https://www.amazon.com/White-Tigers-Secret-North-Memories-ebook/dp/B01HFUS53G?ref_=ast_author_mpbThe Secret War Against Hanoi:https://www.amazon.com/Secret-War-Against-Hanoi-Saboteurs/dp/0060932538/ref=sr_1_1?Special Forces Berlin:https://www.amazon.com/Special-Forces-Berlin-Clandestine-Operations/dp/1612008437/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! If you enjoyed this, join the underground by sharing it with someone else. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

Did you know the nation's oldest and largest continuously held ultramarathon was launched as a national challenge by President John F. Kennedy? On today's podcast, we are fortunate enough to have Mike Spinnler as our guest and SWCS's very own Command Sergeant Major, Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Strong.It is the only remaining 50-mile event of several held around the country as part of President John F. Kennedy's push to bring the country back to physical fitness. After the Kennedy assassination, many of these events were never held again, but the JFK 50 lived on. About the guests:The JFK 50 was founded in 1963 by William Joseph “Buzz” Sawyer Jr. (1928-2019). In 1993, he passed the duties of directing the race to Mike Spinnler, who had well-earned his position. Spinnler had participated in the race from 1971 (when he was 12 years old) until 1990 and won in 1982 and 1983.Command Sergeant Major Lionel A. Strong is a native of Fort Myers, Florida, and enlisted in the United States Army on July 9, 1998, as a 63B Light-Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. Upon completing Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, Command Sgt. Maj. Strong was assigned to Schofield Barracks Hawaii from December 1998 through March 2001. Command Sgt. Maj. Strong attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection in September 2000 and the Special Forces Qualification Course from June 2001 through December 2002.Sergeant First Class Anthony “Tony” Camps is our bonus guest. He has served in multiple Special Forces Groups, as well as within the Special Operations Aviation Regiment and the Special Warfare Center & School. He is a champion of the JFK 50, having competed and completed the event. About the hosts:Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer serving in the re-established PSYWAR School at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School.Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Non-commissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. From the episode:Although open to the public, the JFK 50 Mile is, in spirit, a military race. The initial inspiration behind the event came from then President John F. Kennedy challenging his military officers to meet the requirements that Teddy Roosevelt had set for his military officers at the dawn of the 20th Century. Roosevelt's requirement was for all military officers to be able to cover 50 miles on foot in 20 hours to maintain their commissions. When word got out about the “Kennedy Challenge,” non-commissioned military personnel also wanted to take the test themselves, as did certain robust members of the civilian population.Of the many awards presented at the JFK 50 Mile each year, the most prestigious is the Kennedy Cup, awarded to the top-finishing military team. Each military team can have a maximum of 10 participants, and the finishing times from the top five finishers are combined for the team time.Mike Spinnler is a national treasure and has been at the forefront of distance running for most of his life. To read more about him, visit the following websites and articles:https://www.outsideonline.com/%22https:/www.outsideonline.com/running/racing/races/jfk-50-ultra-legacy/Mike has done many other interviews over the years. To include this interview on the official JFK 50 website:https://www.jfk50mile.org/meaning/mike-spinnler/Hayden Hawks (5:18:40) for men and Sarah Biehl (6:05:42) for women hold the current course records.To register for the race, go here:https://www.jfk50mile.org/details/registration/ Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! If you enjoyed this, join the underground by sharing it with someone else. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

On today's episode of the "Be All You Can Be MSC" podcast, we dive into the fascinating world of the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). Known for its diversity and unparalleled expertise, USASOC supports geographic combatant commanders and ambassadors around the globe. Established at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, on December 1st, 1989, USASOC plays a critical role in enhancing the readiness of the Army Special Operations Forces.As the Army component of the US Special Operations Command, headquartered at McDill Air Force Base, Florida, USASOC's mission is to prepare for any conflict and arm the joint force with the world's premier Army Special Operations Forces. With an allocated strength of 33,000 personnel, USASOC commands active-duty forces and is responsible for training and equipping special forces and support units in the Army National Guard.In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Major Jaime Porras, who will provide an insider's perspective on what it's like to serve in this elite organization. Tune in to learn more about how to be selected to serve in USASOC, and gain a deeper understanding of the dedication and expertise required to be part of this distinguished unit.Don't miss this enlightening conversation on the "Be All You Can Be MSC" podcast!For more info on U.S. Army Special Operations Command: https://www.soc.mil/Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are the guests and host's alone and do not reflect the official position of the Medical Service Corps, the Department of Defense, or the US Government. All information discussed is unclassified approved for public release and found on open cleared sources.For more episodes listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube @ Be All You Can Be MSC For more information, suggestions, or questions please contact: beallyoucanbemsc@gmail.com

Trailblazer does not begin to define Brigadier General Sara Dudley, who is truly undefinable. Finance officer by trade, Brig. Gen. Dudley is the Counter Threat Finance expert currently serving within the United States Army. From deployments in the Middle East to serving within the Special Operations Command, Brig. Gen. Dudley is a true testament to dedication to service, a true voice within the Department of Defense, and an absolute innovator. About our guest:Brigadier General Sara Dudley was commissioned in 1998 as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Finance Corps. Prior to her current assignment in U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS), she served in the Army Budget Office as the Director, Operations and Support within the Army Secretariat. Before heading to that position in the Pentagon, she held the position of Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). Also within USASOC, she held the position as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Comptroller. About the hosts:Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer serving in the re-established PSYWAR School at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School.Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Non-commissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. From the episode:Brig. Gen. Dudley's official bio:https://www.swcs.mil/Portals/111/DUDLEY_bios_Current_JAN2024.pdfRead more about the Money As A Weapon System (MAAWS) Concept:https://www.dau.edu/sites/default/files/Migrated/CopDocuments/MAAWS%20CJTF%20OIR%20Final%2010202017.pdfRead more about Army Financial Management and Comptrollers:https://www.asafm.army.mil/North Korea may have sub-contracted with multiple animation studios:https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-koreans-may-have-helped-create-western-cartoons-report-says-2024-04-22/Joint Knowledge Online Courses for Counter Threat Finance (for those with Common Access Card):https://jkosupport.jten.mil/html/COI.xhtml?identifier=SOC-CTFShe has written about the application of Counter Threat Finance in her article about engaging in conflict beyond Direct Action approaches:https://www.thekcis.org/publications/insight-13She has also been featured in other discussions on other podcasts discussing digital assets and national security:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47zJEqsnFq4She has also been interviewed throughout her career. Here is an article from when she was still a Lt. Col., making an impact wherever she was assigned:https://www.army.mil/article/185720/finance_officer_recounts_how_life_lessons_have_made_a_difference Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! And if you enjoyed this, become a member of the underground by sharing with at least one other person. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

It's not every day you get to interview your boss's boss's boss. We review the main mission of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, how the organization has continued to evolve and uphold standards through the past two years, and what is on the horizon. About the guests:Brigadier General Guillaume “Will” Beaurpere has served for the last two years as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, the Special Operations Center of Excellence. He previously served as the Deputy Commanding General for Operations at Army Space and Missile Defense Command; and before that as Commanding General for Special Operations Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. Command Sergeant Major Lionel A. Strong is a native of Fort Myers, Florida and enlisted in the United States Army July 9, 1998 as a 63B Light-Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. Upon completion of Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, Command Sgt. Maj. Strong was assigned to Schofield Barracks Hawaii from December 1998 thru March 2001. Command Sgt. Maj. Strong attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection in September 2000 and the Special Forces Qualification Course from June 2001 through December 2002.Chief Warrant Officer 5 Gary Ostrander was the Command Chief Warrant Officer for 2nd Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School from 2021 to 2023. He most recently served as chief operations warrant at the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) from 2020 to 2021.For more about the command team, visit: https://www.swcs.mil/About-Us/Command-Group/ About the hosts:Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer serving in the re-established PSYWAR School at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School.Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Noncommissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. From the episode:The CG mentioned "continuous transformation"; you can read more about the Army's efforts here:https://www.army.mil/article/275040/army_futures_command_general_lays_out_continuous_transformation_planFM 3-0: Operations:https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN36290-FM_3-0-000-WEB-2.pdfThe tenants of Army modernization:https://www.ausa.org/publications/tenets-army-modernizationThe re-establishment of the PSYWAR School and PSYOP Commandant:https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-psywar-school/The establishment of the Irregular Warfare Academy:https://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/special-warfare-magazine-january-2024-psywar-school-and-irregular-warfare-academyInformation Advantage:https://www.army.mil/article/271932/army_publishes_first_doctrinal_manual_dedicated_to_informationIf you want to learn more about the Robotics Unmanned Systems Integrator Course (RUSIC), check out our episode covering the course: https://pineland-underground.simplecast.com/episodes/rusic-NNFqsUWnThe Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center (JSOMTC), previously known as Special Warfare Medical Group (SWMG):https://www.swcs.mil/Schools/SWMG-A/The SWCS Language Center is the 2nd largest in the DoD:https://www.army.mil/article/275805/starting_from_beginning_part_3_second_largest_language_school_in_dod_strengthen_foreign_partnershipsMoving the Total Army School System's 6th Brigade to Fort Liberty and co-locating them with SWCS:https://www.swcs.mil/SWCS-2030/SWCS's Heritage Week is an annual event:https://www.army.mil/article/275724/swcs_celebrates_2nd_annual_heritage_week_honoring_past_present_futureSWCS partnered with National Defense University's College of International Security Affairs (CISA), and the Irregular Warfare Center to host the Spring Symposium Irregular Warfare (IW) Forum in May:https://www.dvidshub.net/news/471706/do-you-do-with-idea-swcs-cisa-co-host-irregular-warfare-forumThe SWCS Newcomer's Guide mentioned information about CAC-SOD:https://www.swcs.mil/Portals/111/NewcomersGuide.pdfNational Defense University, a fully funded Master's program for officers (which is Intermediate Level Education qualifying) and NCOs:https://cisa.ndu.edu/jsoma/ Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! And if you enjoyed this, become a member of the underground by sharing with at least one other person. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer serving in the re-established PSYWAR School at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Noncommissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves within the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. From the episode:An article from SOCOM on the Special Operations Liaison Officer (SOLO) program:https://www.socom.mil/spec-ops-liaison-program-evolves-to-further-strengthen-partner-nation-relationsA paper on the utility and recommended way forward for the SOLO program by then Col. Paul J. Schmitt while attending the U.S. Army War College:https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA590755.pdf The U.S. National Guard State Partnership Program:https://www.nationalguard.mil/leadership/joint-staff/j-5/international-affairs-division/state-partnership-program/  U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization (SATMO):https://www.army.mil/article/48921/the_u_s_army_security_assistance_training_management_organization Special Operations Support Team (SOST):https://keystone.ndu.edu/Portals/86/10_%20SOF%20Interagency%20Reference%20Guide.pdf Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! And if you enjoyed this, become a member of the underground by sharing with at least one other person. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer serving in the re-established PSYWAR School at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Noncommissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves the Proponency at the United States Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School. From the episode:Persuasive Design of Influential Technology is a term used by several academics and organizations. You can check out this Wikipedia article:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persuasive_technologyArticles on Overhead Persuasive Infrared:https://breakingdefense.com/2023/02/overhead-persistent-ir-is-how-hypersonic-and-maneuverable-threats-will-be-tracked/https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/Article-Display/Article/2744261/united-states-space-force-next-gen-opir-geo-program-completes-block-0-geo-spacehttps://breakingdefense.com/tag/next-generation-overhead-persistent-infrared-next-gen-opir/Use of the French SPOT in Desert Storm:https://www.army.mil/article/161173/smdc_history_25_years_since_first_space_warhttps://spp.fas.org/eprint/mckinley.pdfWhat is Scintillation:https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/scintillationAn article theorizing that Scintillation may have been involved in a communications anomaly in a battle in Afghanistan:https://news.agu.org/press-release/space-bubbles-may-have-aided-enemy-in-fatal-afghan-battle/ Definitions of Army Space and Army Cyber from the FMs:From FM 3-14 ARMY SPACE OPERATIONSNearly every Army operation relies on the advantages provided by space capabilities and effects to enhance the effectiveness of combat forces. Space capabilities permit enhanced situational understanding; provides global communications; enables precise and accurate fires; supports the conduct of joint expeditionary entry, movement, and maneuver operations; and provides a conduit for cyber electromagnetic operations supporting Unified Land Operations. These capabilities directly support large slarge-scalecale combat operations by enhancing command and control, providing secure communications over extended distances and across areas without modern infrastructure.Potential adversaries have identified U.S. reliance on space-based capabilities as a critical vulnerability and will attempt to exploit it in order to deter and degrade our ability to act. Army space operations seek ways to maintain assured access to space capabilities, and when necessary, to achieve its objectives in spite of the adversary's counterspace efforts.Army space operations are conducted around the globe, but engaged regionally. Army space operations often are an integral part of a joint team used to plan, fight, and adapt operations across the range of military operations. Army space operations continue to evolve to meet the requirements of a complex and rapidly changing OE.Army space doctrine refines and expands upon joint space doctrine by defining those space tactics and procedures relevant to unified land operations and applicable to large-scale combat operations. Army space operations applies to the tactical, operational, and strategic levels of war, but the results are often challenging to quantify which level or levels benefit as modern conflict may not be easily divided into discrete levels. In an internet-connected world which often exploits social media, theater-level tactical actions may have far-reaching operational and strategic-level impacts. The space capabilities form the framework for how space operations supports the Army warfighting functions. From FM 3-12 CYBERSPACE OPERATIONS AND ELECTROMAGNETIC WARFARE:Cyberspace operations are the employment of cyberspace capabilities where the primary purpose is to achieve objectives in or through cyberspace (JP 3-0). Electromagnetic warfare is a military action involving the use of electromagnetic and directed energy to control the electromagnetic spectrum or to attack the enemy (JP 3-85).Cyberspace is one of the five domains of warfare and uses a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) for operations, for example, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and satellite transport. Therefore, cyberspace operations and EW require frequency assignment, management, and coordination performed by spectrum management operations. Spectrum management operations consist of four key functions—spectrum management, frequency assignment, host-nation coordination, and policy adherence. Spectrum management operations include preventing and mitigating frequency conflicts and electromagnetic interference (EMI) between friendly forces and host nations during Army operations (refer to ATP 6-02.70). Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF Site:https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! And if you enjoyed this, become a member of the underground by sharing with at least one other person. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

Would you like to know more?Go here to see if Civil Affairs is what you've been searching for (https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/CA/)Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-6xwphhI0s More videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scbTSLY_YpI&list=PL2GcfNIpMaK_roKmHBJ2NV4iY07oya6Kb&index=1Current PT plan for Civil Affairs Assessment & Selection (https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/Portals/100/CA%20Comprehensive%20PT%20Plan%20Updated.pdf) MAJ Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer serving in the 1st Special Warfare Training Group at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School. SGM Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Noncommissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves the Proponency at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School. ARSOF CORE ATTRIBUTESIntegrity. Being trustworthy and honest, acting honorably, and adhering to ethical standards.Courage. Acting on own convictions despite consequences; is willing to sacrifice for a more significant cause; not paralyzed by fear of failure.Perseverance. Working toward an end; has commitment; physical or mental resolve; motivated; gives effort to the cause; does not quit.Personal Responsibility. Being self-motivated and an autonomous self-starter, he anticipates tasks and acts accordingly, taking accountability for his actions.Professionalism. Behaving as a standard-bearer for the regiment, he has a professional image including a level of maturity and judgment mixed with confidence and humility; he forms sound opinions and makes their own decisions, stands behind his sensible choices based on his experiences.Adaptability. Possessing the ability to maintain composure while responding to or adjusting one's thinking and actions to fit a changing environment; the ability to think and solve problems in unconventional ways; the ability to recognize, understand, and navigate within multiple social networks; the ability to proactively shape the environment or circumstances in anticipation of desired outcomes.Team Player. Possesses the ability to work on a team for a greater purpose than himself; dependable and loyal; works selflessly with a sense of duty; respects others and recognizes diversity.Capability. Maintaining physical fitness, including strength and agility; has operational knowledge; can plan and communicate effectively. Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF CA Site:GO CAhttps://www.goarmysof.army.mil/CA/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! And if you enjoyed this, become a member of the underground by sharing with at least one other person. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is a Psychological Operations Officer with operational experience in South / Central America, the Indo-Pacific, and throughout the Middle East. He serves in the newly re-established PSYWAR School within the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School. Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Noncommissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves in the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School.=-=-=-=Click here to visit the official website for the JFK Special Warfare Museum (https://history.army.mil/museums/jfk-swm/index.html)=-=-=-=The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! Doing so helps our grassroots effort to grow.

Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is a Psychological Operations Officer with operational experience in South / Central America, the Indo-Pacific, and throughout the Middle East. He serves in the 1st Special Warfare Training Group at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School. Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Noncommissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves in the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School. If you want to submit an article to Special Warfare Magazine, go here: https://www.swcs.mil/Special-Warfare/Article-Submissions/If you are interested in pursuing professional writing make sure you contact your unit's Public Affairs Office, as well as your Intel Officer and section if you want to write about operational content.Sign up for The Harding Project's Substack: https://www.hardingproject.com/ Ash mentioned the Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review, which will review your articles for operational content that the DoD would not want to release and will review your articles for release. Contact them for more details: https://www.defense.gov/Contact/Help-Center/Article/Article/2762947/publication-security-review/Pro tip of using military photos for free (it's a .net and not a .com; Ash has been punished for his mistake), visit the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) website: https://www.dvidshub.net/For more information on the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center & School's upcoming Heritage Week, please visit the SWCS website: https://www.swcs.mil/You can also read a bit more about The Harding Project here: https://mwi.westpoint.edu/introducing-the-harding-project-renewing-professional-military-writing/

Lieutenant General Christopher Donahue returns to the show to continue his previous conversation with Joe on culture and leadership. In this episode, they discuss:What LTG Donahue has learned since his last appearance on the podcastHow the culture of the 82nd Airborne Division held up during the evacuation of AfghanistanFour reasons leaders need to focus on physical fitnessThe importance of innovation in today's ArmyWhat LTG Donahue is reading right nowTips for successful communicationLieutenant General Christopher Donahue currently serves as the 39th Commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, and Ft. Liberty, NC. Prior to assuming command of the corps, LTG Donahue served as the Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.LTG Donahue's other assignments include Commander, NATO Special Operations Component and US Joint Special Operations in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Deputy Director for Special Operations and Counter-Terrorism, J-3, for the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C., Commandant, US Army Infantry School and Director of the Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Team, and Deputy Commanding General (Maneuver) of the 4th Infantry Division.LTG Donahue has led Soldiers at all levels in Airborne, Ranger, Light and Mechanized units, to include service with 3 divisions, the 75th Ranger Regiment and USASOC. He has deployed 20 times in support of operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, to include; Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Atlantic Resolve, Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce, and in support of the Sudan crisis.His formative and key, Army and special operations, assignments include Director of Operations, Joint Special Operations Command, and 16 years in various USASOC organizations, first as a platoon leader, then as a troop commander, squadron commander, and finally as a brigade commander.LTG Donahue is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, and was commissioned in 1992. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Naval War College, and the US Army War College Fellowship at Harvard University.Special thanks to this week's sponsors!Veteran-founded Adyton. Connect Leadership With Action Across Distributed Formations With Mustr by Adyton. Mustr is your digital knife-hand for daily and rapid personnel accountability, real time response data visibility, and automated reporting. Learn more about what Mustr can do for your formation here! My favorite coffee is veteran-owned Alpha Coffee and I've been drinking it every morning since 2020! They make 100% premium arabica coffee. Alpha has donated over 22k bags of coffee to deployed units and they offer a 10% discount for military veterans, first responders, nurses, and teachers! Try their coffee today. Once you taste the Alpha difference, you won't want to drink anything else!  Learn more here.   

Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is a Psychological Operations Officer with operational experience in South / Central America, the Into-Pacific, and the Middle East. He serves in the 1st Special Warfare Training Group at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School. Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Noncommissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves in the Civil Affairs Proponent at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School. Article mentioned: Optimizing the Human Weapon System.Link: https://smartabase.com/success-stories/devcom-solider-center-mrdc/ To learn more about the Preservation of the Force and Families (POTFF), check out this article.Link: https://issuu.com/faircountmedia/docs/special_operations_outlook_2022/s/15998692 Want to read more about the Human Platform Force Generation (FORGE) facility mentioned in the episode? The U.S. Army JFK Special Warfare Center & School has almost completed the most recent addition to our facilities.Link: https://www.clarknexsen.com/project/human-performance-forge-facility/ POTFF official website.Link: https://www.socom.mil/POTFF/Pages/About-POTFF.aspx__________The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.mil.Be sure to check us out and follow us at:* https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschool* https://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/* https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! And if you enjoyed this, become a member of the underground by sharing with at least one other person. Word-of-mouth is how movements spread.__________If you want to learn more about opportunities in Special Operations, contact a SORB recruiter today!Link to SORB recruiters: https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/Get-Started/Contact-a-Recruiter/

Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is a Psychological Operations Officer with operational experience in South / Central America, the Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East. He serves in the 1st Special Warfare Training Group at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School.  Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Noncommissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves the Proponency at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School. If you are currently serving, please consider signing up to get on the list for bone marrow donations:https://www.salutetolife.org/ Follow Chris and his efforts on their Instagram page:https://www.instagram.com/operationringthebell/ If you want to read more inspiring coverage of what Chris and his teammates have achieved go here:https://taskandpurpose.com/news/fort-bliss-bone-marrow-guy/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers.  Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.mil. Be sure to check us out and follow us at:* https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschool* https://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/* https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! And if you enjoyed this, become a member of the underground by sharing with at least one other person. Word-of-mouth is how movements spread.

Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is a Psychological Operations Officer with operational experience in South / Central America, the Into-Pacific, and the Middle East. He serves in the 1st Special Warfare Training Group at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School.  Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Noncommissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves the Proponency at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School. If you want to learn more about opportunities in Special Operations, contact a SORB recruiter today!Link to SORB recruiters: https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/Get-Started/Contact-a-Recruiter/ If you're already in SOF and want to contact SORB, their number is: 877-874-5544 (they'll be able to redirect you from there)The SORB recruiting email is (they'll be able to redirect you): usarmy.knox.usarec.mbx.sorb-recruiting@mail.mil Want to learn more about the branches discussed? Go here!Link: https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers.  Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.mil. Be sure to check us out and follow us at:* https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschool* https://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/* https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! And if you enjoyed this, become a member of the underground by sharing with at least one other person. Word-of-mouth is how movements spread.

Maj. Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is a Psychological Operations Officer with operational experience in South / Central America, the Into-Pacific, and the Middle East. He serves in the 1st Special Warfare Training Group at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School.  Sgt. Maj. Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Noncommissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves the Proponency at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School. The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers.  ** If you want to learn more about RUSIC, the Special Warfare Magazine included an article on RUSIC in the latest issue: https://www.swcs.mil/Special-Warfare/Special-Warfare-Archive/ Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.mil. Be sure to check us out and follow us at:* https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschool* https://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/* https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! And if you enjoyed this, become a member of the underground by sharing with at least one other person. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread. 

"O.C.," an expert on the U.S. Army Psychological Operations Assessment and Selection (POAS), joins us in a conversation about how to best prepare for the mental and physical journey. O.C. answers the multitude of questions from Derek and Ash, including: What is POAS? Is it physically demanding? How is it different from Special Forces Assessment and Selection? What are we looking for in candidates? What are the best ways to prepare?MAJ Ashley "Ash" Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Operations Officer serving in the 1st Special Warfare Training Group at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School. SGM Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Noncommissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has incredible deployment experience and serves the Proponency at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School. Would you like to know more?View the Ghosts in the Machine PSYOP Recruiting Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA4e0NqyYMw OrCheck out this official Go ARMY SOF video about some of the experiences of becoming PSYOP (featuring co-host, Ash).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aJgotD2mfI ARSOF CORE ATTRIBUTESIntegrity. Being trustworthy and honest, acting honorably, and adhering to ethical standards.Courage. Acting on own convictions despite consequences; is willing to sacrifice for a more significant cause; not paralyzed by fear of failure.Perseverance. Working toward an end; has commitment; physical or mental resolve; motivated; gives effort to the cause; does not quit.Personal Responsibility. Being self-motivated and an autonomous self-starter, he anticipates tasks and acts accordingly, taking accountability for his actions.Professionalism. Behaving as a standard-bearer for the regiment, he has a professional image including a level of maturity and judgment mixed with confidence and humility; he forms sound opinions and makes their own decisions, stands behind his sensible choices based on his experiences.Adaptability. Possessing the ability to maintain composure while responding to or adjusting one's thinking and actions to fit a changing environment; the ability to think and solve problems in unconventional ways; the ability to recognize, understand, and navigate within multiple social networks; the ability to proactively shape the environment or circumstances in anticipation of desired outcomes.Team Player. Possesses the ability to work on a team for a greater purpose than himself; dependable and loyal; works selflessly with a sense of duty; respects others and recognizes diversity.Capability. Maintaining physical fitness, including strength and agility; has operational knowledge; can plan and communicate effectively. Army Special Operations Recruiting:SOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.html GoArmySOF PSYOP Site:GO PSYOPhttps://www.goarmysof.army.mil/PO/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow us at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review! And if you enjoyed this, become a member of the underground by sharing with at least one other person. Word-of-mouth is how movements like this spread.

Brandon Orr describes how the Special Operations Forces space was missing the ability to measure speeded cognition, why the measures that are currently used do not capture the split-second demands a soldier faces when kicking open a door and executing in the unknown, how fragile high performance is, and how knowing each Operator's wiring helps him relate to them and identify their advantages and disadvantages in performance.

The leadership in charge of Army Special Forces Assessment and Selection takes us through what it is and how to best prepare for the best chances of being successful. They answer the question, "What is selection? How does someone prepare for physically and mentally? What are we looking for in candidates? Why try out for a life as a Green Beret?"MAJ Ash Holzmann is an experienced Psychological Warfare Officer serving in the 1st Special Warfare Training Group at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School. SGM Derek Riley is one of the most experienced Civil Affairs Noncommissioned Officers in the Army Special Operations Regiment. He has an incredible amount of deployment experience and currently serves the Proponency at the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School. Army Special Operations RecruitingSOF Recruiting Page (soc.mil)https://www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/recruiting.htmlGoArmySOF Special Forces Site (Training handbook can be found here)Special Forces (army.mil)https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/SF/ The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review!

The must listen to final episode of the Pineland Underground Podcast with Major Bobby Tuttle and Sergeant Major Chuck Ritter as the hosts/producers of the show. What sets great leaders and noncommissioned officers apart from their peers? What's expected of officers when they arrive fresh out of the qualification course to a Special Operations Team? How do you stay relevant as you progress in rank? We dive deep into these topics and more. Special Operations Chess Theory digs deep into the question of "What is the power of a U.S. Army Noncomissioned Officer, and more specifically, a Special Operations Noncomissioned Officer? We talk to two highly experienced soldiers, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Salazar, and SFC Joe, about what an NCO is and what sets us apart. We then dive deep into Special Operations Theory and how it can be applied to the military or any business sector mindset. This episode is bittersweet as it's the last where Bobby Tuttle and Chuck Ritter serve as hosts on the Pineland Underground Podcast. LTC Mike Salazar is an active duty U.S. Army Special Forces officer and currently serves as the Deputy Commander at the 1st Special Warfare Training Group within the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, He previously served as a Special Forces officer in the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), as an Infantry officer and has numerous deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. SFC Joe is an active duty U.S. Army Special Forces Noncommissioned Officer who currently serves as an Academic Team Sergeant at the David K. Thuma Special Operations Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, and is returning back to an operations Special Forces Group in the near future. He previously served in the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and has numerous deployments to Afghanistan and other countries in the CENTCOM Area of Operations.   Major Bobby Tuttle and Sergeant Major Chuck Ritter are both experienced Special Forces soldiers with years of experience as leaders operating around the world. After over a year of hosting and producing the Pineland Underground Podcast for the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School, they are handing over the reins. The new hosts, SGM Derek Riley and MAJ Ash Holzmann will take the podcast to new heights and tackle topics important to the Army and Special Operations. The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe, and leave a review!#specialops #usajfkswcs #pinelandunderground #pineland #podcast #military #ussocom #socom #usasoc #specialforces #army #leadership #leader #mentorship #education #pme #warfighter #combat #war #conflict #irregularwarfare #uw #nco #ncoa #officer #swcs #specops #chesstheory #oda  #3rdgroup #swcs #fortliberty 

Lieutenant General Jonathan Braga, the commander of United States Army Special Operations Command joins Joe to share lessons from his military career. Joe and LTG Braga cover a wide-range of  topics to include:Regrets and self-selecting out of opportunitiesNot being satisfied with the status quoWhere great ideas come fromThe performance triadManaging the tension between work and personal lifeGetting ideas from booksStaying curiousMyths about SOFLt. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga assumed command, August 13, 2021, of U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Prior to commanding USASOC, Braga held the position of deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific in August of 2020. Previous to that, he served as the commander of Special Operations Command Pacific.Braga was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts in June 1969. He attended the United States Military Academy and was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1991.Braga served in multiple positions as an infantry officer as part of the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California. Following these assignments, he graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course and went on to serve in multiple commandpositions in the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico from 1995-2001. He completed numerous deployments and humanitarian relief operations throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Upon completion of this tour he returned to Fort Bragg, to serve in a United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Special Mission Unit (SMU) and completed multiple deployments as a task force commander to Afghanistan and Iraq for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Willing Spirit in Colombia from 2002-2005. He then achieved his master's at the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island. Following this assignment, he served as the operations officer for the Joint Reconnaissance Task Force as part of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) in Washington, DC and deployed to lead a Special Operations Task Force across three geographical commands from 2006-2008.He then returned to Fort Bragg and served in several command and staff positions in the same USASOC SMU from 2008-2012. Afterwards, Lt. Gen. Braga would go on to serve as an Army War College Special Operations fellow at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California.Lt. Gen. Braga served as the garrison commander of the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, CA from 2013- 2015 and subsequently as the chief of staff at JSOC from 2015-2017. Braga also served as the director of operations, Combined Joint Task Force—Operation Inherent Resolve, Iraq.

Pineland Underground officially welcomes its new hosts and producers, SGM Derek Riley and MAJ Ash Holzmann, to the show. Bobby and Chuck sit down for a quick fifteen-minute conversation covering who they are, what's to expect in future episodes, and how to best use jorts at the beach. MAJ Ash Holzmann is a Psychological Operations officer with extensive experience in U.S. Army Psychological Operations. He currently serves as one of the operations officers in the 1st Special Warfare Training Group at the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Liberty, NC. He has been a previous guest on Pineland Underground. SGM Derek Riley is a Civil Affairs Noncommissioned officer with over 27 years of experience. He has served as a Command Sergeant Major in the Civil Affairs regiment and currently runs the Civil Affairs proponency for the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Liberty, NC.  He is considered to be one of the most respected and trusted senior noncommissioned officers at the Special Warfare Center and School. The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videosPlease like, subscribe and leave a review!

The United States Army Special Warfare Center and School Command Team sits down with the Pineland Underground Podcast to discuss their vision for Army Special Operations training and education geared towards the future. They highlight the current state of the schoolhouse and the pathway forward to achieve the ARSOF of 2030.  The Official Podcast of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School!USAJFKSWCS selects and trains all Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations soldiers. Please visit our website at: https://www.swcs.milBe sure to check us out and follow at:https://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschoolhttps://www.instagram.com/u.s.armyswcs/https://www.youtube.com/c/USAJFKSWCS/videos

U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Marissa Chierichella visited West Point on a school field trip when she was 10 years old. From that moment on, she knew she wanted to attend the United States Military Academy and join the U.S. Army. She went on to have a pretty awesome career serving as a Military Police Officer and as a Human Intelligence Officer in USASOC. She was also the first woman to serve as the Executive Officer for the Golden Knights, the U.S. Army parachute team. She speaks Spanish, French, and some Urdu. She has done overseas assignments to Iraq and Syria and is currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff with the 82nd Airborne. ------------------- Merch: ⁠https://shoot-like-a-girl-podcast.square.site⁠ Instagram: ⁠@shootlikeagirlpodcast⁠ Contact: shootlikeagirlpodcast@gmail.com

Listen Up! Picture this: our podcast audience is a classroom. Imagine Tom asking, "How many of you know someone within SOF or a veteran of SOF that has been diagnosed with cancer?" We can guarantee every hand would shoot up. This is why you need to listen in to this episode with Dennis Downey. Dennis Downey is a retired Army officer who spent 26 of 29 years on active duty in Special Forces. He served in a variety of assignments with the 10th and 1st Special Forces Groups and had extensive deployments to both Iraq and the Philippines. Since retirement in 2010, he has led the First In Asia Association which is dedicated to honoring the fallen from the 1st SFG (A). In 2013, after the death of several friends in the 10th SFG (A), he has been heavily involved with assisting Special Forces Soldiers, their family members, and other Special Operations Forces personnel (CA, PSYOP, Ranger, 160th SOAR, NSW, AFSOC) afflicted with cancers. He has written to the VA in support of numerous SF Soldiers who are battling for recognition of their cancer as service-connected. He has written both the Commanders of USSOCOM and USASOC to provide information on cancer trends and to help raise awareness of cancer within the force and in the veteran and retiree SF populations. SF and SOF members and their family members fighting cancer or serving as caregivers to someone with cancer can join the SOF Cancer Fighters Facebook Page for support and information.Let's dive right into this episode!Honorable Mentions:TRICARE covers the following cancer screenings as part of the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Benefit:Breast cancer examsCervical cancer examsColorectal cancer exams Lung cancer screening Oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer exams Prostate cancer exams Skin cancer examsTesticular cancer exams Thyroid cancer exams Below are Dennis's best recommendations for websites for cancer information, awareness, and testing programs: American Cancer SocietySpecial Operations Forces support organizations:Green Beret Foundation Navy SEAL Foundation - A Nation of Support  HunterSeven Foundation  Diagnostic Testing: Galleri® for HCPs  Top five cancer treatment hospitals in the US:For more information about All Secure Foundation, visit https://allsecurefoundation.org/

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) DeLellis leads research focused on traumatic brain injury, including managing the longest continually running TBI surveillance project in the Special Operations community and co-authoring more than 30 articles on TBI in SOF. But in this episode we aren't here to discuss the research he's had success in, we're here to discuss the research he hasn't been able to get off the ground. On numerous occasions he has tried and failed to initiate research projects on nutrition for soldiers, and we brought him on to talk about why that might be. LTC (R) Delellis had a truly incredible career in the Army, with combat service in essentially every conflict the United States has participated in in the last four decades. He was on the ground in Operation Just Cause (Panama,) Operation Gothic Serpent (Mogadishu, Somalia), Operation Uphold Democracy (Haiti), Operation Deliberate Force (The Balkans), and eleven rotations in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. He entered active duty as a Private in 1983 and went on to serve as an Infantryman, Team Leader, Squad Leader, and Battalion Assistant Operations Sergeant for the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield. From 1988 to 1998 LTC DeLellis served as a Team Member and Team Leader in the Army's Special Missions Unit at Fort Bragg, NC. Upon graduating from Physician Assistant School, LTC DeLellis served as the Battalion PA for 3rd Battalion, 325th Infantry, 82nd Airborne division, and the Battalion PA for 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group. From 2004 to 2014 he served as a Squadron PA, Family Medicine Clinic Supervisor, and Deputy Surgeon for the Army's Special Missions Unit. LTC DeLellis served briefly as the Deputy Surgeon for the XVIII Airborne Corps before moving back to USASOC as the Chief of Medical Training and the Deputy Command Surgeon. Today, DeLellis is the Executive Director of the Fort Bragg Research Institute, a program of The Geneva Foundation, where he continues his important work supporting the operational needs of the warfighter. Learn more about the Fort Bragg Research Institute here Learn more about the North Carolina Center for Optimizing Military Performance (NC-COMP) here We discussed some DoD obesity data which can be found here We also discussed comparisons in obesity rates between branches which can be found here

COL Michael Kloepper has spent effectively his entirely career as a paratrooper, and now as Commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade he has implemented some really interesting policies around health, fitness, and wellness. There's a good chance you've heard about his "Policy Letter #2 - Cohesion and the Pursuit of Excellence," commonly referred to as the incentives memo. This policy allows soldiers to earn time off for everything from graduating Ranger School to traveling around Europe to taking a picture at the Trail #173 sign in the Dolomites. In this episode we talk about that memo (which was originally inspired by a Specialist in the brigade), as well as the 173rd's Tough in Spirit initiative, his efforts to improve the DFAC, and even - prepare yourselves - limiting alcohol sales on post. And of course we talk about his approach to physical fitness. COL Kloepper is a 1997 graduate of West Point, a 2015 graduate of UNC's Keenan-Flagler Business School, and a 2021 Distinguished Graduate of the Army War College. He is an Infantryman, Ranger, and Paratrooper whose assignments include Ranger Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and USASOC. You can read the incentives memo here. He also discussed many of these topics at the H2F Symposium, and you can view that presentation here.

Brian served for 8 years as an Active Duty Infantry NCO in the United States Marine Corps. After being honorably discharged he served an additional 5 years as a defense contractor in support of DEA and USASOC counter narcotics/FID operations. Brian has completed several combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He has an equally impressive consulting career and has worked with some of the largest companies in the defense industry on large-scale media and product development projects. Post military career, he studied Industrial Design at the Academy of Art San Francisco, and is a graduate of EBV, an accelerated entrepreneurial studies program at Anderson Business School UCLA. He is the founder and chief designer at Orion Design Group and the host of the Lone Element Podcast. Follow Brian: Patreon: Lone Element Instagram: @loneelement2.0 YouTube: @loneelement Follow Dean: Instagram: @risingsonpodcast Facebook: The Rising Son with Dean Howell Twitter: @steaminseadaddy YouTube: @risingsonpodcast Substack: The Rising Son with Dean Howell LinkedIn: Dean Howell Prize Crew Coffee Company: prizecrewcoffee.com (Use code "SAIL" at checout) Lions Not Sheep: lionsnotsheep.com (Use code "LNSDEAN" at checkout) The Rising Son Merchandise: Signature Ballcap: $35 Shipped; Challenge Coin: $35 Shipped (DM Dean on IG for details) Support The Rising Son Podcast on PayPal: steaminseadaddy@gmail.com #KeepRising

Brian served for 8 years as an Active Duty Infantry NCO in the United States Marine Corps. After being honorably discharged he served an additional 5 years as a defense contractor in support of DEA and USASOC counter narcotics/FID operations. Brian has completed several combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He has an equally impressive consulting career and has worked with some of the largest companies in the defense industry on large-scale media and product development projects. Post military career, he studied Industrial Design at the Academy of Art San Francisco, and is a graduate of EBV, an accelerated entrepreneurial studies program at Anderson Business School UCLA. He is the founder and chief designer at Orion Design Group and the host of the Lone Element Podcast. Follow Brian: Patreon: Lone Element Instagram: @loneelement2.0 YouTube: @loneelement Follow Dean: Instagram: @risingsonpodcast Facebook: The Rising Son with Dean Howell Twitter: @steaminseadaddy YouTube: @risingsonpodcast Substack: The Rising Son with Dean Howell LinkedIn: Dean Howell Prize Crew Coffee Company: prizecrewcoffee.com (Use code "SAIL" at checkout) Lions Not Sheep: lionsnotsheep.com (Use code "LNSDEAN" at checkout) The Rising Son Merchandise: Signature Ballcap: $35 Shipped; Challenge Coin: $35 Shipped (DM Dean on IG for details) Support The Rising Son Podcast on PayPal: steaminseadaddy@gmail.com

Chuck and Bobby quickly cover their master plan for world domination, so you know what to expect from Pineland Underground in 2023. Prep yourself beforehand for the sheer awesomeness contained within this 15 minutes episode. Email Us!pinelandunderground@gmail.comUSAJFKSWCS InstagramSpecial Warfare Center (@u.s.armyswcs) • Instagram photos and videosUSAJFKSWCS Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschool/YOUTUBE:(1) Pineland Underground Podcast - YouTubeDVIDS:https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/USAJFKSWCSContact the Hosts:Sergeant Major Chuck Ritter - Deputy Commandant at the SWCS Noncommissioned  Officer AcademyChuck Ritter InstagramChuck Ritter (@charles.p.ritter) • Instagram photos and videosChuck Ritter LinkedInwww.linkedin.com/in/chuckritterspecialforcesChuck Ritter Facebookcharles.ritter.12Twitter@chuckritter7 Major Bobby Tuttle - Director of the SWCS Language, Regional Education, and Culture officeBobby Tuttle FacebookBobby Tuttle | FacebookBobby Tuttle LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbytuttle Pineland Underground Recording and Editing TeamJason Gambardella#pinelandunderground #bestpodcastinthemilitary #relentlessawesomeness #specialoperation #usajfkswcs #chuckritter #bobbytuttle #community #specialforces #leadership #community #specialoperations #ARSOF #lead #podcast #podcasthost #inspire #2023 #bestpodcastinthemilitary #psyop #civilaffairs  

Chuck Pressburg and Steve Fisher sit down with the BTO crew and discuss lasers, zeros, LPVOs and why it matters where you cross the streams.  This is a great episode filled with knowledge from these two experts.(From Presscheckconsulting.com)ABOUT CHUCK PRESSBURGSGM(R) Pressburg retired from the US Army on January 1, 2017 after 26 years of active service, mostly in Special Operations and Special Missions Units. After Infantry and Airborne Training in 1990, Chuck completed the Ranger Indoctrination Program and was assigned to the 1st Bn, 75th Ranger Regiment. Chuck's experience includes:10 years in the 75th Ranger Regiment including Platoon Sergeant of a 65-man strike force that was deployed to Afghanistan two times in 2001/2002. Chuck's platoon was highly decorated for combat action receiving 10 Silver Stars and 11 Bronze stars with “V” during their first deployment.24 months Rifle and Sniper Squad Leader - 82nd Airborne Division.2 years Asymmetric Warfare Group (AWG) (Founding member, 1st active Army unit member deployed to combat, Selection Class #1, Operational Training Course (OTC) Class #1).20 months in Operation Iraqi Freedom conducting Small Kill Team (SKT) operations and Direct Action raids in support of conventional and Special Operations Forces.12 years, HQ USASOC performing various operational and staff tasks including a two-year assignment to the G8 section where Chuck performed Science and Technology R&D. While assigned to USASOC, Chuck graduated from the Defense Acquisitions University's Combat Developer's Course and The Human Factors Engineering (MANPRINT) Course. Chuck spent several years assisting in material acquisition programs for SOF.(From Sentinelconcepts.com) STEVE ``YETI`` FISHEROWNER & LEAD INSTRUCTORSteve Fisher has been the owner/lead instructor for Sentinel Concepts since 2014. He also is a contract instructor for numerous ranges in Michigan and has been a staff instructor for EAG Tactical.Steve's career as a trainer started in the 90's, first at NTFT and then later as the owner/ lead trainer of MDFI, both Michigan-based companies, and served as one of the primary Instructors for Magpul Dynamics. He was responsible for the development of new programs and tactics for several local police departments and new training curriculum's based on low light, home defense and the use of the carbine, handgun, and shotgun in various roles.Steve has been featured in SWAT Magazine, Recoil Magazine, Breach-Bang-Clear, and has written for both SWAT Magazine and Surefire Combat Tactics. He is a product designer for Tuff Products and provides product development insight for companies like Nighthawk Customs, Midwest Industries, FN, Trijicon, Agency Arms, Surefire and Robar to name a few.Over the years Steve has participated in numerous training programs from notable instructors in the industry as well as many local level schools and stays active on both sides of the training industry. He is also an avid hunter and has a history in the outdoor/hunting television community as both a hunter and cameraman.  Find out more about The Ranch here and Shooter's Symposium here.Want to watch instead of listen? Tune in on Youtube!As always this podcast is produced by Big Tex Ordnance, your source for firearms and firearm accessories!https://www.bigtexordnance.com/  

Special Forces Sergeant Major Josh Thompson walks us through his thought process on writing The Mask We Wear. An article concerning the ease at which Special Operations personnel hide their internal struggles from their families, friends, and even themselves. The Mask We Wear was a potent and helpful piece on mental health published by the Havok Journal. Now we hear the words and personal struggles of the man who penned this article. This episode is part two of a two-part Suicide Prevention and Awareness month series. Check out Episode #48. When the Wolves Come Knocking for episode one!Military Crisis Line- Dial 988, then Press 1, or Text 838255Embedded Behavioral Health: (Ft. Bragg/WHSC) 910-907-6825On Call Duty Chaplain: (Ft. Bragg, 24/7) 910-396-4357Watters Family Life Chaplain Training Center: Free, 100% confidential Pastoral Counseling for Military ID card holders and dependents. Bldg 1-3358 Knox St, Ft. Bragg. Call 910-396-6564.Confidential & free non-medical counseling addresses issues such as improving relationships at home and work, stress management, adjustment difficulties, parenting, and grief or loss:Military and Family Life Counselors, Ft. Bragg: Call 910-432-3742 or 910-396-8683Military OneSource 1-800-342-9647Fayetteville VET Center- Free counseling and resources for Veterans & family members. Call 910-488-6252 for more information or to schedule an appointment.Warriors Heart - www. warriorsheart.com | 855-960-5405Email Us!pinelandunderground@gmail.comUSAJFKSWCS InstagramSpecial Warfare Center (@u.s.armyswcs) • Instagram photos and videosUSAJFKSWCS Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/jfkcenterandschool/YOUTUBE:(1) Pineland Underground Podcast - YouTubeDVIDS:https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/USAJFKSWCS Contact the Hosts:Sergeant Major Chuck Ritter - Deputy Commandant at the SWCS Noncommissioned  Officer AcademyChuck Ritter InstagramChuck Ritter (@charles.p.ritter) • Instagram photos and videosChuck Ritter LinkedInwww.linkedin.com/in/chuckritterspecialforcesChuck Ritter Facebookcharles.ritter.12Twitter@chuckritter7 Major Bobby Tuttle - Director of the SWCS Language, Regional Education, and Culture officeBobby Tuttle FacebookBobby Tuttle | FacebookBobby Tuttle LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbytuttle Pineland Underground Recording and Editing TeamJason Gambardella#pinelandunderground #bestpodcastinthemilitary #relentlessawesomeness #specialoperation #usajfkswcs #chuckritter #bobbytuttle #mentalhealth #resiliency #community #specialforces  

SOFcast co-host and Command Senior Enlisted Leader for US Special Operations Command; Greg Smith shares his journey through the US Air Force and Special Operations. From operating out of hangars in Pakistan days after 9/11 and battling Leukemia, to becoming the senior enlisted leader in USSOCOM, CCM Greg Smtih shares the ups and downs of a spectacular 32-year career.

-Ashlee McKeon is an O2X Sleep Specialist with over 14 years of experience assessing and probing sleep disruption in both military and veteran groups.-She is an active duty U.S. Army officer who currently serves as the Chief of Research for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) at Ft. Bragg, NC. Her team's mission is to support the development and validation of research/program evaluation initiatives across the Special Operations community. This includes the development and evaluation of Assessment & Selection programs for elite military units as well as Command and Unit level programs/initiatives aimed at enhancing force readiness through targeted assessment of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in highly demanding and specialized military careers. -Previously, she was assigned to the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) Center for Military Psychiatry and Neurosciences where she served as Chief of the Operational Research Team for 3 years. Her team developed, tested, and validated field-ready capabilities to determine the impact of disrupted sleep and circadian misalignment on the physical, cognitive, and emotional readiness of conventional and elite military units during training operations and in far-forward deployed environments.-Much of her work was also dedicated to educating military units, small team leaders, and senior leaders on how to maximize shortened or shifted sleep opportunities in the operational environment to support mission success and reduce risk associated with sleep loss.-She also has a special interest in examining the role of sleep and circadian rhythmicity as risk factors for posttraumatic stress and head injury in combat-exposed service members. FirstNet Built with AT&T:http://www.firstnet.com/healthandwellnessDownload the O2X Tactical Performance App:app.o2x.comLet us know what you think:Website: http://o2x.comIG: https://instagram.com/o2xhumanperformance?igshid=1kicimx55xt4f 

Mike Reagan is a 25-year Special Forces Operator with a career full of outrageous stories. In this laughter-filled episode, we discuss his time in the 82nd Airborne Division, 2nd Infantry Division in Korea, 5th Special Forces Group (A), 10th Special Forces Group (A), USASOC, 7th Special Forces Group (A), USAJFKSWCS, National Assessment Group, Mobile Technology Repair Complex, and GoTenna. Support the show

While Bobby is off doing “Officer things” Chuck sits down with retired SOF West Point alum who are crushing it in life after wearing the U.S. Army uniform. From best hiring practices, changing the culture of a business and the aftermath of consuming an entire pitcher of Harvey Wallbangers, Hibbitt City Gear CEO Mike Longo and author Mike Lerario provide world class information for anyone entering the civilian workplace with military experience. 

Chelsea sat down with three men who have different experiences and perspectives with mental and physical health in the special operations community. She spoke to:COL Mark Ray,  Director of USASOC's Human Performance and Wellness programDr. Phil Wagner, the Founder and CEO of Sparta SciencePhil Gant, recently separated Special Forces and Director of Programs– Ft. Bragg for The Honor Foundation.We talk about how the body needs to be treated as a system, what makes a special operator both physically and mentally, and what people can do to reduce physical or mental health issues.Additional Resources:USASOC HP and Wellness: https://usasoc.hpw.agilesof.comSparta Science: https://spartascience.comThe Honor Foundation: https://www.honor.orgPartner Highlight, Belcan Government Solutions: https://www.belcan.com/solutions/government-solutions/ Support the show (https://gsof.org/individual-membership/)

In this episode, we have two PSYOP Black Daggers! SFC Shaw and SSG Davis talk about their careers, experiences, and their unique job representing USASOC in the elite Black Dagger demo team...just one of the opportunities that PSYOP offers!

The concept of resistance is foundational to Army Special Operations Forces, as our mission is generally to partner with forces to either support or defeat resistance movements. In this two-part series, we pair experts on resistance with our forward-stationed battalion commanders in Germany and Japan to discuss what resistance is and how it's applied in today's operational environment. *To join the conversation, navigate to the 1SFC CAG page on the SIPR portal, where you will find a button for the CDR's Blog*Lt. Col. Mike Penn is a Special Forces officer and commander of 1st Bn. 10th Special Forces Group in Stuttgart, Germany. He's been in the Army for almost 25 years and has spent the majority of that time in Special Operations units. Mr. Paul Tompkins is currently the Sensitive Activities Division Chief at the US Army Special Operations Command. A retired CW4 with 28 years of service, Mr. Tompkins joined the Special Forces regiment in 1980 and spent time planning resistance operations against the Soviet Union during his time with 10 Special Forces Group in the ‘80s.  Dr. Otto Fiala, also currently working at USASOC, is a retired Army Colonel and was the lead author of the Resistance Operating Concept while at Special Operations Command Europe. LtCol. Randy Martin has spent most of his career within the US Air Force Special Operations Command and is a subject matter expert on Resistance at SOCEUR.  Master Sgt. Frank Miller is a colleague of Mr. Tompkins and Dr. Fiala at USASOC. He's served 15 years as a Green Beret, including several years with 1st Bn 10th Group in Germany, and is a Silver Star recipient from combat actions in Afghanistan in 2010.