Off the Radar, Special Operations Training Detachment
This is the introductory episode for a four-part seriesfocused on how Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations integrate and interoperate at the team/Detachment level. During a recent rotation, a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha, Civil Affairs Team, and Tactical PSYOP Detachment conducted operations at the National Training Center (NTC) as Opposing Force (OPFOR). This cross functional team approach to REDSOF was the first iteration of its kind and yield effective results on the rotational conventional unit and Special Operations unit.
During this interview, the leaders of each element will describe how each ARSOF Tribe integrated and interoperated to achieve their endstate.
About the Guests:
Spencer: Detachment Sergeant for the Tactical PSYOPDetachment (TPD) on REDSOF. He has over 15 years of Army experience, 8 of which are SOF PSYOP. Multiple operational rotations in both conventional and SOF units. Former combat engineer.
Michael: Team Leader of the REDSOF Civil Affairs Team (CAT).Former Infantry officer with e multiple CTC rotations both on BLUEFOR and REDFOR.
Andrew: SFOD-A Detachment Commander for REDSOF SFOD-A. From 10th Special Forces Group, SOF operational experience in SOCEUR. Former Infantry officer.
OC/TS:
SFC Keanu Caroline: Civil Affairs Team Sergeant. Former CAmedic. Operational experience in INDOPACOM and AFRICOM.
SFC Cody: PSYOP Detachment Sergeant. FormerInfantrymen from 82nd Airborne. SOUTHCOM and CENTCOM operational experience.
About the Host:
CPT Weston Rich is a member of SOF Plans at the NTC andformer member of Burro Team, the Special Operations Training Detachment OC/T Team at NTC. Prior to his time at NTC, Weston served as a Detachment Commander with 1st SFG (A) and as an Infantry Officer with 3-509th IN (ABN)/4/25 ID (now part of 2/11 ABN DIV). Following his time at NTC, Weston will attend Carnegie Mellon University with a follow-on assignment to Army Futures Command.
This episode covers:
- Differences between BLUEFOR and REDFOR, the challenges and benefits of both
- Identifying targets that are SOF specific; communicatingthat with the conventional force, if it isn’t SOF specific then chances are the conventional force should do it not SOF
- Train up prior to the rotation, trying to build the crossfunctional team before arrival at NTC
- “Everyone wants to be the prettiest girl at the party” –understand what your role is and what it is not, fulfill your role and allows others to fulfill theirs, building the team is better than building your ego
- Leader Training Program, best way to integrate with theconventional unit
- Be prepared to execute the mission both physically and equipment wise, don’t go into a mission with negative biases, let the bias be that together you will be the best team on the field
Please like, subscribe, and share these episodes with ARSOF any conventional Soldiers and Leaders to spread the knowledge of ARSOF in LSCO.
To provide feedback please email the host, CPT Rich, at [email protected].
Produced, edited, and sound engineering by Micah Popp ofSalty Sounds