JRTC CALL Cell

The Crucible - The JRTC Experience Podcast

Government EN ↓ 100 episodes

The Joint Readiness Training Center is the premier crucible training experience. We prepare units to fight and win in the most complex environments against world-class opposing forces. We are America’s leadership laboratory. This podcast isn’t an academic review of historical vignettes or political-science analysis of current events. This is a podcast about warfighting and the skillsets necessary for America’s Army to fight and win on the modern battlefield.

Author

JRTC CALL Cell

Episodes

166 S03 Ep 13 – Building Hard-to-Kill Platoons and Squads w/JRTC Senior NCO Experts 27.06.2026 1:01:43

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the outgoing Senior Enlisted Advisor and Command Sergeant Major for the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, CSM Oracio Pena, Jr on behalf of the Commanding General and Commander of Ops Group (COG). CSM Pena will become the CSM for...

165 S13 Ep 32 – Getting the Fires Technical Rehearsal Right w/JRTC Subject Matter Experts 24.06.2026 39:44

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer – Coach – Trainer and MSG Jared Cawthon, the BDE Fires Support NCOIC OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s...

164 S05 Ep 18 – Inside the Gator Light Sustainment Battalion – The Sustainment Backbone of an Airborne Brigade w/Gator 06, LTC van Howe 19.06.2026 55:32

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the G-4 Senior Sustainment Planner from Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control Task Force on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the Battalion Commander for the 82nd Light Support Battalion, LTC Peter van...

163 S13 Ep 31 – The Transition Mindset & Thinking Beyond the Next Objective w/JRTC Experts 17.06.2026 30:59

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). To...

162 S13 Ep 30 – The Art of Command & Control Starts with the PACE Plan w/JRTC Experts 12.06.2026 35:14

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). T...

161 S03 Ep 12 – The Large Scale Combat Operations Casualty Care Problem w/JRTC Senior NCO Experts 10.06.2026 38:31

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the Senior Enlisted Medical Advisor and Role II Observer-Coach-Trainer for the Task Force Sustainment (BSB / CSSB), MSG Timothy Sargent on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are four seasoned senior NCOs within one of...

160 S11 Ep 12 – Disrupt, Attrit, & Counterattack: Geronimo’s Art of the Defense w/JRTC OPFOR’s Subject Matter Experts 29.05.2026 41:43

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixtieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by CSM James Miller, the Command Sergeant Major of 1-509th IN (OPFOR), known as Geronimo, on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guests are subject matter experts on all things defense within Geronimo’s Baker Company: 1SG Larson P...

159 S13 Ep 29 – Continuing the Saga of Base Clusters in the Modern Fight w/JRTC Experts 27.05.2026 36:24

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). To...

158 S11 Ep 11 – Geronimo’s Drone War: sUAS Lessons from the Modern Battlefield w/JRTC OPFOR’s Multi-Domain Effects Cell 22.05.2026 40:29

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Will Montoya, the Multi-Domain Effects Cell Chief for 1-509th IN (OPFOR), known as Geronimo, on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guests are subject matter experts on drone warfare within Geronimo: SGT Colin Rock, SGT...

157 S13 Ep 28 – CBRN at the Brigade Level during Large Scale Combat Operations w/JRTC Experts 20.05.2026 42:38

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG)....

156 S01 Ep 39 - Transforming the Army for the Next War w/CSM Ray Harris (T2COM CSM) and CSM(R) Todd Sims (FORSCOM CSM) 17.05.2026 57:10

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience’. Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). To...

155 S13 Ep 27 – Building the Common Operating Picture and the Battle for Shared Understanding w/JRTC Experts 14.05.2026 39:48

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). To...

154 S05 Ep 17 – Sucks to Suck: Lazy Logisticians Leads to Culmination w/JRTC Experts 08.05.2026 44:14

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the G-4 Senior Sustainment Planner from Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control Task Force on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts across JRTC: CSM Edward Cummings is the Task Force...

153 S05 Ep 16 – Proper Sustainment Planning & Preparation w/LTC DiGiovanni, 626th Light Support Battalion 07.05.2026 57:17

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the G-4 Senior Sustainment Planner from Plans / Exercise Maneuver Control Task Force on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the Battalion Commander for the 626th Light Support Battalion, LTC Adam DiGio...

152 S11 Ep 10 – Drone vs Counter-Drone Fight of the Modern Battlefield w/JRTC OPFOR & COL(R) Bill Edwards 02.05.2026 1:00:16

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by LTC Trevor Jones, the Battalion Commander of 1-509th IN (OPFOR), known as Geronimo, on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guests are subject matter experts on drone warfare: LTC Michael Roscoe, COL(Retired) Bill Edwards, CW...

151 S13 Ep 26 – Evolution of Battlefield Geometry in Modern warfare w/JRTC Experts 30.04.2026 40:55

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer – Coach – Trainer for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts across JRTC: MAJ Mich...

150 S13 Ep 25 – Cyberspace Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) on the Modern Battlefield w/JRTC Experts 26.04.2026 43:02

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fiftieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today...

149 S13 Ep 24 – Incorporating Noncommissioned Officers into the Military Decision-Making Process w/JRTC Experts 20.04.2026 42:15

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts across JRTC’s sustainment enterprise: LTC Da...

148 S05 Ep 15 – Adopting a Maintenance Mindset Builds Combat Power w/JRTC Subject Matter Experts 16.04.2026 40:35

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the Task Force Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer from Task Force Sustainment (Division Sustainment Support Battalion / Light Support Battalion) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are CPT Cody...

147 S13 Ep 23 – Incorporating Noncommissioned Officers into the Military Decision-Making Process w/JRTC Experts 11.04.2026 57:16

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT and MSG Jared Cawthon, the BDE Fires Support Intelligence Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge for the Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group...

146 S13 Ep 22 – Is Intelligence Too Focused on Targeting w/JRTC BC2 Experts 10.04.2026 30:12

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts across JRTC: CW3 Michael Horrace is the Senior T...

145 S05 Ep 15 – LOGSYNC Meetings: Where Sustainment Gets Synchronized w/JRTC Subject Matter Experts 04.04.2026 1:09:35

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Amy Beatty, the Task Force Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer from Task Force Sustainment (Division Sustainment Support Battalion / Light Support Battalion) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are CPT Cody...

144 S13 Ep 21 – Air Defense at the Brigade & Planning for the Modern Air Threat w/CW3 Bryan Hartt 02.04.2026 20:23

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the BDE Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest...

143 S13 Ep 20 – Military Decision-Making Process Outputs that Win w/JRTC Experts 28.03.2026 32:30

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the BDE Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests...

142 S13 Ep 19 – The Importance of Rehearsals at Echelon within the Brigade w/JRTC Experts 26.03.2026 31:36

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the BDE Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer and MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ), on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest...