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

141 S13 Ep 18 – Getting the Integrated Fires Support Plan Right w/JRTC Experts 21.03.2026 38:55

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-forty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) and MAJ Jeff Horn, the Executive Officer OCT for Fires Support Task Force (FA BN / DIVARTY), on behalf of the Commander...

140 S11 Ep 09 – Closing the Gap: Replicating the Modern Threat at JRTC w/JRTC OPFOR 18.03.2026 37:13

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fortieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by LTC Trevor Jones, the Battalion Commander of 1-509th IN (OPFOR) on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guests are members of JRTC’s intelligence community: Mr. Jason McAnally, MAJ Will Montoya, and CPT Graham Gifford. Mr. McAnal...

139 S13 Ep 17 – Running Estimates Made Easy w/JRTC Experts 13.03.2026 34:24

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

138 S05 Ep 14 – Sustainment Base Cluster Design Deep-Dive w/JRTC Subject Matter Experts 12.03.2026 1:22:24

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

137 S13 Ep 16 – Base Cluster Basics w/JRTC Expert Sustainers 07.03.2026 36:27

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

136 S11 Ep 08 – Machines before Men: Geronimo’s New Forms of Mass & Their Modern New Kill Chain w/JRTC OPFOR 05.03.2026 30:20

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-thirty-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by LTC Trevor Jones, the Battalion Commander of 1-509th IN (OPFOR) on behalf of the Commander of Operations Group. Today’s guests are members of JRTC’s infamous Opposing Force, Team Geronimo: CPT Jeremiah Cox, 1SG Terence Newby, and SFC Walter...

135 S13 Ep 15 – Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment Done Right: A Whole of Staff Approach as the Foundation of Military Decision Making Process w/JRTC Subject Matter Experts 28.02.2026 39:24

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

134 S05 Ep 13 – LOGSTATs: The Variables of Success and Frustration w/JRTC Subject Matter Experts 26.02.2026 56:52

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

133 S13 Ep 14 - Recon without Cav: Fighting for Information in LSCO w/JRTC Subject Matter Experts 21.02.2026 39:08

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-thirty-third episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ Michael Stewart, BDE S-3 Operations OCT, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are s...

132 S13 Ep 13 - Presence, Planning, and Purpose: The Untapped Combat Multiplier of Unit Ministry Teams w/JRTC Subject Matter Experts 18.02.2026 40:05

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-thirty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE XO OCT (formerly the BDE S-3 Operations OCT), from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Grou...

131 S13 Ep 12 - Depth, Mutual Support, Integration: Winning the Defensive Fight at Echelon w/JRTC Subject Matter Experts 13.02.2026 25:29

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-thirty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE XO OCT (formerly the BDE S-3 Operations OCT), from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group...

130 S05 Ep 12 – LSB Staff Hacks & Why Sustainment ARSTRUC Isn’t the Risk Maneuver Thinks It Is 11.02.2026 52:56

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

129 S13 Ep 11 - Sergeant’s Time or Leader’s Time? Who Owns Training? w/JRTC Subject Matter Experts 06.02.2026 31:13

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-ninth 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, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests ar...

128 S13 Ep 10 - Air-Ground Disconnect: Why Enablers Fail in the Brigade Fight w/JRTC Subject Matter Experts 05.02.2026 40:17

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE XO OCT (formerly the BDE S-3 Operations OCT), from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Grou...

127 S13 Ep 09 - Fighting Across Islands: LSCO in an Archipelago Battlespace w/JRTC Subject Matter Experts in Hawaii 31.01.2026 22:24

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE XO OCT (formerly the BDE S-3 Operations OCT), from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Gro...

126 S05 Ep 12 – Casualties Don’t Wait: Medical Planning for the Hardest Days of Ground Combat w/JRTC Experts 29.01.2026 45:19

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-sixth 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 all combat medicine professionals with...

125 S05 Ep 11 – BDE S4 vs SPO: No Dumb Questions, Roles and Responsibilities w/JRTC Sustainers 22.01.2026 31:46

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-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 guest is CPT Cody K...

124 S13 Ep 08 - From Order to Action: Why Receipt of Mission Sets the Fight w/JRTC MDMP Subject Matter Experts 15.01.2026 22:46

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-fourth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE XO OCT (formerly the BDE S-3 Operations OCT), from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Grou...

123 S05 Ep 10 – Ghost Logistics: How Sustainment Stayed Alive in the Box w/LTC Wilson, 307 Light Support Battalion 08.01.2026 42:51

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

122 S13 Ep 07 - The Backbone in Action: Unleashing Non-Commissioned Officer Power at Echelon w/the JRTC Senior NCOs 31.12.2025 34:43

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-second episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE XO OCT (formerly the BDE S-3 Operations OCT), from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Grou...

121 S02 Ep 19 - Fight the Enemy, Not the Plan: Lessons from the Drop Zone w/Commanders from the Devil Brigade (1/82 ABD) 26.12.2025 1:03:43

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience’. Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Established during the fierce fighting in the Italian campaigns of World War II, 1/82 was employed in multiple brush wars throughout the Cold War as well as in Operation Desert Storm and...

120 S01 Ep 38 – The Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium of Fiscal Year 2026 w/BG Jason Curl & COL Ricky Taylor 19.12.2025 1:57:43

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twentieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience’ and the fifth* annual Large Scale Combat Operations Symposium. Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are all seasoned observer-coach-trainers (OCTs) from across Operations Group, LTC Amoreena “Ammo” York, MAJ David P...

119 S01 Ep 37 – Light Forces, Heavy Problems: Airborne Division Lessons Learned from the Friction Factory w/All American 06, MG Brandon Tegtmeier 18.12.2025 1:05:34

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-nineteenth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the Commanding General for the fabled 82nd Airborne Division, MG Brandon Tegtmeier, All American 06. The 82nd Airborne Division specializes in joint forcible entry operations...

118 S05 Ep 09 – Triage Tips the Scales: Combat Medicine Realities in Large Scale Combat Operations with Combat Medicine Professionals of JRTC 11.12.2025 1:10:00

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-eighteenth 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 all combat medicine professionals across...

117 S13 Ep 06 - Ammo, Assumptions, and the Artillery Fight: Lessons from the Box w/the JRTC Fires Support Task Force 27.11.2025 26:55

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-seventeenth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE S-3 Operations OCT, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are...