This part three for a four-part series focused 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 PSYOP Detachment (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.

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.

About the Host:

CPT Weston Rich is a member of SOF Plans at the NTC and former 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:

- OC perspective on the integration of the ARSOF tribes as a cross functional team

- Special Operations integrating with conventional forces; REDSOF integration and interdependence with Task Force Reaper of Blackhorse; nesting operations and objectives across the domains

- The importance of interpersonal skills and building relationship to enhance integration; establishing creditability

- How integration breaks down barriers and enables decision makers to remove roadblocks for down trace units

- Overview of an operation from concept through execution to accessing the effect on the “enemy”; utilizing the cross functional team to leverage resources across the domains to create a layered effect

- Using the information domain (with physical and non-physical methods and products) to control the narrative to maintain tempo and momentum

- Describes effects of Special Operations to the conventional force to build creditability

- Balance risk to force, risk to mission, risk to nation

- Understanding initial commander’s intent and being creative to achieve that intent and more

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 weston.rich@socom.mil.

Produced, edited, and sound engineering by Micah Popp of Salty Sounds