This the fourth and final episode of 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:

- what is a target? Or who? Looking at the population as a non-kinetic target

- creativity in problem solving; creating a non-governmental organization on the enemy side to drive the narrative

- recognizing the players in the information domain, identifying their purpose and audience then leverage that to your advantage

- layering effects; information operations timed with non-kinetic operations (delivering food in an area denied to you by using your networks); swaying the populace to your cause

- the power of credibility or the detriment of losing credibility

- treat everything as a tactical objective

- be creative; use authorities or lack there of to your advantage

- CA and PSYOP take bandwidth off of SF and fill and support War Fighting Functions

- go full scenario (push the I believe button) mentality towards training 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