This is part 2 of our 2-part conversation focused on communications, mission command, digital force protection, and SOF tactical cyber and space operation. During rotations at the National Training Center (NTC) and Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) the Special Operations training units must efficiently and effectively communication within their own formations, across to conventional, host nation, and Joint forces, and out to other governmental agencies. Communication is a challenge in and of itself but when operating across a vast geographic area with forces in a simulated contested or denied environment actively been hunted by the opposing force communicating clearly and timely likely means the difference between victory and defeat. Additional consider the implications to mission command and digital force protection.
About the Guest:
SGT Kai Ramirez: SOTD AOB-W signal NCO. He is a 25S SATCOM systems operator and maintainer with over 6 years in the Army and signals experience ranging from tactical to strategic communications. He has been stationed in CENTCOM.
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:
- SOF will be collected on; even if you aren’t completely dark in terms of tactical communication Ms, you are emitting signature of some kind
- SOF digital force protection doesn’t depend on better encryption or better equipment, but instead smarter tactics and procedures. Timing is very important, if the enemy is tired, degraded, or preoccupied then it is safer for the SOF units to technically communicate. Also, off setting communication from planning and preparation areas on the battlefield
- At the CTCs SOF units are collected on across the electromagnetic spectrum for administrative reason to educate the SOF training unit on what they look like on in terms of EMS
- Target team to runs the planned targets for the and controls the opposing force on objective
- Kai and the target team gather signals data throughout the rotation and conduct analysis to determine what signals are conventional forces versus SOF
- Camouflage and physical protection for signals equipment
- Power consumption for signals/communications equipment
- thermal considerations for personal and equipment
- Practice practice practice with your equipment, know what your zero drill is and when to use it, crypto roll over and frequency roll over drill
- detection of a message versus interception and decryption of a message
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
