Thinking Inside the Box - The Gauntlet

Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet, part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles, brings you interviews with the United States Army’s experts in combined arms maneuver, the Observer Coach Trainers (OC/Ts) of Operations Group, at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California. In this episode, host Lt. Col. Justin Cuff, Field Artillery Senior Trainer of Operations Group sits down with the Capt. JJ Howse, Capt. Megan Winston and First Sgt. Zachary Platt of the 2nd Battery, 3rd Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, to discuss some of the lessons learned during Rotation 26-01. They talk about the importance of the NTC Leader Training Program; RSOI operations, including miles and calibration; fundamentals; Reconnaissance, Selection, and Occupation of Position (RSOP); ammo distribution; maintenance; and give advice to leaders coming to the NTC. To stay updated with the latest video from Operations Group, NTC Observer, Coach / Trainers, be sure to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch. Stay tuned for more episodes in the future. Thinking Inside the Box Podcast at Thinking Inside the Box on Apple Podcasts Thinking Inside the Box | Podcast on Spotify Thinking Inside the Box | Podcasts on Audible | Audible.com We encourage you to watch our TAC Talk series on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@tactalks-operationsgroupntc. Follow us on Facebook to see more from Operations Group, NTC https://www.facebook.com/operationsgroupntc Visit us at our Official Unit Webpage: https://home.army.mil/irwin/units-tenants/ntc-operations-group “Thinking Inside the Box and TAC Talks” are a product of the Operations Group, National Training Center as part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles.

Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet, part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles, brings you interviews with the United States Army’s experts in combined arms maneuver, the Observer Coach Trainers (OC/Ts) of Operations Group, at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California. In this episode, host Col. Ian Lauer, Commander of Operations Group sits down with the Col. Michael Porges, Brigade Senior Trainer to discuss changes how commanders can prepare for coming to the National Training Center. They dive into exercise design, transitions, brigade fighting as part of a division, feedback and battlefield assessments, communication and fundamentals. To stay updated with the latest video from Operations Group, NTC Observer, Coach / Trainers, be sure to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch. Stay tuned for more episodes in the future. Thinking Inside the Box Podcast at Thinking Inside the Box on Apple Podcasts Thinking Inside the Box | Podcast on Spotify Thinking Inside the Box | Podcasts on Audible | Audible.com We encourage you to watch our TAC Talk series on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@tactalks-operationsgroupntc. Follow us on Facebook to see more from Operations Group, NTC https://www.facebook.com/operationsgroupntc Visit us at our Official Unit Webpage: https://home.army.mil/irwin/units-tenants/ntc-operations-group “Thinking Inside the Box and TAC Talks” are a product of the Operations Group, National Training Center as part of the Warrior Chronicles. Episode hosted by Col. Ian Lauer and edited by Annette Pritt

Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet, part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles, brings you interviews with the United States Army’s experts in combined arms maneuver, the Observer Coach Trainers (OC/Ts) of Operations Group, at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California. In this episode, host Lt. Col. Matthew Schardt, Cavalry Senior Trainer of Operations Group sits down with the Lt. Col. John Albert, the Commander of the 4th Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, to discuss changes to the Cavalry Division and some of the lessons learned during Rotation 26-02. They dive into preparations and how they approached training before coming to NTC; differences in the formations; new organizations, warfighting concepts and technologies for Rotation 26-02, how 1st Cavalry Division is prioritizing a “big s” over a “little r”; and lessons learned to continue transforming the cavalry at home station. To stay updated with the latest video from Operations Group, NTC Observer, Coach / Trainers, be sure to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch. Stay tuned for more episodes in the future. Thinking Inside the Box Podcast at Thinking Inside the Box on Apple Podcasts Thinking Inside the Box | Podcast on Spotify Thinking Inside the Box | Podcasts on Audible | Audible.com We encourage you to watch our TAC Talk series on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@tactalks-operationsgroupntc. Follow us on Facebook to see more from Operations Group, NTC https://www.facebook.com/operationsgroupntc Visit us at our Official Unit Webpage: https://home.army.mil/irwin/units-tenants/ntc-operations-group “Thinking Inside the Box and TAC Talks” are a product of the Operations Group, National Training Center as part of the Warrior Chronicles. Episode hosted by Lt. Col. Matthew Schardt and edited by Annette Pritt

Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet, part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles, brings you interviews with the United States Army’s experts in combined arms maneuver, the Observer Coach Trainers (OC/Ts) of Operations Group, at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California. In this episode, host Sgt. 1st Class Dakson Menefee, Observer, Coach, Trainer sits down with Capt. Steven Shak to discuss Field Trains Command Posts. They dive into some of the considerations for the FTCP planning, common issues and points of friction. References: FM 3-90.5 Combined Arms Battalion (July 2021) - https://rdl.train.army.mil/catalog-ws/view/100.ATSC/78053117-6081-479B-BF87-47F6349E66BF-1455649447540/atp3_90x5.pdf FM 3-34 Engineer Operations (December 2020) - https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN31353-FM_3-34-000-WEB-1.pdf FM 3-96, Brigade Combat Team (January 2021) - https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN31505-FM_3-96-000-WEB-1.pdf FM 4-0, Sustainment Operations (August 2024) - https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN41683-FM_4-0-000-WEB-2.pdf FM 6-0, Commander and Staff Organization and Operations (May 2022) - https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN35404-FM_6-0-000-WEB-1.pdf ADP 4-0, Sustainment (July 2019) - https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN18450_ADP%204-0%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf ATP 4-90 Brigade Support Battalion (June 2020) - https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN34182-ATP_4-90-001-WEB-2.pdf To stay updated with the latest video from Operations Group, NTC Observer, Coach / Trainers, be sure to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch. Stay tuned for more episodes in the future. Thinking Inside the Box Podcast at Thinking Inside the Box on Apple Podcasts Thinking Inside the Box | Podcast on Spotify Thinking Inside the Box | Podcasts on Audible | Audible.com We encourage you to watch our TAC Talk series on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@tactalks-operationsgroupntc. Follow us on Facebook to see more from Operations Group, NTC https://www.facebook.com/operationsgroupntc Visit us at our Official Unit Webpage: https://home.army.mil/irwin/units-tenants/ntc-operations-group “Thinking Inside the Box and TAC Talks” are products of the Operations Group, National Training Center and part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles. Episode hosted by Sgt. 1st Class Dakson Menefee and edited by Annette Pritt

Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet, part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles, brings you interviews with the United States Army’s experts in combined arms maneuver, the Observer Coach Trainers (OC/Ts) of Operations Group, at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California. In this episode, host Col. Ian Lauer, Commander of Operations Group sits down with the Lt. Col. Matt Bailey, the Commander of the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2-2nd Striker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, to discuss some of the lessons learned during Rotation 25-11. They dive into preparation for and how they approached training before coming to NTC; what the NTC provides; fundamentals, the transition from Sustainment of Battlefield effects to Period of Transition. To stay updated with the latest video from Operations Group, NTC Observer, Coach / Trainers, be sure to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch. Stay tuned for more episodes in the future. Thinking Inside the Box Podcast at Thinking Inside the Box on Apple Podcasts Thinking Inside the Box | Podcast on Spotify Thinking Inside the Box | Podcasts on Audible | Audible.com We encourage you to watch our TAC Talk series on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@tactalks-operationsgroupntc. Follow us on Facebook to see more from Operations Group, NTC https://www.facebook.com/operationsgroupntc Visit us at our Official Unit Webpage: https://home.army.mil/irwin/units-tenants/ntc-operations-group “Thinking Inside the Box and TAC Talks” are a product of the Operations Group, National Training Center as part of the Warrior Chronicles. Episode hosted by Col. Ian Lauer and edited by Annette Pritt

Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet, part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles, brings you interviews with the United States Army’s experts in combined arms maneuver, the Observer Coach Trainers (OC/Ts) of Operations Group, at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California. The Gauntlet drives warfighting by talking to leaders from our Joint Force, talking about the crucible of ground combat, leadership, training and fighting at the Crown Jewel of our Army. In this episode, host Col. Ethan Diven sits down with Capt. Michaela Lang, Military Police Observer, Coach and Trainer to discuss how Military Police can support and be a force multiplier to maneuver forces during Large Scale Combat Operation (LSCO). To stay updated with the latest video from Operations Group, NTC Observer, Coach / Trainers, be sure to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch. Stay tuned for more episodes in the future. Thinking Inside the Box Podcast at Thinking Inside the Box on Apple Podcasts Thinking Inside the Box | Podcast on Spotify Thinking Inside the Box | Podcasts on Audible | Audible.com We encourage you to watch our TAC Talk series on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@tactalks-operationsgroupntc. Follow us on Facebook to see more from Operations Group, NTC https://www.facebook.com/operationsgroupntc Visit us at our Official Unit Webpage: https://home.army.mil/irwin/units-tenants/ntc-operations-group “Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet and TAC Talks” are products of the Operations Group, National Training Center and part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles. Episode hosted by Col. Ethan Diven and edited by Annette Pritt

Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet, part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles, brings you interviews with the United States Army’s experts in combined arms maneuver, the Observer Coach Trainers (OC/Ts) of Operations Group, at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California. In this episode, host Col. Ethan Diven sits down with Maj. Tim Lee and Maj. Brent Lanier, the XO and S3 from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division to reflex on their experiences during NTC Rotation 25-07. They discuss lessons learned during the planning, preparation and execution phases of large-scale combat operations; how the NTC experience changed the way they will lead in the future; and give advice to leaders preparing for an NTC Rotation in the future. To stay updated with the latest video from Operations Group, NTC Observer, Coach / Trainers, be sure to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch. Stay tuned for more episodes in the future. Thinking Inside the Box Podcast at Thinking Inside the Box on Apple Podcasts Thinking Inside the Box | Podcast on Spotify Thinking Inside the Box | Podcasts on Audible | Audible.com We encourage you to watch our TAC Talk series on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@tactalks-operationsgroupntc. Follow us on Facebook to see more from Operations Group, NTC https://www.facebook.com/operationsgroupntc Visit us at our Official Unit Webpage: https://home.army.mil/irwin/units-tenants/ntc-operations-group “Thinking Inside the Box and TAC Talks” are products of the Operations Group, National Training Center and part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles. Episode hosted by Col. Ethan Diven and edited by Annette Pritt

Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet, part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles, brings you interviews with the United States Army’s experts in combined arms maneuver, the Observer Coach Trainers (OC/Ts) of Operations Group, at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California. In this episode, host Col. Ethan Diven sits down with Lt. Col. Kyle Trottier and Lt. Col. James Small, of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division to reflex on their experiences during NTC Rotation 25-07. They discuss lessons learned, how the NTC experience changed the way they will lead in the future and give advice to leaders preparing for an NTC Rotation in the future. To stay updated with the latest video from Operations Group, NTC Observer, Coach / Trainers, be sure to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch. Stay tuned for more episodes in the future. Thinking Inside the Box Podcast at Thinking Inside the Box on Apple Podcasts Thinking Inside the Box | Podcast on Spotify Thinking Inside the Box | Podcasts on Audible | Audible.com We encourage you to watch our TAC Talk series on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@tactalks-operationsgroupntc. Follow us on Facebook to see more from Operations Group, NTC https://www.facebook.com/operationsgroupntc Visit us at our Official Unit Webpage: https://home.army.mil/irwin/units-tenants/ntc-operations-group “Thinking Inside the Box and TAC Talks” are a product of the Operations Group, National Training Center and part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles. Episode hosted by Col. Ethan Diven and edited by Annette Pritt

Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet, part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles, brings you interviews with the United States Army’s experts in combined arms maneuver, the Observer Coach Trainers (OC/Ts) of Operations Group, at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California. In this episode, host Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Kurtzhals sits down with Command Sgt. Major Alex Pulido, of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division to discuss duties of the Non-Commissioned Officer. They go in-depth about the roles of the NCO; what is expected, how they empower and measure success; and how the GREYWOLF Brigade validates and revalidates their standard operating procedures. To stay updated with the latest video from Operations Group, NTC Observer, Coach / Trainers, be sure to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch. Stay tuned for more episode in the future. Thinking Inside the Box Podcast at Thinking Inside the Box on Apple Podcasts Thinking Inside the Box | Podcast on Spotify Thinking Inside the Box | Podcasts on Audible | Audible.com Operations Group milsuite page https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/ntc-operations-group (CAC Required) We encourage you to watch our TAC Talk series on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@tactalks-operationsgroupntc. Follow us on Facebook to see more from Operations Group, NTC https://www.facebook.com/operationsgroupntc Visit us at our Official Unit Webpage: https://home.army.mil/irwin/units-tenants/ntc-operations-group “Thinking Inside the Box and TAC Talks” are a product of the Operations Group, National Training Center. Episode hosted by CSM Gary Kurtzhals and edited by Annette Pritt

Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet, part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles, brings you interviews with the United States Army’s experts in combined arms maneuver, the Observer Coach Trainers (OC/Ts) of Operations Group, at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California. In this episode, host Col. Ethan Diven, Commander of Operations Group sits down with the 3rd Infantry Division Command Team, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie and Command Sgt. Maj. Johnathan Reffeor to discuss the innovative training progressions for Armored Brigade Combat Teams. They dive into their role in the Army’s Transforming-in-Contact (Tic) 2.0, motivations for the training, the use data in transformative ways, and leadership expectations. Recommended Resources: Military Review, “Continuous Transformation - Transformation in Contact”, Gen. James E. Rainey, August 2024 https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/military-review/Archives/English/Online-Exclusive/2024/Transformation-in-Contact/Transformation-in-Contact-UA.pdf Army News Service, “Transforming in Contact alters Army in unexpected ways”, Joe Lacdan, March13, 2025 https://www.army.mil/article/283757/transforming_in_contact_alters_army_in_unexpected_ways To stay updated with the latest video from Operations Group, NTC Observer, Coach / Trainers, be sure to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch. Stay tuned for more episode in the future. Thinking Inside the Box Podcast at Thinking Inside the Box on Apple Podcasts Thinking Inside the Box | Podcast on Spotify Thinking Inside the Box | Podcasts on Audible | Audible.com Operations Group milsuite page https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/ntc-operations-group (CAC Required) We encourage you to watch our TAC Talk series on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@tactalks-operationsgroupntc. Follow us on Facebook to see more from Operations Group, NTC https://www.facebook.com/operationsgroupntc Visit us at our Official Unit Webpage: https://home.army.mil/irwin/units-tenants/ntc-operations-group “Thinking Inside the Box and TAC Talks” are a product of the Operations Group, National Training Center as part of the Warrior Chronicles. Episode hosted by Col. Ethan Diven and edited by Annette Pritt