The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-nineth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by the LTC Westly “West” LaFitte, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer-Coach-Trainer for Brigade Command & Control on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are two other senior members of BC2, MAJ David Pfaltzgraff and MAJ Marc Howle. MAJ Pfaltzgraff is the BDE S-3 Operations OCT and MAJ Howle is the Senior Engineer / Protection OCT for BDE C2 (BDE HQ). This is part two of our two-part series on MDMP with the previous episode being episode ninety-one of ‘The Crucible.’

This episode focuses on the military decision-making process (MDMP) within the broader operations process and its critical role in enabling successful warfighting at scale. The discussion emphasizes that MDMP is often misunderstood or misapplied, particularly when staffs abbreviate or skip steps like course of action (COA) analysis and war-gaming. The speakers highlight that war-gaming is not simply a formality but an essential method for integrating all warfighting functions—fires, sustainment, intelligence, and protection—into a coherent plan that goes beyond maneuver. When war-gaming is skipped or rushed, staff outputs like execution matrices, decision support tools, and synchronization efforts suffer, creating confusion and inefficiencies during execution. One common friction point is the tendency to rely on directed COAs or key leader discussions as a shortcut, which introduces confirmation bias and bypasses vital coordination and risk analysis.

The episode identifies several best practices to improve MDMP execution. These include empowering a dedicated plans chief to drive the planning effort, enforcing the use of version-controlled fighting products during rehearsals, and requiring all warfighting functions to contribute to synchronization tools like the execution matrix. The team also stresses the importance of integrating current operations with planning efforts to maintain updated running estimates and preserve operational tempo. Another critical topic covered is the misapplication of the rapid decision and synchronization process (RDSP), which doctrine now clarifies must be used only for branches and sequels—not as a substitute for MDMP. Ultimately, success in time-constrained environments comes from repeated practice of full MDMP, adherence to doctrinal principles, and disciplined use of planning tools like the HOPE-SW timeline. The conversation closes with a strong reminder: mastering MDMP is not about perfection—it’s about building cohesive teams that can plan, synchronize, and fight effectively under pressure.

Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.

For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast

Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.

Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.

Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.

“The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience. Hosted by the Task Force Senior for the TF-1 (IN BN), LTC Charles “Chuck” Wall on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the First Sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company of Operations Group, 1SG Will Pogue. 1SG Pogue was previously a Company Team First Sergeant Observer-Coach-Trainer at the JRTC.

In this episode, we focus on warfighting fundamentals at the team through platoon level during large-scale combat operations (LSCO), emphasizing the gap between familiarity and true proficiency. A central issue discussed is how units often rush through collective training gates without ensuring mastery of basic tasks. This “check-the-box” mentality results in units arriving at the JRTC underprepared, especially when it comes to troop leading procedures (TLPs), indirect fire integration, support-by-fire shifts and lifts, and graphic control measures. The lack of unit-wide standard operating procedures (SOPs) and insufficient repetitions in home-station training were identified as key friction points. Best practices emphasized include deliberate, planned retraining windows; leader certification on SOPs; and daily reinforcement of team through company-level standards—especially through structured sergeant’s time training.

Another focal point is the inconsistency within and across units when it comes to weapons squad performance, patrol base occupation, and movement to contact. The discussion notes that some platoons within a company display exceptional coordination and fire discipline, while others show significant knowledge gaps. The causes include high leader turnover, lack of doctrinal grounding, and insufficient focus on junior NCO development. Recommendations include certifying leaders before executing training, embedding retraining as a standard step in the 8-step training model, and reinforcing collective standards through battalion-wide forums or training events. The episode closes with a reminder that excellence in LSCO starts with discipline in the fundamentals—fieldcraft, communication, tactical planning, and leadership—and that repeated, standards-based training at home-station is the only path to achieving real warfighting proficiency.

Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.

For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast

Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.

Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.

Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.

“The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.