In this episode of OTR, MAJ Casey Phillips, a career SOF Logistician and past NTC Observer, Coach, and Trainer, shares his experiences from the SOF community. We explore how special operations logistics operate, balancing speed, knowledge, and flexibility. From improvised resupply in austere environments to integrating with conventional forces during large-scale operations, SOF logisticians ensure that elite units—and the broader joint force—can sustain momentum in complex missions. Whether it’s supporting a small team deep behind enemy lines or enabling large-scale operations alongside conventional units, the logistics professionals working behind the scenes prove that sometimes the most critical part of the mission is the part no one sees.

As the calendar turns and a new training year begins, Special Operations Training Detachment is sharpening the force for the challenges ahead. In the vast training environment at NTC, Fort Irwin, CA, innovation and fundamentals are not competing priorities — they are pillars of readiness.

This episode dives into how the detachment is setting the tone for the year by strengthening ARSOF integration, accelerating modernization, and recommitting to the core skills that define elite performance and success.

In the episode of OTR, MAJ Matt Song (Burro Team OIC) and Keegan (Special Forces Field Team OIC) join us as we discuss some recent rotational unit rends and the current state of SOF at the National Training Center (NTC).

We continue our discussion in part two with MAJ Weston Rich as he gives his opinions on ARSOF in LSCO at NTC and his final takeaways from his time at SOTD-West.

In this episode, we chat with MAJ Weston Rich, a former Burro alumni and creator of the OTR podcast. He shares his perspective of where SOF and CTCs are and how he envisions the future. We also talk about the genesis of OTR and how it has evolved to what it is now.

This is the follow up from our initial discussion with the Goldminer Command Team. Here we continue discussing ARSOF CFI3 (Integration, Interoperability, and Interdependence) while also getting unique insight on the challenges that a CSSB and BSB face here at NTC.

Goldminer 07 and 40 discuss the opportunities for future collaboration between ARSOF and Logisticians at NTC and how that relationship can be transferred to real world operations.

This is part one of a two part discussion with Goldminer 07 and 40, the lead Logistician Trainers at NTC. Both LTC Eric Shockley and CSM Krista Peterson are career logisticians with a vast amount of knowledge and experience at both NTC and Army sustainment operations.

In this episode of Off the Radar, we dive into the unique role Army logisticians play in supporting Special Operations Forces (SOF) at the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin. As the battlefield becomes increasingly complex and multi-domain, the demands on sustainment professionals grow sharper and more critical.

Join us as we talk with Goldminer 07 and 40, LTC Eric Shockley and CSM Christa Petersen about how logistics directly impacts mission success in high-intensity, joint-force training environments. From logistic distribution in denied terrain to expeditionary maintenance and austere medical support, this episode explores how logisticians adapt, innovate, and execute under the toughest simulated combat conditions in the Army.

Whether you're a seasoned sustainment leader or a new 92-series Soldier, this conversation sheds light on the behind-the-scenes efforts that keep SOF and Conventional Forces ready, responsive, and resilient at the point of friction.

This is part two of a two-part episode focused on Special Operations Force Integration Interoperability and Interdependence, lessons learn at the Detachment and Company level, educating the National Training Center Operations Group on SOF capabilities and SOF’s role in Large Scale Combat Operations. SOF units, chiefly Special Forces Companies (Advanced Operating Base or AOB) conducted numerous rotations annually at the National Training Center and Joint Readiness Training Center working along side of conventional forces. In this episode SFC Gilgenast shares his experiences working as the Burro Team Operations NCO and later Sergeant Major. . About the Guest: SFC Erik Gilgenast: Grow up in a military family. His father a 33-year Army aviator, allowed Erik to grow up in various locations around the world. Having enlisted in the delayed entry program, upon graduation from high school in Germany, Erik entered service. Calling Colorado home, and meeting his wife in Colorado. Erik has operational experience in CENTCOM, EUCOM, and AFRICOM. He has served both as a conventional infantryman and a Special Forces communications sergeant. About the Host: CPT Weston Rich is the of SOF Plans Chief 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:

- understanding your regimental history, SF history through knives: V-42, Fairbairn, Yarbrough

- knowing OSS, 1SSF, and other Special Operations forces that came before Special Forces

- appreciating SOF/SF history and the people and families that came before the current generation

- work life balance in SF, understanding what is important and knowing when to devote time to your family and when you need to devote time to work

- know when you need to take care of ourselves and family, so you don’t get burnt out

- re-charging through a hobby to be a better Soldier and Leader

- using a hobby or business to increase time management and leadership abilities

- prepare yourself for when you will leave the military

- continue to develop your knowledge and skills of being a Soldier and Leader through self study 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