Insights From the Fight Podcast - Episode 11 Lessons from CAC CSM
Command Sergeant Major Shawn Carns explains the Combined Arms Command's modernization efforts, AI integration, and the evolving role of the Noncommissioned Officer Corps in this interview.
21 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
Insights From the Fight Podcast EP 10 Lessons From First Army
Command Sergeant Major Christopher Prosser of First Army shares insights on modernizing Army training and leadership through data-driven innovation and embracing ambiguity in this interview.
18 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
Insights From the Fight Podcast: Episode 9 - Establishing JTF Southern Border
Lieutenant Colonels Aaron Childers and Chad Corbin discuss establishing Joint Task Force Southern Border, detailing the complexities of continental U.S. operations and interagency partnerships in this interview.
1 May 2026TRANSCRIPT
Insights from the Fight Podcast: Episode 8 - UAS and Targeting at the Battalion
Major John Smith, Commander of the 2nd Battalion, 501st PIR, 82nd Airborne Division, shares how their innovative UAS platoon revolutionized targeting and sensor-to-shooter capabilities during JRTC rotation.
12 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT
Insights from the Fight Podcast: Episode 7 – UAS Innovation
Chief Warrant Officer Two Nathan Shea discusses unmanned aircraft systems innovation and adaptation in modern Army operations, offering insights on training and electronic warfare threats.
5 Feb 2026TRANSCRIPT
Insights from the Fight Podcast: Episode 6 – Deployment Operations
In this podcast, two Army Civilian Professionals from the Deployment Process Modernization Office, Stacey Lee and James Swenson, share their extensive experience preparing and executing military deployment operations. The discussion delves into practical advice and resources available to units to enhance their deployment readiness. The "Deployer's Toolbox" and the "Command Deployment Discipline Program (CDDP)" are highlighted as essential tools for commanders and unit movement officers (UMOs). These resources provide checklists, best practices, and a framework for preparing, exercising, and ultimately excelling at deployment operations. The conversation emphasizes a crucial mindset: commanders and units cannot view deployment as a logistical task owned solely by specialists. Instead, deployment ops must be treated as a core operational competency, integrated into daily battle rhythms and training exercises.
22 Jan 2026TRANSCRIPT
Insights from the Fight Podcast: Episode 5 – Lessons from the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center
On this episode, Colonel Matthew P. Leclair, the Commander for the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) and the 196th Infantry Brigade, provided a comprehensive overview of lessons from the Army's newest combat training center. He emphasized JPMRC's primary functions are leadership development and the validation of new organizations and equipment within the Indo-Pacific region. Unlike traditional training centers, JPMRC is designed to be exportable, bringing realistic, multi-domain training to diverse environments such as the jungles of Hawaii and the arctic conditions of Alaska. This approach allows for training alongside regional allies and partners, directly supporting the U.S. Army Pacific's (USARPAC) Operation Pathways and enhancing interoperability.
Colonel Leclair detailed the complexities of planning and executing training across such wide and varied operating environments. He highlighted the importance of mastering fundamental warfighting skills regardless of the environment, including reconnaissance, security, and the effective use of fires.
16 Dec 2025TRANSCRIPT
Insights from the Fight Podcast: Episode 4 – Southern Border Mission with 1-12
In this episode of the Center for Army Lessons Learned Podcast, host Mr. Jeremy Stermer engages with Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Daniel Harrison, Command Sergeant Major Kirby Odom, and Staff Sergeant John Barsanti of 1-12 Infantry to discuss their experiences and lessons learned during their mission along the southern border.
The discussion begins with an overview of the initial challenges faced when the unit received orders to support the border mission, including logistical hurdles, and the need for rapid planning. The leaders emphasize the importance of building relationships with local law enforcement, particularly the Border Patrol, to facilitate effective operations.
Key Highlights: Insights into the complexities of military operations in support of homeland security, the significance of interagency collaboration, and the ongoing need for adaptability and effective communication in achieving mission success. See CALL’s JTF Southern Border Mission Support Report, and CALL 25-957 DSCA and the Targeting Working Group: Lessons from the North Carolina National Guard’s Hurricane Helene Response.
21 Nov 2025
Insights from the Fight Podcast: Episode 3 – Lessons for XOs and S3s
This episode of the Center for Army Lessons Learned Podcast features a discussion with three former battalion XOs and S3s about lessons learned from their time in those positions. The conversation centers on the critical roles of managing personnel, the impact of relationships within the staff and adjacent units, and how to develop staff members to support the commander’s requirements.
Majors Joe Perez, Charlie Foy, and Ronald Rice discuss challenges they encountered during these key development positions. This unique perspective of serving in the same battalion sequentially demonstrates how changing operating conditions and commanders shaped their views on duties. Looking back, they reflect on what they learned and how that would advise future leaders to prepare for and approach a variety of situations. The podcast offers valuable insights for leaders seeking to cultivate a strong staff team capable of solving complex problems.
Key Highlights: Managing staff personnel and processes, conducting operations, supporting the commander’s information requirements, and mentorship. CALL Handbook 25-13 (786): First 100 Days XO and S3, and CALL Handbook 25-12 (761): Home Station Training.
4 Sept 2025
Insights from the Fight Podcast: Episode 2 – NCO Development and Roles in Training
This episode of the Center for Army Lessons Learned Podcast features a discussion with Sergeant Major William Thacker on NCO development and training roles within the Army. The conversation centers on the critical role of NCOs in individual and collective training, emphasizing the importance of understanding the “why” behind tasks and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
Sergeant Major Thacker highlights the need for leaders to balance professional development with practical training, stressing that effective NCOs are standard-bearers who prioritize foundational skills and adapt to evolving challenges. He shares experiences from recent deployments and training rotations, underscoring the value of realistic training scenarios and the importance of empowering NCOs to enforce standards and drive unit readiness. The podcast offers valuable insights for leaders seeking to cultivate a strong NCO corps capable of leading and training soldiers in complex environments.
Key Highlights: Developing NCOs, NCO roles in training, training as a forward deployed unit, best practices for collective and individual training guidance, CALL Handbook 25-04 (912): First 100 Days as an NCO, and CALL Handbook 25-12 (761): Home Station Training.
6 Aug 2025
Insights from the Fight Podcast: Episode 1 – Effectively Leveraging NCOs in Staff Processes
The Center for Army Lessons Learned hosts Sergeant Major (Retired) Mike Robinson for a discussion on maximizing the impact of Noncommissioned Officers within staff processes. The conversation highlighted common challenges in integrating NCOs into staff functions and offered practical solutions rooted in experience from various echelons, including joint task forces and Army Reserve components.
The podcast underscored the unique value NCOs bring to the staff – honed through years of experience at the company level – and the need to foster a collaborative environment where all voices are heard. Ultimately, effective NCO integration, coupled with continuous learning and leveraging resources like Army doctrine and CALL publications, is crucial for building adaptable and successful staffs prepared for the complexities of modern warfare.
Key highlights: building trust between officers and NCOs, clearly delineating tasks, and providing targeted training and mentorship.
Inside a recent episode
Insights From the Fight Podcast - Episode 11 Lessons from CAC CSM
Published 30 Sept 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And so that will make us more efficient and to make us be able to change doctrine and curriculum online. Let's transition to a topic I think is important to you, the role of the NCO in this era of transformation. We talk about modernization in terms of new equipment, digital systems, as we were just talking about Victor here just a second ago. What are your thoughts on how senior NCOs can maintain their foundational role in upholding good order and discipline, and then as the trainers for our soldiers so that they're doing things the right way when there's this new technology that's coming out that the speed of information is changing How do we make sure the NCOs are doing the things that they need to do to lead our soldiers? […]
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