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The Crucible - The JRTC Experience Podcast

JRTC CALL Cell
Joint Readiness Training Center
Logistics
Large Scale Combat Operations
Large-Scale Combat Operations
JRTC
Military Training
Military Decision-Making Process
Military Decision Making Process
Combat Operations
Sustainment Operations
Leadership
Prolonged Casualty Care
Sustainment Planning
Military Operations
Brigade Combat Teams
Wargaming
Casualty Care
Combat Medicine
MDMP
Communication

The Joint Readiness Training Center is the premier crucible training experience. We prepare units to fight and win in the most complex environments against world-class opposing forces. We are America’s leadership laboratory. This podcast isn’t an academic review of historical vignettes or political-science analysis of current events. This is a podcast about warfighting and the skillsets necessary ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes100Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentHistory

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Artwork for The Crucible

Latest Episodes

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixtieth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by CSM James Miller, the Command Sergeant Major of 1-509th IN (OPFOR), known as Geronimo, on behal... more

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Marc... more

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Will Montoya, the Multi-Domain Effects Cell Chief for 1-509th IN (OPFOR), known as Gero... more

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifty-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, the Brigade Executive Officer Observer – Coach – Trainer and MAJ Ma... more

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Recent Guests

Sarin Rock
Able Company team leader, infantryman, Joint Fire Observer and drone operator
Able Company
Episode: 158 S11 Ep 11 – Geronimo’s Drone War: sUAS Lessons from the Modern Battlefield w/JRTC OPFOR’s Multi-Domain Effects Cell
Sarin Shumpert
Geronimo drone section member, MDEC
Geronimo
Episode: 158 S11 Ep 11 – Geronimo’s Drone War: sUAS Lessons from the Modern Battlefield w/JRTC OPFOR’s Multi-Domain Effects Cell
Specialist Palm
Drone section infantryman
Geronimo/MDEC
Episode: 158 S11 Ep 11 – Geronimo’s Drone War: sUAS Lessons from the Modern Battlefield w/JRTC OPFOR’s Multi-Domain Effects Cell
Bruce Plath Reigle
Sergeant, CBRN-focused operations
Undisclosed unit (panelist)
Episode: 157 S13 Ep 28 – CBRN at the Brigade Level during Large Scale Combat Operations w/JRTC Experts
David Johansen
Major, Doctor of War game
Panelist
Episode: 157 S13 Ep 28 – CBRN at the Brigade Level during Large Scale Combat Operations w/JRTC Experts
Captain Slawski
Captain, CBRN officer
Panelist
Episode: 157 S13 Ep 28 – CBRN at the Brigade Level during Large Scale Combat Operations w/JRTC Experts
Ray Harris
Command Sergeant Major Harris, Transformation and Training Command
U.S. Army
Episode: 156 S01 Ep 39 - Transforming the Army for the Next War w/CSM Ray Harris (T2COM CSM) and CSM(R) Todd Sims (FORSCOM CSM)
Todd Sims
Soldier for Life, retired Command Sergeant Major of Forces Command
Association of the United States Army; former Forces Command CSM
Episode: 156 S01 Ep 39 - Transforming the Army for the Next War w/CSM Ray Harris (T2COM CSM) and CSM(R) Todd Sims (FORSCOM CSM)
Major Steve Yates
From Command and Signal Enterprise
U.S. Army
Episode: 155 S13 Ep 27 – Building the Common Operating Picture and the Battle for Shared Understanding w/JRTC Experts

Hosts

Marc Howle
Host of the Hip Pocket Series / The Crucible / JRTC Podcast, with extensive involvement in JRTC-focused content.
Dave Pfaltzgraff
Co-host and primary presenter for tactical discussions and sustainment topics.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 44 ratings
  • Great content, terrible audio

    Great content but the audio changes constantly, and it will blow your ears out

    Spend a few hundred bucks and get the same microphones with the guests speaking from the same distance from the microphone

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    jeangoowlesby
    United States3 years ago
  • Good content, but atrocious audio quality.

    The audio quality is steadily getting worse. The listener must constantly change the volume based off of who is speaking. Please invest in some dedicated podcast equipment. Content remains phenomenal.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Deltaeta1735
    United States3 years ago
  • Great podcast for leaders in the Army to learn from others' experiences and TTP'S.

    Audible
    5
    Anonymous
    United States3 years ago
  • Leadership Development

    Great podcast for leaders in the Army to learn from others' experiences and TTP'S.

    Audible
    5
    Anonymous User
    United States3 years ago
  • Annoying laugh

    Great podcast.

    COL Hardman has to control that laugh, though!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Ramrod Six
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests and topics are consistently relevant to field readiness and sustainment.
The host delivers high-energy, informed discussions with clear takeaways for practitioners.
Listeners note strong operational detail and practical frameworks, but audio quality sometimes distracts from the content.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#98
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#200
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#249
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#217
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#63
Poland/Government
Apple Podcasts
#102
Israel/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

153 S05 Ep 16 – Proper Sustainment Planning & Preparation w/LTC DiGiovanni, 626th Light Support Battalion
Q: What is your biggest lesson learned from this rotation regarding culmination and sustainment?
Culmination is the synchronization and control of sustainment, not just moving goods; without visible, forecastable control of the C2 at the sustainment level, you become a large moving supply room rather than a combat multiplier.
153 S05 Ep 16 – Proper Sustainment Planning & Preparation w/LTC DiGiovanni, 626th Light Support Battalion
Q: Can you explain the tailgate hitch design and its impact on ISV sustainment?
We fabricated a rugged tailgate hitch platform to extend ISV load capacity, enabling more efficient sling loads and reducing the time to move supplies forward; this was a practical, cost-conscious solution that significantly boosted forward sustainment capability.
153 S05 Ep 16 – Proper Sustainment Planning & Preparation w/LTC DiGiovanni, 626th Light Support Battalion
Q: Can you talk me through your opinion and assessment of CLC integration?
The integration hinges on culture and trust within the chain of command; it requires sustaining headquarters to push down integration to subordinate units, ensuring direct support relationships maintain brigade priorities while enabling maneuver commanders to influence CLC placement and signatures.
140 S11 Ep 09 – Closing the Gap: Replicating the Modern Threat at JRTC w/JRTC OPFOR
Q: Are we meeting the CG's intent and closing the gap?
Yes, by replicating PLA/Russian doctrinal concepts, accelerating the pace of innovation, and institutionalizing lessons learned into training culture and doctrine.
140 S11 Ep 09 – Closing the Gap: Replicating the Modern Threat at JRTC w/JRTC OPFOR
Q: What areas do you think we're most concerned about here at JRTC, if we had to prioritize?
Emphasize the lethality of current combat, sustainment disruption, unmanned systems dominance (UAS), electronic warfare, and integration of AI to keep pace with adversaries.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Crucible

What is The Crucible about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A defense-focused briefing show that centers on warfighting, military planning, and sustainment within the Joint Readiness Training Center ecosystem. Episodes regularly feature senior officers and operational staff discussing topics like base cluster design, MDMP, IPOE, logistics, reconnaissance, and unit ministry roles, often with real-world field test insights and practical frameworks (e.g., decision support tools, Logstats, and staff integration). The format blends tactical detail with strategic implications for maneuver and sustainment, and occasionally highlights robotics, unmanned systems, and inter-agency coordination. Noteworthy is the emphasis on practical training concepts, staff collaboration, and context-rich case studies drawn ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Crucible?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Crucible:

1. Modern War Institute
2. Irregular Warfare Podcast
3. Breaking Doctrine
4. War on the Rocks
5. Thinking Inside the Box - The Gauntlet

How many episodes of The Crucible are there?

The Crucible launched 3 years ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Crucible?

Recent guests on The Crucible include:

1. Sarin Rock
2. Sarin Shumpert
3. Specialist Palm
4. Bruce Plath Reigle
5. David Johansen
6. Captain Slawski
7. Ray Harris
8. Todd Sims

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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