
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
May 8, 2025
43 min

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 Capt. Seth Revetta shares the sixth episode in a miniseries called Left of the Bang from our Scorpion team Observer, Coach, Trainers. The series highlights how to better prepare each war fighting function for some of the challenges seen at the National Training Center. For our last episode in the miniseries, Maj. Steven Pyles, Capt. Bennett Johnson, Capt. Joe Figueroa, and Maj. Mario Malpica discuss the protection warfighting function. They describe common problems and trends, understanding equipment, integration and how Brigades can best prepare for coming to the National Training Center from the perspectives Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive material (CBRNE), Engineer and Air Defense.
Recommended Resources:
FM 3-11 (May 2019) Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Operations – Audio Book
https://rdl.train.army.mil/catalog-ws/view/FM-3-11-Audiobook/index.html
ATP 3-11.32 (January 2024) Multi-Service Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Protection – (CAC Required)
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_c/ARN40099-ATP_3-11.32-000-WEB-1.pdf
ATP 3-11.36 (September 2018) Multi-Service Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Planning
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_c/ARN13023-ATP_3-11.36-000-WEB-1.pdf
GTA 03-06-008 (June 2023) CBRN Warning and Reporting System
https://rdl.train.army.mil/catalog
ATP 3-37 (April 2023) Multi-Service Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Air and Missile Defense
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_d/ARN37833-ATP_3-01.15-000-WEB-1.pdf - CAC Required
ATP 3-01.8 (July 2016) Techniques for Combined Arms and Air Defense
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN2446-ATP_3-01.8-000-WEB-1.pdf
ATP 3-01.18 (August 2017) Stinger Team Techniques
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_d/pdf/ARN5334_ATP%203-01x18%20final%20web%20fix7Sep.pdf
TC 3-01.18 (October 2017) Stinger Team Gunnery Program
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_d/pdf/web/ARN5619_TC%203-01x18%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf
CALL Handbook NO 18-16 (April 2018) Maneuver Leaders Guide to Stingers
https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/2023/01/19/18849503/18-16-maneuver-leader-s-guide-to-stinger-handbook-apr-18-public.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 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 Capt. Seth Revetta and edited by Annette Pritt
May 8, 2025
21 min

“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, the 31st Commander of Operations Group sits down with the commander of 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Commander to reflect on his experiences during National Training Center Rotation 24-06 and how those lessons formed his preparations for their upcoming 25-06 Rotation. Col. Ed Arnston share insights on lessons learned, how they incorporated those lessons into home station training, approaches for this Leader Training Program, his expectations of leaders going into Rotation 25-06 and advice for leaders preparing for a future NTC Rotation.
Recommended Resources:
Operations Group milsuite page
https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/ntc-operations-group (CAC Required)
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
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 Col. Ethan Diven
Edited by Annette Pritt, PAO
Mar 4, 2025
28 min

“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, guest host Col. Carlos “Ben” Flynn, Senior Live Fire Trainer, sits down with members of the Dragon Team to discuss the role of the Master Gunners in Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) during a Rotation at the National Training Center/Fort Irwin. Sgt. First Class Christopher Ohano, Sgt. First Class Luis Aguilar, Sgt. First Class Corey DaCosta, and Sgt. First Class Andrew Nee give insights into doctrine, planning during LSCO, ammunition management, observations, lethality, and preparing readiness as it pertains to the Master Gunner.
Recommended Resources:
Operations Group milsuite page
https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/ntc-operations-group (CAC Required)
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
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.
Episode hosted by Col. Carlos “Ben” Flynn
Edited by Annette Pritt, PAO
Jan 24, 2025
36 min

“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, the 31st Commander of Operations Group sits down with 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division to discuss training after the successful conclusion of The National Training Center Rotation 25-02. Command Sgt. Maj. Eddy Perez, Brigade Sgt. Maj. and 1st Sgt. Robert B. Mills, 8th Brigade Engineer Battalion, HHC share insights on what it was like to fight at the NTC, masking the brigade, what they are most proud of, how they overcame shortfalls, what surprised them and how they are going to utilize the training here in home station training.
Recommended Resources:
Operations Group milsuite page
https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/ntc-operations-group (CAC Required)
To stay
Jan 4, 2025
16 min

“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 J. Diven, the 31st Commander of Operations Group sits down with 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division to discuss training after the successful conclusion of The National Training Center Rotation 25-02. Col. Jose A. Reyes, Brigade Commander and Cpt. Brendan R. Fowler, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment Charlie Company Commander share insights on what was harder than they expected, what they are most proud of, the transition support matrix, how they will use this experience to integrate in home station training and give advice to future Commanders that will rotate through the National Training Center.
Recommended Resources:
Operations Group milsuite page
https://www.milsuite
Jan 4, 2025
21 min

“Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet” 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 Capt. Seth Revetta shares the sixth episode in a miniseries called Left of the Bang from our Scorpion team Observer, Coach, Trainers. The series highlights how to better prepare each war fighting function for some of the challenges seen at the National Training Center. Maj. Steven Pyles, Capt. Trent Frum, Master Sgt. Shane Dixon, and Capt. Craig Fentress discuss Movement and Maneuver. They describe the Operations process (Plan, Prepare, Execute and Access), what some of the common problems seen during the battalion to company handovers, and best practices to prepare from an integration perspective.
Recommended Resources:
FM 3-04 (April 2020) Army Aviation
ARN21797_FM_3-04_FINAL_WEB_wfix.pdf (army.mil)
FM 3-90 (May 2023) Tactics
armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN38160-FM_3-90-000-WEB-1.pdf
ATP 3-90.5 (July 2021) Combined Arms Battalion
armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN32974-ATP_3-90.5-000-WEB-1.pdf
ATP 3-21.20 (March 2016) The Infantry Battalion
armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN17858-ATP_3-20.15-000-WEB-1.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 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 Capt. Seth Revetta and edited by Annette Pritt
Oct 15, 2024
20 min

“Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet” 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 Capt. Seth Revetta shares the fifth episode in a miniseries called Left of the Bang from our Scorpion team Observer, Coach, Trainers. The series highlights how to better prepare each war fighting function for some of the challenges seen at the National Training Center. Maj. Steven Pyles, Capt. Craig Johnson and Sgt. First Class Terrance Brady discuss Fires. They describe how a Battalion Fire Support Officer (FSO) best prepares the Fires Cell to receive and execute fire missions at the National Training Center.
Recommended Resources:
FM 3-0 (October 2022) Operations
armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN36290-FM_3-0-000-WEB-2.pdf
FM 3-09 (April 2020) Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN21932-FM_3-09-000-WEB-1.pdf
ATP 3-09.42 (March 2016) Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/atp3_09x42.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 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 Capt. Seth Revetta and edited by Annette Pritt
Jul 23, 2024
18 min

“Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet” 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 Capt. Seth Revetta and co-host Col. Stephen Capehart, the 30th Commander of Operations Group sit down with select members from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment to discuss why the OPFOR wins. Col. Timothy Furgeson, 70th Regimental Commander, and troop commanders, Capt. Roman Burke and Capt. Ethan Christianson give some insight on how Blackhorse does the basics of shaping, synchronizing, sand shared understanding so well; how they prepare to fight the rotational unit; and some myths are debunked.
Recommended Resources:
Operations Group milsuite page
https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/ntc-operations-group (CAC Required)
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
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 Capt. Seth Revetta, Co-hosted by Col. Stephen Capehart
Edited by Annette Pritt
Jun 12, 2024
28 min

“Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet” 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 Capt. Seth Revetta shares the forth episode in a miniseries called Left of the Bang from our Scorpion team Observer, Coach, Trainers. The series highlights how to better prepare each war fighting function for some of the challenges seen at the National Training Center. Maj. Steven Pyles, Capt. Kenneth Russell, Capt Johnathan Eton, and Capt. Seth Revetta discuss Intel from the battle staff perspective for units to better understand before coming to the National Training Center.
Recommended Resources:
FM 2.0 Intelligence of the Operational Environment (March 2019)
armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN40083-ATP_2-01.3-002-WEB-6.pdf
FM 3-98 (January 2023) Reconnaissance and Security Operations
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN37194-FM_3-98-000-WEB-1.pdf
ATP 2-01 (August 2021) Collection Management
armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_c/ARN33198-ATP_2-01-000-WEB-1.pdf
ATP 2-19.4 (June 2021) Brigade Combat Team Intelligence Techniques
armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_c/ARN32767-ATP_2-19.4-000-WEB-1.pdf (CAC Required)
ATP 2-33.4 (Jan 2020) Intelligence Analysis
ARN20669_ATP 2-33x4 FINAL WEB_v2_fix.pdf (army.mil)
ATP 3-90.99 (April 2021) Desert Operations
armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN32068-ATP_3-90.99-000-WEB-1.pdf
TC 2-19.0 (March 2021) Military Intelligence (MI) Company and Platoon Reference Guide
ARN31806-TC_2-19.01-000-WEB-1.pdf (army.mil)
STP 34-35F14-SM-TG (January 2023) Soldiers Manual and Training Guide for MOS 35F Intelligence Analyst Skill Level 1/2/3/4 (CAC Required)
armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_c/ARN37167-STP_34-35F14-SM-TG-000-WEB-1.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 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 Capt. Seth Revetta and edited by Annette Pritt
May 7, 2024
32 min
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