129 S13 Ep 11 - Sergeant’s Time or Leader’s Time? Who Owns Training? w/JRTC Subject Matter Experts
Fri Feb 06 2026
The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MSG Jared Cawthon, the BDE Fires Support NCOIC, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts from across JRTC: MSG Austin Moss is the Senior Targeting NCOIC OCT from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ). SFC Ryan Bruno is the Battery 1SG OCT with TF Fires (FA BN / DIVARTY). And 1SG Mark Varley is a Company First Sergeant OCT with TF-3 (IN BN).
This episode explores the practical and philosophical differences between Sergeant’s Time Training (STT) and Leader’s Time Training (LTT), arguing that the debate is less about terminology and more about ownership, trust, and purpose. The discussion emphasizes that STT is a critical venue for developing junior NCOs as trainers—forcing them to understand tasks to standard, plan instruction, and build confidence in leading Soldiers. When NCOs own training, they develop the skills required to train, certify, and mentor at higher echelons later in their careers. However, the episode also highlights a recurring friction point: junior NCOs often struggle when training is not clearly nested within commander intent or unit METL priorities, leading to well-intentioned but misaligned training that does not advance the formation toward its operational objectives.
The conversation further addresses best practices for balancing STT and LTT, advocating for a blended approach where commanders provide direction and protect time, while NCOs execute and innovate within that framework. Key themes include the importance of white space for creativity, competition among NCOs to improve training quality, and leader presence during training—not to take over, but to observe, coach, and provide meaningful AARs. The panel stresses that protected training time is essential, especially in high-tempo units, and that much effective training requires minimal resources if leaders are deliberate and disciplined. Ultimately, the episode reinforces that STT succeeds when leaders trust NCOs, give them clear intent, and hold them accountable—producing formations that are more competent, confident, and prepared for the demands of combat.
Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” 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.
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The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-ninth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MSG Jared Cawthon, the BDE Fires Support NCOIC, from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject matter experts from across JRTC: MSG Austin Moss is the Senior Targeting NCOIC OCT from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ). SFC Ryan Bruno is the Battery 1SG OCT with TF Fires (FA BN / DIVARTY). And 1SG Mark Varley is a Company First Sergeant OCT with TF-3 (IN BN). This episode explores the practical and philosophical differences between Sergeant’s Time Training (STT) and Leader’s Time Training (LTT), arguing that the debate is less about terminology and more about ownership, trust, and purpose. The discussion emphasizes that STT is a critical venue for developing junior NCOs as trainers—forcing them to understand tasks to standard, plan instruction, and build confidence in leading Soldiers. When NCOs own training, they develop the skills required to train, certify, and mentor at higher echelons later in their careers. However, the episode also highlights a recurring friction point: junior NCOs often struggle when training is not clearly nested within commander intent or unit METL priorities, leading to well-intentioned but misaligned training that does not advance the formation toward its operational objectives. The conversation further addresses best practices for balancing STT and LTT, advocating for a blended approach where commanders provide direction and protect time, while NCOs execute and innovate within that framework. Key themes include the importance of white space for creativity, competition among NCOs to improve training quality, and leader presence during training—not to take over, but to observe, coach, and provide meaningful AARs. The panel stresses that protected training time is essential, especially in high-tempo units, and that much effective training requires minimal resources if leaders are deliberate and disciplined. Ultimately, the episode reinforces that STT succeeds when leaders trust NCOs, give them clear intent, and hold them accountable—producing formations that are more competent, confident, and prepared for the demands of combat. Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” 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.