In this episode of MWI’s Urban Warfare Project Podcast, John Spencer is joined by Brig. Gen. Robert Wooldridge, the deputy commanding general for support of the 40th Infantry Division, California Army National Guard.

From October 17 to 23, the 40th Infantry Division held the US Army’s first course designed division and brigade staff officers and noncommissioned officers, aimed at developing the skills needed to plan successful large-scale combat operations in the major urban areas.

In the conversation, Brig. Gen. Wooldridge explains the gaps that led the division’s leadership to create the course. He also shares some of the challenges encountered in designing the course, talks about the areas of focus during the first iteration of the course, and describes the lessons learned during the course’s execution. He continues by discussing the way ahead—including plans to create a staff handbook and standard operating procedures manual for urban operations planning.

You can listen to the discussion below or find the episode on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, or your favorite podcast app. Be sure to subscribe, and if you’re enjoying the Urban Warfare Project Podcast, please take a minute and leave the podcast a review or give it a rating!

Image credit: Brig. Gen. Robert Wooldridge, US Army