Episode #4: Southern Border Mission
Transcript for this episode available here: CALL Podcast EP 4 Transcript (Southern Border Mission) [PDF - 155.4 KB]
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: This episode provides valuable 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.
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Host: Mr. Jeremy Stermer is a military analyst at CALL at Fort Leavenworth. He retired as a LTC after 20 years of service as an Infantryman. His deployments include Bosnia, Iraq, and the U.S. Embassy in Egypt. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Career Captain’s Course, Command and Staff Collage (08), Appalachian State University (BS 96) and Central Michigan University (MS 08).
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Guests:
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Harrison commissioned in 2007 from the United States Military Academy as an Infantry Officer. LTC Harrison commands the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, the “Red Warrior Battalion.” He previously served as the Executive Officer of the New River Battalion Army ROTC Program (Virginia Tech and Radford University) and has held multiple Staff and Leadership positions to include Reconnaissance Platoon Leader, B Troop 4-73Cav, 4/82nd Airborne Division; Executive Officer, HHT 4-73Cav, 4/82nd Airborne Division; Brigade Chief of Plans, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division; Rifle Company Commander, C Company 2-16IN, 4/1ID; HQ Company Commander, HHC 2-16IN, 4/1ID; Company Senior OCT, JRTC OPS GRP TF 2; Lead Rotational Planner, JRTC OPS GRP P/EMC; G5 Maneuver Planner, 4th Infantry Division; Stryker Battalion Executive Officer, 1-12IN 2/4 ID; Brigade Operations Officer, 2SBCT / 4ID; Assistant Professor of Military Science (OPS) & Executive Officer Virginia Tech Army ROTC. LTC Harrison completed multiple combat tours supporting Operation Enduring Freedom / Resolute Support in Afghanistan (2009-10, 2012-13, & 2019), Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa in Djibouti (2014-2015), and took command of 1-12 IN while deployed to the southern border in the Big Bend Sector of West Texas.
LTC Harrison's education includes a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with Honors from United States Military Academy, Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course, Maneuver Captains Career Course, University of North Carolina - Institute for Defense and Business Strategic Studies Fellow, US Army Command & General Staff Officer Course, and a Masters of Arts in Military Operations from the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) AMSP.
LTC Harrison's major awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (6), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3), Joint Service Achievement Medal (2), Meritorious Unit Citation (4), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (4), Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Mexican Border Defense Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3), NATO Medal (ISAF), Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge. He is married to the former Cindy Hall of Rural Retreat VA, and they have two children, Taarna (8) and JD (6).
CSM Odom hails from Adairsville, Georgia and is a graduate of the University of West Georgia class of 2000. He enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman in January 2005 and completed One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Benning, Georgia in April of 2005 as the Soldier of the Cycle. Following completion of the Javelin Gunner Course at Fort Benning, he joined the newly formed 4SBCT at Fort Lewis, Washington. During his time in the Raider Brigade, CSM Odom served in a variety of leadership positions for the 2-23IN Tomahawks” that include grenadier, STRYKER vehicle commander, assistant scout team leader, and squad leader. While assigned to 4SBCT, CSM Odom deployed to Iraq as part of the Surge in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom during the years of 2007-2008 and again in the years of 2009-2010. In 2011 he attended the United States Army Drill Sergeant School with a follow-on assignment to Fort Benning where he served as a Senior Drill Sergeant for 3 years in the 2nd BN 19th IN Regiment on Sand Hill. Upon completion of his time as a Drill Sergeant, CSM Odom joined the 1SBCT at Fort Carson Colorado to once again join the Raider ranks. During his time in 1SBCT, CSM Odom was a Platoon Sergeant and a Scout Platoon Sergeant in 1-38 IN “Rock of the Marne”. CSM Odom then took responsibility of C Co 4-9 IN “Manchu” and finished his time in the Raider Brigade as the HHC 1SG.
When his 1SG duties had been completed, he was assigned to North Dakota State University, in Fargo, ND as a Senior Military Science Instructor for the Bison BN and Cadet Command. CSM Odom was selected to attend Class 71 of the Sergeants Major course at Fort Bliss, Texas and graduated in 2021. His follow-on assignment brought him home to Fort Carson once more but this time to the 2SBCT where he served as the BN operations SGM in 1-12IN “Red Warriors” as well as the BDE operations SGM from 2023 to 2024 which included a trip to Korea as the Korea Rotational Force (KRF 13). Following the rotation to Korea, CSM Odom once again deployed in support of CST 2024 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. March of 2025 had CSM Odom deploying to the Southwest of Texas to secure the border.
CSM Odom’s military education include the Javelin Gunner Course, Equal Opportunity Leader’s Course, Warrior Leader Course, Sniper Employment Leader Course, Advanced leader’s Course, Drill Sergeant School, Combatives Levels 1 and 2, Sniper School, Airborne Course, Senior Leader’s Course, Army Reconnaissance Course (ARC), Senior ROTC Pre Command Course, The Sergeants Major Academy, and the CGSC Pre Command Course
CSM Odom’s awards and decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Army Commendation Medal (5th Award), Army Achievement Medal (6th Award), Meritorious Unit Citation (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (2CS), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award), Korea Defense Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Driver Badge and Parachutist Badge as well as the newly designated Expert Combat Infantry Badge.
CSM Odom has 4 children Haley 20, Brynn 18, Silas 14 and Sterling 9. He has been lucky enough to be with his wife Courtney Runyan of Sumner, Washington for over 17 years.
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