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October 14, 2004

Sleep Is For the Weak

If there's one thing I have learned about JRTC(Joint Readiness Training Center), it's that people who enjoy their sleep need not apply. As an OC(Observer/Controller), I've got to be ready to roll with the unit I'm covering whenever they get the call to go, which means that I've done a lot of late-night running around of late. (This is also why we come in every few days to 'refit.' Since we're expected to be the extra set of eyes that can help to make sure that the unit is training safely, we can't be as worn down as the unit it.) Tuesday night the unit executed a cordon and search mission. The mission is simple in concept: first an outer cordon surrounds the site to be searched to make sure that nobody can come into the zone. Then an inner cordon is established around the site to make sure that nobody gets out. Finally, the search teams work their way through the objective. This mission was a resounding success, as the unit discovered a major arms cache in the village they were searching, capturing an antiaircraft missile and a mortar tube along with various small arms. However, the size of the cache meant that the outer cordon, where my unit was stationed, was in place from ten at night until almost six the next morning. A long night. Last night we were in bed by two, as the unit was allowed to return to the FOB(Forward Operating Base) shortly after midnight, after a short but intense firefight. Unfortunately, the unit really doesn't seem ready to go to war. I should start off by saying that my opinion is just that: an opinion. I haven't been to Iraq and I don't know that the unit can't handle it. But based on what I've observed so far during this rotation, I'm not impressed. The soldiers are generally motivated and willing to do what is required of them, but they're being let down by leaders who aren't skilled in planning and who aren't able or willing to do the hard things necessary for success in combat. I hope that I'm wrong, but I think the Army is not doing as much as it should to prepare units for war. (And, since I'm in a unit devoted to that, that means I'll have to take a long look at our training model to see how to better prepare these units.)

Posted at October 14, 2004 11:28 AM

Andrew Olmsted

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Comments

Major, I find your report to be very disturbing. Does no one in charge realize that the mothers of America are entrusting their sons and daughters to these officers and NCOs? When this is all over I hope that all in leadership positions will be able to look those mothers in the eye and tell them that maybe their child died but that he/she did not die because the leaders f***ed up.

Posted by: Wolfhound at October 15, 2004 07:08 AM

I have mentioned before the importance of teaching your NCOs how to teach. I recommend you keep that in mind while you're conducting the AAR. If they don't know how to teach, they won't know how to motivate the soldiers or gain their trust.
Sometimes the soldier just wants to know what's going on and why he's doing what he's doing. There's nothing wrong with knowing more than one aspect of a mission. That will give a soldier purpose.

I speak from experience, Andy. I liked knowing what was going on, even if it didn't concern me. It helped motivate me to contribute to the coordinated effort.

Posted by: Rehberg at October 15, 2004 08:36 AM


I had an ROTC kid in school with me last semester who is now in charge of a tank squad in Iraq. He thought that bar on his collar made him a leader and that ROTC was real experience. He asked me for advice with just one question, "Are all enlisted people as bad as they seem?" I responded by saying that as bad as they were, i would have went to battle with any of them over most of my LT's.


The process for promotion is flawed and leaders have failed to recognize that many of their subordinates are as intelligent and capable as are they. Leadership is not taught and it is not granted by some higher rank, you either have it in you or you don't.


I got lucky in the most part of my direct leadership. I had good company commanders, good platoon sergeants, a colonel I still respect, and I trusted the first 2 of my 3 first sergeants to do the right thing. My XO though, was a man who confused leadership and power. As was the final 1SG of my Army career. Too many people failed to realize that leaders look out for the people under them, as well as themselves.


Sorry if that was long on opinion and short on sense.

Posted by: Scott at October 15, 2004 01:00 PM

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