thedrifter
11-28-04, 08:22 AM
11-23-2004
SOS Calls from Guard and Reserve
By Ralf W. Zimmermann
From time to time, a few readers try to label me as an eternal skeptic, encouraging me to be more upbeat about the War in Iraq. Following the “Give war a chance” motto, many forward me e-mails telling of our wonderful terror-war accomplishments.
Rest assured, I’m a true believer in our American ideals, especially our Constitution – and the American soldier. I do remain a skeptic when it pertains to careless reporting on the truth about combat. As a former professional soldier, I know that an exuberantly positive cheerleader won’t keep you alive in a serious firefight. It takes more to produce victory and survival in combat – such as meticulous planning, good maintenance, tough-as-nails training and participatory up-front leadership.
Yes, especially when it comes to adequately preparing and equipping our troops for combat, I won’t fall in line with the internet cheerleaders and the politically motivated float riders.
My reason is simple: Supporting our troops and standing united against terrorism means more than screaming for the home team. Active support includes speaking out for our troops to help them get better gear, tougher training and more compassionate leadership. Those who’ve worn the uniform know that when you’re part of the military machine, you can’t easily tell the truth. The only exception is when you’re lucky enough to have a unit leader who places his troops above personal advancement.
Ever the skeptic, my predictions that the real war in Iraq would actually begin with the fall of Baghdad seemed right on. My other concerns are about sustaining combat readiness and troop strength.
Recent messages from the deployed Guard and Reserve troops caution that readiness goes beyond merely buying modern protective gear for city fighting.
The latest SOS calls don’t come from slackers and complainers, but from full-blooded professionals who know that taking care of the troops includes preparing them to survive in treacherous urban warfare. Many seasoned noncoms are very concerned that their hastily activated National Guard and Reserve outfits won’t do well under the pressures of urban combat – if they aren’t properly trained and manned.
One senior noncom, a former regular Army combat arms man, told me this:
“Over the last 90 days we’ve received nothing but sub-par training! There are no set standards. Despite voicing my personal concerns, our trainers and leaders are merely checking the briefing blocks. The brass is generally more worried about paper reports than real readiness. Despite the problems, they label us “good to go”! Why am I concerned? It’s because my Guard outfit doesn’t have many soldiers with long-term active-duty experience. I would hate to see good men killed because they weren’t adequately trained.”
The sergeant, who I know to be a damn good man, goes on to describe the combat certification training. The task is difficult because it requires re-training tank mounted crews to serve as convoy escorts with Humvees. The unit in question will go to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La., to conduct limited lane training for specific combat situations. That’s usually a very good thing. But – this outfit has too many platoons to be re-trained. Consequently, each platoon will only do two training lanes before returning home to help train other units.
When I read the NCO’s letter, a lump formed in my throat. He continued, “Sir, I remember that you would never have tolerated such watered-down training. You usually forced all leaders to be responsible for the welfare and training of their troops – and you would have listened to the NCOs.”
You’re damn right, sergeant, I wouldn’t have tolerated paper drills and fancy briefs to take the place of rough and tough training. The reason: ruthless preparation and drill is the best life insurance in combat! Rommel and Patton, both up-front combat leaders would turn in their graves, knowing that training is cut short. Both believed that it was better to expend massive amounts of sweat on the training grounds before losing unnecessary blood in combat.
Yes, I think we can do better than talk smack about being the finest and greatest military in the world. Big speeches usually don’t keep soldiers alive!
If you’re a senior leader involved in training certifications of our Guard and Reserve units, I ask you to do right by our troops. Give them the time and the means to stay alive and return home with all essential body parts in working order. The first step to improvement could be listening to your NCO corps.
DefenseWatch Senior Military Correspondent Lt. Col. Ralf W. Zimmermann, USA (Ret.) is a decorated Desert Storm veteran and former tank battalion commander. His recent novel, “Brotherhood of Iron,” deals with the German soldier in World War II. It is directly available from www.iUniverse.com and through most major book dealers. Zimm can be reached at r6zimm@earthlink.net or via his website at www.home.earthlink.net/~r6zimm. © 2004 LandserUSA. Please send Feedback responses to dwfeedback@yahoo.com.
Ellie
SOS Calls from Guard and Reserve
By Ralf W. Zimmermann
From time to time, a few readers try to label me as an eternal skeptic, encouraging me to be more upbeat about the War in Iraq. Following the “Give war a chance” motto, many forward me e-mails telling of our wonderful terror-war accomplishments.
Rest assured, I’m a true believer in our American ideals, especially our Constitution – and the American soldier. I do remain a skeptic when it pertains to careless reporting on the truth about combat. As a former professional soldier, I know that an exuberantly positive cheerleader won’t keep you alive in a serious firefight. It takes more to produce victory and survival in combat – such as meticulous planning, good maintenance, tough-as-nails training and participatory up-front leadership.
Yes, especially when it comes to adequately preparing and equipping our troops for combat, I won’t fall in line with the internet cheerleaders and the politically motivated float riders.
My reason is simple: Supporting our troops and standing united against terrorism means more than screaming for the home team. Active support includes speaking out for our troops to help them get better gear, tougher training and more compassionate leadership. Those who’ve worn the uniform know that when you’re part of the military machine, you can’t easily tell the truth. The only exception is when you’re lucky enough to have a unit leader who places his troops above personal advancement.
Ever the skeptic, my predictions that the real war in Iraq would actually begin with the fall of Baghdad seemed right on. My other concerns are about sustaining combat readiness and troop strength.
Recent messages from the deployed Guard and Reserve troops caution that readiness goes beyond merely buying modern protective gear for city fighting.
The latest SOS calls don’t come from slackers and complainers, but from full-blooded professionals who know that taking care of the troops includes preparing them to survive in treacherous urban warfare. Many seasoned noncoms are very concerned that their hastily activated National Guard and Reserve outfits won’t do well under the pressures of urban combat – if they aren’t properly trained and manned.
One senior noncom, a former regular Army combat arms man, told me this:
“Over the last 90 days we’ve received nothing but sub-par training! There are no set standards. Despite voicing my personal concerns, our trainers and leaders are merely checking the briefing blocks. The brass is generally more worried about paper reports than real readiness. Despite the problems, they label us “good to go”! Why am I concerned? It’s because my Guard outfit doesn’t have many soldiers with long-term active-duty experience. I would hate to see good men killed because they weren’t adequately trained.”
The sergeant, who I know to be a damn good man, goes on to describe the combat certification training. The task is difficult because it requires re-training tank mounted crews to serve as convoy escorts with Humvees. The unit in question will go to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La., to conduct limited lane training for specific combat situations. That’s usually a very good thing. But – this outfit has too many platoons to be re-trained. Consequently, each platoon will only do two training lanes before returning home to help train other units.
When I read the NCO’s letter, a lump formed in my throat. He continued, “Sir, I remember that you would never have tolerated such watered-down training. You usually forced all leaders to be responsible for the welfare and training of their troops – and you would have listened to the NCOs.”
You’re damn right, sergeant, I wouldn’t have tolerated paper drills and fancy briefs to take the place of rough and tough training. The reason: ruthless preparation and drill is the best life insurance in combat! Rommel and Patton, both up-front combat leaders would turn in their graves, knowing that training is cut short. Both believed that it was better to expend massive amounts of sweat on the training grounds before losing unnecessary blood in combat.
Yes, I think we can do better than talk smack about being the finest and greatest military in the world. Big speeches usually don’t keep soldiers alive!
If you’re a senior leader involved in training certifications of our Guard and Reserve units, I ask you to do right by our troops. Give them the time and the means to stay alive and return home with all essential body parts in working order. The first step to improvement could be listening to your NCO corps.
DefenseWatch Senior Military Correspondent Lt. Col. Ralf W. Zimmermann, USA (Ret.) is a decorated Desert Storm veteran and former tank battalion commander. His recent novel, “Brotherhood of Iron,” deals with the German soldier in World War II. It is directly available from www.iUniverse.com and through most major book dealers. Zimm can be reached at r6zimm@earthlink.net or via his website at www.home.earthlink.net/~r6zimm. © 2004 LandserUSA. Please send Feedback responses to dwfeedback@yahoo.com.
Ellie