After 2nd Platoon finished their Team Certifications, 1st Platoon was busy packing forJRTC. Not wanting to be behind, 2nd Platoon quickly caught up and packed quickly.
Packing was made even more complicated by the last minute notification that most of our equipment may not even come back to Fort Lewis after being worked out in Louisiana. But, we figured out a solution and even managed to push the Soldiers out a little earlier than usual on Friday.
During the week, we also picked up some new Soldiers and managed to get most of our
stray Soldiers qualified on their primary weapons.
On Friday evening, we jumped into the "Build Your Own Burrito" FRG meeting with our
guest speaker from CYS who handed out packets for registration and explained the
benefits for families that come with deployment. During the FRG meeting we also went over the calendar of events for the next few months and answered any and all questions the families had.
Next week, the Soldiers may have a couple of long days from Monday to Wednesday as
we get everything moved over and loaded onto trucks for the long-haul to Fort Polk,
Louisiana. As we finish up the preparation for JRTC, we will be diving straight into required training and begin working on weaknesses we found during the Team Cert
events.
Again, my many thanks to the Families for supporting their Soldiers in these long weeks and late nights. I hope the FRG will grow and become an invaluable resource for family members both near and far. Spread the word and we can make it better for everyone.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
It’s been a long month and your Swampdogs have been training and working hard on all
of the skills necessary for their Team Certifications. I am very grateful for the support and understanding our Families have shown our Soldiers. Over the past few weeks, our Soldiers have competed in and completed their required Team Certification exercises and are now fully prepared for the upcoming rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
The Team Certs began bright and early one Monday with the teams executing a Combat
PT course where they ran; carried a 150+ pound litter for about ¼ mile through uneven
terrain and mud; carried ten full sandbags up a steep, long hill; ran some more; and
pushed a HUMVEE for another ¼ mile. After the Combat PT course, the teams changed
socks and boots and jumped straight into their AWT (Army Warrior Task) lanes.
During the AWT evaluations, each team was tested and evaluated on their common
Soldier skills. They were given a map and some grid points and had to plot their
waypoints and then navigate to each point. Along the route, they were faced with
various scenarios which tested their Soldier skills. As they walked down a heavily
wooded trail, they were attacked by OPFOR (Opposing Forces) with small arms fire,
artillery simulations, IEDs, and other dangers. During the attacks, sometimes team
members were deemed to be injured by the OCs (Observer Controllers) and the team
demonstrated their ability to perform casualty evaluation and execute first aid skills. Then they had to call in a 9-Line MEDEVAC (Medical Evacuation) Report in order to get their casualty transported away so they could continue their mission. They had to spot IEDs or UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) hidden near the trail and call in the appropriate report to their higher headquarters. For over two hours, in full “battle-rattle” (body armor, helmet, weapon, and ruck-sack), the teams executed numerous skills that are vital to survival in a combat zone.
In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, the teams came together at Wilson Gym and
participated in a Combatives PT event where they went head-to-head with fellow Soldiers in hand-to-hand combat and grappling. They pushed, pulled, wrestled, and choked each other into submission for five grueling minutes that seemed much, much longer. During the second half of the day, the platoons went out to the firing range and executed reflexive fire drills. They practiced close-range shooting drills against targets at various ranges while standing, walking, kneeling, running, and turning. Anything less than 100% hits on the target silhouettes was unacceptable.
As the week wore on, the teams participated in Entry Control Point (ECP) exercises where they demonstrated their ability to safely stop a vehicle entering into a controlled zone (like a Forward Operating Base [FOB]), search the vehicle for contraband and explosives, and control and search the occupants. During this exercise, the teams were sometimes faced with harmless civilians, suicide-vest wearing fanatics, AK-47 wielding insurgents, and vehicle-borne IEDs. Their communication skills and their ability to maintain control of volatile situations were tested.
From the ECP, the teams moved over to the “Warrior Lane” IED lane training and
executed a Combat Logistic Patrol through a mock foreign street with countless threats. IEDs, both hidden and obvious, blocked the safe passage of the convoys and the teams had to negotiate each obstacle using experience, knowledge, training, and aggression. Vehicles were disabled and Soldiers were given simulated injuries. The teams had to provide security, shield their vehicle recovery assets, treat their wounded, and transport everything out of the danger areas. Once clear, the Soldiers again put their MEDEVAC skills to use and moved their wounded Soldiers to safety.
Finally, the Soldiers came to be tested on their bread and butter – Signal Skills. With only a few short weeks of training and practice with new equipment and sometimes only days of practice with their new teams, the JNN (Joint Network Node), CPN (Command Post Node), and HCLOS (High-Capacity Line of Sight) teams went out to be tested on how quickly and accurately they could install and operate their Signal Communication Systems. Although some teams first put up less-than-stellar times, by the time certifications were complete, each team installed their systems in impressive times. The results will be coming soon!
All in all, the teams performed commendably and we all learned a little more about our strengths and weaknesses as Soldiers, Teams, and Leaders. Now, we are packing and
preparing our vehicles and equipment for movement to the Joint Readiness Training
Center in order to complete the necessary training that will ensure that we are fully
prepared for the rigors of our deployment.
of the skills necessary for their Team Certifications. I am very grateful for the support and understanding our Families have shown our Soldiers. Over the past few weeks, our Soldiers have competed in and completed their required Team Certification exercises and are now fully prepared for the upcoming rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
The Team Certs began bright and early one Monday with the teams executing a Combat
PT course where they ran; carried a 150+ pound litter for about ¼ mile through uneven
terrain and mud; carried ten full sandbags up a steep, long hill; ran some more; and
pushed a HUMVEE for another ¼ mile. After the Combat PT course, the teams changed
socks and boots and jumped straight into their AWT (Army Warrior Task) lanes.
During the AWT evaluations, each team was tested and evaluated on their common
Soldier skills. They were given a map and some grid points and had to plot their
waypoints and then navigate to each point. Along the route, they were faced with
various scenarios which tested their Soldier skills. As they walked down a heavily
wooded trail, they were attacked by OPFOR (Opposing Forces) with small arms fire,
artillery simulations, IEDs, and other dangers. During the attacks, sometimes team
members were deemed to be injured by the OCs (Observer Controllers) and the team
demonstrated their ability to perform casualty evaluation and execute first aid skills. Then they had to call in a 9-Line MEDEVAC (Medical Evacuation) Report in order to get their casualty transported away so they could continue their mission. They had to spot IEDs or UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) hidden near the trail and call in the appropriate report to their higher headquarters. For over two hours, in full “battle-rattle” (body armor, helmet, weapon, and ruck-sack), the teams executed numerous skills that are vital to survival in a combat zone.
In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, the teams came together at Wilson Gym and
participated in a Combatives PT event where they went head-to-head with fellow Soldiers in hand-to-hand combat and grappling. They pushed, pulled, wrestled, and choked each other into submission for five grueling minutes that seemed much, much longer. During the second half of the day, the platoons went out to the firing range and executed reflexive fire drills. They practiced close-range shooting drills against targets at various ranges while standing, walking, kneeling, running, and turning. Anything less than 100% hits on the target silhouettes was unacceptable.
As the week wore on, the teams participated in Entry Control Point (ECP) exercises where they demonstrated their ability to safely stop a vehicle entering into a controlled zone (like a Forward Operating Base [FOB]), search the vehicle for contraband and explosives, and control and search the occupants. During this exercise, the teams were sometimes faced with harmless civilians, suicide-vest wearing fanatics, AK-47 wielding insurgents, and vehicle-borne IEDs. Their communication skills and their ability to maintain control of volatile situations were tested.
From the ECP, the teams moved over to the “Warrior Lane” IED lane training and
executed a Combat Logistic Patrol through a mock foreign street with countless threats. IEDs, both hidden and obvious, blocked the safe passage of the convoys and the teams had to negotiate each obstacle using experience, knowledge, training, and aggression. Vehicles were disabled and Soldiers were given simulated injuries. The teams had to provide security, shield their vehicle recovery assets, treat their wounded, and transport everything out of the danger areas. Once clear, the Soldiers again put their MEDEVAC skills to use and moved their wounded Soldiers to safety.
Finally, the Soldiers came to be tested on their bread and butter – Signal Skills. With only a few short weeks of training and practice with new equipment and sometimes only days of practice with their new teams, the JNN (Joint Network Node), CPN (Command Post Node), and HCLOS (High-Capacity Line of Sight) teams went out to be tested on how quickly and accurately they could install and operate their Signal Communication Systems. Although some teams first put up less-than-stellar times, by the time certifications were complete, each team installed their systems in impressive times. The results will be coming soon!
All in all, the teams performed commendably and we all learned a little more about our strengths and weaknesses as Soldiers, Teams, and Leaders. Now, we are packing and
preparing our vehicles and equipment for movement to the Joint Readiness Training
Center in order to complete the necessary training that will ensure that we are fully
prepared for the rigors of our deployment.
Week in Review (May 02-08)
It was another week of training in a long series of weeks of training!
1st Platoon took their final days before Team Certifications and Evaluations and wrung every bit of training they could out of them. They went to the field on Tuesday, set up their systems and put into practice all of the training they've been working on over the past few weeks. They worked around the clock to maintain and troubleshoot their systems while simultaneously manning an Entry Control Point against simulated attacks, threats, and ordinary visitors.
2nd Platoon executed their individual training week and took things at a fast pace. They trained on all manner of Warrior Tasks and honed their skills. During the week, they also participated in IED (Improvised Explosive Device) training and came face to face with many of the types of explosives and devices they could encounter overseas. The realistic IED walkthrough also included simulated explosives and houses with hidden rooms. 2nd Platoon learned a great deal about the ins and outs of IEDs and what to look for and are now better prepared.
Next week begins 1st Platoon's evaluation week and it is sure to be a smoker. Bright and early Monday morning they will embark on a Combat PT course they are sure to remember. From there, they are out of the frying pan and into the fire for the rest of the week. 2nd Platoon will also begin their evaluations later in the week, so they have also been training hard.
Great work this week, Swampdogs.
1st Platoon took their final days before Team Certifications and Evaluations and wrung every bit of training they could out of them. They went to the field on Tuesday, set up their systems and put into practice all of the training they've been working on over the past few weeks. They worked around the clock to maintain and troubleshoot their systems while simultaneously manning an Entry Control Point against simulated attacks, threats, and ordinary visitors.
2nd Platoon executed their individual training week and took things at a fast pace. They trained on all manner of Warrior Tasks and honed their skills. During the week, they also participated in IED (Improvised Explosive Device) training and came face to face with many of the types of explosives and devices they could encounter overseas. The realistic IED walkthrough also included simulated explosives and houses with hidden rooms. 2nd Platoon learned a great deal about the ins and outs of IEDs and what to look for and are now better prepared.
Next week begins 1st Platoon's evaluation week and it is sure to be a smoker. Bright and early Monday morning they will embark on a Combat PT course they are sure to remember. From there, they are out of the frying pan and into the fire for the rest of the week. 2nd Platoon will also begin their evaluations later in the week, so they have also been training hard.
Great work this week, Swampdogs.
Week in Review (April 26-30)
It was a good, hard, long week for the Swampdogs.
1st Platoon worked through their Individual Training in preparation for Team
Certifications. They trained on convoy skills; voice communications; entry control point (ECP) practice; searching vehicle and individuals for weapons, explosives, and contraband items; first aid; mounted and dismounted land navigation - and they didn't lose anyone (for long)! Next week will be another long, challenging week of Team Training where they will build and grow their teams to be the best. IED training and a mini-FTX (overnight) to train on 24-hour ops will test their endurance, survival skills, and ability to spot IEDs and their reaction to them.
2nd Platoon worked late into the nights to get through their SWITCHEX tasks and
completed everything ahead of schedule. This was one of the first opportunities the
Soldiers had to get their hands on their signal equipment since they came back for Iraq - and they made the most of it. They overcame some obstacles and learned some new troubleshooting techniques along with learning some lessons about logistics. Next week, they will be looking forward to Individual Training with land navigation and Army Warrior Tasks (AWT).
HQ held down the fort and kept everyone's administrative needs met. Often the HQ
section is forgotten in the hard work of the line platoons, but they work hard to keep Soldier pay issues down, to get Soldiers promoted, and to get awards complete. The motorpool has kept all of our vehicles and generators running smoothly.
The Company performed admirably during the Maintenance Terrain Walk in which the
Battalion hosted Brigadier General Brown on a tour of the facilities. Because the
Swampdogs are the only company deploying soon, they were the focus of BG Brown's
tour. SGT Sweeney explained in detail the operations and functions of the Phoenix
satellite vehicle and SPC Sadler received a coin from BG Brown for his hard work and
outstanding performance.
It was a great week to be a Swampdog!
1st Platoon worked through their Individual Training in preparation for Team
Certifications. They trained on convoy skills; voice communications; entry control point (ECP) practice; searching vehicle and individuals for weapons, explosives, and contraband items; first aid; mounted and dismounted land navigation - and they didn't lose anyone (for long)! Next week will be another long, challenging week of Team Training where they will build and grow their teams to be the best. IED training and a mini-FTX (overnight) to train on 24-hour ops will test their endurance, survival skills, and ability to spot IEDs and their reaction to them.
2nd Platoon worked late into the nights to get through their SWITCHEX tasks and
completed everything ahead of schedule. This was one of the first opportunities the
Soldiers had to get their hands on their signal equipment since they came back for Iraq - and they made the most of it. They overcame some obstacles and learned some new troubleshooting techniques along with learning some lessons about logistics. Next week, they will be looking forward to Individual Training with land navigation and Army Warrior Tasks (AWT).
HQ held down the fort and kept everyone's administrative needs met. Often the HQ
section is forgotten in the hard work of the line platoons, but they work hard to keep Soldier pay issues down, to get Soldiers promoted, and to get awards complete. The motorpool has kept all of our vehicles and generators running smoothly.
The Company performed admirably during the Maintenance Terrain Walk in which the
Battalion hosted Brigadier General Brown on a tour of the facilities. Because the
Swampdogs are the only company deploying soon, they were the focus of BG Brown's
tour. SGT Sweeney explained in detail the operations and functions of the Phoenix
satellite vehicle and SPC Sadler received a coin from BG Brown for his hard work and
outstanding performance.
It was a great week to be a Swampdog!
Week in Review (April 18-24)
The week started off at a quick pace. First platoon dove right in SWITCHEX, setting up, testing, and learning their new signal equipment. Late nights made for realistic and developmental training for first platoon. They knocked out every task assigned to them at a faster pace than expected and set a high standard for second platoon next week.
Second platoon prepared their equipment and Soldiers for their SWITCHEX next week and
also managed to squeeze in some realistic VBS2 (Virtual Battle Space 2) convoy simulations. Next week will be another long week for the Soldiers of both platoons as first platoon goes out to the field for some individual training and second platoon begins their SWITCHEX.
All of this training will culminate with Team Certification week and will be put to the test during our JRTC (Joint Readiness Training Center) rotation at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
Second platoon prepared their equipment and Soldiers for their SWITCHEX next week and
also managed to squeeze in some realistic VBS2 (Virtual Battle Space 2) convoy simulations. Next week will be another long week for the Soldiers of both platoons as first platoon goes out to the field for some individual training and second platoon begins their SWITCHEX.
All of this training will culminate with Team Certification week and will be put to the test during our JRTC (Joint Readiness Training Center) rotation at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
Weeks in Review.
On April 05, 2010, I took Command of Bravo Company, 51st Signal Battalion. Using the FRG, I try to keep the Soldiers and families updated as to what is going on using various methods - including Facebook and a secure site. One of things I do is write a weekly update as to the activities the company has been involved in and what, in general, is going on. I figure some of the information and activities might also be of interest to people here, so how much extra work is it to cut and paste what's already written. I'll first post the back log of weeks, and then when I add an update, I'll be sure to share here also. This is just a head up. Most of the pictures are posted on the Facebook page which can be found by searching for, "Bravo Company, 51st Signal Battalion". If you have trouble, let me know.
