Two Weeks of Playing GI Joe!

I just returned from a two week field leadership exercise and realized many of you do not know what I am doing. Let's start off by saying its no Boy Scout camping trip.

The 2 weeks were focused on leading in offensive and defensive tactical training environments. The company runs exactly the way an infantry line unit operates but is lead by students from all different branches not just combat arms.

The first week is focused on defense and establishing a patrol base for the company to conduct manuevers from a secure location. We built a patrol base to operate from and maintain security for 130 people. The base was shaped as a triangle with 'foxhole' fighting positions dug for a secure position to take cover and protect the base. Each foxhole had to be arm pit deep and large enough for 2 men. The holes were about 5 feet deep, 6 feet across and 2 feet wide. The holes were camoflaged and postioned to provide the best view to fire each weapon. There were a total of 18 machine guns, 9 grenade launchers and 95 M16 rifles positioned to protect our base. Once we were all dug in and set up, we were attacked by the 'enemy' at least once a day. Sometimes the attacks came just after dark in a dangerous period called 'stand down' when the visibility is poor, other times we were attacked in the middle of the night or in the wee hours of the morning, sometimes even the middle of the day at the hottest times. Your job as a leader during those times is to maintain order, control and security amidst the chaos that usually ensues.
I was our Platoon Sergeant for about 4 days. During that 4 days we were attacked mulitple times, including the largest attack on our base as we were attacked on all 3 sides of our perimeter. My job was to 'troop' the lines and recieve reports and evaluate first hand for the Platoon Leader our situation and status. It is a difficult and tiring job, running the perimeter and relaying radio messages during an attack.

The second phase of our field exercise was focused on offense. Tactics such as raids, ambushes and patrolling (or movement to contact). These were conducted in the vicinity of our patrol base and at Mock Urban environment built up to resemble a city.

The training in the urban terrain is by far the most fun and high speed training. The 3 principles of MOUT (military operations in urban terrain) inherently lead to that. Speed, strength and agility are the principles of MOUT tactics that influence all movements. The training focuses on clearing and securing buildings and movement through urban terrain. I think I enjoy this training the most because I understand that it most relates to the tasks our soldiers have to accomplish currently in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The other training we conducted was also fun. Being on the offensive is always more fun. The ambushes at night were charged with energy. We also conducted a 10 mile and 12 mile roadmarch to move our entire company to a designated point.

The roadmarches are in formation that spreads the company out to prevent damage by enemy attack. It is a tactical way to mave a large group. it is not very sneaky but people are positioned to provide security and minimize casualities in the event of an attack.

The 12 mile roadmarch was particularly difficult becauseI was assigned to the weapons squad. The 'weapons squad' carries three M240B Machine Guns. Each gun is manned by a team of 3. The gunner, assitant gunner and ammo bearer. I am sure you can deduct what each person does. The key for the road march is what each person carries. The gunner carries the machine gun, which weighs about 26 lbs. The assistant gunner carries the tripod and attachments, which weigh about 24 lbs. The ammo bearer well he carries ammo, and the spare barrel for the gun, each case of 100 rounds weighs 7 lbs. I was the assistant gunner. The rucksack I carried and the additional equipment as assistant gunner made my total load between 60-70 lbs with water.
12 miles with over 60 lbs was tiring.

At the end of the march we had to attack an enemy patrol base. The weapons squads were responsible for establishing a base of fire, which means we position our guns and fire a whole lot of rounds. We fired about 600 rounds in less than 5 minutes. It was a blast.

Well, there is a little explanation for you. Pictures to come later for the meantime. try to imagine or search for similar pictures on the internet.