Heading In-Country...

I'm within two weeks of shipping out for Iraq. Our training here at Ft. McCoy is winding down but there are still lots going on and lots to do before we go.

I got back Saturday after a week in Georgia where I attended training on some of the supply and logistics technology systems in use by the Army today.

It's a very interesting Army we have. We love buying new technology and yet stick to dinosaurs in other situations. I've been to two high speed classes on logistics systems that were both GUI based and that the Army bought off the shelf for a lot of money. One of them tracks cargo as efficiently as any civilian system and was written by a couple of guys in their basement, then sub-contracted to Northrop Grumman. N-G holds the prime contract (sound familiar?). So, I can track cargo anywhere in the world and drill down to MILVAN container contents and their manifests. It’s very useful information when the Commander is screaming for his truck part and needs to know NOW and you can push a couple of buttons and pinpoint to within a very small radius. The 2nd system we learned about can bring up historical data by region or country and tells the Commander how many fan belts are blowing off of what engine in a given period, how long it's taking to get the part delivered and then repaired. I think that's pretty important metrics available and both systems get used heavily. Again, off the shelf and GUI based. Then, there was the class I went to.

I'm certain it was state-of-the-art, but probably 15 years ago. Its text based and requires 3 letter codes to access the data. Very old and very convoluted, Norm would probably throw up his hands in exasperation. I know now why it takes 6 weeks to train our new soldiers. Norm, this system is obsolete. But it works, so they keep using it.

Out unit attempted a first here and that was to incorporate the normal training required with all of this real-world training we'll use in theatre. They counted up over 16,000 training hours that our unit was been thru just on the logistics side, like the courses I attended, the contracting courses, logistics courses, transportation, property book and many others. It's coming back to haunt us now because all of those people who got the opportunity to attend those classes need to come back and finish up the base coursework and our time is crunching towards the end. Long days, to say the least.

I just finished convoy operations yesterday, but it's not the training of old. This is infantry tactics on wheels. It's four days of training and you assemble as a crew of 5 per HMMWV. Each person in the vehicle has a role and you better learn it quick. Then, you and the rest of your convoy go driving down the back roads of Ft. McCoy sight-seeing. It's not over hill and dale (I wish), but they do throw a LOT of scenarios at you like roadside bombs, friendly and otherwise Arab nationals, snipers, car chases and all kinds of scenarios that really make you consider what you have to do if something happens in-country. We practiced these battle drills over and over so we know our role, no matter what seat of the vehicle we’re in or what kind of mission we’re on. I don’t think I’ll be getting out for drives in the countryside in Iraq very often, but the training was outstanding and it's taught by Sergeants just back from the war. The information is fresh, and very good.

I got bumped from the Combat Lifesaver course; they were over-strength and I had to give up my seat to a younger enlisted soldier. That was fine. The course teaches first line medical procedures to include intravenous drip. (That's a needle up the arm). One of our convoy scenarios involved a crash and an injury and we couldn't "pass" the course until our Combat Lifesaver on board (sharp young Sergeant) got his drip line in and taped down, a needle up the arm to a randomly selected co-rider. Hence, the reason I wanted to take the course: you’re either a “Poker” or a “Pokee” these days. J Quite a bit different than the old army, that’s for sure. We used to simulate a lot of that action in the past, but not today.

I’ve received 6 pairs of boots, 2 camelbacks, 4 brand new uniforms, 5 duffle bags, cold weather gear sufficient to -25, sun block sufficient for circling Mars, enough calamine to paint a barn, enough foot powder to crop dust, 3 sets of goggles, new prescription glasses, new prescription sunglasses (hate getting old), the latest gortex wet weather gear, body armor, extra field gear pouches, a leg holster for the 9mm and a myriad of other state of the art Army equipment too numerous to mention. I am overwhelmed with equipment and when I put it all on, can’t walk. Sometimes I totter, but I haven’t fallen yet. I think we’re almost ready.

The next step is into Kuwait. We’ll spend a couple of weeks there and then off to the north. Love to my family and all the rest of you. Keep those good wishes coming for all of us and if I don’t get to post for a while, see you in-country.

Tim