Posted on Aug 1, 2015
How many of you have participated in an ODT (Overseas Deployment Training) exercise and what was your best part of the experience?
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1SG Jeffrey Grice. While I was stationed in West Germany during the Cold War, I participated in two Reforger Exercises which were designed to be representative of flowing forces and materiel to Western Europe to interdict the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact assault on western Europe. We represented larger formations in these exercises which tended to be TOC exercises with a few tactical formations going through tactical maneuvers. Once we assisted umpires who were primarily focused on assessing damages to German everything from land to animals to crops and buildings and the all-important damage control.
SPC (Join to see), COL Jon Thompson, SPC Margaret Higgins,SGT Ricky Young, 1SG Cameron M. Wesson, COL James Stevens Roach, SGT Forrest Stewart, COL Monty Powers, LTC Stephen C., TSgt Hunter Logan, CW3 (Join to see), CW5 Charlie Poulton, CW5 (Join to see), SGT (Join to see), SGT Robert Hawks
I attached a few pictures from Reforger 1981 from we were just west of Giessen, Germany - my driver SP4 Sims with distinctive controller helmet bands, AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter and OH-58 Observation Helicopter in the near distance and "my" jeep with the results of a morning brotchen run – breakfast on the hood of the jeep.
Plus one picture from a winter exercise near Regensburg, West Germany in 1982 at a brigade-level Maneuver Rights Operation with me in winder gear with a light mustache:-)
SPC (Join to see), COL Jon Thompson, SPC Margaret Higgins,SGT Ricky Young, 1SG Cameron M. Wesson, COL James Stevens Roach, SGT Forrest Stewart, COL Monty Powers, LTC Stephen C., TSgt Hunter Logan, CW3 (Join to see), CW5 Charlie Poulton, CW5 (Join to see), SGT (Join to see), SGT Robert Hawks
I attached a few pictures from Reforger 1981 from we were just west of Giessen, Germany - my driver SP4 Sims with distinctive controller helmet bands, AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter and OH-58 Observation Helicopter in the near distance and "my" jeep with the results of a morning brotchen run – breakfast on the hood of the jeep.
Plus one picture from a winter exercise near Regensburg, West Germany in 1982 at a brigade-level Maneuver Rights Operation with me in winder gear with a light mustache:-)
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SGT Robert Hawks
I participated in REFORGER in West Germany and in two joint training exercises with the Candaian Army at Camp Wayneright Canda.
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SSG Gerald King
I participated in 3 reforgers including the original one in 1968/69. The last one I was in was in 1975 and I had a three man team and we set up with the Germany Army. Some good stories to tell about that experience.
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SGT Neil Murray
Reforger 1977 2/75th Ranger BN during October-fest. Great Times, good training and got me some West German jump wings!
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In 1999, I went back to Germany to participate in a V Corps Warfighter Exercise. I was the XO of a USAR PSYOP Battalion and the Commander and battalion staff all went. I should have known it was going to be interesting when V Corps did not want USAR units to bring weapons due to the difficulties of getting them through German Customs, etc. However, our PSYOP Group said otherwise and we brought weapons. They got stuck in Customs and then we got to Graf, we had to find a unit that would store them for us. We did not have our own billets and were all split up wherever we could find an open bunk. The weather sucked so we were all wet and muddy. And then I had a brand new MOPP suit filled with the charcoal so I walked around like Pigpen with a cloud of charcoal dust. Still when it was over, we had a day in Nuernburg and that was a good way to end the exercise with some good German beer next to the old castle walls. The big lesson learned for me was to always have lower expectations and that way if it turned out better, I would be happy. I thought I was going to Germany and have some fun and it ended up being anything but that.
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COL Jon Thompson
16th POB here. I did get to Italy for a 15th POB mission when they did not have any field grade officers that could go.
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1SG Jeffrey Grice
Great picture COL Jon Thompson , that alone brings back some memories. Sounds like quite the ordeal just to get established for the Warfighter, not the way you want to start it off for sure. At least the day out (and beverages) ended it well.
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MSG (Join to see)
I really got a kick out of Col Thompsons' post about the weapons. I was the Supply Sgt for a Supply & Service Co (AGR). We went to REFORGER 1982 (our second one) with weapons. After the exercise was over, we spent two nights in a holding area complete with a German Fest beer tent. My CO told me to find a place to secure our weapons. I found the CSM and he said he had a conex. I looked inside and (I swear) it looked like a dump truck unloaded M16's. I asked him how we could tell which weapons were ours and he said (I swear) tie blue ribbons on the muzzle. I told my CO "no freakin way". We kept our weapons and hit the beer tent in shifts. What scared the hell out of me was the tankers were coming out of the woods and hitting the beer tent and carrying their little grease guns. The first REFORGER, I was on advance party and hooked up with our Active Duty Liaison. He told us in no uncertain terms, how much he hated Reservists. We begged for some kind of a mission, but no go. He pointed out a building and said that's where you can set up your castle and wine tours. We didn't see him again for two weeks. I could go on about other REFORGERS. Like the time me and my assistant were trying to deliver rations to forward supply platoons in a jeep and trailer and got lost and wound up on a German University Campus while they were protesting our giving the Germans Pershing missiles. Thank God the Polezi showed up and got us back to the Kasern. Oh the memories.
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MSG (Join to see)
If you ever want to break every rule in the book on fraternization, fly in the back of C-141. All of us cuddled up just to keep warm.
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Intrinsic Action in Kuwait. We flew in, went straight to the draw yard and signed for tanks and vehicles. The mission was show of force for Saddam. All we had to do is contact the TOC to leave camp to train. I was proficient as a tanker due to all the training.
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1SG Jeffrey Grice
No doubt MAJ Ken Landgren , never want to dismount, that said, have had a few "fun" (term used loosely) times putting track back on!
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1SG Jeffrey Grice
Ah yes, everyone tries it usually only once MAJ Ken Landgren . After my attempt, never wanted to catch air again, the jolt in the TC hatch was significant :)
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