Does anyone have insight on the tempo, training and deployments of 2-14 Cav, 2nd Brigade in Hawaii?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 17:10:31 -0500

Does anyone have insight on the tempo, training and deployments of the squadron or brigade?

Response by SSG Alan Pelletier made Dec 29 at 2019 6:33 PM

SSG Alan Pelletier — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 18:33:43 -0500

Having spent my career as a 19D in Cavalry Units I have to say the tempo was higher than what the Army had officially stated, including the Brigade Commanders intentions. Each unit from Fort Wainwright and Fort lewis snuck training in outside of what the long and short term calendars stated. Of course this was at the beginning point of the War on Terror etc., and during early 2000 to 2011 when I left.
This includes being command directed that training can only begin and end on Mondays and Fridays. So what does that Cav do? We head out to our training grounds on Saturdays, prep Sundays and first thing monday we begin training. Bit slick and our skills weren't any more or less honed for deployment as combat vs. training will always spin around each other. We had less family time than our brigade counter parts is all.
This was a while ago, commanders and NCO's come and go so no telling what you could expect. I'm not sure this will be helpful but it always seem that Squadron Commanders more than anyone else wants to re-write the book on training and fighting and show everyone else how to do it "the right way." I hope Squadron Commanders and CSM's have calmed down a bit?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2019 7:17 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 19:17:44 -0500

High operational tempo, will NOT deploy (pacific pathways doesn’t count), and be prepared to be ‘ridden hard and put away wet...’

Having said that, Field grade leadership should be switching out soon so there is hope...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2019 4:56 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 16:56:20 -0500

I’m in 3-4 in 3IBCT and have many buddies from Fort Riley who PCSed with me in 2-14. We have essentially the same training calendar, just offset from each other.

I may be missing something but it goes STX, Lightning Strike, JRTC then Pacific Pathways. Once that’s complete, you end up doing all the ranges, a month for gunnery and field problem at PTA on the big island, drivers training etc. you will literally train nonstop for the next thing, and the next.... there’s no “let’s rest after lighting forge which was the train up for JRTC....” nope, you’ll keep downing random week long problems and overnights. They don’t take each event like preparation for the next bigger event which is strange. There will be time to slow down here and there, but it’s not what you’d expect. We don’t deploy but we train more than I ever did in a rapid deployment duty station.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2020 11:24 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 11:24:04 -0500

How about North eastern units? I'm in NJ and I'm wondering the same thing. My unit just got back from deployment in August so I know there would be a buffer time.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2020 9:44 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 09:44:05 -0500

Nope

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 1:16 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 01:16:06 -0500

I'm in 2-14, have been since 2015. Training and red cycle tasks. Also making sure the motorpool line is looking pristine, armor all on the tires and everything. We also spend about 25 - 28 days on the big island for training.. so no sep. pay either

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Feb 7 at 2020 1:45 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 13:45:42 -0500

I hain't been there in about 8 years, but during my 43 month tour (involuntary extension) I spent 27 months in Iraq, 3 in school, 2 in Irwin and 11 actually on island, of which 2 were in processing / waiting for a plane to deploy (I arrived 1 week after last chalk left), and 2 were outlrocessing / PCS prep.

The other 7 included a spur ride, NTC Prep, and deployment prep. Oh.. And about a total of 45 days leave throughout the 43 months.

So.... OPTEMPO was really laidback!

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Feb 7 at 2020 1:47 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 13:47:48 -0500

Suivez Moi!