What do Water Treatment Specialists do for actual work during deployments?

SGT Patrick Yap — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 07:37:33 -0400

Do they do combat missions cos a CO worker claims he does, or did.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Sep 18 at 2021 8:55 AM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 08:55:11 -0400

Don't know about the Army, but personnel in my unit practiced use of treatment equipment during local exercises, then stood by as an available capability during actual deployments.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2021 11:12 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 11:12:18 -0400

I wouldn't challenge a known veteran about what they did down range. All sorts of stuff happens.

As Logistics, we are typically the ideal target for asymmetrical warfare enemies. Why would they want to engage mounted infantry when they can target a supply convoy or soft operations like a water set up.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2021 12:24 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 12:24:36 -0400

I've never seen a Water Dog go on a mission to kick a door in, if that's what you're asking. While I have known Water Dogs to be on deployments, unless they are sent to remote locations never inhabited by troops before, I've never seen them do their actual MOS.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2021 12:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 12:47:46 -0400

They do whatever their unit has them do. On my first deployment they took the CBRN platoon and made them the base QRF. They were running all over the place conducting patrols and doing escort missions for prisoners and EOD. The early years of OIF were crazy and if your MOS wasn't needed to do your MOS work at your location you were on patrols. Most of the water was shipped in during OIF

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2021 2:05 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 14:05:34 -0400

Once they are set up, they stand watch over their gear to support the mission. They are prime candidates for working parties, A-drivers and A-gunners when deployed. One kid was helping the EOD SSgt work a misfire at AP Hill and they perished. A LCpl. My old unit, but I had just gone back to parent Unit. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1994/10/13/blast-kills-2-marines-injures-12-at-va-fort/accb5aaf-0409-4667-8172-2430b7110f1d/

accb5aaf-0409-4667-8172-2430b7110f1d

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Sep 18 at 2021 7:03 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 19:03:50 -0400

Gee all ours were manning water points and constantly testing water supplies. That's their damn job.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2021 10:17 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 22:17:49 -0400

We had Water Treatment Specialists arrive in Kandahar in late January, 2002.
They treated water.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Sep 19 at 2021 9:26 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 09:26:33 -0400

In OIF III, my BCT HQ had a ROWPU platoon treating water from the Tigris and it was pumped through the little compound where we were at in Tikrit. It was one of Saddam's retreats right on the bank of the Tigris.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Sep 20 at 2021 2:12 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 02:12:04 -0400

They treat water to make it suitable for bathing and drinking - which is very important in austere environments. I have never heard of them doing combat missions.