Posted on Dec 13, 2013
SSG Aircraft Powertrain Repairer
2.55K
20
16
1
0
1
A FOBLESS Combat Zone; can the troops endure major environmental changes relying on senses and prior training with little to no support at times?  The way it used to be OEF / OIF I....
Posted in these groups: Iraq war Warfare
Avatar feed
Responses: 7
SGM Matthew Quick
3
3
0
FOBLESS combat zone?  Do you understand the importance of FOBs?
(3)
Comment
(0)
SGM Matthew Quick
SGM Matthew Quick
>1 y
SSG Gorman,

A war cannot be sustained without FOBs.

In your example, how long can the unit (company, battalion, brigade?) sustain itself?
(2)
Reply
(0)
SSG Aircraft Powertrain Repairer
SSG (Join to see)
>1 y
We sustained without a FOB or walls for three months and the missions assigned to us we had guys out in th e middle of no-where for days on end so i think as a War progresses into an occupation then yes FOB's play a significant part in sustainment.  I am discussing initial invsions and potential of unecessary extreme losses of life due to untrained forces and untrainable forces.  the generation of Soldier currently developing is all reliant on technology.  No power No technology... No power No heat, No water= dehydration...  Ask your lowest ranking subordinate to drink water from a hle in some far off land using an iodine pill bet he wont drink it.   Ask him to build a sandbag wall bet he doesnt know how; ask your E-5  master degree'd NCO to land nav at night wihtout a BFT or GPS quite difficult for the more experienced NCO's bet he or she couldnt make the mark or even use the UTM proper protractor.  Reverse azimuth what the heck is that.... The discussion is solely based on initail invasion not a sustainable one...  GO RANGER BROWNIES  remember those...Soldiers these days barely eat MREs....
(1)
Reply
(0)
SPC Safety Technician
SPC (Join to see)
9 y
Maybe you should train your soldiers to do those things. My guard unit had no problems accomplishing the tasks you listed.
(0)
Reply
(0)
MAJ Ken Landgren
MAJ Ken Landgren
9 y
I believe the flaw in our plan was not having a plan after the bullets stopped flying. Someone very high up said we didn't need that plan.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
CW2 Joseph Evans
3
3
0
Hey, all we need on the team is a sniper that camps, the guy with the silent kill talent and they spray and pray suppressive fires guy. Oh, and unlimited airstrikes... Drone delivered by a guy that actually gets to use a joystick.
(3)
Comment
(0)
SSG Aircraft Powertrain Repairer
SSG (Join to see)
>1 y

Guess what those drone operators here in the states get all the benefits of deploying and also can get flight pay and claim PTSD later....Amazing

 

(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SGT 94 E Radio Comsec Repairer
1
1
0
SSG Gorman, it's disheartening to know that none of your soldiers know how to do the simple tasks we were taught in BCT. Maybe you could integrate refresher courses in your field training.
(1)
Comment
(0)
SSG Aircraft Powertrain Repairer
SSG (Join to see)
>1 y

My Soldiers do know how to do these things...the Soldiers I am solely responsible for and are dependent of me as a leader do know how to do these tasks.  The issue is what is going on now I see you have a deployment pic up...I don't know what your CMF is however being at Fort Campbell from 2007-2012 I can say with a fairness the only BCT's doing any training were the infantry all the road marches in the world are not training, all the ranges on range road are a part of training.  If you use BFT or GPS then your not familiar with a UTM map or a proper protractor.  Have you taken your subordinates down to a water hole off a FOB poured the liquid into a canteen and iodized it???  Have you taken your subordinates and placed them in uncomfortable details that are longer than 24hrs.  This discussion is solely based on the idea not my current real world assignment.  When you start receiving Soldiers from AIT soon as you are sure to progress to SGT; are you capable of stepping out of what METL your currently tasked with and go over and beyond bent over backwards for your troops survival in a untouched corner of the planet.  That is what this question is hinting.  Are leaders of tomorrow resilient enough to handle whiners and wimps that are assigned to them for use as a tool in combat?  I had an awesome leader who once said "....you work with the Soldiers that are given to you, not the ones you want...".

 

 

(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close