What are the regulations on being a guard at a AHA (ammo handling area)?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 14:00:16 -0500

Myself and a Sgt have been sitting at the aha for 3 days we have officers who have provided us meals that they have bought for us and we have been sleeping in a 15 pax van at night at the aha because we are the only ones qualified. At night we sleep in the van at the aha with soldiers sitting in the truck awake we haven’t had a chance to do personal hygiene and sitting in a lmtv for 3 days isn’t real comfortable any regs to shoot up the chain about how wrong this is or anything?

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Feb 7 at 2020 2:02 PM

SPC Nancy Greene — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 14:02:15 -0500

Welcome to the US ARMY
PV2 Zachary Mysong!
I would contact the Chaplain!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 2:06 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 14:06:36 -0500

Ok, i know your new to the Army, so i will just ask you what you expect from the Army? Might i offer you some viewing ideas for when your feeling how bad you have it. Try watching "Band of Brothers", or "the Pacific" if after watching those two series, please let me know how bad you have it. Listen, the Army is not always going to be easy, just think there are always Soldiers that have it worse than you. Im sure right now as we speak there are Soldiers all over the world that wished they had a 15 PAX van to sleep in right now, and you only have 2 of you sleeping in it, plenty of room to strecth out. Your being fed which is a good thing. We would often times go on a 2 day mission in iraq that turned into 4 weeks, Im not too sure what you expect. Lets put it this way. You are now CSM Wysong, what is your solution for these Soldiers? Evidently you have internet so it cant be that bad.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 2:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 14:28:21 -0500

So, you have a place to sit, three squares, and a place to sleep that's not on the ground and can be heated? And you say the officers have bought food for you, like not an MRE?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 2:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 14:33:00 -0500

I had AHA guard for two weeks in the winter in Grafenwohr, Germany years ago and had to sit in a guard shack literally the size of a phone booth on 4 hour rotations. This was before cell phones, and 8 of us shared a GP small tent with a pot belly stove. Was actually a lot of fun, though. Only depressing thing to me sort of was that this was after a field rotation and the rest of the unit had already left to go back to Baumholder to drink beer and their families while we had to pull this guard. I say suck it up and count your blessings.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 2:36 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 14:36:38 -0500

Are you sleeping outside in the field? No, are you eating MRE’s for every meal? Doesn’t seem like it. I’m sure you endured harder days in basic. And you’re sleeping in a van? That’s luxury! And you have your phone...

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Feb 7 at 2020 2:37 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 14:37:00 -0500

Sounds like fairly realistic training to me. During OIF 1 in 2003 we had remote retrans radio sites to lengthen our communication distances over the 220 miles of pipeline we constructed. The Soldiers on the retrans sites worked 24 / 7 with work rest cycles for about 90 days. We pushed chow, water and hygiene packs to them. They dug field latrines and field shower pits. Personal hygiene is your responsibility; you can wash, shave and change clothes on your own.
Only red flags for me are:
- Soldiers sleeping in a van can very quickly equal dead Soldiers due to carbon monoxide from the vehicle running.
- You should not be sleeping in the same vehicle as the ammo is stored in (depending on the ammo classification).
- You didn't say if you had porta potties or a field latrine.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 7 at 2020 3:09 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 15:09:21 -0500

Sokdier! There are many ways to perform the appropriate amount of hygiene, you are being fed and you have cover.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 3:44 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 15:44:55 -0500

da pam 385-65 and atp 4-35.1 cover aha’s. I don’t know if what your looking for will be in there though

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 3:47 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 15:47:48 -0500

There aren't specific regulations as to AHA guard. Upon setting up an AHA, the guard (armed or not) roster along with unaccompanied rosters, safety site plans, etc should have been already made. Ammunition needs to be guarded 24/7, it's up to the occupying unit to handle the rosters and shift rotations. What do you mean by being qualified? What does your unit constitute as being qualified to guard? You only need two personnel to be on guard, they should be able to find at least one more person to start switching you guys out.

There is no regulation to say that what you are going through is 'wrong' (it does sound like it sucks) however this is just the lack in preparation on the unit

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 7 at 2020 4:35 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 16:35:14 -0500

Good Grief kid, what is the difference between that and supporting SF Robin Sage as a guerilla for 2 weeks. What damn more do you need, you have a dry place to sleep, food provided, and evidently O' to check on you. Compared to many SM's you have it made, so why are you whining?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 4:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 16:54:12 -0500

Since when do you have to be qualified to sit in a ammo hold area sounds like maybe your sergeant should be a sergeant and make a phone call ..

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 6:30 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 18:30:28 -0500

Lol.... back when I was in the Marines we were in a two man tent, with 2 cases of mre’s... hardly any phone service, so yeah.... I’d say u have it pretty good.... shave using the mirror

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 6:58 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 18:58:03 -0500

I will say this with as little sarcasm as humanly possible. Yea, I get it. Being on AHA guard duty sucks ass. Been there. Done that. Got the Big Green Weenie badge for it. Unlike you, I was not fed by my Officers nor my NCOs. Nor was anyone else on AHA guard with me. Luckily, I had my vehicle there, so we had taken rotations of using my car to go to the DFAC. This lasted for 3 days. You have food. You have a place to sleep that isn't in a fart sack on the dirt. Hell, you have your phone. You've actually got it better than most of us old farts that didn't have the amenities that you have while on AHA duty. Personal hygiene can be easily accomplished by brushing your teeth and wet wiping the main areas (ass, crotch, armpits). There is no regulation dictating how often you are to take a shower. There are recommendations, but no actual regulations. 3 days without a shower is pittance compared to Soldiers that have come before you. OIF 1 initial push troops didn't see a shower (on average) for about 4 months. If you didn't pack your hygiene kit, then that is on you...and a learning lesson for you. ALWAYS PACK YOUR KIT!!!! Like a bowel movement, this too shall pass.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 7:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 19:23:39 -0500

I can see where this is an uncomfortable situation for you, but try to make the best of it. See the silver lining in whatever you do. I promise you, it sucks now, but you'll laugh about it one day and have a great story to tell your battle buddies. My one night guarding the AHA because all of the power was out was spent outside on a concrete pad with my M4 and zero food/water/company from 2000 to 0800. Sure it was not great, but it beat other things I've had to do in my career like Afghanistan, Iraq and SERE school.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 11:08 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 23:08:05 -0500

Unfortunately that’s how the Army is sometimes. I remember pulling a 48 hour duty for a special post competition that involved us driving all over Fort Bliss and the 5 of us ended up sleeping in a 15 pax van. That’s just how it is some times. This too shall pass.

Response by LCpl Russell Wallace made Feb 8 at 2020 11:25 AM

LCpl Russell Wallace — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 11:25:23 -0500

This has to be satire

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2020 12:23 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 12:23:59 -0500

I've never been a big fan of the, "it could be worse" argument.
I recommend developing After action Review (AAR) comments in the IDR format.
Issue:
Discussion:
Recommendation:

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Feb 8 at 2020 1:54 PM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 13:54:07 -0500

Stand your post as ordered. If the conditions are "uncomfortable" you can complain when the mission is over. I'm sure your NCOs would love to here your take on how to run things.
Until then remember the General Orders for sentries. I'm sure logging in to websites and complaining about not getting fed every 4 hours isn't part of them.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Feb 8 at 2020 5:07 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 17:07:41 -0500

There is no regulation that covers your temporary discomfort. I am not going to bother with my personal events of discomfort while serving. I seriously doubt you will not be in the van forever and they will get you a shower and what ever you need. Don't be a buttercup, hang tight.

Response by SPC Matt Harding made Feb 10 at 2020 10:33 AM

SPC Matt Harding — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 10:33:49 -0500

Suck it up, buttercup. Alot worse details than that... and you aren't in combat so that sounds like a cakewalk. Personal hygiene isn't anyone elses responsibility, they're already feeding you, they aren't gonna bathe you also. If you have to go take a baby wipe shower behind the van or in the back of it, then thats on you. Don't do anything indecent or obscene, and you shouldn't have any issues.

Response by SPC Kerry Good made Feb 13 at 2020 2:31 PM

SPC Kerry Good — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 14:31:05 -0500

My dad an Enlisted WWII Disabled Army Infantry Vet used to call me & my Nam Vets Pussies, I too am disabled, out worked him day to day but hey whose counting, he got wounded during the Battle of the Bulge, fought hard Army Infantryman like me. It took mail months to catch up with dad(Patton's Infantry), took weeks for mail with me, except when in Laos or Cambodia then it took months, our uniforms would rot on us, lucky to get C-Rats & Ammo(Americal Infantry), now you young'uns have computers, cell phones etc. with on the spot commo, get over it kids! I got your back here at home & love you to death, just stop whining!

Response by SGT Frederick S. Mitchell made Feb 15 at 2020 1:39 AM

SGT Frederick S. Mitchell — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 01:39:06 -0500

Holy shit man...... seriously??? I pulled some hours. MPRC in Korea. We pulled AHA and MP guard on our tanks and ammo in the freezing cold with a Maddox handle and 6 rounds in a .45. 6 rounds. Wet, cold and tired like I can not explain. This is part of the job. Get promoted and be the Sergeant of the guard. Another level of miserable. Your attitude is everything. It is fun and something to proud of after you muscle through it all, or it will suck. It is up to you.

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Feb 16 at 2020 8:03 AM

1SG James Kelly — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 08:03:15 -0500

Poor Baby; you'll do real well in combat.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Feb 23 at 2020 2:52 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Sun, 23 Feb 2020 14:52:18 -0500

I guarded ammo dumps at Fort Jackson when I was a PFC along with Post Finance, motor pools, etc. The only thing different about the ammo dump and post finance was live ammo which we had in the mag in the M-14, but none in the chamber. Of course, as for any interior guard post, we had to know the 11 General Orders drilled into us in basic, other than that no special qualifications. What special qualifications do you have to have? So sitting in a van is cool, we had to walk our post from flank to flank and take no shit off any rank. I for get which order that is. LOL

Response by SGT Michael Joseph made Mar 9 at 2020 12:29 AM

SGT Michael Joseph — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 00:29:06 -0400

Suck it up, in Korea when we pulled AHA duty, we were in a 2ft x 3ft box in the middle of winter, for 12 hr shifts with nothing more than a 3x4 in space heater that barely worked , when temps were below zero, and quite often not being relieved for chow, luckily we had the katusa stands when duty was over but walking back to the Battery area was a mile and half yea we got to shower and eat but that cut into sleep time and THAT WAS IF you were relived when you were supposed to be I often was on Guard 15 or more hrs because my relief "forgot" he had duty especially on the wkends and we didn't have phones or radios at the guard post so you just had to wait

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2020 5:51 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 17:51:12 -0400

Dude personal hygiene is on you not the people around you. Being at the AHA or ASP really isn’t that bad it’s something you can put on your resume also. Embrace the situation and use it to your advantage later.

Chief

Response by CPL Michael Headrick made Mar 22 at 2020 3:20 PM

CPL Michael Headrick — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 15:20:15 -0400

I can remember guarding the trucks filled with ammo at the First Infantry Division AHA area armed with only a pick ax handle. Things were good until a couple of live grenades came up missing an the fort was locked down for several days until a complete recount happened. After the mistake was discovered it was just like it never happened, no apologies no nothing. It is worth noting that it was the last time I ever had to do it.

Response by SFC Mark Klaers made Mar 23 at 2020 9:44 AM

SFC Mark Klaers — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 09:44:35 -0400

Tell us the truth...you're in the Air Force, aren't you?

Response by 1SG Joseph Dartey made Mar 23 at 2020 6:38 PM

1SG Joseph Dartey — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 18:38:17 -0400

Try sleeping on a tank for a week in the open with only one meal (MTEs) a day. So all I got to say and I'm a retired 1SG is "Suck it up buttercup!" or get your goat smellin slap happy stinkin ass out of the Army when your time is up. First derogatory thing I've said on this site.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2020 9:08 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 May 2020 21:08:33 -0400

Y'all got a van? Chill dude it's just an aha detail you'll get through it.