Tweet
Re: Thoughts on Manassas
Caring for the men. Allow me to relate a personal, and tragic story. At one point in my previous life, I had the pleasure of serving as the SNCOIC of the Scout/Sniper School, 1st Marine Division. The last week of the 11 week course was 'Challenge' week. Five days of continuous missions, about 5 hours sleep aggregate, and two meals. After debrief on the final day, the men where ordered to stand down, and stay in the barracks for the next 12 hours (minimum) prior to to leaving for the weekend. We had one student (a Staff Sergeant) that disregarded this order, and chose to drive the 2.5 miles form Camp San Onofre to Camp Horno, where his Battalion (and his regular barracks room was). Just 2.5 miles, that's all. He never made it. It appears that he fell asleep, crashed, and was killed.
That was a horrid lesson for many of us at the school regarding how we take care of our men. Not only during an event, but immediately afterwards as well. Those whom have served at events with me (especially Piney Woods, BGR, Backwaters and In The Van) know that I am constantly walking the ranks inquiring as to the welfare of the men, looking men in the face, encouraging them to drink, remove their hats to let the heat out, etc. The same care and concern must be exercised on the final night of the event, with respect to who has the farthest to travel the next day, who stands picket duty that night, what have the accumulative effects of the marching, the heat, sleep and food deprivation had on the men who have the farthest to travel. These are all concerns that the leadership must consider. I applaud our Regimental Staff at Manassas for considering these issues, and for bringing their concerns to the Company Officers and allowing all of us to contribute to the decision making process.
On a different tone. This was the first big event my son Daniel had ever participated in (he had previously been to one other, much smaller, campaigner type event -Race to Knoxville- in far more accommodating weather). He survived, and is anxious for the next big show. These 150ths (as has been posted before), are about the only pace we'll ever get to maneuver as part of a full size Regiment, as part of a large Brigade, and be able to look across the field and see our opposition, in line, filling our entire field of vision. We will not experience this at our campaigner events.
Caring for the men. Allow me to relate a personal, and tragic story. At one point in my previous life, I had the pleasure of serving as the SNCOIC of the Scout/Sniper School, 1st Marine Division. The last week of the 11 week course was 'Challenge' week. Five days of continuous missions, about 5 hours sleep aggregate, and two meals. After debrief on the final day, the men where ordered to stand down, and stay in the barracks for the next 12 hours (minimum) prior to to leaving for the weekend. We had one student (a Staff Sergeant) that disregarded this order, and chose to drive the 2.5 miles form Camp San Onofre to Camp Horno, where his Battalion (and his regular barracks room was). Just 2.5 miles, that's all. He never made it. It appears that he fell asleep, crashed, and was killed.
That was a horrid lesson for many of us at the school regarding how we take care of our men. Not only during an event, but immediately afterwards as well. Those whom have served at events with me (especially Piney Woods, BGR, Backwaters and In The Van) know that I am constantly walking the ranks inquiring as to the welfare of the men, looking men in the face, encouraging them to drink, remove their hats to let the heat out, etc. The same care and concern must be exercised on the final night of the event, with respect to who has the farthest to travel the next day, who stands picket duty that night, what have the accumulative effects of the marching, the heat, sleep and food deprivation had on the men who have the farthest to travel. These are all concerns that the leadership must consider. I applaud our Regimental Staff at Manassas for considering these issues, and for bringing their concerns to the Company Officers and allowing all of us to contribute to the decision making process.
On a different tone. This was the first big event my son Daniel had ever participated in (he had previously been to one other, much smaller, campaigner type event -Race to Knoxville- in far more accommodating weather). He survived, and is anxious for the next big show. These 150ths (as has been posted before), are about the only pace we'll ever get to maneuver as part of a full size Regiment, as part of a large Brigade, and be able to look across the field and see our opposition, in line, filling our entire field of vision. We will not experience this at our campaigner events.
Comment