To The Serpent Family,
First and foremost, I would like to thank you all for the support that has been given so far. Your mail, care packages, and other methods of support continues to bring smiles on the faces of your Soldiers as they continue to support the task force as we move closer to the transitional government tkaing control of their country. Up to this point, we have conducted over 165 combat logistical patrols that are becoming more diverse. All in all, the standard mission is still being performed and we continue to do both very well.
As I mentioned last month, there will be a Soldier that will provide a view of what they think. I believe that if you want to know the truth, ask a Soldier. Here is SSG(P) Garcia's thoughts on the living conditions on FOB Summerall versus what he dealt with when he participated in Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
"Life on FOB Summerall is not as bad as it seems for some. We have come a long way since yesteryear. How, you ask? Well, let me take a minute or so to tell you.
During Desert Shield and Desert Storm, I can remember arriving into tent city and having to sleep on top of our duffle bags lined up shoulder to shoulder. This was largely due to the lack of sleeping quarters. Many of us got dysentery, which added to the less than adequate conditions. We were there a little more than one week.
Shortly thereafter, we loaded our equipment on flatbeds and boarded some buses in the middle of the night. We traveled for a few hours. When the buses finally stopped we downloaded all of our equipment, set up a perimeter, and, of course, guard duty. In the morning when we awoke, the sun was out and it must have been at least 110 degrees. I thought to myself it must be around 1000 hours as I looked at my watch, it was only 0620. I looked around me as far as the eye could see........nothing, nothing but sand and more sand. This was the beginning of life in the desert on our own. We didn't hve air conditioners, microwaves, refrigerators, much less KBR. Our living quarters consisted of cots out in the open next to our guns. We built overhead cover from ponchos and poncho liners to block the sun's rays. We would take our showers in front of the M548 Ammo Carrier where we had set up an Australian Shower. Until we received materials to build our outhouses, we had to walk a good distance away from the perimeter where field sanitation reps had set up our cat holes. After 2 months our conditions got a whole lot better. We received tents and wood to build floors for our tents. These tents would be our home for the next 6 months.
Our Dining Facility consisted of 2 MKT's where our cooks would prepare some rather delicious entrees. Truly, I am not joking, our cooks could really cook, however, the A's did not last that long. We ran out of food and, at times, all we had for dinner was one microwavable lunch bucket. No bread, no salad, and definitely no ice cream.
Why am I sharing this with you? Not because I wish we could go back to those times, but simply to help some of you understand how good you really have it here in Summerall in today's Army. So we need to be a little more patient when the power goes down, or when the phones are not available. You don't have to look back so far either, just look at FOB Tinderbox today, look at their living conditions, and it would make you appreciate the things we have and sometimes have to do without."
Today, we are currently improving our living areas. We are in the process of building a battery MWR facility that will consist of TVs, phones, computer with internet, and a fooseball table. Once the construction is complete, we will continue to improve the facility with table tennis, X-box, and a video/audio library.
The Rest and Recuperation Program is now in full swing and we have successfully provided the opportunity for over 10 Soldiers to participate so far. The Fighter Management Program is also in full swing; a total of 12 Soldiers have already participated.
Before closing, the Soldiers of Service Battery would like to congratulate the Cintrons for their new addition to the family. It is always a blessing to bring new life into the world. On 1 July, we are going to have some newly promoted Soldiers in Service Battery. PFC Thomas, PFC Wisdom, and PFC Hinajosa are being promoted to the rank of Specialist. PV2 Bland, PV2 Guzman, and PV2 Ivanhof will be promoted to the rank of Private First Class. Congratulations are in order and I have faith that these Soldiers will continue to step to the plate and do great things.
Again, I would like to again thank all families and friends for their neverending support and prayers as Service Battery continues to do great things. SPERPENTS!!
Christopher A. Washington
CPT, FA
Commanding
Marvin C. Cromartie
1SG, USA
First Sergeant
being deployed here to Iraq wit SVC btry
has opened my eyes to alot of things.
the NCO'S and soldiers here in Iraq are doing great things I want to be the first to say so because I am out there on a daily basis and plus I am a soldier myself but on the same note our senior leadership need to keep in consideration they were junior soldiers at one time or another and start thinking of our welfare running around this post FBR in 100 plus degree weather while our brother and sister units are without FBR or have it readily available this opinion is for when we are on the FOB though you may not see it we do have some soldiers who are suffering from combat stress but as we are always told suck it up and drive on thats what we are doing but for how long? Why don't you senior NCO's read the CTT manual and rectify the sutiation things are getting rough we have been blessed for no combat casualties here in SVC btry (why do we want heat casualties?)
SOMETHING FOR THE LEADERSHIP TO CHEW ON AND DIGEST.
Posted by: George C. Scott | July 31, 2004 at 03:13 AM