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"Never forget this feeling, 2LT Ireland."
I came across this little guy grabbing more Christmas lights in the basement and sighed, for probably the 200th time, about the time that I almost got people seriously hurt. Or worse.
So no shit, there I was... (1)
I came across this little guy grabbing more Christmas lights in the basement and sighed, for probably the 200th time, about the time that I almost got people seriously hurt. Or worse.
So no shit, there I was... (1)
It was 2005 and I, 2LT Ireland, had completed AOBC (BOLC for the youngins), missed the Iraq deployment by 1 month and spent 5 months on Rear D, deployed ISO Hurricane Katrina, signed for a PLT of M1A2s, and headed out into the field w/ 1-5 CAV/2HBCT/1CD at Fort Hood. (2)
The 7 day FTX was unique in that we were training Combined Arms Maneuver when Wide Area Security (or COIN) was all the rage.
Offense, defense, screen, MTC, breach ops...basically the funnest stuff ever.
To this day I still pull lessons from that FTX. (3)
Offense, defense, screen, MTC, breach ops...basically the funnest stuff ever.
To this day I still pull lessons from that FTX. (3)
I was young, hungry, and FULL of great ideas on how to make the Army a better place (as all 2LTs tend to be).
I loved my PLT. Even if they shot my patrol cap downrange during gunnery.
I was obsessed w/ making things more efficient. No wasted effort. (4)
I loved my PLT. Even if they shot my patrol cap downrange during gunnery.
I was obsessed w/ making things more efficient. No wasted effort. (4)
Upon ENDEX of our night Defense lane, me and my PLT were non-tactically moving from our range to our TAA.
We had our 5988Es that needed to be completed, I had an OPORD brief w/ the CO when I got back, the NCOs needed to build the terrain model. We were busy. (5)
We had our 5988Es that needed to be completed, I had an OPORD brief w/ the CO when I got back, the NCOs needed to build the terrain model. We were busy. (5)
To save time, I told my NCOs that we were going to do a rolling AAR of the Defense via FM en route to the TAA. I wanted the entire PLT on the net so they could monitor what me and the NCOs were discussing. Hey, we might even get some sleep that night. (6)
I read from my notes while we were driving, all the while not realizing that we were going WAY. TOO. FAST.
But nobody could talk because I was on the net.
About the time I figured out something was wrong was when I heard a deafening crash. My tank screeched to a halt. (7)
But nobody could talk because I was on the net.
About the time I figured out something was wrong was when I heard a deafening crash. My tank screeched to a halt. (7)
My tank hit a massive rock on the side of the tank trail, causing an end connector to sheer off, and send the track through a twisted, gnarled mess of the tank's suspension.
Quick SITREP. Everyone was okay minus some fat lips and bruised ribs. Thank God. (8)
Quick SITREP. Everyone was okay minus some fat lips and bruised ribs. Thank God. (8)
My PSG pulled me aside and quietly told me know that we were all VERY lucky to not have had a rollover or have tanks collide. We had good intervals.
The entire PLT's mission became recovering C21. It took us 6 plus hours to break the track in 4 different places. (9)
The entire PLT's mission became recovering C21. It took us 6 plus hours to break the track in 4 different places. (9)
Finally complete, no sleep, we got ready to leave and the CO drove up. I told him what happened.
"This was your fault. Yes, accidents happen. But you CAUSED this. You allowed your team to literally take their hands off the wheel. Never forget this feeling, 2LT Ireland." (10)
"This was your fault. Yes, accidents happen. But you CAUSED this. You allowed your team to literally take their hands off the wheel. Never forget this feeling, 2LT Ireland." (10)
It hit me like a ton of bricks.
I abandoned the most sacred duty an officer has: to safeguard the lives of our soldiers.
I thought I was doing everyone a solid by giving them time to sleep later but I was cutting corners.
I vowed to never let that happen again. (11)
I abandoned the most sacred duty an officer has: to safeguard the lives of our soldiers.
I thought I was doing everyone a solid by giving them time to sleep later but I was cutting corners.
I vowed to never let that happen again. (11)
My worldview changed that day.
There is nothing more important than the safety and well-being of my teammates.
My team needs better. My team deserves better.
That rings true today more than ever.
There is nothing more important than the safety and well-being of my teammates.
My team needs better. My team deserves better.
That rings true today more than ever.
