Lead Lab
9/12
For lead lab today, one lucky (unfortunate) person would become squad leader, and EVALUATED.
I had thought today's lead lab would be just like the many others I've had. These are lead labs that I absolutely did not care about and I was only there because I had to be. Each session, the necessary skills required to operate a squad for a mission are taught.
There I was in my ORP maintaining security in that circle, just like every mission I had done. Then the assigned squad leader (Coe) called my name, who will be called SQD LDR. I was going to be a recorder. As simple as the role of a recorder may sound, it is not what it's supposed to be. I assisted SQD LDR by taking notes upon receiving the OPORD. I'll just list a few things from the OPORD.
"1st SQD ATK OBJ Moose, 2nd SQD RIGHT, 3rd SQD REAR". "1st PLT leaves final assault NLT H+80.
PIR: Antenna types, captured EPWs, NBCs, Comm. Equip, cross LD, enemy attack, SITREP.
# combo- 3
challenge- Team Wolverine
Running: Stix
Upon receipt of the OPORD, i had myself setting up a sand table. A sand table, oh shit I thought. I had to recollect all the knowledge I had learned to use for this mission. I asked myself, "Do I really know how to set up a terrain model kit?". I emptied the contents and scattered pieces around. I could not embarass myself and ask the SQD LDR, who is in the middle of writing an OPORD, what several pieces meant. Some pieces were no brainers: LD (line of departure), OBJ(Objective), primary(primary rout), LOA (limit of advance), support and assault, RP, TRP, water, north and more. I've yet to know what OBST XXXXXXX and the stars with numbers are. Surely enough, I had successfully made the model with minimal guidance. I only asked "SQD LDR, is this how you want the mission outlined?". When time came for the OPORD brief, Coe, SQD LDR used the sand table, making no major adjustments to the model I had made. Of course it was meant to be arranged, it was what I expected. Support and Assault elements conducting battle drill one alpha over the OBJ were simulated by moving the pieces to their LOA. My performance as "recorder" was sufficient that I was chosen to also go on the recon (oh shit). The enemy was on high ground overlooking us. There was little cover because the parking lot was to our left and the hill to our right. But I was left there as a release point. The rest of the squad came, we carried out the rest of the mission in accordance with FM 7-8, and overall, a successful mission was carried out, and to my opinion, a satisfactory recommendation for Coe.
As a recorder, I felt confident that I knew what I was doing with the sand table kit. I acted and made the kit with notes of the opord by my side. I hadn't used one since last semester and I didn't do well on my last OPORD brief. This was a time when I had to be ready. What annoys me now, is when is it my turn to be squad leader? Will I be prepared?
I realize that I am no fancy writer. I write my entries in fragments and notes. My future doesn't involve playing around with words, writing(fck that) and being sophisticated. I'm planning on playing around with bad ass chemicals and/or assume the role of a geek in a lab coat.
I end this with a quote from Infanterie Angriffe because it has relevance to my part in Army ROTC and its practice. Rommel once said, "Training errors are recorded on paper. Tactical errors are etched in stone."
For lead lab today, one lucky (unfortunate) person would become squad leader, and EVALUATED.
I had thought today's lead lab would be just like the many others I've had. These are lead labs that I absolutely did not care about and I was only there because I had to be. Each session, the necessary skills required to operate a squad for a mission are taught.
There I was in my ORP maintaining security in that circle, just like every mission I had done. Then the assigned squad leader (Coe) called my name, who will be called SQD LDR. I was going to be a recorder. As simple as the role of a recorder may sound, it is not what it's supposed to be. I assisted SQD LDR by taking notes upon receiving the OPORD. I'll just list a few things from the OPORD.
"1st SQD ATK OBJ Moose, 2nd SQD RIGHT, 3rd SQD REAR". "1st PLT leaves final assault NLT H+80.
PIR: Antenna types, captured EPWs, NBCs, Comm. Equip, cross LD, enemy attack, SITREP.
# combo- 3
challenge- Team Wolverine
Running: Stix
Upon receipt of the OPORD, i had myself setting up a sand table. A sand table, oh shit I thought. I had to recollect all the knowledge I had learned to use for this mission. I asked myself, "Do I really know how to set up a terrain model kit?". I emptied the contents and scattered pieces around. I could not embarass myself and ask the SQD LDR, who is in the middle of writing an OPORD, what several pieces meant. Some pieces were no brainers: LD (line of departure), OBJ(Objective), primary(primary rout), LOA (limit of advance), support and assault, RP, TRP, water, north and more. I've yet to know what OBST XXXXXXX and the stars with numbers are. Surely enough, I had successfully made the model with minimal guidance. I only asked "SQD LDR, is this how you want the mission outlined?". When time came for the OPORD brief, Coe, SQD LDR used the sand table, making no major adjustments to the model I had made. Of course it was meant to be arranged, it was what I expected. Support and Assault elements conducting battle drill one alpha over the OBJ were simulated by moving the pieces to their LOA. My performance as "recorder" was sufficient that I was chosen to also go on the recon (oh shit). The enemy was on high ground overlooking us. There was little cover because the parking lot was to our left and the hill to our right. But I was left there as a release point. The rest of the squad came, we carried out the rest of the mission in accordance with FM 7-8, and overall, a successful mission was carried out, and to my opinion, a satisfactory recommendation for Coe.
As a recorder, I felt confident that I knew what I was doing with the sand table kit. I acted and made the kit with notes of the opord by my side. I hadn't used one since last semester and I didn't do well on my last OPORD brief. This was a time when I had to be ready. What annoys me now, is when is it my turn to be squad leader? Will I be prepared?
I realize that I am no fancy writer. I write my entries in fragments and notes. My future doesn't involve playing around with words, writing(fck that) and being sophisticated. I'm planning on playing around with bad ass chemicals and/or assume the role of a geek in a lab coat.
I end this with a quote from Infanterie Angriffe because it has relevance to my part in Army ROTC and its practice. Rommel once said, "Training errors are recorded on paper. Tactical errors are etched in stone."