First Day with Team Griffin

After a long flight, we made it back to Camp Funston this Tuesday afternoon. I originally planned to have a dinner social with my team on Wednesday, but the XO recommended we do that tonight instead.

Therefore, a dinner social event we did. As of right now Team Griffin is manned with 10 of our 15 positions. Two positions were taken away by HRC and DA. Why they decided to take my two combat arms officer, I don't know. When I spoke to MNC-I, the rep for MNC-I told me that MNC-I took two soldiers out of each MiTT to conduct a test of principle in MND-S. That is probably why HRC and DA decided to do the same. However, no one in Iraq or at CENTCOM changed the MiTT requirements. Their expectation was that each MiTT would arrive in country fully manned and not degraded by one or two positions.

From my perspective, if you're going to short a unit. You're better off shorting the unit that has 5,000+ soldiers assigned to it, than shorting the unit that has 10-15 soldiers assigned to it. In the former case, the two soldiers are neglible, in the latter case, they are significant.

Based on my leader's recon, the two combat arms positions (maneuver trainer and Fires and Effects trainer) will be absolutely essential for the success of our mission. So we must fight to ensure those two slots are not forgotten. With regard to the other three slots we are missing. It is my expectation that they will be filled from the bench or a late arrival.

Once again, I'm not so impressed with how these MiTT are formed. Especially with the CSA's emphasis on these teams.

I'm very impressed with the 10 members I do have. They want to be here. They are excited to do their job and they are ready to be trained. They all have demonstrated the ability to take the initiative and and do what's right. I'm very proud of their service and proud to be associated with them.

Farewell to Mosul - Leader's Recon Complete

It is now time to say farewell to the current Griffin Military Transition Team and time for me to return to Ft. Riley to train the new Team - Griffin for the mission ahead.

In this picture, I'm standing next to one of the interprettors (John) that accompanied us through many of the patrols we conducted while I was at Camp India.

One particular patrol will stand out in my mind. That was our patrol of the University District of Mosul. The streets were completely void of people with only a few stragglers out to be noticed. Most were well hidden behind their fences or closed doors. It was a very eary feeling to watch a kid run up an ally and disappear. You can't help but wonder what the kid was up to and where he was going. The patrol was quiet and nothing significant happened. But you don't feel completely safe. It was far to quiet to feel that way.

The Leader's recon was very rewarding for me. It gave me a glimpse of what to expect, what to train for and what we will need to learn in the next coming months. Special Thanks to COL Jeff McClain and the rest of the Griffin team.

Jeff explained to me that the 2nd Iraqi Army Division MiTT team has always been call sign "Griffin" and while we might come up with our own "nickname" at Camp Funston, once we arrive in Iraq, we will be "Team Griffin".

I'll let the team back in Funston decide if they want to invent their own call sign while at Camp Funston, but once we arrive in Mosul, our call sign will be "Griffen" like the other MiTTs before us (it's not practical to change the call signs).

So, now you know how this blog came to be called.... Team Griffin.

Command and Control - The TOC

The MiTT's Tactical Operating Center appears to have the minimum capability it requires to monitor MiTT movements and communications with higher headquarters. However, I would like to look into getting some of the Common Operational Pictures, UAV feeds and if possible a Tandberg to improve the capability within the MiTT's TOC.

While I'm not sure if that will be possible. I can see that being very useful when it comes to monitoring post 30 June 2009 activities. After 30 June, US forces are no longer supposed to roam freely in the Iraqi cities. US Forces will require Iraqi escort to enter the city areas.

This is being heralded as great news for the Iraqi's. Iraqi units are deemed capable enough of controlling the cities and will now have that responsibility. American Forces will assist by controlling the non-populated regions. The intent is to give no safe havens for terrorists, with the Iraqi Forces securing the cities and the Coalition Forces securing outside the cities.

The next coming months will be a crucial test.

Dust Storms

Dust Storms are very common in Iraq. They had one practically every day that I was there. Not only does it effect visibility outside, it effects the living conditions inside. The dust easily penetrates through the doors of the warehouse building filling the place with Talcum powder-like dust particles.

The danger with the dust is that it's more like fecal matter that has dried in the hot desert sun, crumbled on by vehicles and foot and then spread all over the desert by the wind. Constant hand washing is necessary in this environment. I was warned that most, if not all members of the team will come down with some type of "Iraqi crud" which will make them sick, not for just a couple of days or weeks, but for months.

When I was deployed to Georgia, I remember COL Everett speaking about the same "Iraqi Crud". He insisted that his soldiers wash their hands and bodies 5, 7, 12 times a days and especially before eating. He said that is the only way to keep yourself from catching the "Iraqi Crud". In this case, I think his advice is spot on.

The MRAP

I was very pleased to see that the MiTT's vehicles will be the MRAP. It is designed to better protect the soldiers from the blasts of IEDs, making it more survivable. Another improvement is that the MRAP is air-conditioned. Making it more bearable in the hot Iraqi summer and for the crew members in the back of the vehicle. The MRAP is a very tall vehicle and therefore one must be cautious not roll the vehicle at high speeds or vertical grades.

MiTT members will need to rehearse crew drills and radio procedures while at Ft. Riley in preparation for this deployment. Crew drills must include convoy procedures, reaction to hostile threat, battle commands and reporting procedures on the radio.

Al Kindi - Camp India

This is where we will call home for 12-15 months while deployed to Iraq. It's an old warehouse that has been modified, thanks to "self-help" projects done by the MiTTs who were here previously. Each individual now has his own sleeping quarters. Some have a combined sleeping quarters/ office.

Leader's Recon - Day 1

My first day in Mosul, I was able to witness a demonstration of the Iraqi Mortar Company. This demonstration was done before the Mayor of Mosul and the Commander of the 2nd Iraqi Army Division.

I was very impressed with the professionalization of these Iraqi soldiers. You could see they have all been trained on the crew drills for firing a heavy mortar. While I could not understand the fire commands (in Arabic) I could decipher which step in the crew drills they were performing by watching the demonstration.

I will be very interested in learning the Iraqi Army's methodology for indirect fire. My guess is that things are still done manually with perhaps some computers involved for computation. I'm curious to see how the Iraqi Army accounts for the 5 requirements of accurate predictive fires (target location and size, fire unit location, weapon and ammo info, Met info, and computational procedures). As a former Artillery Officer, this demonstration certainly peaked my interest and I would like to participate in an Iraqi Army indirect live fire exercise while deployed in Iraq.

Ok, we finally made it to Kuwait, Camp Ali Al Saleem. Rows and rows of tents, even air conditioned. That totally amazed me. I remember being stuck in the Saudi Desert for Desert Storm and the only vehicle with air conditioning was the Tacfire Shelter (which barely squeezed 3 people in it).

Ali Al Saleem is amazing. It even has a MacDonald's, two MWR tents, Gym, USO tent, basketball court and soccer field. Of course, you must play at night, because it's too fricken hot to play during the day. I got to spend 2 nights and 3 days in this wonderful place reporting every 4 hours for a flight that was either too full or cancelled; before we took an embassy flight to Baghdad with follow on service to Mosul.

Biggest lesson learned: The heat will kill you faster than anything else out here. One must get in the best physical condition they can before their deployment. I'm going to make PT mandatory for my MiTT members. They have to get used to wearing the heavy IBE with full armor plates inside. It's heavy, it's hot, but it's something we will all have to get used to.

The Bus Ride

Ft. Riley ceases to amaze me. I would personally like to meet the person that arranged our transportation and give him the "Total Dumb-xxx Award".

"For going above and beyond the call of duty to transport soldiers, airmen and sailors in the most sadistic and cruel fashion imaginable."

Our "hero" (who ever this dumb-xxx is), decided to schedule a 48 passenger bus for our travels from Ft. Riley to Dallas/Ft. Worth with a departure time of 22.00 hrs and an arrival time of 06.00 hrs. Therefore the intent must have been for us to sleep on the bus.

Sleeping on the bus is possible if you place a 15 man team carrying 2 dufflebags, 1 rucksack and a large weapons case each on a 48 passenger bus. However, our "hero" decides, that IF he attaches a trailer to the bus he could also deploy a 24 man medic team with all their gear (4 dufflebags, a rucksack and medical gear). But our "hero" doesn't stop there. He also includes 4 additional soldiers who need a ride down to Dallas to catch the R&R flight.

Math must not be one of our "hero's" strong points. 15 + 24 + 4 = 43 passenger. Certainly a 48 passenger bus can carry all 43 passengers... at night... with 26 hour flight still ahead... yep... nothing but the best for our soldiers, airmen and sailors !!!

I felt really sorry for the 6 ft 8 in Air Force Lieutenant, who could not fit in any of individual seats on the bus. Typical to any bus, there are two seats connected together. The person sitting next to the Lieutenant would spend most of his time using the bathroom seat (when no one had to use the bathroom) so the Lieutenant could fit into a spot !!!

8 hours on bus, crammed like sardines only to wait for a flight scheduled to leave at 15.00 hrs (but has a 12.00 hrs report time). The right answer would have been to order two buses and allow the soldiers, airman and sailors to spread out and at least get some rest on the drive down.

I hope they fire the transporter who planned this trip... Or at least make him travel for 8 hours in a bus port-a-potti for every time he tries to fill a bus more than half full on an all night journey.

OK... Yes... I'm being very sarcastic here. But the ride really did suck. The person that planned it really wasn't thinking about the troops at all and it really ticks me off, when you have people sitting behind the desk planning this type of stuff with no real clue about what it's like to be on the other end living through it.

Weapons Qualification

Holy Smokes...

What a long day at the range !!! We got up at 05.30 hours so we could drive from Camp Funston to D Co. 101st FSB before the roads closed (because of morning PT). We ate breakfast at the mess hall close to D Co 101st FSB.

After breakfast and drawing our weapons (an M4 carbine and M9 Pistol) we set out for the range. First we zeroed our weapons and then off to the qualification range. We first qualified (or familiarized) with the M9 pistol. Then we qualified with the M4 carbine. Those of us that had problems zeroing or qualifying stayed later until qualified.

I was one of the lucky few that had problems. I'm used to the "old school" way of securing the butt of the weapon inside your LBE shoulder harness to ensure it fit into your shoulder socket and placing the tip of your nose on the charging handle to ensure a correct site picture.

However, for this range, we did not wear LBE. We wore IBE (or what I refer to as our "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle outfits). With the IBE there is no way to secure the butt of the weapon into your shoulder socket. And if you place the tip of your nose on the charging handle, but you change the placement of where the butt of your weapon is, you change the site picture of your weapon system.
This will cause a problem for both zeroing your weapon and qualifying with your weapon.

When I shoot in the prone supported or unsupported position, I don't have a problem securing the butt of the weapon against the top of my shoulder. However, in the foxhole supported (or unsupported) position the M4 would consistently slip out, creating the potential of obtaining a new site picture for the next shot.

For example... On the qualification range. I shot 8 for 10 on all targets in the prone unsupported position and 5 for 10 in the kneeling position. But I shot 4 for 20 in the foxhole supported position. For a total of 17 hits out of 40 (23 are required to qualify).

The next time out to qualify, instead of using the foxhole supported position, I used the prone supported position. That made all the difference in the world, as I shot 29 for 40. It made for a very long day at the range. But a very useful day, as lots of important lessons were learned on this day.

I'm looking forward to the range week we will have as a team.

But now, we must prepare to go on our Leader's Recon. We depart at 20.00 hrs, draw our weapons and we'll be taking a bus from Ft. Riley to Dallas/Ft. Worth where we will catch an R&R flight to Kuwait.

Impressions of Camp Funston

There is a common theme here at Camp Funston, Ft. Riley. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what that "theme" is.

Every brief we attend, they tell us how the training is first class, the chow is the "best in the Army" and that no expense has been spared in making sure the MiTTs are trained and ready to deploy. 1st Brigade has been training MiTTs for the past 3 years, they continously update their knowledge by going down range twice a year. They are experienced, seasoned, and everything has been carefully planned to make sure the MiTT training is up to date and reflects the latest tactics, techniques and procedures from the field.

Listening to the briefings you expect to see everything organized and prepared in a professional manner. I can only scratch head and wonder. Everything appears to be arranged at the last minute. Now, this might be because we are preparing for a leader's recon, and certain things must be done before we can go downrange. So, they are just trying to check the block and get things done as quickly as possible. There is no "schedule" and when one is made, it is quickly outdated and must be changed.

One example of "scheduling" is that the MiTT Chiefs scheduled to go on the Leader's Recon were supposed to arrive NLT 12 June. Well 12 June was the beginning of a 4-day holiday for Ft. Riley (the Army's Birthday). So, if a MiTT Chief arrived on 12 June, there was nothing for him to do until 16 June. Yet, everyone had to be SRP'd, equipment issued and qualified at the range by 18 June.

Another thing totally perplexed me. And that dealt with the computer support provided to the MiTT teams. For example, according to FM 3-07.1, 50% of an advisor's training should consist of culture and language training. However, none of the computers they provide us allow the user to use the Rosetta Stone language programs from the Army's e-learning website. To use those programs, soldiers must bring (or buy) their own computer and pay $40 per month for wireless internet service. It doesn't appear to me, that the Army is putting the priority in the right spot, if soldiers have to pay money out of their own pocket to get the training they require !!!

Again, this is just my first impression of Camp Funston. We haven't begun the official training yet. That will begin on 7 July. Up to now, it's been in processing or getting the Pre-Deployment Site Survey Teams ready to go downrange to conduct their Leader's Recon.

Preparing for the Leader's Recon

Living in 40-man open bay barracks, was the least of our problems. It appears, that we were moved to these barracks because D Co 101st FSB needed to make room for the 1st Bde 1st Infantry Division soldiers that would be reporting to Ft. Riley this summer.

That explains why my son, a PFC in HHC, 1st Bde has his own room and shares a bathroom and common area with his room mate, while his father, an 0-6 shares a 40-man open bay barracks with MiTT team members varying in rank from E-6 (Staff Sergeant) to O-6 (Colonel).

The open bay barracks only reflects the inconsistency of the Army. In June 2008 and again in May 2009, the Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA) sent out an e-mail to all senior leaders in the Army. In that e-mail he expanded on how important it is to fill our Military Transition Team positions with the Army's best and brightest. The future of the Army required its future leaders to obtain this critical skill set of advising foreign militaries. It is a crucial skill set that future military leaders must possess.

The CSA has ordered MAJ and LTC MiTT positions be now coded as Key Developmental for all career branches of services. A MiTT Chief position for a LTC is supposed to be equivalent to a Battalion Command. In fact, LTC's on the alternate Command lists are being offered these crucial MiTT Chief positions. That is how important being a MiTT member is to the Army (according to the CSA).

Now back to reality. Before a LTC takes Battalion Command, he goes to a Pre-Command Course. At this course he is instructed on the importance of his command. He is consistently told he represents the "cream of the crop" and the future of the Army rests on his leadership. He is taught the basics of command and the skills he will need to be a successful Battalion Commander.

MiTT Chief's report to Ft. Riley 2-3 weeks earlier than the rest of their team. To get "pre-command" instruction as their peers taking Battalion Command? -- NO !!! --

Their shown the 40 man open bay barracks, and they wait for a bus to take them 3-5 miles to main post to wait in line all day to complete Soldiers Readiness Packet (SRP), get issued their equipment and qualify on the range so they can conduct a Leader's Recon of where their MiTT will be assigned.

For me, that means Mosul, Iraq.

Team Griffin - Welcome to Ft. Riley !!!

(10 June 2009) My orders stated a report date of "no earlier than" 10 June and "no later than 12 June. Quite a narrow window, but necessary. Necessary, because with all the Military Transition Teams (MiTTs) going through Ft. Riley for training, living space is at a premium.

My original plan was to fly in over the weekend, stay in the Kansas City area for a couple of days and have my son come pick me up on 10 June and drive me to Ft. Riley so I can report in. However, my son, Steven, had driver's training during the week of 8-12 June, so he needed to come pick me up on Sunday (7 June) instead.

So, I left Stuttgart, Germany (in quite a hurry and leaving quite a mess behind me), on Saturday, 6 June. I flew through Atlanta to the Kansas City airport, arriving at 8 pm. I spent the night at the Kansas City Airport, Marriot hotel. Steven picked me up the following morning and drove me to Ft. Riley.

When I arrived at Ft. Riley, I had my son take me to the "Welcome Center" to see if I could report earlier than 10 June as my orders stated. I was told yes, and made reservations at the Distinguished Visitors Center and spent the night at Ft. Riley's DVQs (Distinguished Visitor's Quarters). So far, so good.

It wasn't until Monday, when I was brought to Camp Funston, did the reality of being a MiTT member hit me. I was given a bunk and wall locker in a 40-man open bay barracks and was told here is where I would spend the next 3 months of training at Ft. Riley. So here I am, with no vehicle stuck in the middle of no where of Ft. Riley to conduct my training. The main post area is about 3-5 miles from Camp Funston. Without a vehicle, you're in a very secluded spot.

Somehow, I thought being an O-6 with 20 years of military service, I wouldn't be treated like a fresh recruit that hasn't made it through Basic Training yet. I was only partially right. I didn't have any drill sergeant yelling at me, calling me a scuzzball or the like. But the rest of it... was very much the same.

Welcome to Ft. Riley - Camp Funston !!!