Fort Jackson: Week 3 of 3

The last week at McCrady was relatively short. Monday we were the first to experience a new angle in the training. We broke down by Platoons and hoped in a convoy that escorted across the base. From that point we simulated an infield convoy in which we stopped at multiple points for potential IED’s on the roadside. We would secure the area around the convoy fan out and ID our suspected bomb.

We did a touch up on Land Navigation using DAGGERS(GPS units) to obtain fixes and plant coordinates. We did a good clean of our rifles at the dunk tanks, since those who had ‘loaner’ weapons turned them in on Tuesday. Those who kept there weapons were issued travel cases. Another class on Communications using the Army’s communication gears in which we wrote up an actual 9 Line Medevac/IED Report as well as assembling the radio gear and programming it. From there we spent a couple of hours on Urban Combat in the Box City. Here we practiced clearing buildings and what to do in various situations as well as what not to do. Lastly a class on how to conduct ECP(Entry Control Point) searches of personnel and vehicles. Myself having experience in this stuff from prior Security Schools and trainings found the Army’s way of operating vastly different than the Navy’s so it would behoove you to pay attention during these classes.

Tuesday was the big war game scenario. Each platoon has roughly 2 hours to complete there scenario in which they will travel by armed convoy from a FOB(Forward Operating Base) to a local village to provide supplies. Along the route we experienced encounters with IED’s, vehicular attacks as well as ambushes by foot soldiers. Once we reached the village we had to fend of an attack and secure the village and it’s buildings. Some of the buildings had IED’s planted in them which would explode upon our entry. Bear in mind IED’s are simulated by smoke grenades or loud sirens. Munitions that were fired were blanks, and the Humvee’s were light armored and did have some M249’s mounted on the forward and aft vehicles.

Wednesday was debriefing in which we provided feedback to the Army, packed our bags and received a travel briefing from LNO.

Thursday we policed the barracks, had our checkout inspection and then loaded the 1 ton trucks with our bags and loaded the buses and departed for our respective theaters.

Those deploying to Iraq/Afghanistan will spend a week in Kuwait where they will designate Humvee drivers and these people will attend a day long driving course to get certified. You will need your Kevlar helmet and drivers license for this class. There is a HEAT class which I am not certain on the details of as well as your time at the Udari Range in which you will do more Responsive firing(both from the front and back so the risk of friendly fire is great during this) and then more convoy and urban operations.