A long time ago,(okay..in the early 90's) while I was in HHC 1/502nd Infantry Scout Platoon, I was aquainted with a prior service Airforce guy, who joined the Army to become an "Infantry Officer." His name was 2 LT. Wooten and he belonged to Charlie Company, 1/502nd Infantry Regt., Ft. Campbell Kentucky. This is his Story. The first Battalion, 502nd Infantry had just completed a live fire exercise on Range 51, which consisted of a trenchline / bunker complex, with a "Faux" Drug cartel Lab thrown in for good measure. Each company within the Battalion took turns landing by Helicopter on a designated Landing Zone (LZ) then led off the LZ by Scout guides (thats were I come in) to a designated Battle position. From there each company assualted the enemy positions, by breeching a wire obstacle, entering the trenchline, sweeping through and systematically clearing with small arms fire and grenades, all enemy personnel (in the form of Dummies) from the trench's and bunker's . They would then finish with the Drug lab scenerio. After Charlie company ENDEXED (End of Exercise) and completed their After Actions Review (AAR) they began to account for Men, weapons, and equipment while still on the objective. ( This was crucial as Company Commanders were responsible for reporting as quickly as possible to Battalion Headquarters their status prior to moving off the Objectiive. i.e., Range 51). Well, as the story goes, one weapon (an M16-A2 rifle) wasn't unaccounted for; you geussed it: "2LT. Wooten's weapon". (inject frowning face here). Everything came to a Screeching halt. Platoon Sergeants instructed their Squad leaders who in turn instructed their team leaders to count again, and physically examine each rifle and Buttstock number, while all the Platoon leaders waited for an "thumbs up". Naturally 2LT Wooten was waiting too, and not just waiting, but being grilled and questioned by his fellow officers and the senior enlisted as to how he lost the weapon, and when he remembers last seeing it or even "firing it". Again the count came back...the weapon was still unaccounted for. "Okay Men", shouted the Charlie Company First Sergeant (1SG) ..".lets do it again!" The Charlie Company Commander just stared grimmly at the ground. The Non Commisioned Officers's (NCO) repeated the hands on approach, and no one could produce this weapon. Now it was serious. Time was wasting, Charlie Company was holding up the whole Battalion. The shouts went out "" Double arm interval, everyone get on line", which meant that now all of the Men in Charlie , where going to walk abreast of one another, double arms length apart, and comb the objective area to include the far woodline until they found 2LT Wooten's weapon. Being a Scout, my team and I didn't fall under Charlie Company (plus our status had already been sent up to higher). Since we didnt have to really "be anywhere", we hung around to see how things developed (and maybe made a joke or two at the Lieutenants expense). Given the order, the soldiers walked slowly across the objective, and into the woodline, turned, and walked slowly back again . Still No sign of the weapon. Things were heating up. The Commander was not happy now, as he was looking at a "shitty ending" to a pretty decent live fire exercise. He knew he would have to keep his Men out looking for this weapon. He also knew (as did we all) that no one was going anywhere until the weapon was found. (18th ABN Corp, 101st Division Policy as pertaining to the loss or theft of a sensitive item). Meanwhile the soldiers were begining to mumble as well as exchanging bad jokes, mingled with some "whinning" and a veiled threat or two aimed at 2LT Wooten. A Loud, "AT the ___ EASE," exited the First Sergeant's mouth, and could be clearly and distinctly heard above all the negative comments. The men instantly quieted down, like tree frogs that become suddenly startled, but then resume their incessant chirping once again. Charlie Company was on its "third Pass", slowly and painfully crossing the objective again. For some unknown reason, the Third Platoon Sergeant "had a Feeling", and approached 2LT Wooten. He asked him again if he was able to recall anything significant about how he lost his weapon. Wooten did his best to accomodate, began retracing his steps verbally when the Platoon Sergeant interrupted him; "What is the Buttstock number on that weapon, Sir?" "Eh, well, let me see", responded the Lieutenant," its eh"......his voice trailing off......"Is it number 116, Sir?" interjected the NCO ." Eh Well Yes. number 116... I think," replied the Lieutenant . "This #$% number 116, SIR?" screamed the NCO, as he grabbed and shook the Buttstock of the missing weapon slung over the Lieutenants shoulder. "THIS @#$% WEAPON SIR?," he repeated loudly. I never thought one could hear a "pin Drop" in the Forest. It seemed like an eternity before some Private breathed the first heavy sigh of relief, followed by snickers, and several "What the @#$ ?". What made this event truly memorable, was that not one soldier out of a Company of 130 enlisted men and Officers, noticed that 2LT Wooten had his weapon slung across his shoulder. I was very surprised to learn later that the Charlie Company Commander didn't order 2LT Wooten to attach a "Dummy Cord" (Ranger assist Cord for those who are PC) to his weapon from then on.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Waiter,.....There's a "Lieutenant" in my Soup.
A long time ago,(okay..in the early 90's) while I was in HHC 1/502nd Infantry Scout Platoon, I was aquainted with a prior service Airforce guy, who joined the Army to become an "Infantry Officer." His name was 2 LT. Wooten and he belonged to Charlie Company, 1/502nd Infantry Regt., Ft. Campbell Kentucky. This is his Story. The first Battalion, 502nd Infantry had just completed a live fire exercise on Range 51, which consisted of a trenchline / bunker complex, with a "Faux" Drug cartel Lab thrown in for good measure. Each company within the Battalion took turns landing by Helicopter on a designated Landing Zone (LZ) then led off the LZ by Scout guides (thats were I come in) to a designated Battle position. From there each company assualted the enemy positions, by breeching a wire obstacle, entering the trenchline, sweeping through and systematically clearing with small arms fire and grenades, all enemy personnel (in the form of Dummies) from the trench's and bunker's . They would then finish with the Drug lab scenerio. After Charlie company ENDEXED (End of Exercise) and completed their After Actions Review (AAR) they began to account for Men, weapons, and equipment while still on the objective. ( This was crucial as Company Commanders were responsible for reporting as quickly as possible to Battalion Headquarters their status prior to moving off the Objectiive. i.e., Range 51). Well, as the story goes, one weapon (an M16-A2 rifle) wasn't unaccounted for; you geussed it: "2LT. Wooten's weapon". (inject frowning face here). Everything came to a Screeching halt. Platoon Sergeants instructed their Squad leaders who in turn instructed their team leaders to count again, and physically examine each rifle and Buttstock number, while all the Platoon leaders waited for an "thumbs up". Naturally 2LT Wooten was waiting too, and not just waiting, but being grilled and questioned by his fellow officers and the senior enlisted as to how he lost the weapon, and when he remembers last seeing it or even "firing it". Again the count came back...the weapon was still unaccounted for. "Okay Men", shouted the Charlie Company First Sergeant (1SG) ..".lets do it again!" The Charlie Company Commander just stared grimmly at the ground. The Non Commisioned Officers's (NCO) repeated the hands on approach, and no one could produce this weapon. Now it was serious. Time was wasting, Charlie Company was holding up the whole Battalion. The shouts went out "" Double arm interval, everyone get on line", which meant that now all of the Men in Charlie , where going to walk abreast of one another, double arms length apart, and comb the objective area to include the far woodline until they found 2LT Wooten's weapon. Being a Scout, my team and I didn't fall under Charlie Company (plus our status had already been sent up to higher). Since we didnt have to really "be anywhere", we hung around to see how things developed (and maybe made a joke or two at the Lieutenants expense). Given the order, the soldiers walked slowly across the objective, and into the woodline, turned, and walked slowly back again . Still No sign of the weapon. Things were heating up. The Commander was not happy now, as he was looking at a "shitty ending" to a pretty decent live fire exercise. He knew he would have to keep his Men out looking for this weapon. He also knew (as did we all) that no one was going anywhere until the weapon was found. (18th ABN Corp, 101st Division Policy as pertaining to the loss or theft of a sensitive item). Meanwhile the soldiers were begining to mumble as well as exchanging bad jokes, mingled with some "whinning" and a veiled threat or two aimed at 2LT Wooten. A Loud, "AT the ___ EASE," exited the First Sergeant's mouth, and could be clearly and distinctly heard above all the negative comments. The men instantly quieted down, like tree frogs that become suddenly startled, but then resume their incessant chirping once again. Charlie Company was on its "third Pass", slowly and painfully crossing the objective again. For some unknown reason, the Third Platoon Sergeant "had a Feeling", and approached 2LT Wooten. He asked him again if he was able to recall anything significant about how he lost his weapon. Wooten did his best to accomodate, began retracing his steps verbally when the Platoon Sergeant interrupted him; "What is the Buttstock number on that weapon, Sir?" "Eh, well, let me see", responded the Lieutenant," its eh"......his voice trailing off......"Is it number 116, Sir?" interjected the NCO ." Eh Well Yes. number 116... I think," replied the Lieutenant . "This #$% number 116, SIR?" screamed the NCO, as he grabbed and shook the Buttstock of the missing weapon slung over the Lieutenants shoulder. "THIS @#$% WEAPON SIR?," he repeated loudly. I never thought one could hear a "pin Drop" in the Forest. It seemed like an eternity before some Private breathed the first heavy sigh of relief, followed by snickers, and several "What the @#$ ?". What made this event truly memorable, was that not one soldier out of a Company of 130 enlisted men and Officers, noticed that 2LT Wooten had his weapon slung across his shoulder. I was very surprised to learn later that the Charlie Company Commander didn't order 2LT Wooten to attach a "Dummy Cord" (Ranger assist Cord for those who are PC) to his weapon from then on.
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