Notes from Mike (Hell) debrief and my observations.
1) Although we used only an aerial photo with an "approximate" grid, I was pleased with our results. Looking at the blank map and the "finished product" of the patrol, we added a lot of information to the map. Sending this section out again, now that they know the ropes, we should be able to add a LOT of information to a map in a 24 hour period (well, the daylight hours especially)
SOP idea- since maps generally vary in terms of accuracy, upon entering AO, adding things to the map is a priority. We did this the last couple years, just thought I'd mention.
2) Radio check-ins. Worked very well once everyone got into the swing of things. Section leader had to encode some messages later in the day to streamline the operation and end the problem of late check-ins that took too long (after being ordered to check in on time).
SOP idea- order check-in interval in "comms" section of MISORD, provide contingency comms info (possibly to monitor radio if you hear firing, call in super-important information regardless of time, etc)
Radio performance- Identified one 392 battery that may be a lemon (PM'ing serial# to Brett). Overall, the section operated its radio well, and maintained quite acceptable radio procedure! *comms guy hat on* I'm very pleased with this, despite early troubles with SOI by under-trained troops and a couple PROWORD hiccups.
3) Noise discipline- It was easy to hear the difference Sunday morning! Nice n quiet at the PB!
4) Patrol RTB- we need some sort of SOP for entering/leaving the wire. Bit of a pain, but will be well worth it when it's practiced. For example, leave the wire, do a listening halt and radio check. Coming back in, a security halt and radio in for permission to enter lines. This allows the section a chance to see if they're being followed, maybe even send someone around to cover their trail. (Two birds with one stone in each case)
5) Navigation issues- Helsinger reported plenty of mentoring going on between the experienced and inexperienced guys, but noted that a lot more nav teaching could go on if people had compasses.
6) Equipment issues- Now we see how necessary the "real life" equipment issue can be!
SOP idea- improve PCI methods. Do Section Leaders need a "cheat sheet"?
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Ah-hem.
*CO hat on* This statement covers all equipment issues.
You guys DID read the part of the event announcement that said "bring all your EW gear" right? I'm sure everyone that forgot something felt a little sheepish and learned the lesson? I understand that some of you aren't experienced woodsmen and/or have only recently got their feet wet in Eastwind related stuff.
That being said, we're damn lucky we were at Brett's and not Cedar Creek. Not having a compass or proper clothing, etc, in a National Forest will MAKE YOU A CASUALTY. From an event admin point of view, Eastwind Command wants you guys to be safe (hypothermia, illness, and getting lost in the woods come to mind). From the point of view of a military unit- #1, you could become a casualty from the cold/wet. #2, you ruin unit effectiveness by not being properly equipped. #3 you become a burden to the command structure, tying up valuable manpower/equipment assets that could cost us lives and victory (in the gameplay sense).
Another issue here is HONESTY. During PCI, speak up if you don't have something! It's better to admit it than to really foul things up in the field hours later! We ultimately rely on each other- we're a TEAM. DO NOT COMPROMISE YOUR TEAM JUST TO SAVE FACE. Forgetting a compass or piece of clothing for an airsoft game isn't a big deal...but at EW, it is not a game.
*CO hat off*
So...guys...I implore you-
Please identify what you need to purchase for EWIII and/or identify what you forgot and put it in your pack for deployment!!! At EWIII...you will be a liability. This is serious business, in a gameplay and more importantly in a REAL LIFE sense. It's easy to correct problems when it's 36° and damp near the training HQ...not always so easy though.
I ain't hatin', but take this message to heart. I'm proud of you guys- especially you young and inexperienced guys- for coming out to training and seeing it through. Most people would rather stay home in front of the TV with Cheetos.
If you have ANY questions, there are several people you can ask and get an answer from in about an hour's time!!!
*CO hat back on*
Uhoh...another bitch session?!?
NOTE TAKING!!!
We all learned that recon patrol members MUST TAKE GOOD NOTES! However, during debrief, where were your good notes? The info was verbally passed to the Section Leader. What if he got smoked? What if all his equipment was eaten by vengeful opossums?
You guys took lousy notes.
To you younger guys who are about to start college- you're smart cookies, so maybe you can skate through high school (I sure as hell did). But when you hit college, you haven't learned to take good notes, and suddenly coursework is a lot harder.
Take good notes. Not lengthy notes, but write down important stuff. Throw a time stamp in every now and then so you can put it all together the next day.
At EW, you will be mentally fatigued- that is, your memory will go to hell in a handbasket. You will not be able to remember what happened when/where/why in a debrief.
TAKE GOOD NOTES.
Got it? Good.
*Hat off*
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7) Mess-related stuff.
a) We need to make sure we have lids for all pots. Ex- kraut took a while to cook because of volume and liquid content. A lid would have let the liquid steam up and make the cook time shrink considerably.
b) Breakfast protein- I'd say 4-6oz is about right?
c) Mermites- they worked well even though we didn't pre-heat the internal pans! If we'd do that, even better performance.
d) Food delivery is definitely easier in daylight hours.
Helsinger's thoughts on debrief:
a) He said he wasn't too sure how to use his 2IC. After the exercise, he's confident he can utilize his "right-hand man." (He noted that he felt like he would have been "putting his work on the 2IC" but says that he understands now that the leader has to delegate so his plate is not full when new stuff comes down the pipe.)
b) He commented on mentoring- this only reinforces the fact that it is important for experienced guys to come out to training- they help raise the EB side's overall level of knowledge by passing along theirs.
9) Misc.
a) I'm happy with the progress of our SOI! We'll be fielding a very useful "call sheet" at EWIII.
This was a really engaging weekend from my perspective- and I didn't even get to go stompin' around in the woods with the patrol! (I'm continually amazed at how much can be learned on the "other end" of a training op) I think everyone involved had a good time and learned a lot, and it was a very beneficial exercise in preparation for EWIII. Thanks to everyone who made it possible!
