Going to fight in Iraq? Lessons from an infantry company commander

Army Times ^ | Jan. 23, 2004 | Capt. Daniel Morgan

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Editor’s Note: Capt. Morgan is former commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

I have spent eleven months in Iraq fighting this war as a company commander, starting from the berm in Kuwait to Mosul, Iraq. My soldiers and I have learned a tremendous amount of lessons, shared many successes, and witnessed horrific injuries on our fellow soldiers. We never failed to conduct an AAR or hotwash after an operation, despite the success, failure or casualties. I want to share some TTPs and SOPs with as many as possible because this fight ebbs and flows with short, shocking violence that “always being prepared” becomes more than just a cliché. You will never know when you will be attacked — it just happens.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

"God Bless
Those with the backbone and courage to honor this oath!"  

I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR (OR AFFIRM) THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; AND THAT I WILL OBEY THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE ORDERS OF THE OFFICERS APPOINTED OVER ME, ACCORDING TO REGULATIONS AND THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE.  SO HELP ME GOD.     http://www.patriotwatch.com/

[SAMWolf]

Bump

[Pan_Yans Wife]

BUMP!

[IGOTMINE]

Good scoop bump

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.


For...


..'We Were Soldiers Once and Young'..


...4-FREEDOM.


http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_collection.htm
(Photos/Battle of IA DRANG-1965)

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[mikegi]

Self-ping (which is illegal in 32 states) for later.

[HiJinx]

Fantastic find.

I hope this makes it to the Center for Lessons Learned at Ft. Leavenworth and every small unit leaders' handbook before they even think about deploying.

If MOUT (Movement Over Urban Terrain) Training doesn't already happen this way, then it needs to change. Now.

[Eagle Eye]

(Elevators smell different to midgets.)

Damn, dude... what a thought...

[AppyPappy]

Oh let's think. Perhaps we shouldn't send thin-skinned vehicles into urban areas without support.

[blackie]

"God Bless Those with the backbone and courage to honor this oath!" Bump!

[NeonKnight]

btt

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[4integrity]

Bump! God bless our troops.

[blitzgig]

MEGA BUMP for our awesome troops!

[tbpiper]

Thanks for posting this. It will help me understand my son when I see him next week. I recognize some of things in this report from the short descriptions he's given us. Mom & Dad get the PG version so I've had to querry his friends to find out what's really going on.

[mark502inf]

Throughout this conflict, I discovered that most things taught in Army schools remain valid and worth remembering during my decision-making process. The most important factors that were reinforced to me that applies to everything discussed here is the necessity to conduct combat AARs after every patrol, whether there was contact or not. Second, Troop Leading Procedures are vital, especially conducting a reconnaissance, rehearsals and building a terrain model, and supervising platoon and leader operation orders and rehearsals. Third, and most important, maintain an offensive spirit always. Look for the enemy to shoot at you, shoot back and kill or capture them. Bold leaders are dangerous and that is what you want in them as they fight this fight.

Nothing new--but it always carries more weight from someone who's been there.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

See also this

[KarlInOhio]

Mark for later reading.

[dmanLA]

bump

[Blood of Tyrants]

Marksmanship is the core of excellence for an infantry soldier. Their proficiency in killing wins the battle. The more you suppress a target here without killing or wounding the enemy, the bolder he becomes in attacking you. You need to train your soldiers to aim, fire, and kill. If an enemy opens fire with an AK-47 aimlessly, which most of these people do, you should be able to calmly place the red dot reticule of your M-68 optic device on his chest and kill him with one shot. Can't be said enough. Practice, practice, practice. One marksman with a bolt action rifle can do more damage than a idiot with an AK-47 that utilizes the "spray and pray" method.

[1rudeboy]

bttt
Any help on the less common acronyms is appreciated.

[jtminton]

bttt

[shamusotoole]

I remember the goose bumps while swearing this oath.

One never un-swears it.

[Prodigal Son]

Very good read.

[thackney]

"long read" ping

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Any help on the less common acronyms is appreciated.

Here you go:  http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/doddict/

[m1911]

Ping

[Old Sarge]

American soldiers are facing men with a cell phone is one hand, a RPG in the other, and ill-conceived hatred in their heart.

At least, it's in Baghdad, and not Boston. Or maybe, come convention time, they will be...

Okay, that said...

Folks, don't think for a moment that this report from Gannett News is earth-breaking stuff. We in the Guard've been getting AAR's like this for months.

Everything from wearing your flak vest up high around your neck, to avoid the throat-cutter in the alley;

to keeping a few AK-47's aboard the Brad's to hose off the top deck, because the Jihadis jump on the engine mounts as we roll by.

Articles like this, just aren't sexy enough for Time/Newsweek.

[1rudeboy]

bttt
Thanks, I'll check it out.

[Centurion2000]

bump and book mark