20th Century Tales Forum

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maded me out to be a full fledged hero alright! We'll do it again sometime,(I,m SURE),

This was just another adventure of the Garrett boys. I,m glad that we,ve settled down just a little in the last few years, heck, I couldnt stand it if that Garrett temper had a been a factor. We both took this pretty good I thought.

You were right though. I was a wonderful night without a moon in sight; just a zillion stars over head. Cant wait to break my new tent in this spring. I,m north-bank bound!

Great story!

Lil Brother

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The California Mission Part 1

In another life, I wore an Army uniform, and after so many long years, I was able to place it on a hanger and put it away for good--way back in the closet next to the Navy cracker jacks of an even earlier era. This story has to do with a time when I was a company commander of a transportation truck company.

I had worked myself up through the ranks, first being enlisted for nine years and as an E7, made the jump to commissioned officer status via OCS at Benning School for Boys. Because of this, I felt uniquely qualified to command a company of 160 young men and women that loved to drive trucks. We all related well because they all knew I had been in their shoes.

I found out very early in the game that a happy truck driver was a busy truck driver, so I focused on getting meaningful, challenging missions thatonce completedthey could be proud to have been a part. One such mission was the California mission.

After making a few calls to Red River Army Depot, I was able to secure this mission of hauling armored personnel carriers (APCs) that had been refurbished at Red River to San Luis Obisbo, California. Once unloaded, we would then pick up old units and haul them back to Red River to be refitted. It would be an ambitious mission, one my young drivers would put their blood, sweat and tears into before it was over.

In preparation, myself and another captian, Reggie Smith, the Battalion Motor Officer, reconned the entire trip. Although Army trucks are exempt from DOT regulations, there were Army regulations we had to abide by; like stopping every two hours for a 15-minute breakand the lunch stops, etc. It took a lot of planning to make all that happen. We had to find places where 20 huge Army trucks and their cargo could pull over safely for these breaks and lunch/dinner stops. Much of the time this was not difficult, but as we approached more populated areas it became increasingly more difficult to find such real estate. We took many photos of each location and drew detailed strip maps for the trip. They had to be on the money or pandamonium would be our unwelcome companion.

We also secured lodging for all and contracted with various places to feed to fuel us along the way. It was a challenging, monumental task, but we did it. We were gone on the recon for twelve days. But all was ready and in place. Reggie and I briefed the Battalion Commander and his primary staff. We hd boards with overlapping photos showing each major fuel stop and bivouac location. They were impressed with us two brash young captains. Now, it was up to me to implement.

The news spread quickly and the unit was atwitter with excitementfrom the greenest private to the crustiest old sergeant. The day finally came. The Operations Order I had prepared dictated three march units of twenty vehicles each; with a rate of march of 45 miles per hour and twenty minutes between each march unit. In addition to the three march units a recovery element would bring up the rear.

It is important to keep the rate of march constant. This way, we did not overwhelm the businesses we had contracted and with only twenty vehicles at a time to service most of the time. At lunch though, the second unit would catch up to the first, just as they were pulling away. It was all planned to a T.


My senior Platoon Leader was the Convoy Leader. He had a radio and I had a radio as well as my recovery team. Realizing we had damn few radios and a long haul ahead in traffic these kids had only HEARD about, I authorized each driver to install CB radios. We could not have too much communication.

We had our final formation and went over the mission a final time. Our first day was about to begin. We would convoy to Red River Army Depot and load APCs, pitch tents and spend the night in the field. It was gonna be an adventure. After dismissing the company, the drivers and their assistants mounted their vehicles and with the Convoy Leaders command, the roar of diesel engines and the pungent smell of the exhaust filled our nostrils and our ears. This is Transportation I told my First Sergeant. Roger that, sir! He said with a grin.

The First Sergeant and the Motor Sergeant were wide-eyed and red-faced, pointing and waving and barking orders, placing the slower prime movers (the trucks themselves) in the front of each march unit. The Platoon Leaders were busy with their Platoon Sergeants, going over last-minute details, strip maps, etc. Even though we were a transportation company and this sort of thing came second nature to them, one could never be too safety conscience.

We watched all three march units depart as instructed and with that my driver came alongside and off we went. We were in a Chevrolet SUV (Army Style) and my job as the Convoy/Company Commander was to roam up and down the column, keeping in touch with the Convoy leader and making sure nothing went to hell in a handbasket. If it did, we had to make the decisions necessary to keep the mission intact. Yup, this is Transportation! We were off to Red River!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2009 05:43PM by Wayne in BC.

Great Writing Captain,

Keep her comming!

Cupajo

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will be waiting on it, Army stuff is always extra good

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A liar will assume you are lying

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where is the other end. I have no clue where Red River is. Is that in Arkansas? You were gone on Recon for 12 days so I suspect it was.

It is pretty impressive, all the prep that is involved and I just never thought about it. Ever summer we see convoys going up I-75 to Camp Grayling but I just never gave it any thought the logistics that are involved, fuel, food and rest and such.

I have not had a lot of puter time as of late and grab the story's as I can. I will be looking for the next leg of the trip. Sounds like a long one and I suspect not without a bit of adventure

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INCREDIMAIL TECH SUPPORT SUCKS. IT IS TERRIBLE AND DO NOT SIGN UP FOR INCREDIMAIL!!

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OK Kid,

Don't give away the punch line!

Best to Ya Sweet Friend,

Cupajo

This story could be a long drawn-out affair. However I am going to restrict it to two more parts. Too much of a good thang...(you know).

I'm cleaning crappie tonight. Tom and I did well today. Maybe tomorrow I can pound out the second part.

Thanks for postin' back!

aj

Sorry I don't know how to post it in my 'own' little corner of the forum. So if I can ask you to do that for me, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

aj

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