Entry #4: August 20, 2005

Hohenfels, Germany (somewhere near the Czech Republic border)

CMTC (Combat Maneuvers Training Center) Rotation

Well, the past couple of days sure have been busy. I’ve been flying around the main operations base here, putting briefings together, doing analysis, instructing my guys on their mission and focus, etc. I finally finished my mission analysis and briefed the brigade commander, a full colonel (he’s the one who wears the eagle on his uniform, sometimes also called a “full bird”). I briefed him on what I had prepared and although I chose a seldom used method to carry out my mission, he was sold on the idea. Our brigade S-2 also loved the plan and seems quite excited about it. To be honest, what my platoon is doing here for training has little to do with what we’ll actually be doing in the Sandbox, but it is excellent training and ideal for the type of terrain in which we’re operating. Pretty much, we’re acting as scouts, carrying intelligence equipment to hilltops and performing surveillance on the surrounding areas. It’s very similar to what infantry scouts do, only we have better equipment. My guys are pumped about this, which is good. I was also informed that most people were hesitant to do this kind of mission, preferring to stay on the FOBs (forward operating bases) with the equipment. Through analysis and my last experience here, I knew that we couldn’t get much information from operating on the FOBs, so I figured we’d try a different approach. I just hope it works.

We got a visit from our division commander, a major general (that’s a general with 2 stars, Mom) as well today. He came into our section, said hello, carry on, and left. Just as well, my guys had work to do. Also, I’m going to stay on the main base here for the first three days of the exercise for command and control of my teams as those are the most critical days for placement and moving. Then it will be back to Plan A and out to the FOB for me.

Life is good here. I much prefer Army life in the field as opposed to in garrison. It’s strictly business in the field; there’s hardly any of the petty stuff that goes on in the rear. Although there’s no beer in sight or fancy restaurants to enjoy—MRE’s (meals ready to eat) are hardly gourmet—it’s nice to actually do something for which I have trained. In my downtime, I read voraciously. Not having a TV is a bit of a blessing (Joseph, take note). But, I am looking forward to sitting at home in my very comfortable reclining sofa and watching a movie. Until then, I will enjoy where I am. So the Soldier’s life continues…