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I just came across this and I had to post something. I watched this show and it was a phenomenal diary in the life of a platoon of National Guard soldiers as they patrolled and secured some of the most dangerous roads in the world. Now they are punishing the platoon sergeant, SFC Toby Nunn for taking part in the documentary. The guy is loved by his men and there is no doubt that any of them would have walked to the end of the earth and given their life for his. I have watched and read about Toby and know without a doubt that I would have loved to have him as one of my Platoon Sergeants. You can read the story here, www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/badvoodoo/updates/.
I really hope the military leadership who’s deplorable actions imposed this punishment thinks twice or reverses their decision.
Memorial Day 2008 was a genuinely good time for me and it re-affirmed to me why I love this great country. After several discussions and some planning, David Stanford (the Sandbox Duty Officer) and I were finally able to pull off a NY book-signing for the book The Sandbox. Dave had worked with a locally-owned bookstore (Merritt’s Bookstore in the town of Millbrook NY to hold the event there. Since Millbrook is on the other side of the state from me and is quite a drive, my family and I decided to make a weekend of it and just head over to that side of the state and visit friends and see some sights.
We left on Friday and drove to Albany where some of our best friends (and our Goddaughter) were visiting with their family. We spent Friday night having a nice cookout and catching up on times and enjoying the company. Saturday, we had a nice picnic at a huge park in the Albany area called The Crossings. It has to be one of the nicest parks I have ever seen, especially for kids. In the afternoon we went up to my very close friend, and roommate for a year in Afghanistan, Ron the “Prophet’s†(for those that followed my blog when I was deployed) new house. My other roommate in Afghanistan, and also very close friend and sometimes twin, Nick “Puss†and his boys also came up. Ron has a nice stocked pond in his backyard and the kids had a good time pulling out fish and then throwing them back in. The three of us caught up on things and had a good time visiting, which was capped off by putting several hundred rounds downrange on Ron’s private shooting range he built on his property. We all brought our pistols and just like old times, starting talking smack about who was the best shot. The nice thing about this time was there was nobody shooting back.
Sunday morning we got up and drove to West Point. I knew graduation time was coming up, so I expected the campus to be as beautiful as ever. Sunday was a gorgeous day and we really could not have had a better day to drive the hillsides overlooking the Hudson River Valley as we made our way to West Point. I had been here a couple of times before, but the family hadn’t so I was able to play tour-guide and take them a few places. Overlooking the river from Trophy Point was phenomenal, as was the rest of the campus. After walking around the parade grounds looking at the cannons, statues, and peeking through the windows at the awesome dining facility (if you ever get there, you need to look at this room), we drove up the hill to the Cadet’s chapel where the largest pipe organ still in existence is played. The Chapel is beautiful with stain glass windows that reach to the very high ceiling. Of course no visit to a military base would be complete with a stop at the PX to check out the latest deals.
From West Point we drove to Amenia, NY which is where David set us up with a couple of rooms in the only hotel in town. Amenia is a small town with one traffic light (at the center of town) and the entire small town atmosphere that you would find in any small town in America. Monday morning, we went out to David’s house to have a wonderful outside breakfast with his entire family and Stefan Ralph (Sandbox contributor) and his family. After a very tasty breakfast cooked by David’s wife, we drove a few miles to Millbrook. Millbrook is another small town (not as small as Amenia) that embodies everything I think Norman Rockwell would think of when he was painting. The main street is shrouded in huge trees on both sides that provide a ceiling for the street. Small shops and businesses flank both sides of the street. At the end of the street is a huge park built on soft, rolling hills that has several memorials in it for the Veteran’s of this country. The park, called Tribute Garden is the centerpiece of the town as well it should be. It is truly something to be proud of. It was built after WWI as a tribute to all that fell in that war and the monument to WWI veterans is the centerpiece of the park.
The parade was nice as Stefan and I walked in the lead with the local VFW members. At the end of the parade, we marched up into the park where an entire high school band was seated. There the band played the National Anthem, God Bless America and other songs. They had a local High School student sing the National Anthem and the Valedictorian read the poem “In Flanders Fieldâ€. The local NY Assemblymen spoke who was an amazingly young looking guy. Of course I found out why when they read his bio and it was explained that he was elected to his first office at the age of 18 and at the age of 19 became the youngest mayor ever. He was a sharp guy who gave a very good speech about what this Memorial Day meant to him and all in this country. I wish I had some time to talk to him one on one as he was very impressive. The VFW also did a 3 gun salute while Taps was played by a trumpet player from the High School band. It was all of these things that made the ceremony so pleasant and made me glad that we did the six hour drive across the state to take part in this day.
As I stood there during all of the ceremony at the park, looking out at hundreds of perfect strangers, but patriotic Americans I just kind of imagined how many ceremonies were happening like this all over the country at about the same time. There were probably more happening than I could even imagine or guess. For those few moments I felt like I was in the heart of America. To me, this is what America is all about and even more importantly this is what Memorial Day is all about. Hundreds of people took time out of their day, got the kids ready, brought them to the main street and then walked them up to the park to stand in reverence as they watched a ceremony in remembrance. Some probably had family present or past that were in the military, some probably didn’t know anyone in the military. However they all came out, and they didn’t come for a raffle, or rides, or fireworks. They came to watch some old vets, some new vets, and their political leaders pay tribute to all the great Americans who gave up their life in defense and honor of this country. I was glad to see so many people be willing to give up their time, their busy schedules, etc. to honor those that gave up so much more.
After the ceremony was over, Stefan and I walked down the bookstore and conducted the book-signing. There was not a huge turnout, but the people we met were really nice and truly appreciative of us being there. We spent a lot of time talking to them, answering questions and of course signing books. David then introduced both Stefan and I. We said a few words about blogging or about our deployment and then we both read a story from the book. Since Owen (Roy Batty) could not make it, David read one of his entries and then David asked me to read one of Ben’s as Ben also had to cancel at the last minute. Since Ben and I were on the same team together I was honored to read one of my favorite stories of his called Decency and Honor.
When the book-signing was over, we all headed over to David’s mother and father in law’s house for a big BBQ. A lot of David’s extended family was there, along with Stefan and my family of course. We ended up staying longer than I wanted to, which I knew would happen. We had a long 6+ hour drive in front of us to get home that night and I was not looking forward to that. While I was there I conducted a live interview with WTOP talk radio out of Washington DC. I ended up doing that from the house phone after I threw the kids out of the room and away from the Wii. I was hoping to post a link to that interview in this blog, but I don’t have it yet. I will as soon as I get the link for the short 5 minute interview I did.
We finally had to say goodbye to all of our new-found friends and get loaded up into the truck. Since we were only 1 mile away from the Connecticut border I knew it would be a late night getting back, as it was. We got home a little after 11PM, got the kids to bed, brought in the essentials from the truck and then crashed ourselves.
It was a long weekend, but something I was glad I did and worth every minute of it. I was able to see many old friends and meet many new ones. Christine and I both agreed that we could easily move to the Millbrook/Amenia area and really enjoy it. It is too bad there is not a nice sized airport close by, as that would be all that I need in order to do my work. The trip was outside of our norm, but that is ok because sometimes that is what you just need to do…get outside of the norm.
Over the weekend, the Buffalo News ran an article and picture of my good friend David Piwowarski. Dave is the 27th BCT Command Sergeant Major and someone I have known for a very long time. I replaced Dave as First Sergeant of B. Company 1/108th back in 2002 when he was promoted to Command Sergeant Major. He and I, both being senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) talk a lot and use that time to vent and release stress and frustrations. Dave is not only a damn good friend, but one of the best NCOs I have ever met. I was thrilled to see this article come out.
I Just wanted to drop a quick note to all and ask that you don’t forget the real reason for this long weekend. It is not about sales at Walmart or Lowe’s. It is to take a moment and remember all that have fallen in service to this country. Regardless if it was in the Global War on Terrorism, Vietnam, WWII, a training mission, or an accident while serving in the military. All that have served and never were afforded the opportunity to come home to their loved ones are the reason that we have this weekend and why I hope all who read this take the time to say a prayer for them and their families on Monday.
I know for me today, I personally thought of and prayed for many fallen soldiers and friends. They had names like Kutz, Randazzo, Legier, Roustum, Schuester, McLoughlin, Rafferty, Deghand and of course there have been countless others that many in this great country have cried over.
More to follow in the coming days about how my Memorial Weekend went. I can tell you it was an awesome 4 days on the east side of New York state, spending time with my two room-mates from Afghanistan (Prohpet and Puss), seeing many old friends, taking my family to see all of the history at West Point and then taking part in an awesome Memorial Day parade and tribute ceremony in one of the coolest little towns I have ever been to, Millbrook NY. Anyway more on that in the next few days I hope.
This interview is with COL Micheal Leonardo. COL Leonardo was my Battalion Commander at one time and is someone I consider to be a good friend. He supported my team and myself numerous times during our mobilization training and throughout our deployment to Afghanistan. You can view COL Leonardo’s picture and biography here.
RANK/NAME- Colonel Michael A. Leonardo
TITLE/UNIT- Operations Officer, CJTF Phoenix
Q-What is the biggest difference you have seen so far between the training you experienced at Ft. Bragg and what you have seen on the ground?
A-The training at Ft Bragg was very focused on the core skills required of every Soldier in a combat environment. Staff training revolved around battle tracking and maneuver planning. The two major differences are that the security situation in the Kabul area is very well developed and maneuver is conducted by the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). An example is training for a humanitarian assistance delivery. While at Ft Bragg, we planned an HA drop to “Dari Villageâ€. The Brigade produced a five paragraph operations order, with combat enablers, security, support, route planning, and incorporated improvised explosive device – defeat measures. In execution, this is an ANSF mission that the mentors assist with. At the Brigade level we plan for the facilities and support of the mentors and the ANSF. We do not control their actions. The ANSF plan and conduct their own operations with our guidance advice, and enablers. The security situation is very well established in Kabul. This is still a dangerous place and we must maintain a high level of vigilance to maintain the security we have. The defense of the forward operating base (FOB) is a company, platoon, or squad mission. The Brigade/Task Force headquarters is only one of many tenants on the Camp. At Ft Bragg we planned the defense of our own FOB and ran the battle drills to defend it. In execution we provide force protection, construction, planning, and oversight to all facilities within the Task Force. In summary, the training was planned and executed as a one size fits all method without accounting for the uniqueness and scope of the mission that we were tasked with.
Q-Have you noticed any distinct changes (good, bad, indifferent), between what you saw on the Pre Deployment Site Survey (PDSS) mission(s) and what you have experienced since you have been in Afghanistan?
A-The pre deployment site survey was a very valuable event that provided us great insight to the mission and day to day tasks of the unit we were replacing. The difference between what we saw in November and what we are executing today fall into two categories; scope and focus. The scope of the operation is much larger than it first appeared. We knew that we had national responsibility for all ANSF mentors, but to actually doing it is much bigger than thinking about it. The difference in focus was a result of the pre-mobilization and post mobilization training emphasis. Both pre mob and post mob focused on individual and collective skill sets and qualifications required of every Soldier and unit deploying to the Central Command (CENTCOM) Area of responsibility (AOR). The focus of our task force is supporting the ANSF and their mentors, not fighting the war in the ‘first personâ€.
Q-How has the transition gone with the integration of so many non Army (Air Force, Navy, Marines) forces into the operations staff of the Task Force HQ?
A-The integration of joint services into the task force is excellent at the individual level, good at the small unit/ad hoc unit level, and merely functional at the large unit level. We have individual augmentees at task force headquarters and Afghan regional security integration command (ARSIC) (Roughly equivalent to brigade level responsibilities) level. These individual augmentees are well integrated into the existing war fighting functions and staff elements. They bring a high level of expertise as individuals, and a broad level of experience in their core skill sets. Because they are non-Army in an Army centric task force, they force Army centric solutions and assumptions to be explained, questioned, and validated. At the ad hoc unit level, such as a Combat Service Support Embedded Training Team, the integration is less functional. Other joint services come with varied skill sets as mentioned above. Proximity to ground combat is the purview of the Soldier and Marine Groups of Airmen and Sailors without those inherent skills must necessarily be treated differently. This implies constraints that would otherwise not be considered. NATO forces such as Operational Mentor Liaison Teams (OMLT) which are embedded training teams from other nations also come with political caveats dictating their nation’s willingness to participate in active ground combat or movement to any location in the country. As we incorporate larger forces, the more formal the constraints become. The key difference between the relationship of the joint services and the NATO countries is that with the joint forces, we account for a lack of ability.With the NATO forces, we are faced with a national constraint based on willingness.
Q-There have been several brazen and high visible attacks in Afghanistan since you arrived. Is there a feeling that this is status quo activity since a new HQ has taken over or was it just bad timing?
A-I think it has little to do with the unit rotation or timing. The term spring offensive implies a strategic national plan by anti government forces to overthrow or disrupt the Islamic Government of Afghanistan and its institutions. In practice, the anti government forces and insurgents are unable to operate in the extreme temperatures and by spring they are able to re-initiate coordinated insurgent activity. Every day the ANSF forces gain more skill sets to command and control, sustain, train, and employ their forces. The myriad of anti government elements lose the support of the people of Afghanistan as the Afghan National Army and Police are able to bring security which enabled transportation, economics, and education.
Q-Are there noticeable force protection changes within the Afghan forces in Kabul since the President Karzai assassination attempt last month? If so, do you think the Afghan forces are starting to realize that they are not always safe being stationed in Kabul district?
A-After the incident at the parade, the ANA, ANP and NDS were everywhere you looked, engaged in many raids and offensive actions. The positive results of these actions continue today. This was not limited to actions after the parade. In the month leading up to it, there were additional measures taken to increase the force protection all across the district. The number of significant events was greatly reduced during this period as compared to prior to it. To state that “The Afghan forces . . . realize that they are not always safe being stationed in Kabul district†has false assumptions. Kabul can be a dangerous place, but so can New York City, Detroit, and Washington D.C. Everyone in Kabul, civilian, Coalition, and ANSF knows that there is danger of a suicide bomber or vehicle borne IED. The salient point is that the force protection measures, taken by a trained, manned, equipped, and mentored ANSF prevented a tragedy from occurring. Not that they were unable to stop one small group of fanatics from acting in a way that is out of touch with the nation in which they act.
Q-The 27th seems to be pushing more of its senior leaders downrange to help with the ANA and ANP mentoring missions. In light of that, has there been any thought in rotating operations staff personnel on a mid – tour basis to and from the FOBs in order for each side to appreciate what the other is doing and the challenges (albeit different types) that they experience?
A-The Phoenix mission requires a wide variety of skills from warrior and small unit leader to budget manager and construction project manager. The leadership of the elements from embedded training team to task force commander has excellent communication skills and tools to effectively translate needs and capability gaps into requests for forces and operational needs statements. Would it be productive to put the judge advocate general in an infantry Kandak? Conversely would the infantry company mentor be better informed by managing all leased vehicles for the task force? I would argue that with boots on ground time lasting a short 9 months to a year, we have little time to become experts in our position, employ those skills, and implement the next echelon of change without being burdened with a mid tour relief in place. The communications and collaboration tools available to the modern warrior and his supporting staff allow for a much higher level of visual and detailed information exchange. Staff members regularly travel to unit locations to observe ongoing projects, meet with subordinate staff and Warriors, and see first hand the constraints and limitations of units and equipment. Stating that Warriors at the task force level have no appreciation for what happens at the lowest echelon of the units implies that the headquarters between them are not doing their jobs. That is simply not the case. Headquarters at every echelon understand and advocate for their units every day. Email and other collaboration tools allow those requests to travel at the speed of light to the next echelon of command.
Q-If you were President for a Day, what type of force structure and numbers would you like to see on the ground in order to be effective?
A-I answer not as the president, but as a clear advocate for this mission and what could be employed to continue the development of the Islamic Government of Afghanistan. Each team of 16 mentors enables a Kandak (Battalion) of Afghan Soldiers to develop more quickly and to a higher level of independent capability. Each police mentor team of 10 Soldiers enamels a district of police to bring law and order to key terrain. As the security situation continues to improve, transportation, communications, and education mentors from all institutions can continue the development of this nation. The need to develop Afghan institutions as fast as they are ready to develop is the key to building a government that can stand on its own. More forces engaged in mentoring bring this endeavor to a close faster. This must be balanced against the needs of the families and Warriors that are called on to do this hard work, and the other security needs of our nation both at home and abroad.
Q-Have you had the chance to work with the big Army (101st, 173rd) units on many missions yet from a planning perspective? If so, have they been easy to work with and do you feel they view the Phoenix mission as the key to being successful in Afghanistan.
A-At the Task force level we work with the 101st Division in their role as the national command element. In that role they are responsible for funding and support of all US Soldiers in this AOR. They are great to work with and are supportive of their combat role as partners, not leaders, of the ANSF. We have exchanged liaison officers, share capabilities, and keep each other appraised of joint endeavors to increase the capability of the ANSF.
Q-Is there one message that you would like to put out to the American people about Afghanistan, the mission you are performing there or what the Task Force is doing as a whole (please be as detailed as you like)?
A-The message is that we are not winning the war in Afghanistan. The Afghans are winning the war in Afghanistan. The Afghans are running their Government, Army, and Police. They are doing it with our help, funds, and combat enablers, but they are the ones doing it. We must continue to support the institutions that we have helped them build until they are fully self sustainable and fully developed. We should continue to build other services and support to the people of Afghanistan such as transportation, communications, and mail, now that security is enabled in many districts and provinces. The successes of one district or province have exponential positive effects on their neighbors. Now is the time to capitalize on the emerging secure environments to continue to build this nation into a productive member of the world community.
While checking out the ever-famous and highly successfull site concieved by my buddy JP, www.milblogging.com, I saw a link to an article about the book signing that I will be part of on Monday. I thought I would share it here for anyone that would like to read some more about it and the history of The Sandbox website and book.
