Being the guy on the ground in Iraq during the Surge, the levels of command involved in a platoon Leaders business was staggering. Operating away from friendly forces, support being more than 30 minutes away, and 10 page commanders intent on the battalion op order bread confusion and second guessing. My soldiers were absolute killers in a two way gun fight. The IEDs gave me nightmares. Working in Baghdad, we knew if we detained a high level operative, we could expect retaliation in EFPs, ieds, or complex ambushes. A constant fear was to be effective, I had to accept the real possibility of losing multiple soldiers in my platoon. I still have nightmares.
I've been thinking a lot about patrols lately as I'm re-reading Helmet For My Pillow. I'm always amazed at how different the outcomes were from each patrol. Sometimes you encounter nothing and it's just a walk in the jungle. Other days, it's a fight for your life just to get back to home base. Thanks for another great analogy to help me win each day, John.
Being the guy on the ground in Iraq during the Surge, the levels of command involved in a platoon Leaders business was staggering. Operating away from friendly forces, support being more than 30 minutes away, and 10 page commanders intent on the battalion op order bread confusion and second guessing. My soldiers were absolute killers in a two way gun fight. The IEDs gave me nightmares. Working in Baghdad, we knew if we detained a high level operative, we could expect retaliation in EFPs, ieds, or complex ambushes. A constant fear was to be effective, I had to accept the real possibility of losing multiple soldiers in my platoon. I still have nightmares.
I've been thinking a lot about patrols lately as I'm re-reading Helmet For My Pillow. I'm always amazed at how different the outcomes were from each patrol. Sometimes you encounter nothing and it's just a walk in the jungle. Other days, it's a fight for your life just to get back to home base. Thanks for another great analogy to help me win each day, John.
Thanks Cory! It's funny. I just decided to reread helmet for my pillow as well.
Great minds think alike. It’s one of my favorite WW2 books.