The case for the MI Ranger

Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin ^ | Apr-Jun 2003 | Thomas W. Spahr

[VeniVidiVici]

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca, U.S. Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

Few combat commanders will deny the importance of reconnaissance to the success of tactical operations. The opposing force (OPFOR) at the National Training Center (NTC) will attest that the success of any visiting unit operation depends largely on the success of the "Blue" force's (BLUFOR) division and regimental reconnaissance teams. Military Intelligence (MI) soldiers--in particular military occupational specialty 98G (Cryptologic Linguist) and MOS 96R Ground Surveillance Systems Operator) soldiers--can be an essential part of the low-level voice intercept (LLVI) and ground surveillance radar (GSR) and Improved Remotely Monitored Battlefield Sensor System (I-REMBASS) reconnaissance teams, respectively. They serve as the "eyes" and "ears" of the commander and, like other reconnaissance units (such as long-range surveillance units [LRS] and scouts), should benefit from the best training and equipment available.

Insufficient Training and Equipment

[VeniVidiVici]

Yeah, this is an old article but extremely informative. I wonder if anything is any different today?

Forward deployment CEWI units without proper training was always a bone of contention with me. Lots of times in getting to our deployment locations our jammers and DF units would find themselves in front of the GSRs. Many times it was where we HAD to be in order to make the best use of our equipment. But we would never get the proper training, in my opinion, to not only defend ourselves but to provide proper support to the maneuver elements.

Oh, it WAS fun, don't get me wrong. Over several tours of duty at tactical units to include the 311th MI Bn at Ft Campbell and the 105th MI Bn at Ft Polk, field training, especially at NTC at Ft Irwin, was a blast. Our MI platoon would capture decent numbers of LRRPs just by virtue of our location. Thrown in a kill of an armored unit every now and then with some sort of ancient anti-tank/MILES unit and we did ok. We had to because for the most part the CEWI units were an appendage that the brigade commander usually didn't like to think about LET ALONE actually incorporate its use against the OPFOR. A few did, but they were few and far between.

Anyhow, doesn't look like much had changed all the way up to 2003.

[VeniVidiVici]

You guys might find this interesting.

[mylife]

I didnt care for NTC all that much.

It was grueling and exhausting.

[wbarmy]

96R, or as the 97E’s used to call them, pop-up targets.

[wbarmy]

105th? Was that just before they deactivated the 5th ID and sent them to Ft Hood? I was at that rotation to NTC.

[ASA Vet]

MI Ping.....

[VeniVidiVici]

I didnt care for NTC all that much.It was grueling and exhausting.

Yeah, having wheels made all the difference between a great rotation and a 'crap I can't wait to get out of here' rotation. With the 101st we were airlifted in to our site with a small ruck, a 5gal can of water and our DF gear. Sitting on a mountain in the Mojave in July with nothing but a pancho for cover - sucks. Though we did become expert Hearts players. :-)

[VeniVidiVici]

96R, or as the 97E’s used to call them, pop-up targets.

LOL! Yeah, I can see that. On a side note, I wonder why these governors on the Mexico border don't send out a few GSRs for "training". That is if we still have them :-)

[mylife]

I went with the 104th and I had wheels but it still sucked ☺ Of course I was doing maintenance on 9 systems and was jumping all the farking time. Maybe 3 hours of sleep a day.

[VeniVidiVici]

105th? Was that just before they deactivated the 5th ID and sent them to Ft Hood? I was at that rotation to NTC.

Yes, it was 5ID but a little before for me. I did two rotations in '86 and '87.

I want to add that while I'm sure things are a LOT different now with the MI units and Iraq/Afghanistan, I still wonder if the training is all that different. For instance the author's suggestion of Ranger school would be an excellent idea. Or do they consider a short course at the "Light" training center at Ft Polk now to be sufficient?

[mylife]

Also, I broke A hummer trying to get it up a mountain in the middle of the night and it went barreling backwards down the mountain.

That was fun LoL

Needed a tracked troop transport to get us out after 2 days of failed attempts with other vehicles.

Blown out tires. almost getting nailed by an MI in blackout conditions...

Fun fun fun LoL

[VeniVidiVici]

Of course I was doing maintenance on 9 systems and was jumping all the farking time. Maybe 3 hours of sleep a day.

Yes, that would suck! Mechanical or electronic systems? There is a lot to be said to being deployed remotely for the entire rotation with a jeep at my disposal, my only contact with other people for the most part being for resupply or the radio.

[mylife]

DF platforms.

* AN/MLQ-38, Ground-Based Common Sensor-Heavy (GBCS-H). * AN/MLQ-39, Ground-Based Common Sensor-Light (GBCS-L). * AN/ALQ-151(V)3 Advanced QUICKFIX (AQF)

[Blue Collar Christian]

The extremely long AITs of 98Gs then adding Ranger/SF school would be a cripling delay of that talent to the field. Why not send some of the already security clearenced MI school drop outs to the combat schools instead of cook school, and integrate them into the MI platoons or squads for the tactical leadership and experience needed to benefit the success of the MI units? Having the smartest cooks in the Army is a waste of some very intelligent troops. I’ve seen really sharp guys that couldn’t pass BMC get sent to cook school just so they could cook near secure areas. Seems like a waste.

The lack of the allotment of state of the art gear to MI troops seems par for the course for the Army. Just WHO should get the inferior gear? NOT the leaders of any squad, at least. Perhaps the low men on the totem pole in each unit, platoon or squad?

[Blue Collar Christian]

“Sitting on a mountain in the Mojave in July with nothing but a pancho for cover - sucks.”

I believe you. I grew up in that desert just north and west of Barstow. Gotta admit though, it’s the right place to prepare for a war in the desert.

[VeniVidiVici]

My baby! AN/ULQ-19

Power output was around 200w. One time I was being chased by a tank in my jeep. Went to cut across this creek - only to find out this 'creek' was about 10ft deep. I was going fast enough for the jeep to clear the creek just far enough for the front tires to grip. We were quick enough to jump on the hood and watch the jeep backend, and our amplifier, sink under water.

Went back to garrison. The C&E guys dried it out and it cranked right up. They also told me that they had no idea why but for some reason it's power output went from 250w before the sinkage to 400w after. I didn't complain :-) The C&E guys hated me.

[VeniVidiVici]

The extremely long AITs of 98Gs then adding Ranger/SF school would be a cripoling delay of that talent to the field.

I agree. Going to Ranger/SF school perhaps as a reenlistment incentive or for junior and senior NCOs. *Maybe* if they are on a first term enlistment of 6yrs.

Other than that I'd say that Ranger/SF trained ones could figure out pretty well on their own how to train the lower enlisted ;-)

I didn't think anyone really grew up in Barstow :-) Army brat? I really do like the area myself. I had to fly to California a few years ago on business so I planned my trip to land in Las Vegas and then rent a car to drive to San Francisco. Ended-up driving to to Ft Irwin for some sightseeing and then north up to Yosemite and over. As far as inferior gear, of course the combat support and combat service support will get the dregs.

I was in Ft Polk in 1986. This was my issue weapon:

A WWII M3. I didn't mind. It sure beat toting around that M16. :) My jeep was built in 1958 and I had a mess kit that was stamped 1944.

[GreyFriar]

When I was attached to Co B, 1st Bn, 32d Armor (Bandits) in Friedberg, Germany in 1976-78, there were two M-3 “grease guns” assigned to each of our M-60A2s as ‘crew served weapons’ in addition to the co-ax machine gun and the commander’s .50 cal. M-3s were much more tank friendly than M-16s. I remember an artillery FO 2LT who had to operate out of an M-60A2 (FIST concept trials) and had his M-16 “eaten” by the turret when it traversed. After that, all of the artillery forward observers were issued M1911A1 pistols as their weapon instead of M16s.

[Blue Collar Christian]

Little town called Trona. Barstow is just about in the center of San Bernadino County, and Trona is in the northwest corner of SB county. Chemical plants process the brine in the dry lake to produce bicarbonate of soda and soda ash. You learn to live with the heat. I’ve had enough of that and live in Flagstaff, AZ now. 7,000 ft above sea level, cool mountain air.

Yeah, the dregs just beats throwing rocks...