Posted on 10/27/2004 8:36:47 AM PDT by Former Military Chick
It came as a shock to me when a U.S. truck platoon of the 343rd Quartermaster Company refused orders to hit the road and deliver essential supplies to their comrades. Their reason: the trucks weren’t adequately maintained and the unit didn’t have adequate escort protection for the mission.
As the 18-member Army Reserve platoon was placed under arrest for their refusal of a “suicide” mission, the Army rapidly shifted to damage control mode — “It’s an isolated incident . . . we’re investigating . . . the goods have been delivered.”
The initial press positions differed. The reports reiterated that many other units had complained about similar maintenance problems. They hammered home stories of missing body armor and poor protection for Humvees.
What was the real deal?
Would the famed Red Ball express have refused to roll in World War II? Had troop morale reached new lows? Was our equipment really that crappy?
Foremost, I’d hate to see the incident exploited for political gain by either side of the political spectrum. This isn’t just about money for equipment and the war we’re fighting. This incident is also about leadership, as well as good order and discipline in our professional military.
Let’s face it — our Army, the Guard and the Reserves aren’t made up of people forced into uniform and deliberately sent on suicide missions. Since 1973, the American military has been a professional force, made up of people who join because of true patriotism, decent benefits or a combination thereof.
As professionals and warriors, our troops uphold an honor code that they will fight for and support their comrades. It’s what warriors do — what you call the brotherhood of war. In that regard, the platoon failed miserably, breaking with good order and discipline. In an extreme situation, comrades could have perished because critical supplies didn’t get to the front.
On the other side of the coin, you can’t help but suspect that the unit’s leadership had lost touch with its troops. Was it possible the platoon really had severe maintenance problems? Could fully operational vehicles from other outfits have supplemented their shortfall? Did the unit commander request security from other sources? Were all trucks equipped with machine-gun mounts and sufficient ammo?
Had I been in command of a combat outfit needing ammo and fuel, I would have sent an armed escort to the rear and made the truckers deliver, one way or another!
I fully acknowledge that our military has shortages of body armor, armored Humvees and spare parts. But I also know that compared to other militaries, including the better ones of NATO, the U.S. Army stands out as “lavishly protected and supplied.”
Compare the dangers to those of World War II. Then, our truck convoys were about as vulnerable as they are today — maybe more so. My father, who served in the German army, remembers running into one of those large American convoys with his Panther tank in 1944. After the first and last truck of the column were disabled, the rest became a stationary shooting gallery. Then, the fuel cargo wasn’t mainly diesel but more highly explosive gasoline.
In WWII, there were many instances when convoy leaders balked at their missions. Despite terrific losses, my father still marvels at the Americans’ ability to keep the supplies coming. It was exactly that heroic supply effort which kept the armor and infantry rolling, and the artillery shooting.
Iraq is also a difficult conflict. Real frontlines don’t exist. That’s why rear areas and their supply and support people are more under the gun than ever before. That’s why they have to be tougher and more rational than ever. But the bottom line remains that the trigger pullers can’t function without beans, bullets and gas.
Pushing critical supplies forward requires brave men and women, willing to take a calculated risk. It also demands compassionate junior and mid-grade leaders who speak up when the risks are foolish and unnecessarily jeopardize lives. There will be times when the compassionate leader must forget about his or her career fears and lay it on the line for the troops. It’s the right thing to do!
But most importantly, we need more senior leaders who unexpectedly show up in unit outposts and assembly areas to do a “friendly” dipstick-check on the real and truthful state of morale and readiness. The troops tell me that today, most visits still occur mainly for photo ops, or if something has gone wrong.
The “isolated” refusenik incident cloaks a number of important lessons senior leaders must be aware of.
Zimmermann, of Colorado Springs, is a retired Army lieutenant colonel. He is a decorated Desert Storm veteran and former tank battalion commander.
Says it all.
Not even the Nazis used places of worship for ammo dumps, hospitals for bunkers and ambulances as ammo resupply vehicles.
These were trained soldiers. On their WORST day, they are far more capable than the best insurgents even as resupply. That whole escort claim really burns me. They wussed out, plain and simple.
Wait one. Story I get is that the Plt refused to haul fuel to 101st air because te tankers had not been adequately cleaned after hauling diesel. Fuel was intended for 101st's helos which would have meant they would fall out of the air. The Co CO was supposed to make sure the tankers were cleaned and didn't. He's outta there. The 13th Spt Cmd CO is the one I wonder about. BG Campbell, I believe. When did he get his star? Under BJBill? Does he have anything going for him other than he fills out a mean form. Old soldier would like to know?
This is an opinion piece that does not add to our understanding of what actually happened. Perhaps I missed it but this piece does not state that the commander was relieved of duty.
I think that there is more here than what we know and that it is POSSIBLE (not likely) that these soldiers actually did the right thing. I most certainly think that this could have been handled in a much better manner.
Lets let the due process work it self out. More facts will become available in time.
One thing I am really looking forward to on next Wednesday, no matter who wins, is the certain knowledge that this bunch of pansies will be taken out to the woodshed.
Oh I agree, I think they are spinning to see what works, there has to be more. Yet in this day with folks running to the media if they feel wronged, it would seem the military is treading softly.
You know I like the way you think! high five
"Story I get is that the Plt refused to haul fuel to 101st air because te tankers had not been adequately cleaned after hauling diesel."
That was only one of the reasons, and a minor one at that. Their major reasons for not going were bad maintenance, lack of armor, lack of armed escort
"Fuel was intended for 101st's helos which would have meant they would fall out of the air."
Probably not. The contamination was likely minor, just residue from the diesel. Turbine engines are very tolerant of fuel contamination.
"The Co CO was supposed to make sure the tankers were cleaned and didn't. He's outta there."
That should read: "She's outta there," and she is.
I probably would've made them Spectre bait in Fallujah. They'd never complain again.
"Were all trucks equipped with machine-gun mounts and sufficient ammo? "
My heavy maintenance co. had TWO ring mount machine guns! Two: for dozens of trucks. You had to secure the entire convoy with two, and hope you didn't have too many other missions going on at the same time . . . which was apt to happen, with contact trucks and recovery vehicles going off in different directions.
This guy has it right. And you are right: the supported command should send an armed escort.
This co commander no doubt should have been relieved. But it is also true that support units are not typically equipped for adequate self-defense. The Red Ball express was mostly BEHIND the lines; and the TOEs were devloped with this concept of the battlefield . . .
As far as maintenance - - that is a lousy excuse: the drivers are responsible for driver level maintenance and taking the truck to the motor pool for unit maintenance; and the motor pool is responsible for getting the truck to higher level maintenance if required. The company commander has to initial off on the dispatch sheet EACH vehicle as being capable of hitting the road -- after looking over the vehicle inspection report. Someone was not doing their job . . . IMO
I don't recall anywhere that it stated that the soldiers were placed under arrest. Do you have a source for that?
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