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I remember when y’all had the dune buggies - that was just too kewl!

I have to admit, a lot of us intel types hadn’t a clue. I was in Combat Development, and worked to get the Common Sensor systems off the drawing board and into the field. It was a tough sell getting the folks back east to lighten ‘em up.

OBTW, thanks for your service!

OBTW, thanks for your service!

You're welcome, but I really don't count myself in the same group as those brave souls that venture forth into battle with our enemies: eyeball to eyeball as it were. I was a Cold Warrior, training to fight an enemy that never presented itself in any definitive manner. Unlike the real warriors of today. Sure I lost buddies in conflicts like Grenada and Panama. But it can't compare, not really. But you're welcome, nonetheless. I'm always a little bit unprepared for such a nice statement, since I know I don't deserve the accolade. But thanks, it means a lot.

I have to admit, a lot of us intel types hadn’t a clue. I was in Combat Development, and worked to get the Common Sensor systems off the drawing board and into the field. It was a tough sell getting the folks back east to lighten ‘em up.

MG Elton ran a contest at Fort Lewis looking for crazy tactical ideas for workable new weapons or recon platforms. I got an 08 level attaboy for an idea that simply suggested using small gyrocopters (Think the James Bond film: You Only Live Twice and "Little Nellie") for organization recon assets to be carried right along with the battalion. There was nothing too weird OR too crazy. Of course I was working on the G-Staff myself in the "4" (Logistics) Shop so there was no way I was gonna win a prize. It'd look like the fix was in for sure. Still, I kept the letter and it rests in my files today.

I think the funniest thing that they actually tried was mounting a 30mm chain gun on a FAV. Man it looked soooo deadly and kewl! Until they looked closer and saw that the sheer weight of the gun and ammo had flattened all the tires on the buggy and the engine wasn't strong enough to get the vehicle above a crawl anyway. It was used as a static display for the regular dog and pony shows for the Congress critters who came out to see how the taxpayers money was being spent. Nobody noticed the flat tires, to my knowledge. I'll bet they rigged up some sort of camoflage for the display to hide the flats.