After Action Report from IRAQ (unit level)

[Travis McGee]

I can't wait to see them around SD and Oceanside!

The greatest deal in the world will be to be an NROTC (Marine Option) Midshipman at age 22 with Iraq and or Afghanistan combat ribbons!! Yeah baby! That is THE ticket! King of the World at college! Something to consider.

Matt

[I_dmc]

Ok, what is "dip"?

[Tailback]

Dip=chewing tobacco

Copenhagen and Skoal are the preferred types. Marlboro light 100's and Marlboro red box are the most popular cigarettes among both GI's and foreign informants both. I never picked up the tobacco habit but I sure got a lot of "favors" by having chew and cigarettes with me in the field. I was also pretty popular among the guys that smoked their monthly ration in about 2 weeks, it's amazing what an unpunched ration card can get you.

[The Citizen Soldier]

Get the chaplin to your pos even if you have to fight your way to him. We did Easter service after stand to at 0300Z.

I thought I was doing great to get up "early" to go a 7:00 a.m. Sunrise Service on Easter.

Marines, you make me proud. May God bless each and every one of you.

[river rat]

0300Z = 0300 ZULU time = 0300 (3am) Greenwich Mean Time

Baghdad is GMT +4 hours..

Therefore -- 0300 zulu time = 0700 (7am) Baghdad

Still early -- but not for Marines in the field....

Semper Fi

[river rat]

Grunt slang for chewing tobacco..

Nasty habit ---- especially when the dude spits into the wind...

Semper Fi

[Amelia]

bump to read later

[Movemout]

Tell 'em Top! Before I got a commission I was a SSG. I'm here to tell you that officers are great planners but the guys who execute the plans are NCOs and Privates. When we have First Sergeants like this I feel secure and safe. Just like I want to be.

[holtjc]

I am the Commanding Officer of the unit that is described in this article, my First Sergeant wrote this informal after action review for fellow Marines and it is acronym heavy. In an effort to clarify for the readers, good old mom included, here are my remarks.

"JAV" is the Javelin Anti Tank Missile embarked aboard an Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFAV). They are employed as a section of 7 vehicles and participated in route reconnaissance and convoy escorts. They are equipped with a M240G medium machine gun.

LAR is the Light Armored Reconnaissance Platoon attached to the 2d Battalion 2d Marines, who are the ground combat element for the 24th MEU. A Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) is a wheeled armored personnel carrier with medium machine guns, 25mm main gun and it carries dismounted troops.

CAAT is the Combined Anti Armor Team Platoon. They are comprised of heavy machine gun and anti armor missile (TOW) High Mobility Multi Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV). Their missions included defeating armor threats, route reconnaissance, blocking positions and convoy escort.

Weapons Company, BLT 2/2, 24th MEU is a mobile force of CAAT, LAV, Mortars, and Snipers that depending upon task organization are employed attached in part to the infantry companies or a whole maneuver unit.

SAPIE plates are the Kevlar bullet proof plates inserted in our new line of personal combat equipment called MOLLE gear, which includes the body armor.

GPS is the hand held Global Positioning System devices available on the open market. ETREX is a common brand that worked great.

MOPP is Mission Oriented Protective Posture for our Nuclear, Biological Chemical Suits that were worn through out combat operations. Thank God the threat did not materialize, but we were prepared and well trained.

81 Hip shoot is when you set up our 81mm Mortars on the move in a direct lay or alignment fashion and shoot them at the enemy.

LEATHERNECK is our collective call sign for all units to answer up on the tactical communication net to ensure the word is passed.

NVG are Night Vision Goggles, NVS are Night Vision Sights that see ambient light from moonlight, flashlights or cigarette lighters, thus the concerns not to light a smoke at night. They work well and in concert with Thermal Optics really give us a great perspective of the night time environment. We have lots of Thermal Sights; there is really no hiding from a thermal sight in the open desert.

LZ is a landing zone for helicopters to pick up people, and drop off supplies. You would think that anywhere will do but you must account for the obstructions near the landing surface, enemy fire and wind direction when calling in helicopters. Roads work great.

I must say how proud I am of the team, they did great. We are bringing home all our Marines, Sailors and equipment after a 9 month deployment which included operations in Kosovo, Djibouti and Iraq. First Sergeant B. you are the man!

Semper Fi!

[Matthew James]

THANKS! This is good stuff!