View Full Version : Camp Mackall - Lowell Wesley Stevens Cadre Prof Dvlpmt Ctr
"Roundeye" gets a building named after him. For those who didn't know him, he had 5 tours in RVN, serving on an A-Camp in 1964, then as a 1-0 for an Omega RT 1967-1968, then a Mike Force Company Commander in 1969-1970, and then a FAC COVEY at CCC out of Kontum. He had 3 Silver Stars, 6 Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. RIP.
I'm amazed every time I see the Mackall of today vs the one with a couple of tar papered shacks, GP Mediums, and single 'water buffalo' of our time there in Phase 1.
And so it goes...
Richard :munchin
Special Forces Training Facility To Be Named After Vietnam War Veteran
USArmyPAO, 4 May 2012
The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School will formally name its cadre professional development center after a Special Forces hero during a dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. May 10 on Camp Mackall in Hoffman, N.C.
The Master Sgt. Lowell Stevens Cadre Professional Development Center will be used by special-operations instructors assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), which maintains training facilities on Camp Mackall used during the Special Forces Qualification Course.
The center, constructed in 2004 as part of the training facility's modernization plan, provides overnight sleep quarters for SFQC instructors and support personnel who do not have the time to travel home for a night's sleep between training events. Additionally, the 11,200-square-foot facility hosts a library, language lab and modest fitness used for cadre members' professional development.
Lowell W. Stevens, Sr., who passed away on Jan. 26, 2011, was known as the "unofficial, official" historian of Camp Mackall and its surrounding area. As a U.S. Army Special Forces noncommissioned officer, Stevens served a total of more than five years in Vietnam in the 1960s during three separate tours as a heavy-weapons sergeant, intelligence sergeant, Mobile Strike Force company commander, reconnaissance team leader and airborne controller.
Stevens retired from active-duty service in 1980 after serving as a special-operations instructor at Fort Bragg. In 1983, he began a 23-year career with Fort Bragg's Range Control department, where he managed training on Camp Mackall, including on its drop zone and airfield. Compiling both official military data and oral interviews with individuals familiar with Camp Mackall, he was working on a book about the training area's history when he passed away.
In an article for the Paraglide newspaper in 2010, he stated that "two things define who he is -- Vietnam and Camp Mackall -- and that he is very proud of both…" His military award include three Silver Stars, a Legion of Merit, six Bronze Stars including one with the "V" device, two Purple Hearts, and many more.
Depending on each SFQC students' designated specialty and language requirements, the course may take anywhere from 52 to 92 weeks to complete; several training phases including small-unit tactics and the Robin Sage unconventional warfare exercise are based out of Camp Mackall. Camp Mackall is considered a satellite training area of Fort Bragg, N.C., where SWCS is headquartered and SFQC classroom phases to include language, culture and medical training are conducted.
Lt. Col. George Bond, the 1st Bn., 1st SWTG(A) Commander, will speak during the ceremony. Throughout the SFQC, Bond's battalion is responsible for most military-occupational specialty training and survival skills training.
http://www.army.mil/article/79283/
Boy that place has changed since I went through........
Lowell was a great guy, icon and presence of CMK. This is a great tribute to him.
Ok I'm getting really tired of these kinds of statements. I think Lowell's Willies Jeep should be packed out front, too.
...serving as a special-operations instructor...
Why does someone that taught SF soldiers at so many levels get a label of being special-operator and not Special Forces. I'm seeing this more with military focused writing/ articles.
greenberetTFS
05-05-2012, 09:56
Lowell was a great guy, icon and presence of CMK. This is a great tribute to him.
Ok I'm getting really tired of these kinds of statements. I think Lowell's Willies Jeep should be packed out front, too.
Why does someone that taught SF soldiers at so many levels get a label of being special-operator and not Special Forces. I'm seeing this more with military focused writing/ articles.
MtnGoat
See my post: Special Forces equals Green Berets got it.........;)
Big Teddy :munchin
I'm amazed every time I see the Mackall of today vs the one with a couple of tar papered shacks, GP Mediums, and single 'water buffalo' of our time there in Phase 1.
The motels in Fayetteville didn't didn't look that good back in the 60's.
tom kelly
05-05-2012, 11:34
"Roundeye" gets a building named after him. For those who didn't know him, he had 5 tours in RVN, serving on an A-Camp in 1964, then as a 1-0 for an Omega RT 1967-1968, then a Mike Force Company Commander in 1969-1970, and then a FAC COVEY at CCC out of Kontum. He had 3 Silver Stars, 6 Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. RIP.
I'm amazed every time I see the Mackall of today vs the one with a couple of tar papered shacks, GP Mediums, and single 'water buffalo' of our time there in Phase 1.
And so it goes...
Richard :munchin
Special Forces Training Facility To Be Named After Vietnam War Veteran
USArmyPAO, 4 May 2012
The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School will formally name its cadre professional development center after a Special Forces hero during a dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. May 10 on Camp Mackall in Hoffman, N.C.
The Master Sgt. Lowell Stevens Cadre Professional Development Center will be used by special-operations instructors assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), which maintains training facilities on Camp Mackall used during the Special Forces Qualification Course.
The center, constructed in 2004 as part of the training facility's modernization plan, provides overnight sleep quarters for SFQC instructors and support personnel who do not have the time to travel home for a night's sleep between training events. Additionally, the 11,200-square-foot facility hosts a library, language lab and modest fitness used for cadre members' professional development.
Lowell W. Stevens, Sr., who passed away on Jan. 26, 2011, was known as the "unofficial, official" historian of Camp Mackall and its surrounding area. As a U.S. Army Special Forces noncommissioned officer, Stevens served a total of more than five years in Vietnam in the 1960s during three separate tours as a heavy-weapons sergeant, intelligence sergeant, Mobile Strike Force company commander, reconnaissance team leader and airborne controller.
Stevens retired from active-duty service in 1980 after serving as a special-operations instructor at Fort Bragg. In 1983, he began a 23-year career with Fort Bragg's Range Control department, where he managed training on Camp Mackall, including on its drop zone and airfield. Compiling both official military data and oral interviews with individuals familiar with Camp Mackall, he was working on a book about the training area's history when he passed away.
In an article for the Paraglide newspaper in 2010, he stated that "two things define who he is -- Vietnam and Camp Mackall -- and that he is very proud of both…" His military award include three Silver Stars, a Legion of Merit, six Bronze Stars including one with the "V" device, two Purple Hearts, and many more.
Depending on each SFQC students' designated specialty and language requirements, the course may take anywhere from 52 to 92 weeks to complete; several training phases including small-unit tactics and the Robin Sage unconventional warfare exercise are based out of Camp Mackall. Camp Mackall is considered a satellite training area of Fort Bragg, N.C., where SWCS is headquartered and SFQC classroom phases to include language, culture and medical training are conducted.
Lt. Col. George Bond, the 1st Bn., 1st SWTG(A) Commander, will speak during the ceremony. Throughout the SFQC, Bond's battalion is responsible for most military-occupational specialty training and survival skills training.
http://www.army.mil/article/79283/
Richard, That is a nice synopsis of the dedicated career of an exceptional Special Forces soldier and the naming of a building on Camp Mackall after Lowell is an honor befitting the service he gave to the U S A SPECIAL FORCES.
On behalf of all the former members of C Company 1st Special Forces Gp, (Abn) and everyone who knew Lowell, THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING a good friend and an outstanding soldier. Tom Kelly
greenberetTFS
05-05-2012, 12:06
The motels in Fayetteville didn't didn't look that good back in the 60's.
Or the 50's..........:eek:
Big Teddy :munchin
greenberetTFS
05-05-2012, 12:23
Originally Posted by Richard:
I'm amazed every time I see the Mackall of today vs the one with a couple of tar papered shacks, GP Mediums, and single 'water buffalo' of our time there in Phase 1.
Apparently it hadn't changed for you guys since the 50's either....... :eek: Didn't you go through in the early 70's?............. ;)
Big Teddy :munchin
MtnGoat
See my post: Special Forces equals Green Berets got it.........;)
Big Teddy :munchin
Teddy,
I remember your thread.. And yes you were right. I feel that if USASFC, USASOC, SWC or any military article taking about a Green Beret/ Special Forces solider should just state that.
I think Lowells Jeep should be parked out front too. :D
.......Apparently it hadn't changed for you guys since the 50's either....... :eek: Didn't you go through in the early 70's?............. ;)
Big Teddy :munchin
In August 1974 the Compound contained a number of GP Medium Tents over wood frames set on the large cement slab area. Bunks were a metal bed frame where the springs had been removed and replaced with a plywood slab. Just west of them by the fence was two large classroom tarpaper buildings used as class rooms.
In the back of one was the "kitchen". The "kitchen" was just a room with a stove and two large pots in it. For Breakfast and Supper a detail would remove the main meals from the C Rations, put them in the pots, fill with water and bring to a boil. To serve the class would file through, pick an upside down meal, be handed a hot can and file outside to eat at one of the standup tables. Lunch was a cold C.
We were supposed to have one hot A a week if we were in camp on Sunday Lunch. IIRC we got one hot A in Ph I and one in Ph III.
All the "shacks" were just south of this little area on both sides of the gravel parking lot we'd fall in at for colors in the morning. I remember at least the Office, TAC Shack, Med Shack, Commo, Weapons - and the Conex where the ammo/blanks etc was stored off in the SW corner that was one of the guard posts.
And then there was the little shower/shitter off in the NE corner of the compound. I really don't have too many memories of that other than a cold shower or two that felt damn good at the time.
The camp is really more NE/SW than N/S.
Richard/Quote/
I'm amazed every time I see the Mackall of today vs the one with a couple of tar papered shacks, GP Mediums, and single 'water buffalo' of our time there in Phase 1.
Apparently it hadn't changed for you guys since the 50's either....... :eek: Didn't you go through in the early 70's?............. ;)
Big Teddy :munchin
I went through in '83, and it wasn't much more than that.
Great deal. Lowell was a great asset at Mackall. Dealt with him quite a bit when at the school house. This is very appropriate not only for his combat service but for his continued service as the Camp Mackall sherif.
The facilities have been constantly upgraded since the mid 90's and it is a fantastic place to train troops.
If you have not been to the school house since C was a Corporal you ought to organize a visit....
BTW, Mackall is really pronounced Mack All not like McCall...altho it will never revert back.
I've talked to original members of the 509th (WW2) that knew him and every one of them said he pronounced it in that manner...just some trivia.
The Reaper
05-05-2012, 16:25
You should see Camp Mackall, but you will not be able to. Well, the cantonment area anyway, aka Camp Rowe.
The facility has been closed to visitors. If you do not work there, you cannot get in.
This is the overhead link to the imagery of the new camp.
http://mapq.st/IMl9aD
The end of the runway is in the lower left corner and the timber trestle bridge over the railroad tracks is at the upper center.
Camp Rowe is the collection of buildings you see in the center, mostly with light green metal roofs.
TR
Team Sergeant
05-05-2012, 16:30
I went through in '83, and it wasn't much more than that.
Yup, I was there Jan 83. Some of the tar paper huts were still there and a few quonset huts. No hot water, even in Jan. It was very Spartan indeed. (I went through the easy course, Maj. Howard was in charge........:rolleyes:)
You should see Camp Mackall, but you will not be able to. Well, the cantonment area anyway, aka Camp Rowe.
The facility has been closed to visitors. If you do not work there, you cannot get in.
This is the overhead link to the imagery of the new camp.
http://mapq.st/IMl9aD
The end of the runway is in the lower left corner and the timber trestle bridge over the railroad tracks is at the upper center.
Camp Rowe is the collection of buildings you see in the center, mostly with light green metal roofs.
TR
When did they restrict ID holding visitors?
The Reaper
05-05-2012, 18:08
When did they restrict ID holding visitors?
When FORSCOM built a command center on CMK and their employees started using the Camp Rowe DFAC.
I was a visitor to CMK several times before I was a student, spent a few cold nights in the tarpaper shacks.
I went through Phase I in Feb 84. We stayed in the tin Quonset huts for the first few weeks, then moved into the tarpaper shacks after we came back from survival. There was one remaining Quonset hut the last time I was there in 2007 or so, it was TMC 14.
Back in my day, the mess hall was a line of mermites or C Ration cases, and we ate on picnic tables outside, regardless of the weather.
There was one small latrine back then, with a half dozen sinks and toilets. There were a few shower heads, and they had one 50 gallon hot water tank for the entire class.
Then they tore down the shacks and built the "million dollar shitter." Then they built an even larger latrine building to accomodate the increased student load.
I stopped and spoke with Lowell the last time a few years back. I just stopped by his WW II HQs building to say hello. It was full of stories, like he was, and it was three hours later before I could get away. The man literally knew more about CMK than anyone alive. I thought he had finished his book, I guess from the article he had not.
RIP, MSG Stevens. See you on the far side.
TR
FORSCOM has a CC on Mackall...for what purpose...no room on Bragg...freakin assholes.
In the spring of 1969, we, (no Dusty, I don't have a mouse in my pocket) would use a hand pump to get water from a well into a barrel mounted on a platform, stand under the barrel and open a spigot for a refreshing shower :lifter
Needless to say we were, generally, a stinky bunch. :D
Another brass plaque for the trainees to keep polished in their spare time... ;)
Richard :munchin
Another brass plaque for the trainees to keep polished in their spare time... ;)
Richard :munchin
This is good..
mojaveman
05-18-2012, 15:01
I'd almost take a trip to Mackall just to see the hand to hand pit again. For some reason that detail remains burned in my memory. Let's see, summer of '84, in the pit sweating profusely and fighting each other with rubber knives while listening to the song on the camp PA system.
I just don't seem to have that type of fun anymore.
Golf1echo
06-05-2012, 05:52
Could not pull up the map but great memories of that place and time. Our kitchen was a field kitchen under a GP Medium, we had the Million Dollars Bath room that seldom had hot water where we all washed our clothes in the sinks. Hard to understand how we fit all those men and duffel bags into the tar paper shacks,it got easier as time went on. Being low man on the totem I did not have the pleasure to meet the warrior you speak of but was very aware of the legacy and tradition dating back to the glider troops. :)
FWIW, in "Band of Brothers" Stephen E. Ambrose described Camp Mackall (named after PVT Tommy Mackall, E-2/509th PIB) as a "marvel of wartime construction," having been converted from 62,000 acres of wilderness to a camp "with 65 miles of paved roads, a 1,200-bed hospital, five movie theaters, six huge beer gardens, a complete all-weather airfield with three 5,000-foot runways, and 1,750 buildings" in just four months.
Imagine trying to accomplish that with today's procurement process.
And so it goes...
Richard :munchin
The Reaper
06-05-2012, 16:37
You could not get the environmental impact statement completed in 50 years now.
Besides, the red-cockaded woodpecker lives there and we are not allowed to disturb them.
TR
In the spring of 1969, we, (no Dusty, I don't have a mouse in my pocket) would use a hand pump to get water from a well into a barrel mounted on a platform, stand under the barrel and open a spigot for a refreshing shower :lifter
Needless to say we were, generally, a stinky bunch. :D
I went through in early spring of 1970 and don't ever remember taking showers. Maybe I didn't because it was so stinkin' cold.
I do remember volunteering to be a poop mixer :eek: behind the latrines on really cold days. That was a whole lot better than standing in the slow lunch line until people would throw blanks in the poo..
I have a hard time visualizing the place after all these years.
Is there a place on here with pictures from long ago??
I went through March '84, and they had some corrugated huts, tar paper shacks 2 spigots coming out of the ground, and a pit toilet that had like 8 seats in a circle. Instructors were in a GP. And if I recall correctly, the fence around it had the barbed wire facing in...! Only shower was after survival phase, and was one of those mobile shower units under canvas. Maj Howard was the Camp CO. Remember him on the timed ruck march, would pass us all, stop and watch us go by, then do it again. Tough old bird...
FWIW, in "Band of Brothers" Stephen E. Ambrose described Camp Mackall (named after PVT Tommy Mackall, E-2/509th PIB) as a "marvel of wartime construction," having been converted from 62,000 acres of wilderness to a camp "with 65 miles of paved roads, a 1,200-bed hospital, five movie theaters, six huge beer gardens, a complete all-weather airfield with three 5,000-foot runways, and 1,750 buildings" in just four months.
Imagine trying to accomplish that with today's procurement process.
And so it goes...
Richard :munchin
Yup, I went to a 509th re union about 16 years ago and many of the WW2 guys were there....they go until they cannot physically go or die.
Pvt. Mackall (Mack al, heavy on the Mack) as they knew how he pronounced it was the first KIA the '09 had on infil in North Africa (as far as they knew I believe).
I've seen most of the changes out there and it is amazing....what they need now is a Camp Mackall section in the SF Museum showing the different phases the place has gone thru...a nice pictorial would be very cool. Someone on Bragg hit Roxanne up with that.