I met members of 3rd GRP yesterday.

[Casper]

The members of my gun truck crew and I were giving a range the other day and the members of one of the ODA's came out to host a range of their own. We got to talking with some of them and (no shock!) they were very courteous and we got to just talking back and forth about some of their duties here and the OIC let the man in charge (rank unknown, but I have a name) know I was interested. He gave me some good information and even offered to teach a few things about our weapon systems we might not have known.

We were invited to hit them up at anytime for any additional training we might want as they were always up for helping fellow soldiers improve.

I know it should have come as no surprise, but it's refreshing to see soldiers who are actually concerned for others as much as these guys are. Helps keep my motivation up!

The kind of odd thing was to see young kids in there with them. I can assume these were products of the 18X program, but it was cool to see them in there, doing their thing. And that young attitude you see so much of in the regular Army wasn't there with these guys; real professionals.

Well, it wasn't a terribly exciting story, but I wanted to share.

[Dustin03]

I remember when I first strolled into my unit with the 20th GRP. I was on my toes, expecting to be treated like dirt and to get smoked for any tiny little mistake. I Was also affraid to ask questions, I mean, comming from the Air Force, these guys where intimidating to me.

Was I wrong, the Quiet Professionals are some of the best teachers I have ever had the privilage to be around. They don't yell, they don't drop us for messing up, they just offer advice and guidance, and carry themselves in a real professional way. I remember I was "iffy" on my land nav to begin with. After a short class and reassurance from the SGM, I have yet to miss a point or miss an ENDEX time at drill. Not to mention my confidence in my ability to navigate with minimal use of a compass, and just terrain associate the whole course has gone up 110%

I'm ready to see what is in store for us at AT, since I'm sure there will be more shooting and other events to do for two weeks.

An Amazing group of gentlemen. I Hope to be like Them someday. :cool:

[Casper]

That is exactly what I am talking about. :)

[The Reaper]

We always tried to include other soldiers in our training, especially when deployed.

You never know when that support troop might be guarding your perimeter or watching your back. Good to know that they are well-trained at what they do.

TR

[lksteve]

You never know when that support troop might be guarding your perimeter or watching your back. Good to know that they are well-trained at what they do.especially if they have a twice-and-a-half topped off with a MawDeuce...me like... :D

[Doc]

Casper, Dustin03,

You should see how our Support Guys train at the BN Level. It's very intense to say the least. From training in hand to hand fighting to calling in air strikes, they run the full gambit. That's the way it was 2 years ago before I retired. I'm sure it's gotten even better since I left.

Glad you got to see things up close.

Stay safe.

Doc

[NousDefionsDoc]

Thank you for sharing that Casper.

[Warrior-Mentor]

the OIC let the man in charge (rank unknown, but I have a name) know I was interested.

The kind of odd thing was to see young kids in there with them. I can assume these were products of the 18X program, but it was cool to see them in there, doing their thing. And that young attitude you see so much of in the regular Army wasn't there with these guys; real professionals.

Well, it wasn't a terribly exciting story, but I wanted to share.

Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy hearing how things are working out with the 18Xs, both good and bad.

JM
P.S. the first 18X just graduated from MFF JM last class. He's now a SSG. Great stuff.

[Hooahman]

I know exactly how you felt Dustin, When I strolled into my unit 19th here in Utah, I was the same way. but the Professionalism and understanding are AMAZING!!! even the SWCS guys were cool, telling us stories and such. (ahhhem, no g2 stufff) Now I look forward to Rucking, and seeing those guys and they even organized all the rep-63 guys into a team (Most of us are shipping at the sametime) and we have the SGM and 1sgt and the Team Sgts helping us and we take turns infront of the Platoon giving orders and stuff. Its fun stuff! and my Land NAV has gone through the roof as well. as I was told "Land Nav is your bread and butter"

To all the QP on here I see the same professionalism, and I hope one day to join the ranks of MY heros the QP's!!! HOOAH!!

[VelociMorte]

I had the opportunity to go down range last year with some of the guys from 3rd Group. It was a very interesting experience that I will never forget. They treated me as if I was part of the team, and it was an honor to work with them.

[elmntskater1588]

I was going over some landnav stuff with my recruiter, and he stops and tells me hes got a suprise for me. I thought he was goin to give me another official ARMY pen, but he actually had SGT R******a 18B, former 10th grouper and SF cadre come in. He was a very cool guy to say the least. QP all the way, he answered some questions and told me what its like, how RANGER school was and why its needed if your going to be a 18B. Im very happy I had the chance to talk with a BTDT.

[Lothar]

While on my first AFG tour I had the opportunity to work with guys from 20th and they were extremely professional and inclusive. I performed several missions with them and they made it a point to treat me with respect and courtesy. They were quick to answer questions concerning specifc points about their trade and helpful in teaching those points.

I realize that while I was not their peer, not being a QP, I was treated like a friend. They encouraged me to go into the pipeline on several occasions. I look forward to returning home from this trip and joining 20th.

[Team Sergeant]

While our team was attending SOT school (it’s a door kicking shooting school) we had a female truck driver assigned to us. She never complained, did what she was asked, lent a hand without being told to do so etc, she was a good troop. After about three days she was a new member of our “team”, stacking on doors, shooting .45’s, sniper rifles, throwing grenades, building explosive breaching charges etc.

She was about 5’ tall, she made a perfect #one “man”. In fact she was always the number one man…… (its harder to make a mistake as the number one man and shoot someone else…LOL) By the time the training was over she was probably one of the best .45 shooters in 5th Group.

[kgoerz]

In Panama we always invited the MP'S to the Range to teach them Marksmanship. FT Davis being a small post it paid off many times. Back on Bragg during a Course break we ran the entire GSC Company thru an abbreviated SFAUC Course. Many of the GSC Personnel out performed A Team members we had in the past. The repore it built was invaluable since soon after SFAUC was assigned to GSC Company. Any chance we had to train people we did. From Doctors from Womack Hospital, Jag Officers to the Actors for the Black Hawk Down Movie. Sad to say many people objected to this but those who did were usually the minority. Its the same with doing Range Demonstrations of our abilities. Everyone hates doing them but the people who come do see these are usally the people who make important decisions about funding and equipment.

[NousDefionsDoc]

Our B-Team Support guys in C/3 got some of the best military training ever down there. And they earned it.

[kgoerz]

NDD
But did you keep the SGM in the Loop..........LOL