Questions for the QP board

[PMK]

Gentlemen,

I hear rumblings of future deployments to Afghistan are in my future, of course rumors are what they are as well. I would like to ask the board for any experiences, thoughts on reading material, equipment that was crucial, TOC operations advice, medical (disease and preventive med) and trauma related gear and reading material etc. I can provide an AKO should anyone wish to check me out in that regard. I'm attempting to educate myself as much as possible on the entire AOR (to include reading posts here) but would like any current info as well. I did get an electronic copy of the lastest CALL handbook but would like to pick the brains of the best.

Thanks gentlemen
Regards
Kevin

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by PMK

Gentlemen,

I hear rumblings of future deployments to Afghistan are in my future, of course rumors are what they are as well. I would like to ask the board for any experiences, thoughts on reading material, equipment that was crucial, TOC operations advice, medical (disease and preventive med) and trauma related gear and reading material etc. I can provide an AKO should anyone wish to check me out in that regard. I'm attempting to educate myself as much as possible on the entire AOR (to include reading posts here) but would like any current info as well. I did get an electronic copy of the lastest CALL handbook but would like to pick the brains of the best.

Thanks gentlemen
Regards
Kevin

Kevin:

I am going to assume that you have chosen not to use the Search button or your own research.

Please do so, as we do not have the time or inclination to do so for every deploying non-SF soldier.

In case you missed it, we have been at war for almost eight years, and this board has been open for five. Do you not think that others have asked these same questions before you?

TR

[Utah Bob]

15 years in the NG and you're asking these questions here?
Maybe somebody in your own unit can help you out.

Or the search button.

[PMK]

Gentlemen,

I agree Utah Bob I should be able to ask an experienced NCO in my unit however after out last deployment we lost most of that experience. The new "experienced guys" ive asked questions too, have made statements that "we will find out what we need too when we get there or just before (train up at Mob. Station)". As i'm in a NG unit and not an AD unit most of my prep on a AOR is done on my own thats why I'm seeking updated info.

I did use the search function TR and it provided me 35 pages of varied information ranging from battles in Vietnam to general articles of fallen brothers while in afghanistan. It would take me months of time to sort and read to see if each link has anything specific about my future AOR or can be adapted to help me. That search was for one of the questions I asked above. Considering this and my limited time to prep I asked the question. I meant to disrespect and will go back to just reading. However in one of my searches for info I came across an article where a general discussion of the misuse of SF soldiers in a DA role. TR your own quote was as follows

A squad or an ODA doing DA has roughly 12 guns on target.

An ODA which has trained a battalion, and who goes to the fight with them, brings several hundred guns.

I would not be embarassed to share the glory with the HN soldiers rather than pulling an Alamo or Custer's Last Stand to die with my brothers.

I suspect that the ODA with 10 Silver Stars would have probably all been posthumous had they not had their indig commandos with them.

There are times to go DA, but most times, FID or UW is a better use of Special Forces. Maybe not a better use of SOF though.

TR
__________________
Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

-Sir Winston Churchill, 1941

De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2013

I agree with bringing several hundred guns, either a green heavy weapons company (newly formed) of infantry or a HN battalion. I was only attempting to make myself better and my soldiers better in the hopes of not being a total walking cluter f@#k should we need to support you. No disrespect meant and just my .02.

Regards,
Kevin

[LongWire]

Originally Posted by PMK

I did use the search function TR and it provided me 35 pages of varied information

I meant to disrespect and will go back to just reading.

Kevin,

Pull Your Head Out!!!!

Read More Post Less.

Didn't get the answer you wanted so now you are fishing. We are not here to fulfill your every need or whim. TR's response was a courtesy response to your question that needed no further retort.

You want information, but are not willing to go through the work of putting it all together yourself and finding the answers. No one here is going to deliver them on a silver platter for you.

You want to pick a brain, but I happen to be using mine. Maybe you should use yours. 35 pages is daunting, wow.

There are sections that address each and every one of the questions that you posted. Try refining your search. The interweb is a huge asset, use it coupled with your head. What do you think that we do when we have a question????

Here is some help, this is a good start:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...k/geos/af.html


Consider your question answered.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by PMK

Gentlemen,

I agree Utah Bob I should be able to ask an experienced NCO in my unit however after out last deployment we lost most of that experience. The new "experienced guys" ive asked questions too, have made statements that "we will find out what we need too when we get there or just before (train up at Mob. Station)". As i'm in a NG unit and not an AD unit most of my prep on a AOR is done on my own thats why I'm seeking updated info.

I did use the search function TR and it provided me 35 pages of varied information ranging from battles in Vietnam to general articles of fallen brothers while in afghanistan. It would take me months of time to sort and read to see if each link has anything specific about my future AOR or can be adapted to help me. That search was for one of the questions I asked above. Considering this and my limited time to prep I asked the question. I meant to disrespect and will go back to just reading. However in one of my searches for info I came across an article where a general discussion of the misuse of SF soldiers in a DA role. TR your own quote was as follows

A squad or an ODA doing DA has roughly 12 guns on target.

An ODA which has trained a battalion, and who goes to the fight with them, brings several hundred guns.

I would not be embarassed to share the glory with the HN soldiers rather than pulling an Alamo or Custer's Last Stand to die with my brothers.

I suspect that the ODA with 10 Silver Stars would have probably all been posthumous had they not had their indig commandos with them.
There are times to go DA, but most times, FID or UW is a better use of Special Forces. Maybe not a better use of SOF though.

TR
__________________
Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

-Sir Winston Churchill, 1941

De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2013

I agree with bringing several hundred guns, either a green heavy weapons company (newly formed) of infantry or a HN battalion. I was only attempting to make myself better and my soldiers better in the hopes of not being a total walking cluter f@#k should we need to support you. No disrespect meant and just my .02.

Regards,
Kevin

You think a "squad" is equal to 12 trained Special Forces soldiers and equal in firepower/effectiveness?

LongWire already attempted to give you good advice, pull your head out of your ass.

You need to do more research before you post again.

Team Sergeant