CA/Psypoppers Leaving SOCOM

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by dbvelazquez

LT. GEN Clevland is in command of SOCOM at Homestead Air Base in Homesyead Fl. 478th CA Resrve unit is also down there and are lacking in the tactical dept, the tab on their shoulder states AIRBORNE but the unit is not airborne qualified or sloted as such.

SOCOM is not at Homestead, they are at MacDill. SOCSOUTH is at Homestead.

Charlie Cleveland is not an LTG, he is a BG.

Please do some reading here and introduce yourself in the proper place before posting elsewhere.

TR

[dbvelazquez]

Originally Posted by FILO

IMO CA should be represented in both SOCOM and Big Army. Agree w/96th remaining as is, the rest need to go. Also a few quick off the top of my head recommendations:

Eliminate the 38A MOS, its a complete waste of resources to train someone as a "Civil Affairs Specialist."

Teams needs to be comprised of SME like: engineers, medics, MPs, PAOs...etc. Also recommend all CA slots should be E5(p) positions with atleast 4-5 years TIS and MOS.

Invest significant dollars in language and cultural training. Everyone serving on a CA team needs formal language and cultural training prior to assignment to a team and deployment. My experience only a few actually had formal, I mean school, language and almost none had cultural. Some folks believe language training equates cultural training. Very big mistake!

The CA units should not be supporting units, they need to support CINCs. Similar to SF area of responsbilites. Previously CA units were assigned to support a division, irregardless of the divisions AO. This defeats the principle purpose and strength of CA.


Just my 2 cents, a 38A "Honor Graduate" class 7/95, Camp Parks, CA.

I agree it is a complete waste of time.

[Warrior-Mentor]

Originally Posted by PSYRGR

Nah... I expect they would have just given you that WTF look. I think I would have pulled them aside as soon as they arrived and explained in detail what my expectations of them were. Filled them in on SOP's, TTP's , etc..... Basic reception and integration.

Would you explain they need to wipe after defecating?

Sometimes common sense isn't common....being alert in enemy territory would be something I would expect even the most junior E-1 to understand...I suppose I assume too much.

Then again, that's why we rehearse...

[37F5V]

Originally Posted by Warrior-Mentor

Then again, that's why we rehearse...

Sir I'm not trying to be too argumentative .

We can call Soldiers retards and get PO'd , but it doesn't solve the problem at hand..... Accomplishing the mission.

I've been on both ends of the stick as far as having Soldiers attached to my element and being the guy attached to a supported unit. Honestly I never assume a new/unknown Soldier is going to do the right thing or that they have all of the proper training/knowledge/field craft etc. I have never felt insulted by having been sat down by a supported unit and been given the "here is how we do business" talk. Clear communication of expectations and intent are things I always have and will continue to welcome. Your quote above, in my mind, is the key to mitigating most of the problems one might run into, at least given the limited contact you might have with the attachments.

I won't make up excuses for the actions of those Soldiers as there is no excuse... Piss poor training, and the lack of quality leadership at their unit, obviously has bred a lack of SA as well as a general indifference to their safety and to the safety of those around them. Turds in the mixed-drink punch bowel that is SOF.

[MtnGoat]

Originally Posted by PSYRGR

For the time being 4th Group and 96th CA (soon to be a Brigade) will be set up like the rest of 0-6 commanded units (TF/75th), falling directly under USASOC.

As far as the RC forces going to support Mother Army I feel this is where they are used and needed the most. I'm sure the USSOCOM Commander has been wondering why all his training and equipment dollars have been going to support elements outside of his command.

War tracing AC units can work wonders when in comes down to the amount and type of training you are able to conduct. Not to mention equipment interoperability etc.... 4th POG and 75th have done this for about 6 years now with good success and continue to renew their MOA. I know 96th used to send the same guys along as well (QP's), but I don't know if this was due to any kind of official agreement.

The part of this change that is going to pose problems (and already is) is that SWCS retains proponency and is responsible for training ALL CA/PSYOP forces. They are already whining about course lengths etc....

Yes all but one each CA and PSYOP are being transferred to US Army Reserve Command (USARC). There will be one active CA Brigade (might call it a Group) and one active PSYOP Group under USASOC. The two active Brigades/Groups (1 each CA and PSYOP) will be under USASOC with a focus on supporting SOF and contingency ops (much like now). The RC under USARC will focus on support Big Army missions and units.

CA and PSYOP are growing on both the AC and RC side just like USASFC and SWC are under PDM 3. Lots of fun all around for everyone.

USASOC (SWCS) remains the proponent for CA and PSYOP. Doesn’t change a lot except when we go for funding, its all in the P-Dollars.

[Dan]

RELEASE NUMBER: 060523-01
DATE POSTED: MAY 23, 2006

USACAPOC Realigns from USASOC to USARC
U.S. Army Special Operations Command

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, May 23, 2006) - A ceremony here today marked the transfer of operational command and control of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command from U.S. Army Special Operations Command to the U.S. Army Reserve Command.

“Today’s transfer of command is about recognizing the critical civil affairs and psychological operations mission support requirements for both special operations and conventional operations,” said Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner, USASOC commanding general and co-host of the ceremony.

“I will miss not having CAPOC as a part of Army Special Operations Command, nevertheless, the transformation is the right thing to do and I fully support it. The focus is not on the transfer, it is on the importance of the mission.”

This move will enable the Army to maximize the effectiveness of these forces by reducing the number of coordinating headquarters, enabling closer and more direct care for the Army Reserve Soldiers and family members assigned to these units.

Referring to the Army Song “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” Lt. Gen. James R. Helmly, commander of U.S. Army Reserve Command, stressed the importance of modernization. “I think we have to streamline and flatten our command and control structure to push more resources into the operational pool.”

The realignment impacts 9,000 Army Reserve Soldiers located in 25 states. The Army Reserve major subordinate units include the 350th, 351st, 352nd, and 353rd Civil Affairs Commands, each with subordinate brigades and battalions, and the 2nd and 7th Psychological Operations Groups, each with four battalions and subordinate companies.

“We are proud of our heritage, we’re proud of our roots in specialized military operations, and we are especially proud to have been apart of SOCOM and Army Special Operations at this time in our country’s history,” said Maj. Gen. Herbert L. “Buz” Altshuler, commanding general, USACAPOC.

Wagner and Altshuler presented the Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command with the Army Superior Unit Award by placing a streamer on the command’s flag.

Citing the value of CAPOC’s contributions, Wagner explained that the Army Superior Unit Award is very important, but only a token of recognition for the command’s exceptional service from Sept.15, 2004, to Sept. 15, 2005. The award recognized the difficult and challenging mission of supporting civil affairs and psychological operations units, individual soldiers, USASOC and the Regional Combatant Commander, worldwide.

USASOC will retain proponency for civil affairs and psychological operations -- including doctrine, combat development and institutional training. Additionally, the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Provisional) and the 4th Psychological Operations Group, which were part of USACAPOC, will remain assigned to USASOC.
On May 16, the Department of Army announced the Department of Defense-directed decision to realign Army Reserve civil affairs and psychological operations forces to USARC.

-usasoc-

[zuluzerosix]

Originally Posted by GreenSalsa

Amen!


You want to know what their “excuse” was?

“No-one told us we weren’t supposed to listen to music on patrol”.

I am sorry, I had to chime in here. I am shocked. I can't imagine this. That is the most absurd thing I have ever heard. IPODS on patrol? So what if the lead vehicle had contact and was trying to report was what going on? Someone doesn't take immediate action because they were listening to music. Then someone is killed because of it. This is an unforgiveable sin. I am flabbergasted! Wow.

I know this is an old post. I just saw it. crazy.