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OK, kids. Campfire.
My first duty station in Germany, as a part of the 1st Armored Division was a tiny installation known as Illesheim. I think the post was actually known as Rose Barracks, but forgive me, 30 years later, I might be mistaken.
My first duty station in Germany, as a part of the 1st Armored Division was a tiny installation known as Illesheim. I think the post was actually known as Rose Barracks, but forgive me, 30 years later, I might be mistaken.
Illesheim was originally built in 1938 as a Luftwaffe base. And the barracks we lived in were Luftwaffe barracks. From 1938. With plumbing from 1938.
We had a single Mechanized Infantry Battalion there. We also had the 11th Attack Helicopter Brigade.
We had a single Mechanized Infantry Battalion there. We also had the 11th Attack Helicopter Brigade.
My little Infantry Battalion, 1/6IN, belonged to 1AD. 11th AVN, on the other hand, belonged to VII Corps, one level higher. Doesn& #39;t really matter to tonight& #39;s story, just, weird shit going on in organization land.
I mean, there& #39;s a couple guys who follow me that will get the nuance. You kids playing at home, don& #39;t sweat it.
Pre-2001, force protection wasn& #39;t really a huge thing, but given the incidences of terrorism in Europe in the 80s, there was at last SOME force protection. Some physical security.
Illesheim was a really small post. Essentially, there was only one gate to get into or off the installation. And do recall, this was a base built by the Luftwaffe in the late 30s.
So, you& #39;ve got 1/6IN stationed there. You& #39;ve got three battalions of attack helicopters there, and a few dogs and cats. By far, 1/6 is the largest single unit.
From time to time, we& #39;d be tasked to do some housekeeping, like guarding the front gate.
From time to time, we& #39;d be tasked to do some housekeeping, like guarding the front gate.
No biggie. I& #39;m used to getting stuck with a four hour tour of duty at some asshole hours. I mean, once a month? Not bad. Not like I& #39;m a USN OS going 6 on, 6 off for 6 months.
So, kinda lost the plot there for a bit, got distracted, had to get some dinner.
So, every month or so, got tasked to guard the front gate for four hours. Being the junior guy I was, my four hours tended to come at unpleasant times.
So, every month or so, got tasked to guard the front gate for four hours. Being the junior guy I was, my four hours tended to come at unpleasant times.
As a rule of thumb, the guard at the front gate was one enlisted guy, and one NCO, usually a Sergeant. Maybe not your Sergeant, but probably someone you knew. You might not be asshole buddies with this NCO, but for the most part, you found a way to co-exist with them.
And for the most part, we& #39;re not in an adversarial relationship. I find myself working with an NCO I don& #39;t know, well, we& #39;ll establish some lanes. For the most part, we& #39;re gonna get along fine. I have no problem being subordinate to an NCO. Nor even to an Officer.
So, it comes to pass, I& #39;m stuck doing gate guard at Illesheim on the 10pm to 2am shift. Well. Fuck me. I& #39;m also stuck doing this with a Sergeant I& #39;ve never worked with before. I knew *of* Sergeant Vance. I just didn& #39;t know him.
Getting to know an NCO is kind of process.
Getting to know an NCO is kind of process.
Jesus, I started this thread at 3pm and still haven& #39;t finished it? It took about 2 minutes in real life.
