PLATOON SERGEANT'S NOTES

Hallo Emily, Pauline, und Sophie,

Ich bin ganze O.K.. Es geht mir gut. Ich Liebe Dich Ganze Viel,

Uncle Fehni

 

Platoon Sergeant's Perspective

 

     I have had the very good fortune to be a member of one of the newest and best organizations in the U.S. Army, the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division?s Cavalry Troop designated as Troop F, 4th U.S. Cavalry.  Since Troop F?s activation in January 1999 the ?Phantoms? have conducted three major gunnery exercises, three CMTC (Combat Maneuver Training Center) exercises in Hohenfels, Germany, numerous other internal exercises and evaluations, and have prepared to deploy to Kosovo on three separate occasions.  Needless to say, we?ve been extremely busy!  What really makes this organization stand out above the rest is not the Troop itself, but it?s people.  Officers, NCOs (Noncommissioned Officers), and Soldiers from many different organizations were pulled together to form the Troop.  With the exception of three of our soldiers, all came to the unit straight from Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  Within a matter of months equipment had been drawn and we were shooting our first gunnery, immediately followed by our first CMTC rotation.  I truly believe that no one else other than Cavalry Scouts could have completed these tasks. 

     Cavalry Scout?s are a special breed of soldier, literally a ?jack of all trades?.  We are trained to conduct limited engineer and demolitions work, route and bridge classification, and traffic control points which aid follow on forces in their movement, or impede enemy movement toward friendly forces.  In this way we?re like Engineers.  We are trained to call for and adjust indirect fires (artillery) to harass or destroy enemy forces.  In this way we?re like Forward Observers.  Our main mission is to be the Brigade Commander?s ?eyes and ears? on the battlefield, allowing him time to maneuver his combat power where he needs it in a timely manner.  We operate extremely far forward of friendly lines (20 to 30 kilometers) with little or no support in order to gain intelligence data on enemy forces.  We can be assigned to an Armor or Infantry Battalion, a Light Cavalry Troop (all equipped currently with various models of the HMMWV Jeep), or to a Cavalry Squadron equipped with the Cavalry Fighting Vehicle (Bradley).  The Cavalry Soldier is the ?last to know, first to go? and almost always the first to make contact with the enemy.

     Knowing all this, you would probably wonder why anyone would pick the Cavalry.  You probably think we?re desperate for a job, or plain got a screw loose!  I?m here to tell you, it?s neither.  I didn?t start my career as a Cavalry Scout and I?ve worked with many other MOSs (Military Occupational Specialties).  I have yet to encounter people with more drive or will to accomplish their mission under adverse conditions than the Cavalry.  There?s no large monetary bonus, awards, civilian oriented jobs, or special privileges involved, just the knowledge that the job was done and done right.  This takes a special kind of person and that is what sets a Cavalry Soldier above the rest.

     Lastly, I?d like to say a few words about motivation.  No one really knows what motivates any given soldier at any given time and I could speculate on this subject for days.  My own personal motivation comes from my family, especially my wife Beate, and my three children, Arthur, Philip, and Liesa.  Whenever I wonder if it?s worth it all, I think of them and the answer always turns out to be ?yes?.  Whatever the reason, be proud your serving, and thank you for the opportunity of serving with the best.  For all the people not affiliated with the military that read this, be proud of your men and women in uniform.  They represent you and the United States always, and do so proudly no matter what the conditions or circumstances.  Again, thank you and ?SCOUTS OUT?.

 

 

 

 

                                                                        WAYNE M. McLARRIN

                                                                        SFC,   USA

                                                                        Prowler Platoon Sergeant