Quote:
Originally Posted by Gun Grape
That go to an Army mortar course  |
I know...I graduated from that same course in 1981!!!
I understand what S-2 said about mortar men. As Will Sonnett used to say, No Brag, Just Fact, I had the best mortar plt in the 1st Infnatry Division (Forward) back in 1982-1983. But of the 9 platoon leaders (3 4.2 inch and 6 81 mm platoons) I was the only one who had been to IMPC.
I agree there were issues ion some corners. I think a big part of the problem back was the lack of upward progression for the 11C MOS. Took a guy FOREVER to make E-6...usually 14 + years to accumulate the needed points. A lot of guys saw that and changed their MOS. Left not enough guys to do the job. this often resulted in an 11B becoming the PSG. You guys saw the results.
In the infantry a lot of battalion commanders see no value in IMPC for a young officer and think there is something wrong for you if you show up to your unit without a Ranger tab. As a result, when filling out the specialty platoons, LTs look to try to get the Scout platoon...higher cool factor. Mortar Platoon assignment was always an after thought.
I stunned my battalion commander when I told him I didn't want the Scout Plt but the 4.2 PLT instead.
I will say my mortars were always on time, on target. My PSG and I took pride in that. But I also took FAOBC by correspondence (lived on the economy w/ no AFN!) so I studied my craft
This war has shown maneuver commanders the value of mortars...hope that fixes things.
Okay, back to normal disrespect mode!