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sgtdub

Saturday, March 24, 2007

24 March 2007, I hope everyone will be having a great weekend. It's been a busy day for me, but I'm getting several things done. I didn't get to have lunch on the deck today but I was at least outside for a couple of hours. My nap yesterday did mess with me a little last night trying to sleep, but I apparently got enough because I didn't have any problems today. As I was leaving the office today I noticed that WWE wrestling was on AFN so now I have it on in my room. Some of you are agreeing with me and others are wondering what the heck? Hey, wrestling is soap opera for men.
I've received many questions during the life of this blog and I thought I would answer some of them today.
Why don't I carry a side arm? Well, the Army for the most part issues just one weapon per soldier, depending on what their job is. The majority of Army personnel carry the M4 or M16A2. The M16A2 is the old style of long rifle used for some time. The M4 is the latest version that has a collapsible stock and shorter barrel, allowing it to be used in close quarters combat, buildings and such. Special detail or combat mission soldiers will also carry a Mossberg 500 12ga shotgun or a Beretta M9 pistol. Being a police officer I am comfortable with any of the above weapons, but only carry the M4. This one is mine.

What is your mission there? Task Force Phoenix's mission statement is to train the Afghanistan National Army. This is done in several stages, starting with basic training, NCO and Officer courses, then they move to the Embedded Training Teams. This is where Camp Phoenix comes in with putting training teams with graduating Kandaks or companies. These teams go down range to FOBs (Forward Operating Bases) and continue mentoring the Afghan Army while they conduct missions ranging from humanitarian assistance missions to cordon and searches for Taliban and Al-Qaeda. My particular job here at Camp Phoenix is part of the SECFOR (Security Forces) that provide security for the Camp and American FOBs downrange. The mission of training the Aghan Army is vital to this country taking ownership and self-governing. Although the Afghans know fighting, but teaching them control, leadership and cooperation is what will make this country stand on it's own.

Well, I guess two will do it for today. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask, otherwise, be safe and have a great day.

9 comments:

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

cool gun sgt! and good questions too...

smiles, bee

Ron Simpson said...

And you get those neat little scopes and laser dots. My question is, how many rounds do you carry for it? When I was in HOnduras, we got 20 rounds and we had to keep it in our ammo pouch and could only load if we were under fire. Stupid rule if you ask me.

plus check out my blog.

Unknown said...

Great answers! I´m looking forward to your next questionnaire =)

Have a great and safe weekend!

Mrs Xoke said...

That looks like a very cool gun! I have a few myself, but nothing like that. I love my shot gun, and thanks to my dad have learned that I am not bad at shooting skeet. You ought to come shooting with us sometime when you get back to the states. If you are ever in Nevada drop us a line! Stay safe! Remember, we have your back here in Nevada. (In fact, if my eight year old gets into one more argument with the anti-war kids at school I may have to spend some time with the principal!)

Travis Cody said...

Well, I certainly learned something today. I thought security forces were issued both M4 and sidearms.

Thanks for the info and correcting my mis-information!

Sarge Charlie said...

great weapon sarge, got a lot more stuff than the m-16. I had a 45 automatic for a side arm, great if you hit any part of the target with 1st shot, if not the second would be about 3 feet high.

Wade Huntsinger said...

Everything I ever wanted to know. God bless ya man and stay safe. I am sure i can bye you a cup of coffee one of these days.

Ron Simpson said...

I was an M203 gunner. I could put a round in a bucket at 250 meters.
I was also a M60 gunner for my squad, we were a headquarters company, so wenever had an assigned gunner, we rotated the people in the position. And all draftsmen (which I was one) carried a Baretta. So often I was loaded down. But I alwas qualified expert. I never got to shoot the ma duece or the m249. I always wanted to though. At Ft Hood I went through the foriegn weapons school. That was fun.

Another Chance Ranch said...

SgtDub!
Fellow Okie here. Also a Soldiers' Angel! Praying for all of you that have been deployed! You won me over on a comment you left on DesertSongbird's post today (about the baseball), then I come over here and fall for your gun! Now I am going to play catch up reading your blog.

Thanks for the lesson today, I learned a lot from this post.
http://anotherchanceranch.typepad.com