Help on Military terms?

[JackLuis]

I'm writing a story about a recently returned vet and need some up to date info.
1. How do the troops refer to Afganistan?
the 'Stan", the "Rock Pile' what?

I left the army over 40 years ago and don't have anyone to ask these questions.
I wanted my Lester Murphy to sound reasonable to folks who know.

2. How much weight does a average Infantryman carry while on patrol?
50-60 pounds? I ask not about long range patrols but more "outside the wire" 4-5 hour patrols?

3. In platoon sized patrols, does Platoon LT come along, or set and man the radio in the fire base?

4. Who looks out after new LT's on their first patrols? I would guess a platoon Sgt, or one of the senior squad leaders?

5. How long does it take to request artillery/air support and receive it?

6. are there 'standard" terms for artillery fire control, the place you radio for 155mm support, or???

If any of you have recent experience in the Stan, I'd sure like your input to advance the verisimilitude of my story.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I'm writing a story about a recently returned vet and need some up to date info.
1. How do the troops refer to Afganistan?
the 'Stan", the "Rock Pile' what?

I left the army over 40 years ago and don't have anyone to ask these questions.
I wanted my Lester Murphy to sound reasonable to folks who know.

2. How much weight does a average Infantryman carry while on patrol?
50-60 pounds? I ask not about long range patrols but more "outside the wire" 4-5 hour patrols?

3. In platoon sized patrols, does Platoon LT come along, or set and man the radio in the fire base?

4. Who looks out after new LT's on their first patrols? I would guess a platoon Sgt, or one of the senior squad leaders?

5. How long does it take to request artillery/air support and receive it?

6. are there 'standard" terms for artillery fire control, the place you radio for 155mm support, or???

If any of you have recent experience in the Stan, I'd sure like your input to advance the verisimilitude of my story.

You may want to watch a short lived series called "Over There". I was based in Iraq, but it would give you an idea about some of you questions. My last patrol was done during the Viet Nam conflict or Nam.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I'm writing a story about a recently returned vet and need some up to date info.
1. How do the troops refer to Afganistan?
the 'Stan", the "Rock Pile' what?

I left the army over 40 years ago and don't have anyone to ask these questions.
I wanted my Lester Murphy to sound reasonable to folks who know.

2. How much weight does a average Infantryman carry while on patrol?
50-60 pounds? I ask not about long range patrols but more "outside the wire" 4-5 hour patrols?

3. In platoon sized patrols, does Platoon LT come along, or set and man the radio in the fire base?

4. Who looks out after new LT's on their first patrols? I would guess a platoon Sgt, or one of the senior squad leaders?

5. How long does it take to request artillery/air support and receive it?

6. are there 'standard" terms for artillery fire control, the place you radio for 155mm support, or???

If any of you have recent experience in the Stan, I'd sure like your input to advance the verisimilitude of my story.

Well, I retired clear back in 2000 but I can guess at an answer for a few of these.


2. How much weight does a average Infantryman carry while on patrol?
50-60 pounds? I ask not about long range patrols but more "outside the wire" 4-5 hour patrols?

Since short patrols don't require eating or sleeping equipment and are done from dismounting from a vehicle, I'd guess no more than 50 and probably closer to 40.

3. In platoon sized patrols, does Platoon LT come along, or set and man the radio in the fire base?

He damned well better or the Captain will want to know why! That's his job, for gawd's sake. It's called leadership for a reason, after all.

4. Who looks out after new LT's on their first patrols? I would guess a platoon Sgt, or one of the senior squad leaders?

The most important job of a senior NCO is to keep junior officers alive long enough to become senior officers, at which point they become good for something. I said that as a Staff Sergeant and three Majors agreed whole-heartedly with me.

5. How long does it take to request artillery/air support and receive it?

In today's technology, you ask for arty now and you get it now! Zoomies take a little while longer but not much. Having a forward arty spotter along on the trip is really helpful. He has a direct line back to the batteries. And that kind of answers '6' as well, no?

Sounds like a good story cookin', Jack.

 

[JackLuis]

I hope it is good, I've been plotting it for a a long time.

Over coffee in Murphy’s kitchen, Maureen sucks Murphy in to fixing up the loft and renting out the second bedroom to pay for the costs.

Lester thinks that’s entirely reasonable when she tells him that for clientele she had a waiting list already and she could vouch for their cleanliness because they all got tested for “Well all kinds of things, the Biochem studies alone, and DNA tracing for the genetics departments data base, and for SCD, Sexually Communicated Diseases, of course. They all have different reasons for taking this, “therapy”, but each of them valid. Say you’ll try?”

Lester asked, “What do I have to do?”

“You are the Inn Keeper, that’s your role. And you can feed them and pamper them and do whatever you can get away with.” She smiled, “Les this is the therapy that was prescribed, a warm relationship with a balanced mature man, who is adept at the art of seduction and erotic stimulation.”
Maureen smiled at him and sat watching his face.

Lester looked at her with surprise, and skepticism, “You are pulling my leg?”

“No,” Maureen said, “As I told you this is a position that requires absolute discipline and we looked long and hard for a man that could do this.”

Lester sipped his coffee and looked at Maureen for a moment and then smiled, “Selected? Is that what you’re telling me? You selected me from how many?”

Maureen looked hurt, “Oh Les it wasn’t like that. The Association puts out profiles to fill positions in the verity of instruction positions available and you fit the profile. I wasn’t sure until we went out to Aunt Jodie’s and you did so well. Look, why don’t you move in with me, until the bath and kitchen are finished and that will give me some time to help you learn the role, and get some instruction so that when the Loft is finished, you can move back and start making a unique contribution to the sexual health of America.”

Lester sipped his coffee and nodded, “They always thrown in Old Glory, I guess I’m a sucker but I doubt they will be shooting at me.” “So, I act as an escort too?”

“Yes, the restaurants nearby and the bars, offer a public place for you to get to know the client and have a little fun. On Tuesdays, they have line dancing at the Rodeo Saloon.”

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I like his caution. Shows good NCO thinking. Sergeants are natural and professional pessimists. It helps balance the enthusiasm of the junior officers and helps keep them (and the troops) alive.

 

[JackLuis]

I like his caution. Shows good NCO thinking. Sergeants are natural and professional pessimists. It helps balance the enthusiasm of the junior officers and helps keep them (and the troops) alive.

He is right to be cautious, not because of Maureen but that Damned Gilhoulie is going to get him in a couple of firefights before it's over.