A Chat with the Lt. Col.

We had another chat session with the Lt. Col. Fant of 2-17 this morning. This is what he had to say (Note: that I have edited the session for spelling and relevancy):

Q: What would you suggest a soldier do if he is experiencing serious depression? Why are the soldiers being held to a routine of three hours of sleep per night when their lives depend on being alert? Why would they be ordered to run PT in a field where mortars are falling and a sniper is present?

A: There are several services available to the Soldier who is experiencing depression. I am one of them. He can always come see me or his battery chain of command. However, not a lot of Soldiers like to talk to the battalion commander so he can go see one of the 5 chaplains on post. Additionally, there is a combat stress team here on Camp Ramadi that is excellent. It is not shameful to go see and talk to them. I have done it.

There is no predicting where or when the mortars or rockets will impact on the FOB. We try very hard to do this. We just shot a mission against enemy mortars 15 minutes ago. We all must do PT. I do it every day. In 2-17 FA we don't do organized PT in open fields but we do play softball and football. Exercise is another way to relieve stress, even in a stressful situation.

Not sure about the 3 hour sleep one. We do shift work here. Some nights are better than others but typically, a Soldier pulls a 12 hours shift. During that shift he is up for 3 then "down" for 3 hours, then up for 3, then down for 3. Then he goes to training or PT for a couple of hours and then off unit next shift

Q: If a family member has a SERIOUS question or issue, who can they contact, short of a congressperson?

A: Me. I can solve most problems here. So can the battery commander of first Sergeant. If that doesn't work, COL Patton.

Q: Are the families going to start moving to Carson, if applicable, before the soldiers return?? I'm just concerned about when to start trying to sell our home here in Oklahoma to get ready to move to Carson...and if I'm going to be doing it alone!!!!

A: Yes, families will start moving to Carson before we get home. My family will move next summer. And yes, you will move alone unfortunately.

Q: Back to the subject of depression. What/who does the combat stress team consist of? Are soldiers ever given prescriptive medications to help with depression in the field or are they expected to just talk through their problems?

A: The combat stress team is doctors, counselors and nurses. They can prescribe drugs if necessary.

Q: My husband is in alpha battery and I am wondering why others seem to be hearing from their soldiers in alpha and I don't hear from him as often. I know they are busy but I live for the phone calls to know he is ok. Are the phone lines shut down as often as they have been in the past or am I just being impatient?

Also, he has given me three different times that he was scheduled to come home on R&R and he has been bumped every time. I am learning that disappointment is part of everyday life in the Army. Can you tell me what the process is when he does actually leave on R&R. How long it takes, what he has to go through in Kuwait?

A: I will check on your case. I am sure why but CPT Marley and 1SG Howard run a tight ship. The Soldiers in Alpha battery, as described by COL Patton, are better than a lot of his infantry Soldiers. Artillery guys always have to brag about being better than our infantry brethren. Anyway, phones used to be closed throughout the brigade anytime we had a KIA. Now, a battalion's phones are only closed when a casualty occurs in that battalion. Not sure about all the bumps from leave but again I will check.

Q: If our soldier gets a 4-day pass to Doha is there any way we can rendezvous with them there?

A: I think there would be a way to link up in Doha or Qatar. I don't know what that is though. I will ask 1LT Kaspar to figure that out.

Q: Trying to find out more about the R&R as far as Senior NCO's are concerned?

A: I have approved SFC and above to be considered for leave but as senior leaders of the organization we must take care of the junior Soldier first. However, if the battery commander comes to me and says I want to put a senior NOC or Lieutenant on leave and can prove to me the mission won't suffer than I will approve it. But the more senior you are the less chance you will go on leave. The Command Sergeant Major, the three Majors and I will not go on leave this year. As fast as things change here, three weeks is a life time.

Q: Now that the batteries will be rotating, is there anything you are able to share with us about what Alpha's duties will be in the next several months?

A: They are going back to the GUNS! And they are really excited about it. Have already started the train up for it. Currently Charlie battery is manning the howitzers and are doing fantastic. Really fast times.

Q: When are we going to receive notification of the move to Carson and do you know what percentage of families will be assured housing? Is there enough staff to accommodate the number of family members transitioning into the area from housing to employment to child services?

A: The notification should be soon. But we owe you a better answer than that. Carson is a big post. A lot of info can be found on FT Carson's webpage. I think it is www.carson.army.mil

Q: Is there anyone that can tell me about when the husband/wives will get orders? Also what happens if they have a HAP assignment? And I was told if I wanted to come to Ft. Carson I would have to pay for that at my own expense? Do you know anything about this?

A: Soldiers with HAP assignments just filled out paperwork on whether they wanted to keep their HAP. The Army is trying to honor them but won't be able to honor all, I don't believe. Families in CONUS or command sponsored families will move to Carson at no cost to you., Non-command sponsored families in Korea will be able to fly Space A to Seattle and then at government expense from Seattle to Carson. They are still working out the household goods for the non-command sponsored families.

News & Video

From CNN:
Insurgents in Ramadi, west of Baghdad, have used a hospital to stage an ambush on U.S. soldiers in the city, according to a military statement.

There were no U.S. casualties.

The attackers turned off all the lights in and around the hospital as the soldiers from the 1st Marine Division of the Marine Expeditionary Force approached.Muzzle flashes from insurgent firing positions could be seen from windows within the hospital.

In happier news, one of our 2BCT mom's sent one of the captains in 2-17 some great stuff to play Santa with. Check out the video by clicking here!

A New Rory Photo!

I got this shot from one of Rory's Lt.s. by special request. What would we ever do with out the Internet??? Not a lot of new news. He's has changed duties and apparently is in a less dangerous situation now. I hope everyone is having a great Tuesday.

Please Note: Under the "LINKS" section there is a link to Rory's online photo album. I will post all pictures of him that I receive there as well. Feel free to forward this link to friends and family. The high resolution, un-cropped version of these images are there and you can even order prints online if you'd like!



I love seeing him smile!