7TH ENGR BDE COMMANDER REPT VOL 18A

File: 970815_sep96_decls58_0006.txt
Page: 0006
Total Pages: 49
Subject = 7TH ENGR BDE COMMANDER REPT VOL 18A                             

Parent Organization = ARCENT      

Unit = VII CORPS   

Folder Title = 7TH ENGR BDE-COMMANDER REPT-VOL 18A -FORWARD AND COMMANDERS PERSPECTIVE                         

Document Number =          1

Box ID = BX000313








                Somewhere, far away there began low rumblings; someplace in
           the mid-East. But, we were untouchable. In recent history our
           Army had never deployed forward based forces to a conflict in
           another theater of operations. The rumblings grew louder and
           while soldiers focused on the holiday season, hopes for a great
           winter and good skiing, a few leaders began to follow the
           developing situations more closely. XVIII Airborne Corps, the
           Contingency Corps, was already deployed. other units began to
           leave the U.S. for Southwest Asia. National Guard and Reserve
           units were mobilized and called to active duty. It was not a
           good sign.

                Slowly maps began to emerge in our war rooms. A strange
           awareness began to nag at the old timers. Questions were asked
           and hushed discussions occurred more frequently. A foreboding
           and sensing began to dominate this commander's thoughts. The
           feelings had been dormant since Vietnam. The staff was directed
           to initiate planning, innocently executing "what if" drills.
           Slowly, subordinate Battalion Commanders were tasked to increase
           their readiness efforts. Increased focus was placed on recall of
           personnel, developing a detailed listing of deployable personnel,
           identifying shortages, reviewing serviceability of equipment and
           overall combat readiness. Slowly the preparation took a life of
           its own as commanders at every level began to realize the
           possibilities of deployment were growing stronger each day.
           Nothing official was issued. In fact, guidance was to low key
           any or all initiatives. Never-the-less, preparations continued,
           quietly and efficiently. There was a hum of excitement barely
           perceptible, but it was there at all levels. With quiet resolve
           and total professionalism and without ever realizing it, units
           were increasing their readiness and preparation for deployment as
           the possibilities of war increased In fact, it was astonishing
           just how prepared the Battalions were.

                My staff never failed to amaze me. What began as a low key
           "what if" drill had now become an almost full time operation.
           The war room was manned, maps were posted, the S-2 was collecting
           invaluable intelligence, the S-1 was generating personnel data,
           the S-4 identified shortages across the Brigade and initiated
           cross leveling, the S-3 managed operational planning, drafted
           messages, taskings and took the staff lead. Collectively we
           began to assess what we had, what we did not have, what we might
           need if deployed, and where to obtain what was needed. Since
           considerable equipment fell beyond what was authorized, the RMO
           began working, within fiscal constraints, to establish a process
           to procure quickly and legally what might be needed. The signal
           officer reviewed in detail the Brigade's signal assets, level of
           training, and embarked on a program to improve our communication
           ability.

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