7TH ENGR BDE COMMANDER REPT VOL 18A

File: 970815_sep96_decls58_0018.txt
Page: 0018
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







           Soldiers had a great time receiving these wonderful words of
           support from folks back home. All were anxious to write back --
           whether it be a 3d grader, grandmother, a family, or young lady -
           - the latter was especially popular. Mostly soldiers wanted
           letters from anyone near their home. Christmas day was our only
           real break in the past two months. It would be the last for a
           long time.

                The days began to turn into weeks. Training continued --
           night and day. Preparation of bunkers and fighting positions
           continued. Combat training never stopped. And always, there was
           dust. The Shamals come more frequently -- those windy days of
           massive duststorms. The visibility drops to often 100 meters.
           Goggles and scarfs must be worn but sand gets into everything.
           Nothing, is immune. Engineers learned that sand in the sleeping
           bag was a way of life. Engineers also learned the desert is a
           harsh environment to live and work.

              The small things that one ordinarily overlooked took on
           deeper meaning and suddenly became very important. Soldiers
           worked hard to find a moments peace or privacy. True happiness
           evolved around mail from home, the occasional "real" hot meal,
           the occasional shower, if the heaters were working, and everyone
           dreamed of a real bed and someplace with no sand. I wrote my
           wife that wherever we retire, it absolutely must have water, lots
           of water, that I can see every day and trees, lots of trees and
           no sand.

               Engineers adapted to the day and night almost continual
           wearing of kevlar helmet, load bearing equipment (LBE), weapon,
           and protective mask. LBE was weighted down by canteens of water,
           first aid packets, flashlights, compass, pouches of ammo filled
           magazines, and bayonet. Soldiers hardened and became tougher.
           The weapon and protective mask went everywhere -- toilet, shower,
           meal areas, everywhere -- never more than an arms length away.
           Any time outside the base camp required the rucksack, ice pack
           (chemical protection suit), food, and water. Soldiers wondered
           if their bodies would ever walk or sit straight again after these
           cumbersome loads. They would.

               Days were filled with bone rattling drives across the rocky
           desert visiting battalions, checking training, and monitoring a
           multitude of construction sites. Meetings at Corps and sessions
           with Divisions and Maneuver brigades began to focus our mission.
           Areas were shut off and highly classified preparation began.





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