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DEL.ICIO.USA surprise visit from the General
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Camp Striker, Iraq - The soldier just sat down to read the newspaper and watch television when a visitor surprised him at the recreation center Sunday.
Louie Favorite/AJC
Maj. Gen. David Poythress, commander of the Georgia National Guard, shakes hands with Spc. Sharon Williams, a hotel controller from Brunswick, while visiting soldiers of the 48th Brigade Combat Team. In the background are Sgt. Franklin Wright of Eatonton and Spc. Lisa Evans, a student from Griffin.
It was Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, the head of Georgia’s National Guard.
“You guys are doing good work. I appreciate,” Poythress told Sgt. Marvin Paige. “You have had some tough hits.”
Paige is a member of the Valdosta-based 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment. He said his Alpha Company platoon has lost eight soldiers so far.
“Every one of them were good guys. I miss them,” said Paige, 39, who works at an ammunition can manufacturing plant in Homerville.
Poythress flew to Iraq to check on the soldiers’ morale and living conditions. The troops have been federalized, so they no longer fall under his command as adjutant general. But he wanted to come just to make sure they are OK.
Poythress toured the base, shook hands with soldiers at lunch and attended several briefings with officers. He plans to travel to the 48th Brigade Combat Team’s other bases in the area in the next few days.
The troops appear to have sufficient food, water and ways to communicate with their families back home, said Poythress, a former Georgia secretary of state and labor commissioner.
“They are kind of spartan and you expect them to be,” Poythress said of the facilities. “But they are certainly adequate.”
After Poythress left, Paige remarked how surprised he was to see the two-star general at his base. Insurgents have attacked soldiers in the area with mortars and rockets.
“It’s always good to see leadership come out to an area like this,” he said, “because, even here, it is dangerous.”
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Bumbling 48th
September 26, 2005 04:50 AM | Link to this
It would be nice to see less of the whining from folks back home and more of what would really make the soldiers feel good. It sure doesn’t help when the know that folks are all bent out of shape over little problems.
Also, it would be nice to see less of an attitude in the 48th leadership that is less concerned with what medal they may put themselves in for or what political agenda they may have after their military career.
It would again be nice to see soldiers used intelligently, rather than as roving IED detectors.
General, don’t run. Please don’t. I’d have to stand outside of every stop of your campaign across the street from you with a sign that says you put your guys at unnecessary risk with no concern on your face at doing it. Taking care of troops. It would be nice.
By Camp Taji Resident
September 26, 2005 05:25 AM | Link to this
General Poythress and General Roadheaver just visited Camp Taji also. It was good to see them and CSM Russell and CSM Nelson here also. They spoke some encouraging words to us and visited our facilities also. It feels right somehow when the command listens to our issues and says that they will address them and get back to us.
By yeah, right
September 26, 2005 09:16 AM | Link to this
If Striker facilities are kind of spartan but adequate, what about Joe and Row? I sure hope that Gen. Poythress pays the troops there a visit.
By Tax free pay
September 26, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this
Sure Gen. Poythress visited the troops to check on morale and conditions. He also gets a month of tax free pay for just spending one day in the sand.
But hey were moving to better conditions and a much easier mission. Yeah right.
By Debora Walston
September 26, 2005 12:00 PM | Link to this
Unnecessary risks are what I understand the men of a RED ZONE are to maintain, so how then is it that soldiers in St. Michael cannot move about FOB without protection of “body-armor,”….yet for the sake of looking good when they return…they are having to risk thier lives every other day taking PT…with NO BODY ARMOR? Additionally, morale of soldiers can sink quickly when time after time promotions promised even back from training at Fort Stewart has ended in responses ie: lost paper work, it’s in the works, etc…..seems all commanders would desire to be honest with their soldiers….tis hard to keep positive attitude when you’re being de-railed from the top, time and time again ….. Those trying to support efforts on the home front begin to feel, “They do not support my soldier and family, so why should I continue to assist…it truly has a rippling effect!
By Stewart Rodeheaver
September 26, 2005 01:03 PM | Link to this
I am writing to add a little truth to this column. I will try to answer some of your concerns and questions, and tell you the truth about what is going on over here, as I always have. You may not like the answers, but this is the truth: * it is not 140 degrees in Iraq-today the high was about 103 * we have given 12% of the BDE eml leaves ever since we got authorization to start giving leaves. Corp controls the number of airplane seats availible to us. Corp made the decision to drop the % to 5% during the minth of Oct to keep enough troops here to provide adequate security for the elections. 48th BDE had nothing to do and no control over the amount of seats given to us. * my leave policy is as follows—fill every slot every time we have one to get the soldiers home—all BN Commanders, Myself, all SGM, and the senior staff of the Brigade are prohibited from taking their leave during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New years. this is a time for the younger soldiers with families to be home, while we hold the fort.—we have approved every leave for every emergency that has been brought to us by the Red Cross, which is the requirement for emergency leave, and I have signed everleave for every one that applied except for two leaves. One soldier lied on his leave form, and the other tried to fake a Red Cross message. *Every soldier in the bde gets at least 2 hot meals every day, some get 3 and some get 4, and on Fridays every one in the bde gets to choose between steak and seafood * every soldier has the chance to get a shower at least every other day. We had one problem at Fob Joe when the water pump for the showers went out, and it took a week to get one to replace it. There are no Lowes or Home Depots over here. * every soldier has the ability to call home or email home everyday. the soldiers that don’t do it choose to not stand in line to make the calls/emails. I am sorry but I cannot furnish a phone and computer for every soldiers. * the FOB at Striker has been hit by Indirect fires more than Mahamadyia, Roe and Joe combined * the living facilities at Mahamadyia are better than Strikers. They have newer tents and air conditioners, and they have real flush toilets. * the contractors here are an absolute necessity, are great Americans and are the only way that we get supplies from people we trust, so thanks to them for being here, I don’t care what they make. * every soldier in the Bde works a 12 hour shift if they are on shift work, or however long it takes to get the job done if it is a mission related task * Out of the FOBs we have to work on, Striker has the most services, then Mahamadyia, then Row, then Joe. Nothing was designed to try to hurt or disadvantage the US soldiers, we are there because we have a mission to stand up the Iraqi forces in that area. We have spent hundreds of thousands of dollare to improve all of the facilities at all of the FOBS with the priority being Mohamadyia, Joe, Row, and then Striker. We have built PXs, laundry’s, dining facilities, moral and welfare facilities all with large screen tvs, videos, and games, phone centers and computer centers. * I have NO political ambition, and whoever thought that rumor up is really far out there * We are changing missions. It will be a less direct combat mission, but eaqually as hard on the troops as far as working hours and times. * We are not comming home early. I can’t tell you when, because I don’t know, but our deployment was for a year and there has been no change to that * every soldier has every piece of equipment that he is supposed to have and then some. Some of the soldiers here have 2 or 3 weapons, and no one has told them that they cannot wear their body armor. That is one of the inspection checkpoints that we check every day. * I could do much more but her is a final comment— the BDE leadership works continuously, diligently and with everything we have to take care of and lead the soldiers through this mission and deployment. We have lost soldiers, and it is a gut wrenching experience, for those of you sit on the sidelines and have never experienced it. However, with all we are doing, in one of the hardest combat areas of Iraq, this team of soldiers is doing a magnificent job. As of today we have conducted over 11,000 combat patrols, with less than 1% causing casualties of any kind. We have had over 400 troops in contact battles and have won every one of them without a single soldier recieving a wound from enemy gunfire. Truth is, the soldiers of the Brigade are leadingthe way and doing great things, and have 2 things in common—1. they are all proud to be here doing their part in the global war on terrorism, and they are making a big difference, and 2. Every one of the soldiers is seperated from and misses their families. Every one of us. We are here to do a mission because that is what soldiers do. Tell your soldiers who have problems to talk to me or my SGM James Nelson. We fix problems everyday. You want to help the team? Support them, and don’t tell half truths in the paper. BG Stewart Rodeheaver
By Richard Mills
September 26, 2005 07:26 PM | Link to this
I think the commanders are doing everything they can to insure the safety of the men under their command.
I’ve known General Rodeheaver for many years as he’s worked his way up through the National Guard ranks. You couldn’t ask for a finer man to lead these troops. I know he carries a heavy burden while his men have to deal with the conditions in Iraq.
It’s never easy doing the right thing in life…
By Ugotta B. Kidding
September 26, 2005 08:08 PM | Link to this
You want me to call you Blue Boy? Just hold your breath til the General shows up at Joe or Row!!! Our guys there are living in some of the most primitive conditions in Iraq. “Wonder boy” is there to have his picture made for future political campaigns. Your lungs will collapse before he shows up in that lawless area our boys are dying in. Give ‘em hell 48th!!!
By Mac
September 26, 2005 10:30 PM | Link to this
I would think after nearly 4 months in country we, as a unit, would have given up the “pipedream” of better accommodations. I think most guys have done well with their personal space. Truth be told, anyone “visiting” Striker or Victory feels a little uncomfortable with their surroundings after living in the “Diya” and the “Fiyas”. There is little else, short of leveling them, that we can do. General Poythress’ visit should be viewed for what it is… a commander who is concerned for his troops, and is curious about all the “press” concerning FOB beautification. Alot of us, myself included, were spoiled by the camps and FOBs of Bosnia back in 2001. KBR did great things there, but we received the fruits of 5 years of effort. Look at the photos of IFOR in the tents during flood season…looks familiar. Just the basics, not much else. But frankly, who cares? We have much to be thankful for and should continue to remain as vigilant as we have been these last 4 months. Just do your best and keep your eye on the ball. I know the guys at the “Fiyas” have it rough, believe me my first visit was serenaded by a mortar strike, but they are out there… for you! Just support them, and tell them you love them, and their unit leaders will ensure they come home safe. Please, for our peace of mind, quit pushing for better amenities… they’re a priority, after all. They’ll get them when they get them…I was told that anyway, and besides, I feel bad enough being at “Mike” with our upgrades.
By MFEMFEMFE MFEMFEMF
September 27, 2005 09:50 AM | Link to this
To Bg Stewart Rodeheaver: Thank you, sir, for clarifying things. Day after day I read the comments and some of them don’t make me feel good. This deployment has been hard enough on myself and the children without the complaints. Any soldier who has a problem should take it up with his commander. Period. My husband, Jamie MFEMFEMF, knew this would not be easy and he has taken it in stride. Thankfully, he still has his sense of humor and prays that his sons won’t have to do this. I think the ARNG is doing everything they can to protect our soldiers and provide them with the basics. That is all I can ask. Nothing is perfect over there. If this were a perfect world, my husband would be by my side to help me raise our children.
By daPapa
September 28, 2005 03:29 PM | Link to this
Thank you General Rodeheaver. I appreciate your reply and insight into what has been going on with you, your staff and your efforts to take care of your soldiers - who are our family members. As I review the improvements at Camp Joe, it is obvious that a lot of concerted effort has been made these past four months to address the most glaring inadequacies of the bases.
I hope that you will take the opportunity from time to time to give us, the families, a continuing assurance that the issues our soldiers face are being recognized and addressed. There can be no better situation than one where the soldiers and families truly believe in their leadership.
I would also like to specifically comment on three ongoing aspects of the Camp Joe resources.
May I suggest sir, that your reassurances must be accurate if we are to respect the communication to the full extent it deserves.
Enough of my venting. I again thank you for taking the time to respond to our concerns and hope that you will do so again before the comments get as outlandish as they have been lately.
By Who Cares
September 30, 2005 05:57 AM | Link to this
It is hard for me to read that Striker is worst off then Mike, Row, & Joe. It’s funny how the soldiers down there have to wear their body armor 24hr a day, even when “Striker is the one that is receiving all the Incoming.� Mike, Joe and Row encounter rocket and mortars on a daily basis. There have been over 60 counter fire missions down there as well. How many have you done at Striker again, I forgot? To me it doesn’t even matter who has it worst. It just bothers me that you state that; and I quote * the FOB at Striker has been hit by Indirect fires more than Mahmudiyah, Roe and Joe combined *. Even the soldiers at Striker don’t believe that one. How many casualties have there been at Striker from IDF? Like I said it doesn’t even matter. Just give the guys down there at Mike, Joe, & Row some credit. I could go on and on like everyone else about all the stuff Striker does have that none of the other Fob’s have. A lot of people back home don’t realize that Striker, Liberty, and Victory are the same place. All right there together. Every thing that one has, the other has. Like I said all that stuff doesn’t even matter.
By From Iraq
October 1, 2005 12:11 AM | Link to this
Life is so hard here, no wait…it’s worse over there…no it’s worse here. Let’s face it, everybody here is going through just about the same thing no matter where you are. We are all away from home, seperated from our family and friends, and in a combat zone. It doesn’t matter who has what and how many hot meals a day you have. Everyone is faced with the same problems. We wear our body armor twenty four hours a day…so what, it’s saving our lives. Their PX is bigger than ours…so what, are you going on without anything that would make life so much better if you could get it from the PX. We can go the rest of this rotation griping and complaining about who has it worse, or we can stick it out and get out of here. Which is it going to be?
By daPapa
October 1, 2005 09:17 AM | Link to this
To “From Iraq”
I agree that “who has more, or better, or worse” isn’t productive and should stop.
I can’t speak for the others, but for me - the issue has been being told by Brigade leaders that our soldiers are getting something when they are not - and having that deficiency carry on for extended periods.
I can respect hearing our leaders say that the soldiers will not get something, that the Brigade is trying to get them something - but it will take time, or that they must stand in line for a limited resource.
What I have serious problems with is being told that the soldiers are “all” being provided something while at the same time hearing from the soldiers that same something doesn’t exist, doesn’t work or has never worked.
Just tell us straight.
By Who Cares
October 2, 2005 03:17 AM | Link to this
I’ll I was tying to say in my last blog was that all that matters is that everyone comes home, and that it doesn’t matter who has it worst. We are all in this together and I pray that we all go home together. I know it probably didn’t come off like that, but that is all I was saying. I think we have a lot of good soldiers and leaders in the 48th and I know that no matter what Fob you are on, the mission is getting done.
By From Iraq
October 2, 2005 04:52 AM | Link to this
To “daPapa”
I respect you completely for your opinion. I know how it is in Mahmudiyah, Yusifiyah, or Lutifiyah because I’m there. I can aslo say that even though our lives down here may not be the grandest, but we are provided with what is needed to get by. Every soldier has the oppurtunity at least once a week to use a phone (whether you have to wait in lines), every soldier has their basic needs covered. I will also say that I agree with you on what has been said about the BDE leadership. If Stryker is so much more dangerous than down here, why don’t they wear their body armor twenty four seven.
What I was saying is that instead of bickering back and forth about who gets what and lives where, we need to realize we have a task to complete. Our focus needs to be on that mission, not complaining.
By HCP
October 5, 2005 04:34 PM | Link to this
General Rodheaver, Sir, as a retired WWII and Koren War vet I myslef am impressed that you would even take the time to address the accusations and complaints here. I can’t imagine a Bg doing such a thing in my time. I respect you for caring enough to do so. Now, my I say, with all due respect Sir, that you do seem a little in the dark as far as what is going on at the remote fobs at the lower-levels.I have soliders at roe and joe. We are a Military family and respect our chain of command. However in my day the Leadership also respected the troops on the ground. They cared for, and fought for their men. That’s not happening here. And those Team and Squad Leaders who have tried to stand up, get repremanded and told not to make waves. The truth is our troops don’t have proper equiptment, or adquate living facilities. I don’t believe a war-time solider ever expects to have things “easy”, but they should be afforded the very best possible. That also is not happening here. I spent my time in a fox-hole and experienced some of the worst conditions a soldier has ever experienced. But that was the best there was to be had by any soldier. What I see in Iraq is blatant favortisim. These deplorable Fobs our soldiers are at are only 20 and 30 miles from some of the best “war-time” Camps this man’s Army has ever established. There is no acceptable excuse for our guys and joe and roe to be living the way they are. When the ability to improve a soldier’s quality of life is possible, but not deemed a priority, then the Leadership is not doing what it’s supposed to be doing, which is taking care of their men. I’ve been a 1st Sgt and I’ve led men in battle. If there was anything I could do to improve their lives, I fought LT’s Capt’s Col’s and Gen’s to do it! I don’t see that kind of fight in the Leadership in these small Fobs. If it was there, this situation wouldn’t be still going on after this long a time. I respectfully ask that you look deeper and listen to the men at these fobs that are in question Sir. Give the men premission to speak freely, without retubition, and you’ll hear THE TRUTH. Maybe then things will really change, because I believe you will clean-house once you know what is truly going on. REPSECTULLY, An Old Retired msgt. who loves his counrty and his fellow man.
By Ugotta B. Kidding
October 6, 2005 09:32 PM | Link to this
To HCP:
Very well said!!! Sounded like experience talking to me. Mr. HCP it’s hard for the Brass to tell what our boys at the FOBs have from 30,000 feet in the air. It must look good from up there as their plane flies over. I totally agree that it’s time for our military leaders to start taking better care of our boys. Why isn’t the Pentagon and our President, Senators, & Representatives madder than Hell about that idiot liberal judge ruling that a lot more Abu Grahib pictures can be released to the media. Folks, this is going to get more of our boys killed or maimed, just like last time. What is the use? What good will it serve except to stir up those idiot Muslim fanatics who would like nothing better than to kill our sons. General, I’m listening…
By me
October 7, 2005 11:50 AM | Link to this
Ugotta, love your screen name-wish I had thought of it first! This war is on the backburner of the American conscience. If you don’t have family over there it’s not important, at least it seems to me most people have that attitude. A draft would change that real quick. I wouldn’t be reading quotes from college kids saying, the war, it doesn’t really matter to me.