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<From The Warlords

A Marine 1st Sergeant has a checklist of important tasks every officer should take note of

LETTERS



Editor's note:
The following is an email from a Marine First Sergeant who is now sailing home after 10 months at sea and in Iraq as part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. In this message, the sergeant makes a list of what he considers the most critical AAR items. Get a unique view of what servicemembers believe officers should provide them in wartime situations.



Sir, I'll go without making a big formal list at this time.

Start a sleep plan before you go ashore and ensure your Marines sleep. No vehicle accidents because we made Marines sleep.

SAPIE Plates in the flacks. Yes they are heavy but they worked.

Forced hydration works.

"Stand to" morning and evening no matter what. Plan around these events if you can.

MOLLIE LBV is crap. We put all of our gear on the flak jacket.

Know how to read and do everything off a 1:100,000 map or even LAT Long.

GPS does work. Use check points. We made maps of towns and routes by hand. Several NAMs going to LCpl's who drew copies of maps and routes at all hours. Great work!

Field Hygiene. Marines got sick. Some pretty bad. Look at your Marines daily if you can. Ask questions. Marines will not tell you they are sick until they go down hard. They are a proud bunch.

Know first aid. Make it a top training event. Get medical supplies and put them in each vehicle. We used an ammo can with pressure dressings and IV's. Teach your Marines how to give IV's.

Logsistics drove operations. Ask the 4 before you do any event. We made some long moves, as long as 15 hours on the road at a time. Plan your supplies. Fuel was the key more than water. There is always room for some chow.

NVG's work. Use them. All night devices worked great. Battieries can be an issue. Plan!

A combat load is heavy on the Marines and the vehicles. Take only what you need.
(More: Military.com)
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All ‘round, an excellent do / don’t battle-prep list,
Dan