Posted on Mar 18, 2016
What lessons learned did the Army implement after the PFC Jessica Lynch POW event?
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Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
POW/MIA
Lessons Learned
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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This one hits kind of close to home because I am an alumni of 5/52 ADA from OIF 1. I was brand new to the BN then, so I "only" knew one of the KIAs from 507th Maintenance Co. (SGT Donald Walters, RIP).
Our BN Commander was shaken after that, as was the BDE Commander we were attached to.
The issue was that our Battalion became a "zero-defects" organization, in the worst possible way.
The lessons learned were lessons we have to re-learn every time we start a new major conflict: be good at basic Soldier skills. Don't be complacent. Never forget that we're going into someone else's neighborhood looking for a fight.
We will have to re-learn these lessons again the next time.
Our BN Commander was shaken after that, as was the BDE Commander we were attached to.
The issue was that our Battalion became a "zero-defects" organization, in the worst possible way.
The lessons learned were lessons we have to re-learn every time we start a new major conflict: be good at basic Soldier skills. Don't be complacent. Never forget that we're going into someone else's neighborhood looking for a fight.
We will have to re-learn these lessons again the next time.
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Convoy tactics and training were revamped. It was not just get in a line and drive anymore.
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SGM Mikel Dawson
This was the biggest thing I saw. Like LTC Paul Labrador says, more combat drills were instilled and convoy procedures were revamped. I was the V Corps Rear CP G3 SGM and the COS charged me with preparing to move the CP forward. I had to insure commo was up and good in all convoys going forward. Had convoy commanders communicate to their convoy members defensive procedures and reactions. Route recons (map) were a must and insure correct usage of GPS, setting way points and such. Just too bad an incident needs to take place to get all the bases covered, but that seems to be par for the course.
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Hopefully that we shouldn't reward being captured and detained by enemy combatants with the Bronze Star Medal.
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SFC Timothy Bourgeois
Unfortunately the Bronze Star isn't as respected of an award it once was. My last time time in the stan every E 6 in the TOC received one while the soldiers out on missions got ARCOMS
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CPO Greg Frazho
And that's the problem, Staff Sgt. It's become the new combat zone good conduct medal, instead of it's original intent: recognizing valor. And it started by Lynch getting the BSM and a bunch of sub captains getting the BSM. Not good, particularly for junior service members' morale. As I've said many times before, I'd rather have an Achievement Medal or Commendation Medal with a combat 'V', than a BSM without one.
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CPO (Join to see)
CPO Greg Frazho - There are two types BSM Meritorious and BSM with Valor. The Army has issued this since Vietnam had nothing to do with Lynch E-7 and above, if there is no "V" it was not earned under fire period. The Navy stopped letting other Branch (Army) issue the BSM-M too Navy and Marines that serve in Combat zones like Army, they issue a DMSM vice BSM. This started in 2009, because to many Navy personnel were issued BSM-M for just doing a Joint Job in a Combat Zone on the FOB's. I was blown up twice and received a CAB for taking contact with Enemy and received a DMSM, vice the BSM-"V" because time it would take for Navy to concur.
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