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I have become more and more astonished, at every Annual Training, just how many cannot set up these critical communication devices. The last time I looked at the list of required AWT, this skill was included. Are we relying on our phones, or 2-way radios (Motorola) too much during training?
Posted in these groups: Enlisted Combat Skills
Communications
25U: Signal Support Systems Specialist
Communications 25U: Signal Support Systems Specialist
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 25
For a reserve unit, are SINGCARS platoon equipment or does it have to be drawn from supply each time? Can you get FREQ Hop load sets and an ANCD commonly at drill, or is that something only available at AT?
I guess the question is...Is the equipment available at weekend drill and not being used? Or not readily available?
Is the training on the training schedule and not being conducted, or not being scheduled?
Are opportunity to use the equipment as supporting task being taken? Running a small arms range at drill, setting up and using radios? Movement from armory to training site for weekend drill, are radios being used in vehicle movements?
I guess the question is...Is the equipment available at weekend drill and not being used? Or not readily available?
Is the training on the training schedule and not being conducted, or not being scheduled?
Are opportunity to use the equipment as supporting task being taken? Running a small arms range at drill, setting up and using radios? Movement from armory to training site for weekend drill, are radios being used in vehicle movements?
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CPL (Join to see)
From my expiernce both in a support unit and now a combat arms unit. Things are ran totally different.
In my support unit and i couldn't touch my radios except for SI. When a.t. hit I had a month to go thru almost 90 Vic and get them opperation. I had to brush up but got it running sense I was essentially supply the first year. Comsec is not available there as it is in my combat arms unit.
My biggest thing I try to push for both my units is to get off the basic channels. And utitlizing the radios to it's Max.
In my support unit. There lock up in the vault so I had to required permission thru supply or make it a class in order to use them. PT/SC.
Now with my combat arms unit. We have comsec but all the commo is at the platoon level.
Biggest thing I find is opperstor error with the cables and install. 88M tend to step on the month breaking the W2. Or connecting the hand mic or battery. Jbc-p are a bigger issue in my option
In my support unit and i couldn't touch my radios except for SI. When a.t. hit I had a month to go thru almost 90 Vic and get them opperation. I had to brush up but got it running sense I was essentially supply the first year. Comsec is not available there as it is in my combat arms unit.
My biggest thing I try to push for both my units is to get off the basic channels. And utitlizing the radios to it's Max.
In my support unit. There lock up in the vault so I had to required permission thru supply or make it a class in order to use them. PT/SC.
Now with my combat arms unit. We have comsec but all the commo is at the platoon level.
Biggest thing I find is opperstor error with the cables and install. 88M tend to step on the month breaking the W2. Or connecting the hand mic or battery. Jbc-p are a bigger issue in my option
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CPL (Join to see)
CPL (Join to see) mount. Not mouth. Sorry for the typo.
Brush up sense it was almost 8 months sense I had set on up. Either way. The newer models are better. Fraction of the weight
Brush up sense it was almost 8 months sense I had set on up. Either way. The newer models are better. Fraction of the weight
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CPL (Join to see)
CPL (Join to see) it also took me 3 years fighting and pushing commo. New supply sgt. Supporting me. And a new commander. To get use using commo bout every 3 months on short mission between stations of moving equipment. Most 88m believe the radio is a paper weight and it wasn't till we ran a convocation 17 Vic. With only 4 long range installed and rest all man packs relaying the message with the first sgt., MSG and XO to get them to finally arguing that the equipment didn't work over a year round a.t. on a 5 day mission
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CPL (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) in my unit. I eventually had to make it required w the support of my supply sgt. And full timer that I needed one Joe per platoon at a minimum.
Preferably 2 per platoon for radios. And one for Jbc-p (MTSMRT) and the people had to train w me an HR per drill per topic. Eventually I would have to coordinate with the regular PMI when they turn on trucks. Set up commo and then we'd use or TOC or one lead Vic to conduct communications. Biggest factor being, that soldier being grab, or consistency of that soldier being the same representative for there platoon. Company size almost 190 and a single 25U. Eventually I had to implement a cycle of pmcs of the radios, 15 per drill in order to conduct bi-anual pmcs not counting 100% during a.t.
Eventually we were able to run a mission from Illinois to California and back with maybe 4 Vic going town as far as commo is concern.
We did have a 2day assist to make sure all 55 Vic ran smooth w commo with some ordence guys
Preferably 2 per platoon for radios. And one for Jbc-p (MTSMRT) and the people had to train w me an HR per drill per topic. Eventually I would have to coordinate with the regular PMI when they turn on trucks. Set up commo and then we'd use or TOC or one lead Vic to conduct communications. Biggest factor being, that soldier being grab, or consistency of that soldier being the same representative for there platoon. Company size almost 190 and a single 25U. Eventually I had to implement a cycle of pmcs of the radios, 15 per drill in order to conduct bi-anual pmcs not counting 100% during a.t.
Eventually we were able to run a mission from Illinois to California and back with maybe 4 Vic going town as far as commo is concern.
We did have a 2day assist to make sure all 55 Vic ran smooth w commo with some ordence guys
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To answer your question: yes, we have an over-reliance on phones and Motorola type radios. Its not a Reserve/ NG issue either. As a prior 31C (25C) I am almost personally offended when Soldiers can't load and operate a SINCGARS. Its especially egregious in "tactical" Signal units where in the emphasis is usually placed on WIN-T over any type of CNR-even basic radio procedure is neglected. Its something we need to train on.
Having said that, I grew up operating SINGCARS, but it is ageing technology. In garrison, using Motorolas and phones is much more convenient- and probably perform better. Superior equipment is out there, but until it is fielded to all the units we need to continue to train with what will deploy with.
Having said that, I grew up operating SINGCARS, but it is ageing technology. In garrison, using Motorolas and phones is much more convenient- and probably perform better. Superior equipment is out there, but until it is fielded to all the units we need to continue to train with what will deploy with.
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I was a reservist and had to relearn it all the time. It's a perishable skill. And as SGM Erik Marquez stated, the ANCD wasn't always readily availble - or at least someone with the clearance - to help.
Also I think it depends on the unit. As CBRN soldiers, our mission generally relied on iCom's and other commercially availble comms since we operated in level A or B during training and may have been in a situation where we need to quickly communicate with civilian units. I'd say the only time we actually used the SINCGARS was during our field exercises and convoy's. When we were deployed, the SINCGARS were used all the time for convoy's and everyone relearned to use them. The fact that we didn't during our TPU time had no impact on our mission downrange.
I'd say "yes" soldiers forget how to properly use the SINCGARS, or do not have access to the equipment, but I don't think it's a forgotten task. Given the limited training time during a drill year, I think it's reasonable to ensure the S-6 keeps the knowledge fresh but it's probably not mission critical in most units for every soldier to be 100% proficient all the time.
Also I think it depends on the unit. As CBRN soldiers, our mission generally relied on iCom's and other commercially availble comms since we operated in level A or B during training and may have been in a situation where we need to quickly communicate with civilian units. I'd say the only time we actually used the SINCGARS was during our field exercises and convoy's. When we were deployed, the SINCGARS were used all the time for convoy's and everyone relearned to use them. The fact that we didn't during our TPU time had no impact on our mission downrange.
I'd say "yes" soldiers forget how to properly use the SINCGARS, or do not have access to the equipment, but I don't think it's a forgotten task. Given the limited training time during a drill year, I think it's reasonable to ensure the S-6 keeps the knowledge fresh but it's probably not mission critical in most units for every soldier to be 100% proficient all the time.
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PO2 Michael Sayre
I was just going to say that it's a perishable skill. I couldn't do it before I deployed; learned how to do while I was there; and never did again when I came home. Now, I'm out and I'll never touch one again; but it is still a perishable skill.
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