Posted on Feb 8, 2017
Military brass sound alarm about 'insidious decline' in readiness
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What if this article contains the "good news".
In 1973 as a cadet on Army Orientation Training, I served as a Tank Platoon Leader in Friedberg, West Germany for about one month. I had three M60 Tanks and two M60A1s. One of these tanks had a broken engine / transmission pack sitting on the ground and never moved while I was there. Two of the tanks had light weight horizontal thin aluminum Main Gun Ammunition racks with little clips that prevented the 105mm tank rounds from sliding out. However, these clips fell off the racks when there was no ammo in the racks and disappeared under the turret floor somewhere. Worse, when you climbed in or out of the Loader's Hatch, one needed to step on the ammo or the ammo racks. Without ammo in the racks, the thin sheet metal bent and was deformed. Therefore, the only serviceable ammo racks on these tanks were on the floor next to the main gun. The other tanks had cast aluminum main gun round racks that had structural strength when empty. We were never better than 50% combat ready, if that.
Later in 1980-83 in Germany, readiness was 95-100% in my FA Battalion and nothing stayed down from very long.
Sounds like we are back to rebuilding time. Hope no one starts really shooting at us... Do not think we could handle one war let alone 2 1/2 conflicts as per prior guidance.
In 1973 as a cadet on Army Orientation Training, I served as a Tank Platoon Leader in Friedberg, West Germany for about one month. I had three M60 Tanks and two M60A1s. One of these tanks had a broken engine / transmission pack sitting on the ground and never moved while I was there. Two of the tanks had light weight horizontal thin aluminum Main Gun Ammunition racks with little clips that prevented the 105mm tank rounds from sliding out. However, these clips fell off the racks when there was no ammo in the racks and disappeared under the turret floor somewhere. Worse, when you climbed in or out of the Loader's Hatch, one needed to step on the ammo or the ammo racks. Without ammo in the racks, the thin sheet metal bent and was deformed. Therefore, the only serviceable ammo racks on these tanks were on the floor next to the main gun. The other tanks had cast aluminum main gun round racks that had structural strength when empty. We were never better than 50% combat ready, if that.
Later in 1980-83 in Germany, readiness was 95-100% in my FA Battalion and nothing stayed down from very long.
Sounds like we are back to rebuilding time. Hope no one starts really shooting at us... Do not think we could handle one war let alone 2 1/2 conflicts as per prior guidance.
Military brass sound alarm about 'insidious decline' in readiness
Posted from foxnews.comPosted in these groups: 
Readiness
Readiness
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 4
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I would have imagined more responses on this issue, but since its not about hating Trump or Transgenders then I get why RP members stand clear. Readiness is not the issue here. Enforcement of the Standards is the Issue, period. I have seen 12 Brigade Commanders visit the National Training Center with their fleet below 90% OR at Day 1. Now, does maintenance get better over time? No it does not. Why? BCT Commanders hold no one's feet to the fire. Example: D-6 at NTC, 1st Cav CG visits his 1st BCT in the box, the unit has 18 NMC M1, 4 NMC M2, 2 NMC M019A6s and of course half the Engineer fleet is deadlined as usual. But look at that firepower. That is is BN(-) of combat power not to mention the number of rounds in calculus to kill targets. I am thinking the CG is about to lay waste to the staff and the Commanders. What did he do. Nothing. He was a Light Infantry Officer. He didn't mind so what message did that pass to the rest of the leaders in 1st Cav?
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I was a PL for M1A1s and they were notorious for breaking down. I don't think our mechanics had a good idea of what they were doing. Often they would exchange parts and hoped that was the fix.
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this is one that can be laid at the feet of BHO and the Progressives and Liberals...
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