Today, and really all this week, there has been an arduous battle with the intel section of the Brigade, over secure areas and passcodes. Of course, they've never shown interest in it, and have preferred to let us in Operations run the show, and take the fall when something needs fixed. However, that all changed this week when they got in trouble for general lackadaisacal-ness, and have been bullying other sections all week. I have avoided the fray mostly, but today was a climax when I argued with several of them at once. The topic was insignificant, but they basically refused to do their assigned job in relation to allowing access. The entire section only seems to enforce what will get them positive credit in the boss's eyes, but when there is a chance to actually be helpful, they balk. One had the gall to refuse to comply with regulation because it was too much work. All I have to say is thank goodness we're not a tactical unit.
Further, there are numerous points of contention within our own shop. People not coming to formation, a general unwillingness to work, even the inability to follow-up or think critically, requirements when you work in Operations. We're implementing short term fixes, like moving desks, but it seems like we're just putting a band-aid on bruise and waiting to deploy. I don't mind not working and just waiting, but at least I am productive when it's called for, and I still do my job throughout the day. Again, thank goodness we're not a tactical unit.
Yesterday I went to SRC or Soldier Readiness Center. This is a giant check the box process all deploying Soldiers go thru, with only minimal usefulness. Aside from the shots I received for Anthrax, Tyhpoid, TDAP, and Influenza / H1N1, the day was a waste. When we went to behavioral health, they had us fill out a form the screener didn't even look at. It was a long form with lots of good, relevant, and importan questions. However, the process is designed to speed you thru and not really synch you up with real care. That might keep you from deployment, so they rarely will so much as look at a packet, let alone discuss why you said you "feel angry several times a day" or "several times a week have repeated thoughts and memories of traumatic events you cannot get out of your head." Important questions for Soldies deploying, but nonetheless completely ignored. This took up most of the day. Add to that I was in at work at 2AM for a meeting with folks overseas, a meeting which never happened, and I was very happy to go home.
There is still some doubt as to when my plane is leaving. The most reliable projections have it leaving before Katie is due, but it's the Army, and I don't believe it until we are 35,000 feet off the ground. Having suffered thru plane mechanical problems both directions last deployment, I am no counting on anything. I am also prepared to be told I am leaving on an earlier plane. That would be the Army for you, combined with a healthy dose of general confusion on the part of our movement planners. Again, thank goodness we are not a tactical unit.
By the way, a "tactical unit" is one that actually fights bad guys. Those who drive tanks, or kick in doors, who manage tribal councils and fly helicopters. No one in our unit does any of that. We don't leave the FOB, since we're a Brigade HQ only. So we are not a tactical unit. And thank goodness for that. We can do upper level, theater wide logistics planning and coordinating well, but I wouldn't know which way to run if I was out on patrol with some folks and we came under fire. It may in fact be safer running towards the enemy fire. And yes, I'm ending with gallows humor.
