Combat Medic Training During the Vietnam War

Basic Training –  All soldiers received Basic Training together for 8 weeks, regardless of their future MOS (Military Operating Specialty).  The only exception was made for conscientious objectors who received their basic training at Fort Sam Houston for 6 weeks. Continue reading →

Historically, infantry divisions and regiments have been deactivated and that will occur to 1/22. The casing of the colors and unfurling of the replacement unit colors happens on Monday, 17 March 2014 at 5:00 PM at Fort Carson, CO. Continue reading →

During Ancient times if a soldier was wounded, he laid in the field where he had fallen.  There was no one to come to his aid.

Napoleon’s Army was the first to assign people to help the wounded.  They were called the litter-bearers, made up mostly of inept and expendable soldiers.   The American Colonel Army lead by George Washington, also had litter-bearers during the Revolutionary War. Continue reading →

  ARMY Unit Patches of Vietnam  

I have been asked many times about our Army infantry structure in Vietnam.  Sometimes it appeared confusing so I am going to try to straighten it out.

Our unit was Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division or C/1/22/4th Inf.

Fireteam A fireteam is a small military unit of infantry. It is the second smallest unit in the militaries that use it (smallest are support teams such as machine gun teams, mortar teams, sniper teams, or military working dog teams) and is the primary unit upon which infantry organization is. Fireteams generally consist of four or fewer soldiers and are usually grouped by two or three teams into a squad. Continue reading →

Every region of the country has its own unique phrases, but they have nothing on the complex lexicon shared by people in the military.

Aside from the way uniformed folks seem to speak in acronyms — “I was on the FOB when the IDF hit, so I radioed the TOC” — there’s also a series of commonly used phrases which deserve some attention.

“15 minutes prior to 15 minutes prior”

Military people are taught that they must show up to everything (especially an official formation) at least 15 minutes early.

The 15 minutes to 15 minutes arises as the order filters down through the ranks. The captain wants everyone to meet at 0600, so the master sergeant wants folks to arrive at 0545, and when it finally hits the corporal people are told to show up at midnight.

“A good piece of gear” (in reference to people)

Only in the service is it OK to refer to one of your coworkers or (worse yet and most frequently) a person working for you in a section you manage as “a good piece of gear.” Continue reading →