Joint Base Lewis–McChord (JBLM)

[rcaf_777]

Anyone on here been there? I am going there in a few weeks, and wonder what to expect?

[mpipes]

I was stationed at Fairchild AFB in the late 80s.

Hope like clouds and rain. Should have lots of both.

[pmulcahy11b]

I unfortunately have no current information on that base(s); in 1987, the last time I was there (at Lewis; at that time, they were separate bases), I remember fog in most of the mornings in the TAs, but the day usually brightned up around 10AM and the fog burned off shortly thereafter. Then, it was mostly nice days (I was there in the Fall, BTW.) Take light cold-weather gear -- it tends to be a bit chilly, especially at night, in the morning, and at dusk.

[rcaf_777]

Thanks Paul, I the weather info is great. I bring my PT belt so I won't get yelled at. A lot of my unit is still trying to figure out the Sgt ranks, what is the first Sgt? why is he/she first? Is there a second Sgt?

All I know if see bars, clusters brids or stars I salute

[Desert Mariner]

I spent my high school years in the area (Spanaway). Weather isn't as bad as folks make it out to be. Just remember, Washingtonians don't tan, they rust.
Traffic in the Puget Sound area is beyond terrible. Depending on how long you're there, the base had an area on American Lake for boating/swimming that was pretty great. Best thing about the area IMHO, was getting up into the Cascades, Mt Rainier is a easy drive.

Dave

[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by rcaf_777

All I know if see bars, clusters brids or stars I salute

And stand at parade rest when conversing with Sergeants who outrank you -- you'll make a good impression that way, since most other countries don't do it.

The First Sergeant is the top NCO in a Company -- thus, the "First" Sergeant. Always address one as First Sergeant -- no better way to set a First Sergeant on a high boil than addressing him as simply "Sergeant." (He has three chevrons over three rockers and a diamond in the middle.) The same goes for the Sergeant Major, who has a star in the middle of the chevrons and rockers. Unless someone of higher rank is present, call to the area "At Ease!" and go to Parade Rest when the First Sergeant or Sergeant Major come into the area -- that'll impress them too, since again most countries don't do it.

[rcaf_777]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

And stand at parade rest when conversing with Sergeants who outrank you -- you'll make a good impression that way, since most other countries don't do it.

The First Sergeant is the top NCO in a Company -- thus, the "First" Sergeant. Always address one as First Sergeant -- no better way to set a First Sergeant on a high boil than addressing him as simply "Sergeant." (He has three chevrons over three rockers and a diamond in the middle.) The same goes for the Sergeant Major, who has a star in the middle of the chevrons and rockers. Unless someone of higher rank is present, call to the area "At Ease!" and go to Parade Rest when the First Sergeant or Sergeant Major come into the area -- that'll impress them too, since again most countries don't do it.

Good to know, it a Muilt-National Exercise that I'm going on US CAN UK AU, and NZ Troops, so it will be interesting to see what we are told when we arrive. I will be in the rear with the gear so I don't see many US First Sergeant or Sergeant Major coming into my office and I will be sharing with a Captain, so........

I wonder how US army mess hall food theses days

[Targan]

There will be Aussies and Kiwis there? I hope the local drinking establishments have ordered extra booze.

[rcaf_777]

Originally Posted by Targan

There will be Aussies and Kiwis there? I hope the local drinking establishments have ordered extra booze.

The good news is yes they have, the bad news it's all American beer

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by rcaf_777

American beer

You can't use those two words together. It's heretical.

[pmulcahy11b]

Here's another one: Warrant Officers are to be addressed as "Sir" or "Mister," but if you are friendly with them, you can usually get away with calling them "Chief"
(whether they are a WO1 or CWO). And you do salute them.

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

Here's another one: Warrant Officers are to be addressed as "Sir" or "Mister," but if you are friendly with them, you can usually get away with calling them "Chief"
(whether they are a WO1 or CWO). And you do salute them.

Which is different to Australia where warrant officers are called Sir, but don't you dare salute them!

[rcaf_777]

Leaving Sunday, wish me luck, is the wall built yet?

[rcaf_777]

Well, I'm back, is there any interest in hearing about the exercise scenario? or how things played out?

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by rcaf_777

Well, I'm back, is there any interest in hearing about the exercise scenario? or how things played out?

Spill it.

[rcaf_777]

The exercise was a US-led Multi-National Force (Canada, UK, Aust, NZ) fighting a near-peer enemy (China) after they invade a neighbor (Japan) we had French and Singapore Observers and visit from NATO

The goal was to test the new US army capabilities in command and control that would online in 2028.

The UK took 1600 casualties the first day due to fast air attacks, Canada faired the same and lost most of our US loaned avenger systems

They threw in Cyclones and a solar flare so we lost air assets and communications

In other news, two Australians were arrested in route to the EX in Hawaii for unknown alcohol-related reasons.

and on a personal note, I HATE MRE's and US army operations make me wonder how they do well in war.

I did get a brand new pair of Combat Boots for a bottle of Maple Suryp. I think if I had another bottle I could have got a Hummer!

[swaghauler]

Originally Posted by rcaf_777

The exercise was a US-led Multi-National Force (Canada, UK, Aust, NZ) fighting a near-peer enemy (China) after they invade a neighbor (Japan) we had French and Singapore Observers and visit from NATO

The goal was to test the new US army capabilities in command and control that would online in 2028.

The UK took 1600 casualties the first day due to fast air attacks, Canada faired the same and lost most of our US loaned avenger systems

They threw in Cyclones and a solar flare so we lost air assets and communications

In other news, two Australians were arrested in route to the EX in Hawaii for unknown alcohol-related reasons.

and on a personal note, I HATE MRE's and US army operations make me wonder how they do well in war.

I did get a brand new pair of Combat Boots for a bottle of Maple Suryp. I think if I had another bottle I could have got a Hummer!

Trust me, you don't want a hummer.

As for the issues with command and control, those are common in US units. It's a problem because the higher ranks fought the War on Terror from air-conditioned TACOMS (bunkers) instead of being "on the ground." It is this remote leadership that was responsible for things like outpost Keating being located in a valley surrounded by mountains. Or not having enough Apaches to escort other aircraft in country. We are still plagued by "armchair commanders" who lack actual up close combat experience like our Cold War commanders had in Vietnam as squad leaders.

MREs SUCK. The Veggie Omelet (known as the Vomelet) was particularly bad. Just remember the Army's "food purification kit." That's would be Black Pepper and Frank's Redhot Sauce. You can make ANYTHING edible if you just put enough Black Pepper and Frank's Redhot on it... anything EXCEPT the Vomelet!

[Targan]

Originally Posted by rcaf_777

In other news, two Australians were arrested in route to the EX in Hawaii for unknown alcohol-related reasons.

Bahahahahaha... yeah, that'd be right

[rcaf_777]

Originally Posted by Targan

Bahahahahaha... yeah, that'd be right

This is the first conversation I had with the Australians

Me: Hey I hear everything in your country and can kill you

Australian: That right mate which way to the bar

Me: That way