I see that draft a-comin', it's rollin' round the bend...*
This can't be a good sign for the Army of One. They're returning a company, (Bravo Company) of the "Old Guard", the men and women who in this case do funeral duty at Arlington National Cemetary to combat duty. Don't get me wrong, they are proficient infantry troops in addition to being Masters at their difficult, precise and demanding (and it really is) ceremonial duties at Arlington. But it's a little scary to think that they are taking this group at this time for this reason (emphasis added);
For the U.S. Army's Old Guard, the war in Iraq has been one of ceremony: escorting the caskets of fallen soldiers as they arrive at Dover Air Force Base, serving at dozens of burials at Arlington National Cemetery, standing watch over the Tomb of the Unknowns.
In coming days, for the first time since the Vietnam War, a company of soldiers from this prestigious ceremonial unit will join the battle overseas, deploying to the Horn of Africa for the fight against terrorism.
Strained by combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as commitments in South Korea and the Balkans, the Army has ordered soldiers from the unit's Bravo Company to put their dress blues in the closet and don desert camouflage battle fatigues...
Yeah, they are needed; but isn't it interesting in light of all the soon-to-be-returning "not required" troops that they are 'activating' this unit. Army of One...hundred thirty thousand for Iraq and more required. Or am I missing something else here?
*To the tune of Folsom Prison Blues, Johnny Cash
posted by Jo Fish on 12.11.03 at 11:32 PM
Comments:
My husband is actually a team leader in Bravo Company, TOG. He has been in country for a month now and they are doing great things over there. Just because they haven't deployed as a unit in such a long time does not mean that no one in that unit has deployed or isn't in the capacity to do so. I have all the faith in the world in my husband as a proficeint 11B. I thought the same thing when he called me and told me they were deploying. I almost lead myself to believe that TOG is strictly a ceremonial unit which is simply not the case. They have been deploying individuals from the regiment for quite some time now and I knew it would only be a matter of time before he was called upon as well. I ask you not to look at their deployment as something to make you worry what the Army could possibly be thinking, but as their time to prove themselves as a real Infantry unit.
posted by: Ashleigh Robinson on 01.16.04 at 12:45 AM [permalink]
I echo Ashleigh's comments. As the mother of an Bravo Company "TOG" Solider, I would like to say that my son and his fellow soliders are not only well trained in the fight against terrorism, but eager to serve the USA! Bravo Company "TOG" continues to work hard everyday to improve the saftey and quality of life for those in Africa. They are doing great things and I believe were chosen in part due to their versitility. All military units, deployed or not have an essenital role. Words can not express the pride I feel for the current work my son's unit is doing. "TOG" has proven they can and will rise to any task requested of them.
posted by: Ms. Bo Smith on 02.13.04 at 01:22 PM [permalink]
