I left Camp Shelby, Mississippi somewhere around the 14th of May as part of the advanced party. In the words of Colonel Patrucci, 205th RCAG Commander, our purpose was to establish "ground truth." Now with over three weeks here in Afghanistan, the situational reality is becoming very clear. From the Brigades hub in Kabul and all of its pleasantries of home, to the dust, pit toilets, and satellite phones in the forward operating bases (FOBs), the greatest challenge that faces any command, and now Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix V (CJTFP-V) is the pit fall of two army's: the army of politics in the rear, and the army of soldiers on the front.

I think it best to begin by example. The Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) is one of the badges of war. In the past is has meant that a soldier was involved in direct engagements with an enemy force. During the time that I served, a soldier wearing a CIB meant he had usually been in Vietnam, that he had been involved with more enemy contact than he probably wished to remember, and that he carried with him experience and battle wisdom that might save a future soldier's life. Sadly in this day, from examples set by some of the more senior leadership, the CIB has been awarded too often as a victory prize. The regulations written to preserve the award are often interpreted and reinterpreted by various of levels of command simply to ensure that during a given tour in a combat theatre, that they will not return home without their badge.

On our way down to Kandahar from Kabul, our group was joined by a young Second Lieutenant from Camp Phoenix, Task Force Phoenix IV. He had been behind a desk for 11 months, and now with less than three weeks in country before he rotated back to the states and to his home, he was flying down to seek out some of the most dangerous places in the region. We talked a bit about his reasons and desires. He had a mission, but his motivation for his journey was clear... he had set out to acquire a CIB before he returned. A few weeks later I ran into him again at one of the FOBs in southern Afghanistan. After a brief hello, he added, "Well at least I got my CIB." For those that have sacrificed, and continue to sacrifice, the CIB is best described by a Sergeant First Class I ran into while in Kandahar. Opening his top desk drawer he removed a new CIB pin, still in its box. As he held the black rifle surrounded by a wreath in his hand, he looked to the group that was standing near me and said, "This will find you; you don't have to seek it out. And when it does, you may wish you had never found it." And make no mistake, for those that have earned that badge in positions that have demanded of them to place their life second and their duty to service and country first, they wear that badge with honor. Unfortunately, those that have truly earned it seldom tell their stories, for those were private moments of pain, fear, and sacrifice where words fall short.

I guess my views are fairly transparent. I have little respect or patience for those that seek the medals and forget that their mission, no matter what assignment, is an important part of the groups success. Every one of these soldiers should hold their head high and consider themselves heros for just being here. For those that intentionally seek that badge, there is a name, "Badge warriors," and they are not only a risk to themselves, but risk those around them in their efforts to claim a symbolic prize. Yet this rather lengthy discussion of the CIB is important, for it is representative of the two Army's I mentioned at the beginning. What I have witnessed here in my first three weeks has been an disturbing disconnect between the Task Force Phoenix command in Kabul and those engaged on the ground and in the areas of most forward operations.

Task Force Phoenix (TFP) is an ongoing rotation. The command for TFP resides in Kabul, with operational areas throughout Afghanistan. Life in the command areas in Kabul is relatively safe; in spite of the recent media hype of riots and car bombs, the personnel in Kabul reside behind layers of fortifications and security. Life there is almost routine, with regular work schedules only scuttled by the occasional, if not rare, attack. For the most part, the war is a distant reality, talked about by those that return on occasion from the forward operating areas. The time in between is passed by the duties to work, coffee at the post coffee shop and the occasional visit to Dairy Queen. Its not uncommon to find soldiers in the TFP headquarters area that have spent their entire tour within the confines of the compounds walls.

Contrast that with life in the more forward areas of operation. Attacks and IED's are a daily reality. While the commanders of these FOBs work hard to ensure that some of the comforts of home are available to the soldiers, life in these locations is simpler and by necessity more self-reliant. Staffing at these FOBs is efficient, with resources allocated to fulfill the intended mission: to train and mentor the Afghan National Army. Yet during the past months, these forward commanders have been getting less and less support from their upper command. Forward commanders have had to send out teams to bring forward their own supplies, taxing limited resources and diverting precious time and energies to supply tasks that should be handled by the TFP's own logistics teams. Additionally frustrating are shortages in needed supplies for these most forward units that the TFP's Kabul command has in abundance or has and is not using and could send forward. The understanding of what Colonel Patrucci has stated as the “ground truth” is lacking.

Take another example, SGT Powell. He is part of the TFP-IV, and like that Lieutenant I mentioned above, heading home in a few weeks. Sgt. Powell is the convoy commander at the FOB I am currently at. Soft spoken and always with a smile, he has previously served a tour in Iraq and has seen more combat than most people twice his age. Sgt. Powell is 23 years old. You'll never see a CIB pin on his battle uniforms. His focus is always the safety of his men first. A few months ago he was involved in a protracted fire fight in southern Afghanistan, and after having the requested air support diverted for the second time, he fell back on his primary training, pulling the mortar tubes from the back of his Humvee to provide the needed indirect fire to save his troops. Yet when word of his heroism reached his command in Kabul, their first reaction was to try and remove the very mortars from his control that had been a vital part of his success. Here again the command lacked "ground truth," or situational reality.

Over the past year, TFP-IV has made some solid successes. From my perspective, however, in these final months they have become complacent and more focussed on returning home. The words of my father come to mind, "The most dangerous part of your journey is the last five miles from home." And it is here, at that point, where we have arrived. In a war zone, it is not about the medals you carry home, or simply completing the mission. Success in an operation of this nature, where the mission doesn't end, but continues with hand-offs to other units, requires that the critique is harsh and the lessons are passed on for others to learn. As Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix-V assumes command, their success will be a measure of this new command’s willingness to listen and adjust to the observations and recommendations of its advanced party commanders. Whether CJTFP-V will avoid some of the pitfalls of TFP-IV remains to be seen. The key remains in maintaining "ground truth."

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Shortly after posting this blog, Sgt. Powell stopped by my room to let me know that he was heading home. He had been docketed to lead an up coming convoy that I will be in. The news, in his words, still had his "head spinning." I continue to be amazed at how quickly we build bonds out here. I have only known Sgt. Powell for about a week, yet I have gained a respect for his knowledge and professionalism as if I had been with him for months.

I consider it a fortunate event that I was on the last convoy that he lead. In that convoy, I had requested to ride in the turret of the Humvee. On our return, two Colonels gave their okay. However, Sgt. Powell stood firm on his conviction that it was not a choice he could support in his convoy in regards to my safety. With two Colonels pressing him to change his position, Sgt. Powell held his line and professionally upheld his responsibilities as a convoy commander. The Colonels conceded, with the caveat, "You've got balls Sergeant. Good job;" the Command Sergean Major gave him a pat on the back. I will always push that window of safe to gain access to better images. That said, I too have extended my compliments to Sgt. Powell. Though my request was denied, I had greater respect for this man's conviction to his job and his responsibilities. That is a rare trait in this day in age.

The picture at the top of the blog is that of Sgt. Powell on his final convoy. It was his final look at the mountains here in southern Afghanistan. After posting the picture, I had remarked to myself that my choice of a photo had a feeling of farewell. Little did I know at that time that those thoughts would become a reality. So tonight Sgt. Powell and I said good-bye. I wish him well. Travel safe.

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Copyright, Scott Kesterson- 2006

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