Signal 'Predators' spread out to provide commo
by Staff Sgt. Jennifer K. Yancey
CAMP VIRGINIA, Kuwait (Army News Service, March 20, 2003) - For members of the tropospheric platoon of V Corps' 578th Signal Company, moving to points unknown is part of the reality of their mission.
These troops do not move as platoons, but as teams. So the mission of the platoon, whose soldiers specialize in providing long-range communications, often involves splitting platoon members up and attaching them to the various units they will support, said Capt. Chris Manning, the 578th's commander.
First-line leaders play a key role in movement, Manning added.
"Team leaders and chiefs provide their one and only resource on the ground...taking care of teams," said Manning. "Our soldiers are spread out to the four winds."
Prior to movement, the "TROPO teams" set up and test their equipment and ensure that the soldiers are mentally prepared for their missions, said Manning.
"This is not Graf(enwoehr Training Area, Germany)," said TROPO platoon sergeant Sgt. 1st Class Donald Williams. Soldiers may not find a post exchange to buy provisions or an Internet café to e-mail buddies back home. Leaders must ensure the teams are physically and mentally ready; that they have plenty of water and Meals, Ready to Eat, and that their equipment is serviceable, "before they roll out the gate."
As the "Predators," as the platoon members call themselves, prepared to head out on their scattered missions here, Williams, a 20-plus year Army veteran, implored his soldiers to stay flexible, or as he put it - to "assume Gumby Mode."
"Everything changes. You've got to be flexible, rather than getting mad. If not, you're going to break," Williams told his troops.
Before they rolled out, leaders also checked one last time to be sure the soldiers were proficient in their soldier skills.
"I'm confident in the training," said Spc. Clyde Monroe. "We've been trained by section sergeants, platoon sergeants, team chiefs, as well as each other.
"It should be second nature by now."
To prepare for the tasks ahead, Sgt. Eric Fynboe said he applies his training to "what if?" thinking. He likened it to a game of baseball: "What I do is put a certain situation in my head. When I'm out in left field and I get the ball, what do I do with it?"
As atropine injectors and ammunition were handed out and team members made their last pre-mission phone calls to loved ones, the reality of what might lie ahead began to settle in.
"We're in this foreign country," said Pfc. Thomas Tichy. "We're not in a controlled environment - something could kick off at any time."
Although Williams isn't making this trek with his soldiers, it was obvious he is on the mission in spirit.
"This is not like 6910 (a training area the unit uses at its home station), where the most that might happen is someone yells at you because you didn't get something straight," he said.
Many of the soldiers said breaking up the Predators is like splitting up a family.
Pfc. Sheldon Plummer has been with the Predators for a year: "I have a good working relationship with these people; they're like family."
"We have family backing us. If something did happen, there's someone there for us emotionally," Plummer added.
Come what may, team member Sgt. Allan Legaspi says the Predators are ready for it.
"We enlisted in the Army to set up 'comms' and serve our country," he said. "Here's a chance to show what we're made of."
(Editor's note: Staff Sgt. Jennifer K. Yancey is a member of the
22nd Signal Brigade Public Affairs team.)
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