The Individual Augmentation program...

Bigmack

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Feb-04-07 02:10 AM
Original message

The Individual Augmentation program...

Friend has a son in the Navy... chopper pilot. (Ass and trash pilot.)

The Navy has sent him to an Army base for training, then he goes to Afghanistan to do something other than fly helicopters. Sounds like grunt training to me.

Anybody know about this?

I found a website for a naval unit that has "participated" in this program, and it looks like they're in grunt billets.

http://www.hsl43.navy.mil/IA/IA1.html

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

alittlelark

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Feb-04-07 02:19 AM
Response to Original message

1. I know a large # of Navy are being given Marine training

My nephew has the scoop. Glad he was rolled out for ear problems.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

silverweb

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Feb-04-07 02:43 AM
Response to Original message

2. Yes.

An acquaintence of my daughter's enlisted in the Navy a couple of years ago and has been sent for ground combat training. This is apparently a common thing now, according to him.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

nadinbrzezinski

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Feb-04-07 03:49 AM
Response to Original message

3. Ah lovely, we're now scrapping the bottom of the

proverbial barrel

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Bigmack

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Feb-04-07 10:06 AM
Response to Reply #3

4. The barrel thing...

That's exactly my problem with this "Individual Augmentation program".

This guy is definitely not the bottom of the barrel. He's trained as a helo pilot, and that cost us taxpayers a shitload (that's the fancy military term) of money to train.

If this guy is turned into a grunt and then gets turned into a pink mist by an IED, it will not only shatter his family, it will pour a lot of money and training down a rathole... oh.... wait... that's what this whole operation is doing... lives and money down the hole.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

hack89

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Feb-04-07 10:21 AM
Response to Reply #4

6. He was not turned into a grunt.

He probably filled a staff billet - most of the staffs in Iraq are Joint (ie all service) staffs. The problem with the Navy is that we do not have a cadre of officers dedicated to staff work and are forced to use programs like this to fill Navy billets. The Navy has always been resistant to supporting Joint requirements and are now paying the piper.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

hack89

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Feb-04-07 10:16 AM
Response to Original message

5. They are not being assigned to combat units ..

Edited on Sun Feb-04-07 10:16 AM by hack89

they are not being used in place of infantry or other combat arms soldiers or marines. Remember that for every one fighter in Iraq there are 5 or 6 others in support roles - these Navy folks are filling staff and other support billets. It is just that even support people are exposed to danger in Iraq and need basic weapons and combat skills to protect themselves. From talking to people who have undergone the training, it is primarily weapons and anti-ambush training. Just enough knowledge to get out of a jam.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Thu May 02nd 2024, 02:05 AM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.