well my review is, good idea, poorly executed.
Lets see......
Saturday-We had a bus, then we didn't, then we did to take us to our VCP. Then we went to get stores, but there wasn't any......then there was at the last second. First VCP was in a stupid position, though good role playing good scenario.
Second VCP, very well done on the part of, we had proper stores, had transport on time, great scenarios. Even though I don't know how I got shot when the UMP that said I was shot, said it came from the guy I put 4 rounds into his chest, and 2 in the face, before he even had his rifle up(deadly force authorized because they tried to run through the "wire" even though there was a troop on the other side[endagering life of friendly]). So shot in the chest, took the medics over 10 minutes to make the 100m run from there position(they might have been sleeping??).
Sunday- FUBAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well it started with us leaving for a HUMINT/presence patrol at 0130. We were supposed to get HUMINT from some guys in a village about an arms cache, then were were supposed to continue our patrol past the village, and back to the FOB. Well the role players didn't show up to do their job. So the section commanders and our platoon 2ic, didn't like it, so we very quickly humped our way back.
We were cleaned up, had our tents cleaned out by about 8am. Sat around until about 11. Moved over beside the gym with the rest of the company, sat around for another 2 hours. At about 12, we had to go make sure the tents were clean, and make sure all the sand bags were pointed in the same direction??(wtf? were told it is a meaford thing, the guy in out unit that works with the PATs there, said he had never heard of it). At 1, we went back into the training area to pick up about half a bag of brass. We got back, some units had already left. About half an hour later we left...........all in bad moods.
Suggestions that MIGHT improve things:
Vehicles for each platoon.(there is a vehicle compond with LOTS of MLVWs in Meaford, not to mention the ones at each unit.) I don't know the cost difference in using these, as opposed to chartering school bus' to drive us around in realistic fashion.
Making sure your OPFOR is there. If you change your plans, tell the guys that are walking there, so they don't find out at 0230 that you decided not to go play .
Have enough food. They push and push us to all show up, then the one hot meal from the cooks, and they run out of food with like 100 people left.
Have stores available for the people that need them. There wasn't enough, and what we got, was all last second. Have the stuff ready to go, that's why you have an advance party.
Tactical?? Like mudeater said, wtf is with the BEW thing? I am going to get some toothpaste in my eye when I go to ablutions in the morning? or get a lukewarm egg puck in the eye while eating? They pick somethings that make sense to do(were BEW outside the line) and make it over the top, by making us were them EVERYWERE!!!.