Worked Late at FedEx...Gotta get everyone ready

Worked at FedEx – Worked Late. I also created a Desert Survival Handbook, and gathered information about our probable AOR. I received my MOB order today. I Mobilize on 25 July 2004 with Troop A, 98th CAV.



Captain Ferguson from the CAV Troop is in a quandary as to what to do in order to accommodate me and my platoon. Here is a Memorandum from him regarding this issue:



DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

TROOP A, 98TH CAVALRY

MISSISSIPPI ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

POST OFFICE BOX 70

HERNANDO, MS 38632



20 July 2004





MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD



SUBJECT: A Troop 98th Cavalry Armor Platoon Sergeant (Para 104 Lin 02)





1. 14 January 2004 – An email was sent from SFC Adams, the Readiness NCO, to eternally fill the non-selected slot with SSG Carlton Williams, STPA control number 0301199L.



2. 4 June 2004 – SFC Adams informed me that he was directed by state to reannounce the position because the position had expired. SFC Adams also informed me that state stated that they had not received the request to fill the slot in question with SSG Williams. SFC Adams has provided a copy of the email requesting the action.



3. 08 June 2004 – I was informed that Troop A/98th Cav would be receiving the scout platoon from 2-198th Armor to cross-level into a platoon vacancy. Our fourth scout platoon was vacant except for the platoon sergeant’s crew and wing mans crew. The platoon sergeant is SFC Adams.



4. 06 July 2004 – I was informed by the Brigade Commander, through the Brigade CSM and the Troop’s full-time personnel, that I would have to accept 2-198th Armor’s scout platoon sergeant, SFC Taylor. No solution was provided on what to do with SFC Adams.



5. 08 July 2004 – I went to Brigade Headquarters inquired to the Brigade Deputy Commander, as my First Sergeant and Readiness NCO did to the Brigade Command Sergeant Major, what to do with SFC Adams since his UMR slot had been given to SFC Taylor. I recommended to the DBC that I move SFC Adams into the vacant armor platoon sergeant slot since the deployed mission of 19K’s and 19D’s within the Troop would be transparent. The DBC agreed.



6. 20 July 2004 – I was informed by SFC Adams that his slot had been filled via STPA with SSG Wells from 1-198th Armor, even though we did not request the position to be announced for the second time.



7. Recommendation – Since it is Brigade’s directive, as addressed by the Brigade CSM, that cross-leveling supercede STPA, I recommend that SSG Wells be placed in the rear DUIC and that SFC Adams functions as the platoon sergeant. Upon returning from active duty, SSG Wells assumes the platoon sergeant position. SFC Adams is a qualified platoon sergeant and has been training with the Troop for 18 months. The platoon in question is also receiving a new second lieutenant as a platoon. I believe by placing this platoon with an inexperienced platoon leader and an inexperience platoon sergeant will have adverse affects in training and in a combat zone. Leaving SFC Adams in this platoon sergeant slot is the right thing to do.



8. The point of the contact is CPT Robert D. Ferguson at (662) 429-6333 or robert.d.ferguson@us.army.mil.











ROBERT D. FERGUSON

CPT, AR, MSARNG

Commanding