‘Vanguard’ Battalion handles supply responsibility around the clock

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Marcus Chatman, a truck driver with distribution platoon, Company F, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division – Center and a Detroit native, guides a vehicle during an equipment delivery in Baghdad. (Photo by: Spc. William Ermatinger)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

02.18.2011

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

BAGHDAD — For the soldiers with distribution platoon, Company F, 1st “Vanguard” Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, working late takes on a whole new meaning as they are responsible for delivering vital goods to forward operating bases throughout the Baghdad area.

The distribution platoon is composed of truck drivers, fuel handlers and cooks. They are always on call to provide logistical support to any location where the “Vanguard” Battalion operates.

“We roll” is the platoon’s motto — and for good reason.

On average, the platoon’s vehicles log nearly 1,000 miles per month, said Staff Sgt. Jason Thorpe, platoon sergeant of distribution platoon, Company F, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment and a Roxboro, N.C., native.

Thorpe, who has been in the Army for 13 years and is on his third deployment, worked with his platoon while at Fort Riley, Kan., to ensure they were properly prepared for the deployment.

“We conducted weapons qualification ranges, truck gunnery and battle drills to get ready, but the best training we have received is the training we conducted at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La.,” he said.

As U.S. forces in Iraq have shifted to supporting the advise, train and assist mission, the support for logistics missions has improved. For the distribution platoon, they are supported with an element from an infantry section.

“The infantry section has proven to be a combat multiplier for the platoon and [helped] bring an infantry mentality to our combat logistics patrols,” Thorpe said.

In addition to being responsible for supplying other bases, the platoon provides day-to-day logistical support at Camp Taji, Iraq. They operate a fuel point, deliver food and move equipment on the base.

It can be challenging to develop team building and keep soldiers motivated with the fast-paced schedule. Fortunately for the platoon, they have experience and cohesion, as nearly half of the soldiers and non-commissioned officers were previously deployed together in Baghdad, from 2008 to 2009.

Sgt. Marcus Chatman, ammunition squad leader with distribution platoon, Company F, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment and a Detroit native, is one of the more experienced noncommissioned officers in the platoon. He is a 12-year-veteran of the Marine Corps and a four-year-veteran of the Detroit police department.

Chatman, originally a maintenance manager in the Marine Corps, is now a truck driver, in charge of eight soldiers within the platoon.

“I have worked for a lot of good non-commissioned officers in my career and I try to pass the good leadership traits to my soldiers,” Chatman said. “I enjoy developing and taking care of my soldiers and am honored to be a part of closing out the mission in Iraq.”

For the junior soldiers in the platoon, this deployment has proven to be both challenging and rewarding.

Pfc. Christopher Rivera, a Waipahu, Hawaii, native, is on his first deployment. At 32 years old, Rivera is older than most of his peers, but sets a great example for the younger soldiers to follow.

Rivera’s positive mentality and outlook help to keep morale high throughout the platoon, Thorpe said.

“I have great leadership to follow and the [non-commissioned officers] push us to new limits,” Rivera said. “I am proud that I am here doing my job, serving my country, and making a better life for my family.”

• Date Taken: 02.18.2011
• Date Posted: 02.18.2011 07:34
• Story ID: 65662
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ