Life in 'the three shop'/Soldiers offer support through battlefield operations

Courtesy Photo | Spc. Kevin Gilbert, a native of Pontotoc, Miss., sits in the gunner's hatch while awaiting training exercises in May 2008. Gilbert is a member of the 890th Engineer Battalion S3, 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.06.2008

Courtesy Story

926th Engineer Brigade

By Spc. Kevin Gilbert
926th Engineer Brigade

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – From the radio transmission operator, to the command post of the future operator, battle non-commissioned officer, and the battle captain, life in the S3 shop has its complicated days and days that are a little more relaxed.

When first arriving at Camp Liberty back in June, the 890th Engineer Battalion from Gulfport, Miss., had a lot of work to do. There was catching up to do with the 107th Engineer Battalion out of Ishpeming, Mich. The S3 shop was very busy with transitioning and had to be updated with the happenings around Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

Spc. Kevin Gilbert and Spc. Ramiro Guerrero, both of the 890th Engineer Battalion, were assigned as CPOF operators and at first were a little weary about running the system. In no time, they were familiar with the battle rhythms and were learning what it takes to become masters in all they were assigned. They also learned how to draw up maps and overlays, add icons, track route clearance patrols, present threat briefs, and plot grids.

Being a CPOF operator has its slow days, as well as its fast-paced crazy days. The S3 would soon learn how to perform many tasks. When it was time, members of the S3 would be on top of their game, by learning how to review threat briefs in under ten minutes, print them off, and finally, brief the mission that needed the critical information.

Working with the CPOF has taught members of the S3 a lot about computers and the different programs that are used to successfully disseminate information. Not only are these guys learning a trait to help them further their military careers, but gaining the knowledge that might one day even benefit them in their civilian futures as well.

As an RTO and blue force tracker operator, one must be very focused and prepared to work at a high-tempo of speed. Spc. Guerrero says, "Being the RTO and BFT operator is probably one of the most active jobs in the three shop."

As the RTO, one must monitor numerous radios, log information about the RCPs, and then call up the information up to higher. In doing this job, paying attention at all times is very critical because things might come across and can be missed easily without proper situational awareness. Tasks such as logging information about Castle Iron Claw (engineer units) departing and returning back to base are necessary due to the fact that issues could happen outside the wire or even inside the wire. The activity rate can be slow, and then other times, an operator can become swamped when happenings are all called in at once.

The BFT operator monitors all the CICs that are outside the wire. An operator can also send and receive messages to and from the CICs in order to get updates, relay information, and let the Soldiers on mission know if they are on point with their routes. In doing this job, one must be prepared and pay close attention, especially when messages come in. Nothing about missions is predictable and anything serious can come through at any given time. Just like the RTO and CPOF operator, the BFT has its days, but Soldiers must continue to drive on.

These jobs aren't complicated, but they require commitment and focus. The perks of the job outweigh the chaos due to the fact that members of the S3 work inside under the air conditioner and are provided an environment that is quite, in order to maintain concentration for the missions' success.

Life in the three shop is more or less easy as long as the Soldiers are prepared to work. As Spc. Gilbert jokingly says, "You never know when there'll be an NCO or officer sneak up behind you and gift you a swift kick in the rear if you're not on top of your game. That's why when someone asks how the day is going in the three shop we reply with 'just another day in the office'."

• Date Taken: 08.06.2008
• Date Posted: 09.01.2008 22:07
• Story ID: 23098
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ