Side Trips from Ft. HoodIn the Field at Ft. Hood TXImagine dust, heat, and flies; imagine gale force winds whipping up flames that chase you across the road or a stream if you can find one; and imagine that when it rains, it rains dirt because a rainstorm from the south has met a dust-storm from the west. Now after imagining all this, try to find a name for this scene from Dante. If you can't come up with a name, feel free to borrow the name Killeen, as in Killeen Texas. Being assigned to Ft. Hood meant having to operate an armored personnel carrier, something I hadn't done since the early 80s in Germany. On top of remembering all that I had forgotten about APCs, I had to learn my sixth different mortar, the old four-deuce (M30 4.2 inch 107mm Mortar.) The APCs were older than the soldiers operating them, and the mortars were older than me.
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NTC, Ft. Irwin CA 1993 & 1994While assigned to 1-7 Cav, I was drafted to be the First Sergeant during my second rotation to the National Training Center while at Ft. Hood. B Troop consisted of 2 Tank Platoons with 8 M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, 2 Cavalry Scout Platoons with 12 M3A1 Bradly Scout Vehicles, a 4.2 inch Mortar Section with 3 M106 Mortar Carriers, a Mechanic Section, and a Headquarters Section. My commander had his own M1A1 Abrams Tank, and the XO had his own M3A1 Bradly. The authorized strength of the Troop was 130 troopers. Additionally during the rotation, I had the responsibility for Combat Engineers, Air Defense Artillery, Forward Observers, Ammunition and Fuel Handlers, and Truck Drivers. All told, at times I was responsible for almost 250 soldiers. How many Cavalry Troops have ever had an Infantryman as a First Sergeant?.
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Austin, TXOnly 60 miles south of Ft. Hood is the Texas Capital, Austin. This is a wonderful city--great food, four universities, and Cellis and Shiner Boch Beer. Had I had any inclination to retire in Texas, I would have moved to Austin. My wife and I went there as much as possible.
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Fredericksburg TXFredericksburg is a lovely town about 30 miles west of Austin. The town has a German atmosphere and hosts several festivals each year. The last time that I was there was for the 50 year anniversary of the end of W.W.II. There was a parade that was billed as the "Last W.W.II Victory Parade." While there I saw former President George H. W. Bush (#41) and then Governor and future President George W. Bush (#43). Fredericksburg, Texas Official Home Page
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San Antonio TXIf you get the opportunity to visit San Antonio, you must go there. The city resounds with its Mexican heritage, and the people are exceptionally friendly. San Antonio Page
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