Depending on who you speak to in the US Army, everyone has their opinion as to which units are the best within our ranks. I have served in both the 3rd Infantry Division and the 1st Infantry Division. They are both great units, with incredible histories that continue to be written. There are many other Divisions in the US Army that have distinguished themselves in their own way. However, in my personal opinion, the 101st Airborne Division is the best. I have always been fond of the unit. Their air assault capabilities are legendary, which gives them the advantage in my book. Again, just my personal opinion.
Now, depending on who you speak to in the US Army, everyone has their opinion on career paths. Everyone heads their differing directions after commissioning, depending on what they want to do in the Army and/or Life. It's no secret that the Infantry branch tends to breed many of the senior leaders in the Army. This is for many reasons, too numerous and controversial to list here.
Within each branch, their are several different staff paths you can take. The optimal career path, and by far most challenging (when not in Command) is Operations...which in the staff world is referred to as the "S3." The S3 position is usually the stepping stone toward the next level of command. It is busy, stressful and to quote my current boss...if you come out of it with any friends, you haven't done your job.
Understanding this backdrop, you can perhaps appreciate the honor that it was when the 101st AIRBORNE Commander (Major General Campbell/call sign EAGLE 06) and S3 (Colonel Woods/call sign EAGLE 03) came out to OP2 to visit with us about BULL WHIP. It was an interesting visit, and very memorable.
COL Corell awaiting EAGLE 06's arrival.
Dropping off EAGLE 03 & EAGLE 06.
From left to right, EAGLE 03, EAGLE 06 and COL Corell (RED BULLS 06). COL Corell briefed the 101st on our current operations in the Gaulch.
Everyone had their own maps...we were literally trying to get everyone on the same "sheet."
Pic of me taken by a public affairs combat cameraman. I wasn't quite sure what to do, so I got out of the way for the initial part of the brief.
RED BULLS 06, EAGLE 06 and EAGLE 03.Soon after this picture was taken, EAGLE 06 and RED BULLS 06 wandered off to discuss Command topics. That left COL Woods (EAGLE 03) and myself. COL Woods looked at me and said, "Get over here Vandy, time for a couple of old S3's to talk." (Wasn't aware that I was an 'old' S3, however I was beginning to feel like one after the planning of BULL WHIP).
COL Woods spread his map out over the rocks, looked over toward the two Commanders, then said in a hushed voice, "Everyone knows those guys only do what we come up with, so lets figure the next few weeks out while we have time." The next 20 minutes were fascinating blur, and a moment I'll probably never forget. Not to be overly dramatic...but the opportunity to stand in enemy territory, pour over a map and have a REAL discussion about current and future operations with EAGLE 03 was not lost on me. It was also reassuring to hear the 101st's true opinion of how BULL WHIP was going...they were extremely pleased.
Fog poured in while they were at OP2...and I was really hoping they wouldn't get stuck up there with us. It was an honor to have them stop by, but you can only keep a General occupied for so long.
Of all times for locals with their goats to wander into the perimeter...
EAGLE 06 & EAGLE 03 departure from OP2.
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