CONVOY TRIVIA

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 1:48 am

In the late 30s as the Army was getting more mechanized and establishing maintenance procedures, the trucks that were used as support vehicles for servicing motor vehicle operations were refered to as "trouble trucks" and were either winch equipped or boom equipped. The maintenance standards for Army trucks were centered on PM and maintence inspections, including "command inspections" where specialists from higher command would schedule inspections of a units vehicles to ensure that they were being maintained.

To be continued.

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 2:05 am

The bridge classification plate was usually painted onto the bumper during the Korean War period.

armydriver · Post by **armydriver** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 6:25 am

Convoys are supposed to be based upon the speed of the slowest vehichles or it would get strung out by miles. When I was in the infantry we had the hardest time getting the pace or lead vehicles, normally an M151 to go slow enough for the rest of the trucks to keep up.
I run into the same thing now when we convoy somewhere. The guys in the jeeps take off without regard to the rest of the convoy. The last one we made of 10 miles to the Randolph AFB show from the rally point, I appointed myself the pace vehicle, with the halftrack behind me. The jeeps and weapons carriers behind the halftrack. We all got to the main gate at the same time and it was an impressive show for both the Air Force security police, which just waved us through, and all of the civilian vehicles that waited for our convoy to pass. Lots of thumbs ups and horn honking.

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:38 am

Convoys should have a command structure, and the First Sgt, CO or XO would normally be up front, Motor Sgt will be last, we are talking Motor March. Command vehicles will have Radios.Remember good soldiers have discipline and a lot of training. There is always some variation within the extremes and an "accordian" action sometimes happens.

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:43 am

Collectors may not exercise the discipline of a true military convoy, as there will be some cowboys. There is an annual convoy of enthusiasts that travel Missouri State, it goes well as the organizer is a Military officer and all concerns are looked after. I forget the name of the reserve Officer who puts this event together.

armydriver · Post by **armydriver** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:42 am

I understand that. With a CCKW and a half track in front of everything else there is no problem with taking off.

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 12:14 pm

This is why I sometimes use the term "playing soldier."

There is a character at Lowell that leaves in his Multifuel and speed shifts it thru all 5 gears in 100'. I would love to unclamp the gearshift lever sometime. I certainly would not want his truck when he sells it.

dr deuce · Post by **dr deuce** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 6:54 pm

Two other problems with HMV convoys:

If smaller vehicles and Jeeps are in front, they do not realise that you man need to take a run at the nex hill in sight and keep plodding along at 30 mph preventing you from getting up a head of steam.

A lot of times the Jeeps etc take the 'easy' parking spaces at a destination like a restaurant. I usually radio to them to let the big trucks park 1st.

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 7:15 pm

There are plusses from having a military back ground, it is called discipline.

pfarber · Post by **pfarber** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 7:49 pm

joel gopan wrote:There are plusses from having a military back ground, it is called discipline.

I thought mom & dad had more to do with it.

Navy didn't teach me discipline, it did teach me tolerance (but thats a whole 'nutter story)

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 8:16 pm

Mom and Dad only can do so much, but there is a point when they have to wave good bye at the Bus terminal. The Military sort of gives a soldier Polarity, and hones human beings into the ways of good soldiers. It is amazing what one realizes they really can accomplish once the Civilian finally becomes a soldier, some adapt real well and love it, others do just fine and serve well. You only are what you make of it.

armydriver · Post by **armydriver** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 5:27 pm

certainly you are not implying that others in our hobby have no displine are you Joel. You are not the only former military person that participates in this hobby, to my knowledge.

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 6:23 pm

Some practice the military habits they learned even in civilian life, some left them all at the main gate. Ask my truck, it is still GI, it follows 100% of what is in the TM and SNL.

armydriver · Post by **armydriver** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 9:54 pm

I can't say that about my truck. It is what I want it to be, just like the photo of the jeep we always see General Patton riding around in that was armoured plated and had air horns on the hood, it was what he wanted it to be. Some of us like to march to a different drummer. That does not make us any less military, just more creative.

armydriver · Post by **armydriver** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 10:02 pm

About a month before my retirement ceremoney a classmate of mine and close friend remarked on his retirement that he had taken a year before me. He was a Naval Captain and had commanded several ships over the years. He pointed out to me that the quicker I became Mr. and not Colonel the quicker I would adjust to civilian life. He went on to say that most civilians don't care about what your rank was in the military, they want to discuss business with you on a personal basis.
I took that advise and entered teaching . On the first day of my employment at my new high school I found out that there were five retired Colonels, four retired Lt. Colonels , one active Colonel in the Army Reserves and two retired Command Sergeant Majors on the faculty. We were all called Mr or Ms. and no one was ever addressed by former rank.
A system that has worked quite well for some time now.

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 11:20 am

Convoy disipline is cleaning and servicing your truck asap after operations as per the TM. All TMs have an after operations service section. Combat conditions may change the procedure a bit.

armydriver · Post by **armydriver** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 2:13 pm

Thank goodness I have not been in a ground combat situation since 1965/66. I can tell you for a fact, it was never a pleasant experience. It looks like a lot more fun in the movies. no one really dies.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 2:44 pm

Hi AD,

If you don't mind me asking which unit were you in? you mention that you flew choppers and 65/66 and the words Ia Drang and the First of the Ninth spring to mind.I know there were many other units involved as well so please forgive me if I'm speaking out if line.

Matt.

armydriver · Post by **armydriver** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 7:09 pm

In 1965 I was a platoon leader in the 2nd Batallion 7th Cavalry 1st Cavalry Division. After my stint in Nam as an infantry officer I got a slot in flight school and later ended up as a medical evacuation pilot in my second tour.
I became very familair with the Ia Drang Valley in November of 1965. A lot more familair than I really ever thought I wanted to be.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 4:22 am

AD,I have the greatest respect for you guys.I guess you knew Rick Rescorla? (For those who don't know, Rick Rescorla was a Platoon leader in B co,2/7th Cav.He served in Vietnam including the battle of the Ia Drang Valley. He was born in Cornwall,England in 1939 and died in the attack on the world trade center on September 11th.)

Matt.

The GMC CCKW

CONVOY TRIVIA

CONVOY TRIVIA

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