324th ITSB pre-deployment training critical

Army Communicator, Fall, 2006 by Greg Majewski

Newly formed sweat gently falls from his forehead. Eyes focus. Senses heighten. Hands firmly grip his weapon, scanning for possible enemy. The summer sun beats down from above. The extreme heat can sometimes play havoc with ones head, but the mission comes first. His teammates quickly move into position against a wall behind him. They move as one, they move as a team, always aware that their next move could bring enemy fire.

But then the command comes. "No not like that, you need to watch his six, remember to move forward but always watch where you have come from," says the instructor. Today it's only close quarters combat training on Fort Hood, Texas, but soon it could be the real thing.

It's not a task Soldiers from the 324th Integrated Theater Signal Battalion are usually accustomed to, but it's something every Soldier, no matter their job, may have to endure while operating in terrorist killing fields of Iraq.

The 324th is an Army Reserve Signal Battalion from Fort Gordon, Ga. The unit falls under the umbrella of the 335th Theater Signal Command based out of East Point, Ga.

For more than three years, the 335th has managed the largest telecommunications grid in the history of modern warfare, and soon one of its own will play an important role in maintaining that network.

"It's historic", said BG Geoff Freeman, brigade commander for the 324th's immediate higher headquarters, the 359th Signal Brigade. "We are the first battalion sized element to be mobilized under the 335th", said Freeman.

The easiest way to describe the capabilities of the 324th is to compare it to its civilian counterparts.

"Think of us as your telephone company, wireless provider, and internet source all wrapped up into one", said MAJ John Phillips, 324th battalion commander.

Phillips has spent most of the summer training up his battalion for their upcoming year-long mission in Iraq. His mission: to raise a sense urgency and attention to detail for his Soldiers.

"If a Soldier forgets to fill his or her canteen here it's no big deal, we can accommodate that," said Phillips. "But I want my officers to remember what happens if their soldier forgets to take their ammo before heading out on patrol over in Iraq; attention to detail must be paramount"

Nearly forty percent of the 324th has been pulled from other elements within the signal community. That's why officers have been taking full advantage of its train-up time to build a stronger working relationship within the battalion.

"We have many guys who have mobilized before, so they know what to expect", said Freeman. "We are taking that experience to help train those who will be deploying for the first time."

Training at Fort Hood has also allowed the battalion to build stronger morale by allowing these Signal soldiers to use a different set of skills they do not often get the opportunity to use.

"This is great training," said CPT John Mclain, C Company Commander. "Learning to clear a house of enemy and using basic Soldier skills has been a real motivator for my guys."

"This kind of training makes you appreciate what the guys over there are already doing", said SSG Karen Kendrick. "They had to go through the same training and now it's our turn to relieve them; it's showtime."

The 324th will replace one of three Signal battalions already operating in the Iraqi Theater It will be the first time in Army history that an incoming Signal battalion in a time of war will be totally from the Reserves.

"We are not the same Army or Army Reserve any more," said Freeman. "I've been telling everyone that eventually everyone will get their chance".

No matter what may lie ahead for the 324th, many of its Soldiers say they are ready to get it started, so they can get the mission done and come back home to their loved ones.

"I had to explain to my family that this is something very important for me, something I have always wanted to do," said 1LT Kizzy Goss, platoon leader. "To say that I have accomplished this and brought all my Soldiers home safely is my personal goal."

The 324th is expected to begin Signal operations in Iraq sometime in September.

CPT Majewski is a graduate of the Signal Officer Basic Course, the Signal Captain's Career Course-RC, and the Public Affairs Officer Course at the Department of Defense Information School. He is the public affairs officer for the 335th Theater Signal Command located in East Point, Ga., near Fort McPherson, Ga. In civilian life, Majewski is a meteorologist at a Atlanta TV station.