Live from Iraq: CSM Andrews (Part II)

[This is Part II of a recent interview FbL conducted with 3rd Infantry Division Command Sergeant Major Andrews. Part I covered the new Iraqi NCO Academy and relationships between Iraqi officers and enlisted.]

In the second half of the interview, I asked Command Sergeant Major Andrews about the morale of 3ID soldiers and factors that can influence morale. Once again, he demonstrated a markedly positive outlook. His enthusiasm seemed limitless.

Surprisingly, CSM Andrews reported that morale has been on a rise overall, without any kind fall throughout their deployment. "I haven't seen a dip at all," he said. When I questioned him further, he said that it was a natural outgrowth of a successful mission, of soldiers seeing the positive results of their efforts in the AO. "When they are out and about and conducting patrols they see, 'Hey, look! We're making a difference!'" This keeps them motivated and wanting to do more to complete the mission. "They understand the mission."

CSM Andrews believes that the Combat Outposts and Patrol Bases are part of that constant good morale. COPs and PBs are constructed immediately after combat operations in a new area and "Once security is established...we build infrastructure for quality of life—amenities such as Internet connectivity, telephone networks and quality meals...We try to get everything we possibly can" out to the COPs and PBs. They are "pretty rough at first, but we try to overwhelm them with all the [amenities] we try to get out to them.” CSM Andrews emphasized that the COPs/PBs will never have the quality of life of the main bases, but there is a strong effort to make them technologically connected as soon as possible, and to add any amenities they can. This affects morale because the occupants are able to be in touch with family and friends as much as if they were on a big base. According to CSM Andrews, a number of soldiers have said they prefer the COPs because they feel comfortable with the living conditions while still having a meaningful mission. Out on the COPs "they can see the results of their hard work," and that is very motivating and morale-boosting.

The 3rd Infantry Division has had three deployments in the last five years, and I asked CSM Andrews if signs of strain from that operations tempo had been seen in the division. He
acknowledged that it was a demanding pace, but didn't believe it had put undue strain on things like retention. 3ID has had three mass re-enlistment ceremonies (150-300 soldiers) since arriving in Iraq. Less than halfway through the fiscal year, they are at 53% of their retention goal.

CSM Andrews also mentioned a strong Family Readiness Group as part of 3ID's resiliency in the face of so many deployments. "We have very well-organized FRGs. " He took obvious pride in describing the FRG's as well-integrated into the Division leadership, "It's really a seamless operation." For example, part of the deployed leadership's weekly video teleconferences with the Rear Detachments are devoted to specific updates for families about division activities that do not make the news, providing as much information as possible within OPSEC concerns. CSM Andrews added that home communities of 3ID/Taskforce Marne's soldiers have been an important part of meeting homefront/family needs--"We couldn't ask for better support!"

Another part of meeting homefront and family needs is caring for the wounded. CSM Andrews is obviously proud of efforts to maintain contact with and support for 3ID's wounded who are sent back home: "We have a very robust program when it comes to staying in touch with our wounded warriors." This includes an NCOIC and an assistant at every hospital that treats a wounded 3ID soldier, and the deployed leadership has weekly conversations with each NCOIC to identify any individual or group problems that can solved, ranging from pay problems to awarding purple hearts to general care. Additionally, CSM Andrews was emphatic about leadership's commitment to spending part of any leave or other trips back home visiting their wounded soldiers. He and Major General Lynch do this in particular, but it is strongly encouraged at other levels, too.

In closing, I asked what 3ID soldiers needed from Americans on the homefront. "Continue to keep us in thoughts/prayers and support us,” he requested. He wanted Americans to know the soldiers are "focused, extremely proud of what they are doing,” and emphasized that they are volunteers. "We will continue to do what we need to." He also expressed his appreciation for people who are interviewing and blogging about what is happening in Iraq. “The news gets distorted, or it’s not getting reported with the specificity you get talking to the leadership here... [So] we appreciate what you are doing on your blogs and with these interviews, etc."

I've only done two interviews so far, but that paragraph above is what I hear loud and clear from my interviewees and all involved in this process--they do not believe the truth and details of what is happening in 3ID's area of operations is getting through to America, which is why they are making themselves available to "little people" who both have a foundation of military knowledge and are not reflexively anti-military. I think they are right about the media. As I've watched the horrifying news from Northern Iraq these last few weeks--bombings, soldier deaths, etc--I couldn't help but realize that those important stories were largely crowding out equally-important stories about the surprising accomplishments and excellent work being done by 3ID south of Baghdad.

[Extended entry: It's a small world]