Stryker Brigade News

Hey, Mike, Todd,

Am here by way of a mention by Glenn Reynolds. Happy to see you up and running.

Got a few questions - not snooping, just trying to figure out what you're about.

Who are you guys - Are you an FRG or Joe's?
Are you forward of back at Lewis?

Hoping you're Joes, because I'm looking for a good source of "non-official, official" info on your gear. Well aware of SAEDA, and , of course, I could be anybody - so, I'll be happy to keep my questions within the "can be found at Barnes and Noble" realm. If you're weirded out, give me an AKO address that I can post you with my info.

Now, hoping that you're Joe's - can you dish on what the big deal is with the M- designator on your rides? Is this the new marketing? Do you have any idea how hard it was to track down the M-type on the Strykers? Nothing in the FMs, nothing in all the press you rockstars are getting in 'Soldiers' - my S4 couldn't even come up with it on the freakin' LOGSA site. I mean, Christ, you MUST have -10's - or do the GM guys do all your maintenance (Don't you wish. I assume the X came off and you're now M1126s, right? Why the big secret? Did they ship you "Striker" HMMWV manuals by mistake? Please tell me it's not because of the "cool" double-meaning in the name?

Well, enough for now. But when you get a chance, I'd love a story on your MP's? What are they driving? Do they ask about the M1117s?

Please post as much as possible. The AKO account is way too tedious.

Jack,

Other than pointing you to the Links page, there's not a whole lot I can offer you as far as Stryker vehicle info. I don't know. I'm not military nor am I affiliated with the brigade in any way. This site is run by people who have friends or family serving in the brigade, and its focus is to provide links to news and information about the SBCT's deployment. We have tried to provide links so people can explore more on their own. Perhaps another visitor might be able to help you out. Thanks for visiting.

Todd

The Strykers are definitely on Nightline tonight!
Just received my confirmation e-mail from ABC.
The East Coast may be delayed due to a college basketball game. Normally airs at 11:35pm.

It has been confirmed I receive an e-mail.. Stryker Brigade is going to be on Nightline Tonight! Yahoo.. I know they are featuring 1-23IN and a couple others. Hope you get a glimpse of your loved one.

I will have my VCR and tape ready. I too hope someone out there sees a loved one!

My husband told me there would be a special on the Stryker brigade a few weeks ago so I am thriled to find out it is actually going to be aired. Anyone know if it is 11:30pm Eastern time or Pacific? (That's right - I don't watch TV much at all)
Thanks!
Taltol

11:35 EST and PST.

I like the looks of the new website. Congratualtions to those who are responsible for it.

I have a son, a Captain with the 5-20. He is the battalion S-2. He has been with the Stryker Brigade since its inception. I have found the site to be very helpful in giving me some insight as to what is going on.

Keep up the good work.

J.T. Smith

Thanks for the heads up! I'm going to go get a new blank tape for this one! Wonder if anyone has a VCR in the sandbox?

Annie

Annie,

I am not sure about VCR and I wish I was lucky enough to have a DVD recorder. I know my son has a DVD player.

Thanks for getting this site so user friendly. I thought I saw my son on Foxnews when the SBCT first arrived in Iraq. (My husband and two of his sisters saw him as well.) Thanks also for the info or I would have missed Nightline tonight.

Fair, enough Todd, thanks for the heads up.

Though I must say, on the face of it this site blows most FRGs (Family Readiness Programs) out of the water.

If you don't already have a copy, I'd be happy to mail you one. I know you guys do this for love and not $, but the bandwith is not free and their are $s specifically allocated for company and above FRGs - many of which are not nearly effective as this 'little' project of yours.

As to the mil questions, I'd be more than happy to give you what I already have in a FAQ format for your FAQ page, if you send me an email adress to my civilian account (pitchcraft@bellsouth.net)You can keep our dump all you like, and it's already scrubbed to confirm to OPSEC/SAEDA protocols.

Finally, with your permission, I'd like to post your link to the 'global' users on th PA Army National Guard Site, as 56 Brigade will doubtless be very interested in your site as they start their conversion process to Strykers.

Again, outstanding job. Be happy to help in any way you need (and by the way, so should your sons/daughters company, and that goes for all of you out there. Every unit in the Army has a FRG rep at the unit level, whose job it is to keep you in the loop)- just give me a hollar.

Jack,

I'll send you an email in a bit. In the meantime, feel free to pass the link on to anyone. Thanks.

Todd

HI All..I'm in Florida and Nightline just started at 1 03 am...it is definitely on now...thanks everybody for all of the info and input!

Well...the show was pretty good. For all of us starving for Styker information, this seemed to satisfy the craving for the time being. No shot of our loved one, a Captain with the 1/14 Cavalry...but it did illustrate how truely sophisticated the Brigade is and that was somewhat comforting. I was just really happy to see a show offerring such good information. I hope some of you spot someone you love. We're still waiting for a phone call which were hoping would come at Christmas but hasn't...

Too early for me yet, but I am not liking what I see. We have a local channel broadcasting a basketball game and it looks like it will pre empt nightline. I am going to be so bummed if they do that. Here's hoping....

Fortunately, we got to see the show on our local channel. No sign of my son, 1-14th cav, but a few of the guys from the unit did get some air time. I will have to review the tape to see if I can spot him or one of his buds. Take care everyone, see ya on the forum for the continueing story. ;-)

The scouts of the 1/14 are too sneaky and quick to be caught on camera, that's why we didn't see much of them on the Nightline special. Seriously, the reporter did a pretty good job and I hope he stays with the brigade. I was a bit surprised to see close ups of the screens inside but I guess the info was so stale it didn't matter anymore. I do wish they'd use the 2ID more than Stryker, but I guess that's the corporate logo side of things at work.

In Pensacola,Fl., we had to outwait the Peach Bowl
and then the local news and what seemed like forty
advertisements and then finally, at mid-night,
Dateline came on. While I didn't see my favorite
captain in the 5/20, I was most impressed and
proud. It certainly was worth this old man staying up for. Thank you! Thank you!

To interested parties;

Steve T. wished that they would use the 2ID more the Strykers. The Strykers are vehicles, new and teck loaded, that have capabilities and limitations. All mil vehs are the same, that is, they have adv and disadv. The 3/2ID grunts dismount when they do their work, MOUT or house to house combat. The SBCTs are designed to fight in the urban environment. The Strykers allow troops to arrive at the fight, quicker and more rested. Having to walk 20k and then fight is a thing of the past. No body walks in SBCTs. The 3/2 ID is a historic unit, but will be put in harms way more often than other heavy or light in the Army. I have studied this unit since '99 and am fairly familiar with O&O and even have the MTO&E. Any questions? Just ask, I will try to give accurate facts

Chuck S.

CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL ME WHEN WE ARE COMING HOME. IT CHANGES IN LIKE A 6 MONTH GAP EVERY DAY! EVERYONE HERE WANTS TO KNOW AND ARE TIRED OF BEING LIED TO. THE PEOPLE THAT DO THE DIRTY WORK!