Written Up

Well, I guess I’m going to get written up but I think it’s a joke. Seriously, it’s not a joke though, I’m just kidding. I just mean that I don’t think the situation holds water. Let me explain what happened. For one let me tell you that our driver T-Rex is a big instigator. Everyone knows that already. Well, we just happened to be pulling rear security on our morning mission. Well on the way back T-Rex mentioned to the Colonel that I wasn’t looking to our rear. That was true. I’ll go ahead and mention why I do that here because I don’t think it’s too much of a security risk. Well maybe but it’s just my own Tactic, Technique, and Procedure. When I stand up I like to stand to the side and look at oncoming and rearward traffic. I don’t want to just look to our rear because I’ve always been trained to watch my six. I don’t want to pass some dude in his car with his window down when he could just pull out a gun while we’re driving by and shoot me in the back of the head. That’s why I like to see what’s coming.

The Colonel, that’s not his rank actually but just a nickname, yells, “Are you watching our back?” “Yeah” I reply. When we got back to the clearing barrels at the FOB I wanted to explain to him the reasoning behind why I look forward. I explained it to him but he really didn’t want to listen. I could tell. He said that it was just an excuse. I come up with those from time to time and he thinks they’re just excuses. So I told him fine but if I could only look to our rear I’m going to get down. He didn’t say anything.

This afternoon when we went back out I did as I said I was going to do. I got down in the turret. I’m sure that upset him because when we got to a different FOB he said, “SGT. Puebla, come here, we need to talk.” I knew what he was going to talk about, me sitting down. I don’t see what the problem is with it because lots and lots of other units do it. I just think he likes to micro-manage. Not only that but he gets instigated from T-Rex.

“You need to stand up in the turret.” He says. I told him, “Well, I’m not going to sacrifice getting shot in the back of the head for standing up.” “Then you’re going to get written up”, “Fine.” He didn’t say anything more then that he didn’t want to discuss it any further.

Well, upon leaving the FOB, I wasn’t going to go back on my word so I stayed down in the turret. It does not at all deter me from doing my job. It’s just that I’m not as vigilant and ready sitting on my ass as much as standing up. So once we leave the FOB he yells, “Stand Up! Stand Up Pete! Stand Up!” So then I tell him, “I thought you were going to write me up?” “I will!” He replies. “Then I’d rather get written up.” He doesn’t say anything more and I know I’ve disobeyed him but there really was no reason for me to get up other then for his own pleasure. You could ask other gunners out there and they’ll say that some of them are down all the time.

We get back to the FOB and he doesn’t say anything more. Good. I’m glad we settled it. I’m going to get written up, fine. I’m still going to explain the situation to the Platoon Daddy. I mean, even if he sides with the Colonel at least he’ll hear my two cents. Well this is just my side of the story so take it for what it’s worth. There’s always two sides to every story.