Today's deployments have seen greater responsibilities heaped on the shoulders of junior Noncommissioned Officers of the U.S. Army. These taskings have taken the average squad leader, normally responsible for equipment to the tune of a few million dollars, into a realm of accountability in excess of $40 million. Several of these squad leaders become convoy commanders of Heavy Equipment Transport crews. These leaders are not only responsible for their own equipment and their assigned personnel, but also for the equipment they are transporting, the contractors assisting them, and the timely delivery of cargo.
A convoy begins with a notification of "allocation." This tells you the basics of who, what, when,
and where. After the first notification, all convoys follow a specific timeline to meet the required
start point. The basics of commanding a convoy include picking out the vehicles to be used; ensuring serviceability; designating the proper support personnel to drive and assist the convoy commander throughout the mission; and finalization of the equipment, personnel and Travel Movement Request. All this results in a convoy brief detailing the specifics of how the convoy will be conducted, and the mandatory rest period prior to movement. And they're off!
Although the details of each mission are unique, convoy commanders follow some basic rules.
Always be early, always make sure your drivers have conducted premovement checks, and be prepared for the worst. During the actual movement out on the road, one main rule is always adhered to -- 'Keep Moving.' This one motto is the answer to most situations encountered, from small arms fire to roadside bomb detonations. If possible, moving your personnel and equipment out of a danger area provides the best alternative for the convoy commanders.
Movement through the danger areas represents only a small percentage of a convoy commander's duties. The majority of a convoy commander's duties is comprised of ensuring serviceability of the vehicles, implementing a rest plan for Soldiers and contractors, and
ensuring the loads they receive are outlined for them in the TMR. The importance of the last task
guarantees the loads are delivered on-time and tracked during its movement to the customer.
Failure to accomplish this task causes logistical pains and unexpected deliveries, resulting in longer waiting periods for the customer to retrieve their requested supplies and equipment.
HET crews encounter a great deal of adversity while out on missions. Situations they deal with include breakdowns, enemy activity in a variety of forms, sick personnel and TMR discrepancies.
This list is not all-inclusive, and if you can imagine it, then it has probably happened. Despite
the usual combat zone worries, these Soldiers always seem to find ample time to sleep, communicate with family and friends back home, and maintain their physical prowess.
To sum up, the U.S Army and its leadership bestow an enormous amount of responsibility upon its junior NCOs. This capable faction of Soldiers has proven they can handle it, firmly preserving the title of "The Backbone of the Army."
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