Blog Posts tagged with "Cold Response"

Army Master Sgt. Donald Sparks, Special Operations Command Europe Public Affairs.

One thing I have learned through my personal interactions with soldiers of other nations is that we all share universal similar traits, dislikes and jargon. We hate being in the field in cold weather, muddy, and other austere climate conditions.

While taking photos of Norwegian Army engineers during a pause in their maneuvers as part of the Cold Response 2010 exercise, I had a chance to exchange dialogue about things that only we troops discuss when we ‘close ranks’ among ourselves – away from our officer counterparts.

Obviously as I approached the crew of seven troopers, they knew I was American. Trying not to appear as a member of the paparazzi with two Nikon cameras draped around my neck, I figured if I was going to break the ice (no pun intended) I better say something funny. “So today’s a great day at the beach.”

I succeeded with my opening line as I drew a chorus of laughter. As they were preparing their field rations for a quick bite of chow, this is where I knew I could relate to their suffering.

“Who got stuck with the Royal Thai?” This concoction of a meal is the one field ration the Norwegians avoid like the plague – comparable to the old ham and cheese omelet American Soldiers dreaded to eat in a box of MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). I had them going now.

Norwegian engineer troops take a moment during a pause in their maneuvers to enjoy their field rations while participating in the Cold Response 2010 exercise.

During my first five days in Norway we (my fellow service members of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe) had to eat their field rations and my curiosity got the best of me as I tried the Royal Thai selection. It’s not that it’s horrible, even as I tried to enhance the fish and curry inside with Tabasco, it’s the aftermath that hurts you for hours upon end.

“If there are ten of us and there are only ten rations, if one of those is Royal Thai, it stays in the box,” said the grenadier (Norwegian rank for its enlisted troops), expressing his displeasure of the delicacy.

I asked another grenadier how many cups of coffee she consumed during their break in ‘the fight.’ She admitted to two cups (but was pouring her third), but another suggested that coffee alone wasn’t enough – he needed a couple of Red Bull energy drinks.

A Norwegian engineer troop take a moment during a pause in maneuvers to enjoy a hot cup of coffee while participating in the Cold Response 2010 exercise.

“Word, those got me through Iraq,” I said sharing a war story. “There is nothing like drinking two Red Bulls, listen to some Jay Z and you’re ready to get right back in the action.”

As a senior noncommissioned officer, it was natural for me to ask the troops about their morale and how were they holding up in the cold. I wanted to make sure they were checking each other for cold weather injuries.

Personally, now after experiencing Norway’s extreme freezing conditions, South Korea has been bumped to number two on my list of the coldest places I’ve been on Earth. And these troops are outside in the elements, training rigorously in temperatures as low as -35 degrees Celsius.

They griped. They complained. They… well; I can’t write what I’d normally say. But they also serve. They serve their nation just like my fellow American battle buddies despite the conditions on the ground and environment we find ourselves in. So I listened, took photos and politely honored their requests not to mention their names – something I experience frequently with the Special Operations Forces I normally write about.

“Once again, we hurry up to wait,” the team sergeant said. “But at least we get something hot to drink and eat, so it’s good for us.”
Now that is one phrase that I was shocked to hear, but in retrospect, I shouldn’t have. We (American troops) despise that feeling – hurry up to wait.

Moments later our informal session was over as they received word they’d be maneuvering to their next location. They thanked me for stopping by, we exchanged dap and hugs and we do what Soldiers do – we acknowledged each other as brothers in arms.

“Stay away from the Royal Thai my friend,” the grenadier I spoke with earlier said giving me a warning. “If we don’t eat it, neither should you.”

Army Master Sgt. Donald Sparks
Special Operations Command Europe