The Muleskinner Report V4 I1 June 10
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Transcript of The Muleskinner Report V4 I1 June 10
environmental problems.
Equally appalling, many
important Government rec-
ords, such as those associated
with land ownership, have
been lost or destroyed; and
utilities such as electrical
power are insufficient to satis-
fy the needs of the population,
especially in rural areas.
The social, economic, and
political landscape is further
complicated by intense ethnic,
tribal, and family loyalties
that are much stronger than
those to government.
Today 40% of Afghanistan's
food supply is imported from
other countries. We believe
that this acute lack of food
security has a destabilizing
effect on the population and
that by facilitating improve-
ments in agricultural produc-
tivity and market efficiency,
we can help legitimize the
new government while
providing employment oppor-
tunities for Afghans who
might otherwise be financially
motivated to join or support
the insurgency.
As Gen. McChrystal says in
his November 2009 training
guidance, we cannot win this
war simply by killing insur-
gents; we must win over the
people of Afghanistan.
With approximately 65% of
the population of Nangarhar
engaged in agriculture or agri-
B efore discussing the agri
-business development
mission in Afghanistan, it is
important to understand how
the country's fledgling gov-
ernment is organized and
what other stakeholders influ-
ence the agricultural and mar-
ket forces there.
Afghanistan is roughly the
size of Texas and is divided
into 34 Provinces. The Mis-
souri Agri-business Develop-
ment Team is responsible for
assisting the counterinsurgen-
cy effort in the Nangarhar
Province; approximately the
size of Connecticut, which is
located on the east side of the
country on the Pakistan bor-
der. For many years,
Nangarhar has been consid-
ered the "breadbasket of Af-
ghanistan."
Nangarhar consists of 22
Districts, each of which has or
will have its own District
Center, District sub-governor,
and District Agriculture Ex-
tension Agent. The AEAs do
not work for the District sub-
governor, but rather, for the
province's Director of Agri-
culture, Irrigation, and Live-
stock (DAIL).
Nangarhar University, lo-
cated in Jalalabad, specializes
in agriculture and medicine.
However, it appears that there
is little coordination between
the university and the DAIL
and his AEAs; and potentially
the university could play a
larger role in agricultural de-
velopment than it does at this
time.
The situation in Afghanistan
is complex and dynamic and
the country is burdened by a
host of factors that inhibit
progress. These include an
ongoing insurgency, an infra-
structure devastated by 30
years of warfare, and a rela-
tively new government be-
lieved to be corrupt by much
of the population. Additional-
ly, many of the former linkag-
es between formal and infor-
mal government and non-
government institutions -
those that made up "the hu-
man network" - appear to
have been severed during the
Soviet occupation and further
extinguished during the reign
of the Taliban.
The country has also seen
intensive deforestation over
the last three decades which
has caused a multitude of
Nangarhar was once known as
the “bread basket of Afghani-
stan”; today 40% of the food
supply is imported.
Commander ’ s Corner I n i t i a l m i s s i o n a s s e s s m e n t
The Muleskinner Report Mo Agri-business Development Team IV
J u n e 2 5 , 2 0 1 0 V o l u m e 4 , I s s u e 1
D r iv ing the
Team
Commander
Col. Fortune
Executive Officer
Lt. Col. Charles
Senior Enlisted
Senior Master Sgt.
Blankenship
I ns ide th i s
i s sue :
Contiguous
Mobilization Works
3
Boots on the ground 4
Sowing seeds of
success
5
The Muleskinner
Team Section
6
Meet the
Commander
6
Meet the Team
7
Gunners on target
on the range
8
Crack that whip 9
Resources and
contact information
10
Init ia l assessment continued from page 1
P a g e 2 V o l u m e 4 , I s s u e 1
culture-related activities, we believe
that agri-business development is the
key to winning the hearts and minds
of the Nangarhar people.
The question facing MO ADT IV is
how to maximize our impact with the
limited time and other resources we
have at our disposal. While past MO
ADTs have undertaken various "brick
and mortar" projects and have em-
ployed many Afghan laborers in the
process, the overall impact of these
projects on agricultural productivity
in Nangarhar as a whole has been
limited.
Our challenge as ADT IV (we are
the fourth iteration of the MO ADT)
is to find ways to leverage the gov-
ernment and other institutions to mul-
tiply our efforts, increase our reach,
employ as many local Afghans as
possible, further legitimize the gov-
ernment, and simultaneously put pro-
cesses, procedures, and controls in
place to ensure our efforts are carried
on once the MO ADT mission is
complete.
We see a number of courses of ac-
tion, several of which have already
been initiated by ADT III, that can
help us achieve this.
First, we can provide training and re-
sources that will empower the AEAs to
better serve the farmers in their districts.
For instance, we can follow in the foot-
steps of ADT III and contract Afghan
labor to build education centers and soil
laboratories for the AEAs so they can, in
turn, conduct classroom training for
local farmers while helping those farm-
ers improve their soil quality.
Second, we can continue to assist
Nangarhar University in improving its
agricultural research capabilities, the
output of which can be shared with the
DAIL and his AEAs to improve their
effectiveness.
Third, we can further empower the
University and the DAIL by demonstrat-
ing how our strategic partners (Lincoln
University, the University of Missouri,
the Missouri Department of Agriculture,
and the Missouri Farm Bureau) can pro-
vide them world-class "reach back"
products - data, training, mentoring, or
other information products - upon re-
quest.
We will also consider other methods
such as working with the DAIL to im-
prove his use of the media - especially
radio- to train farmers and allow them to
experience, first hand, what their govern-
ment can do for them.
Looking to the long term, we might
also try to build an organization similar
to the Future Farmers of America or
establish an intern program that will
bring Afghans to the U.S. for training.
Whatever the case, MO ADT IV sees
itself as a catalyst to building and devel-
oping a human network in Afghanistan
that will continue to function effectively
long after we have left.
“...we believe that
agricultural development
is the key to winning the
hearts and minds of the
Nangarhar people.”
The ADT IV Intent is to train and empower the AEAs; hire local laborers; work with the DAIL to provide
outreach programs and communicate with the villages; and emplace processes, procedures and controls to
ensure gains in agricultural productivity can be sustained once the ADT mission is complete.
P a g e 3
C ontiguous
mobilization
worked for the
Missouri
National Guard’s Agri-
business Development
Team IV because it was the
most effective and efficient
model for achieving the
highest level of pre-
mobilization training
proficiency in the shortest
amount of time.
The phrase contiguous
mobilization describes a
training model where units
conduct pre-mobilization
training immediately prior
to mobilization. Under the
contiguous mobilization
model, ADT IV assembled
and trained together as a
cohesive team for
approximately one month,
then mobilized and moved
on to conduct post-
mobilization training.
ADT IV assembled at
Camp Clark Training Site
in Nevada, Missouri in
May. Over the next thirty
days, the team completed
crew-served weapons
qualification, individual
weapons qualification,
combat lifesaver training,
language training,
mandatory individual
training, mandatory leader
training, Army Warrior
Tasks, battle drills and a
wide variety of additional
training.
These tasks were trained
to Army standards and
validated by qualified
instructors.
Contiguous mobilization
offered a number of
significant advantages over
other start-and-stop
mobilization training
models that have significant
breaks in training before
mobilizing. Under
contiguous mobilization the
unit came together and
trained as a go-to-war team.
While this is important for
all units, it is especially
critical for ad hoc units,
such as ADTs.
Contiguous mobilization
gives these units time to
bond and form as teams.
Soldiers and Airmen
continuously build upon
prior training, with no skill
decay from long breaks in
training. Also, troops have
time to become accustomed
to their team, squad and
platoon assignments.
Families also benefit from
this arrangement since their
Soldier is in the state,
allowing Families to gain a
sense of the challenges of
mobilization while there is
still time to adjust.
Employers retain their
Citizen Soldiers until the
last possible moment, with
no intermittent periods of
missed work.
In addition to these
obvious training
advantages, contiguous
mobilization offers a
number of substantial
benefits for service
members and families.
For example, troops on
continuous orders for more
than thirty days receive
Basic Allowance for
Housing and Basic
Allowance for Subsistence
which Soldier under
different pre-mob training
models do not receive.
Additionally, Soldiers and
Airmen are eligible for
TriCare benefits and they
receive one additional
month of GI Bill benefits.
According to Article I,
Section 8 of the United
States Constitution which
reserves to the states the,
“authority of training the
Militia”, Governors and
Adjutant Generals have the
constitutional authority to
utilize the training
configuration they deem
best suited for their
Soldiers, Airmen and
Families.
Despite these compelling
arguments the contiguous
mobilization model has
critics.
In January 2007, the
Secretary of Defense
announced the twelve
month mobilization policy
for Reserve Component
Soldiers. Under this policy,
Army National Guard
Soldiers mobilize for no
more than 365 days, plus
allowable leave time.
Some senior leaders
believe contiguous
mobilization compromises
the spirit of that directive by
having Soldiers on orders
for a cumulative 13 months.
However, when put into
perspective, these concerns
are unfounded.
The Soldiers and Airmen
assigned to ADT IV have
received the best possible
pre-mobilization training in
the most effective, efficient
configuration that benefited
the unit, the Soldier, their
families and their
employers.
Why Contiguous Mobilization Works By Lt. Col. North Charles
T h e M u l e s k i n n e r R e p o r t
Article I, Section 8 of
the United States
Constitution reserves to
the states the
“authority of training
the militia”
B o o t s o n t h e g r o u n d
P a g e 4 V o l u m e 4 , I s s u e 1
T he Senior Leadership of ADT
IV traveled to Afghanistan in
May to conduct a pre-
deployment site survey in Nangarhar
Province where they will soon relieve
ADT III and take over the ADT mis-
sion at Forward Operating Base Fin-
ley-Shields.
Col. Michael Fortune, commander,
Lt. Col. North Charles, executive
officer, and Senior Master Sgt. Jerry
Blankenship, senior enlisted advisor,
spent a week touring their future
home.
The PDSS was planned to ensure a
smooth transition between the incom-
ing team, ADT IV, and the outgoing
team, ADT III, as well as to identify
any training requirements and chang-
es that may be necessary before the
new unit arrives in country.
In order to facilitate the hand-off, it
was crucial for the units’ leadership to
meet face-to-face with key Afghan
leaders and current coalition forces
leaders to establish continuity of com-
mand and to gain a true sense for
what will be required once deployed.
Still recovering from the long flight,
the trio spent their first day greeting
the Soldiers and Airmen of ADT III,
and the leadership of the 1st Special
Troops Battalion and the Provincial
Reconstruction Team. The ADT, STB,
and PRT - all of which reside at FOB
Finley-Shields - form what is called
“Team Nangarhar.”
The next few days were filled with
convoy trips around the province rang-
ing from a short one mile trip to an eight
hour mission. During one trip, the PDSS
team met with approximately 60 Agri-
culture Extension Agents that traveled
from all over Nangarhar to meet the new
command team at Sheshambag Re-
search Farm.
The longest mission to Torkum Gate
at the Pakistan border, took eight-hours.
The trip enabled ADT IV to observe the
produce traffic crossing the border both
to and from Pakistan. Most of the raw
agricultural products from Afghanistan
flow into Pakistan but in many instances
the produce is “taxed” locally. This
causes many to seek unofficial places to
cross the border and encourages a black-
market to flourish. Upon arrival in Pa-
kistan, a large percentage of the goods
are processed and shipped back to Af-
ghanistan to be sold at prices up to sev-
en times their original value. Part of the
ADT mission is to work with the Af-
ghanistan government to develop ways
to keep their local produce, and profits,
within their own borders.
During the next few days, several
project sites were visited as follow-up to
see how well the villages had main-
tained the projects and to evaluate their
usage and impact, including the condi-
tion and operation of five solar wells
constructed by previous ADTs.
Additionally, the leadership team was
briefed by the United States Agency for
International Development and U.S.
Department of Agriculture representa-
tives that operate in their area. Part of
the USAID and USDA task is to carry
on the long-term mission of sustaining
the projects and continuing to build up-
on the relationships put in place by the
ADTs. These two organizations re-
source multiple projects in Nangarhar
and communication is vital to ensure
no unnecessary duplication of pro-
jects occurs and that ADT projects
are mutually supportive of the desired
end-state.
Despite the hectic schedule, the
PDSS team still made time to visit
one-on-one with each section of ADT
III. Their input provided ADT IV a
“boots on the ground” perspective of
daily operations and they germinated
new ideas for the leaders to nurture
upon their return to training in Mis-
souri.
The final mission of ADT IV lead-
ership was an aerial reconnaissance
survey over the entire Nangarhar
Province. Maps are still inaccurate
and lack the detail leaders would like
to have, so the helicopter mission
allowed ADT IV the best visual dis-
play of the geographic differences in
the Nangarhar Province short of lead-
ing a mule through the mountains.
When it was all said and done, the
trip took 15-days, including travel.
While the trip to and from was ardu-
ous and lengthy, the ADT senior lead-
ership felt the PDSS was instrumental
to the successful turn-over and con-
duct of the ADT mission in
Nangarhar Province. The information
gleaned allowed them time to analyze
their training plans and adjust.
Train as you fight!
locals and ADT III team mem-
bers at a solar well project
site visited by Leaders
“Their input provided a “boots on
the ground” perspective of daily
operations and they germinated
new ideas for the leaders to
nurture upon their return to
training...”
By Senior Master Sergeant Jerry Blankenship
Sowing the seeds of success
P a g e 5 V o l u m e 4 , I s s u e 1
T he fourth rotation of Mis-
souri National Guard’s
Agri-business Development
Team, Subject Matter Expert
Section began training with its
Strategic Partners months before
their scheduled deployment to
Nangarhar Province, Afghani-
stan.
Members of the SME section
were personally selected for
their agricultural related back-
ground. In turn they enhance
their combined knowledge by
joining forces with multiple
organizations referred to as
Strategic Partners.
These organizations have vol-
unteered be part of a network of
information available for the
SMEs the Afghanistan govern-
ment, and Nangarhar Universi-
ty, providing expertise not read-
ily available to the Afghan agri-
cultural community.
In addition to training with
their Strategic Partners, the
SME section conducted training
with other individuals and or-
ganizations. The training pre-
pared the ADT to assist the
Nangarhar Director of Agricul-
ture, Irrigation, and Livestock,
along with his Agricultural
Extension Agents, to improve
the business practices, animal
husbandry, and farming practic-
es of farmers in Nangarhar.
Afghan citizens are less likely
to join insurgency groups if they
feel their government
provides necessary
services allowing
them to prosper and
be safe.
Multiple meetings
with the Strategic
Partners in March
and April laid the groundwork
for the extensive training pro-
vided to the SME section.
Initial training began with a
four day seminar conducted by
Strategic Partners. The repre-
sentatives each detailed the ca-
pabilities they could provide to
the team. Training also includ-
ed a visit to the Lincoln Univer-
sity campus and research farm
with various faculty members
explaining the types of expertise
available to the team.
Following the seminar, team
members participated in addi-
tional training throughout Mis-
souri. For example, some
SMEs traveled to the Horticul-
ture Agroforestry Research Cen-
ter in New Franklin to study
water management techniques
for agroforestry, which is the
use of trees to produce food,
fuel, and fiber. Another day,
team members traveled to the
Lincoln University Research
Farm to study husbandry of
small ruminants, which are ani-
mals with multiple stomachs
such as sheep and goats.
SME members continued their
agricultural studies after they
arrived at Camp Clark for pre-
mobilization training.
Pat Miller and Wayne Prewitt,
Vernon County Agriculture
Extension Agents, provided the
SME section with professional
lessons learned.
“The key to success as an Ag-
riculture Extension Agent is
utilizing good people skills,”
said Ms. Pat Miller.
Additionally, SME members
visited the Vernon County Re-
corder’s Office to learn the pro-
cess of recording, organizing,
and storing property deeds.
Soldiers and Airmen were
enlightened by a visit with Sam-
uel Troyer and his family on
their Old Order Mennonite farm
in Richards, to study non-
mechanized farming techniques
lacking internal combustion
equipment. They saw firsthand
what a small farm operation can
accomplish without electricity
using horsepower and ingenuity.
Also, the Association of Mis-
souri Electrical Cooperatives
provided training about rural
electrification and cooperatives.
The reach back capability
provided by the Strategic Part-
ners is an important aspect to
the ADT mission in Nangarhar.
The shared knowledge will pos-
itively impact mission accom-
plishment and assist in building
trust of the Afghan citizens in
their government.
Sgt. Rios (front)
and 2nd Lt.
McCall (rear)
observe tanks
used in aqua-
culture farming
research
“The key to
success as an
Agriculture
Extension Agent
is utilizing good
people skills”
The Subject Matter Expert Team of ADT IV visited the
Lincoln University Research Farm in April as part of training.
Members of SME team visit
country records office to
learn about property deeds.
By Capt. Joey Schmitz
Afghanistan."
Once in theater, his goal is
to extend the reach of the
ADT by empowering the
Agriculture Extension Agents
in each of the 22 districts of
Nangarhar Province to train
local farmers to increase their
productivity.
Fortune said that this “will
help legitimize the Afghan
government in the eyes of the
farmers and will dissuade
those farmers from supporting
the insurgency.” He also said
that "our mission is not just to
help them with their
agriculture; we must also
teach the Afghans a process
by which they can continue to
improve it on their own."
C ol. Mike Fortune took
command of Missouri's
fourth Afghanistan-bound
Agri-business Development
Team March 24.
Prior to that, Fortune served
as the Materiel Programs
Division Chief at Army
National Guard Headquarters
in Arlington, VA where he
managed the distribution of
new equipment to Army
National Guard units across
the country.
He is a graduate of the
Army's Senior Service
College Fellowship Program
at the University of Texas,
and holds an undergraduate
degree from the University of
Missouri - Rolla and Master's
degree from the University of
Missouri - Columbia.
Fortune is an aviator and
earlier in his career,
commanded what was then
Company B, 1/135th Attack
Helicopter Battalion in
Warrensburg. He is originally
from St. Louis.
With the ADT's pre-
mobilization training now
complete, Fortune commented
that he was very happy with
the unit's current level of
proficiency.
"The trainers at Camp Clark
simulated conditions in
theater to the extent possible
and we focused on physical
fitness training," Fortune said.
"If we continue this trend
during post-mobilization at
Camp Atterbury, ADT IV will
be well prepared for its
mission upon arrival in
Meet the Commander
I ns i de th i s
s e c t i o n :
Meet the Team 7
Larsen promoted 7
Gunners on target
at range
8
Crack that whip 9
Pictures from the
field
10
Back at the home-
stead
11
The Muleskinner Team Mo Agri-business Development Team IV
J u n e 2 5 , 2 0 1 0 V o l u m e 4 , I s s u e 1
The
Muleskinner
Team section
highlights the
Soldiers and
Airmen of ADT
IV at Nangarhar
You don’t have
to have to be
able to under-
stand the daily
farm report to
read and learn
about the expe-
riences of ADT
IV unit members
Tidbits of in-
formation will be
scattered
throughout the
back pages
Col. Michael Fortune (right)
stands ready to accept com-
mand of ATD IV from Brig.
Gen. Danner, TAG, as Sen-
ior Master Sgt. Jerry Blank-
enship (left) the unit senior
enlisted advisor, prepares to
pass the state guidon during
the acceptance of command
ceremony held at Ike Skelton
Training Site in April.
P a g e 7
Lt. Col. Raymond Legg
watches a demonstra-
tion on the effectiveness
of hydrophonic farming
methods at the Lincoln
University Research
Farm April 14.
Larsen Promoted
Meet the Muleskinner Team:
Soldiers and Airmen with ADT IV
Lt. Col. Raymond L.
Legg is the legal
and governmental affairs
advisor for ADT IV.
He is tasked with
coordinating with various
federal agencies in
Afghanistan to include the
USAID and the State
D e p a r t m e n t . H e
anticipates that one of his
roles will include assisting
the Afghan government
with land ownership issues
in conjunction with U.S.
S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t
programs.
During a previous
deployment to the Horn of
Africa, Legg served as
Deputy Staff Judge
Advocate for a counter-
terrorism task force and
worked on legal issues
related to counter-
terrorism and counter-
insurgency.
He said, “What the
ADTs are doing is really
on the cutting edge of the
development of counter-
insurgency doctrine."
Legg began his military
career 33 years ago when
he enlisted in the U.S.
Navy at 17 as a hospital
corpsman. Following four
years of active duty
including three yeas at sea
he was discharged, and
began h i s co l l ege
education at the University
of Missouri-Columbia.
He joined the Army
Reserves in 1982 and in
1988 transferred to the
Missouri National Guard
as a flight medic.
In 1993 Legg was
commissioned as a first
lieutenant in the Judge
Advocate Generals Corps.
Legg works as a
supervising attorney for
the Public Defender’s
Office in Moberly. Legg
said his employer has been
very supportive of his
military duties.
Legg’s wife of 27 years,
Tracey, is the Director of
External Affairs for the
University of Missouri-
Columbia, College of
Veterinary Medicine,
which also happens to be a
Strategic Partner for the
ADT.
Their oldest son, Private
1st Class Derek Legg, is a
diesel mechanic in the
MOARNG and a junior at
Westminster College in
Fulton.
His youngest son is a
sophomore at University
of Missouri-Columbia and
is a member of the cross
country and track teams.
Legg said he is proud to
say that both of his sons
are Eagle Scouts.
the unit.
Larsen is an infantry-
man assigned to the
ADT as a hydrologist.
He has served 13 years
in the military, the last
five with the Missouri
National Guard.
Sgt . John Kenneth
Larsen Jr. was
promoted to sergeant in
June at Camp Clark.
Col. Fortune attached
his new rank and Mas-
ter Sgt. Bradley read
the NCO creed in front
This is his second
deployment to
Nangarhar with the
Missouri ADT. Larsen
is assigned to B com-
pany, 138th Inf. Regt.
and lives in Nevada.
T h e M u l e s k i n n e r T e a m
“What the ADTs are doing
is really on the cutting
edge of the development of
counter-insurgency
doctrine”
Lt. Col. Legg,
legal advisor
P a g e 8
“The gunners
endured a long, hot,
and wet trip...in spite
of these
conditions...everyone
qualified on the
three weapon
systems.”
Force Protection mem-
bers wait at the Mark 19
range at Fort Riley, Ks.
Gunners on target at range
I mmediately after
reporting for duty to
Camp Clark in May, a
group of Soldiers and
Airmen assigned to the
Agri-business Devel-
opment Team Force
Protection platoon
traveled to Fort Riley
for crew-served weap-
ons training and quali-
fications.
The group, accompa-
nied by two medics,
left Camp Clark at ap-
proximately 8 a.m. and
arrived six hours later
at Fort Riley.
Once there they
splintered into smaller
groups and tackled the
Electronic Skills Train-
er 2000, a virtual gun-
nery range designed to
familiarize soldiers
with weapons before
using them on a live-
fire exercise. After
hours of training, the
entire group simulated
firing the M2 .50 cali-
ber machinegun, M-
240B machine
gun and the
Mark 19 auto-
matic grenade
launcher.
Early the next
morning the
Force Protections Sol-
diers were on the
range, zeroing their
weapons and preparing
for the day ahead.
Once everything was
ready the weapons
where moved a short
distance and set into
fixed positions. The
beginning of the quali-
fications was marked
with the steady roar of
heavy weapons and the
arrival of Col. Michael
Fortune and Senior
Master Sgt. Jerry
Blankenship. The two
leaders assisted their
Security Forces in the
spotting and adjust-
ments of rounds and,
towards the end of the
day, even fired the
weapons themselves.
Once everyone quali-
fied on both the M2
and M240B on both
day and night fire
courses; picked up the
spent brass, links, and
sandbags; stowed the
massive weapons; and
returned to the bar-
racks, it was well past
midnight. Only a few
hours later they woke
again and made the trip
to the Mark19 Range,
engaging targets with
the same accuracy as
the day before.
By early afternoon
everyone qualified
with the Mark19 and
earned a well deserved
break. They returned to
the barracks for several
hours of rest and weap-
ons cleaning. But
soon, they were back
on the range and the
soft rumble of both ex-
plosions and thunder
could be heard over the
pouring rain that had
materialized out of no-
where.
Four hours later eve-
ryone was qualified
and back at the bar-
racks. Just before 3
a.m. all the weapons
were finally cleaned
and the lights were out.
Yet sleep was fleeting
and a few hours later
they where up again
and returning to Camp
Clark.
The gunners endured
a long, hot, and wet
trip. In spite of these
conditions and various
other obstacles set in
their paths, everyone
qualified on the three
weapon systems which
will be critical to the
security of the ADT IV
team members during
their deployment to
Nangarhar.
Force Protec-
tion members
set up for
the .50 cal
range at Fort
Riley, Ks.
T h e M u l e s k i n n e r T e a m
By Master Sgt. Bob Weber
CRACK THAT WHIP
P a g e 9 V o l u m e 4 , I s s u e 1
T he legacy of the mule team
driver is woven into the
fabric of American military
history and dates back to the
American Revolution.
The gender-neutral mule, the
offspring of a male donkey
(jack) and a female horse
(mare), is better suited to
hauling because it eats less and
is more sure-footed over rough
terrain than a horse. The drivers,
originally known as muleteers,
were used by the military to
haul supplies.
Muleteers’ special skills were
highly valued by the military. It
was said that “any damn fool
can drive a horse ... a good mule
can outwork any horse but
you’ve got to learn to talk to
them to get them to work”
In Camp Fire Stories, A
series of Civil War sketches of
the Union Army in the
Southwest, Edward Anderson,
Colonel, 12th Indiana Volunteer
Cavalry writes a colorful
account of these men called
“Muleteers”
“... one had to stop and look at
and listen to a muleteer during
the war; and especially if his
team was stalled, or if a section of
artillery was stopping up his
way...He had language! I have
never heard it equaled except by
a mate of a Mississippi River
steamboat under the old regime”
“The movement of an army was
always an exciting scene...the
shrieking mules whose heels
seemed the highest and busiest
parts of them, answered for the
rushing, howling spectres; all this
was helped in its hellish wildness
by the cracking of the black-snake
whips.”
“A team usually was of six
mules, with the driver sitting on
the nigh pole mule, and guiding
his team by a „jerk rein‟, which
led on through rings in the
harness of the middle pair to the
leading nigh mule, form whose bit
to that of the off-leader was a
slight wooden pole; so that, if the
nigh mule turned to right or left,
his mate felt the movement telling
on his bit. The direction was
given by one, or two, jerks, or a
pull on the rein, to which the
mules were drilled. Then, when
the „black-snake‟ (with which the
driver could flick a fly from the
ear of the leader) came into
requisition, it was supplemented
by an address that was
ingeniously pointed.”
The skillful cracking of that
whip led to the coining of the
name “muleskinner”. The use
of this name grew out of the
West and was first published in
1870.
An exert from a website on
Western American history states
that “An experienced muleskinner
knew the personality of every one
of his mules… During the 1800s
the mule was in constant demand
for civilian and military
freighting... Of all the mules, the
ones from Missouri were the most
prized and this reputation
continues even today.”
Missouri mules were also an
important resource for the U.S.
and British military after the
Civil War. In the 1890’s the
firm of Guyton and Harrington
located in Lathrop supplied
115,000 Missouri mules for The
Boer War.
The Missouri Civil War
Museum webpage chronicles
that when the Spanish-American
War broke out in 1898 Jefferson
Barracks in St. Louis was nearly
vacant and the Army turned the
post into a Mule Depot.
In 1899 the post was
officially designated the
National Mule Headquarters for
the Army, and included the
National Training Center for the
Army Muleteers.
When World War I broke out
the British government again
went to muleskinners Guyton
and Harrington for an enormous
contract making Missouri the
“Mule Capital of the World”.
The British created special
units of muleteers like the Zion
Muleteers, comprised of Jewish
soldiers, that later formed the
core of the modern Israeli army.
In World War II muleskinners
still served around the world,
although they were used less
often.
During the Soviet occupation
of Afghanistan, the CIA along
with Afghan fighters used large
numbers of mules to carry
weapons and supplies over the
mountains to supply the
Mujahedeen.
Mules have been used by the
U.S. Army Special Forces in
Afghanistan since 2001.
Additionally, the U.S. Marine
Corps utilizes mules at their
Mountain Warfare Training
Center in the Sierra Nevada
Mountains.
ADT IV bears the nickname
Muleskinner to honor the legacy
of those that helped to shape
and grow the world in which we
live, and
brings that
spirit of
growth and
change to
Nangarhar
Province.
Muleskinner with whip in hand stands
by his wagon (Photo courtesy of NPS)
“...all this was
helped in its
hellish wildness
by the cracking
of the black-
snake whips”
In WWII Mars Task
Force used mules exten-
sively during the Burma
Campaign Mule skin-
ners from 2nd BN, 475th
Inf. Regt. lead mules
through the swift river
that impeded their pro-
gress to Bhamo, Burma,
November 17, 1944.
Photo courtesy of www.Olive-Drab.com
P a g e 1 0 V o l u m e 4 , I s s u e 1
Memorial Day included a special for-
mation to raise and lower the flag to
half-mast at sunrise.
The HEAT is on! And yes, Spec. Berry-
man is upside down, doing roll-over
drills.
Soldiers and Airmen trained hard every day; usually conducting
physical fitness training before moving out for the day’s scheduled
training. They picked up new skills and refreshed on the old ones.
1st Lt. Berendzen emplaces a claymore
mine.
Pictures from the field
Camp Clark offers challenges Premobilization Training
Spec.. Blackburn prepares to throw a
simulated grenade.
Sgt. 1st Class Squires, Spec. Soles and
Spec. Gore practice their technique in a
Combat Life Saver course.
ATDT IV and Mr. Safi,
Defense Language Insti-
tute, after three days of
culture and language
training in Pashto.
Members of the Agriculture Team
and ADT leadership gather around a
grafting demonstration held as part
of an introduction from one of their
strategic partners, Lincoln Universi-
ty, in April.
The crew-served gunners qualified on
three weapon systems at Fort Riley,
Kan. In May. Staff Sgt. Taggart calls out
adjustment to the gunner at the range.
Rank, Name
MO ADT IV
Camp Atterbury, IN 46124
Mail should not be sent earlier than
Jun 29 and not later than Jul 23
The Muleskinner is an unofficial publication authorized
by AR 360-1. It is published monthly by the Missouri
Agribusiness Development Team IV to provide im-
portant information related to their deployment for
the Soldiers and Airmen, their Families, units and com-
mands, the Army, DOD and the public.
Views and opinions expressed in the Muleskinner are
not necessarily those of the Department of the Army
or DOD.
If you would like to receive this publication to your
email or have questions or comments concerning
ADT IV please contact: [email protected]
Public Affairs Officer
Capt. Marie Orlando
ADT IV
Give us a holler!
Missouri
ADT IV
Newly Hatched!
● Nelson Alexander Evans was born to
Sgt. Nelson Bunch and his wife Rebek-
ah on May 6 weighing 8lbs 8oz and
measuring 20.5 inches long. His big
sister Sophia is 23 months old.
Seasoned Couples
● Look for future dates of anniversaries
Yahoo for You!
● SGT Larsen received a promotion to
sergeant!
● Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating
in JUNE!
Call me...call me...
Where do you go?
Who do you call?
Back at the homestead • Family Readiness Group Leader Paula Ann Maloney
417.250.1703 or 417.683.3711
• ArmyOne Source 800.342.9647
• Family Program Office 800.299.9603
• Family Assistance Center 877.236.4168
• Deployed Pay Issues 877.276.4729
• Employer Support of Guard and Reserve 573.638.9500 ext. 7730
• 131st Fighter Wing Coord. 314.527.6362
• 139th Fighter Air Lift Wing Coord. 816.236.3511
• Military Family Life Consultants
- Child/Youth (Amy Bledsoe) 573.418.3588
- Adult (Phil Pringle) 573.418.3588
• Chaplain Gilmore 573.638.9618