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Brave Rifles

 

 

 

I am SFC Joseph “Mike” Hoover, U.S. Army (Retired).
 I enlisted in the U.S. Army while still a senior in High School, and at the age of 17. I did this in January 1985, under the DOD Delayed Entry Program. After completion of High School, I reported to Ft Knox, Ky in August 1985.  There, I underwent my initial entry training, more commonly referred to as “Basic”, under the OSUT (One Station Unit Training) to be what is known as a 19D Cavalry Scout. The OSUT program combines the basic training and advanced individual training into one course, this one being 16 weeks long. Essentially, my basic training was 16 weeks, with the same Drill Sergeants from Day 1 to graduation and assignment to a line unit. You can imagine how joyous we young Privates were to finally be free of them! Vice versa I am sure.
With the exception of a small break in active service from August 89 until April 1990, where I served in the Army National Guard as a Military Policeman, my entire career with the Army was as a Cavalry Scout and I retired from my service in October 2007.  Although still a Cavalry Scout, I also performed the Special Duties of Recruiter, Observer/Controller, and Combat Advisor during those years.
I am a combat veteran of Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. I performed “Peace Keeping” duties in the former Yugoslavian province known as Kosovo, with Operation Joint Guardian under the NATO KFOR organization. As well as border operations along the former West Germany and the Communist “Iron Curtain”, and the DMZ between the current North and South Koreas.  
I had the honor of serving in the 1st, 3d, 4th, and 17th Cavalry Regiments, the 18th Infantry Regiment, and the 69th Armor Regiment during my time. As well as the 395th Armor (Training Support) with my Observer Controller duties and the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade Special Police Commandos Transition Team during my Combat Advisor duties with the Iraqi Security Forces.
In my years, I wore everything from the old OD Jungle Fatigues, to every version of the Woodland BDU’s, to the early “Chocolate Chip” Desert Battle Dress Uniform, to DCU’S, and finally, the ACU’s. In addition to the Nomex CVC ( Combat Vehicle Crewman) ensemble.
I used, operated, or rode a wide ranging of vehicles during the times as well. Either in training or real world operations.  From the old M113 APC, M151 “Jeep”, various versions of the Humvee and all models of the M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle family. Too many a helicopter rides and insertions to recall. And of course, the ever present LPC’s, Leather Personnel Carriers, aka your boots and the poor, damn tired and sore feet inside of them!
My awards, and badges range from the Recruiter Badge, Combat Action Badge, and Bronze Star Medal downward to the various campaign medals. In all honesty, I look like a stereotypical third world tinpot dictator when wearing them. Although I earned them, only a small few represent certain times that have any deep, real emotional meaning to me. The rest are often jokingly referred to as the “I was there”  or “ I showed up” ribbons!
Since my retirement, I have worked as a contractor. Providing instructional services to the Soldiers on new equipment at one point, to a more recent “gig” with a Private Security Company in Iraq.
Although there has been a long history of military service in my family, from Marines, to Sailors and Soldiers, I was the first to actually make a career of it. Unlike many people, who sometimes look back on their lives in retrospect with some regrets, either wishing they did or did not do something, I can honestly say there is not one minute of those 22 years that I would change or trade if given the chance. Good or bad. Being a Soldier was something I had dreamed of as a child and young teenager.  As an adult, it was all an honor, and something I would do all over again. Nothing like living your dream.  

Scouts Out!!  

 

My "battle",  slang for buddy, Gennady Solkoski (r). "Ski" was a first generation Russian immagrant to the US. One of the few lucky ones who were able to do so during the heydays of the Soviet Union. We were the JAFO's, Just Another Fu**in Observer, for our crew. It was our lucky duty to be the ones to dismount and do the dirty work on the ground, while the other crew members had the luxury of sitting "safe" inside the Bradley.

 

 

BMP-1, or the remnants of one, in Iraq. 3d Armored Cavaly Regiment was part of the Corps that "Storming Norman" Schwarzkopf sent on his Hail Mary left hook into Southern Iraq, effectively cutting off the Iraqi forces in their retreat from Kuwait.

 

 

During my first deployment to Kosovo, KFOR 2, we did about a weeks worth of Joint Operations with the Russian contingent. This was taken at one of the Russian checkpoints that we manned with them. In the center is the Junior Sergeant of the Russian Squad that was manning it with us. I was not impressed with the Russians in the least. The contents of the bottle you see on the left of me, was used for vodka. They were drunk more often than not. When they weren't offering us vodka, they were offering us drugs. I didn't do much for international relations I am afraid, as I pissed them off by always declining their "hospitality". Nevermind the occasional gunmen taking potshots from the hills ( directed towards the russkis, the locals weren't exaclty happy about them there either. They were more corrupt than the locals, which I think is why were were doing the joint ops, to get them to settle down), I was more worried about them than anything at the time.   My gunner, then PFC Walters, is on his right.

 

 

Another from the same rotation. We had M4's by the time the second rotation came about, which would have been KFOR 2A. This was on top of the ruins of an ancient castle. Cannot for the life of me recall the name, or history behind. All I remember, it was a hellava hump to the top. Which was more often then we liked, as it was one of the NAI's ( Named Areas of Interest) in our sector.

 

 

This was taken in Baghdad by one of my Iraqi's who had climbed on top of the truck to talk to me. Was a very stressful day to say the least. But then again, not too many that weren't. Being that we were a Transtion Team as they are called these days, embedded with the ISF as advisors,  we were a small team. Originally deployed with 6-8 man teams, and three trucks, or Humvess per Iraqi Battalion. With the most junior member being a SSG. So naturally, there weren't enough bodies to go around, and when we were mounted, I would man the guns on our truck. My team NCOIC would drive and either a Commando or our terp would ride shotgun. Later, towards the end, we would finally get "beefed" up manpower wise, by another 2-3 bodies generally. Most importantly, was the addition of a Medic. Before that, well, lets just say things weren't as comfy as we would have liked. 
 

 

 

This was taken in the quaint little town known as Samarra, inside our Iraqi compound, or "little green zone" as we called it.  Hopefully you can read into the sarcasm there. This bike was confiscated earlier in the evening downtown near the "Golden Mosque ( which was later destroyed, and the trigger for the hardest of sectarian violence between the Sunni and Shia ). The original "owner" had some idea that it would be ok to come charging at the patrol, with explosives strapped to himself. He thought wrong amd wouldn't need the bike where he went.

 

 

Private Security:
 
Myself, with a very small group of my Guard Force. We had a bunch of "LN's", Local Nationals in other words, coming in. Bunch of tribal shieks, and other "VIPS" for a meeting with the local U.S. Commander that day. The guards, hail from Uganda.

 

 

Private Security 2:
 
A little friendly reminder to some more, on the importance of sticking to proper procedures during refresher training. Was a constant battle with these guys. I swear the majority forgot everything they knew from the day prior, and started each day with a blank mind. Like they were wiping their hard drive before getting some down time. Rather the same with my Iraqis too.
 

 

 

 

 

Below is a small selection of the wonderful Items Mike sent to me for my collection !

 

 

 

Captured Iraqi camo shirt :