RECONDO School Origins

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Jim
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RECONDO School Origins

Post by Jim »

The origins of RECONDO School. Great read:

http://sofrep.com/41969/recondo-school/
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Re: RECONDO School Origins

Post by Steadfast »

Jim wrote:The origins of RECONDO School. Great read:

http://sofrep.com/41969/recondo-school/
Kenn Miller, author of Six Silent Men, also book no. 2. What an impressive mind, eh Jim.
Our 4ID Pre-RECONDO was imaged by teachers RECONDO grads themselves, a 3 week couse with 2 missions in Bandit country & a full tour doing LRRP missions. Called the trickle down effect for us lowly down students.
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Re: RECONDO School Origins

Post by Jim »

One of our members, LRP1 was an instructor at MAC-V RECONDO school. A small, small world.

Great Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGIqUJfR6qI
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Re: RECONDO School Origins

Post by Slowpoke »

Miller had a little trouble with his dates, but it was a good read. Sometimes his dates caused a "what the fuck?" moment but then another line would bring goose bumps and a "oh yeah. I remember that" moment.

If you look closely at the book "Recondo", it's dedicated to a friend of mine, Gary "Wolf" Loetze. The poor fucker died in a plane crash in Alaska on his way home from his extended tour in Vietnam. The plane wreckage and the bodies were recovered just a few years ago.
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Re: RECONDO School Origins

Post by Steadfast »

Slowpoke wrote:Miller had a little trouble with his dates, but it was a good read. Sometimes his dates caused a "what the fuck?" moment but then another line would bring goose bumps and a "oh yeah. I remember that" moment.

If you look closely at the book "Recondo", it's dedicated to a friend of mine, Gary "Wolf" Loetze. The poor fucker died in a plane crash in Alaska on his way home from his extended tour in Vietnam. The plane wreckage and the bodies were recovered just a few years ago.
I'll be sure to look for Gary's name in book # 2.
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Re: RECONDO School Origins

Post by Jim »

Recondo (1970)
Follows a class of Soldiers Through The Three-Week Training Course To Become Recondo, A Soldier Who Plans And Makes Reconnaissance Patrols Into Enemy Territory. 5th Mech Div training course.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Vs5ANIbtc
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Re: RECONDO School Origins

Post by IEDmagnet »

Gentlemen, I just want to say thanks to all of you from Vietnam. I read all of the books you are talking about by Linderer and Miller while I was stationed at Bragg. You guys did some amazing stuff, and I appreciate it.


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Re: RECONDO School Origins

Post by fatboy »

Reading all three books of Six Silent Men and Eyes of the Eagle is what really set me down the path to where I am today. I just re-read them not too long ago actually, and am in the process of finishing Gary O'Neal's book about his service. Giants among men is just scratching the surface of how I would describe you guys.
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Re: RECONDO School Origins

Post by Jim »

MACV Recondo School: Nha Trang

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXL3AXGEmqc
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Re: RECONDO School Origins

Post by centermass »

Even though it came under the auspices of XVIII ABN Corps, when I went through (9-79) it was an all SF cadre staffed and run, either from SWC, 5th or 7th SFG (Back then, it was considered an "SD" assignment for them)

While I was there, an unmarked Huey landed and off loaded 5-6 guys in business attire, who immediately went into the Hqs bldg, and started turning the place upside down. Within minutes, Sergeant Major Strahan (The course commandant) stormed out of the building, cussing and to say was upset, would be an understatement. Seems the boys from the NSA got wind we were being taught UW techniques and tactics (Which we were, but under the radar, at least until someone snitched)

After about 2 hours, they boarded the bird, departed back to Meade, empty handed and never found anything, but left the Hqs in a shambles, with files strewn about, all over the floor.

One of the best and most demanding courses I ever endured.
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Re: RECONDO School Origins

Post by Slowpoke »

centermass wrote:Even though it came under the auspices of XVIII ABN Corps, when I went through (9-79) it was an all SF cadre staffed and run, either from SWC, 5th or 7th SFG (Back then, it was considered an "SD" assignment for them)

While I was there, an unmarked Huey landed and off loaded 5-6 guys in business attire, who immediately went into the Hqs bldg, and started turning the place upside down. Within minutes, Sergeant Major Strahan (The course commandant) stormed out of the building, cussing and to say was upset, would be an understatement. Seems the boys from the NSA got wind we were being taught UW techniques and tactics (Which we were, but under the radar, at least until someone snitched)

After about 2 hours, they boarded the bird, departed back to Meade, empty handed and never found anything, but left the Hqs in a shambles, with files strewn about, all over the floor.

One of the best and most demanding courses I ever endured.
I wasn't aware that XVIII Abn Corps had a Recondo School.....VERY good idea.
I never wore a cape, but I still have my dog tags.

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Re: RECONDO School Origins

Post by centermass »

Have no idea who snuck the camera in and gave me this pic later on. If you were caught with one, it was your ass.

The pic was taken just before the jump into the FTX. SGM (RET) Al Brashier, winner of Best Ranger, 1992 and Ranger Hall Of Fame inductee, is standing just behind me.
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Re: RECONDO School Origins

Post by fatboy »

I'm going to go out on a limb and wonder if that's the originator of the Brashier breaching charge? Either way, cool pic.
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Re: RECONDO School Origins

Post by centermass »

fatboy wrote:I'm going to go out on a limb and wonder if that's the originator of the Brashier breaching charge? Either way, cool pic.
It is.

And pretty much still a standard used. He assisted in the development and writing of the Breachers Handbook as well.

He is also one of the few able to cross over from the 75th RR to SF, did his time there and crossed back over to the 75th RR.

One of the quietest, low key guys I ever had the honor of serving with. Same goes for Tommy. (CAG, also in the RHOF)

Click on the picture to enlarge it.
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Re: RECONDO School Origins

Post by Jim »

Wikipedia entry for RECONDO:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recondo
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