Robin Sage is a summer Special Forces training program conducted
at the US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center at Ft. Bragg,
N.C. Its purpose is a culminating training exercise for soldiers
undergoing Special Forces training.
ROTC Cadets act as insurgent members of a growing resistance force
in the fictional country of Pineland. They will be assigned to
one of 15 "G" bands consisting of 3-4 cadets, approximately
15-20 other regular Army soldiers, and 1 "G" chief.
The "G" band will conduct link-up operations with he
Special Forces Student ODA's, receive specific training and begin
conducting combat and sustainment operations. This will all be
conducted in a non-permissive UW environment.
This is a great opportunity for senior ROTC Cadets to learn and
grow as potential leaders. Subjects taught to and executed by
the "G's" will consist of, but will not be limited to
the following:
1. Troop leading procedures
2. Mission planning: (Warning Orders (WARNOs), Patrol Orders,
Frag Orders (FRAGOs))
3. Small unit tactics: (Raids, ambushes, recons)
4. Air operations (Drop Zones (DZ), Landing Zones (LZ), message
pick-up)
5. Basic field craft: (survival, expedient navigation, etc..)
6. Demolitions
7. Medical skills
8. Communications
9. Weapons
10. Common skill tasks
Cadet Perspective on Robin Sage
By: CDT Alex Chung
Operation
Robin Sage is the fourth and final phase of the Special Forces
Qualification Course; it is the culmination of 18 months of training.
For
approximately three weeks, one third of North Carolina becomes
the People's Republic of Pineland – a fictional nation that is
invaded by its neighbors. A team of 12 Special Forces students,
called an Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA), inserts into Pineland
to assist guerilla forces fighting the enemy. The ODA's mission
is not an easy one; they must establish a rapport with the guerillas,
train them in unconventional warfare, and help them conduct missions
against the enemy. Essentially, the Special Forces ODA's overall
mission is to provide the guerillas with tools and skills necessary
to win their own freedom.
This past summer, I was fortunate enough to role-play a guerilla
in Operation Robin Sage 2004. Cadets from all over the country
came to participate in this field-training exercise. Throughout
my two weeks at Robin Sage, I participated in a half-dozen missions.
The Special Forces students trained us how to assault roadblocks
or gun through checkpoints from our vehicles. We developed tactics
to defend our base camp and were forced to execute those plans
on several occasions. I conducted foot and vehicle reconnaissance
on objectives. Everyone was introduced to basic MOUT (Military
Operations on Urbanized Terrain) fighting skills – including door-breaching,
room-clearing and hostage rescue. We conducted assaults on enemy
compounds alongside the Special Forces students. We attacked the
enemy by foot and by vehicle. We learned how to prepare airborne
re-supply drop zones.
There was basic medical and casualty aid training along with classes
on complex communications equipment. Everyone received training
on night vision devices. We guerillas even simulated war crimes/human
rights violations to see how the Special Forces students would
respond.
My 16 days at Robin Sage were incredible. I had a lot of fun,
met great people, and most notably – acquired a great wealth of
knowledge. I still talk regularly with some of the other cadets
I met at Robin Sage, as well as some enlisted men who participated
as guerillas too.
If you have the same opportunity (and you don't mind sleeping
with a rock for a pillow) then don't pass it up.
