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UP UNMANNED TESTING

As the Army restructures its modernization programs, careful consideration should be given to improving our simulations of unmanned ground vehicles.

Unmanned systems provide the ability to take on the dull, dirty and dangerous tasks in order to displace a soldier from an area of potential harm. An unmanned system can conduct a task to increase safety and survivability, or conduct duller, repetitive tasks for a soldier in order to allow the soldier’s skills to be used in more optimal areas.

Developers have a significant challenge with respect to autonomous UGV operations. Researchers and developers need to make valid conclusions about not only the tactical applicability of autonomous UGVs, but also potential operational or strategic impacts.

Without numerous prototypes of autonomous UGVs that could be used in live field exercises, they must base their analysis on simulations that portray UGV capabilities and soldier interactions in a relevant environment.

Until prototypes of autonomous UGVs can be tested and operated in the field, simulations are critical to getting the best answers. The Army must make it a priority to improve the modeling and simulations of UGVs.

Maj. Greg Nardi

Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

SPLIT VIEWS ON SIKHS

I write in response to the article “Religion vs. regulations” [April 27].

I was quite surprised to see that the Army Inspector General’s Office and the Defense Department stand firmly in enforcing that two Sikh officers, Capt. Kamaljeet Kalsi and 2nd Lt. Tejdeep Singh Rattan, must shave their beards, cut their hair and remove their turbans, stating it was necessary because such elements interfered with proper wear of head gear and protective clothing and equipment.

From April to October 2008, I served as the division human intelligence and counterintelligence officer in Regional Command South, Afghanistan. Being a NATO billet, the division staff I served on had representatives from over a dozen nations within it. One of the officers on the staff was a Royal Navy OF-3 (equivalent to a major) who was of Sikh descent. The British savored his heritage and allowed him to serve wearing a beard and turban while performing his duties on the staff.

Within a month of his joining the staff, it became evident that the local nationals working on our forward operating base took a great liking to him in part due to his heritage. In recognizing this, the Canadian division commander decided to send him to several remote areas on a multitude of missions. Local nationals, knowing the rich history of Sikh warriors, respected him, which contributed to our ability to influence the human terrain. I also want to point out that the Sikh was able to wear body armor and a Kevlar helmet while performing his duties.

In not allowing Kalsi and Rattan to practice standards associated with their religion, the Army is forgoing an opportunity to leverage the culture of its own forces to accomplish missions.

I recommend the Army Inspector General’s Office and the Defense Department revisit their stance.

If the local nationals of Afghanistan as well as the British recognize and appreciate the history of Sikhs, why don’t the Army Inspector General’s Office and Defense Department?

Maj. Chris Martinez

Fort Huachuca, Ariz.

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This letter is regarding your article “Religion vs. regulations” [April 27]. I found it very disturbing and unbecoming for the two officers who wear our Army uniform.

I have no problem with religion at all, because everyone has a right to practice their own religion. But during my time in the Army, I was always taught as a noncommissioned officer to lead by example and that my officers above me had to set a higher example. These two officers, I’m sure, are intelligent enough to know how to set an example.

Last I checked, AR 670-1 specifically states the proper wear and care of the uniform, being clean-shaven and having a regulation haircut — and that went from a private to a four-star general.

If I were to join another country’s military service, they would expect me to adhere to their standards of wearing a uniform and appearance. The Army should be appalled by this and should not tolerate the appearance shown by these two officers, who should set the example. They joined our military and they need to adhere to the standards.

If they choose to continue to do this and ignore the standards we’ve set for our men and women in uniform since 1775, then they need to be dealt with accordingly by the chain of command.

I do respect other people’s religion, but this case needs to be dealt with gingerly, yet firmly, and without reservation and exception.

Former Sgt. Patrick R. McGrady

Alexandria, Va.

SOLDIER AMBASSADORS

I’m the command sergeant major of the French operational mentoring and liaison team attached to the Afghan Army’s 2nd Kandak, 1st Brigade, 201st Corps, on Forward Operating Base Airborne, Afghanistan.

For more than three months now, we have shared the battle space with the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, and the 4th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery, from 10th Mountain Division. Both “Catamounts” and “Wolfpack” are involved in the security of the North Wardak with the Afghan National Army unit we mentor.

I would like to tell you how proud and honored we are to serve with these units. More than a few squares of dust and mud behind Hesco barriers, we share a piece of life, and with it, joy and sorrow, pain and happiness. Dealing with ANA is our job, and they are helpful for that and much more. Always ready to go forward, fit, professional and open, they had a perfect overview of counterinsurgency operations.

They got the strength of their young soldiers and the wisdom of their veterans. It could be easy to add a bunch of nice adjectives, but they are more than that — a part of you, your nation and outstanding ambassadors. Every time soldiers are deployed somewhere they are the United States for foreigners like me. We learned about the United States from them, and they learned about France from us. Different armies with a lot in common points. Different views aiming at the same target.

I learned where Ohio and New York are. What a NASCAR race and a baseball match are. How much money Americans spend in health care and music.

U.S. citizens should know their soldiers proudly serve the country, in the snow or the heat.

Command Sgt. Maj. Dominique JC Savel

FOB Airborne, Afghanistan

DRILL SGTS. AREN’T HIDING

Within my troop of 10 drill sergeants, not a single one is hiding out. Only one of 10 volunteered for this assignment and, as good soldiers, we did not turn down the opportunity of training future warriors for the Army.

To put on the front page of Army Times, “New rules mean no more hiding at: schools, recruiting, drill duty” [May 4], is irresponsible.

As we all saw the cover of Army Times, we were filled with anger because the cover insinuates that drill sergeants are deployment dodgers, which is not correct. This job we were Department of the Army-selected for is demanding and stressful, full of regulations for what we can and cannot do.

We all would rather deploy and do our part for the defense of this country than be known as people hiding out. We already hear it from our brothers on the line that the quality of soldier has declined, but that is because of the difficulty to push trainees out of the Army. Now the troops out fighting will see us as deployment dodgers, too.

Staff Sgt. Jason Guthrie

Fort Knox, Ky.