8TH TANK BN COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91 12 APR 91

File: 970107_aug96_decls2_0005.txt
Page: 0005
Total Pages: 60

Subject: 8TH TANK BN  COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91  12 APR 91     

Unit: 8TH TANK BN 

Parent Organization: 2 MARDIV    

Box  ID: BX600007

Folder Title: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991                                           

Document Number:          1

Folder Seq  #:          5





                                              UNCLASSIFIED


               administrative tasks required before arriving at the SIA. Each Marine was
               checked to insure that his RED, ID card, dog tags and service re6ord was Lip to
               date and ready. Classes were conducted for each Marine and his immediate
               family to provide them necessary information on VHA, medical, legal,
               insurance, commissary and exchange benefits and other personal and dependent
               aspects of active military service and overseas deployment. A family support
               group was also formed.
                 On 28 November 1990, the individual companies boarded chartered commercial
               transportation for movement to the SIA. In advance of the battalion's
               activation, "D" Company sent 37 personnel as an MPS advance party to Norfolk,
               Virginia. They sailed with our equipment on the MPS shipping in advance of
               the Sth Tank Battalion9s activation.
                 The battalion arrived throughout the day at SIP, Camp Lejeune, North
               Carolina on 28 November 1990. The battalion staff moved into work spaces
               ,vacated by 2d Tank Battalion. Billeting was within walking distance in new
               barracks without furniture. During the period that the battalion was
               preparing for overseas deployment, numerous requirements had to be addressed
               in several areas. These areas included medical, supply, embarkation,
               personnel, advance parties, and multiple equipment shortages.
                 Numerous medical requirements had to be met before the battalion could
               deploy. Physical and dental exams were required for all personnel and
               required considerable time to accomplish. A host of immunizations were
               needed, and all medical and dental records had to be updated. This was
 in the arrival of our Navy Reserve Medical
               personnel and our medical records.
                 Supply was a critical stand up area that required extensive time and
               effort. The battalion's entire supply account had to be established from
               scratch in the Supported Activity Supply System (SASSY). Extensive assistance
               was provided by a dedicated Field Supply @nd Maintenance Analysis Offic@-
               (FSMAO) team who worked hand in hand with our supply personnel.









                 Preparing equipment for embarkation on both air transportation and follow
               on shipping was an ongoing task during the battalions stay at Camp Lejeune.
               Air shipments had been pre-scheduled prior to the battalions arrival to the
               SIA. These shipments commenced before identified shortages of T/E equipment
               arrived. The battalion was forced to establish a rear embarkation party under
               Captain L. LACHAT to continue the process of shipping equipment that arrived
               after the battalion had left for SWA. Because of the difficulty of getting
               his party manifested on an aircraft, the rear embark party was not able to
               rejoin the battalion in SWA until late January 1991.
               . Training of personnel was a high priority for the Bth Tank Battalion while
               at the SIA. All battalion personnel participated in the five day 2d MarDiv
               SWA indoctrination classes in NBC defense, the medical, environmental and
               military situation in SWA and navigation and survival in the desert. Small
               arms familiarization firing was conducted although there was no opportunity to
               engage in tank or TOW gunnery or maneuver training. The battalion staff also
               had an opportunity to utilize the Staff Training Facility.


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        UNCLASSIFIED

Document 60 f:/Week-34/BX600007/COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991/8th tank bn command chronology nov 90 to mar 91:01029709504317
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-34
Box ID = BX600007
Unit = 8TH TANK BN
Parent Organization = 2 MARDIV
Folder Title = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991
Folder Seq # = 5
Subject = 8TH TANK BN COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 02-JAN-1997