Another Question

[DaWiz]

Im pullin questions out my butt here since you guys like to answer them heres another one. What would be the process to fix a broken track while your in the feild? and IrishEKU what does the EKU stand for, cause i go to Eastern Kentucky Univ so the abrv is EKU, you can see why im courious.

[IrishEKU]

Originally Posted by DaWiz

Im pullin questions out my butt here since you guys like to answer them heres another one. What would be the process to fix a broken track while your in the feild? and IrishEKU what does the EKU stand for, cause i go to Eastern Kentucky Univ so the abrv is EKU, you can see why im courious.

Is it just me or does anyone else hear the "Twilight Zone" theme song?

I attend Eastern as well.

Now on to your question about repairing a section of track in the field. This happens to be one of the most thankless and dirties jobs that an armored vehicle crewman can perform because it almost always happens in the worst conditions.

There are a few reasons why this task may need to be performed, among them are worn or broken pads, lack of track tension( resulting in a thrown track ) or a sheared sprocket.

The process is the same no mater what the cause. You will need to "Break the Track." This process is done by either pulling the connecting pin (M 113, Bradley and MLRS series vehicles) or the end connectors (M 109, FASVEE, M-88, M 1 and many other heavier vehicles). Once done you either replace the offending pad/s and then walk the track back on. In some cases the crew may need the assistance of another vehicle to "pull" the track over the carrier rollers( small rollers that support the returning section of track forward) and to the other end. After this process is compleate, a set of clamps are used to pull the track togeather so the pin or connectors can be set in place. Finaly, the track tention is adjusted to correct parameters either with a large wrench or with a grease gun.

There are certain times when a track is thrown but not all the way off. With a knowledgable driver and crew it can be simply walked back on by letting all tention off the track and the use of the vehicles own power to slip it back over the drive sprocket. Then the tention is added and off the vehicle goes.

[DaWiz]

What year are you? and where do you live. Im a Freshman In Case Hall

[IrishEKU]

Wiz,

I live on campus in Brockton, I'll be working on my seinor year in the fall.

[DaWiz]

By any chance are you in ROTC?

[IrishEKU]

Originally Posted by DaWiz

By any chance are you in ROTC?

If you look at my sig line you will notice I am OCS, I commission in Aug.

If you want to look at www.armyocsng.com you can either do 4 years of ROTC or one of two ways with the national guard. That all depends on your future plans. The NG standard program is 16 months long, Federally recognized and quicker than ROTC. You will gain much more experiance than ROTC and have valuable leadership time under your belt by the time many of your peers finish ROTC.

That said, get over to your advisor and find out if you can CLEP test any of your classes. In order to start the OCS Program you must have 60 CH to start. I am guessing you are finishing out your Freshman year now, so you have somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 CH or so. As long as you will have 60 CH by next Summer you are in great shape for next years class. Get over to the site I mentioned and ask away, I am an Admin there to so don't be bashful.

Another option open to you, and a good one would be to talk to an OCS Grad working with ROTC his name is CAPT. Cline. His office is on the 5th floor, 3rd ramp of the stadium building.

[DaWiz]

Thank you for the info Irish