PFC Hoerl, Branden, E 18 July 2012
Checking personnel is just one of a team leaders' responsibilities, However any equipment used in the field should be checked, maintained and serviced by the one who is responsable for said equipment. Each time a weapon and equipment check is made alwase be sure to get a hands on for the item, as well as a visiual eyes on of said item to be sure that a one-hundred percent acountibility check was done. Without completing a one hundred percent acountibility check items could be lost without even knowing where or when the item has gone missing.
Personal military equipment must be accounted for before, during, and after every movement. Every item of importance on a kit should be tied down or if the peice of equipment is disposable or ammunition it should at least be secured in a pouch or proper magizine holdster. Extra uniforms and pouches should be checked and ensured to be secured inside of bags. If ammunition or an important piece of SI is lost and a proper check was done before a movement was made the equipment lost will be located within the area of where an element's last location and where that elementss current location is.
Equipment, lost or stolen can be a threat to all ISAF personnel. Depending on what the item was in the wrong hands it can easily be used to give the enemy an advantage. Ammunition captured by the enemy is just aiding in the fight against ISAF forces. Maps and mission plans that are written down and misplaced is a way for the enemy to learn mission speficics, what steps to take to counteract the objective, and learn our tactics. If equipment like NVG's are aquired by the enemy they could easily spott dismounts and plann night ambushes with more successful complex attacks.
In conclusion maintaining personal acountibility of equipment is essencial for mission readiness. Checking personel equipment with hands on and eyes on your sensitive...