GREAT story.
Thank you for being willing to serve and to stand up for what is right.
I'll admit it, I was a real PITA after I'd been through a couple of successful tac evals. I'd like to think it was great confidence in my abilities, and my trust in my platoon.
During those two years as a Platoon Leader (for 3 platoons), my Platoon Sergeants all had at least one tour in Vietnam. I would have been stupid to not take advantage in their guidance and experience.
I loved tac evals once I learned what I could, and could not, do. It was showtime! lol Unfortunately, I had a CO who was much like CPT Sobel in Band of Brothers. He was an excellent staff officer who never should have been allowed near soldiers.
I was fortunate, there wasn't much going on from 76-84, when I was on active duty. I think the most dangerous time was during Nuclear Surety Inspections at a nearby Nike Hercules battery, where we played a tangential role. We assembled 40 men, issued live ammunition before we left the motor pool, and then took on our mission as an infantry platoon.
During my six forays in those inspections, we never had any injuries, or weapons discharged accidentally. I took great pains to provide them with two hours of infantry refresher training, as they hadn't had that since basic training.
The Baader Meinhof gang was known to operate in our area, and I'm certain they had observers during those inspections.