Scorpion transport service

Photo By Master Sgt. Opal Vaughn | Pittsburg, Penn. native Spc. Nicholas Mossburger, driver, Scorpion Platoon, 5th Squadron, 1st U.S. Cavalry, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, prepares his mine resistant ambush protected vehicle for convoy while at Forward Operating Base Warhorse in the Diyala province of Iraq, March 6.  

03.11.2009

Story by Spc. Opal Vaughn  

14th Public Affairs Detachment

Calf length socks, khaki shorts, shirt buttoned to the collar, hair gelled and whipped to perfection – from top to bottom an air of confidence transmits from this body of excellence.

Now picture this - worn khaki boots caked in who knows what, dirt covered digital print trousers and shirt aimed to camouflage in varying environments and hair buzzed to the scalp – from top to bottom a sense of accomplishment echoes from this body of stealth.

What's the difference between the two?

Transportation is perhaps not a glamorous, sexy or even stylish job, but it is one that must be done.

"We are an important asset to not only Soldiers but for civilians as well," said Staff Sgt. Apostolos Gregorious, platoon sergeant, Scorpion Platoon, 5th Squadron, 1st U.S. Cavalry, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. "We have a wide variety of things we are tasked with but mainly we conduct security for convoys, route clearance and provide escort for PSYOP and Civil Affairs."

Being a small platoon has its advantages especially if a detour has to be taken during a mission.

"Our job allows other maneuver units to conduct missions," said Sgt. Leonel Vazquez, section sergeant, Scorpion Platoon, 5-1 Cav. "It's very important that we are able to accomplish our mission so that the actual maneuver units [are able to complete theirs], the ones that do all the dirty work. We are not actually, per-say, a maneuver platoon, but in the event that we are engaged by the enemy we're trained to take care of things as needed."

Regardless of how big or small Scorpion platoon may be, they always accomplish their mission.

"With this platoon, it's the Soldiers that make the missions happen," Gregorious stated. "All we have is each other, so it is up to the Soldiers and my NCOs [non-commissioned officers] to make things happen."

With duty, pride and honor, Scorpion continues to set standards in everything they do.

"We're very detailed, crisp and we're trained only to do the best," Gregorious stated. "I feel that this platoon...of communications specialists, mechanics and a couple combat arms guys that were thrown together...through rigorous training we are excelling and doing it better than any other guys."

Working together as a team to get the mission accomplished is what the Army is all about.

"We are part of a team and we're helping others along as well, for anything, Scorpion is always here to help. Even though we operate independently we are still part of the big family in support of the mission, 100 percent," Gregorious stated.

"We only do the best, we're Scorpion," Gregorious stated.

• Date Taken: 03.11.2009
• Date Posted: 03.12.2009 08:02
• Story ID: 31025