WARMUP: Usual stuff.
THE THANG: The Unofficial Bob Gallagher WoD
Bob Gallagher was a legendary NCO who last served as the Command Sergeant Major of the Wounded Warrior Program. He was a veteran of Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Gothic Serpent in Mogadishu, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. Bob died in 2014 shortly after he retired from the Army. I have the honor of being able to say that I knew Bob, albeit briefly, and that he definitely had a positive impact on me when I was a young officer.
In December 1989, Bob parachuted into Panama and earned his combat jump star (aka “mustard stain”). He jumped from just 500 AGL (above ground level), a level low enough that in the event his main parachute malfunctioned, he would not have ample time to deploy his reserve chute. So, no reserves were worn.
12 Burpees (for December)
19 Merkins
89 Flutterkicks
In October 1993, Bob served as a Platoon Sergeant with 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment during Operation Gothic Serpent in Mogadishu (battle made famous by the book, and subsequent film, Blackhawk Down).
For his unit (3/75th Ranger Regt):
3 – Manmakers
75 – Sit Ups
For the 18 service member KIA and 84 wounded (to include Bob, who was shot in the arm and sustained significant damage):
18 – HR Merkins
84 – Squats
In March 2003, Bob served as Command Sergeant Major of Task Force 3-15, 3rd Infantry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Bob was injured during a fierce battle just south of Baghdad when he took shrapnel in his leg. Bob, of course, kept on fighting.
3 Rounds of 15 x Mike Tyson Merkins, 15 x Lunges, and 15 x Crunches. Merkins in honor of Objective Moe, Lunges in honor of Objective Larry, and Crunches in honor of Objective Curly. Bob fought at Obj Curly.
Bob was just 52 when he died of a heart condition shortly after his retirement from the Army.
52 – Merkins or other exercise of Pax Choice
I met Bob in Hawaii in the late 90s. He was a First Sergeant of an infantry company, and I was a young engineer lieutenant. As engineers, we were trained and certified in demolitions and therefore could serve as OIC (Officer-in-Charge) of the demolition range. Bob’s unit needed someone to run the demo range, and somehow fate steered him to me. A few weeks prior, I had run into Bob at a medical board hearing. He and I were both there to vouch for one of our respective soldiers to keep them from being medically discharged.
I met Bob and his CO about a week prior to the range. He remembered me from the boards, and made the comment that good leaders vouch for good soldiers, shook my hand, and welcomed me into his unit headquarters. I arrived pretty intimidated, but Bob quickly put me at ease. On the day of the range, we did a variety of drills, to include claymore mines and door breaching charges. Some privates were yapping while I delivered the mandatory range briefing. Rather than have them “realign” via a “smoke session”, he made them dance, in full body armor, in front of the entire company, while I delivered the briefing. I’ll never forget it.
Training went well, and afterwards as we were closing down the range, Bob and his CO invited me for beers at a local watering hole. So of course I went. Over a few beers, the wisdom and professionalism imparted on me from Bob were immeasurable.
I ran into Bob a few more times at a different watering hole, and every time he treated me kindly. Will never forget as we were grabbing a beer in the little shithole bar one time, I called him First Sergeant (a sign of respect for his rank, his service, his experience). Bob looked at me and simply said “My friends call me Bob.”
MARY: Community Mary
ANNOUNCEMENTS / COT: Bob was the textbook definition of a professional. He took his job and responsibilities very seriously; himself, not so much. I can't articulate how much taking care of those around him meant to him, much less how contagious Bob's attitude was. Truly a great HIM!