You know what comes across to me are the optics of deploying NG to DC. Sure, it looks like someone is serious about security or whatever, but look at how ill-prepared the troops are. 3-day packs, rifles with no magazines, clean skin plate carriers with no ammo and gear pouches, and sleeping on the floors.
Think back, Trump has stated several times his administration inherited a broken, reduced military.
Matter of time before some MSM hack says, 'hey, these guys don't have all the gear they're supposed to have. Trump pocketed the money that was supposed to be used to supply them with the best equipment for his wall.' or some such other bullshit they can come up with.
Also I have to look at the chain of command for these units. Sure, this call-up seems last minute, but, as these are NG troops, some with SWA (South West Asia) deployments, that's Middle East = Iraq, the Stan, etc, the individual troops should have been a bit more prepared. Those with deployments under their belt should have had the 'talk' with the others in their squad. The talk about how when deployed you can't count on anything finding you when you need it or want it.
Meaning you can't depend on hot chow therefore plan for that. You can't depend on the mail catching up with you, plan accordingly, you can't depend on supply finding you when you're short on what you need, plan for that. The only thing you can depend on, as soon as you're screwing off somewhere, the CO or SGM will show up. That's a given.
What all that means is these troops with some experience behind them, should be squad leaders, platoon leaders, and all should be familiar with a GOTH = Go To Hell plan. You plan for items not being there and support not reaching you. If you are getting cold chow, there are camping stoves and this place called Costco, or even the PX which they can access with their ID, where one finds bulk items, instant coffee, tea, apple cider, instant oatmeal, meal bars, snacks, etc. Al that should have been done prior to any deployments and these items standing ready for your squad or platoon when the time comes for a deployment.
As to there not being laundry service, if the soldier around which this OP was posted was able to leave the perimeter, there are coin operated laundromats in the area. If he's getting deliveries from a relative, that can work both ways. Relative can take dirty laundry, wash and return. Seems pretty simple solution to a minor problem.
Also, cell phones and food delivery works as well. Chow not finding you? Make a call, get something delivered. Do that often enough and word starts getting out to the senior NCOs that something smells about the supply and support chain. As its been said, shit rolls downhill. Get a couple of senior NCOs barking at the mess section sergeant and one will be surprised how fast food starts getting to the troops while its still warm.
Improvise, adapt, overcome used to be drilled into recruit's head. What happened to that?
I still say this is an optic for the media to exploit about how Trump says our military is the best equipped. I figure a matter of time before that happens.
