The end is near.....

As this deployment is wrapping up, I thought I would share an official view of what I did during this deployment.  The other day I was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for my actions during this deployment.  When you are put up for an award, someone has to write up both a Summary of Action and an Award Citation which is read when you are presented with the award.  Below I have attached the text from both along with a couple of pictures.

SUMMARY  OF ACTION
First Lieutenant Culp is enthusiastically recommended for the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as Operations Advisor, Fourth Kandak Embedded Training Team, Second Brigade Advisor Team, Regimental Combat Team (RCT) 6, 2d Marine Division (Forward) from 15 August 2011 to 30 April 2012 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

During pre-deployment, First Lieutenant Culp took charge of coordinating with the battalion operations section. He gathered, evaluated, and distributed intelligence from the off-going team, the battalion intelligence officer, and the battalion operations section. First Lieutenant Culp then ensured the Embedded Training Team (ETT) was trained to the standard needed to successfully mentor the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) and operate in isolated environments. During this time, he coordinated several training events, and acted as the ETT’s communications officer. First Lieutenant Culp seized the initiative by researching the requirements for data access in country. He personally ensured that the team had all necessary clearances, then proceeded to hand carry the required paperwork into country. As a result of his efforts, the ETT had access to data immediately upon arrival in Afghanistan and was able to begin advisor work with no delay.

Once in country, the ETT was immediately tasked to support a named operation. With little time to prepare, the team leader and two other members of the ETT departed for two weeks. During the team leader’s absence, First Lieutenant Culp immediately took charge of the team. He managed the turnover with the previous team, led the contingent at Delaram 2, and coordinated with the six Marines still operating out of Camp Leatherneck. During this period, he coordinated the acquisition of critical supplies, repair parts, and other necessary gear, both with Regimental supply and with the remainder of the team at Camp Leatherneck. First Lieutenant Culp’s hard work and dedication allowed the ETT to work towards mission readiness although it was scattered across two provinces in Afghanistan.

As operations officer, First Lieutenant Culp took charge of directing the advisor efforts of the ETT. He evaluated the ANA Kandak the ETT was assigned to on a daily basis and developed plans to strengthen their weaknesses. First Lieutenant Culp de-conflicted the concerns and operations within each shop of the ETT and coordinated efforts. As a result, the ETT was able to mentor the ANA on the same major issues at the local section and company level. Additionally, because of the coordinated efforts of the team, the Kandak can operate without the support of the Marine units.

In an effort to ensure the team was prepared for operations, First Lieutenant Culp coordinated internal team training to include, crew serve weapons range, medical classes, close quarter battle drills, and quick reaction force (QRF) drills. He developed a training plan for the ETT and ensured training was conducted weekly to ensure the team sustained and advanced their combat skills. His efforts were evident in the successful completion of one named operation and seven other missions.

First Lieutenant Culp provided daily advisement and mentorship to the Kandak commander and operations office. His focus was the development of a training program within the ANA. When he arrived in country, the ANA had no type of sustainment training, nor did they work to advance the skill level of their soldiers. First Lieutenant Culp recognized this as a problem and worked diligently to rectify it. As a result of his efforts, the Kandak developed their own weekly training plan, as well as, supported training courses by sending soldiers to each available course. During the deployment, 4th Kandak went from a group of untrained soldiers, to a Kandak with trained Fire Direction Officers, Gun Line operators, a mine sweeper platoon, an Explosive Ordinance Disposal company, a medical platoon, a maintenance platoon, and others. All of these personnel were trained either internally by trained Kandak personnel or at official courses supported by the ANA and coalition forces.

As operations officer First Lieutenant Culp supervised the ETT in various tactical and non-tactical situations, and coordinated with outside agencies to allow the completion of several missions and other tasks. This included the building or improvement of several check points, patrol bases, and entry control points; the employment of engineers in the Helmand and Nimroz Provinces; and the training and utilization of a helicopter-borne interdiction force formed from ANA and Marine personnel.

During the deployment, First Lieutenant Culp took every opportunity to lead. This included serving a QRF Commander during a named operation. This operation lasted seven days and was a joint venture with another advisor team and two ANA Kandaks. During this mission, First Lieutenant Culp led the QRF in resupply missions, QRF duties, and security. Though the QRF encountered indirect fire and Improvised Explosive Device threat, First Lieutenant Culp led with confidence and composure, and aided the team in completing their mission with no damage to ETT personnel or equipment. Additionally, he served as convoy commander for several logistics patrols.

First Lieutenant Culp continued to display his leadership when assigned as Assistant Helicopter Unit Commander/Ground Unit Commander for the Helicopter-borne interdiction force. He coordinated classes, training, and rehearsals for both ANA and Marines. The result was the successful employment of the aerial interdiction forceS. This training increased the spectrum of capabilities for reconnaissance company, and increased the company’s proficiency to operate independently.

AWARD CITATION

MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT WHILE SERVING AS OPERATIONS ADVISOR, REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM 6, FROM AUGUST 2011 TO APRIL 2012 IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. DURING THIS PERIOD, FIRST LIEUTENANT CULP SERVED AS THE OPERATIONS ADVISOR FOR 4TH KANDAK, 2D BRIGADE, 215TH CORPS, AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY. FIRST LIEUTENANT CULP MENTORED AND SUPERVISED HIS AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY COUNTERPARTS IN ALL MANNER OF OPERATIONS AND PLANNING FROM INFANCY TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY. FIRST LIEUTENANT CULP DIRECTED THE EMBEDDED TRAINING TEAM’S EFFORTS AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COORDINATING THE TRAINING OF FIRE DIRECTION OFFICERS, GUN LINE OPERATORS, A MINE SWEEPER PLATOON, AN EXPLOSIVE ORDINANCE DISPOSAL COMPANY, A MEDICAL PLATOON, AND A MAINTENANCE PLATOON. FIRST LIEUTENANT CULP MANAGED A CONSOLIDATED MEMORANDUM RECEIPT WORTH MORE THAN SIX MILLION DOLLARS, COORDINATED INTERNAL TEAM RESET TRAINING, AND PERSONALLY TRACKED THE BUILDING OF SEVERAL MAJOR CHECK POINTS AND PATROL BASES TO ENHANCE SECURITY IN THE REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM’S AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY. FIRST LIEUTANANT CULP WAS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN TRAINING THE KANDAK’S RECONNAISSANCE COMPANY FROM INFANCY TO A HIGHLY CAPABLE UNIT WITH AERIAL INTERDICTION CAPABILITIES RESULTING IN THE FIRST AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY AIR INTERDICTION MISSION. FIRST LIEUTENANT CULP’S INITIATIVE, PERSEVERANCE, AND TOTAL DEDICATION TO DUTY REFLECTED CREDIT UPON HIM AND UPHELD THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MARINE CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.