Info Sheet - SP4 Russell L. Woodrum - LRRP
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Tropic Lightning News 29 January 1968
CU CHI - "The third week was the real thing. The Viet Cong were not in the lesson plan," said Sp4 Russell Woodrum, 26, a 25th Div soldier recently graduating first in his class at the 5th Special Forces Recondo School in Nha Trang.
Woodrum of Mount Vernon, Mo., has been a member of the 3d Sqdn, 4th Cav's Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) Det since his arrival in Vietnam four months ago.
"Recondo School is not easy," were his sentiments. Of the 71 men starting his three week cycle, 41 finished.
Especially geared to train LRRPs, the three week school starts each morning with rigorous physical training (PT). Up at 4:30 a.m., the men do situps, pull-ups, push-ups - the Army "Daily Dozen." After PT, students loaded with a 30 pound pack, weapon and web gear "force march" for 5 kms, each day adding an extra km until they march 19 kms.
Breakfast is at 6 a.m. and after breakfast, classes begin and continue until 8 o'clock at night. The courses cover subjects essential to proper reconnaissance techniques - map reading, patrolling and radio use.
The second week sees more physical training early in the morning. Now the students run 5 kms rather than walk, working up to eight. Courses are expanded to include weapons firing, landing zone selection and target detection.
The third week is spent in the field undergoing actual reconnaissance missions. Woodrum was a team leader.
"My old team leader, SSG Larry Goods, is responsible for my graduating first in the class. His advice and assistance in the field during missions before going to the school gave me a real advantage," Woodrum added.
In recognition of his achievement, Woodrum was presented a handsome knife and cigarette lighter, both inscribed with his name by the instructors of the Special Forces School.