I think the problem is that we are not teaching them anymore to soldiers and as such we have a whole generation of NCMs / Officers who do not know what a SKOP is, why they should want one, and what to do with one even if they were issued it.
I was shocked (once again) when I asked a handful of Jr Officers (and then Cpl / MCpl / Sgts) if they knew what a SKOP was. A few had heard about it, one had carried "the brick of death" on phase training PT as a punishment for some crime against humanity, but not one of them had actually seen one set up in a real demo, let alone set one up themselves on exercise / training.
Not one of them in the group had even heard of MEXE. I think I might be getting old... sad days. Man, I hope Syria does not have artillery.
Hmmm... if anyone here has the power... procure more, drop the op restriction to ensure at least schools can order them (if not also Op units), and someone ensure they are in the pams / MLPs at the schools.
Jeffb was typing when I was writing this... Jeff... I want you as my trench partner come the next big war. I call dibs.
MC