Bct Blog #11

9/9/09 17:17

So as I may have mentioned in my most recent blog, all of the cool toys are the subject of our current training. Saturday, we were doing short ranger marksmanship with my rifles. We have been using the M16 for our training, but the M4 is a smaller, more accurate weapon that made me want to buy one haha. That was a fun day, we had to practice target identification - Shooting a specific target out of the 6 that popped up. And then practices a lot of quick movements with different short range targets. We shot all of the way into the night, at which point they put the NVG's (night vision goggles) onto our helmets and a laser only visible through the night vision was attached to the rifle. This was AWESOME. Just like those video games, pitch darkness becomes crystal clear in an eerie green hue.

We had a long weekend off for labor day, and then today we began what is supposed to be a 3-day field training exercise (camping without the booze as our DS call it). It may be cut short by rain, but anyway, today the first day has been devoted to the BIG GUNS: a 50-cal machine gun and 2 smaller machine guns. I just got done firing a few moments ago and it was quite an adrenaline rush! Other soldiers have describes an overwhelming rush of testosterone that requires no further description, but I can only say it was freakin' cool. One soldier that shot first aroused a group of turkeys that were chilling in the range, and of course one of them was tragically killed as it tried to exit the line of fire. It was the subject of cheers from everyone around - but to me it was sort of a chilling reminder of the power behind the military toys and the finality of what happens to whoever is caught in front of them.



9/9/9 1617

Yesterday turned out to be the longest day ever. After dark we placed our rucksacks in the woods where we would be sleeping. We though it was bedtime, but then they surprised us by taking us back to the range and handing out more ammo. For night time training, we were learning how to operate a big huge turret machine gun using a thermal night observational device. It was cool, but since we had been wearing our sweaty body armor for 17 hours straight, at that point I was in a bad mood lol. I'm REALLY getting antsy for this one to be over! But still staying positive.

The camping part of last night was fun! We paired off - I am with my squad leader, Greenway, who is cool. Just us with out sleeping bad on the floor of the woods. It is difficult to shave and change socks in the dark with an almost dead flashlight, but somewhere it worked. I am excited to camp again tonight, but could really use a shower rather than baby wipes (thanks mom and dad, they are helpful).

Today was training for more big manly guns, including the AT-4 (anti-tank rocket launcher) and a grenade launcher. We were firing fake tracer founds since these are extremely expensive weapons (the AT-4 is single use and costs $14,000 a shot!). But fake rounds or not it was cool to hold them and shoot at the fake tanks set up for us. We are also working on individual movements - like running towards fire and using concealment. It is fun to see these skills all tying together and actually making us somewhat prepared for the real thing.

It is funny how we can have 2 hour conversations in which we fantasize about the fast food and junk food we can't wait to eat. You just can't imagine how much of life you appreciate when your freedoms are gone.



9/9/09 2029

Tonight is awesome! We actually had time to arrange a quality sleeping area - probably because of the high chance of rain! Greenway and I reamed up with my other boys Ito and Jackson. We combined forces with our ponchos and made a sweet fort! I am pretty tired so I'm out!



9/10/09 1955

Somehow this crowded bay has become home sweet home for me since this camping/field exercise kicked my butt so much. It's so good to back back in a familiar bed. The best thing is we are getting up at 0330 for a PT test to check how many pushups/situps we can do and how fast we can run 2 miles. Last time I had a fairly high score - 6th best in my platoon of 56, so it is nothing to stress out about, but I'm pretty exhausted! Today we ran around a lot at another obstacle course pretending to attack an enemy and cover our battle buddy. It was pretty fun, but wow I'm just having a really hard time feeling motivated this week. I am so focused on family day and graduation coming up that my attitude towards training is slipping. Hopefully the grenade course will motivate me tomorrow. I really need to pick it up to finish this crap.

Anyway, I should make the most of time to sleep so I can feel good tomorrow! Love you all.