We got up about 0330 on Monday morning of the OT part. push ups: i did 49 in two minutes. up 14 in two weeks. . sit ups: 58, up 4. run: 2 miles in 17.09. down over 4 minutes. of course, my knee isn't' about to fall off anymore, so the improvement isn't' that impressive. All in all, I passed. Yes the DS still gave me a hard time.
Monday afternoon we went to a range on a hill. It was exactly like the range we quality on but fore difficult to slop. It got ugly. Two major problems. only I still hadn't found a steady kneeling position, two: to perk up transitional you need to use both eyes. my good eye is looking down the posts. My left eye cant' process very well. The result: mediocrity.
Tuesday: I didn't' trust the zoom on my rifle so I had it readjusted while setting up the range. I got hassled by a DS for telling him the the DS wanted the target set up one way. Oh well, I guess they think they'll phase me. I go the zero and went to go qualify. it took me a while, but after I changed my zero again, found my kneeling stance and basically memorized the entire target sequence. I finally was the last to qualify int he company. but that is no where near as important as what happened that morning while i was restoring. I claim no knowledge beyond what I state in the following. A few soldiers in the other platoons began counting how many rounds the soldiers in my platoon fired. They claimed the count to be fifty instead of the required 40. Others claimed their magazines were short on ammo. A physical round found that there was 25in each magazine rather then 20. when I got back from zeroing, we were called into company formation and the captain yelled about integrity, honesty and cheating. All the soldiers who qualified apart, sharpshooters and marksmen that morning had their badges revoked. The qualifications began again. Fortunately, I was re zeroing the entire time so my hands are clean. By the way, even with the ear protection the hearing in my right ear is still a little fuzzy.
Wednesday morning, we ran 2 miles. Again I ran with the slow group. We instead the pace of 8 group so that was difficult. After that we had to do buddy carry laps. For a quarter of a w mile one soldier had to carry me around the track, then I had ot do the same. The other soldier has some difficulty carrying me so I had to struggle to stay on. I, too, had difficulty keeping him on. Did I fail to mention that I ended up with the largest soldier in the company? so after carrying around 300 lbs or so on my back a 10 mile muck march didn't' seem so bad. Also of note, I was basically choked for the last couple of hundred feet and then was required to run a lap. not fun. the of Wednesday was pretty boring: another computer simulation (playstation on crack) and we began practicing throwing grenades.
Thursday we combined the 2 things that should never be combined. rucksacks and running. we had to with who knows how many pounds on our backs for 1/2 a mile, drop ruck, run again and then shoot at moving targets. the highlight of night: 10 minute phone calls and Mom finally was home.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
9/23/07
For the most part this week has been brm (basic rifle mechanics). Pointing and shooting for the most part. ON Fridays we went the range to work on pop-up targets. I did alright considering my sights aren't' aligned and I had to aim to the right of each target. The DS didn't' stop on me this time for the once. I got a magazine to the helmet.
Saturday, we practiced more brm in the morning and when the confidence courses. I wouldn't describe the obstacles as scary at all, just painful. Highlights included sliding down a rope about 60 feet and webbing though the winder. The winder consists of a numbers of wooden beams set about 7 feet (parallel) apart. on an incline and then a decline. kind of like the cross beams on a house. The object is to go over one and then under the next. You're basically repeating the same effort over and over but it really start to hurt after a while. Speaking of pain, the trial obstacle was the German wall which consists of a series of walls that just got taller and taller until you get to find the 12 ft wall. The mission is to get your squad over all of the wall. getting up can be difficult, getting down is plain painful. The bruising on my arms can prove it. After the of our success at brm that week and completion of the obstacle course, the DS decided to reward the platoon with a fifteen minute phone call and a movie in lieu of the concert we were missing. In fact, they gave us and opportunity to go the the concert. So I could get some ore training int he PT test on Monday and BRm education on Tuesday. I decided to stay at the barracks. a time schedule was made and starting 1830 we call start making phone calls. the queue put me at either 2030 or 2045. Granted, this put me right in the middle of "the O'Reilly factor" but Mom should still answer the phone. Again, phone calls began at 1830, At 1836... Well back story first. Among the many training devices we've been using is the Super Nintendo with an M18 trainer game. It's kind of like duck hunt but more complicated and boring. Anyway at 1836, because somebody cut in line or something like that, a few privates began fighting within view of a drill sergeant. The end result. Getting smoked for an hour by running up and down a hill. At the bottom, you do sit-ups. At the top, push-ups. When the DS blows the whistle you start running down or up or turnaround. Prior to this, unknown to us, the DS had trashed any locker that wasn't locked. When we got back we had to clean up the mess. And yes I did lock mine. My bunkie didn't though. Did I mention we had to do this in full battle rattle. The DS also noticed that a lot of the open lockers had dirty laundry in them so we all had to clean all of the laundry and no one could go to bed until everyone was done. This included people who went to the concert. Basically we had to train in full gear until 0030. At that point we had to sit through a sermon by the platoon's chaplain assistant. And finally sleep, which is good because I started seeing things. And no we didn't get phone calls. Today was a little better since the PT test is tomorrow the threat of smoking was low, but still there. The CQ DS gave the entire company seven minutes phone calls. I tried Mom again, but no luck. Called dad again. I actually had a hard time composing myself given the events of last night. Mental stability is only now returning to me. To ensure that everyone stayed to the time limit, the PG (platoon guide) chose a trustworthy soldier to time them. So basically, I spent the entire morning watching other people make phone calls. Now you may be asking yourself, "I see that they trust you with the phone job, but why no mention of a leadership position?" Because leadership positions are solely based on PT scores. This of course results in a series of 17-18 year-olds, who can run, constantly being fired and rehired. We slowly have been making our way to a competent leadership, but we still have a long way to go. In the afternoon, we went to the Px and I was finally able to buy soap. I bought a book of marching cadences. It disappeared before we even got back to the barracks. There be thieves among us. Tomorrow we do the PT test and Tuesday quality on the Malb. Two events that could make or break basic training.
Saturday, we practiced more brm in the morning and when the confidence courses. I wouldn't describe the obstacles as scary at all, just painful. Highlights included sliding down a rope about 60 feet and webbing though the winder. The winder consists of a numbers of wooden beams set about 7 feet (parallel) apart. on an incline and then a decline. kind of like the cross beams on a house. The object is to go over one and then under the next. You're basically repeating the same effort over and over but it really start to hurt after a while. Speaking of pain, the trial obstacle was the German wall which consists of a series of walls that just got taller and taller until you get to find the 12 ft wall. The mission is to get your squad over all of the wall. getting up can be difficult, getting down is plain painful. The bruising on my arms can prove it. After the of our success at brm that week and completion of the obstacle course, the DS decided to reward the platoon with a fifteen minute phone call and a movie in lieu of the concert we were missing. In fact, they gave us and opportunity to go the the concert. So I could get some ore training int he PT test on Monday and BRm education on Tuesday. I decided to stay at the barracks. a time schedule was made and starting 1830 we call start making phone calls. the queue put me at either 2030 or 2045. Granted, this put me right in the middle of "the O'Reilly factor" but Mom should still answer the phone. Again, phone calls began at 1830, At 1836... Well back story first. Among the many training devices we've been using is the Super Nintendo with an M18 trainer game. It's kind of like duck hunt but more complicated and boring. Anyway at 1836, because somebody cut in line or something like that, a few privates began fighting within view of a drill sergeant. The end result. Getting smoked for an hour by running up and down a hill. At the bottom, you do sit-ups. At the top, push-ups. When the DS blows the whistle you start running down or up or turnaround. Prior to this, unknown to us, the DS had trashed any locker that wasn't locked. When we got back we had to clean up the mess. And yes I did lock mine. My bunkie didn't though. Did I mention we had to do this in full battle rattle. The DS also noticed that a lot of the open lockers had dirty laundry in them so we all had to clean all of the laundry and no one could go to bed until everyone was done. This included people who went to the concert. Basically we had to train in full gear until 0030. At that point we had to sit through a sermon by the platoon's chaplain assistant. And finally sleep, which is good because I started seeing things. And no we didn't get phone calls. Today was a little better since the PT test is tomorrow the threat of smoking was low, but still there. The CQ DS gave the entire company seven minutes phone calls. I tried Mom again, but no luck. Called dad again. I actually had a hard time composing myself given the events of last night. Mental stability is only now returning to me. To ensure that everyone stayed to the time limit, the PG (platoon guide) chose a trustworthy soldier to time them. So basically, I spent the entire morning watching other people make phone calls. Now you may be asking yourself, "I see that they trust you with the phone job, but why no mention of a leadership position?" Because leadership positions are solely based on PT scores. This of course results in a series of 17-18 year-olds, who can run, constantly being fired and rehired. We slowly have been making our way to a competent leadership, but we still have a long way to go. In the afternoon, we went to the Px and I was finally able to buy soap. I bought a book of marching cadences. It disappeared before we even got back to the barracks. There be thieves among us. Tomorrow we do the PT test and Tuesday quality on the Malb. Two events that could make or break basic training.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
9/17/07
Tuesday we went back to the range and I did a little better, but still got yelled at. I expect no less. We also were given a change to go the Monigarty-Genry connection Saturday. Despite the fact that the Sergeant Major said everyone with a few exceptions (articles 155) with the right and privilege to go, one from my platoon is going. Also, they're apparently charging $20. a head which is scandalous down here because everything on bases is supposed to be free. We also went to the simulated range or the "playstation on crack" as the DS's describe. I actually did pretty well. ( I still got stepped on by my DS) but was volunteered to clean up the building afterward. Which is fine with me, but ended up giving me about 2 minutes for lunch. So I got little more than some crackers and cheese. For dinner, because of certain privates inability to wash the salad bar properly, I got virtually nothing for dinner either.
the highlight of the day was the transition to white phase (more freedom, less supervision). It was three days late, but we made it. This was then immediately followed by DS Ford rolling up the white flag and saying nothing changed and we were still in red phase. Oh well.
I left home on Tuesday August 14th. Today makes 37 days away from home. Basic training graduation is scheduled for October 25th. 36 more wake ups. That's right, over half way there.
A few points of clarification and et cetera. Smoking is the process of corrective action through physical training. For the most part push ups, but may include mountain climbing, flutter kicks, the military press (with or without the m-165) overhead arm clap, side straddle hop (jumping jacks) front back go's (push ups, flutter kicks, running in place together but switching constantly), leg lifts, crab walking or just having to hold a very uncomfortable position like squatting, while holding your m-16 straight out. The best part is during hte push ups they make us say, " attention to detail" going down and "teamwork is key" going up. half of the platoon doesn't' realize the meaning of the statements.
Dad, my rank abbreviation is SPC, Karin the zip is 31905. Thus far I gotten a letter from Karin, 2 from Dad, 1 from Mom and 1 from Lisa and kids. So they are getting here slowly but still getting here.
the highlight of the day was the transition to white phase (more freedom, less supervision). It was three days late, but we made it. This was then immediately followed by DS Ford rolling up the white flag and saying nothing changed and we were still in red phase. Oh well.
I left home on Tuesday August 14th. Today makes 37 days away from home. Basic training graduation is scheduled for October 25th. 36 more wake ups. That's right, over half way there.
A few points of clarification and et cetera. Smoking is the process of corrective action through physical training. For the most part push ups, but may include mountain climbing, flutter kicks, the military press (with or without the m-165) overhead arm clap, side straddle hop (jumping jacks) front back go's (push ups, flutter kicks, running in place together but switching constantly), leg lifts, crab walking or just having to hold a very uncomfortable position like squatting, while holding your m-16 straight out. The best part is during hte push ups they make us say, " attention to detail" going down and "teamwork is key" going up. half of the platoon doesn't' realize the meaning of the statements.
Dad, my rank abbreviation is SPC, Karin the zip is 31905. Thus far I gotten a letter from Karin, 2 from Dad, 1 from Mom and 1 from Lisa and kids. So they are getting here slowly but still getting here.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
9/17/07
In the past week or so, we've been camping, was one of the faster guys in my running group, had religion forced upon me and did really bad at shooting. The FTX (field training exercise) consisted of a file mile ruck march (which I didnt' have to do due to my knees) Instead, I had to haul out the craks to breakfast and then load the truck (note from Lisa: I am having a hard time reading this.. it doesn't' really make sense but then again it maybe lingo that I do not understand). I also got to be part of the raiding party on the march. This entailed firing blanks at the company while the DS sets off flash grenades. (the first platoon feels in horror.) Other highlights: land Nav can be simply put as having a team leader who considers himself an expert in land nav and the possession of an accounting degree means I am unable to figure out the complex world that is Land Nav. Basically, this means it took us 3 hours and 6-8 km through the thick woods what could have been done in an hour and 2-3 km of walking though light woods. to luck upon 6 targets (i.e. ending up half a km away and looking around). Did I also mention that this is all at night? so bad knees and all I fell down a few dozen times. Including one trip about a foot and a half down a rotten tree stump. On the plus side we were allowed to the candy in our MRES. So a couple of Tootsie rolls was the first chocolate (aside from chocolate milk) I've had in a month. We also did a couple of missions which might have been fun if I didn't' spend the entire time in the prone portion pulling security.
On Saturday, for PT, we did a 2 mile run in three different groups. Due to my stellar time on the PT test I ended up in C. group, which is the slowest group. Basically, we ended up doing more that 2 miles because three times we had to circle around to pick up the really slow guys.
On Sunday, when the drill sergeant ordered us to get in full battle (IB vest armour, LPE a pistol belt and suspenders holding a couple of canteens and ammo pouches and a Kavlar helmet). Apparently, several decided to find religion and go to church in lieu of the training (at least that is what the DS said) The DS then ordered the entire platoon to go to church and marched us out. After we got to the chapel, the Chaplin said that anyone who was order to be here was free to leave. about a dozen in my platoon got up and left. I stayed for 2 reasons. First, to not be disrespectful and second, my desire to continue sitting down.
On Friday we went to range to hte first time for grouping and zeroing. I unfortunately ended up with a lure that was a little more than a mud puddle. So I basically spent an bout four hours tyring to put six consecutive shot into 4 centimeter circle laying the prone on an inch of muddy water. Did I mention it started to rain? so my mud puddle got bigger during the day.
Saturday, we had Phase III testing which is a series of very easy, I mean very easy, tests. We also had to demonstrate a few functions of the MLB (loading, uploading, fixing a malfunction) and disassembling in under 2 minutes each. But, the highlight was giving each other IV's. Long story short, there was a lot of blood. Fortunately, despite my lack of visible veins in my battle buddy did a good job and i came out unscathed. I did everything correct but was unable to get the vein completely, but there was still no major blood loss.
Today we went back to the 30th AG for Phase II issue. Basically, we got a bunch of gear we'll never wear, we also got our class A uniform (dress greens), which I'll probably only wear once or twice.
On Saturday, for PT, we did a 2 mile run in three different groups. Due to my stellar time on the PT test I ended up in C. group, which is the slowest group. Basically, we ended up doing more that 2 miles because three times we had to circle around to pick up the really slow guys.
On Sunday, when the drill sergeant ordered us to get in full battle (IB vest armour, LPE a pistol belt and suspenders holding a couple of canteens and ammo pouches and a Kavlar helmet). Apparently, several decided to find religion and go to church in lieu of the training (at least that is what the DS said) The DS then ordered the entire platoon to go to church and marched us out. After we got to the chapel, the Chaplin said that anyone who was order to be here was free to leave. about a dozen in my platoon got up and left. I stayed for 2 reasons. First, to not be disrespectful and second, my desire to continue sitting down.
On Friday we went to range to hte first time for grouping and zeroing. I unfortunately ended up with a lure that was a little more than a mud puddle. So I basically spent an bout four hours tyring to put six consecutive shot into 4 centimeter circle laying the prone on an inch of muddy water. Did I mention it started to rain? so my mud puddle got bigger during the day.
Saturday, we had Phase III testing which is a series of very easy, I mean very easy, tests. We also had to demonstrate a few functions of the MLB (loading, uploading, fixing a malfunction) and disassembling in under 2 minutes each. But, the highlight was giving each other IV's. Long story short, there was a lot of blood. Fortunately, despite my lack of visible veins in my battle buddy did a good job and i came out unscathed. I did everything correct but was unable to get the vein completely, but there was still no major blood loss.
Today we went back to the 30th AG for Phase II issue. Basically, we got a bunch of gear we'll never wear, we also got our class A uniform (dress greens), which I'll probably only wear once or twice.
9/11/07
Hey Everybody. Sorry for this delay in blogging. I can't really say that I've been busy, but I can say I have virtually no free time due to massive expenses of waiting around. Today's hte 9/11 anniversary and the battalion had a little ceremony this morning. I wasn't' there because of a little wonder we call sick call. Basically I waited around a couple of hours to get some Tylenol and an ace bandage. Of course this really isn't any different than my regular HMO. Although, in the real world I can buy Tylenol myself and keep it instead of having to have the drill sergeants babysit if for me. Today was a relaxation day after the PT test and a brief foot march up a very steep hill. It's funny, it seems like no matter where we march it seems to be 90% uphill. The PT was a mixed bag. I did decent on the push ups, good on the sit ups and bad on the run. This, of course due to the fact that I've been running with one leg.
Friday, September 14, 2007
9/1/07
CS gas... the money I stepped in the chamber my neck started to burn. Then they made us take off our gas mask and take a few deep breathes and clear and reseal the mask. Eyes burning a little and difficulty breathing, but not too bad. Then they made us do it again. Again, not too bad. Then they made us take off the mask completely and just stand there and recite the soldiers creed. Exposure to CS is supposed to be limited to 10 seconds...whoops. I survived and would it again if I could reduce basic by a day or so.
8/31/7
Not much today. We had a brief combative class and another on the dangers of soldiers having blogs. Given that I know absolutely nothing important I do not think I'm any danger of revealing anything.
We also had a class on how to use our gas masks. So,you know what that means. Gas Chamber tomorrow.
We also had a class on how to use our gas masks. So,you know what that means. Gas Chamber tomorrow.
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