So today started at 4:15ish rolling out of the rack and getting on all of the gear. We even added the gas mask today for some reason even though we never used the thing. We had a 5:15 muster then off to breakfast and back to the classroom. My battalion was taking a convoy out to the target range instead of the buses.
Well it was starting to drizzle as we loaded up in the humvees; five per vehicle and one of us had to be up in the turret. That was all fine and good and I started out in the back of the vehicle and we alternated positions all the way out. Well all the convoy exercises were fine and I didn't mind driving although the diesel vehicle was no luxury import, but then I made my way out to the turret with my rifle.
The rain was coming down so it felt like needles in my face. Had it been a nice sunny day the ride in the turret would have been ideal but no such luck for me. CDR Hasen (Trish) was driving as we came upon a huge muddy water puddle and she floored it as we approached. Most of the puddle ended up on me and the rest on the windshield to the point they could hardly see out. They were all amused and I was a good sport but not as amused since now I was soaked (and dirty). We did a drive through the course we will convoy next week as a group exercise and then headed toward the range.
Of course everyone had been started or rostered so we were last on the roster. We received some other instruction while waiting and finally we were called. Well the surprise we got was that we were given eight magazines of ammo to do all of our shooting exercises at once. Let me tell you, face down on wet red clay in body armour is not where you want to be. The other groups did four magazines, broke off then came back later. It was nice to get it done all at once but a little tiring and the break would have been nice.
Our battalion was released for the day after that and we came back and tried to clean up or gear as best we could so we can probably mess it up again tomorrow. Gear cleaning was followed by a long hot shower that was supposed to help my old sore back,,,, it didn't help much but at least I was clean again.
Stay tuned for more...
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
It was a fairly uneventful weekend and got to catch up on a little sleep. Everyone came rolling in on Sunday and it was pretty busy until around 10 at night. We were able to sleep in on Monday morning and did not have to be at breakfast until 7:30 and then off to medical for some follow up stuff and then free until lunch. The afternoon will consist of some first aid and other lectures and tomorrow we have an early day going out to shoot prequalification practice on the M16; cold and rain predicted as well so it'll be good times I'm sure. Wednesday is qualification day on the rifle and Thursday is low light shooting day for the M9.
We found out today tentatively that we should ship out next week to Norfolk and will probably be there for a number of days before heading on over to the next stop. Hopefully there will be some liberty time while in Norfolk to do some visiting.
We found out today tentatively that we should ship out next week to Norfolk and will probably be there for a number of days before heading on over to the next stop. Hopefully there will be some liberty time while in Norfolk to do some visiting.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday was another day at the range. Got to shoot once without all the battle rattle on and then the rest of the day was in full gear down in the sand pit. It was cold out but the upside of the day was that we got a bag lunch that was actually prepared instead of those ready to eat meals that are about 3,500 calories if you eat everything in the bag. I made the big mistake of adjusting my battle rattle so I could shoot easier and paid for it the rest of the day. The adjustment made that 50 pounds of gear just hang on my shoulders so my whole body hurts today and it did not do my knees any favors either. Needless to say, as soon as I got back from the range on Friday night that vest got tightened right back up.
Saturday we had a late muster at 7:00; we were told that if we wanted breakfast it was optional but we had to go in our time slot between 5:00 and 5:30; I didn't make it to breakfast. So after tramping through the rain to muster we got sent right back to the barracks to wait until 8:30 for the next muster and then some classes. It was not a happy group but the class we had was interesting. We had an Army CADRE member, who was originally from Egypt, teach a class on cultural issues in Muslim/Islamic areas where we are going. Today covered Afghanistan and Iraq and some Saudi Arabia and next week they'll do a short class on Djibouti, Africa. There are alot of cultural issues we normally wouldn't think of so most of the class found it interesting.
After class we got turned loose for the day and have much of Sunday free. Since we all needed some supplies we had a chance to head to the PX over on Ft. Jackson. In order to keep on the bus schedule we had to decide to get our shopping done in 30 minutes or stay there close to three hours, the 30 minute option won. I picked up a decent pillow and another blanket since I've been freezing. There's some crazy computer controlled thermostat here that decides the A/c should come on some nights even though it's only 30 degrees or less outside.
After the PX we came back to the barracks and a few of us scrubbed the bathroom areas and swept and mopped and did general housekeeping. It gets a little rough after being here a week with about 60 guys sharing one bathroom and laundry area. So I had my regular weekend of scouring toilets and mopping, bleaching and changing the sheets. Choosing to do the housework brought some normal routine back to my life.
It has gotten a little nasty out with the freezing rain and all. It did look nice on the way to Ft. Jackson with all the ice on the pine trees. I always tell everyone I love being on the military bases since they're clean and maintained. Ft Jackson almost looks like a nice gated community, which in essence it is I suppose. Everyone on the inside believes in what they're doing and take pride in where they are and what they're a part of generally.
Since the weather was bad and we were back on Camp McCrady it was just practical to stay on base tonight. We went over to the DFAC and had dinner which actually was not bad.... perhaps I've been institutionalized too long since I just referred to instant mashed potatoes as being good. Of course I had worked up an appetite from an afternoon of scrubbing toilets and mopping. After a quick stop at the shoppette and scavenging for toilet paper (Supply never provides enough for 60 guys) we headed back to our clean barracks.
It was an evening of hanging out, a group watching a movie on a laptop screen and general conversation. There is no television here and the Internet connection is not good so streaming video is hardly an option. It's kind of like being back in the fraternity house again which is not a bad thing. I've gotten a better attitude since the first couple of days and the folks in my company make the experience not only bearable but enjoyable.
Saturday we had a late muster at 7:00; we were told that if we wanted breakfast it was optional but we had to go in our time slot between 5:00 and 5:30; I didn't make it to breakfast. So after tramping through the rain to muster we got sent right back to the barracks to wait until 8:30 for the next muster and then some classes. It was not a happy group but the class we had was interesting. We had an Army CADRE member, who was originally from Egypt, teach a class on cultural issues in Muslim/Islamic areas where we are going. Today covered Afghanistan and Iraq and some Saudi Arabia and next week they'll do a short class on Djibouti, Africa. There are alot of cultural issues we normally wouldn't think of so most of the class found it interesting.
After class we got turned loose for the day and have much of Sunday free. Since we all needed some supplies we had a chance to head to the PX over on Ft. Jackson. In order to keep on the bus schedule we had to decide to get our shopping done in 30 minutes or stay there close to three hours, the 30 minute option won. I picked up a decent pillow and another blanket since I've been freezing. There's some crazy computer controlled thermostat here that decides the A/c should come on some nights even though it's only 30 degrees or less outside.
After the PX we came back to the barracks and a few of us scrubbed the bathroom areas and swept and mopped and did general housekeeping. It gets a little rough after being here a week with about 60 guys sharing one bathroom and laundry area. So I had my regular weekend of scouring toilets and mopping, bleaching and changing the sheets. Choosing to do the housework brought some normal routine back to my life.
It has gotten a little nasty out with the freezing rain and all. It did look nice on the way to Ft. Jackson with all the ice on the pine trees. I always tell everyone I love being on the military bases since they're clean and maintained. Ft Jackson almost looks like a nice gated community, which in essence it is I suppose. Everyone on the inside believes in what they're doing and take pride in where they are and what they're a part of generally.
Since the weather was bad and we were back on Camp McCrady it was just practical to stay on base tonight. We went over to the DFAC and had dinner which actually was not bad.... perhaps I've been institutionalized too long since I just referred to instant mashed potatoes as being good. Of course I had worked up an appetite from an afternoon of scrubbing toilets and mopping. After a quick stop at the shoppette and scavenging for toilet paper (Supply never provides enough for 60 guys) we headed back to our clean barracks.
It was an evening of hanging out, a group watching a movie on a laptop screen and general conversation. There is no television here and the Internet connection is not good so streaming video is hardly an option. It's kind of like being back in the fraternity house again which is not a bad thing. I've gotten a better attitude since the first couple of days and the folks in my company make the experience not only bearable but enjoyable.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Great day in Ft. Jackson,,, storms rolling in this weekend though
Well I got up at 4:30 again and mustered outside at 5:00 in the cold. Loaded up in the school buses and went out to the shooting range. It's great when someone who has never handled weapons generally speaking is given an M-16 rifle and an M-9 pistol for qualification purposes with no live fire practice. I actually did reasonably well and am pretty sure I've passed all my qualifications so far.
I had to get dressed in my regular camo uniform but with all the extras. You know I never could figure out why anyone would need all those cargo pants pockets until now... they're all full. In addition to my uniform I have the 70 pounds of extra flack jacket. kevlar helmet, a rifle, a pistol, five ammunition magazines, a regular hat, a toboggan hat, a neck scarf, my camera, three granola bars just in case, two pairs of gloves, glasses, extra glasses, a multi purpose tool, a first aid kit, a camelback water canteen, elbow and knee pads and I'm sure I'm forgetting something else...... I was in that the good part of the day and had to shoot in all of that mess.
I think I've turned into an animal though. I've been wearing the same thing for a week now, I don't shower in the morning since there's not time or enough showers, I eat three meals a day where my entire company has to get through a line seated and out within 30 minutes.... it usually gives me about five to ten minutes to eat so it's neither polite nor pretty to watch I'm sure.
The upside is that Wednesday and Thursday were great days and I actually enjoyed it. I'm having fun with all of these folks here in the same boat and it's kind of like being back in a fraternity house to some extent. More shooting tomorrow. Today was a long day and tomorrow probably will be too in an effort to get things done before the weather rolls in. I also have to give credit to the Army folks doing the training here. They're great and flexible covering alot of material in a little amount of time.
I had to get dressed in my regular camo uniform but with all the extras. You know I never could figure out why anyone would need all those cargo pants pockets until now... they're all full. In addition to my uniform I have the 70 pounds of extra flack jacket. kevlar helmet, a rifle, a pistol, five ammunition magazines, a regular hat, a toboggan hat, a neck scarf, my camera, three granola bars just in case, two pairs of gloves, glasses, extra glasses, a multi purpose tool, a first aid kit, a camelback water canteen, elbow and knee pads and I'm sure I'm forgetting something else...... I was in that the good part of the day and had to shoot in all of that mess.
I think I've turned into an animal though. I've been wearing the same thing for a week now, I don't shower in the morning since there's not time or enough showers, I eat three meals a day where my entire company has to get through a line seated and out within 30 minutes.... it usually gives me about five to ten minutes to eat so it's neither polite nor pretty to watch I'm sure.
The upside is that Wednesday and Thursday were great days and I actually enjoyed it. I'm having fun with all of these folks here in the same boat and it's kind of like being back in a fraternity house to some extent. More shooting tomorrow. Today was a long day and tomorrow probably will be too in an effort to get things done before the weather rolls in. I also have to give credit to the Army folks doing the training here. They're great and flexible covering alot of material in a little amount of time.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Well it started out COLD again today at 5:00 outside with frost on the ground. No sleep again last night since we were in class until around 9:00 pm and had gotten outside early to start the day. I generally start the day with a poor attitude but then I suck it up and push through and do what I need to do like everyone else here.
We drove Humvees this morning and then went out and rolled over in a Humvee simulator. It was a fun exercise for most everyone. We also went to the electronic target range indoors and I actually did pretty well with that exercise with a weapon I hadn't handled before. It was my first day wearing that body armor for a good part of the day and I'm sure my old body will remind me of that tomorrow when I have to put it on again.
Tomorrow should be a long day again but hopefully my attitude will improve as the day rolls on; and let's hope for some warm weather.
We drove Humvees this morning and then went out and rolled over in a Humvee simulator. It was a fun exercise for most everyone. We also went to the electronic target range indoors and I actually did pretty well with that exercise with a weapon I hadn't handled before. It was my first day wearing that body armor for a good part of the day and I'm sure my old body will remind me of that tomorrow when I have to put it on again.
Tomorrow should be a long day again but hopefully my attitude will improve as the day rolls on; and let's hope for some warm weather.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday
It was a long day that started at 4:30 or so with a 5:30 muster out in the cold. We had training and classes until after 9:00 and I have to admit that I was having a pretty poor sense of humor. Luckily now it's 10:40 and I've had a hot shower and a much better attitude. Now I need to hit the rack and get ready to start it all over again with an early day and another 5:30 muster outside.
Tomorrow will have some classes and then a rollover in a Humvee in fully gear including that Interceptor Body Armor and try to extract myself with an extra 50 pounds of gear on me while upside down. Should be a fun day!
Tomorrow will have some classes and then a rollover in a Humvee in fully gear including that Interceptor Body Armor and try to extract myself with an extra 50 pounds of gear on me while upside down. Should be a fun day!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday was not all that pleasant since I didn't get to have dinner with the family like I do every Sunday for the last 20+ years. I tried not to dwell on it and at least have some good people around to distract me. That's probably one of the things most difficult about this deployment is not being at home on Sundays.
Today wa a fairly uneventful day... lights on and up at 4:30 (yes that's a.m.) and headed to breakfast after a 5:15 muster. We got bussed over to Ft Jackson and issued Interceptor Body Armour (IBA), kevlar helmet and other various items meaning a couple more bags to take on to the next stop. Got to enjoy the first MRE today for lunch.... I guess that I wasn't too hungry since it wasn't too appealing. Dinner was better tonight though and now I'm winding down to get ready for the lights to come on at 4:30 again.
Today wa a fairly uneventful day... lights on and up at 4:30 (yes that's a.m.) and headed to breakfast after a 5:15 muster. We got bussed over to Ft Jackson and issued Interceptor Body Armour (IBA), kevlar helmet and other various items meaning a couple more bags to take on to the next stop. Got to enjoy the first MRE today for lunch.... I guess that I wasn't too hungry since it wasn't too appealing. Dinner was better tonight though and now I'm winding down to get ready for the lights to come on at 4:30 again.
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