From journal entry:
More rain, more rest at the company.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Saturday, July 30, 2005
First day of Victory Forge
From journal entry:
The march was long, but nobody fell out. We started laying out positions and filling in old hastys, but a heat stand-down and Senior DS being picky held things up. That evening it rained hard, so we were motor-moved back to the company bays. Disappointing!
The march was long, but nobody fell out. We started laying out positions and filling in old hastys, but a heat stand-down and Senior DS being picky held things up. That evening it rained hard, so we were motor-moved back to the company bays. Disappointing!
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Prep for Victory Forge
From journal entry:
It's our last day before Victory Forge. We're sleeping from 1300 to 2300 so we can step at 0100 tomorrow for Field March 6, the 15k march to the Victory Forge site. It'll be difficult, but I can make it, I know.
It's our last day before Victory Forge. We're sleeping from 1300 to 2300 so we can step at 0100 tomorrow for Field March 6, the 15k march to the Victory Forge site. It'll be difficult, but I can make it, I know.
Last PT Test of Basic
From journal entry:
Today was our final PT test! I passed everything for a change: 35 pushups, 66 situps and 13:52 two-mile. Must faster than usual! Unfortunately, the run judge didn't see me on the last lap so he marked me at 18:01, way past standard. So now I have to try again after Victory Forge. That really sucks! DS Goode tried to have it corrected, but the senior DS was apparently flooded with corrections and opted to let all records stand. Oh well, I did it once, so I can do it again.
Today was our final PT test! I passed everything for a change: 35 pushups, 66 situps and 13:52 two-mile. Must faster than usual! Unfortunately, the run judge didn't see me on the last lap so he marked me at 18:01, way past standard. So now I have to try again after Victory Forge. That really sucks! DS Goode tried to have it corrected, but the senior DS was apparently flooded with corrections and opted to let all records stand. Oh well, I did it once, so I can do it again.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Grenade qualificaiton
From journal entry:
Today we were able to return to the grenade qualification course. This wasn't live-fire, but using dummy grenades on an obstacle course to practice and demonstrate proper technique. I was able to get Second Class. Challenging!
Today we were able to return to the grenade qualification course. This wasn't live-fire, but using dummy grenades on an obstacle course to practice and demonstrate proper technique. I was able to get Second Class. Challenging!
Monday, July 25, 2005
Omaha Beach course
From journal entry:
Today we did the Omaha Beach live fire buddy assault course. We ran the course dry first, then with blanks, before finally doing live-fire. It's a very dangerous and accident-prone range, apparently. I spent the day with Pvt. Braughler, my new buddy for Victory Forge. Talking to him, we've had very similar lives. Good guy.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Live fire grenades
From journal entry:
Today we went to the live-fire grenade range. We spent lots of time on safety, so much time that we didn't get lunch chow. All that for two little M67 grenades. We didn't even go on the qualification course! Still, fun.
Today we went to the live-fire grenade range. We spent lots of time on safety, so much time that we didn't get lunch chow. All that for two little M67 grenades. We didn't even go on the qualification course! Still, fun.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Bivouac
From journal entry:
Today was the end of our first bivouac. It was three days in the field with my overweight heat-casualty battle buddy, Kelley. How wonderful! At least last night was the Night Infiltration Course, a.k.a "NIC at Nite." NIC is a sort of simulated Normandy beach landing: we were required to low crawl through sand toward a bunker while the bunker was firing a machine gun over our heads. It's very safe as long as you don't stand up. The rounds are probably above head level and we're supposed to crawl with our helmet on the ground. But the sound of bullets overhead was definitely a terrifying experience.
Other than that, most of the time was spent on squad movement drills and heat stand-downs. Digging and filling hasty fighting positions was a pain, but at least they're not full-fledged foxholes.
Today was the end of our first bivouac. It was three days in the field with my overweight heat-casualty battle buddy, Kelley. How wonderful! At least last night was the Night Infiltration Course, a.k.a "NIC at Nite." NIC is a sort of simulated Normandy beach landing: we were required to low crawl through sand toward a bunker while the bunker was firing a machine gun over our heads. It's very safe as long as you don't stand up. The rounds are probably above head level and we're supposed to crawl with our helmet on the ground. But the sound of bullets overhead was definitely a terrifying experience.
Other than that, most of the time was spent on squad movement drills and heat stand-downs. Digging and filling hasty fighting positions was a pain, but at least they're not full-fledged foxholes.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
US Weapons Demo
From journal entry:
Today was fun: we got to fire paint grenades from an M203 grenade launcher, set up a dummy claymore mine, fired 50 rounds from an M249 SAW, and fired a modified AT4 with 9mm tracer rounds.
We also saw demonstrations of a real grenade from an M203, a real claymore, and a real AT4 round. BOOM!
Today was fun: we got to fire paint grenades from an M203 grenade launcher, set up a dummy claymore mine, fired 50 rounds from an M249 SAW, and fired a modified AT4 with 9mm tracer rounds.
We also saw demonstrations of a real grenade from an M203, a real claymore, and a real AT4 round. BOOM!
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Blue Phase
From journal entry:
We did a diagnostic PT test today, and I failed pushups. Oh well.
We also moved from Red to Blue Phase, which means more freedom! For training we previewed the new BRM qualification style. Instead of 20 foxhole and 20 prone unsupported, it's 10 kneeling, 10 prone supported and 20 prone unsupported. This is supposed to more accurately reflect the current conflicts where we're not using foxholes. Interesting!
We did a diagnostic PT test today, and I failed pushups. Oh well.
We also moved from Red to Blue Phase, which means more freedom! For training we previewed the new BRM qualification style. Instead of 20 foxhole and 20 prone unsupported, it's 10 kneeling, 10 prone supported and 20 prone unsupported. This is supposed to more accurately reflect the current conflicts where we're not using foxholes. Interesting!
Friday, July 15, 2005
Deferred Issue
From journal entry:
Today we got our Deferred Issue of our Class A uniforms. It was another busy day back at the 120th CIIP. I was pretty close to the front, so I ended up on detail after I finished my issue. I got jackets out of the warehouse for the fitters. After hours of this running work, we did about an hour of restocking. The Army Greens look great, but now I have to find more room in my locker!
Today we got our Deferred Issue of our Class A uniforms. It was another busy day back at the 120th CIIP. I was pretty close to the front, so I ended up on detail after I finished my issue. I got jackets out of the warehouse for the fitters. After hours of this running work, we did about an hour of restocking. The Army Greens look great, but now I have to find more room in my locker!
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Confidence Course
From journal entry:
Huge obstacle course, some with a team and some on your own. We did the Berlin wall, skyscraper, rope bridge, 5 walls, and "slide to victory." Fun!
Huge obstacle course, some with a team and some on your own. We did the Berlin wall, skyscraper, rope bridge, 5 walls, and "slide to victory." Fun!
Monday, July 11, 2005
Basic Rifle Marksmanship
From journal entry:
Today was Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) qualification day. We've spent two days of prequalification on this range, and now we're going to finish it! I hadn't passed on either day of prequal, but today I was a first-time GO, hitting 24 out of 40 targets for a Marksman badge. Not bad. Our platoon didn't get the BRM streamer for our guidon. In fact, we got last. But everyone in the company qualified, so there's a plus.
Today was Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) qualification day. We've spent two days of prequalification on this range, and now we're going to finish it! I hadn't passed on either day of prequal, but today I was a first-time GO, hitting 24 out of 40 targets for a Marksman badge. Not bad. Our platoon didn't get the BRM streamer for our guidon. In fact, we got last. But everyone in the company qualified, so there's a plus.
Monday, July 4, 2005
Fourth of July treat
From journal entry:
It's been a boring week of Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) drills, but today we had a bit of rest and relaxation. We were rewarded with no training, and the drill sergeants ordered pizza for an afternoon snack. Real Domino's pizza! They took us to sandyland afterward for a nice little smoking, but we realized they'd been planning it all along. They couldn't just let us have pizza, right?
It's been a boring week of Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) drills, but today we had a bit of rest and relaxation. We were rewarded with no training, and the drill sergeants ordered pizza for an afternoon snack. Real Domino's pizza! They took us to sandyland afterward for a nice little smoking, but we realized they'd been planning it all along. They couldn't just let us have pizza, right?
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