Gernades and Lockdown Sept 18-19

So you're probably wondering why this letter is a few days late coming in. The answer is today (Sunday) is the first chance I've gotten to write.

Friday started off bad and just got worse. The 6 mile ruck was brutal and not helped by us going a mile in the wrong direction and having to turn around. Once we arrived at the grenade range we grounded our rucks and after breakfast we jumped right into trainingr after that, and were told we were not allowed to sit at all unless specifically told to, we could only rest on one knee. After an hour or two of practice throwing fake grenades containing only a blasting cap, we prepared to throw the real ones.

The whole company had to fit under a small bit of overhead cover and we were packed so tight that I could literally lift my feet off the ground and not move.

Everyone was really excited up until we were handed our 2 live grenades, then realization set in that were holding several pounds of high explosives. We were assigned to a lane, and when told to move out, had to run to it shouting which hand we throw with until told to stop.

The bunkers we threw from were made of concrete and numbered 1 and 2, with a private and a sergeant in each one. Once you handed your other grenade to the sergeant if you were a 2 you hit the deck as the 1's threw, then you prepared to throw, sweeping off the secondary safety and pulling the pin. At that point you realized the only thing keeping the fuse from being lit is your thumb holding the spoon down which will fly off if you release just a quarter pound of pressure. Once told to throw, you threw as far as you could then hit the deck. if you remained standing the sergeant would "help" you down. If you locked up and failed to throw they slammed your arm against the edge until you dropped the grenade or your arm broke, whichever happened first. If you dropped the grenade, you were hurled from the bunker. It was pretty funny to watch. After throwing your first, you throw the second grenade then headed back to the rest of the company.

After the live grenades we had lunch then headed off on the course to get qualified. Shortly thereafter we were called back to our gear and told to dump it. Apparently by theft or miscount, a grenade was missing.

The next 12 hours were spent on lock down, with various high ranking officials such as our brigade commander called in. We were searched several times and sat around while all the range cadre argued and made lots of phone calls.

Finally around 0200 it was determined that we were not responsible and were released. Unfortunately, we still needed to walk a mile and a half back. The 6 miles gave me blisters and with walking on them all day and back to the CTA, they were bleeding and larger than quarters by the time we got back. They're on my heels too, so walking sucks. Our PT test on Monday will be lovely.

Once we got back we were told to shower and go to bed immediately to grab what sleep we could get before PT at 05:30. Imagine our surprise when first call went out and it was light outside. We were woken at 0730 and had chow in the CTA at 0800. After chow we were told to go back to sleep, which was met with literal cheers and excitement. We slept in until 1100 when we got ready for chow at 1200, then did some very light ARM (Advanced Rifle Marksmanship) training, working on our fighter stances which we use when shooting standing and caring. It's a very uncomfortable stance but we are forming it into muscle memory. After ARM we went and got PX, had dinner chow and went to bed again.

All in all, it's been an interesting 2 days. We were supposed to hit Blue Phase on Saturday but lock down changed that. I'll let you know when we switch over.