Our uniforms have a new addition, shiny brass discs bearing two crossed rifles, the branch insignia marking us as newly christened Infantrymen.
Our final test was a week long Field Training Exercise (FTX), which put our skills to the test. The first two days were spent at Mokenna MOUT, a little brick village used for Urban Warfare. While we spent an entire week learning the basics, these two days focused on squad level actions, eventually incorporating multiple squads, , a whole block of the village, and a ton of OpFor and civilians scattered throughout.
On Day 2 we packed out rucks and in the afternoon, rucked about 2 miles uphill to our home for the remaining 5 days, the F.O.B. (Forward Operating Base), each platoon set up a patrol base outside the FOB where we camped for a few days while learning ambush, react to sniper, react to indirect, react to ambush and convoy react to conflict.
Wednesday, day 5 we all moved into the FOB and spent all day laying out razor wire and building guard towers and an entry control point. That evening at 1800, the Final 48, nicknamed the Gauntlet began, making 48 hours until Honor Hill, but those 48 hours would be continuous operations, sleep was little and far between. Our schedule for both days was 6 hour guard shifts from 1800 to midnight followed by a 6 hour mission at 0100, return at about 0700, grab a few hours of sleep, 6 hour mission at 1100, then a little more sleep after we returned at about 1700 until we repeat the process again at 1800. Very, very long days. Nights were also freezing, Thursday it hit 24 degrees.
Friday evening first platoon broke down the FOB while the rest of us rucked up, expended out extra ammo, and got transed via deuce to a point about 2.5 miles from our battalion. Once the whole company arrived they passed out the crossed rifles which we put in our pockets and stepped off at a slow pace to Honor Hill. When we got there, our Drill Sergeants starting shooting off all the extra smoke grenades, frag sims, artillery sims, and illum as we began our ascent up the road lined with the entire battalion cheering us on and their flashlights organized into red, white and blue. Once at the top we dropped our gear, grabbed our canteen cups and entered the wooden palisade where out ceremony took place. The ceremony itself is sacred so I will not speak of it, but there was lots of heavy metal, grog, and we had our crossed rifles pinned on and slammed into our chests without the backs on the pins, welcoming us to the brotherhood of the Infantry now and forever.
These past few days have been spent cleaning, we have to turn all this gear in after all, and getting smoked since our discipline has become lacs. Beheyt got in a fight with Burns today and is getting restarted 7 weeks.
We lost our phones thanks to Fernandez, but I don't feel like telling the story for fear that I might stab him. This will probably be the last major update though I'll update as needed.
By the way, for those wondering what missions we did during FTX, we did an Ambush, Mortar Raid, and ECP route clearances and CCPs. I'm not actually gonna go into detail about them, so if you know what they mean, good for you, otherwise, ask me.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
APFT 5 October 26
So APFT 5 was today, and the 3 days of rest did wonders for my scores. 49 push ups, 65 sit ups 15:01 2 mile run, for a total score of 221, I passed. No more PT tests for me. This means the only major obstacles left are FTX (starts on Saturday) and the Eagle Run, which is apparently not mandatory anymore, so I'm basically set to graduate baring any serious injuries.
Its crazy to think that in a week and a half we'll be going through the Eagle gates and receiving our crossed rifles. Less than a month now and I'll be home.
Niederhauser left his phone out to charge this morning, so our phones were taken. So much for keeping them.
Today and tomorrow are our phase 3 test days, making sure we know what we need to know to phase. We should officially hit Black Phase this week or during FTX, about time, Blue Phase has lasted almost 5 weeks now.
Gonna wrap this up here, gotta grab some sleep.
Its crazy to think that in a week and a half we'll be going through the Eagle gates and receiving our crossed rifles. Less than a month now and I'll be home.
Niederhauser left his phone out to charge this morning, so our phones were taken. So much for keeping them.
Today and tomorrow are our phase 3 test days, making sure we know what we need to know to phase. We should officially hit Black Phase this week or during FTX, about time, Blue Phase has lasted almost 5 weeks now.
Gonna wrap this up here, gotta grab some sleep.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Death and Destruciton from Above - October 14
So I know I promised to write about the movie, but really all that happened is we went to the PX and sucked down some Monsters and pizza, then caught a cab to main post, saw the movie and then came back. The movie itself was quite good, I'll definitely pick it up on DVD when I can.
Monday it was back on the ranges, Mabre 24, the same place we live fired the 60 mm from for our familiarization with the 120 mm, then we rucked 2 miles uphill to Mabre 25 where we made camp and prepped the rounds for the 81 mm night fire that night.
I was one of about 20 that actually got to fire before nearly back to back misfires of the Vietnam era rounds shut us down.
Tuesday was spent prepping the 81 mm HE and 120mm rounds to be fired, then waiting for COD to dispose of the misfire rounds for about 5 hours. Since I qualified Expert, I got to fire the 120mm which was a literal blast. To put it in perspective, an 81mm round weighs about 7 lbs. , a 120 round weighs about 35. Big boom. We had to fire them just under a mile away and we still heard the blast easily, the concussive force of the cannon firing could be felt from 35 meters away.
After all rounds were fired, we caught trans back to the bay to get ready for our 10 mile ruck in the morning.
If your wondering how long it takes to ruck 10 miles, the answer is about 4 hours. That may seem slow, but it's actually a fairly quick pace.
It was only 6 miles to our training location, so we took a nice 4 mile detour. The last mile of the march was pure hell, almost completely uphill and at a very steep grade. Once we finished, everyone was passing out. We ate chow then stood in the rain which had been pouring down all morning waiting for instructions, only to be told we were being pulled out due to flooding. On this ruck, I earned my nickname of Top Gun and got to carry the quidon from the chow point to trans, only a quarter mile but still. We've pretty much just cleaned the bay all day, though DS V gave us a class on squad tactics which we'll be using tomorrow. We were supposed to be in the field, but we're just gonna do a run in the woods here instead. By the way, we finally got Team Leaders. I am one of the two leaders for 1st squad, though whether we keep our spots depends on how we do tomorrow. I'll let you know how that goes when I get a chance.
DS V told us the long awaited Buddy Team Live Fire is on Saturday, we're looking forward to it. Also, we're apparently done with rudimentary, the only one left is FTX and is only 8 miles, possible even shorter depending on what site we're at.
Our final APFT is Monday, and if I pass that and the upcoming Eagle Run, I'm basically cleared to graduate baring any major illness or injury.
Mendoza from 3rd platoon is back, he went AWOL about 3 weeks ago because his 15 year old girlfriend was cheating on him. Apparently he tried to fight the guy (who is also 15) and lost big time so he came back to the Army. He's hanging around until they take him to jail.
8 days until 36 hour pass, everyone is excited. We are so close to the end.
Monday it was back on the ranges, Mabre 24, the same place we live fired the 60 mm from for our familiarization with the 120 mm, then we rucked 2 miles uphill to Mabre 25 where we made camp and prepped the rounds for the 81 mm night fire that night.
I was one of about 20 that actually got to fire before nearly back to back misfires of the Vietnam era rounds shut us down.
Tuesday was spent prepping the 81 mm HE and 120mm rounds to be fired, then waiting for COD to dispose of the misfire rounds for about 5 hours. Since I qualified Expert, I got to fire the 120mm which was a literal blast. To put it in perspective, an 81mm round weighs about 7 lbs. , a 120 round weighs about 35. Big boom. We had to fire them just under a mile away and we still heard the blast easily, the concussive force of the cannon firing could be felt from 35 meters away.
After all rounds were fired, we caught trans back to the bay to get ready for our 10 mile ruck in the morning.
If your wondering how long it takes to ruck 10 miles, the answer is about 4 hours. That may seem slow, but it's actually a fairly quick pace.
It was only 6 miles to our training location, so we took a nice 4 mile detour. The last mile of the march was pure hell, almost completely uphill and at a very steep grade. Once we finished, everyone was passing out. We ate chow then stood in the rain which had been pouring down all morning waiting for instructions, only to be told we were being pulled out due to flooding. On this ruck, I earned my nickname of Top Gun and got to carry the quidon from the chow point to trans, only a quarter mile but still. We've pretty much just cleaned the bay all day, though DS V gave us a class on squad tactics which we'll be using tomorrow. We were supposed to be in the field, but we're just gonna do a run in the woods here instead. By the way, we finally got Team Leaders. I am one of the two leaders for 1st squad, though whether we keep our spots depends on how we do tomorrow. I'll let you know how that goes when I get a chance.
DS V told us the long awaited Buddy Team Live Fire is on Saturday, we're looking forward to it. Also, we're apparently done with rudimentary, the only one left is FTX and is only 8 miles, possible even shorter depending on what site we're at.
Our final APFT is Monday, and if I pass that and the upcoming Eagle Run, I'm basically cleared to graduate baring any major illness or injury.
Mendoza from 3rd platoon is back, he went AWOL about 3 weeks ago because his 15 year old girlfriend was cheating on him. Apparently he tried to fight the guy (who is also 15) and lost big time so he came back to the Army. He's hanging around until they take him to jail.
8 days until 36 hour pass, everyone is excited. We are so close to the end.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
High Angle Hell Oct. 11
So I joined the right MOS apparently. I am the Mortar stud not just of 4th platoon, but of Alpha Company as a whole.
Mortar week was spent entirely in the field with Monday - Thursday spent learning the various tasks that we would be tested on on the gunner's exam.
Monday we spent the entire day learning about the 81mm mortar system and how to place it into action and care for it. My team, gun 17 averaged Expert time so we ended the day very confident about what we learned.
Tuesday was the most important day of our training as we learned how to do small and large deflections and elevation changes. Small deflections are very easy, in fact I set a company record of gun up in 6 seconds during a speed round, and the cadre who had done the demonstration got theirs up in 7. That 6 second time was due to a fluke though but I averaged about 14 seconds, with expert time being 20. Large deflections were a different story though, 95% of us couldn't even get the gun up in 75 seconds for standard 11c time, let alone the 55 seconds for expert, but our cadre reassured us we'd get better as we learned how to move the gun more effectively.
Wednesday involved lots and lots of running, with refer and realign aiming posts and reciprocal lay being canned. Refer and Realign includes basically shifting your aiming poles and the centering the gun and doing a large deflection back onto the poles. I won't go into the finer points. Reciprocal lay is a process I won't go into but ends with the guns all aiming the same way. Reciprocal lay is ridiculously easy, Expert time is 55 seconds, standard 11c time is 115 seconds and I averaged about 30 seconds.
Thursday marked our gunner's exam, the qualification we need to be designated 11cs, mortarmen. Hopes were high and nerves were jumpy as we lined up in out gun crews. I was nominated to go first since I'm the fastest gunner. A word about the gunner's exam first though, it consists of 5 events, small deflection, large deflection, refer and realign aiming posts, reciprocal lay, and place mortar into action. Gunners are graded on a point scale based on time, Expert time and under is always worth 10 points. You perform each event twice so the max score is 100, 70 to qualify and 90 for expert. You also got a practice attempt at each event, and could keep that time if you wish, but you had to take your next time as well.
The first small deflection went out. 23 seconds, 3 away from Expert. I didn't take it. Completed next two both in 19 seconds for a total of 20/90 needed for expert. Everyone was nervous about large deflections, especially after a 59 second first attempt, 1 second away from a no go. Obviously I dropped that time and attempted to shake it off. My next two times surprised even me, 20 and 25 seconds, both company records and well within 35 seconds Expert time. 40/90 points for Expert.
Refer and Realign Aiming Posts was completed with times of 45 seconds and 49 seconds, expert time was 55 seconds. 60/90 points. Reciprocal lay was more free expert points, as the time allotted is ridiculous, 55 seconds for Expert. My times were 30 seconds and 35 seconds. 80/90 points with one event left.
Placing the mortar into action was unique in that if you got Expert on the first attempt, you didn't need to do it again. It counted twice. 55s was Expert time, and led to nerves. I got 55 seconds exactly, for a grade total of 100/100, a perfect score, one of only 8 in the entire company of 218. Friday we live fired the 60mm and will live fire the 81mm and for Experts, the 120mm on Monday and Tuesday.
Saturday we had a company competition on the mortars, with the fastest gun team from each platoon wining a 5 hour Main Post pass to see a movie of their choice. Myself, Arvin, and Triplett were the winning team from 4th platoon and went to see Zombieland. More on that later though.
Mortar week was spent entirely in the field with Monday - Thursday spent learning the various tasks that we would be tested on on the gunner's exam.
Monday we spent the entire day learning about the 81mm mortar system and how to place it into action and care for it. My team, gun 17 averaged Expert time so we ended the day very confident about what we learned.
Tuesday was the most important day of our training as we learned how to do small and large deflections and elevation changes. Small deflections are very easy, in fact I set a company record of gun up in 6 seconds during a speed round, and the cadre who had done the demonstration got theirs up in 7. That 6 second time was due to a fluke though but I averaged about 14 seconds, with expert time being 20. Large deflections were a different story though, 95% of us couldn't even get the gun up in 75 seconds for standard 11c time, let alone the 55 seconds for expert, but our cadre reassured us we'd get better as we learned how to move the gun more effectively.
Wednesday involved lots and lots of running, with refer and realign aiming posts and reciprocal lay being canned. Refer and Realign includes basically shifting your aiming poles and the centering the gun and doing a large deflection back onto the poles. I won't go into the finer points. Reciprocal lay is a process I won't go into but ends with the guns all aiming the same way. Reciprocal lay is ridiculously easy, Expert time is 55 seconds, standard 11c time is 115 seconds and I averaged about 30 seconds.
Thursday marked our gunner's exam, the qualification we need to be designated 11cs, mortarmen. Hopes were high and nerves were jumpy as we lined up in out gun crews. I was nominated to go first since I'm the fastest gunner. A word about the gunner's exam first though, it consists of 5 events, small deflection, large deflection, refer and realign aiming posts, reciprocal lay, and place mortar into action. Gunners are graded on a point scale based on time, Expert time and under is always worth 10 points. You perform each event twice so the max score is 100, 70 to qualify and 90 for expert. You also got a practice attempt at each event, and could keep that time if you wish, but you had to take your next time as well.
The first small deflection went out. 23 seconds, 3 away from Expert. I didn't take it. Completed next two both in 19 seconds for a total of 20/90 needed for expert. Everyone was nervous about large deflections, especially after a 59 second first attempt, 1 second away from a no go. Obviously I dropped that time and attempted to shake it off. My next two times surprised even me, 20 and 25 seconds, both company records and well within 35 seconds Expert time. 40/90 points for Expert.
Refer and Realign Aiming Posts was completed with times of 45 seconds and 49 seconds, expert time was 55 seconds. 60/90 points. Reciprocal lay was more free expert points, as the time allotted is ridiculous, 55 seconds for Expert. My times were 30 seconds and 35 seconds. 80/90 points with one event left.
Placing the mortar into action was unique in that if you got Expert on the first attempt, you didn't need to do it again. It counted twice. 55s was Expert time, and led to nerves. I got 55 seconds exactly, for a grade total of 100/100, a perfect score, one of only 8 in the entire company of 218. Friday we live fired the 60mm and will live fire the 81mm and for Experts, the 120mm on Monday and Tuesday.
Saturday we had a company competition on the mortars, with the fastest gun team from each platoon wining a 5 hour Main Post pass to see a movie of their choice. Myself, Arvin, and Triplett were the winning team from 4th platoon and went to see Zombieland. More on that later though.
So Much to Update so little time Sept. 30
Yes, I know it's been awhile since last I wrote. Blue phase is very, very busy.
Last week was all ARM (advanced Rifle Marksmanship) training, which involves shooting while standing, turning and shooting, barricade fire from various positions and enjoying moving targets out to 300m from a barricade. We also underwent an experimental ARM qualification which was ridiculously easy. Also had a night fire exercise using targeting lasers and night vision. Cool stuff.
The next two weeks are all tactics, we're learning a lot very quickly and getting field time too. Monday and Tuesday were spent in the field learning technique for running in a buddy team from cover to cover while under fire. Involved a lot of running, stopping and dropping. Tiring but fun.
This morning our 8 mile ruck, which was ridiculously easy. I actually led the platoon back after the turnaround point. Also had platoon photos today.
Tomorrow its back to the field for 2 days, this time to learn fire team and squad tactics. Blanks and machine guns will also be incorporated, which will be much more fun than yelling "Bang, Bang, Bang" like last time.
Saturday we are apparently going back to 30th AG to be fitted for our dress uniforms.
Friday night we've got some concert thing we're going to, don't know anything about it thought yet.
Monday is PT test, and a big one since the grade to pass goes to 60% .
All I know about next week is it's more tactics, with a buddy team, live fire exercise, a 4 man team moving down a range from cover to cover shooting at targets with live ammo.
Will try to write again Friday night or Saturday, this is all I have time for now.
Last week was all ARM (advanced Rifle Marksmanship) training, which involves shooting while standing, turning and shooting, barricade fire from various positions and enjoying moving targets out to 300m from a barricade. We also underwent an experimental ARM qualification which was ridiculously easy. Also had a night fire exercise using targeting lasers and night vision. Cool stuff.
The next two weeks are all tactics, we're learning a lot very quickly and getting field time too. Monday and Tuesday were spent in the field learning technique for running in a buddy team from cover to cover while under fire. Involved a lot of running, stopping and dropping. Tiring but fun.
This morning our 8 mile ruck, which was ridiculously easy. I actually led the platoon back after the turnaround point. Also had platoon photos today.
Tomorrow its back to the field for 2 days, this time to learn fire team and squad tactics. Blanks and machine guns will also be incorporated, which will be much more fun than yelling "Bang, Bang, Bang" like last time.
Saturday we are apparently going back to 30th AG to be fitted for our dress uniforms.
Friday night we've got some concert thing we're going to, don't know anything about it thought yet.
Monday is PT test, and a big one since the grade to pass goes to 60% .
All I know about next week is it's more tactics, with a buddy team, live fire exercise, a 4 man team moving down a range from cover to cover shooting at targets with live ammo.
Will try to write again Friday night or Saturday, this is all I have time for now.
Friday, September 25, 2009
APFT 3 Sept. 22
So this morning we had APFT 3. My scores improved drastically but still need work. 27 push ups which is the same as last time, 60 sit ups which is 10 more, and an 18:24 2 mile, down another 2 minutes. All our remaining PT tests will be graded on the 60% scale instead of 50% now though, so I have even more work to do yet. I need 42 push ups, 53 sit ups, and 15:54 2 mile to pass on the new scale. DS V said as long as we keep improving he'll keep us until the end when we'll be recycled if we don't make it. Looks like I'm staying here for the foreseeable future.
Today, we just hung around at the range while 1st and 2nd platoons were at the range doing some kind of live fire exercise. We'll be doing the same tomorrow, with a night fire exercise using night vision and IR lasers mounted on our rifles as well. The night fire for 1st and 2nd was cancelled due to the thunderstorms rolling in.
This evening, I did some PT during free time, went and ran a mile on the track with some of the guys. Was actually kind of hard, legs were cramping bad due to the 2 mile this morning so I've got some muscle rub on them now.
Nothing else to really write about now except yes, night vision is just as fun to play with as you think it would be, which is probably why they don't let us hang on to them.
Will try and write tomorrow or Wednesday.
Today, we just hung around at the range while 1st and 2nd platoons were at the range doing some kind of live fire exercise. We'll be doing the same tomorrow, with a night fire exercise using night vision and IR lasers mounted on our rifles as well. The night fire for 1st and 2nd was cancelled due to the thunderstorms rolling in.
This evening, I did some PT during free time, went and ran a mile on the track with some of the guys. Was actually kind of hard, legs were cramping bad due to the 2 mile this morning so I've got some muscle rub on them now.
Nothing else to really write about now except yes, night vision is just as fun to play with as you think it would be, which is probably why they don't let us hang on to them.
Will try and write tomorrow or Wednesday.
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.
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.
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