Day 10

While yesterday was the day where we got all of our "goodies," today we spent entirely inside. "Death by PowerPoint" and "White Space" was the order of the day. "White Space" is the Army's term for time between evolutions when you just sit and do nothing. I like to be productive so this is taking a good bit to get used to. With that said, today was a crummy day....not entirely, but almost. The one highlight was being issued our 9mm pistols and M4 Carbine rifles. Until today, I still didn't know which weapon I'd be taking forward to Oz. It depends first on rank then mission. I don't agree, but only the 9mm is going forward with me to Oz. I know that I will have travel in Oz where that M4 would be nice to have but unfortunately, that's not my call to make. Still, I will train with it and qualify on it while at my current training location. I could be called on to use it in Oz so I need to be prepared. The training today was all weapon-related, starting with pre-briefs to briefs about the construction of them. I anticipate that tomorrow will hold more "Death by PowerPoint" and we'll be tearing them apart and learning much more about them.

We did take a pause today to make "Hydration Beads." This is just too different to this sailor to not mention it here. It's simple: 6 beads on a green lanyard. As we drink each quart of water, we move one bead up. Once we drink 6 quarts, we start moving them down for a max of 12 quarts. They recommend no more than that in one day. They aren't mandating we drink that much, though. My opinion is that this little trinket serves as a visual reminder to us and them about how good we're doing at hydrating. Remember that wet bulb I talked about yesterday? Today, it cracked 90F and was Category 5. Tomorrow, it's supposed to be more humid and go higher in temperature. I think you can imagine the issues that could come up in that heat while wearing 1" thick battle armor. That's why they measure everything constantly and keep ice packs at the ready.

Back home in Kansas, it sounds like everyone is getting in their groove nicely and perhaps even benefiting a bit from me being gone. From what I hear, the house is cleaner and everyone is getting more sleep than before! I tend to make "piles" which Dorothy doesn't much care for and those have yet to appear in the past 10 days. One thing is for certain: Dorothy, Tin Man, and the Scarecrow have such a robust hedge of protection around them, it is stronger that barbed wire. I really don't think that's an exaggeration, either. Some of those folks would put their tail on the line if the call came. We are very blessed!  For me, it brings peace which makes each day tolerable while being away.  THANK YOU to you all.

I really want to leave a quote today and who knows if this is one or not as I have no author or anything. Still, it really defines me perfectly. "I dance through the masquerade of life without wearing a mask, for being yourself is a beautiful thing."

Goodnight, friends.