Day 13

Boys will be boys and this was a "boys" kind of day. Yes, we had ladies with us but today involved guns, big diesel engines, and rolling an up-armored vehicle over...sorta. The day started out normally at 0700 but that'll be the last of that for awhile. Meet-up time is pushing forward by an hour tomorrow but the day is still expected to go to 1800 or 6pm. Yes, it's Saturday tomorrow. No, that doesn't matter. :-)

Today we did a sort-of round-robin evolution. 5 different stations that my company rotated through: 9mm qualifying practice, M4 targeting practice, ILAV (Iraqi Light Armored Vehicle) and Humvee familiarization, an indoor, computer driven M4 firing range (real rifles, no bullets..only virtual bullets), and the infamous HEAT trainer that I posted a video about yesterday. The 9mm practice was more about the motions we'll go through tomorrow when we qualify. Finally after well over a decade in the Navy, I will finally get that little blue ribbon...hopefully...for qualifying on the 9mm. The M4 targeting was done flat on our bellies in full armor to get used to being in that position and getting our "sight position" correct on the weapon. The ILAV is a monster...hilarious that they call it "light"...it's over 43,000 pounds!!! It is a phenomenal machine, though, and one that is saving lives in Oz. Due to it's V-shaped hull, it has a very good chance at surviving an IED blast. The  hull directs the blast outwards away from the vehicle and occupants. Same with the MRAP vehicle you may have heard of. The ILAV stands a very good chance at being one of my "chariots" as I move around in Oz someday. The Humvee is what you'd expect...an extremely wide vehicle and one that's been around since 1983. We are moving away from using them, though, due to the introduction of the ILAV and MRAP and no V-shaped hull. IED's + Humvees = not a good outcome. (IED = improvised explosive device...the main weapon used to kill our soldier/sailors/airmen/Marines...planted in the ground roadside and remotely detonated) Next was an indoor electronic range (pictured here) where we practiced getting "zeroed" in on the M4 rifle. Again, on our bellies and focusing on breathing, sight position, and trigger control. I loved doing this and would've been more than happy to stay in there all day. Real-life rifles but no bullets...against a background like what we'll find at the range..tomorrow. Afterwards, we headed on in to the HEAT trainer. I just have to refer you back to yesterday's post...that is EXACTLY how it went down.  I'm already a big guy but add full armor, heavy helmet, and everything thing else attached to me then flip me over, unbuckle my seat belt...well, I land straight on my head...and neck. Granted, that was only a few inches since I'm over 6' tall but wow, I felt that! Once unbuckled, there is certainly an adrenalin rush and a flurry of noise inside the vehicle. Plus, they purposely leave things loose in there so you get hit with things as you flip. Once I found the armored door lock, I pulled up and sorta-kinda rolled out of the door and onto my feet. I then proceeded to my corner of the vehicle, took a knee, and raised my fake rifle up, scanning the area for bad guys. Once we shouted we were all OK by counting off, it was over.  If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend!! :-)  The day was wrapped with a little bit of lecture back in the classroom on battlefield communications.  I am finding that no matter what, they will fill the day to end precisely at 6pm everyday...as if they've been threatened not to dare do anything else...or else!

Ever have pizzelles before? They are the bomb! They are Italian waffle cookies made from flour, eggs, sugar, butter, or vegetable oil. Anyway, my mom and dad sent some to me already and shockingly, they survived the trip. Thanks so much! (here's what they are if you want to see)

I had a few minutes today between evolutions and started reading a book by Max Lucado. Before I even got to Chapter 1, I read this in his intro...good enough to quote: "Change always brings fear before it brings faith. We always assume the worst before we look for the best." This time where I'm current spending along the Yellow Brick Road is a change...a drastic change for nearly everyone here. Some people choose to complain and not give there best and find the worst in everything....how very miserable to live. The alternative is what I am doing..looking for the best in everything. Am I happy to leave my family and does it make me very sad to be away from them? More than you know. But, this is happening so I might as well make the very  best out of it. Same training, different people, totally different outcomes.


Goodnight, everyone.