September 26, 2011
Hey All,
Monday morning we had our 2nd PT test, my body is pretty dead. I did well on the 2 mile run 12:40 but my push-ups and sit-ups are not as good as I want them to be, but I will get it up there again. I have also started to get a bit of a head cold so I am trying to eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible to kick it. After we had breakfast we got changed and went to the firing range. We all learned about two machine guns the M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) and the M240. We also got to fire these two weapons, only 25 rounds but it was still extremely cool. After that we went back to the bay and were instructed to study and learn more about the machine guns from our books. The rest of that night was pretty boring just studying and getting prepared for the next day.
Tuesday we found out that we were going to be firing the M136AT4 which is an 84mm, light weight, self contained anti armor weapon. It consist of a free flight, fire stabilized, rocket type cartridge tucked in an expandable one piece fiberglass wrapped tube. It’s a rocket launcher. We did not get to fire rockets but we did fire practice rounds out of it which is still pretty cool. We then left and went to a different range to fire the M203 which is the grenade launcher that attaches to the m16a4 assault rifle. We all shot 5 practice rounds, they are paint rounds. Then two people in our company launched two real rounds those explosions were pretty sweet. This week is actually flying by pretty quick because the ranges are so busy and there is so much going on that our 19 hour days go by in a blink of an eye.
Wednesday was pretty boring. We stayed at the bay all day and started to learn reflective fire, this is close quarters firing. We learned how to move with our rifles at the low ready and other side movements we also learned how to transition to muzzle down when a friendly crosses your view. We found out today that there is a post concert. At first our drill Sgt’s did not want to let us go but because it is a post event for Fort Benning they had to let us go. This means we get to eat what we want while we are there but it also means that we will have twice as much to do on Thursday.
Thursday morning we found out that the 4th Platoon is in charge of range today… SO MUCH WORK! Duty Squad got to the range at 05:30. During the pan of that day we prepared all of the targets, over 400 and we loaded 46,000 rounds into magazines for all of the days firing. During the day we did live reflexive firing with lazer scopes on the rifles. This was cool but the scopes are not zeroed for eah person so you do not shoot great. It is more for the experience. Then we did live night fire with the N.V.G.’s (Night Vision Goggles). This was extremely cool but since there are 215 people that need to do it you get really rushed. By the time everyone was done transport picked everyone up at 1030 but since we had duty squad we had to collect the brass (shell casings) and load all of the equipment onto the truck. Needless to say I did not get back till 2330 and by the time we unloaded, showered cleaned up I did not get to bet until 1200. That was one long and crazy day. As I lay in bead, dead tired, I just kept thinking that even though today was long and tiring the experience was something not many people will ever be able to say that they did. I’m also thinking that at this concert I am going to pig out and find a spot where I can fall asleep!!!
Friday ~ what a great day for half of the day we just cleaned and studied because we have the concert. Today is going to be very relaxed because of the concert. We left for the concert at around 1530 and when we arrived we were briefed on how to act and that we are representing Alpha Company 3-47 and don’t “F” up. The first thing that I noticed as I walked in was a Verizon Wireless tent. They had around 50 telephones that they were letting soldiers use and I took full advantage of it. I talked to my Mom twice, my brother and my dad. This truly just made the rest of my time here easy. It is so nice to know that everything is okay and to hear a voice tht you never knew you could miss so much. Between my phone calls I splurged on food. I had Chili Cheese Fries, two slices of pizza, funnel cake, soda (Dr. Pepper), an ice cream cone, chocolate chip cookies and skittles. The concert was set up to celebrate the Armor School of excellence moving to Fort Benning from Fort Knox. Then at the end of the night they had an amazing fireworks display it was probably the best I have ever seen. As we got onto the bus to head back up to Sand Hill to get back to training I sat in my seat with pure happiness both to be completely full and to have had the ability to talk to my family.
Saturday was an early start we only got 3 ½ hours of sleep. Today we have our last confidence course “Eagle Tower”. The first obstacle was to walk the two rope bridge which starts at around 25 feet and goes up to 35 feet. Then once you get there you have to commando crawl back on a single rope. This is where you are laying on your belly and you go head first and you pull yourself hand over hand. This is like riding a bike. If you go too slow you will lose your balance and fall but if you keep a quick pace you will be stable and it will actually be a lot easier. Then once you make it to this point you walk the three rope bridge this is pretty easy if you lose your balance push the ropes out away from your body and it will make it extremely stable. After this you have to climb down a 35 foot cargo net to get back to the ground. After this we ate a yummy MRE!! Then it was time for the final obstacle the 50 foot repel wall. You get a rope, a carabineer and a figure 8. We created a seat with the rope; this smashes all of your man area and is extremely uncomfortable. You then go through a practice on a 10 ft wall so you learn to use your break and correctly then you start your climb to the top. Now even thought I am not a huge fan of heights this was a nice little adrenaline rush. I made it down with no issues… some people froze up and a few cried but everyone did it. After that we packed up and went back to the bay. We ate dinner in the defect or “Chow Hall” then when we got back we worked on rifle movements, this stuff is very hard to do with a group of people and trying to get on the same timing. To be honest we suck but it will all come in time.
Talk to you soon,
Patrick
Way to go Mr. Wolff! I salute you!
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