Training continues

Today we went to the M16 zero range; first to zero with iron sights, and then to zero with our new CCOs (Close Combat Optics). Third Platoon (misfits, gamblers, jokers, professional soldiers and SECOND TO NONE) was given an indeterminate SP time as it wasn't known how long it would take the other elements to get through the range and it's well known that we're all crack shots with a rifle, so we decided to go over some level 1 training concerning compasses, map reading, and things of that nature.

It turned out to be good review - the new soldiers we have are a mixed bag so far as their training with low-tech gadgetry (like compasses). Some of them said that their basic training units did try to teach them how to use a compass, but others have got us old hands shaking our heads because their drill sergeants told them that with the new GPS systems the armed forces are fielding, compasses were obsolete...and they had no idea how to use them. So we took a task that I originally looked at as being make-work and made it into something that really needed to be taught!

Before we knew it we were called out to the zero range - full battle rattle! Full Battle Rattle consists of your ACH (Advanced Combat Helmet), IBA (interceptor body armor, with plates), assault pack (packed with camelback hydration system, cold weather gear, wet weather gear, extra socks, eye pro(tection), ear pro(tection), books, weapons optics, magazines and magazine pouches), promask (gas mask), IFAK (improved first aid kit), weapon, and thats more than enough for most of us!

The problem that became most readily apparent for me was that this was the M16 zero range...not the M249 SAW zero range. After some confusion it was determined that the designated individual SAW gunners (which I am) weren't supposed to be there in the first place. I'm itching to use my ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsite) as it was so difficult to get in the first place. I was originally issued a m68a4 CCO and although an excellent marksmanship tool for the M16, it's rather lacking for the M249. Long story short, I was able to secure one, but haven't been able to use it. The only reason I've been able to update today was that I left the range after I found out I shouldn't have been there. Thanks to the 1st Sgt for getting everything clarified!

I've updated tons of new videos to the youtube page, and I'll cover some of them now. Mostly its day to day stuff - the things that I found interesting, or humorous, or sometimes I was just filming to stay awake. Comments are always appreciated - either on this page, or on the youtube page!

First up we have SPC Felda, who needed a haircut...badly. He's told me that he needs to be a more prominent feature on this blog and in the world in general, so here's a couple minutes of his 15 minutes of fame. The haircur turned out pretty well - I suspect I could have done a better job, but I've been cutting hair for a very long time now - it helped pay the bills while I was in AIT. Ah, the barracks barbershop...




You're all probably wondering what kind of conditions we live in here. We're in a rehabbed barracks from the 1930s or early 1940s and it's much nicer than what they used to look like. It's a two story building, and we're on the second floor. My squad sleeps on one side (the first side shown in the video, my bunk is the fourth) and 1st squad is on the other. Its really not a bad place to be, and we all seem happy enough here.




Yesterday we conducted all kinds of training - one of which was the LMTS (Laser Marksmanship Training System) which was really pretty neat. PFC Bennet and myself were the strongest contenders in grouping accuracy in our iteration, and I won! I've always been a good shot with a rifle. Its a pretty cool training system, and really helps riflemen concentrate on marksmanship fundamentals. It would have been nice to spend more time there.



I've discussed HEAT rollover training in this blog before, but we got to go through it again. Really excellent training! They showed a video with stereo that (as you can tell) mimics the noise of an 1151 on the road - the video distracts you enough that you're not quite as prepared for the rollover as we have been in times past. I usually TC (tank commander) the vehicle but this time decided to sit in the back...wrong answer! When I disconnected my seat belt I smashed my left shin pretty good against the drivers seat - no fun for me, but not too much blood. Watch the video and be amazed!



Behind our classroom lives a group of kids in 'boot camp' - you know the kind you see on Maury and Oprah. I decided to take a closer look (the actual property is off limits to all military personnel) and got to see three of them on punishment picking up sandbags and moving them from one place to another, and the rest of them were playing some kind of catch with a kickball. They all sound off pretty loudly during their formations, and seem pretty motivated - I don't know if any of them will join the army, but I think that the boot camp is a good experience for at risk kids.



Sometimes a soldier messes up. Sometimes a squad messes up. Sometimes its the entire platoon. Sometimes when a soldier messes up, the squad gets punished. Luckily, not my squad :-)




Snuff. The final frontier of military tobacco use. Rarely embraced since before the Second World War, I decided to introduce it to the platoon and bought a container before leaving for this training. Several people have tried it now, with laughable results - but we all get a kick out of watching them do it though most of us would never do it ourselves!! Silly privates!




That's all the updates for right now, but there will be more later - on that you can count!


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