Long Break....

Actually we've been extremely busy. Sorry for the length between posts.

No one got in trouble during Super Bowl weekend, in fact we have only lost one more person all week.

Last week started off rough, the room layouts were so messed up it took them until Thursday to get one out to us. In doing so that did not leave enough time for everyone to test it out and set it up. That delay cost us our weekend, and nearly all of the evenings trying to get everything up to standards each time they released a new iteration of the layout.

Monday last week started out with a nice 2 mile run at a pace that was a bit painful, followed by sprints across a field, muscle failure on sit-ups and push-ups then a slower 2 mile run back. The rest of the day was filled with classes on ethics and call for fire (how to call in and adjust an artillery strike).

Tuesday morning we did Army Combatives for our PT. This is the Army's unarmed fighting style, it closely resembles many of the moves used in UFC (ultimate fighting championship). The rest of the day we were given small group instruction outside on basic warrior tasks, things such as first aid, proper weapon care etc.... This lasted all day and it was my first time in a while to march in a blastic vest and eat the new (to me) style of MRE's. I must say they are much improved from the last time I was in.

Wednesday started off with an early morning ruck march. It was a simple 5 mile with about 40lbs in our backpack. The rest of the day was supposed to be taken up with a continuation of the previous days classes but the lightning from the storms drove us inside to do simplified versions of the class. The policy here is rain, snow, or sun activities go on. Only if it becomes dangerous (high wind, lightning etc..) does the activity stop. We were soaked to the bone and many of us got blisters from marching in the morning followed by walking in soaked boots the rest of the day.

Thursday morning we did light PT. The rest of the morning we completed the classes we had not finished due to the inclement weather. That afternoon we took a test on the call for fire class we had. I was one of the few that scored perfectly on the test.

Friday we did a slow 4 mile run with all 3 companies to celebrate the graduation of a class ahead of us. The only problem with that many people trying to run in formation is the slinky effect it generates. The rest of the day we spent alternating being chewed out for the rooms looking jacked up and trying to fix them, followed by a class on leadership.

Saturday we had a bit of time to finish up our rooms and the commander came through and was pleased with how we had pulled together to accomplish the task.

Sunday we were able to go around post. I tried to catch up on a bit of sleep, and got a slice of pizza at the PX.

This week so far has been the same PT, running, muscle failure, and combatives. While the days are filled with more classes on leadership and ethics.

Tomorrow in about 5 hours is another ruck march, this time my pack weighs about 50lbs...still light by the standards of what I used to carry.

I am very much looking forward to the 4 day weekend we are due coming up.