Today started with an early march to an unknown destination. (That's a crazy thing about our training down here...I never know what the day is going to look like. Isn't that kind of like life?) We met at 6:15 a.m. wearing our helmet (kevlar), personal body armor, rucksacks and full canteens to march about a mile to a team building obstacle course. It was a lot of fun as we worked with our platoon to navigate different obstacles. (It truly was like living an episode of "Survivor") Our first obstacle was moving across little posts surrounded by "quicksand." Rico and I balanced on little boards as we moved a heavy case across to the other side. (For normal groups the case is called a box of ammo but for us they called it a case of Bibles!) We ran out of time before getting all of our squad over safely but at least we got the Bibles through right? The next obstacle was a ten foot wall. If you touched any white part of the wall you received a penalty and had to count to 15. It was fun to work together and bring all of our soldiers across safely. On and on these obstacles went. At one where a bridge was blown out I became the perimeter security guard. As people would approach I would ask, "Friend or foe?" I had a little stick for a sword and pine cones for grenades and did my part to keep the platoon alive. One drill sergeant threw a rock in my direction as a joke (acting like it was a bomb) and I threw my body on it for the team. Lots of smiles...
The gear we march in is heavy but God has been good and I feel strong and ready for more. I hate packing and repacking the little pockets full of rain gear and uniform pieces but know this is part of the training. (We must have 60+ pounds on our body as we march!!!) Great workout!
When we got back around noon we had 30 minutes for lunch before heading back to the classroom. This afternoon we had lessons in Combat Driving, Convoy Safety, Religious Sensitivity, and Improvised Explosion Device recognition. The training was an eye opener that we are a nation at war dealing with an enemy who wants to kill us. I would be lying if I didn't say it freaked me out a bit...Please stop and pray for our troops who are driving right now in a dangerous part of Iraq or Afghanistan. "Lord, please watch over the innocent and protect our young men and women who are in harm's way for our sake! We need your help Almighty God. Please bring peace to a land of conflict. For your glory oh God!"
Well, off to bed...tomorrow should be fun as we test our fear of challenging courses in a place called the "Confidence Course." I have no idea what that means but Sergeant Fox keeps asking if we are afraid??? I keep thinking, "Should I be?" :) Report time is 5:45 a.m. so I better get some rest...
Lots of love to all and thanks again for your support! (Saw Christina and the kids on the web cam tonight...Herbie played peek-a-boo and Allie smiled...boy do I miss those three...)
The View From The School (Ft. Jackson is a pretty place!)
Sergeant Fox training us on Humvee Maintenance
Essential to take good care of your vehicle when in a place of combat...Don't want to break down in the wrong place because you didn't check your belts...
No comments:
Post a Comment