Reality Check

Today started with our 5 mile convoy and combat patrol. It was a very educational event simulating the confusion that ensues when several roadside bombs explode and an ambush has been set on both sides of the road. As a platoon, we handled ourselves well with good communication and field of fire discipline. We still have a lot to learn from the folks who do this almost every day in country.

Land navigation practical application came next. We went out to the wooded area of base; plotted the 4 points given to us on a map; measured distance and azimuth, and then went in search of those markers. My 4 man team was the last of 10 teams to go into the woods and the 2nd to emerge.

In retrospect of the last 2 days, I find that surprise has the greatest impact in warfare. While practicing entering and clearing rooms yesterday, we had the element of surprise. We were formed up and carried out our mission with speed and accuracy. Granted for team member #1 going through the door, it is life or death in the blink of an eye - if you don't have surprise on your side. Likewise, it's life or death on the road as the insurgents have the element of surprise with well placed bombs and organized ambushes.

For lunch we had a Meals Ready to Eat (MRE). This is only the second time we've had them since we've been here. Normally we receive a bag lunch from the dining hall. The bag lunches are fine, except they digest quickly leaving 2 hours of hunger before dinner. MRE's stick to your ribs and last you through out the day. They are also affectionately called Meals Refusing to Exit...because they stay with you for a long time. You have to frontload about 4 glasses of water before eating an MRE because they are so full of fiber.

We topped the day off with a little chemical warfare training.

Lastly, we received our official itineraries. We go wheels up at 7:30am this Saturday, routing through Bangor, Maine and Koln, Germany for fuel on our way to Kuwait. We should arrive around 1100 a.m. on Sunday, have 7-8 hours of acclimation time and then start in our advanced combat training. I'm not sure what access I may have to a computer, thus these updates may be rather sporatic once we leave here.