FEX 1 Done

• FEX I - A three day evolution that acts as an introduction into infantry squad level tactics. The first two days are blank fire against smaller sized opposing forces and the last day is the live fire attack with automated targets.
  • Day 1, 2 - Squad attacks and offensive maneuvers using blank ammunition with a new "squad leader" for each separate attack.
  • Day 3 - The students conduct a squad attack at a live fire range. There is a day attack and an illuminated night attack at the range. Artillery simulations are detonated on the range during the conduct of the attack to simulate explosions, artillery, and mortars.
  
  
  So the last week has been an exciting week of hiking through the woods and attacking fake enemies with fake bullets.  We spent the bulk of Monday and Tuesday receiving and order, conducting some enemy anaylsis, and issuing our own order to attack the enemy.  Each day we conducted 4 attacks, so you can conclude how much time it took to prepare for each attack.  Monday we spent the night in the woods, and Tuesday we stayed in the barracks.  Wednesday morning we took our combat lifesaving practical application test(I.E. we fixed combat casualties) I didn't do so well, and I think I will have to do it over again to show that I am not a complete idiot.  Wednesday night we moved out to range 5 and spent the night.  It was suppose to rain all night so I spent some time making a hasty shelter out of my poncho and 550 cord (really strong string) and the it decided NOT to rain.  At least all of my gear was spared the wet condition the dew provided.  Thursday was the day and night portion of range 5 and we spent the night again in the woods.  On Friday we packed up, cleaned the range, and headed back to the barracks for some classes and got off early.
  

I think this place just got a whole lot busier....

So alot has happened in the 10 days between my last post and now.  For some confirmation, last week I did fail my first written test, but was able to pass the retake on the 5th.  I also failed the initial Endurance Course on the 6th by 8 mins. (5 Mile through wood/hills with numerous obstacles along the way) Lucky I wasn't the only one whole failed.  On friday they gave us an order and we had to use the weekend to re-write it so that it would be pertinent to our subordinates. This was just our first of many practices on doing this. 

This past week has been fairly eventful as well.  On Monday we had our Squad Weapons FEX, where we went to the field to throw hand grenades, shoot grenade launchers, rocket launchers, and Machine guns.  This was the part of TBS I was looking forward to.  It was a hot and long day, but just the opportunity to shoot these weapons made it a great day.  On Tuesday, we had classes most of the day on Combat Life-Saving (First-Aid in extreme condition) and in the afternoon practices the techniques we where taught.  However, they need two volunteers for a demonstrations and I happened to be one of them.  This turned out to be the worst part of the week, because they decided to have me lay on the ground and act as a casualty as the other Marine had to apply a tourniquet.  They upped the ante by squirting fake blood on my lower body to simulate an artillery wound.  Amber was not very happen to have to wash that out of my cammies.  On Wednesday, we had our 2nd land nav practice, this time in an area about 6 square miles big.  We had 4 hours to find 6 boxes and had to get at least 4 boxes to pass.  I got 5 boxes, and ran out of time to look for the 6th box.  On Thursday, we had another operation order to write , and practiced delivering it in front of our peers in the morning.  This is really the meat and potatoes of TBS, as it show our tactical ability to execute an operation.  In the afternoon we had another written test, this time I did much better.  Next week we are going to the field all week to conduct squad assaults, so Friday I spent the entire day working on rosters of who would be carrying what weapon to the field.  It was a long day of EXCEL work, but at least I didn't have to perform rehearsals like the rest of the company.  And now I get to enjoy my weekend before we have a long week in the field where the projected weather forecast is rain every day. Did I mention that we don't use tents in the Marine Corps.

Easy Day....

Well, easy in relative terms for the Marine Corps.  The day started with a 3 hour break due to a dedication ceremony practice for a new barracks on base.  Some of our company is in the ceremony so training stopped until they were finished.Then we had about 4 hours of class on the 5 paragraph order (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_paragraph_order) and I accumulated about 8 pages of notes on the subject. Basically this is the format in which we write our operations plans and pretty much the rest of the time we are here, we will be refining our skills at writing these orders.  At around 1500,  we boarded buses and headed to the Marine Corps Memorial in Washington D.C. to watch the Marine Corps Band and Silent Drill team perform the sunset parade.  It is now 2140 and I am waiting to secure for the day, so I can go home a relax after a "LONG" days work....

Maybe I should use the Stars.....

Actually that won't work, because stars are visible at night.  Today was the first of four land navigation test.  We are given 5 points to find and were given 2.5 hours find them.  After plotting my points in the classroom and finguring out a plan of attack, I walked out to the land nav course.  My first point was on the side of a trail, so it was pretty easy to find.  From there I headed toward my second box, but when I got to where I thought it should be, there was no box in sight.  After looking for about 20 mins I headed back to the main road and restarted.  From that point on everything went pretty smooth and I left the course with a 100%.

However, the second part of the day was a written test on reading maps and communications equipment.  Let just say that I might have just failed my first test at TBS.  The map part was pretty easy, but I should have studied more for the Comm part.

How to get lost 2.0

Today we went to more classes on communications equipment and land navigation.  Lets just say that topographic maps and me do not get along.  By the end of the day I was able to distinguish what a hill looked like and 7 out of 10 times I could figure out what if the squiggly lines were a finger or a draw, but somehow I think I am going to be lost in the woods the first couple of times that we practice........which is tomorrow.   If I am not back by December, call someone.

Old people don't fall well!!

Today I tested for my green belt in MCMAP.  I am pleased to announce that I passed , but not without so pain associated. (here is a video of some of the techniques required for green belt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW1L5paTBCo)  In the operating forces, this would have taken upwards of a two weeks to train for and we did it here in 3.5 days, so at least I did it in the quickest way possible.  With only two belts left to get, I am probably done with MCMAP....I don't like being thrown to the ground!   This afternoon we started classes on how to read and navigate a topographic map and on communication equipment.

The rest of Range Week

Well, I have finished the two weeks of the range and am grateful for it.  Last week involved more hikes and heat, and the addition of added responsibility.  Just like anywhere, the military has multiple levels of leadership, and on Monday I assumed the position of Squad leader.  So in my platoon, I have a platoon commander, platoon sergeant, three squad leaders, and each squad has 4 fireteam leaders, and each fireteam has 4-5 Marines.  So that means I am now currently responsible for 14 other 2nd Lts.  On top of that, I still have the responsibility of all serialized ordnance equipment for the 45 Marines in my platoon.

Monday-Wednesday we were shooting table two, a combination of pivot drills, shooting while moving, and shooting specific target area of the torso.  That part was pretty fun, but we still were required to hike out to the range and back each day, and to make it all a little more fun, they added more weight to our packs to "harden" our bodies.  The heat each day also increased. Wednesday I went to bed around 2230. Thursday was my version of hell.  The day started at 0330 (well actually 0230 is when I woke up) and by 0430 we had started our 6 mile hike.  A member of my squad had a knee failure around mile 2 and damn near pushed me over on her way down.  I spent the next 4 miles coaching her through the pain all the while realizing that I am not as young as I wish I was.  My hips and knees were constantly reminding me that they didn't appreciate what I was putting them through.  By the end of the hike were at the range and by 0700 we were again shooting table 2 and 3. It was also probably around 95 degree.  We then gathered all our stuff and hiked another mile to range 305.  This was the exciting part of the day.  Range 305 consist of pop-up targets at unknown distances both moving and static.  The purpose of the range is to get us familiar with the targeting line inside our scopes, but add in that we were shooting behind full and half walls and through window openings and you have one hell of a Marine Corps day.  After shooting, we again hiked back the previous mile to the first range and began classes on night shooting and all of our night optics gear.  This is were my job became complicated.  I had to issue out each Marines gear to them, show them how to use it properly, fix any discrepancies with the gear, and ensure that everyone had all there gear for the remainder of the night, because if any of it was lost, I was responsible.  At around 2100 we moved to the night fire range and got to shoot while utilizing night vision goggles and inferred targeting lasers (see video on facebook).  By 2300 we were done and in the dark of night I had to de-issue each piece of gear.  At around 2400 or 0000 (which ever way you look at it), we started our 3 mile hike back to the barracks.  And at 0200 I finally went back to bed.  So for those of you not good at math, that is 23.5 hours of continued operations on about 4 hours of sleep.  Then on Friday I was required to wake up at 0530 and start a great day of Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP).  Because I already have the second level in the belt system, I had a little easier day then most as I was able to peel off from the group and start working on my new belt (green) in the shade while everyone else learned the fundamentals of a punch in the record-setting heat and sun (102 before humidity).

So I will end this post with this,  When deciding which branch of the military to join you typically look at recruiting posters.  The Navy promises to sail you around the world to exotics ports, the Army promises to pay for your college, the Air Force promises a better way of life, and the Marine Corps promises to kick you ass.........At least the the Marine Corps keeps it's promise.