Lost in the World of Powerpoint

The last few days have been a blur, not sure if it was due to the insane amount of powerpoints or the intense heat that Virginia is experiencing, but either way it was not fun.  Some good news, we took a test on Friday that was our first graded event and I received the highest score in my platoon. Considering that I will struggle during the physical activities, this high score will help in my standings.  On Monday, we had an orientation hike that was 3 miles.  Usually this is a strong point of mine, but the combination of using gear I have never seen, my pack being heavier than everyone else, and it being 85 degrees plus humidity at 0730, I did not do so well.  Yesterday was the hottest day it had been since we got here, and I spent the entire day outside.  My personal favorite moment was when we were issued our rifles at the hottest part of the day in the middle of a field standing in front of shinny stainless steal tables.  On the subject of rifles, my billet is going great, I was the first to have my roster turned in, the first to conduct sight counts, and was not responsible for the platoon that lost a rifle not more that 4 hours after we were issued them.  Today was more laid back, Amber and I attended a spouses orientation brief so that we could learn about the Marine Corps.  I guess I don't have it figured out after 9 years.   Tommorow only has one scheduled event so I will not be posting. 

Putting the RAN in Endurance

Wake-up (0520) Arrived Home (1815)

Today was an orientation to the Endurance Course (E-Course) and Obstacle Course (O-Course).  The o-course a is series of obstacles that ends with a rope climb.  For the graded test, we have to do it twice in under 4 minutes.  The E-Course is a 4.8 mile trail run that begins with the O-course.  You then run about 2.5 miles through the woods with cammies, helmet, rifle, day-pack, and load bearing vest.  At the 2.5 mile mark you come to your first of several obstacles that range from logs to jump, scaling the side of a cliff, crawling under wire, cargo nets, make shift ladders etc.  These items are space out for the remainder of the course.  You must run this in under 80 mins.  Today with demonstrations, it took us around 3 hours to run it.  The end of the day was a 2 hour class on the Laws of War and Rules of Engagement.

This ain't your mothers arobics class!

Wake-up (0500)  Arrived home ( still here)

This morning we had a class on how to workout most effectively and then went outside and conducted 2.5 hours of combat conditioning I.E. fireman's carry, ammo lifts and carries, core training.  The rest of the day is pointless for me because I already own my uniforms, have an ID, and met with the SPC yesterday.  This will give me time to study for Friday's test

First Day

Wake-up (0530)  Arrived Home (1920)

After the first day of Echo, all is well.  We started the day with a uniform inspection, which I did fine on.  Then we met the new Commanding Officer of TBS and he laid down his expectations.  After a couple of hours of free time, we had a class on Warfighting, and then a guided discussion over the same subject.  We then had a class on Officership from our company CO.  I ended the day with an interview with my Staff Platoon Commander (SPC).  To my surprise, he is amazingly human....that is, he doesn't talk to use like we are idiots.  Oh and he wanted to make sure that i knew that if I messed up being the Ordnance Representative, there would be major implications for the entire company.  Moral of the story, don't mess up, or 276 other Marines will hate you!

Echo Company!

Wake-Up (Yesterday 0445)  Arrived Home (today 1900)

The last two day have been a blur, but the good news is that I have qualified to pick-up with Echo company.  Yesterday we ran a PFT,  I did a 17 pull-ups which is good for me, however I ran three miles in 24:38 which is just outright horrible.  Guess I have something to improve on.  Most of the last two days have been classes, a review exam, a few platoon members changing platoons, a lot of waiting, and bonding with fellow students.  Our platoon seems to be pretty good (there are 6 platoons in our company) and everyone is excited to start training.  We meet our boss on Monday, and the real fun begins.  Oh and I get to sleep in, I don't have to be there until 0700.  Time to enjoy the weekend!

Naval Support

Wake-up (0515)  Arrived home (2215)

The last two days have been fairly routine.  Dental yesterday and medical today.   There was a lot of wasted time, but as long as I pass the fitness test tomorrow, I am qualified to pick up with Echo Company.

Where's the Fan!

Wake-up (0400)  Arrived Home (2000)

Today was relatively easy.  I had to arrive early today because it was my turn to do clean-up around the Barracks.  The morning was filled with more classes on things like human trafficking, family readiness, and tricare.  We also took a 2 hour test that was simliar in style to the ACT.  The fun part was the test was written in 1946 and the questions showed it.  Not sure why we took it, but we did.  We then had about 3 hours break, in which time I was suppose to swim, but due to the high heat, (95+) the pool was closed, the water temp was 94 degrees.  After that we had another class and then was secured for the day.  The adventure began when I got home.  Our A/C decided to stop working and thus the thermostat on main level read 88 degrees and I would guess it was upwards of 90-95 in the upstairs bedroom.  After hassling with the property manager, we had an A/C tech here to tell us the entire unit needs replaced.  He did a temp fix on it and now the temp is coming down.  After 2 hours the thermostat reads 86.  Looks like we will be sleeping on the floor in the basement with fans tonight.

Dive, Dive Dive!!!!

Wake up time (0445) Arrived at home (1900).

The day started with a continuation of swim qualification so that we could get to cws 2.  This level requires that you swim 50 meters in full cammies, boots, weighted vest, rifle and helmet using one of three approved strokes. After which to tow a buddy who is wearing the same amount of gear and holding each of your packs 25 meters. The last time I attempted this qual was in bootcamp where I had a near drowning experience so needless to say I was a little nervous.  I decided to attempt the breast stoke after observing that those who were struggling the least were using this stroke.  It worked for about the first 15-20 at which point I decided to switch of a modified side stoke.....this did not work.   O.K. last ditch effort, I try the back stroke, BAD MISTAKE.  As soon as I roll to my back the helmet fills with water and drags my head under.  Trying to salvage the situation, I roll back over to resume the breast stroke only to find that with each stroke I go deeper and deeper unable to get that one good breath of air.  Panic sets in and at around the 35 meter mark I scramble for the side of the pool thus FAILING cws 2.  So whats that mean, I get the pleasure of retrying this again on Monday, and every other day until I don't drown.  Because there are 300 lieutenants trying to do the qual and then a handful more needing cws 1, the rest of the morning is fairly uneventful with a 4 hour break.  I however was not allowed to leave the base, so I milled around the barracks and took a little nap.  The afternoon was filled with classes like Operational Risk Management, Base Safety (every officer is a Safety Officer), Study skills assessment, and a weekend safety brief.  I then waited 1.5 hours for the student staff to finally let us go home.  The weekend has rest and relaxation written all over it!

Sink or Swim.........

`I think I will start giving wake-up times and times I get home in each post from now on so...Wake-up(0445)  Return Home(2100).  Another long day, we spent the bulk of the morning getting our packs and gear that we will use in the field for the next six months.  It was strange to actually receive NICE gear instead of the CRAP that supply normally gives you.  Most of my gear is either brand new will tags still attached, or looks very close to brand new.  My arch enemy when it comes to gear is the helmet.  It never seems to fit right, is uncomfortable, and is broken in some way...not this time.  Perfect fit, is equipped with a new age head harness that feels great, and is completely functional.  Overall gear issues went fine, although 150 lieutenants doing there own thing leads to a lot of wasted time. Sometimes yelling a direction come in handy.

In the afternoon was swim qualification.  The Marine Corps has 4 quals and Officers are required to get the next to highest qual level which is cws 2.  Someone must have told the base that electricity and water does not go togeather and decided to turn off the electricity to the pool.  This delayed our training for 2.5 hours so we were unable to finish thus only getting cws 3 qualified. We will continue tomorrow. For those that are wondering, cws 1 is the highest level.  Each lever requires different things, but basically envolves some form of jumping in water from a platform with pack, cammies, and weapon and then performing some task such as combat survival strokes, gear removal, buddy rescues, improvised inflation devices such as using your pants as a life vest, etc...

The day ending with a class of how to utilize the Chaplin while in command and a field day(super cleaning the barracks)

Paperwork is the Name of the Game

We started today at 0500, well actually my day started at 0400 because of the commute.  I spent the entire day minus 45 mins for lunch doing paperwork that I have already done at least 5 times before.  Setting up life insurance, tax withholding, personal file audit, GI Bill enrollment etc.  They could have cared less that 1. I am already getting paid and thus already have my taxes figured out, or 2. that I have not only already enrolled in the GI Bill, but have also exhausted my 36 months of benefits..... I still got the pleasure of filling the paperwork out again.  Throw in another couple of classes on professionalism, uniform regulations, parking do's and don'ts and you have a general idea of how my day went.  I got home at 1900 to be called at 1925 saying I needed to come back.  I proceed to get back into cammies and drive back to base to be called 5 mins and a quarter mile later to say I did not need to come back.  Oh the joys of having other students in charge!!  Tomorrow I get to sleep in....0500 wake-up with 0600 report time.

Check-In

Well today was the first day in a long journey.  Things went almost exactly as expected, and the weather was perfect (high 70's) considering I had to wear a suit for the bulk of the morning. Usually when I check in it is super hot or humid or both, and would be drenched within a half hour.  Check-in involved filling out some basic paperwork about who I am and what I have done, getting assigned a platoon (2nd) and room, dropping off some gear and getting my photo taken.  In all, it took about 3 hours and I was on my way back home.  Tonight we have a safety brief from the Mike Company Commanding Officer (this is a holding company, I will eventually be moved to Echo Company).  Not to bad for a first day!

Last Weekend

Well we are enjoying our last weekend before TBS picks up on Tuesday.  Most of the boxes are unpacked and we have a good handle on the surrounding area.  The last 4 months have been nice, but I am ready to start training.  For those of you who decided to follow this blog, I will update as often, daily if possible, but due to the schedule it may be a few days between updates.