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.

Friday

Rifle -229 (That means I have now qualified Expert on rifle)
Pistol - 325 (Sharpshooter)

This past week the average wake-up time was 0330 and I arrived home around 2030-2100.  That is excepted for yesterday when I arrived home at 2300.  The temps were tolerable Mon- Wed, but Thursday and Friday we in the high 90s with high humidity.  This made for long days in soaking wet cammies.  Next week we shoot table two (find info here - http://thesupermarine.com/RifleQual.aspx#whatkind) and table three (night fire).  The hours and temps are expected to be the same.

Thursday

Rifle - 226
Pistol -333

Wednesday

Rifle -229
Pistol - no idea

Tuesday

Rifle -223
Pistol -no idea

Monday

Rifle - 227
Pistol - Hard to say, but by estimation 372

Time to catch up!

First I say I am sorry for the delay in posts, it has been a LONG and hectic week and all I have felt like doing when I get home is sleep.   I will start with July 4th, the family and I spent the day in Washington D.C.  Instead of driving, we parked at the southern most stop,and took the metro (subway) into the city.  We attended the parade and then made our way to the Capital lawn where we camped out for the fireworks.  Let me just say, you should spend at least one independence day in the Nation's Capital.  See facebook for pictures.  Tuesday was the start of a three week evolution at the rifle and pistol range.  The temps here in Virginia hovered around 100 for most of the week and we spent most of it outside.  the first two days were spent learning about our two main weapon systems, the M16A4 service rifle and the M9 pistol, and the correct way to shoot them.  This includes a lot of practice time getting into the proper positions and dry firing (not bullets) so that the coaches can help get you into the proper form.  It doesn't sound like much, but when you are doing it for 4 hours at a time it can become exhausting.  Plus, my age is starting to catch up to me, so sitting Indian style bent in half (this is what we call the sitting position), or sitting with one foot bent under me and the other kicked out in front with my elbow resting on my knee ( this is what we call the kneeling) has lead to some serious back pains.  Friday we actually went to the range and fired our rifles to zero them (adjusted the sights to make sure we hit what we were aiming at)  This process first starts with a 3 mile hike at 0450, fire at the rifle range, fire at the pistol range, pull butts (the term used for pulling down the targets, marking them, and then sending them back up so the shooter can see where he/she hit) and then a 3 mile hike back to the barracks.  This will be the process for all of next week, and the average time between the two hikes is around  9 hours.  Now a little background on the range for me.  I have never shot the pistol in the Marine Corps so it is new to me, but the rifle I have qualified on 4 times, three of those times I have shot Expert (the top qualification, followed by sharpshooter, then marksmen).  So for the past week, I have been talking a lot of trash about how great of a shot I am, and how I will be the company high shooter ( meaning I will shoot higher than the other 276 Marines in my company).  Luckily, yesterday I was able to reinforce my comments with actually results.  After gaining an initial zero at 36 yards, we went to the 200 yard line (two football fields) to further refine our sights.  My first set of 3 shots was in the black but high and a little to the right so I adjusted, the next set was centered and to the right, and my last set of 4 shots was all dead center.  My roommate with whom I have a bet with to see who will shoot a higher combined rifle/pistol score said he no longer wanted to bet with me after see my shots.(He shoots on the target right next to me, so I also see how he shoots.)   As for qualification, we shoot in the sitting, kneeling, and prone(laying down) and standing at the 200 yard line, sitting and prone  at the 300 yard line, and prone in the 500 yard line.  To get expert you have to hit dead center 25 out of 50 times while getting no less than the 4 ring the other 25 times(the 4 ring is just outside of the bulls eye).  At the pistol range we shoot everything in the standing, at distances of 7,15, and 25 yards.  The 25 yard line is slow fire, where you have 20 minutes to shoot 15 rounds.  the 7 yard line, you shoot 5 rounds, but for each round the target only appears for 3 secs.  Then you shoot another 8 rounds but this time you get 4 secs to shoot 2 rounds. At the 15 yard line you get 20 secs to shoot two magazines with 3 rounds each, it is designed to test your reload speed.

For the next week I will probably only post what my daily score was each range.  Mon-Thurs is practice, and Friday is Qualification. For your reference here is the required scores for each level.

Rifle - Expert(220)   Sharpshooter(210)   Marksman(190)
Pistol - Expert(345)  Sharpshooter(305)  Marksman(245)