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.