Nine Training Days and Counting

"Doc" on his MRE chair
Posted in the dining hall

LtCol Weatherspoon presenting me with my line number...it'll be awile, but it's mine!

This week we finished up our combat life saving skills section and started the formal training for mounted combat patrol. Our capstone for CLS was a simulated mortar attack on a DFAC building with several casualties inside. The building was considered unstable and we had to get everyone out in less than 2 minutes. It sounds easy enough, but there were some obstacles in our way. We were in full battle rattle, the building was full of fake smoke and the building was approximately 40x60. I was on the recovery team with my driver as my partner. We entered the building and it was like closing your eyes. I couldn't see my hand if it was right in front of my face! I immediately grabbed the strap on the back of my partner's IBA and followed him around the building calling out for injured people. Their were about ten simulated casualties inside and time was not on our side. There were chairs and tables turned over inside so you did your best to climb over things without getting twisted up. Once we located everyone and carried them outside we began triaging and treating them. We transferred them to the CCP and called in our nine line medivac and saved the day. We kicked ass and it was obvious during our hot wash. Our instructors praised us and told us we did everything by the book. She couldn't find anything to fault us on. This was very important to me because this was our first major task with our new leader. I wanted him to look good and I wanted him to see what kind of team we were. Mission accomplished.

The last part of the week was the beginning of our mounted combat patrol. We went over all the steps for planning a mission and walked through it just like we were in country. I'm a truck commander and the radio guy for our patrol. I get to funnel everything up to the Battalion Commander. This could be anything from an I.E.D report to a T.I.C (troops in contact) report to a medivac request. This is good practice for me because this is more in line with what I can expect to be doing. I have to admit it's a rush and I like this better than manning a gun turret.

This week will also be memorable because promotion results came out and my name appeared on the Master Sergeant list. My current commander and 1st shirt presented me with a certificate and my line number. This is the second promotion I have gotten while Jill and I have been apart. I told her I would have to be deployed when I make Senior Master Sergeant too. I can't tell you exactly what she said, but it was a solid no.

I have to thank Jill for giving me the time to study for this promotion. I missed a lot of events because of study time and she picked up the slack and did without me for basically six months prior to my test date. I can never tell her how much her support means to me, but I plan on proving it to her for the rest of my life. Life in the military is unpredictable to say the least and she has always been there by my side with a " bring it on" attitude. The sacrifices are great and so is my family.