A small clip from the DVD I purchased at basic. This one shows the
first covered position we lined up at during the buddy team movements at
this range. Unfortunately it doesn't show the entire range and all of us bounding
to the end and releasing the rest of our rounds, but it does give you a picture of what
the range is like.
These
entries are from the letters that Brandon has mailed to me. His writing
at times can be a bit difficult to determine his words... bare with me,
I do my best, especially with army terms.
PT
this morning was very light, only stretches and some very minor
exercises. We found out that our PT test for the record is tomorrow.
This is the real deal, the one that your score actually counts. I’ve
passed all mine so far, but there are 11 or 12 in our platoon that still
haven’t. Hopefully they can step it up. If you don’t pass, you will not
graduate. They will recycle you. I’m not sure if there will be a chance
to do to the PT test again for the people that don’t pass, but they
will be pressed for time to get in shape. Our platoon has a guy that
quit (PVT Jacket), the guy who went AWOL (my bunk mate who did come back, but then got discharged), and we also have a few guys who are
sick. PVT Diesel has been in the infirmary for the last 5 days. He
hasn’t passed a PT test yet, so I doubt he’ll be able to before we
graduate. I wonder how many in our platoon will make it and how many
will not. We started off with 35 and had one addition and two are
officially gone leaving us at 34.
After
breakfast we were transported to a new range for our buddy team
movements… this time with live ammo. Each lane has 4 barriers that you
get behind for cover. We ran through once pretending to shoot saying
“bang bang”, then once using blank rounds (these really suck they cause
everyone’s rifle to jam) and then we did it with live ammo.
Me
and a buddy each start and run up to two different old beat up cars for
cover. We shot at pop up targets down range. (We have to be safe
because this is a “hands on” range. This means if we do something unsafe
the DS can hit us, tackle us, or do whatever to us if needed). After we
are both set I yell “cover me while I move” (have to scream it because
we have ear plugs in and we are shooting). My buddy yells, “got you
covered” and I ran up to my next covered position about 20 meters away.
Once I’m there and have my rifle set back to semi (off of safe, always
on safe when moving) I yell, “set” and start shooting at targets. The
process starts over with my buddy moving and so on.
When
we reach our last target we were allowed for the first time to switch
our rifles to burst (automatic fire). That was cool! When finished, the
DS gave everyone an AAR (after action review). The only thing he
criticized me on was that I could have run a bit faster between covers.
(I was concentrating on safety and form).
The
whole event was pretty cool. Your adrenaline gets pumping when you have
live fire all around and you’re running down the range.
It
was hot as usual and with our full battle rattle everyone was heating
up. We got done early; so our senior DS decided to transport us back via
the supply truck. Our platoon was packed like sardines. Lots of
moaning and groaning…I think each of us probably lost 5 lbs. in sweat
alone. Good thing it’s laundry night tonight.
When
we got back, our DS had us all clean our weapons. This was fine, but we
had to do it for over 4 hours. DS A-Hole came out and even gave us a
mini smoke (because of our PT test tomorrow) because he saw some people
not cleaning. You can only do so much.
Our
bathroom has become the favorite hang out spot in our bay. It’s not
uncommon to walk in there and see 4 or 5 people sitting on the sink.
(We’re not allowed to sit or lay on the beds in bay… only the floor).
The bathroom is also out of sight when a DS comes out of his office into
the bay. It’s never a good thing to be doing nothing when a DS comes
out.
Random DS Quote: “Listen up men…lump on my butt crack and hole” (DS A-Hole reading PVT GG’s sick call description to everyone.
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