Week 4 (9-15 May Day 12-16)

Monday, 9 May (Day 12)-
Day in the field number ONE! We hit the imaginary FOB (Forward Operating Base) early in the morning, had breakfast and started on STX lanes (Squad Tactical Exercises). I'm not sure what I can tell you about the STX, but in keeping with what I warned about earlier, I'm not going to tell you much. I'll just hit the parts that were significant in a non-military sort of way- such as how much it hurts to haul a third of your bodyweight around the mountains surrounding Sierra Vista, not that I'm complaining, just stating :) and also that I chipped a tooth for the first time while getting down to pull security during the exercises...I wouldn't have noticed if it hadn't been for the sharpness of my tooth and the white stuff left on the rear sight of my M-4...

It was SO windy! So windy in fact that the gusts reached 70mph! (If you watched the news this morning you probably heard about the jump castle that blew away) In regards to the wind, I must mention the Aerostat. The Aerostat is a huge blimp that surveyed the skies around Sierra Vista, loaded with expensive equipment used for monitoring weather patterns and such, the Aerostat is only approved to remain in the air in winds up to 35mph...I'd hate to be the guy who forgot to take it down last Monday... The Aerostat imploded shortly after lunch on 9 May 2011, crashing in a subdivision inside of Sierra Vista. Epic Fail Aerostat Controller. Epic Fail!

Tuesday, 10 May (Day 13)-
If I thought that Monday was fun I had no idea what Tuesday was going to bring. Urban Operations and Convoy Lanes were on the schedule. Both offered a unique opportunity for me to train in situations that I will likely face if I ever head overseas. I will say two things about each. Urban ops: I kick ASS at kicking in doors (I get amped up just thinking about it...hold on...gonna go kick in a classroom door!!), and do not enter a building by throwing yourself headfirst through a window... Convoy lanes: I wish I could be a gunner, and being the gunner is a very dusty and dirty job (I looked like one of those cartoons that had something explode in their face by the end of the day).

And just like that the field was pretty much over, just a night and a wakeup and its done. Oh the joys (sarcasm) of being an MI Officer... I will upload pictures of my screwed up knee (reference the window warning) soon, it looks like a rainbow and feels like I removed the cartilage.

Wednesday, 11 May (Day 14)-
Considering how much fun the field was, cleaning up was a huge disappointment. Between cleaning cots and other equipment, and our M-4s we weren't done until really late. PT in the morning, I was in bed nice and early.

Thursday, 12 May (Day 15)-
Our first day of the next section or module of school. We walked into the classroom and the instructors about near went drill sergeant on us, kind of dumb in a "we're trying to stress you out can't you tell?" sort of way...

That evening I just focused on getting my stuff cleaned up (no PT Friday for equipment turn in) and getting organized for the next day. I wanted to double check my homework too. Overall it was a nice night. Really started to miss home and Dixie though...

Friday, 13 May (Day 16)-
Eeek! Friday the 13th!! You probably think I'm going to tell you that something awful happened. It was a great day, class all day after successful turn in (yay less stuff to keep track of!) then home, dinner, and passed out on the couch by 7:30- yes you read that right, it wasn't even dark out, it was glorious!

Saturday, 14 May-
Woke up at 6am...probably because I fell asleep so early, worked on homework then got my hair highlighted-you can't see a difference... then mandatory fun at 2pm. We had a pool party hosted by the senior class out here, we were assigned a lieutenant in that class to be our "sponsor" and to answer any questions we might have. I never met 2LT Sims, so I guess it wasn't a big deal. I stuck around for a couple hours before deciding to peace out and read some more. Dinner at Cynthia's then some time on Skype :)

Sunday, 15 May-
Another early morning, I was out by the pool and studying by 11am. I pretty much spent the whole day doing homework. I promise to have cool stories about hiking and horseback riding soon (and workouts!) I'm still working on getting adjusted to how to manage my time out here. I'm making it a priority to take pictures this week too! I miss y'all and can't wait to see most of you over Memorial Day!