This has been a very long week.
I only got 2 letters from Earl. One on Tuesday and one on Thursday.
I think this may be due to two reasons:
1. I think the mailing system is slowing down a bit due to the holidays.
2. Earl mentioned that they have been very busy training. Since it's getting close to them leaving for Christmas break, I think that the drill sergeants are really pushing the soldiers hard.
Anyways, here's what I've got from Earl so far this week:
11/05/09
Today they had an 8 hour long finance class. Earl mentioned that he thought it was pretty boring, but that he learned one useful thing: Credit card companies are obligated to lower their interest rates to 6% if the person is an active duty soldier.
Earl has been working on "Buddy Team Tactics". Im not even sure how to explain this, so here's a link to some useful information on it: Battle Team Tactics.
They also got to learn something called "Fire Team Tactics".
Basically, I think, they're just learning how to cover and protect their fellow soldier (team member) with suppressive fire as the enemy is firing back at them.
On the 4th everyone went on a long 7 mile ruck sack march. Earl mentioned that he did well for the first 6 miles, but that for some reason he started to slack on the last mile.
I think today was their last official day of training. For the next week Earl mentioned that they would just be cleaning up the PT fields and around their barracks.
Yesterday (12/10) everyone got to learn how to shoot the M2 .50 caliber machine gun. Earl was very happy to try his hand at firing that thing.
So that's it for this week. Like I said before, not much to write about.
For those of you who might still be sending Earl letters, I think it would be best to stop writing him at the beginning of next week, as he comes home next Friday on the 18th and it takes some time for mail to reach him.
One Week Left Everyone!
A west coast couple living the typical "Army Life" down in the "New South"
Friday, December 11, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Down Time, PT Test and Rocket Launchers!
Alright .. Update time again!
(FYI: Sometimes Earl will repeat stuff in his letters or not date them - So it's sometimes hard for me to judge what happened when)
11/27/09
Earl complains about his platoon acting like a bunch of idiots for the past week. He mentions that one guy tried to keep his cell phone with him (which they're not allowed to do) and two other guys tried to take some pain pills, just for fun. They all got caught and the entire platoon got smoked for an entire day.
Earl and his platoon learned how to shoot the AT-4 Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher. He mentions that they got to practice blowing up old tanks that were sitting out on a range. The rocket launcher is extremely loud and apparently shoots fire out its backside up to 100 feet. The tanks that they were practicing on were about 300 yards away and yet Earl and everyone else could still feel the shock waves from the explosions.
11/29/09
Sundays are the soldiers "down days". Earl mentions that they get to go to the Commissary and buy basic necessities and that they get to go and get their hair cut. They also have the option of either attending church services or cleaning the battalion area. Apparently Earl has been choosing to go to church, up until now. He mentioned that he would rather just clean than go to church one more time.
11/30/09
Today was Earl's big "pass or no pass" PT Test. If the soldiers don't pass the PT test they have to restart their entire training from the beginning. Of course, Earl passed with flying colors. He did a total of 43 push up's, 60 sit up's and ran 2 miles in 13 minutes. Go Earl!
Him and other 18x-er's had a meeting with the Special Forces Liason today as well. They told everyone what to expect during Special Forces training, what deployments will be like and to just focus on graduating basic training and to not get in any trouble during Airborne School.
Earl also mentions that the next day they will start a 2 day long field exercise. They will walk 7-10 miles with their 70lb rucksacks on. (This field exercise might explain why I haven't received any other letters from him this week).
AT-4 Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher
"Sundays in Basic Training (Wikipedia): In any given week of Basic Training, Sundays are generally scheduled as "personal time", although drill sergeants may make use of the time as they see fit. Chapel (religious) services are also held on Sundays, and are available on-base for most major religions."
So that's it for this week.
Only 2 weeks left until Earl comes home for Christmas Exodus!
(FYI: Sometimes Earl will repeat stuff in his letters or not date them - So it's sometimes hard for me to judge what happened when)
11/27/09
Earl complains about his platoon acting like a bunch of idiots for the past week. He mentions that one guy tried to keep his cell phone with him (which they're not allowed to do) and two other guys tried to take some pain pills, just for fun. They all got caught and the entire platoon got smoked for an entire day.
Earl and his platoon learned how to shoot the AT-4 Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher. He mentions that they got to practice blowing up old tanks that were sitting out on a range. The rocket launcher is extremely loud and apparently shoots fire out its backside up to 100 feet. The tanks that they were practicing on were about 300 yards away and yet Earl and everyone else could still feel the shock waves from the explosions.
11/29/09
Sundays are the soldiers "down days". Earl mentions that they get to go to the Commissary and buy basic necessities and that they get to go and get their hair cut. They also have the option of either attending church services or cleaning the battalion area. Apparently Earl has been choosing to go to church, up until now. He mentioned that he would rather just clean than go to church one more time.
11/30/09
Today was Earl's big "pass or no pass" PT Test. If the soldiers don't pass the PT test they have to restart their entire training from the beginning. Of course, Earl passed with flying colors. He did a total of 43 push up's, 60 sit up's and ran 2 miles in 13 minutes. Go Earl!
Him and other 18x-er's had a meeting with the Special Forces Liason today as well. They told everyone what to expect during Special Forces training, what deployments will be like and to just focus on graduating basic training and to not get in any trouble during Airborne School.
Earl also mentions that the next day they will start a 2 day long field exercise. They will walk 7-10 miles with their 70lb rucksacks on. (This field exercise might explain why I haven't received any other letters from him this week).
AT-4 Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher
"Sundays in Basic Training (Wikipedia): In any given week of Basic Training, Sundays are generally scheduled as "personal time", although drill sergeants may make use of the time as they see fit. Chapel (religious) services are also held on Sundays, and are available on-base for most major religions."
So that's it for this week.
Only 2 weeks left until Earl comes home for Christmas Exodus!
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