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Sniper!! Not so much...

2008-03-16T07:25:00.000-07:00

So I had my M16 refresher training last week. I haven't shot in about 3 years and everytime I shoot, I'm always 2 away from getting marksman. Things started out well. After throwing on our bullet proof vest, ear and eye protection, and helmet, we start. We start out by shooting at a small target to "zero" our guns, at a simulated 300 yds. The instructors evaluate our shooting and then tell us which way we need to turn the knobs to adjust the gun sight. After my first 5 shots, I had a nice cluster about 4 inches to the right of the little figure. I get my adjustments and I'm a sniper!!! 4 outta 5 in the circle at 300 yds away with my miss being 1/2 inch from the target. Everything was flowing perect! My breathing was great (thank you Call of Duty 4), the gun was working perfectly, it was going to be a good day.

Next came the qualifying round. In order to "qualify", you have to hit 10 targets a total of 19 times out of 50 shots. To get expert, you have to hit 42 out of 50. I was feeling confident and I knew today was the day I got my Marksman Ribbon. Once I begun shooting, I knew today wasn't the day. We have 90 seconds to shoot 10 shots. No problem, right? Well, my gun starts jamming, my bullets start falling out of my magazines, my glasses start fogging up, my gas mask starts fogging up, my little foam ear plugs won't stay in my ear, I ran out of time trying to fiddle with my gun and had to rush my shots when they let me try again, etc.... Needless to say, I didn't get expert. I hit 35 out of 50 which isn't terrible, but I was dissappointed. and so was this monkey.

I have another chance to redeem myself. Next month I have to shoot the M9 pistol. I have to carry one everywhere I go in Afghanistan or I'll get in trouble. Yes...they authorized me to carry a gun, scary ain't it. I'm a little nervous about that whole thing but I'd rather have one than not, know what I'm saying? The last time I shot one was about 5 years ago and I did terrible. I had to hit 4 out of my last 5 qualifying shots to ensure I wouldn't have to come back and do the whole class over. I passed but I wasn't comfortable with the gun. I'm used to carrying glocks from my childhood days in the hood. Ok...not really .

Over all my pre-deployment stuff is going smoothly. I finally got to retire my basic training uniforms. I've been wearing the same BDU's for 12 years. If we ever moved to someplace foggy, I was ready. I received 4 new uniforms and 2 pairs of boots for my deployment. Saved about $500 on uniforms. The army has had this type for awhile and we're just following them. I like them so far, although I've only worn them one duty day.

As always, I'll keep you posted (you being the 3 people that read my blogs, lol) as time goes by. Have a good Sunday.

MP

ALARM RED!!!

2008-02-15T12:01:00.000-08:00

(not me pictured)
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, (high) Explosive training this past week. Also known as CBRNE. It's basically a course in what to do if you get attacked by any of those things listed. I had to run around for 45 minutes with a gas mask and a chem suit on. Imagine wearing all this when it's 90+ degrees outside! Luckily for me it was a cool cloudy day. I think the temperature was about 55. It's easy to hyperventilate with the gas mask on. Alarm red means an attack is in progress so you have 9 seconds to put your gas mask on and get a good seal. If you're breathing real fast, the mask can easily make a person claustrophobic. We had one guy in the class pass out about 10 minutes into wearing the full gear. He ended up being ok but I can understand why it happens. It's all about controlling your breathing.

I have some other training coming up in the next few weeks. I got an email on Friday and they want me to go to Baltimore and work trauma at one of the hospitals there. I have experience in gunshots, stabbings, and car accidents (etc..) but it's a mandatory thing for all Operating Room personnel. On top of the 6 months, I'll have to spend 2 weeks in Baltimore. Sucks ass but what can I do.

I also got another checklist on top of the first checklist I have to do. At least it seems alot more organized than the first time I deployed 7 years ago. Tiff and I had to spend a week in Willmington, Delaware because Dover AFB had no idea we were coming so there wasn't a plane for our OR crew. It was a good time though. We ended up making the most of the week by spending parts of it in Philly and New York. We took in a 76er game and did all of New York in a day. I don't think Tiff went to the game with the rest of us though. She missed meeting some of the players and Greg Popovich.

More to come as the weeks go by. I need to fix my laptop if I'm going to Baltimore. I'm sure I'll see some interesting things there that I can talk about. The one thing I want to do is visit my father's grave. He passed away in 1999 and we weren't very close but I do want to see where he was buried. To be continued

Going to Afghanistan!

2008-02-09T10:53:00.001-08:00

Ignore the exclamation point, I'm not excited.

So it looks like I'll be taking a trip to Bagram, Afghanistan for 6 months. http://www.bagram.afnews.af.mil/ I haven't deployed since October 2001 so I knew me going was inevitable. Tiff and I have kinda been prepared for awhile. We haven't told the kids yet and I'm not looking forward to it. It's February and I'm not leaving until June so I have awhile.

This is a big moment for us as a family so I'm going to keep a blog about it. From getting ready to go, to my actual deployment and return home, I'll write something about it. It'll keep me busy and occupied especially while I'm there. Rumor has it I'll have internet access in my tent/hut so I'm bringing my laptop.

I'm hoping the 6 months just fly by. I'll be missing the kids 4th birthday, halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and possibly New Years. I know it'll be harder on Tiff, having to deal with the munchkins, then anything I'll be possibly doing. The worst part will be not having them around me for 1/2 a year.

More to come soon as I get ready to go. I'll be keeping you posted.