Day 25

13 July 2011

Today was probably the most physically demanding day I've experienced at BCT thus far. Wake-up was @0400 and PT began at 0545. We quickly came back to the barracks and had field chow. Then we were off at 0730 on a 2 mile march to the "real" obstacle course. This course had 16 stations that consisted of things like rope climbing, monkey bars, crawling under barb wire through mud, running and crawling through sand, etc. We did a great job as a platoon! The heat was really rough on everyone! The company had about 5 people go down with heat related injuries. That is the last thing you want to do here because the first thing that has to happen is have your core body temperature taken. The protocol for that in the Army is putting a thermometer up your butt. I only had to hear that once and I have kept myself extra hydrated!

The afternoon was spent outside on the IED range. If you have not noticed, every learning station is referred to as a "range." The IED (Improvised Explosive Device) range showed us how they were made and the common placements of IEDs. This range had a small town built that mimicked Baghdad. The range instructors had IED materials spread out for learning points. Examples include, bridges, culverts, marketplaces, etc. It was really eye opening to see how smart the makers of these explosives are.

Tomorrow is our first FTX or Field Training Exercise. We will be camping out and sleeping in a "hole" we dig with our e-tools (shovels). Can't wait to write about this one!

Matthew