FTX -Day 4

18 August 2011
Day 61

Today was a great day at FTX 3! Wake up at 0500 and chow at 0800. 1st platoon (my platoon) and 3rd platoon got a break most of the day while 2nd and 4th platoon conducted convoy training. Four military hummers showed up around 0900 to be part of the training. The objective was to conduct a search on a 5 house village for enemy forces and weapons. We were in squad teams of 10-12 people. The drill sergeants had five small houses set up and the hummers took the squad, traveling in a convoy, to the village. The squad, using learned tactics, conducted a search at the houses. Enemies were in each house and each squad had to react to that as well! After each house was secure, squads had to make several reports and give them to the commander. We basically used everything we learned at basic training in the hour long exercise. I can't wait for our platoon to go tomorrow!

At 1600 the company got a great surprise! We got to go back to the barracks for a couple of hours to shower and rest in the cool bay! I think we really needed that! Tomorrow is a busy day! Better get some rest! I have TOC duty at 0100.

Matthew