Army Training... HOAHHHHH!!!!!

After I said the hardest goodbye in my life. I traveled to Port Hueneme, California for some 

administrative review that lasted 1 week. I did enjoy (mildly) Inn and Out Burger in Ventura. Then on to Fort Jackson, SC. The Army calls this base "Relaxing Jackson." And relax I did! I sat in a class room or on a firing range all day. The training was good and the Army instructors did their best despite the fact that they are in the Army. I learned a few words/phrases that I hope to never repeat. A few are as follows: Hoooahhhhhhh, tracking, easy day, too easy, embrace the suck, and freaking. These are just a few words that are used as verbs, nouns, and adjectives at the same time and ALL the time by the Army Cadre. Only in the Army! I was retaught basic combat fundamentals from my five year deployment break to include; land navigation, NBC warefare, weapons training, convoy operations, counter insurgency tactics, and urban warefare training.  This was a good 3 weeks, and I hope I never have to do it gain. Jackie came to visit me while I was at Fort Jackson. I did have to say good bye again, but this good bye was peaceful. As I know she will manage our family perfectly. I was lucky to get to see my beautiful wife for one last night. I am getting anxious. I am ready to get into Country so I can begin and mission and make it back home to my family.

GAS GAS GAS!!! and HOOK Em HORNs!!!

Weapons similator. very cool and very helpful.

Here is displays your shot spread and the instructors can tell why your shooting messed up. Not me  of course!!!

The worst part about shooting on the range for 4 hours is picking up brass casings for 8 hours. The Amry requires 90% of all brass cassings to be returned before we can leave the range. Ralaxing at Jackson!!!

Thouht I would blow this up for my brother! Hooooahhhhh!!! 300 M group and zero! Blew that heart out suckaaaa!!!!

Jacquelene's one night stand. Yes yes.... she is smoking!!!!

That ice anchor is NOT made of Vodka Jacquelene. But she had to see for herself.

Goodbye.... yet again.... :(

9 Months until I will see that beautiful lady again. 

Lanf navigation and map reading....

Butta Butta jam!!!!

IED instruction.... in laymen's term.... PRAY!!!

My Navy IA Company.

On my way to Fort Jackson,

Gear issue begins.... Not fun at all!

Did I mention it was raining all morning as we stood outside and verified our gear issue was correct. So I dumped 4 C-Bags on the deck and soaked all my gear. It really didn't make much sence for us to dump our gear inside. Then we would have dry gear. That is "too easy."

I wear all this on my tourso. Yes... this all fits together in a puzzle fashion. It weighs over 40lbs as well.

It took 2 hours for instruction on how to inset these pads. Going ahead would not be appropiate. That would not be "tracking" with the group.... Hoaaah!!!