Getting "Real"

Dear All:
Yes it’s another Fire Guard shift. It’s just after 0300 so I have another chance to write you. We’ve had another action packed week. Unfortunately, my cold has gotten worse and I’ve developed a pretty nasty cough (everyone is my bay is sick now), so I haven’t able to enjoy it at 100% I’ve told myself that if I can’t kick it by Sunday, I’ll go to the infirmary (Sunday is a good day b/c I won’t miss training).
On Monday we had our first full PT test. I passed all of the events which put me in the top 20% in our company (yes 80% of the soldiers here are still that out of shape). But to be competitive for OCS, I want to score 100% on everything by the end of basic. I led my Platoon in push-ups with 67 (of the 75 possible), had 58 sit-ups (I need 80) and ran the 2-mile in 14:15 (not the fastest time in the world, but I know that I can get the 13:00 need to ace it).
Tuesday was a full day of outdoor field classes and a wake-up call for most. The first half was spent setting up and conducting searches, containment, vehicle extraction and initial interrogation of enemy combatant, as well as escalation of force (EOF) and rule of engagement (ROE) briefings. My squad acted as the enemy for an exercise that troops to escort prisoners into the initial holding facility at a COP (combat outpost) before processing and transportation to the FOB (forward operating base). It’s cool stuff in the fact beginning to learn some tactical concepts (Basic in general has been retailored with a combat focus because of the wars, and all of our Drill Sergeant have been deployed), but at the same time having to put my hands on my head, hooded so I can’t see, searched, put my hands my knees and left the corner of the holding pen made me realize just how real all of this is.
And speaking of “real”…the second half of Tuesday was spent on instruction regarding casualty treatment. There was a disclaimer about how our knowledge is to be used for military use only, but learned how to apply tourniquets , dress wounds, perform CPR, treat shock—and most importantly—the procedure for inserting and IV.
Which brings us to Wednesday (the day our Drill Sergeants hate the most because of how freaked out everyone gets). We have to start IVs on our “battle buddies” and (even worse) let them start IVs on us. I lucked out and teamed with one of my good friends her. Dominic Bontaglio (we call him “Bonnie”) sleeps in the bunk next to me. He’s 19, from Bah-ston (yeah his accent is great) but he could easily pass for 23. He is as confident as I am, so I knew we’d be ok. Of course, after only about 3 hours of instruction ( and 5 min. per soldier to practice on a dummy arm) we were all a little nervous. But I’m proud to say I did it. Bonnie and I both needed 2 shots at it (his first try found him removing the needle instead of advancing the catheter)(which caused a little bleeding), and my first try didn’t penetrate enough so that when I dropped the needle to insert the catheter, I was basically “opening a door” in his vein and we had a little squirt. But it wasn’t so bad and since so many of my friends are doctors, I feel like I’ve now equaled them in medical knowledge.
But the excitement this week didn’t end there. This morning we had our first AGR run (ability group run). I was in “A” group, so I spent about 40 mins this morning (0500) sprinting my ass off to keep up with the group. Then we had to change, pack our ruck sack, and march about 2 miles to Eagle Tower. That was the mission of the day. All soldiers in the Echo Company were required to rappel down a 4-story wooden tower (no nets) harnessed in only by a “Swiss Seat” (which you tie yourself out of a single piece of rope). And I’ll be totally honest with you, when I got to the top of the ladder and went over onto the platform (and felt it sway in the wind) I was freaked out. But once I stepped out onto the ledge and leaned back (and felt just how supported I was) it was a whole different story. I made it down in 3 jumps, yelling our motto (“Titans, Warriors til the end!”) at each stop. I’m not saying I’ll ever do it again, but it was fun, and I know I could.
We had MREs for lunch—and they were delicious. I had beef stew with cheese and crackers, a protein bar, Reece’s Pieces and Strawberry milkshake. Not exactly the same as the ones that Dad used to have huh?
And of course, the best news is that Monday is President’s Day, which means we get back-to-back Sundays (so hopefully I’ll have a chance to write more soon). Hope all is well.

Love, Nick