End of Week 3

Oof, what a week.  This week was devoted to BRM, or at least the crash course for LTs.  As all ranges go, it involved quite of bit of waiting and standing in the sun, but at least you got to send a bit of lead downrange, which is always a treat.

Monday's PT started out with a fire-team competition. It consisted of a 2/3 mile run, then as a fire team: ten 30-foot rope climbs, 100 box jumps, 8 monkey bar iterations, 100 pull-ups, and 150 sit-ups.  Another 2/3 mile run and a repeat of all the exercises, finished with a 1/3 mile run.  The rest of the day we drew weapons, mounted and tied down all the optics systems, and turned them back in.  At 13 hours total, it was probably the longest time I've even taken to be issued a weapon for the sole purpose of making sure it was in working order.

Tuesday's PT was brief, as we had to get out to the range; 40 minute ability group run.  After that we rucked out to the range wearing full battle rattle.  We spent the rest of the day 9and night) zeroing our M68 optics and our AN/PEQ-15 laser.  We overnighted on the range (as well as Wednesday and Thursday).

Wednesday we popped smoke and headed out to another range - the technology here is pretty cool, it can show you on a computer screen where your bullet is traveling in relationship to your target.  This too was an all day and all night affair.

Thursday was qualification day - we got to do three iterations, and they took the highest score for record - it's a GO/NO-GO event, so your OML won't be affected by how well you do.  Even if you don't qualify on the first three, they will work with you until your qualify.  There also a night qualification/familiarization.  The score here is just for your own knowledge; they won't track your score or record it.

Friday was a four mile ruckmarch back to Taylor Field - since we had all of our gear (about 50 pounds), it was a tactical march instead of a march for time.  The day was devoted to weapons maintenance - we didn't get out of there until about 1700 or so, so no break there.

Observations / Lessons Learned

• You'll be sitting in the sun quite a bit, so bring sunscreen.  Our cadre were sticklers about not having upturned collars or neckerchiefs to protect your neck, so if you get burnt, prepare to do explain to every cadre member that passes by why you're covering your neck.
• Don't laugh, but make sure to check the inside of your IBA and remove the collars and groin pieces.  A lot of guys didn't realize it was in there, and taking it out made things slightly more comfortable.
• Invest in some anti-fog stuff for your eye pro.  'Nuff said.