Friday, January 14, 2011

Finally....




Well, after more than 3 weeks, I finally have a little bit of time to blog before resuming my studies in the art and science of the King of Battle.  Since we got back from two weeks of Christmas break, we have been nose to the grindstone in class, live fire, homework, and PT.  It has been a very stressful 3 weeks, but it seems that since the holidays are past us, we can all settle into a groove.  It was great to see everyone over the holidays, but even harder to leave again the second time.  I do NOT envy soldiers who deploy and come for 18 days of leave and then have to leave their families again, although I'm sure that will be the case for me in a little over a year. 

As for classes, we have had roughly an equal load of Gunnery and Fire Support over the last few weeks, and I am still undecided as to which I prefer.  Think of Fire Support as the art behind our profession.  This is where the planning and coordination takes place in order to send a fire mission to the Fire Direction Center (FDC).  There are many ways to bring wrath upon an unsuspecting (or suspecting, I'm not choosy) enemy target when looking down upon during the battle.  It is the Fire Support Officer's job to choose how he wants to put the steel on target.  The FDO's (Fire Direction Officer) job is to actually make this steel on target stuff happen. 

The FDC is where the FDO hangs out, and also where the fire mission is received from the FSO.  As soon as that mission is received, each person in the FDC has a job and a piece of that mission that they have to refine and then spit to the gun line.  That's when the boom boom happens.  It must be a well-oiled machine in order to accomplish the mission, and that is why I am here.  I want to make sure that when I get to my unit, I am an asset rather than a hindrance to my men.  I am looking forward to it in a big way, although I have to make it through this course first.

It is no exaggeration when they say that this is one of the most difficult schools in the Army.  They throw more stuff at you in a weeks time than you will receive in 5 years in most jobs.  It is very overwhelming at first, but as I said earlier, you get into a routine. 

By far, the most fun of the last 3 weeks was our Call For Fire Live Shoot last week.  We went to the range, and got to do everything that we have simulated on computers in a real environment.  I actually got to destroy an already burned out vehicle hull on a mountainside with some big ass bullets.  It was really cool to see your rounds impacting 2500 meters in front of you.  Heh...

PT has not lightened up at all since we started.  If anything, it has gotten harder.  Our Senior Gunnery Instructor seems to think that we should all be trained as athletes, so that is how we train.  We run 3 days a week, 4 miles minimum each time.  Tuesdays and Thursdays are strength training (push/pull, etc), but are usually incorporated into some sort of interval running workout, so we actually run more like 4 days per week.  It's hard on an old man, but my jeans are starting to bunch up like a hobo when I tighten my belt, and that was a goal of mine coming in, so cheers!

Before I go, I want to wish Lizzy a very Happy 3rd Birthday today!  Apparently, she is telling everyone that she is 'sree' today.  Awesome!  I miss my family, and I hope to get home within the next 2 or three weeks.  We will see how that goes.  Lots of big projects and tests loom just beyond the horizon.....

Paulson out.....