This week was another change of pace with much less power point and more trial work. We did our contested trials this week. We were given co-counsels and assigned roles and witnesses for 3 different trials (only counsel for one). Since we had gone first for the guilty pleas last week, we got to go last for the trials this week. Some of the 181st went overboard with preparation and were meeting the week before with witnesses and worked all weekend. As some of the CPT’s I saw suggested, enjoy this, it’s the last fun you get to have

 
That being said, most people got a good laugh out of some of the trials. It was surprising that so many of us didn’t have trial experience and so it became stressful. Having some experience (not a lot though) and going on the last day made it much more fun. We convicted the defendant and really had a lot of fun. I didn’t have to use any scripts or questions, just went up and did it—and it went pretty well. One notable quote is when a military judge (Colonel I believe) took judicial notice of the difference between hard and soft-core pornography. That kind of humor made it a blast. And while I was always in groups which had judges who knew this was fun and a learning experience, some of the others I know about were a little too serious.

On Wed afternoon, we started fiscal law which is a ton of information in about 6 days and from all indications, is a huge part of what goes on in the field. More on that to come next week-with a good freak out story from another LT who wasn’t feeling very confident in the subject matter.

Now onto group 4, on Monday the Colonel had us doing rounds of 10 ring dips, 100 meter sprint, 10 hand stand push-ups, and then another 100 meter sprint with 25 box squats after each set. This was for 20-25 minutes straight and seeing who could get the most rounds. If I remember right I hit around 11 and was second (which is good considering I looked like a broken old man with my shin splints still nagging).

Tuesday was wonderful as there was no PT and a little sleeping in since we had our class photo at around 0730. Unlike everything else we have done so far, this went fast and smooth and took only about 10 minutes from the time we got there until dismissed.

On wed, we had another group join us for the day so we did our standard warm-up and then went down to the long PT track and did sprint intervals of 2 minutes (between every interval was a recovery jog…if it can be called that, for 2 minutes), 3 minutes, 4 minutes, 3 minutes, and 2 minutes.

Thursday for Air Assault (0500 is dark and early) we had a group of circuits including different forms of push-ups, sit-ups, rope climbing, pull-ups, and box jumps, lunges. In all, there were 12 stations with 36 exercises. It was one of the better workouts we have had and got tiring. I can say that working out 2 times a day (weights at lunch or after class) does cause muscle fatigue much more than I am used to, but for me, it’s a good way to keep my energy up and not lose too much weight.

Friday was a company ruck march were the larger group did a 4mile ruck march and air assault met at 0500 again for an 8 mile ruck run (15 minute pace). Chief allowed me to help time this one as my shins are still causing problems and since this one is not one of the 2 required ones, it was not as important. Still, its hard to sit out anything. One other person had to stop after 4 miles as her knee and i.t. band area were causing her a lot of pain. However, almost everyone this time had the proper weight and you could see the difference in pain levels for those who were not used to it.

Later that day (Good Friday), we had The Judge Advocate General of the Army come and speak to our class. One thing I found out is that he has been reading the blogging so now I have to make sure and let him know we actually do classwork and not just PT. But his speech was fun and informative. I also heard back from my SJA at Fort Leonard Wood with a packet of information, welcome stuff, housing, and what my potential first assignment are going to be after DCC!