Week three was a blast.  Every day something new and interesting.  What’s more, I am over “it”.  What I mean is that I am totally comfortable in my field environment.  The cots, latrines, food and freezing morning temps just don’t faze me anymore.  I can’t wait to get back to the FOB (forward operating base) tomorrow.  We are out of here (Fort Sam) at 0500 and back for more FTX (field training exercises).  This week we will concentrate on setting up forward aide stations (FAS) with levels 1-3 care.  Level 1 would be immediate care and triage and level 3 would include surgery, x-ray, dental, etc. Level 2 is an intermediate between 1 and 3.        Back to last week.

We started out on Monday morning at the pistol range where we had the opportunity to qualify with the 9mm Berretta.  The targets were pop up targets from 10 to 33 meters.  Each target was up for 2-3 seconds.  We had to drop mags (magazines of ammo) and put in new mags while we were firing.  That was challenging but fun.  Much to my surprise I qualified.  More importantly, I didn’t shoot myself or anyone else.

After “lunch” which for me was a cheese tortellini MRE, we headed into the woods to practice low crawl (crawling along the ground with your face in the ground).  It’s the technique we use when there is no cover or concealment and you are taking fire.  Someone said I was like a cockroach because I moved so quickly. After low crawl, it was high crawl followed by 5 second rushes.  You jump up run about 5 meters and back down all in the time it takes to say “I’m up, they see me, I’m down.   We finished up with hand signals and movement to fire.  That was cool.  The cadre had set up sound affects that were incredibly loud simulating incoming artillery and small arms fire.  Monday night (our days are from 0500 to 2000), after chow, we learned how to assemble the singars radio and transmit 9 line medivacs (the procedure for calling for assistance for wounded soldiers). It’s all done with alpha numeric codes so you don’t have to describe the individual injuries, the equipment needed and location.

Tues. morning we were up and out in 6 truck convoys.  The purpose was to see how much preparation goes into a convoy and all  the “what ifs” we might encounter.  And we did!  Our convoy was hit by 2 IEDs  and we had to evacuate the wounded and tow the vehicles that were salvageable.  My role in the convoy was security. I was in the last Humvee gun truck.  After lunch (probably a mistake), which was chicken and dumplings MRE, we headed out to the rollover simulator and gun truck simulator.  In the rollover simulator, we were placed in a mock Humvee, 4 at a time.  Then the instructor started rotating the Humvee and we were turned over and over.  Rubber guns, gas cans, and other items are banging into you as you turn over.  We ended up upside down with only one door that would open.  You have to get yourself out of the harness (upside down with your head buried into the floor) and find the open the door.  Not exactly an “E” ticket at Disneyland.  From there, we had the privilege to go into the armored Humvee trainer simulator.  It’s the ultimate video game.  We drove through the desert and crowded villages with friendly and nasty folks with small arms, rpgs, ieds, etc.  You have to react to threats without harming innocent civilians.  Very difficult when everyone looks and dresses the same.  I had the best seat!  On top with the 240 Bravo machine gun.  When I fired it, the whole truck shook.  Amazing,

Wednesday morning we were tested on the assembly and disassembly of the M16 (rifle) and the M9 (pistol), the singars radio and the 9 line medivac.  After lunch, yep, more MREs, we practiced more movement under fire.  We finished the day getting our MOP gear (mask and clothing to protect against chemical and biological warfare) and cleaning our M16s.  It took me an hour to clean my weapon and two hours to get all the carbon off me.

Thursday was a gas, literally.  We did a 3 mile ruck march up to the gas chamber.  What a wonderful experience that was.  Water boarding would have been preferred by most.  You enter the chamber with your mask on.  This is to demonstrate the masks actually work.  Then, you take your mask off and give your name, rank and social.  Actually, you try to talk.  Maybe your name and then holy cow, your instinct of breathing is overwhelmed by a sudden shut down of the respiratory system.  Out the door you go with burning eyes, and 20 plus years of sinus blockage suddenly let loose like a volcano.  Upon exiting, everyone is supposed to flap their arms to rid themselves of the gas crystals.  Looked like a whole bunch of disturbed people trying to do the Macarena.  We all survived, some better than others.  I was one of the others (check the photo).  Oh yeah, we then had to ruck back three miles to the FOB (carrying our assault packs, Mollie vests and M16s).  Not really a big deal since the weight was only 35-40 pounds.  Most of the time, soldiers ruck with 60-80 lbs on their backs. After chow, we had a briefing for Friday’s training and then lights out!!!

Friday, we finally started to begin our Medical training.  We spent the day practicing setting up forward aide stations and learning how to handle multiple casualties in the field.  Medical skills are essential but so are organizational skills.  We had multiple simulated injured soldiers with all kinds of wounds that have to be separated and triaged to higher levels of care or patched up and sent back to their units.  I really loved organizing the chaos and getting the soldiers to the proper level of care.

Like I said, it was a great week.  I even got my dog tags.  I’m in the Army now.

LTC Gilbert, Dore, J.