Day 8

Today started a little after 0500 with a company formation.  After accountability, the 185^thJAOBC class conducted a short (it’s all relative) tactical march to the training area for the day.

It was a beautiful sight to see.  There were 110 faces painted in camouflage eager to train.  110 faces looking like warriors headed into the field.  There was just one problem; we had made the decision without involving the Chain of Command.  Lesson – initiative and drive = good, bypassing the Chain of Command = bad.

All class members rotated through six (6) training stations; including First Aid, Individual Movement Techniques, Land Navigation, Reacting to Indirect Fire (IDF), Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Every Soldier is a Sensor (ES2) and Performing Radio Communications.  Each class was led by a class member.

Chow for the day, as yesterday, was a Meal Ready to Eat (MRE).  The MRE is a new experience for many, and there are many different MREs.  Each one is labeled with a name and a number to indicate the contents.  Typically there is an entrée which can be heated if necessary (kit included) as well as other various food, snacks and a drink powder.  It is too early to have a favorite yet, but over time soldiers figure out which ones they like and which ones they avoid.

The class finished up with a march back to where we started the day.  It is summer here in Virginia, and it is nice and warm outside.  As I have said before, the mantra is hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.   A soldier cannot perform his/her duty if he/she is a heat casualty.

Tomorrow we are back in the APFU for medical exams.  That will be followed up by Officer Professional Development (OPD).

Most of our field training at Ft. Lee is complete.  Besides medical and OPD, we still have dental, uniform inventory, Army Warrior Tasks (AWT), a PT test and various administrative work to be done.  We also have another full day of briefings before we depart for our next phase at Charlottesville.  Though it is only the beginning of our second week, it is hard to understate the amount of things we have absorbed and accomplished.

Those that have preceded us know, and those that will follow will learn, that Ft. Lee is an extremely productive and informative period of training.  We have only scratched the surface of the Army, but my class is coming together well.  One class, one company, one Corps – success isn’t measured individually. 

On a personal note, for those that do not know, this blog represents a personal perspective on my Army Strong Story.  It does not represent the views of the Army, my class Cadre, or my class as a whole.  Rather, it is my contribution to the knowledge base so that others can know and learn from my experiences.