Day 6

Did I mention that 0420 is early?  Our class had to be quiet not to disturb the rooster on our way to formation this morning.

The 185^thJAOBC fell in for a PT session and some two (2) + hours later we were released to change clothes and grab some chow before a day of soldier training.

Today was the second day where the uniform of the day is the ACU.  I think it really helps everyone feel like they are Army officers and gets everyone comfortable with the standing and requirements of being an Army Officer.

It is probably worth noting that things have begun to shake up a bit within our Company.  Our class is one (1) Company which is divided into two (2) Platoons.  Please appreciate that the competition between 2^ndPlatoon and 1^stPlatoon is all good natured.  There isn’t any academic or graduation distinction or ranking involved, but rather just gold old-fashioned unit rivalry.  We are all one team, one class, one Corps.  But motivating your members and building unit cohesion is always a good thing.  Today the 2^ndPlatoon motto was More Gas First Sergeant, More Gas.

The morning was spent in the 9MM simulator, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) training, and Primary Marksmanship Instruction (PMI).  It felt good for all of us to be doing some soldier training.  There are quite a few in the class that have never worn a gas mask or held/fired a handgun.

The afternoon was spent at the gas chamber.  Hooah!  2^ndPlatoon got to go into the gas chamber first.  Naturally, there were a number of Platoon members (1^stand 2^nd) who wanted to go into the chamber without a mask.  That’s just how we roll – tough as nails.  Nonetheless, Cadre didn’t train us on the mask for nothing, so most of us wore our masks. 

I won’t spoil the fun for those who haven’t been, but it was a good day.  I know that a few 1st and 2nd Platoon members even asked if we could go through a second time.  And just no one gets confused about how tough the female members of our class are, one female from 2^ndPlatoon went three (3) times (not always with her mask)!

When 2^ndPlatoon was waiting for 1^stPlatoon to finish, what did our Platoon Sergeant (PSG) have us doing?  PT.  And in true Army fashion, it had just rained cats and dogs, so we did the PT in the mud and water.

Please appreciate that the competition between 2^ndPlatoon and 1^stPlatoon is all good natured.  There isn’t any academic or graduation distinction or ranking involved, but rather just gold old-fashioned unit rivalry.  We are all one team, one class, one Corps.  But motivating your members and building unit cohesion is always a good thing.

There is no weekend pass or down time at Phase I of JAOBC.  We are in the field again tomorrow.