Day 7

Did I mention we were spending the day in the field?  Did I mention that we all got to fire the 9MM service weapon today?  Does it get any better than throwing lead downrange?

The 185^thJAOBC assembled a little after 0800 for transport to the pistol range.

Once on the range everyone received another round of PMI.  Everyone wants to have fun, but at the end of the day SAFETY is the key.  It isn’t a successful training rotation if injury occurs.  Again, injury = bad.

The instruction was very good.  Again, the Cadre knows what they are doing.  Everyone had ample opportunity to handle an unloaded weapon and to ask any questions about the safe operation and handling of the 9MM before entering the firing area.

Everyone in the class got a chance to fire three full clips of ammunition, one per targeting sequence.

During the down time different squads did training on various tasks; drill and ceremony, the Army phonetic alphabet, rank structure and PT.   Much of the day was led by our class leadership as we are growing capable of handling class business without direct prodding and instruction from the Cadre.  Make no mistake, the Cadre is in charge – but we are all Officers and leaders and are given space to accomplish our missions and tasks.

It was a warm day today, as we were wearing our Individual Body Armor (IBA) with plates as well as the Army Combat Helmet (ACH).  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – that is a mantra.  You can’t train if you are a heat casualty.

It seems like everyone had a very good day today.  It was another Army day that the 185^thJAOBC class will have memories of for a long time.  Many class members commented that it is really great that attorneys can get out from behind a desk, get away from the billable hour, and train like soldiers.  All that and a paycheck too!  Hooah!

Tomorrow is another day in the field; we start a road march early.