TRAINING WEEK EIGHT
980615; Monday; 2040; Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T36
Well, today was payday. Doesn't mean much when you go to the Px or spend money only once every 2 wks. Not that I'm eager to spend it, but it is easy to forget that we actually are being paid for all this.
Well, our Drill Instructors were right. Up north is where the real training starts, and there are a lot of games that can be played here.
This morning was busy. Stare, our guide, was fired and Southern (the 2nd squad leader) was made guide. Stare moved to 2nd squad leader. We squad leaders and the guide were IT'd twice this morning, also. The platoon wasn't moving fast enough and guess who paid for it. Looking back on today, though, it did fly by and everything moved at a faster pace than at MCRD.
After morning chow we went out to the school circles on the range where we would learn the Marine Corps Fundamentals Of Marksmanship. Our platoon PMI (Primary Marksmanship Instructor), SSgt. Fields, taught us the basic safety rules, basics on aiming, and firing. We did this all the way up to noon chow. After chow we went back out there and he taught about actions we take to fix jams, load magazines, etc. We then went to another area to have our weapons inspected for operability and we cleaned them while there. We then went back to our school circle and learned the basics on the prone position.
The school circles are nothing more than a concrete circle a good 100' in diameter and 10 feet wide. Inside the circle is the natural turf of Camp Pendleton (weedy grass). Also somewhere inside the circle is a 50 gallon drum painted white. All around the drum, painted in black, are target silhouettes.
Each silhouette is 3-4" in width. The 3 different shapes were: They are this size so that when shooting (dry-fire only - chamber empty) from the circle, the size simulates targets 300 yds away.
Tomorrow is grouping in the afternoon. Each of us will fire from 10-15 rounds at 3 silhouettes. If you can group 3 shots out of the five then they know whether you are applying what they are saying. The rest of the week, though, will be spent dry-firing and practicing the four positions.
Read I Samuel 18 this evening. What strikes me is that David advanced so far in the presence of a king who wanted him killed and even tried to do it himself, asked so little, did not seek public approval and yet gained it, did not seek to weasel his way into the king's family and yet was brought in by the king's family, all this because he was humble and God was with him. Daily I find it amazing what our God can do through His people when they listen and obey.
980616; Tuesday; 2100; Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T37
Day two and still squad leader.
Again this morning after chow we went out on the range school circle. Today, though, because of a misty rain we went to the covered circles (tin roof over bleachers and circle). We continued to study and dry fire from the prone position. Our PMI kept telling us that if we are comfortable, then we are wrong. Well, I am both comfortable and uncomfortable. Comfortable in that I am relaxed, but the position itself is uncomfortable. We spent all morning on this.
Our afternoon was spent on the range for grouping exercise. Today was the only day this week that we will be live-firing. Grouping is just shooting at a target 36 yds away but simulated to the size of a dog target at 300 yds. The goal is to apply what your PMI taught about the fundamentals to group your shots so as to have a starting point for aligning your sights. We had 3 targets and 5 rounds per target. In my final grouping, which was the best, all five shots were contained within an inch and a half circle. That is all grouping is.
For marksmanship qualification, the most points that you can get is 250. Each shot is worth up to 5 points. The black on each target is 5 points and radiating further out from it is 4, 3, and 2 point areas. To qualify you must get a score of 186. This will qualify you as a Marine Marksman. The second highest badge is Sharpshooter. A minimum score of 206 is required. The Expert badge requires a score of 216. As of now I am setting a goal of a minimum score of 225. The distances that you fire from are 200 yds, 300 yds, and 500 yds. The M16A2's maximum range for a point target is 550 yds. For an area target it is 800 yds. A point target is about the size of a man. An area target is the size of a vehicle. If you want to talk about distance, though, the maximum range for the M16A2 is 3534 yds.
980617; Wednesday; (980618; 2100); Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T38
More snapping-in. From about 0700 to noon chow (1100) we were out on the circles learning about the effects of weather upon the shooter, judging wind velocity, and figuring it into the zeroing process (the ability to put a shot or group of shots on the center of the target from a specific position, specific range, and under specific weather conditions).
After noon chow we went back to the circles where we learned and practiced the sitting position. After that we had PT. A 2.5 mile run. While in line for evening chow Drill Instructor Sgt. Wilson told me that because I wasn't doing my job as a squad leader that I would pay an hour after chow. That would make 3 consecutive days of IT. We also had our first mail call this afternoon since about Thursday of last week.
Mail call always reminds me of home. Just a little over 4 weeks. Seems like it wasn't that long ago that it was 9 weeks.
980618; Thursday; 2115; Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T39
Snapping-in again. Most of what we did was practicing and also learning the kneeling position (the most painful and hardest to get in to). After we finished snapping-in in the afternoon we had PT again, another run. Just before evening chow we got our hair cut. The tops that we had been growing since receiving were cut way down. (Easier to deal with and it looks better, too.)
Well, I still couldn't avoid the pit again today. 4 days in a row.
There are constantly helicopters flying around. At MCRD it was the airplanes from the airport every couple of minutes. Now there are just a lot of choppers on training exercises. Cobras, Sea Stallions, Chinooks, Hueys. A lot of times they are flying in squads of 4. The Cobras are awesome when they fly over. Their rotor blades beat the air making a distinct thumping sound that in certain maneuvers can be felt. The helos don't fly over at 10,000 feet or anything. Often they're pretty low. There is also a small Navy base on the coast and sometimes we can see Naval ships out at sea.
After a couple of rainy days the last two have been sunny and warm (great weather for a graduation).
I read I Samuel 19 during firewatch last night. Reminded me that no matter what someone wants to do to us, if God doesn't want it to happen He will prevent it from happening and it will not happen. Saul kept trying and trying to kill David, but every time he tried he was stopped by God. IF GOD IS PROTECTING US THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO FEAR. NO WAY, NO HOW.
980619; Friday; 2100; Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T40
The final day of snapping-in. Grass week is almost over. Tomorrow we have a 5 mile hump (hike). We have a hump every Saturday. Today, though, we spent almost the whole day up at the circles. We learned the offhand (standing) position, practiced and went through the 5 stages of the qualification course, and lots of Q and A.
The qualification course has five stages (as I said before), and is set up in this manner:
Stage Distance Position Target # Rounds Time Rate of Fire
Stage I - 200 yds - sitting - A target - 5 rounds - 20 min - slow fire
- 200 yds - kneeling - A target - 5 rounds - slow fire
- 200 yds - standing - A target - 5 rounds - slow fire
Stage II - 200 yds - standing to sitting - D target - 10 rounds - 60 sec - rapid fire
Stage III - 300 yds - sitting - A target - 5 rounds - 5 min - slow fire
Stage IV - 300 yds - standing to prone - D target - 10 rounds - 70 sec - rapid fire
Stage V - 500 yds - prone - B-MOD - 10 rounds - 10 min - slow fire
During the rapid fire, you start by standing and when the target appears you quickly assume the position (sitting or prone), fire off a magazine of 5 rounds, then change the magazine and fire off 5 more rounds. All this must be done in the required time limit, 60 or 70 sec.
After evening chow we started preparations for tomorrow's hump. We will be wearing a flak jacket, LBV, Alpha Pack w/wet-weather gear, shelter half, and other accessories, and our Cadaver (combat helmet).
This afternoon while at the circles the Senior put the Fabulous Five in as guide and squad leaders. Recruits Schneider, Wade, Mathews, Bryce, and Cashiola. These five are five of our bottom of the chain recruits. In their hour or two of reign they managed to get IT'd. Shortly after, our Senior gave our jobs back. Drill Instructors do this to make a point as well as to play games (which they love to do). I did manage to break the string that I had going, as I wasn't IT'd today. But that won't last long. Our Drill Instructors keep telling us that those of us who do graduate will be hard and strong. I'm getting to see the picture very clearly. Especially in the dirt.
980620; Saturday; 2130; Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - T41
The last day of Grass Week. It's hard to believe that we are already through our first week. Three weeks from now, Lord willing, I will for all practical purposes have been a United States Marine for 14 hours.
Well, the top of the order for the day, the 5 mile hump. Right up my alley despite objections from my feet. Normally I would say that it was nice seeing native and local flora, but here at Camp Pendleton there is nothing but dirt, knee high grass, and if you're lucky a Rattlesnake, Tarantula or Gila Monster sunning itself or chowing down (No, I haven't seen any yet. Hope to, though. Don't worry, I'm not going out of my way to do it.). The terrain here is hilly and slopes off into the ocean. Aside from no mountain ranges, it could easily resemble Western Washington with no trees, 20° warmer, and 40 inches less rain.
For afternoon chow we had MRE's. Altogether a pretty good meal. I had Pork Chow Mein, crackers and peanut butter, and a chocolate-covered oatmeal cookie. We then spent the rest of the afternoon working on our hooches. A hooch is two shelter halves formed into a tent and called a hooch.
I read I Samuel 20-22 early this morning (0200) while on firewatch. I concluded that because of David's strong Biblical faith and trust in God while young and as a shepherd, God got His hooks on David and absolutely refused to let go or turn away, despite the mistakes and foolishness of David while as a leader being hunted by Saul.
It is always said that David was a man after God's own heart. There are times that I believe we fail to remember that God still had to carry David. The key was that when David fell he turned to God and took His hand instead of trying to get back up on his own. REMEMBER THAT. GOD WILL AND WANTS TO CARRY YOU, BUT YOU HAVE TO TURN TO HIM FIRST.
980621; Sunday; 2000; Edson Range; Camp Pendleton - H7
Father's Day. A national day set aside to remember our fathers. The focus on this day and Mother's Day is too narrow. Have we forgotten to remember our grandfathers and great-grandfathers? Our descendants before us. The life they led, the example they showed, and the heritage they started.
Today, as on most days, I have thought of my father. In my church at home our pastor would often on this holiday have the adults share what impact their father had on them (the same for Mother's Day).
The traits that my father taught me and lived when I was young have stayed with me even to now.
Of all people, I want most to be like my father. His values are the values I want to live by. There is a song by Phillips, Craig, and Dean titled "I Want To Be Just Like You" ('cause he wants to be just like me). This is a prayer to God by a father. I know that my father has prayed this prayer and lived it out. I DO WANT TO BE JUST LIKE YOU, DAD.
I also want to thank my mom, and both sets of grandparents for raising my parents in a Godly manner. Mom, thank you for raising your children as such.
Today was the platoon's best day here at Camp Pendleton. With Drill Instructor Sgt. Harrison on duty in the morning and Drill Instructor Sgt. Wilson on duty the rest of the day (Both are very hard Drill Instructors. They take pleasure out if IT.), we went the whole day without being IT'd or getting two hours firewatch.
The platoon got motivated and started moving with speed and intensity. Using Drill Instructor Sgt. Harrison's terminology, 'we stopped moving like pond water and started looking like little green amphibious blurs'.
After noon chow, while in formation on line before falling out into the house, he was telling us that we should be moving so fast that when he blinks we will be gone and in the house. We should be moving so fast that there will be a vacuum left in our places, and that he should get sucked up into those vacuums. (That's some motivating trash) Around here everything is trash, good or bad. Trust me, I've been learning lots of good trash.
When I first came to MCRD and for the next 6 weeks I hated the thought of ever being a Drill Instructor. Now I wouldn't hesitate. It means a lot of work, but Drill Instructors are highly respected and their work has its rewards. Seeing 'civilian nasties' transformed into United States Marines.
We went to the range this afternoon for some refresher for tomorrow. Spent a couple of hours there then went back to the house and snapped-in. Really light day as most Sundays are.
Well, Bravo Company (First Battalion nasties) arrived today. Fox Company (Second Battalion and the only Company in front of us) has the Crucible this week.
Our schedule this week is all live-firing. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is practice and improvement. Thursday is pre-qual and on Friday - Qualification Day. That Saturday we have a 7 mile hump.
Amazingly, boot camp is drawing to a close.
Please feel free to me!
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