Exhausted!

7-11 OCT
Three words sums up the past week, READY, AIM, FIRE. We have been on the pistol and rifle ranges all week long shooting, shooting and shooting. We’re up at 0430 and on the drill deck at 0515 in full battle rattle. That’s body armor, helmet, all the pads and our weapons. After breakfast, we hit range after range after range shooting at different scenarios. Sometimes it’s targets up to 300 meters away. Sometimes is a “stress test” that requires us to run from station to station in different shooting positions and score kills on moving targets. In the hot weather with all that gear on, the past week has been EXHAUSTING. This is why I haven’t written a single word until right now. As soon as we’d return to the barracks, I’ve been asleep within minutes of getting undressed.

The kids are doing great but this past week, Susan and I have been a little snippy towards each other. It’s probably my fault as it was a tough week and I probably was not the most agreeable partner. We can’t act this way toward each other so early in the game. We still have a long, long way to go.

The drill instructors knew how hard they worked us all week long so they gave us much of Saturday and all of Sunday off. This has done wonders for my body and spirit. In addition to some much needed sleep, I actually went off base a couple time to eat and see a movie.

On Youtube, I found an AWESOME video about the training here. You have to check it out. Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4GqXYKtyVY. If it doesn’t connect, search for it under the title, “Too Easy, Army Training for Squids.”

My friend LT Corley also posted a funny video about us on his on web site. Check it it. The video is called, “Funny things happen when you send fathers to war.” Here’s the link to the video: http://amyszooathome.blogspot.com/.

I also found some guys blog about his experience in Afghanistan. On it he has a Jeff Foxworthy like list entitled, “You might be a Taliban member if…” Great stuff. I posted the list below.

You Might Be A Taliban Member If...
1. You refine heroin for a living, but you have a moral objection to beer.
2. You own a $3,000 machine gun and $5,000 rocket launcher, but you can't afford shoes.
3. You have more wives than teeth.
4. You wipe your butt with your bare left hand, but consider bacon "unclean."
5. You think vests come in two styles: bullet-proof and suicide.
6. You can't think of anyone you HAVEN'T declared Jihad against.
7. You consider television dangerous, but routinely carry explosives in your clothing.
8. You were amazed to discover that cell phones have uses other than setting off roadside bombs.
9. You've ever uttered the phrase, "I love what you've done with your cave."
10. You have nothing against women and think every man should own at least one.
11. You bathe at least monthly whether necessary or not.
12. You've ever had a crush on your neighbor's goat.

Scuttlebutt has it that our training will be wrapping up sooner than later. We’re supposed to be here until Friday but rumors are going around that we will be shipping out late, late Wednesday night. I know we’ve been training for war, but it doesn’t really hit home until you’re told to keep your bags semi-packed. I’ll let you know more when we get the official word. Until then, goodnight.