Day 36

Day 31 of BCT

     Today was a very long day. We started with PT. AGR day. I went ahead and stuck with "C" group. This is our last AGR before our PT test on Saturday. I'm worried I'll injure my legs between now and then and not  be able to run very well. We ran 2 miles again today, but we added a hill to it. They said our pace was around 9:45 minutes per mile which is fast enough for me to pass my run. I didn't fall out, but I did get sent to run with a girl who did. We caught up after a bit though. We ended the run with some sprints which was tough, but it felt good when it was done.
     I then went with another female to help one of the DS's go and get chow. It was a nice break and a chance to sit in a more comfortable position than usual. After eating breakfast, we put all of our gear on to head to the range. I think I'm starting to get used to full battle rattle, but I still find it very awkward to move in. I don't know how they function in it down range when it's 130 degrees and they have more weight on than we do.
     After our brief on Range 7, our platoon started with concurrent training. My group was practicing our Combat Lifesaver Course Skills and calling a Medevac.
      Our turn on the range was simply shooting blanks from a standing position when the taser said "Ready, Up". We used blanks for the first time so that they could make sure everyone was doing it correctly and wouldn't shoot anyone. Blanks don't feed very well though, so I ended up spending most of my turn trying to clear my weapon. We are all non-infrantry soldiers, so ARM is not required. Because of that, the DS's don't have us reshoot at anytime, they just push to get us all through once.
      I then went and served lunch before we went back to concurrent training. We worked on shooting positions behind a barrier and then how to throw a grenade. I was horrible at the dummy grenade, so something I will want to practice before our grenade qualifications.
     We then had our second time of shooting. Same as the first time, just with live rounds and on the M-4. The M-4 is much lighter and I like it, but I ended up with a bad magazine and again spent most of my time clearing my weapon. The DS on my lane said I still did a good job. The M-4 with a sight attached is definetly more fun to shoot.
      We then did more concurrent training-was crawl practice this time-before chow. After chow, I ended up going with another female to be battle buddies to take a girl going to Medi Quarters. I guess her knees are bad enough they want her to rest. Again, it was a nice break to sit more comfortable.
     We got back in time for our first night fire. We again did the same drill, just with more walking and shooting, but we had on night vision and we're using tasers to aim at our targets. It was fun, but also strange not having full peripheral vision.
      We then policed the range and had a super fast shakedown to be ready for our 20000 motor movement. When we got back, we quickly changed for HF then unloaded the trucks of gear. Our platoon DS is on duty all week, so we have to do all of the extra jobs. We then got mail. Yay! I had hoped HF would be quick, but something was going on with 4th Platoon and by the time we finally were counted into the bay, it was almost 2200. And of course, I have Fireguard at 0330-0430. Wearing full battle rattle leaves one feeling extremely exhausted!