Day 38

Day 33 of BCT

      Today was a long day again, and emotionally it was tough. PT today was 60/120's (sprints). I really struggled to push myself.  Knees are really sore and swollen after the last two days, so that doesn't help. We changed to go straight to the range after PT and had breakfast there. We ended up standing and waiting on the range staff for awhile before our demo. Today is supposed to be our ARM qualifications, shooting in 3 positions from behind a barrier and performing two magazine changes and dealing with dummy rounds. Our platoon lucked out and we didn't have to do concurrent training before they were ready for us to shoot. It had started raining so when it was my turn to shoot, my EyePro was wet and fogging up, so I couldn't see anything. We had 30 rounds (3 dummies) to kill 15 targets, with the goal to kill at least 7 targets. Some targets took more than one shot to kill. I was blinded so much that I only got through 20 rounds and only had 4 kills, I was frustrated. Even though ARM is not required anymore, they let us shoot again. I did a little better the second time, but still not as well as I could have liked. I din't know my score, since they got a bunch of us messed up and out of order. We policed the range after everyone shot twice.
      We then had chow, I ended up helping to serve. We ended up eating in the bleachers since it started raining again. We then packed up and headed back to the company area.
     Our afternoon was then spent cleaning the M-4 rifles and getting them ready to return. I ended up on a 6 man detail that was sent over to battalion to help set up for the change of command ceremony for our company. We ended up being their "practice" company while they rehearsed. All we had to do was stand at attention and at ease, but it was nerve racking being in front of our Battalion Command Sergeant Major, Commander Chief Officer, and Company 1SG. After we got back, 5 other females and myself were taken to the main PX to purchase civilian bras for our deferred issue tomorrow. We have to be wearing a regular bra so they can properly fit our dress uniforms.
     It was so weird to be in the PX. There is a food court in front and we had to see and smell everything we haven't had in weeks. Since it Thursday, it was also packed with soldiers who had just graduated and their families.
      As soon as we returned, we marched to the DFAC for chow. I ended upon the back of the line so I didn't get much time to eat. Since chow was later, we lucked out and once we returned we had mail call and then personal time. I had several letters, and it was good to read them and mentally go somewhere else.
     After HF, I had first Fireguard shift. I cleaned the cleaning supply closet since it was a disaster. I also had to keep getting up in the night trying to get my ACU's in the dryer. I want to exchange them tomorrow since I've lost so much weight and they drown me now.
      I didn't sleep super well, but I did sleep ok. Maybe it's the new pillows we got.