Wet Behind the Ears

It had to happen sometime.

Yesterday, the high in Ft. Benning was 71 degrees. It was quite a change from the 45-55 degree days we had gotten used to. To us, it felt like summer. We have become so acclimated that a 35 degree day feels normal at this point. But yesterday was hot by comparison. We sweated the entire day. What did the warm temperatures mean? You guessed it.

This morning was the first 7 mile ruck march. It actually went very, very well. As per the standard, we took a "tactical break" in the middle of it. This break made the march easy. After 10 minutes, the march resumed and that is all your body needs to recover from the first 3.5 miles before finishing it out. It was also in the sixties this morning making the march very sticky. I was carrying approximately 65 pounds at this point. My Load bearing vest, ruck with stuff in it, ACU's, and my ACH. Very, very sweaty. And of course, at the conclusion of the march, the heavens opened up.

This was the first time yet that we had a day of rain. It didn't disappoint. It was the type of rain that soaked you to the bone. A downpour the entire day accompanied by thunder and lightning. Thankfully, the day was mostly in the classroom. Tomorrow's field terrain walk was cancelled because the cadre don't feel like they can get the buses to drive in the mud. Understandable. We are going to try and do it monday. The storms will continue until Friday.

I feared the march more than the AGR. I muscled it out really well though. I'm beginning to feel like there isn't much I can't do. My physical fitness level has improved incredibly in just the first 4 weeks. I can actually do pullups now, which kind of freaks me out. I can run like it's no effort. And now ruck marching seems to be becoming easy. By the time I graduate this place, I should be able to move the world.

Tactical week is winding down. We have one more class to finish on troop leading procedures. It is yet another topic I am very familiar with having been a squad leader. I can still remember becoming a Corporal and having SFC Clubb drill troop leading procedures into my head. He seemed to feel they needed to be known. I never used them after he left, but I still retained most of the knowledge. It's allowed me to basically zone out in class. Anyway. Back to reading my assigned novel.

BOC Sharp