BOLC Week 4, 5, and 6

A LOT has happened since I last made an entry. I'll try to keep it to just the highlights. For those of you who know me know that that's a challenge. I'm always getting hung up in the details of my stories, right down to what people were wearing. I'd like to think it enhances the story. :)

Ok, so week 4 started our time in the field at Camp Bullis. It's a bit of a dust bowl out there, and really HOT! There is no running water of any kind. It's HOT! There are no showers or indoor plumbing of any kind. It's HOT! Our freshwater source is from a water buffalo. We have small hand washing and hygiene stations that are filled with non-potable water. Did I mention it's HOT!?!?! On average temperatures have exceeded 100 degrees. We have small thermometers in our tents that usually read about 95 degrees when the air conditioner isn't turned on. The air is turned off during the day while we train and started up in the afternoon. Sometimes it takes a little bit of time for it to really make much of difference.

When we arrived in the field we were joined by about 150 reservists. The first day we spent doing a "walk the dog" exercise for land navigation. From about 0900-1600 we were slowly making our way from point to point out on the course. Luckily my group instructor took appropriate actions to prevent heat injury in our group. However that was not the case in every group. At least 25 soldiers fell out from heat injury that day requiring interventions as small as a cup of gatorade to hospitalization. The training company commander came on site to address the issue since it had caught the attention of the Commanding General. While we did have an opportunity to voice our thoughts and opinions to improve the situation, we were also reprimanded for "not hydrating well enough, eating enough, and being inexperienced in the field." The irony of the situation is that there were just as many prior service soldiers at direct commissions with heat injury. That was pretty much the major event of the week. From there on out most of the training was much less strenuous and extra measures were taken to keep us as cool as possible. We received classes on the M9 to disassemble, assemble, and preparation for the range. We also reviewed the M16 and prepared to zero and qualify at the range. Fairly uneventful.

I do have to mention that bugs here are HUGE!! I have ever seen such large spiders and grasshoppers in my life. They are really quite intimidating. One day during training I made my way over to a shady area to sit down and just happen to catch a glimpse of a spider web in front of me. I stopped dead in my tracks and looked around only to find the largest spider I have ever seen!!! Yuck!!! Supposedly they're not even a threat, but I have trouble believing it. Let's not forget about the 3 inch grasshopper I saw. It's literally the size of a mouse. I guess things really are bigger in Texas!

Week 2 was really cool!! It was the AMEDD FTX. We were able to set up all the different levels of care that are utilized during deployment. Once in place we began to run the scenario simulating a mass casualty. We were even able to utilize blackhawks to MEDEVAC our "critical" patients. It was SWEET! It's probably the most pertinent thing we've done in the field.

Combatives have continued out in the field. We workout in ground up tire pits. It makes all the exercises ten times harder to do. The class has been good. I feel like I'm learning a lot. Of course there are some down sides. Sometimes you don't get very good partners who don't stick to the techniques that you've been taught and they just try to muscle you to the group. They're really more like bullies. The other day we worked on blood chokes. They are effective within about 10 seconds if performed correctly. It's probably just as well that Eric isn't around so that he doesn't have to be my practice partner. :)

Today Eric had his first game of the season against Carson-Newman. The first quarter was pretty quiet for E, but then things got going. He had four catches for 109 yards. He was the top receiver of the game!!!!!! I am soooooo proud of him. His coaching staff has him on a special practice plan specific for him to keep him health and game ready. So far it seems to be working!! Keep him in your prayers that he stays healthy! In just three short weeks I'll be sitting in the stands watching him play. I can't wait! Go Warriors!!! :)