Thursday, January 06, 2005
Long Days
Long days ahead of us. Today started at 0415, we threw on our packs and stepped outside into the cold Quantico air, prepared for a long day. After a mediocre breakfast (chow has really gone downhill here) we stepped off for a 2 mile hike out to the rifle range. The hike was short and a pretty slow pace, but you'd be suprised how quickly you can work up a sweat humping a pack, war gear, and rifle.
Most of our day was spent in a set of bleachers, listening to the instructors teach us the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship. Boring stuff for someone who's been in the Corps for five years, but necessary info for the new guys. The worst part is the fact that it was 45 degrees and foggy. The damp air made it especially cold.
Then we spent a few hours "snapping in." Snapping in is practicing the shooting positions by dry firing (pulling the trigger without any bullets in it) at smaller representations of the targets we will fire at when we qualify. The human body is not designed to get into these positions, it's just not normal. Every time I went to the range with my reserve unit, I came back with bruises on my arms from the rifle sling tight across my arm and more sore muscles and joints that you could imagine. The benefit of firing for an entire week is that we will make our bodies accustomed to the positions, our muscles and joints will stretch out and make the positions more bearable.
End of day came about 1800 today, but we had to clean our rooms for inspection by the TBS XO (executive officer) tomorrow. I haven't done anything tonight other than eat, clean, and write this journal entry. I'm going to bed.
Most of our day was spent in a set of bleachers, listening to the instructors teach us the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship. Boring stuff for someone who's been in the Corps for five years, but necessary info for the new guys. The worst part is the fact that it was 45 degrees and foggy. The damp air made it especially cold.
Then we spent a few hours "snapping in." Snapping in is practicing the shooting positions by dry firing (pulling the trigger without any bullets in it) at smaller representations of the targets we will fire at when we qualify. The human body is not designed to get into these positions, it's just not normal. Every time I went to the range with my reserve unit, I came back with bruises on my arms from the rifle sling tight across my arm and more sore muscles and joints that you could imagine. The benefit of firing for an entire week is that we will make our bodies accustomed to the positions, our muscles and joints will stretch out and make the positions more bearable.
End of day came about 1800 today, but we had to clean our rooms for inspection by the TBS XO (executive officer) tomorrow. I haven't done anything tonight other than eat, clean, and write this journal entry. I'm going to bed.
// posted by Josh @ 1/06/2005 09:05:00 PM 
