Range and packing

We went to the shooting range again today where we got some more "trigger time" with our weapons. We then started packing up our our stuff that will be shipped overseas prior to our leaving here.

Shots

Today I had my blood drawn to test for some strange diseases, got my second anthrax shot, a small pox shot and a tb test. Not so fun. 

We go shooting tonight . . .

Indianapolis

"D" and I are in Indianapolis hanging out in town. Our unit had an information session today talking about a lot of resources available to deployed soldiers and their families. Then we got the night off. Families were invited and flown in.  Indianapolis is kind of quiet on Sunday nights.

In San Francisco

We have the day off and we got a nice trip to San Francisco.  Its nice to get out and relax for a change. I miss city life.

Last day of training here

We just finished our final training for this phase.  We have some administrative stuff to do tomorrow, but it feels good to be done with this nonetheless.  As you might have guessed, the stuff we have been doing is generic soldier stuff.  More specific job-related stuff comes later.  I'll keep you posted.

Convoy training

We've been doing convoy training for the past few days. Here is the view from my window this morning. Mostly boring stuff.

Day off

Today was more or less a day off of training.  We didn't do too much, and I just rested, did a little reading and sitting around and caught up on regular life.  It feels good to decompress.  I did laundry, cleaned, sorted, etc.  Ahhh.

Regular soldier training

We've been pretty busy the past few days doing lots of normal soldier training like land navigation, hand-to-hand combat, and urban warfare stuff.  Pretty tiring all around.

MK 19 etc. . .

Today started with a 5AM run, continued with playing with even bigger weapons systems than yesterday, and ended at 8PM with a long class on a computer system that it really behooves me to know how to use.

Not enough time to get annoyed by anything. So all in all, an OK day.

Today we played with some army weapons systems. We have been playing with our weapons for the past few dyas. I have also been doing some computer thingies for the past three days. Lots to do. I am keeping very busy.

Map of my morning run

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=208720053294850828351.00047065073e2f3ca5a6e

Early mornings

One of the few things I really enjoy about the army life is the early morning runs in the hills when I get to see the sun rise. Eight of us did about four miles starting just before sun-up. It was quite beautiful. 

Forest Fire

There is a forest fire near our base now. 

If these hills look familiar, by the way, I think this is where they filmed the opening sequence for M*A*S*H.

In the desert

I am now in the CA desert surrounded by mountains and a whole lot of nothing.  All is well though. I am getting settled in here. Lots more training to come.