I'm back

Hello all. I'm back from my sabbatical. Is that right. I'm pretty sure I've never had one, so I don't know how to spell it. At any rate, Funston is booming. They're repaving the streets with asphalt and building an obstacle course, just in time for us to leave. I truly appreciate them doing this now because I have to get my JEEP aligned because of how crappy the roads have been. So, for all you peeps coming, enjoy. Moving on, enough bitchin. No internet yet. OK, sorry, done.
Alright, so last week we did big gun training. 50 cal, M240B, m249(SAW). Fun stuff. I'm out there trying to qualify on the 50 cal. Never fired one in my life. The safety is on my right telling me what to do. So I fire. "A little high, sir." Again, a little high. "Sir shoot short and walk it up. This thing sends rounds out to 5000 meters. There are ranges back there. Please shorten it up." "Roger. Will do Sergeant." I couldn't hit a single target. The sergeant told me I was all around the targets at 800 and 1000 meters but couldn't hit the damn thing. "Sir, if you were making paper cutouts you'd be doing great!" Smart ass. I got off the Hummer and got some coffee.
Live fire is coming up this week. HMMM! Hope all the training has worked. See, we have to patrol with live rounds through mock villages and sometimes you may cross your team on the opposite side. HMMMM! No coffee for anyone. No pseudophed. Nobody gets the jitters. I may even give everyone a xanax. The last thing I want is to be shot at Ft Riley by one of my own guys. That would be.......unsat! I'd much rather have an AK 47 round in my backside with at least a good story to boot.
A couple of pics. My First Sergeant is hording some better ones, the ones of us training on soviet type weapons. Good stuff. I'll snatch them for you veiwing pleasure sometime this week. One of these is our Sergeant Major taking a breather from his tough schedule and Latella on the 50 cal.

Goodbye

Hi all. I'm going to take a time-out for about the next week. My mother-in-law passed away from cancer on 15APR. Please pray for my wife's family over this tough time. She was a good woman and loved by many. Please take time to reflect on your own family and be grateful for what God has given you now. This would honor my mother-in-law as well as your family and loved ones.
God bless. I'll be back soon.

Nathan

I'm back. Feel my pain.

Arrival back in KC was noted by said gentleman with Rat Tail/Mullet standing behind me while waiting for the bus to long-term parking. I took a deep breath then snickered to myself while treacherous echos of "achy breaky heart" fumbled through my traumatized mind. I realized I was only bringing misery on myself so I promptly diverted to Barney's "wheels on the bus."

Ah, it was good to see the family despite the difficult goodbyes. Seems like just as I get settled in, I have to pack up and leave. I'm ready to get on that plane to start the clock ticking. 365,4,3...... One thing that amazed me was how much I missed the smell of my wife and daughter. I didn't realize how much impact that had on my daily routine. My last night at home I couldn't deep breathe or hold them close enough.

So, on the plane were a bunch of Tennessee Guard guys flying up to Riley for a little pre Afghanistan "Funstomatic" training. I laughed to myself and remembered when I was a "FNG" (New Guy). Man, to be a fly on the wall about week 2 or so. It takes about 6 weeks to become numb to the pain. The hits kept coming when at the baggage claim was the same SFC that showed our team around the first few weeks. I passed on of the team and said "see you on the other side." At that moment I felt like I had all the knowledge in the world; my Army virginity had been lost. I've passed the test, I've been Funstoned. I'm no longer a Sailor in the Navy. I'm Green! Shh. Don't tell.

Egress, egress.....that means GET OUT gentlemen!

As promised, Tuesday and Wednesday brought some PPT lectures intermingled with short bursts of hands on driver's training. Wednesday was day/night training. We started out with the egress training from the Hummer. They roll you over multiple times to simulate rollovers that occur in combat, mainly due to IED and bad roads. Once the vehicle has completed the rollover, the instructor yells out "EGRESS, EGRESS!!" Some took a little longer than he expected at one point and the instructor yelled out "that means GET OUT gentlemen!" I'm pretty sure I heard some joints popping and cracking and a few unmentionable grunts.

I've tried to add a video of the egress trainer but my blog only allows 8meg max loading. I'll ask Partamian to add video to his blog. He's a big dog and has his own page ie.. he pays a yearly fee and can do what he wants. You can link to him on the right.

Otherwise, this is Easter weekend and the time has come to pursue all that is good and true, Jesus and Southwest Airlines.

Boll Weevil

So, this morning we're driving to the gym and McCall, who calls his wife faithfully every morning, calls his wife to make sure she's up. Meanwhile, I'm carrying on a conversation with the other guys in the Jeep. All the sudden I hear "You know, down where I used to trap boll weevils." My world shifted as it often does with his unique statements. I thought "that's gotta be a first for me." A story followed. He was part of a federal boll weevil eradication program back in the 80's. At that point, Partamian, Corrigan and I decide that it may be necessary to start a sub-blog specifically for what could be an endless stream of impressive sayings from our fellow LT. For those of you that know nothing about these fine creatures, I looked up how to spell it correctly first, then got you picture for your viewing pleasure. Evidently, these beasts of burden love cotton and tend to be a menace to farmers in the south.

How can you follow up with that. We had driver's training on 1114 (HMMWV) today. The usual tire change, tow bar/strap and other sundry sensitive items (stuff I can't talk about). We do the day/night drive tomorrow along with the roll over trainer. Good stuff.

Easter cometh. 4 day weekend, ahhh! No! You can't make me leave!!! I won't do it!! Weeellll, OK, get me the hell out of here!!!

Palm Sunday

We awakened this am to significantly improved weather. A gift from God on this Palm Sunday...washing away the clouds. I bailed out of mass this morning simply because I didn't want to be one of those who just show up because of the season. I'll carry on with my faith despite my lack of church going behavior. I've been feeling soulfully disconnected as of late and I feel some introspective time coming on. Silence. Hmmm! Ought to be a challenge around this finely run machine.
We have filled ourselves with divine foods this weekend. No Funston food. Chilli's for a huge lunch/dinner (linner) yesterday. 4 of us went through 3 huge baskets of chips/salsa and burgers galore. Today was a brunch at Cracker Barrel. A usual huge breakfast without the indigestion despite the weak excuse for coffee. Now the visit to Hasting's, the refuge for internet starved soldiers. Take the name down. HASTINGS. Where you will need to go for coffee et al. It's alot like B&N. There are some other coffee shops around down in Aggieville (college area).
Tomorrow, back to the grind.