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TRACEN Cape May, N.J. |
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KILO 182 WEEKLY JOURNAL |
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Starting a week shooting guns is always a good start. Some people had never shot a weapon in their life, but most of us had. To qualify for a ribbon on your uniform, you'd have to shoot a score of 114 and for the company to qualify for a ribbon to go with our colors (when we've actually earned them) on our Guidon, 65% of the company as a whole would have to have qualified for a ribbon. Everyone wanted so badly to do a good job, make our Company Commanders proud and earn our ribbons. Most of us did great during practice, but the moment we were shooting for a score, we choked. Some were just a few points away, but skilled others, like one shipmate , got Expert (145-150). We're all pretty jealous. Learning how to put up and take down the colors each day is a new, but large responsibility. In fact, probably the most symbolically important task anyone will be given here in Basic. Lots of other types of jobs have been doled out to those who are willing to step up, take some responsibility (yeoman, mail carrier, drill team/color guard), but there are a few (Squad bay leader, sanitary engineer, recycle technician) that have had jobs volunteered for them for various incentive reasons. The threat of being fired is more than a "pink slip"----expect to be pushing the deck (or more) if you do your job unsatisfactorily. A lot of us with these new tasks find ourselves in leadership roles we've never been in before and it can be daunting, to say the least. A very real load is now on our shoulders, but this is preparing us for the fleet where some of us will be driving million dollar government ships within 04 months out of basic. It's a reality that hasn't quite sunk into everyone's head just yet, but since our first assignment is waiting for us just around the corner, reality will have a chance to shake our hand. Our Physical Fitness test and Midterm was this past week. As expected, a small portion of people were unable to pass the push-up/sit-up portion (in which they simply get up earlier every morning and go to a remedial class aimed at helping them meet the requirements), but amazingly EVERYONE passed the run test the first time. It was a relief off of everyone's back. Some people were terrified of not passing the run, but with a good pace-setter most passed with a few minutes to spare. I'm pretty reluctant to say this, but I guess all that running we do at 0545 in the morning actually helps. Next up was the Midterm, which was open book and for the most part everyone passed. It was pretty straight forward and as long as you had taken good notes and tabbed all the different chapters, there was no need to worry. Right now, our focus is Manual of Arms because without a passing score on our test this weekend we don't get our ever-so-desired liberty. We're also still trying to work together without driving each other absolutely insane. Graduation is a constant goal, so trying to focus on our training is difficult. Our training continues with Pugil Sticks Monday, which could prove to be either a total blast or a total nightmare. Well, whatever doesn't kill us will only make us smarter (or in Kilos case stronger). |
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