Beans and Bullets

I haven't posted much over the past two weeks, simply because there is nothing all that extraordinary to write about. We continue to prep for the move over to the Middle East. Inventories and Paperwork and Bears, oh my!

We had a fun jump today over on Sicily drop zone that went really well. However it required being at Pope AFB before the bars were even closed in Boulder. Oh well. Riding around in a C-17 at 500 feet AGL and jumping beats fighting a hangover. Lots of PT is on the plate for tomorrow anyway, along with a longer post.

Images

Guess what is going on my Humvee...

This Old Container...

Got to play Bob Villa today, and used the majority of the day building shelves inside containers that the unit is going to use during deployment. I've stated it before, but working outside (on most days) beats being stuck inside an office with no windows. Work gets better with firearms or power tools. Myself and another Lieutenant had a few joes (enlisted soldiers) help out with a few tasks, and managed to outfit an entire container with two sets of shelves to throw crap on. We managed to keep all the fingers and eyes we started with.

The unit ran a 7 miler this morning for PT. I'm a little bit quicker on my feet than most of the other guys, so I started in the 'fast' group and was charged with catching with the slower runners who had started the course earlier. I think I passed about half the unit before I finished. My left knee is still giving me trouble. I'm ok when I run, but have a decent amount of trouble immediately after I stop. Ice and Ranger candy (motrin/ibuprofen) have been helping quite a bit, and I'm also going to try some different stuff with my shoes. (Even possibly different shoes.)

Professional life will be pretty boring until we're in-country. I'll keep posting though.

Gotta be Handy With the Steel

September 7th, 2005

Didn't do too much today, but I did get to go out and fire 9mm pistols with an MP unit who happened to have a gross excess of ammunition. Taking some initiative, I asked about going to this particular range yesterday, but the CO shot me down. He cited that others in the unit supposedly have priority for ammunition, one thing we never seem to have in sufficient quantity. This stems from allocation errors by desk jockeys way above my level. I will conceede that other individuals might have priority on the M9 (current Army issued 9mm pistol), but they won't be outside the wire on convoy escort half as much as I am. The pistol is a tool in a toolbox I intend to make as big as possible. It's my own opinion that we need to get as much experience with various weapons before leaving NC, no matter what the probability is of actually having to use that particular weapon. Some of my peers do not agree. All of this can be derived from the 'Warrior' mindset, and the willingness to learn one's craft. There are many here that possess this mindset. There are also many that do not, which disturbs me.

Either way, I tracked down my driver and a vehicle to transport myself (Since no one else wanted to go) to the range. I'm really glad I got out of the office, as the weather was just about perfect today. It's one of those days that makes you glad to be in a profession that spends a decent amount of time outside, as opposed to being stuck always flying a desk or occupying a cubicle. The oppressive heat in NC has disappeared, at least temporarily. Private Charlie rolled up in a Humvee with the top and doors removed, exactly the way one would want to cruise around on a day like this. Maybe someday I'll roll around Boulder with the same setup. Maybe.

I arrived at the range, checked in with the First Lieutenant running the range, and was almost immediately handed an handful of high capacity magazines. I think I blew through 20 or 25 mags in a 40 minute period. Not bad for one afternoon. Who doesn't like keeping the barrels hot?

Images

Don't leave your stuff unattended.

Not going to see the Wizard

Choices

This image has much deeper implications than simply where to sit at the race track.

Thank God I'm a Country Boy?

This past Saturday night I went out with some guys from work. Not necessarily an unusual event, save for the fact that I went with them to the local Stock Car Races, something I haven't done previously. Since I enjoy racing, bellowing V8 engines, and chili dogs, it seemed like a sound choice. No beer pong this weekend.

My baptisim into one of the purest forms of Southern culture (auto racing exhibiting only left turns) was pretty fun. First, let me state that I am accepting of most all human cultures, as long as blatantly moronic practices are kept to a minimum. Let me also state that I come from a middle-class neighborhood in Colorado (very much disconnected from the South), and went to a big liberal State-sponsored Yuppie College. Despite the departure from my regular weekend activities, I had a pretty good time. I will say that this was the first 'sporting' event I have attended where one was allowed to bring a given amount of beer in. I wore a decent size assault pack to the track, and didn't warrant a second look by the guy manning the gate and taking tickets. I doubt this trick can be pulled off many places in the country. It's a pity I didn't take more advantage of it, I only had one beer.

Saturday night racing accurately reflects the relative level of driver skill in North Carolina. It appeared (to me) that the local high school drivers' ed class was filling in behind the wheel tonight. For every lap actually raced, there were 4 or 5 laps under the yellow flag. Unorganized vehicular chaos beats one lap after another with no other action, however.