Day 24 - Ma deuce

We did “company circuits” today. Our 15-man squads got in separate rows, spaced out, and did 16 various exercises, such as wide-arm push-ups, close-arm push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks (called side-straddle hops in the Army), flutter kicks, and all kinds of variations. After two minutes, we rotated to the next exercise.

I couldn’t finish either breakfast or dinner, which I’m angry about. For dinner, I got ribs, but with only three minutes I couldn’t finish even that. It was hurry up and get out, followed immediately by 30 minutes in the CTA waiting to be taken back up to the bay.

We got a “re-inspection,” which went better than the first, though I missed a question about what two types of ammunition the MK19 automatic grenade launcher uses (I know it now - High Explosive and High Explosive Dual Purpose).

After that, we worked on “inspection arms,” for a while, but the majority of the day was spent on the MK 19 and M2 (a.k.a. the "Ma Deuce" or .50 cal). Though we didn’t get to fire the MK19, the tripod-mounted 50 calibur was fun.

Firing the weapons is fun, but I have decided that I don’t really enjoy going out to the range. We have to front load our rucksacks (which we don’t use), stand and wait for the busses, cram in like grade school kids, then form up and wait. We do something like a class, and then guess what? We eat lunch, sit around, talk, get in trouble for talking, and then repeat the process in reverse. It’s just not fun.

Anyway, when we got back, we spoke with the company’s executive officer (XO) about OCS matters, which was helpful. The bottom line is that I have to do well on the PT test to ensure that I get into a class quickly.

The thing I’m most nervous about is getting branched Infantry, because there’s an expectation to go to Ranger school, and I’m *not* interested in that. Moreover, branch assignments don’t seem to make sense. The XO, for example, worked in the enlisted medical services for 16 years before going into OCS, getting branched Field Artillery, and then getting branch-detailed into Infantry.

But for now, I’ve got other things to worry about. Hopefully, I can get a big breakfast tomorrow and rest a bit during the rest of the day.