Getting ready for Combat Skills Training

I leave on Monday, Nov 2nd for Ft. Dix, NJ to become a trained warrior. Although they told us we were trained warriors when we graduated from DINFOS (Defense Information School), I guess they were just kidding. We were taught to shoot cameras (not bullets) and that the pen was mightier than the sword. Now I get to find out what the sword can do!

Here's a quick run-down of the 10-day schedule as the student liaison described it to me.

Class consists of 250 people. In-process and assigned dorm. We're split into flights that will be our family for the duration. We're assigned duties; latrine queen, water boy etc., just like boot camp. Issued weapons that we live with. In classes and the field for: map orientation, urban warfare, clearing houses, shooting popup people, recognizing improvised explosive devises, bombs etc, battle self aid-buddy care on steroids, navigating through the woods with a compass, map and a dagger, live weapons firing, HUMVEE training/driving, convoy training, protection en route, recovering from humvee IED explosion, HUMVEE simulator which blows up with you strapped inside and rolls over several times. And lots more. Sounds like a giant amusement park. We graduate on Friday at 1530 and spend the evening through Sat morning cleaning weapons, dorms, latrines and making everything ready for the next class.

The folks at the Iraqi Public Affairs shop I'm going to said it is a bit intense for what to expect there (I hope so!) but that it is a lot of fun. So all those years of training between five and ten years old playing war in the neighborhood will finally pay off! Don't think I'll be able to post here while I'm fighting to get out of Newark, but hopefully I'll have a couple pictures and stories to tell when I get back.

Just one more thing before I go

This blog is one more thing to get busy with. Right now I am trying to finish all the required shots (anthrax, thyphoid, tetnus, hep B blah blah) and get in some 'just in time' training, including Combat Skills (10 days in the swamps of new Jersey playing war), before I ship out to Iraq. I'll spill the beans about me later, after I set this blog up. Suffice it to say that I'm 54, an Air Force Reserve Master Sergeant for Life, husband, dad, grandpa, public affairs guy and I'm going to end my Reserve career with a bang! Just figuritively speaking.

I retired from the reserve in '01, just before 9/11. Reenlisted in '06, at their request. So here I am, finally getting to do something that at least makes a personal statement. Should be an interesting ride!