Ugh, that FTX was a killer. I'm so incoherent right now, is it morning or evening? Anyway, here's the story: Woke up at 0520 Friday in the barracks, did morning land navigation for 4 hours, classes on patrol bases, and more land nav in the evening until about 11 at night, went to bed at midnight, did 45 minute guard shift, got up at 0430 with about 2 and a half hours sleep. Got M16 with blanks the day before. I HATE THE FRIGGIN' RADIO. 60 POUNDS OF TORTURE. I had to cram it in my ruck, so a lot of stuff was exposed to the cold and wetness. Had 4 2 and a half to 3 hour missions, an ambush, route recon, raid, and area recon. Pretty fun, arty simulators, M14 snipers in the trees, and us with the M16's. Got done with the missions, then cleaned rifles for about 3 hours. The M16 sucks to clean, so many details. Went to bed at 11, had half hour guard shift, and 3 hours of sleep. Okay, here's the kick in the teeth, woke up at 0500, dead tired, achy, wet, cold, etc. for a 7 mile ruck march up and down very steep hills in the snow and then rain. One of our instructors, an SF Master SGT, led it, man does he have some wheels! Got done with that, wiped down the rifles, and went back to the barracks for food, sleep, and a shower.

I know it kinda sounds like I'm bitching a little bit here, but I'm not. It was hard, cold and wet, but we made it through as a team. Looking out for the man to your right and left is what its all about, there's no room for individuality. Its all about teamwork. Looking back on it, it was worth it.

I hope y'all's weekends were great. Have an awesome week everyone!