Sunday, Sept 15th, 2013

9/11 has passed.  Wondering what the thoughts at boot camp on the day of recollection.   Twelve years ago.  Mac would have been 7.  I was living in the mobile home but I think she had moved back to her mom's earlier that year.

Looking at Ft Leonard Wood graduation dates, it will either be Nov 7th or Nov 14th.  7th, I am pretty certain.   She must be in D Company 3-10th.   Will try to confirm that tomorrow.

Looks like it's overcast and 80's this week in MO.  50's overnight.  Could be muggy for marching, but being out of the sun can be a blessing.  

Tomorrow starts week 3 for her.   25% finished already!   Passed the shock of adjusting to, "Yes, Drill Sergeant,"   "More PT Drill Sergeant!"    Continued daily marches.  

Recruits begin training with pugil sticks, methods for carrying an unconscious or immobile person, and physical problem solving, such as finding a way to carry equipment from point A to point B given specific obstacles and constraints.

Recruits are also commonly sent to the "gas chamber" during this week, which is a large, sealed chamber where soldiers are subjected to CS gas while wearing their protective masks. The gas chamber is the culmination of a series of classroom instructions on gas mask use. Recruits are forced to unmask just before exiting the chamber, so that they can briefly experience the effects of the gas. Drill sergeants will usually ask each recruit to recite information while they are unmasked, such as name, social security number, or the Pledge of Allegiance, so that the recruit is forced to open their mouth/eyes and/or take a breath while demonstrating continued focus. Recruits that answer incorrectly are sometimes sent for another trip through the gas chamber.

Week 3 is also when the recruits are introduced to their standard-issue weapon, the M16A2 assault rifle or the M4 carbine. This does not yet involve the actual firing of the rifle. It does include Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) fundamentals training (instruction in marksmanship techniques without firing the rifle), as well as maintenance tasks, including "field stripping" (quickly disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling) the rifle. Many of these tasks are now done during Week 1 as a part of the initial round of classroom instruction.

Time	Activity	Description
0430	First Call	Wake up and perform personal morning tasks. For males, shaving is mandatory every morning.
0500	Physical Training (PT)	Line up in company area, perform morning physical training (calisthenics and running).
0600	Breakfast
0630	Training	Begin the day's scheduled training exercises.
1200	Lunch
1230	Training	Continue the day's scheduled training exercises.
1700	Dinner
1730	Drill sergeant time	Time for drill sergeants to talk to the recruits about any subject they may think requires attention. Mail call is also performed during this time.
2000	Personal time	Time for recruits to engage in personal activities, such as writing letters, doing laundry, showering, or simply relaxing. Recruits may also catch up on platoon duties during this time, such as barracks cleaning or wall locker organization.
2100	Lights-out