Camp McCrady - Convoy Training

Our last exercise before heading overseas. Another very early start to get to the range. While waiting to do the actual convoy exercise our group gets instructions on conducting a "Sand Table"

mission rehearsal, followed by instruction on counter-IED (Improvised Explosive Device) electronic equipment, followed by a walk through what is euphemistically called the "Petting Zoo" - a series of stations featuring different types of IEDs (victim actuated, command actuated, suicide bomber, etc.). Out last set of instructions before our convoy exercise started covered manning a checkpoint and training on searching people and vehicles. For the exercise I was the Truck Commander of the lead vehicle. We simulated encountering an IED that knocked me unconscious and injured my ear. The final exam would be the next day and we would then just have to turn in our loner weapons and clean the barracks.

Camp McCrady - Buddy Carries

Because our group was not able to finish the first-aid training from yesterday, we started first thiung in the morning and resumed the first aid class. The Drill Instructors wanted to get everyone motivated so the class mustered outside to have series of relays practicing various combat buddy carries - fireman's lift, piggy-back lift, and two-man seated carry. This was lot's of fun but also quite tiring carrying someone who weighs as much or maybe more than you do.

Camp McCrady - Drill Instructors & Chow

Camp McCrady has its own Dining Facility, known as the DFAC to the Army and known as the Galley to the Navy. The food was served fast to accommodate so many people in training.

The Drill Instructors were all excellent - patient and knowledgeable, and humorous as well. They liked training us Navy guys.

Camp McCrady - Heavy Weapons Familiarization

Another wicked cold morning spent freezing our asses of in the bleachers as we waited for the range to open up - operators, ammunition, etc. Time we felt could have been better spent getting more sleep. However, since this range was named the Bastogne Range, and knowing that Bastogne was surrounded in Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, I felt I would stop complaining and be thankful I am not deploying to a real combat zone.

The actual amount of firing was limited to a couple of short bursts with each weapon - the 50mm caliber Heavy Machine Gun, and two types of 30mm caliber Squad Automatic Weapons. Aimed my shots at an Armored Personnel Carrier located about 800m downrange. The Drill Instructors encouraged folks to yell out "motivational" sayings as one fired the 50 cal HMG. One woman in front of me yelled "Its Plastic, its not Recyclable!" Another guy yelled "Yeahaw, Jester's Dead!" recalling a famous line from the movie Top Gun. Not having anything particularly pithy in mind, I just yelled out a line from a bumper sticker I once saw that is meant to offend everyone - something about Nukes, Whales, etc.

Camp McCrady - Reflex Fire & Stress Test Range

This day was dedicated to qualifying in the reflexive fire discipline - close range, quick reaction shooting. The second part of the training was a simulated, high stress shoot where the Drill Instructors would yell and keep you unverved all while you ere trying to shoot at targets from different firing positions - standing, kneeling, and lying (prone) on the ground. One had to run to each station and conduct an ammo reload during the exercise. Each person starts from inside a Humvee and the fun begins!

Camp McCrady - 9mm Qualification

As an officer deploying to Djibouti, I am required to qualify with the 9mm pistol. The qualification range starts back at 25m. The qualifier needs to jog in place for 2 minutes to get their heart rate up then the shooting sequence begins - Shots from Standing position (braced against a post), prone or lying down on your belly, crouching stance looking through a window frame, kneeling stance behind a barrier and then a final point-blank shot from 3m away. In between there is two ammo reloads. The process is repeated. The weather again was very cold, but once we got going the adrenaline kicks in. Luckily I qualified at the middle Sharp-Shooter level.

Camp McCrady - M16 Firing Range with IBA

An earlier morning start ~04:30 wake up, 05:30 breakfast, 0600 board buses. Arrive at firing range ~06:30, sit in the cold for about an hour then receive a safety brief and then the training really begins. While one group is shooting the other groups are waiting to shoot or receive Chemical/Biological/Radiation suit training. Lunch time consists of Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) standing up.