Sunday, July 6, 2008

Rifle Range Week

Range time is over finally! It consisted of me getting up at 0300 every day and being at 'mando chow' each morning by 0415. The days typically got me home around 1900 (7 p.m.) which was just enough time to toss the cammies in the laundry, eat, and go to sleep. I did get expert (5th award) on the rifle and sharpshooter (again) on the pistol. I haven't fired the rifle each year I've been in or the ladder would be a little bit higher of a number. :)




This is right after getting back from the 'movement' back to the BOQ. Keep in mind that I am not the type to sweat very much during physical activity. You should have seen my sun burn before!!

This is the gear we have to wear during the Table 2 and 3 shoots. Table 3 was actually pretty cool because we got to shoot at pop-up targets at unknown distances. Oh yeah, they were moving as well. It didn't count for score which added to the entertainment value. We were able to just get out there and shoot!

This next week is all about the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). The goal is to get the entire company to Tan Belt before the end of the week. I'm already a Brown Belt Martial Arts Instructor (MAI or just Instructor) so I'll probably just be assisting in the training of the others. The LT's with no belt only have to go through 3 days of training and then a test day and they are going to be given their Tan Belt's. I'm quite upset about that because it is no where near the prerequisite number of hours. When you start doing things like that, you cheapen the program. I guarantee those LT's are going to be the same ones that get to the fleet and expect to be allowed to cut corners for future belts. And you know what? I can't blame them after the initial experiences the will have had with MCMAP.

Oh well, such is life right? :) I hope everyone is doing well and I'll talk to you later! Take care and God bless.

Mike~