Friday, April 30, 2010
30Apri2010
Okay everybody....in case you didn't get the message....Ryan got his call...after his two week break to get married, he (and we are assuming Tasha) will report to Alaska!! Unknown which base yet. There are three possiblities...Fort Wainwright...Fort Richardson or Ft. Greely. I will let you know when I know.
23Apr2010
Hey Everyone,
So I just got back from STT, which is training in movements and defensive fighting tactics. I called it a campout which it was. LOL. So we left Wednesday morning for AO Goodblood range. We got to the huge area whith tons of holes that have been dug up and filled back in over the years, and tons and tons, and I mean tons of fire ants. They covered just about every inch of land and I am not exagurating. It was bad. They taught us a movement called "wedge behind wedge platoon file." It looks like an upside down V, well, no, better, it's like an upsidedown checkmark. It's made of four people and then they put us into a giant file so we had to wedge teams and three gunner teams.
After they showed us the movement we went down into the tree line. The recon team went to scout the area, which I was apart of, and found where we would set up base camp for the next couple days. Then we waited and waited for the rest of the platoon to show up. When they showed up, we set up a triangle security perimeter where we were in two man teams all the way around and then, my favorite part, we had to dig all day. We had to use our tiny little itty bity shovels to dig what called a hastings. They look like box letter Y's, but instead it's a flippin awesome hole for a two man team and their packs. YESSSS!!!!!! What sucked more was that weith each two man team, one person had to post security while the other was digging and then we would switch when their side was done.
So all night we slept in these holes with 50% of our platoon on security, which is one person from each team posts security at a time while the other slept for one hour. We did that all night, which was cool because we used nigh vision optic scopes to see. It was so cool. So the first night wasn't too bad. Just sleeping outside witha loaded weapon is just a bit different. LOL. The 2nd day was way better. We got all our blank ammunition and and loaded everyone with 100 rounds. We didn't do much, but the other platoon were constantly moving their base, which was hilarious.
Drill Sergeant Ballejo was going to have us pull off an ambush on the other platoons, but Drill Sergeant Nun didn't have to have fun. So the whole day we were making sure our base was completely secured. Everyone's hasting was complete and everyone had whatevercover they wanted for the night. Well, none of our DS's were there and all day we heard the other platoons getting attacked. (because it was a defensive fighting practice) The Drill Sergeants were going to each platoon and attacking them with grenades and weapons, trying to breach everyone's security except ours. When it came time for chow (dinner), no one was telling us to pack up to go to chow, but all the other platoons did. So we kept working until 40 minutes later, when DS Asienbury came running down the hill telling us to come eat and just leave two guards. We we all ran to chow, and the drill sergeants said that no one got us because they didn't know where we were at, which was awesome because an ambush on the other platoons would have been sweet to pull.
We came back and finished, and the drill sergeants came over to tell us that they are going to get us good and hard all night. 3rd platoon finally came and set up their base in the woodline south of our position where we used to dig holes so we could take a crap. So 3rd platoon was sleeping in our poo which was flippin awesome. So 2100 hit
(9pm) and 33% of our platoon pasted security with a M240 at our 6 o'clock and 2 o'clock, and M4's and M249's all over the perimeter. No one attacked for the first hour, and I finally went to sleep. Not too much long after I went to sleep, 20 minutes later, everyone to my left yelled "contact" and a couple of grenades went off, and I immediately launch out of my hole, grabbed my helmet and threw it on, picked up my rifle and started firing because I had night vision and saw DS Cramer and Eisenbrey attacking us.
So the DS's were attacking us with M4Carbine Assualt rifles and greandes, and 10 of us were just unloading our ammunition on them. It went on for about two minutes and then ended. I went back to sleep and woke up 40 minutes later and Jackson started unloading the M240 Machine gun yelling, then greandes starting going off and I launched out again and started unloading more rounds, yelling and flying over hastings, shooting at this time. Half our platoon was up and we were all unloading magazine after magazine for 40 minutes, and Jackson was just blasting away. 3rd platoon, who was 30 yards away saw more DS's and they were even unloading as much ammo as we were.
It went on all night.
Ryan
Sorry everyone....This is where Ryan's letter ended. He started the letter right before his 36 hour family visit weekend, and was not able to finish it prior to seeing me. He put it in my purse and intended to finish it, but when I left, he forget to take it back.
So I just got back from STT, which is training in movements and defensive fighting tactics. I called it a campout which it was. LOL. So we left Wednesday morning for AO Goodblood range. We got to the huge area whith tons of holes that have been dug up and filled back in over the years, and tons and tons, and I mean tons of fire ants. They covered just about every inch of land and I am not exagurating. It was bad. They taught us a movement called "wedge behind wedge platoon file." It looks like an upside down V, well, no, better, it's like an upsidedown checkmark. It's made of four people and then they put us into a giant file so we had to wedge teams and three gunner teams.
After they showed us the movement we went down into the tree line. The recon team went to scout the area, which I was apart of, and found where we would set up base camp for the next couple days. Then we waited and waited for the rest of the platoon to show up. When they showed up, we set up a triangle security perimeter where we were in two man teams all the way around and then, my favorite part, we had to dig all day. We had to use our tiny little itty bity shovels to dig what called a hastings. They look like box letter Y's, but instead it's a flippin awesome hole for a two man team and their packs. YESSSS!!!!!! What sucked more was that weith each two man team, one person had to post security while the other was digging and then we would switch when their side was done.
So all night we slept in these holes with 50% of our platoon on security, which is one person from each team posts security at a time while the other slept for one hour. We did that all night, which was cool because we used nigh vision optic scopes to see. It was so cool. So the first night wasn't too bad. Just sleeping outside witha loaded weapon is just a bit different. LOL. The 2nd day was way better. We got all our blank ammunition and and loaded everyone with 100 rounds. We didn't do much, but the other platoon were constantly moving their base, which was hilarious.
Drill Sergeant Ballejo was going to have us pull off an ambush on the other platoons, but Drill Sergeant Nun didn't have to have fun. So the whole day we were making sure our base was completely secured. Everyone's hasting was complete and everyone had whatevercover they wanted for the night. Well, none of our DS's were there and all day we heard the other platoons getting attacked. (because it was a defensive fighting practice) The Drill Sergeants were going to each platoon and attacking them with grenades and weapons, trying to breach everyone's security except ours. When it came time for chow (dinner), no one was telling us to pack up to go to chow, but all the other platoons did. So we kept working until 40 minutes later, when DS Asienbury came running down the hill telling us to come eat and just leave two guards. We we all ran to chow, and the drill sergeants said that no one got us because they didn't know where we were at, which was awesome because an ambush on the other platoons would have been sweet to pull.
We came back and finished, and the drill sergeants came over to tell us that they are going to get us good and hard all night. 3rd platoon finally came and set up their base in the woodline south of our position where we used to dig holes so we could take a crap. So 3rd platoon was sleeping in our poo which was flippin awesome. So 2100 hit
(9pm) and 33% of our platoon pasted security with a M240 at our 6 o'clock and 2 o'clock, and M4's and M249's all over the perimeter. No one attacked for the first hour, and I finally went to sleep. Not too much long after I went to sleep, 20 minutes later, everyone to my left yelled "contact" and a couple of grenades went off, and I immediately launch out of my hole, grabbed my helmet and threw it on, picked up my rifle and started firing because I had night vision and saw DS Cramer and Eisenbrey attacking us.
So the DS's were attacking us with M4Carbine Assualt rifles and greandes, and 10 of us were just unloading our ammunition on them. It went on for about two minutes and then ended. I went back to sleep and woke up 40 minutes later and Jackson started unloading the M240 Machine gun yelling, then greandes starting going off and I launched out again and started unloading more rounds, yelling and flying over hastings, shooting at this time. Half our platoon was up and we were all unloading magazine after magazine for 40 minutes, and Jackson was just blasting away. 3rd platoon, who was 30 yards away saw more DS's and they were even unloading as much ammo as we were.
It went on all night.
Ryan
Sorry everyone....This is where Ryan's letter ended. He started the letter right before his 36 hour family visit weekend, and was not able to finish it prior to seeing me. He put it in my purse and intended to finish it, but when I left, he forget to take it back.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
18Apr2010
Hey Everyone,
Sorry I haven't written anything lately. No really anything going on, mainly because I am on profile once again, for my right knee. I'm pushing myself to the extreme and parts on my body are really stressed to the point where I had to go to sick call twice and be put on profile twice for 3 days. This time I can't run, jump, crawl, march, pull-ups, and can't carry my ruck sack or my assault pack or anything over 15 lbs, which is retarded.
All week we have been at the Eagle Talon course where we have been training in 2 man teams, 4 man groups called fire teams and yesterday was a live fire exercise in fire teams, moving in 2 man teams by having fire teams split up so 2 guys move at once while the other 2 compress enemy fire, and then switch so we may reach our destination. I heard it was awesome and fun...I could not participate cuz of my profile. :( However, I was put in charge of all the profiles all day to have them clean B Co Barracks. That was cool. DS Ballejo told everyone to listen LOL. First leadership position. As Alma would say in 37:6 "Be small and simple things are great things come to pass..." We got alot done too which was really good.
As everyone knows I had my 4 hr pass last Sunday which was amazing. Talking to Tasha and her voice got me to push harder. Also, I was so hungry that I had ordered a medium pizza to myself and ate all, but 1 piece because my buddy Marborough wanted a slice. I was very huntry LOL. I have also been taking photos while in the bay so I can add some to facebook and send them out.....so photos soon. :)
Getting ready for BMS (Battle March N Shoot). That is happening either tomorrow or Tuesday. We are loading up our assault packs and in 2 squads from each platoon at a time. We are marching 2 miles to a Malone Range and when we get there we have to shoot 23 out of 40 targets. So we are prepared to win 1 more plaque which BTW, we won the physical fitness test plaque again by 15 points. 4th platoon Warlords are on a role. This time I got 53 push ups, 42 sit ups and a 13:20 2 mile. I found a new technique for sit ups so now I do 67 sit ups. Timing myself again so I can see how many I can do now. So, the next APFT I should have close to a 300 point score :) I'm way excited. If I can score a 300 that would be a 1 hr pass every Sunday w/a 15 minute phone call. LOL. I want it so I can eat more pizza.
Okay, so here is an update on my contract. I'm trying to get my Ranger contract, which I need a 300 so we'll see what happens. About sniper school.....I hear it's extremely hard. 3 of us want to go now, and DS Huntley told us its very difficult. Training wise. I need a 300, and I can't actually do anything til I get to my unit, and I need a 110 composite score, which I'm getting ready to study for. I don't know if I should get my Ranger contract now, or wait, because that means short leave and 8-9 more weeks of training.
I am also looking at apache pilot, so I can have a higher rank and it's way easier to get the MOs that I want.
Anyways, before my 36 hr pass this coming weekend, we have a small FTX which we are calling our "Company Campout" cuz it lasts only 3 days. We start Wednesday and return Friday and we train in Fire Team and squad movements, defensive fighting position camp set ups, and squad attacks. So alot of fun this week. YES
We got our class A dress suits on Tuesday, and I look pretty flippin sexy in my class As. I can't wait to wear them this weekend. Im way excited about this. I have been wearing my Baret everyday cux I look good. LOL. Just wait til pictures. LOL
Anyways, I gotta go. Got some more BOM (Book of Mormon) reading to do. I am almost done. YAY! almost done with my goal.
Well, I love you all, and miss you tons.
See you all in about 5 weeks.
Love Always,
Ryan
Sorry I haven't written anything lately. No really anything going on, mainly because I am on profile once again, for my right knee. I'm pushing myself to the extreme and parts on my body are really stressed to the point where I had to go to sick call twice and be put on profile twice for 3 days. This time I can't run, jump, crawl, march, pull-ups, and can't carry my ruck sack or my assault pack or anything over 15 lbs, which is retarded.
All week we have been at the Eagle Talon course where we have been training in 2 man teams, 4 man groups called fire teams and yesterday was a live fire exercise in fire teams, moving in 2 man teams by having fire teams split up so 2 guys move at once while the other 2 compress enemy fire, and then switch so we may reach our destination. I heard it was awesome and fun...I could not participate cuz of my profile. :( However, I was put in charge of all the profiles all day to have them clean B Co Barracks. That was cool. DS Ballejo told everyone to listen LOL. First leadership position. As Alma would say in 37:6 "Be small and simple things are great things come to pass..." We got alot done too which was really good.
As everyone knows I had my 4 hr pass last Sunday which was amazing. Talking to Tasha and her voice got me to push harder. Also, I was so hungry that I had ordered a medium pizza to myself and ate all, but 1 piece because my buddy Marborough wanted a slice. I was very huntry LOL. I have also been taking photos while in the bay so I can add some to facebook and send them out.....so photos soon. :)
Getting ready for BMS (Battle March N Shoot). That is happening either tomorrow or Tuesday. We are loading up our assault packs and in 2 squads from each platoon at a time. We are marching 2 miles to a Malone Range and when we get there we have to shoot 23 out of 40 targets. So we are prepared to win 1 more plaque which BTW, we won the physical fitness test plaque again by 15 points. 4th platoon Warlords are on a role. This time I got 53 push ups, 42 sit ups and a 13:20 2 mile. I found a new technique for sit ups so now I do 67 sit ups. Timing myself again so I can see how many I can do now. So, the next APFT I should have close to a 300 point score :) I'm way excited. If I can score a 300 that would be a 1 hr pass every Sunday w/a 15 minute phone call. LOL. I want it so I can eat more pizza.
Okay, so here is an update on my contract. I'm trying to get my Ranger contract, which I need a 300 so we'll see what happens. About sniper school.....I hear it's extremely hard. 3 of us want to go now, and DS Huntley told us its very difficult. Training wise. I need a 300, and I can't actually do anything til I get to my unit, and I need a 110 composite score, which I'm getting ready to study for. I don't know if I should get my Ranger contract now, or wait, because that means short leave and 8-9 more weeks of training.
I am also looking at apache pilot, so I can have a higher rank and it's way easier to get the MOs that I want.
Anyways, before my 36 hr pass this coming weekend, we have a small FTX which we are calling our "Company Campout" cuz it lasts only 3 days. We start Wednesday and return Friday and we train in Fire Team and squad movements, defensive fighting position camp set ups, and squad attacks. So alot of fun this week. YES
We got our class A dress suits on Tuesday, and I look pretty flippin sexy in my class As. I can't wait to wear them this weekend. Im way excited about this. I have been wearing my Baret everyday cux I look good. LOL. Just wait til pictures. LOL
Anyways, I gotta go. Got some more BOM (Book of Mormon) reading to do. I am almost done. YAY! almost done with my goal.
Well, I love you all, and miss you tons.
See you all in about 5 weeks.
Love Always,
Ryan
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