And so the training continues… today we did vehicle rollover training. Yes we did roll a vehicle. Well, not really. It was the body of an armored vehicle put onto a lift that simulates the roll over. Even though it’s a very slow roll I kinked my neck so bad. I forgot to tuck my chin. I can’t imagine what would have happened if we were going 50 miles an hour. Basically they roll the vehicle 180 degrees and then you have to get out while the vehicle is upside down. I wish you could see inside so you would know how tight of a fit it is and feel how heavy each door is, each one weighs approximately 400 lbs. It’s easy to get disoriented as to which way is which when your upside down, let alone opening that door from an awkward position. All I can say after this experience is wear your seat belt! I now know why people break their back and or neck in a car accident. Ouch!
Right Side Up
Upside Down
For the last couple of days we have been learning about the Army’s different weapon systems. I won’t give you all the names but basically we got to shoot big ass guns! From hand guns, to large ones you place on top of vehicles, to grenade launchers. To my nephew in Norway: yes they have lasers on them, red ones! A lot of fun I tell you. The Army is starting to train all deploying Soldiers on these weapons. Even if you don’t use it every day, if and when there comes a time you need to, you know how to operate it. As a medic, I can use any weapon necessary to defend and protect myself and my patients. So, if my gunner gets hurt in transport I can use his weapon to protect us both. Right now it is just good fun. Hopefully I will never have to actually use one.
Chelsea Kluge, Jennifer Ysmael, Jennifer Taylor, Adriana Galvan
So here I am, day 7 at Fort Hunter Liggett, California; the start of my mobilization to Iraq. For those of you that don’t know Fort Hunter Liggett is an Army Reserve training base whose mission is getting Soldiers ready to deploy. It is located approximately 3 hours south of San Francisco. Now granted I am here for training prior to going overseas but they are getting us in the mind set as if we are already there. I am exhausted! They are keeping us soooo busy. I can honestly say this is some of the best training I have ever received in my military career. I left for California last Monday, August 3rd. It was a sad good bye to all of my family and friends but mostly to my dear husband. I never imagined how hard it would be. It is a good thing my mind is busy most of the time with all this training or I would be a wreck. I can’t imagine what he is going through because I miss him sooo much! We have mostly focused on weapons training this last week. Today however, I had the best and scariest weapons training I have ever had. We did what’s called reflexive fire. This is when someone calls “threat to the…” left, right, rear, etc and you have to react, with a loaded rifle, with people around you that also have loaded rifles. You turn in the direction they say, point at the target and fire. Can you say nervous? Hell Yes! Needless to say no one was hurt or injured and the training went off well. It was actually really great. What an adrenaline rush.
While The Mr. has been sitting at home figuring out how to deal, I also learned a very valuable lesson today. I will no longer talk to family, friends or have my phone with me on the range or before any specific type of mission while down range. (For those of you that don’t know, down range or in the sand box both mean: while in Iraq) The reason for this is I have to be able to keep my head focused on the task at hand and not worrying about what is going on at home. This will keep me safe so that I can come home. I say this because not exactly before but a little while before I was about to go out to the firing line to complete this reflexive fire training, I received a text from The Mr. telling me that he posted a new blog. I thought hey great, I have the internet on my phone I’ll check it out. Well I started reading his last posting titled “A blank screen“ and got to the line that said “this SUCKS!” oh man, I got all worked up I couldn’t finish it. Not then. The emotions of not being with him completely overwhelmed me almost to the point that I couldn’t think straight. That is not what you need when you are about to be swinging weapons around with live ammunition in them. I tell you all this story so that you know when I don’t call it’s not because I don’t love and miss you with all my heart it’s because I can’t due to training, my mission, or I just need to keep my head clear so I can come home to you. When I talk to you, it reminds me of how much I miss you and how much I would rather be at home. Don’t worry everyone, I will call. Just not during the previous mentioned times.
Over all my training has been great thus far. Very thorough and actually quite fun. The weather is hot. Every day we work up a sweat and roll around in the dirt. Once you accept the fact that you will be carrying around at the very least 25 pounds of gear, getting dirty, hot and stinky, you just relax and have a good time with your friends as if you were not doing all that hard work. Speaking of friends. My closest friends here are an old friend CPT Jennifer Ysmael and my newest friend and battle buddy, SSG Adriana Galvan. So if you hear me talking about them, now you know. Jen might not be going with us to Iraq because she is currently an alternate; however the unit is working on changing that. For my sake, I hope they can add her to the list. As of right now I don’t know where I will end up. Even if I did know it would probably change 3 times before I got over there. Over the next year I will talk about what I do somewhat but I can’t be specific about locations and all my activities. The Army has rules about that kind of thing. Just know that I am thinking about you all and hope all is well. Take care and keep in touch. My personal email is 