Motorcade Training

Yesterday and today's training was pretty fun. Yesterday we were at the shooting range learning the style of shooting we are expected to use while performing VIP security details should we come under attack. Once they taught us correct methods using both the M9 and M16, the day culminated with what the call they transition drill. Basically we are moving around as if we are walking with a VIP and then all of a sudden we come under attack. We have to move the VIP out of harms way while at the same time engaging our target. What they throw into the mix is your weapon is filled with random amounts of ammunition so you have to transfer from one weapon to the other when one runs out of ammo. This happens a total of 14 times. It sucks. Meanwhile the instructors are yelling at you throwing rocks at you pulling and tugging at you etc to raise your stress level. All while running the VIP to cover. It was pretty intense. I was beat at the end of the day.



Today we trained on operating in a motorcade while transporting a VIP, which was also fun. We got to push the Humvees to their limits. Executing various high speed turns and learning how to "read your vehicle" and different types of braking techniques like threshold braking. Surprisingly I got a few compliments on my driving. In the beginning of the day I was mowing down cones and by the end everyone wanted to ride with me. We have one more day of training I believe and then our final day which will combine all of the training we've had this week in a real time scenario. Can't wait!


Iraqi Army attempting to do jumping jacks:

Same old....

Not much new to report on today. The training has been pretty fun. I can't get into too much detail for security reasons. Today we focused on dealing with situations where fans are trying to shake hands with the VIP and/or get autographs. I never knew how much small details made such a big difference. Since I don't have much to talk about, I have put up a video. This video is a commercial my squad leader here did. He is the big guy on the right. The commercial is for a company similar to Comcast our way just up in NY/NJ. Its called Optimum. He is every bit intimidating here as he appears in the commercial.

Now you're talking...

This is the training I've been waiting for. Protective Services Detail aka High Risk Personnel Security Team aka Bodyguard. At least it sounds like the training I've been waiting for. The course is eight days long so I'm not 100% sure what they have in store for us, but they've mentioned motorcade driving, anti-ambush training, instinctive firearms training and stuff like that. They also mentioned evasive driving. Like the famed "pit maneuver", "J" turns and ramming through vehicle blockades.

The basis for the training is for when we have to escort VIP's. A VIP could be a celebrity, high ranking military, dignitaries, ambassadors, senators, etc. Today was all classroom material, thank God, because my heel was killing me. Hopefully it gets better before this training picks up speed. I thought about posting a picture of my blister, but I'll spare you. So instead here is a pic of me in class trying to stay awake.

Land Navigation

I'm sure you were all watching the news to see if there was a story of a Sailor trying to be a Soldier and missing somewhere in the Washington State Mountains. Well, I made it out. So if you do see that on the news, don't fret, its not me. Started out the morning in a classroom learning how to read these maps and magnetic direction, grid direction etc. Its actually rather complicated. Its nothing like the maps I'm used to seeing. The first part of the outdoors portion we had to find a location using only a map, and the second portion we had to find 2 locations with only a compass using the Azimuth technique. I'm not even going to even try to explain it. You can click on the word azimuth if you really, really, really wanna know.

So anywho, I made it to my locations, I did get a little lost. Actually I was going in the right direction and didn't trust myself and went a little off my track. I was also one of the last people to finish, but I finished.

A few of you had asked if my uniforms fit. Yeah, they do fit, although today was my first day wearing the complete uniform with the boots. Walking in the woods 3 miles in brand new boots didn't go over too well. I've a got a pair of nasty blisters on my heels. So I'm not quite sure if there not a good fit or it was just the fact that they were new.

I apologize in advance....

Today was a pretty good day. When I woke up today I was pretty pumped up for the scheduled training. UCP. Unarmed Combatives Program. Also known as MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). I've been wanting to take lessons/train in MMA for some time now and haven't really gotten around to it. The Army has 4 levels. We only got to do an INTRODUCTION to level 1. It was about as basic as you can get. Most of the stuff was things I learned from wrestling in Highschool and watching UFC on TV. Well, maybe a little more advanced than that but you get the picture. What I didnt take into account when getting excited this morning was the Army motto "Train like you fight, Fight like you train". Which means we were doing all of these moves in 50lbs of gear. After about 10 minutes I had had enough.

Now I'm sure some of you are wondering what I was apologizing for. I am about to tell a story and it contains some language some of you may not approve of, but I said it and found the story funny and felt I should share it. So I apologize in advance. For all of the training we do, we finish them with an After Action Report. They go around the room and ask us for things that could improve the training and things we think they should sustain. For almost every training there is this Lueitannt that always asks for something moronic and usually makes us sailors look soft. Like "I think the chairs in the classroom should have more padding" or "the coffee wasnt hot enough" or my favorite "how big are the spiders in Kuwait?". These questions and comments are annoying and whenever he riases his hand a round of sighs falls upon the room. What is he going to say now type of thing.

So today was no different. It was different for me though because it is hand to hand combat training. Tough guy stuff, and like I said it was basic. No striking or anything, just a couple takedowns and arm locks and stuff. So what is the first thing this Leiutannt says? "You should give us pads and mouthgaurds". A few chuckles let out and then I say out loud in front of everybody......."Would you like them to supply you with a tampon too sir?" A roar of laughter lets out and then everyones eyes focuses on the Leuitennant. It sinks in. He is our boss. He is about 8 ranks ahead of me. He doesn't look amused. You could hear a pin drop.

Now everyone is staring at me. You hear a few "ooooh"s. "You're done man". Things of that nature. So now I'm worried. As soon as the class adjourns he makes a b-line right for me. Stick a fork in me. I'm done. He says "haha, that was a good one man, you got me". Whew! Boy was I relieved. So now its funny again. He is from Bucks County and we talk about Philly sports now and again, so maybe thats what saved me. But enough walking the tight rope for me. That was too close.

We also had a brief about a brief we are going to recieve tomorrow. You read that right. A breif about a breif. Just go with the flow right. Anyway, apparently I will be dropped in a forest tomorrow with a map, a whistle and a compass and have to find my way back. Whats with the whistle you ask? Thats if I get lost. I am supposed to start blowing that whistle so when they send the lookout party it will be easier for them to find me. Originally the told us we would be in groups of 3-5. But I guess that info was incorrect. I'll be alone. Hopefully I didn't get my sense of direction from my mother.

I didnt forget about you

The last few days have been pretty long and not all that exciting so I haven't had much to write about. So here is another video to keep you entertained until my next instalment.

It's been a long day...

Today was our longest day so far. We started around 630am, and just finished up around 1030pm. We were at the shooting range the whole time. I'm pretty beat. We shot the M16 and the M9 (Beretta 9mm). I've shot both before, but its been awhile for the m16 (4 years) and I've never shot pop-up targets with the M9. So I was a little nervous about passing. I passed both first time up. I cut it close with the M16 though. It kind of funny though because we also shot both weapons at night and in pitch black darkness. I got perfect scores on both weapons. Normally it would be the other way around, but hey, I'll take it any way I can get it. Below is a picture of my first target. This is what they use to "zero in". It's for the M16. The purpose of zeroing in is to adjust the front and rear sights of the weapon to ensure your shots are on target. The target is on a regular 11 x 7 paper and is placed about 25 meters away. The distance and the size of the target shows where you would hit if that were a full size target 300 meters away.



The big news is that I finally got my uniforms in today. Tomorrow I will inventory the bag and try everything on. Hopefully all of that goes well. If you're lost click Really... to learn about my uniform issue.