Ramblings About My Recent Life
<div class="IPBDescription">My Weekend - interesting for once...</div> Came back from Esquimalt today... that would be the area where I participated in "Soldier for a Day", (aka, "A Softened 3 Day Taste of what Canadian Boot Camp is Like). I must say, in spite of the oh so many errors I made, the weekend still rocked.
I basically got off school 40 minutes early on Thursday to get to the military regiment building in Vancouver. From there we get a bus ride to the ferry terminal and float over to the British Columbia's capital of Victoria where the bus ride continues to the military reserve base.
Let's skip directly to my shortcommings, shall we?
<b>1. Sleep</b> - I was so damn sure that I wouldn't be screwing this up... sure we slept at 2300 and woke at 0500, but in books, that's a **** load of sleep! Two days last week, I managed to scramble off with three hours of sleep, but with ride to school, I manage to get through pretty much all my classes, (like 3 1/2 of my 4 courses). At the base, I start off with no problems, they wake us up at 5, we get a brief time to get ourselves ready, then do physical training. It is only into the afternoon that I start winding down; I'm still alert enough outside, but when we're in class, I just keep dozing. That was just for Friday though, on Saturday, I forced myself to remain standing in class to resist sleep, cause the disciplinary reprimand was that our entire platoon would all be made to do push-ups. When I dozed off the first time, they didn't do this, but I was damned if I was going to make the same mistake the second time, so I stood standing in my next class, but it didn't matter anyways; someone else fell asleep, and we went out to do push-ups anyways. Yipee.
<b>2. Bad memory</b> - I know I'm pretty bad with people's names, and these three days completely highlighted my inability to address my superiors properly. We were led by two corporals and one master corporal throughout this weekend. At their ranks, you address them by, (surprise, surprise), their ranks! Only commissioned officers are addressed as sir/madam. Too many times I addressed the MC as just a C, and a C as an MC. Sometimes I'd say sir, on one occasion I nearly used Bombadier, (the artillery regiment equivalent of a corporal), and I think I actually addressed a corporal as a "course senior" - THAT is a appointed student that leads our platoon, NOT a rank of any military personnel whatsoever. I'm not sure how I got away with this, even though I added corporal at the end of the question I asked, but thank God. One person made a simply address error, and our platoon got push-ups. If they did that with all the mistakes I made, I would of been flogged by my peers.
<b>3. DON'T TOUCH THE TRIGGER</b> - Of course at this stage, we're not going to be given live ammunition, but of course that doesn't mean we can screw around with the real, but unbolted weapons they let us practice loading/unloading with. Some of you might think what's the big deal, but ****, it IS a big deal. Anyways, we’re working with the C7 rifle, (Canadianized M-16) the corporal told us to keep our finger away from the damn trigger. He suggested we keep our finger reaching the magazine, and made a quick mention about keeping it under the trigger guard if our fingers were too short. I forgot about him mentioning the second suggestion, and when first reaching the magazine, it felt odd with my finger stretched out like that. When I re-adjusted my fingering, I left it by the trigger - got a good yell for that, and a group warning that anyone else keeping their finger anywhere near there would be sent to the back of the room. Oddly enough, the person next to me ended up making the same mistake, so he had to sit out for one round before he got to handle the rifle again. May not sound like anything big, but heck, I every time I put my right hand on the rifle, I had to check to see that I put my finger under the guard. There were actually quite a few rifle mishaps by other people... mainly due to the people not being able to prevent the empty magazines from smacking the floor. They got sent back as well... In real basic training, all these errors contribute to the collective pool of push-ups.
In continuing with rifle mishaps, we had a computer simulation at another base, where there were CO2 powered rifles hooked to a giant TV screen where we played a simulated game. Damn I’m weak… I could not for the life of me aim and shoot at the prone position. I HAD to kneel in order to do ANYTHING. I thought we had to stay in prone though, so I wasted a whole lot of time steadying my C7. Eventually, I was informed I could kneel, but even if I had this knowledge with me, I would of still been able to have accomplished nothing. Reasons:
1. I still thought of rifles in an old fashioned sense. With each shot I took, I thought I needed to re-**** the weapon. Could someone reintroduce me to the twentieth century?
2. Although technically I was still shooting bullets in spite of problem 1, problem 2 posed a more damning problem in that when I pulled back the hammer, I didn’t pull it completely. I began to sense something was wrong when my shots didn’t make any noise after the 2nd simulation…
After faults one and two were corrected, I thought I would finally be ready. Unfortunately, we had entered the video simulation, where certain scenarios were acted out and you had to quickly act appropriately. I was teamed up with TOO gung-ho peers who were more than trigger happy. In the first scenario, we basically had a kid come up to these soldiers on screen. The soldier asks the kid, “Can I see some ID please?”
<b>*BANG*</b>
<i>Corporal: What the hell are you doing? He simply asked to see the kid’s ID and you shoot the kid?</i>
Next scenario…
Basically we enter this house where there’s a supposed disturbance. We enter the house and at the foyer, there’s a split upstairs and downstairs. I tell my crew, in spite of the HUGE difficulty I had holding my rifle that I would focus on the bottom. Shortly after saying that, a hostage comes crying for help on the top.
<b>*BANG*</b>
<i>Corporal: Normally, I would let you guys run through the simulation again. But since you guys weren’t paying attention, I’m not going to let you.</i>
That was fun… <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif'><!--endemo--> Parents who think being addicted to FPSs will make you a killer… well… I am living proof that they should shut the hell up.
Anyways, overall, the weekend rocked. I think that in spite of the PT, I got out from the base a little less fit cause I ate like a mofo. Case in point:
Average Breakfast at home:
2 Eggos
1 Small Glass of milk
½ Vitamin Tablet
Breakfast at the Military:
2 Pancakes
1 Cut of Ham
6 Strips of Bacon
1 Scoop of Hash Brown
1 Serving of Omelette mixed with cheese
1 Glass of V8 Tomato Juice
½ Glass of Grapefruit Juice
1 Bowl of Assorted Fruits
- The top one was the last breakfast I had, and I actually couldn’t manage to finish the last two pieces of grapefruit in my bowl since we had to leave. A guy in my platoon actually had to help carry my tray, glass, and bowls away, while I scrambled to finish off and digest the last pieces of fruit I had bulging in my mouth. At least my gluttonous tendencies are gone now that I’m home… GET INTO MY BELLY!!!
And as surprising as it was, I got a wicked evaluation. My corporal gave me all 4s on my evaluation sheet, except for my fitness, which I got a 3. They told me enthusiasm was high, and I gave a good effort, but I KNOW I can do better. When I sign up for basic training, I’m going to make sure enthusiasm isn’t my only saving grace.
Anyways… my dad came to pick me up today at around 1930 hours...
Within five minutes of driving me back, he tells me he’s going to remarry.
This December.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
An eventful weekend for once…
I need to continue to unpack and finish my homework now.
Good night.
I basically got off school 40 minutes early on Thursday to get to the military regiment building in Vancouver. From there we get a bus ride to the ferry terminal and float over to the British Columbia's capital of Victoria where the bus ride continues to the military reserve base.
Let's skip directly to my shortcommings, shall we?
<b>1. Sleep</b> - I was so damn sure that I wouldn't be screwing this up... sure we slept at 2300 and woke at 0500, but in books, that's a **** load of sleep! Two days last week, I managed to scramble off with three hours of sleep, but with ride to school, I manage to get through pretty much all my classes, (like 3 1/2 of my 4 courses). At the base, I start off with no problems, they wake us up at 5, we get a brief time to get ourselves ready, then do physical training. It is only into the afternoon that I start winding down; I'm still alert enough outside, but when we're in class, I just keep dozing. That was just for Friday though, on Saturday, I forced myself to remain standing in class to resist sleep, cause the disciplinary reprimand was that our entire platoon would all be made to do push-ups. When I dozed off the first time, they didn't do this, but I was damned if I was going to make the same mistake the second time, so I stood standing in my next class, but it didn't matter anyways; someone else fell asleep, and we went out to do push-ups anyways. Yipee.
<b>2. Bad memory</b> - I know I'm pretty bad with people's names, and these three days completely highlighted my inability to address my superiors properly. We were led by two corporals and one master corporal throughout this weekend. At their ranks, you address them by, (surprise, surprise), their ranks! Only commissioned officers are addressed as sir/madam. Too many times I addressed the MC as just a C, and a C as an MC. Sometimes I'd say sir, on one occasion I nearly used Bombadier, (the artillery regiment equivalent of a corporal), and I think I actually addressed a corporal as a "course senior" - THAT is a appointed student that leads our platoon, NOT a rank of any military personnel whatsoever. I'm not sure how I got away with this, even though I added corporal at the end of the question I asked, but thank God. One person made a simply address error, and our platoon got push-ups. If they did that with all the mistakes I made, I would of been flogged by my peers.
<b>3. DON'T TOUCH THE TRIGGER</b> - Of course at this stage, we're not going to be given live ammunition, but of course that doesn't mean we can screw around with the real, but unbolted weapons they let us practice loading/unloading with. Some of you might think what's the big deal, but ****, it IS a big deal. Anyways, we’re working with the C7 rifle, (Canadianized M-16) the corporal told us to keep our finger away from the damn trigger. He suggested we keep our finger reaching the magazine, and made a quick mention about keeping it under the trigger guard if our fingers were too short. I forgot about him mentioning the second suggestion, and when first reaching the magazine, it felt odd with my finger stretched out like that. When I re-adjusted my fingering, I left it by the trigger - got a good yell for that, and a group warning that anyone else keeping their finger anywhere near there would be sent to the back of the room. Oddly enough, the person next to me ended up making the same mistake, so he had to sit out for one round before he got to handle the rifle again. May not sound like anything big, but heck, I every time I put my right hand on the rifle, I had to check to see that I put my finger under the guard. There were actually quite a few rifle mishaps by other people... mainly due to the people not being able to prevent the empty magazines from smacking the floor. They got sent back as well... In real basic training, all these errors contribute to the collective pool of push-ups.
In continuing with rifle mishaps, we had a computer simulation at another base, where there were CO2 powered rifles hooked to a giant TV screen where we played a simulated game. Damn I’m weak… I could not for the life of me aim and shoot at the prone position. I HAD to kneel in order to do ANYTHING. I thought we had to stay in prone though, so I wasted a whole lot of time steadying my C7. Eventually, I was informed I could kneel, but even if I had this knowledge with me, I would of still been able to have accomplished nothing. Reasons:
1. I still thought of rifles in an old fashioned sense. With each shot I took, I thought I needed to re-**** the weapon. Could someone reintroduce me to the twentieth century?
2. Although technically I was still shooting bullets in spite of problem 1, problem 2 posed a more damning problem in that when I pulled back the hammer, I didn’t pull it completely. I began to sense something was wrong when my shots didn’t make any noise after the 2nd simulation…
After faults one and two were corrected, I thought I would finally be ready. Unfortunately, we had entered the video simulation, where certain scenarios were acted out and you had to quickly act appropriately. I was teamed up with TOO gung-ho peers who were more than trigger happy. In the first scenario, we basically had a kid come up to these soldiers on screen. The soldier asks the kid, “Can I see some ID please?”
<b>*BANG*</b>
<i>Corporal: What the hell are you doing? He simply asked to see the kid’s ID and you shoot the kid?</i>
Next scenario…
Basically we enter this house where there’s a supposed disturbance. We enter the house and at the foyer, there’s a split upstairs and downstairs. I tell my crew, in spite of the HUGE difficulty I had holding my rifle that I would focus on the bottom. Shortly after saying that, a hostage comes crying for help on the top.
<b>*BANG*</b>
<i>Corporal: Normally, I would let you guys run through the simulation again. But since you guys weren’t paying attention, I’m not going to let you.</i>
That was fun… <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif'><!--endemo--> Parents who think being addicted to FPSs will make you a killer… well… I am living proof that they should shut the hell up.
Anyways, overall, the weekend rocked. I think that in spite of the PT, I got out from the base a little less fit cause I ate like a mofo. Case in point:
Average Breakfast at home:
2 Eggos
1 Small Glass of milk
½ Vitamin Tablet
Breakfast at the Military:
2 Pancakes
1 Cut of Ham
6 Strips of Bacon
1 Scoop of Hash Brown
1 Serving of Omelette mixed with cheese
1 Glass of V8 Tomato Juice
½ Glass of Grapefruit Juice
1 Bowl of Assorted Fruits
- The top one was the last breakfast I had, and I actually couldn’t manage to finish the last two pieces of grapefruit in my bowl since we had to leave. A guy in my platoon actually had to help carry my tray, glass, and bowls away, while I scrambled to finish off and digest the last pieces of fruit I had bulging in my mouth. At least my gluttonous tendencies are gone now that I’m home… GET INTO MY BELLY!!!
And as surprising as it was, I got a wicked evaluation. My corporal gave me all 4s on my evaluation sheet, except for my fitness, which I got a 3. They told me enthusiasm was high, and I gave a good effort, but I KNOW I can do better. When I sign up for basic training, I’m going to make sure enthusiasm isn’t my only saving grace.
Anyways… my dad came to pick me up today at around 1930 hours...
Within five minutes of driving me back, he tells me he’s going to remarry.
This December.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
An eventful weekend for once…
I need to continue to unpack and finish my homework now.
Good night.
Comments
Very cool.
*BANG*<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Why didn't you F4?
tobad you got stuck with a bunch of chukle heads for your squad in the sim (that woulda been cool to play with <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->:)
btw...
wth is a 'Canadianized M-16'??
sory but with me being from the US its just to tempting to rip in on something like that <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->