First Aid First, Then the Guns

I am exhausted. On top of the previously mentioned side-effects from the shots, I've had to make formation at 0600 and 0530, respectively, and spend a 13-hour and an 11-hour day going through a variety of training sessions, spending about half of this time in the central Georgia heat and humidity. (Unseasonably cool, I'm told, at 90-95.)

Yesterday we went through a series of sessions on first aid (evaluating a casualty, calling for medivac, treating abdominal, chest, and head wounds) and IEDs/unexploded ordnance (including walking through a trail/road set up with trip wires, mines, booby-trapped cars, etc.). Almost all of it was useful -- and, I have to say, taught in an interesting manner -- but at a certain point it just becomes hard to absorb anything. I wonder why they didn't do some of the training Monday-Tuesday, to sop up some of the ridiculous wait times that regular (aka not "distinguished") visitors have to endure.

Today was equally educational but a lot more fun. My body was less achy -- especially the arm that took the tetanus shot --and I got a full night's (more or less) sleep, having collapsed at about 2100 last night. Just in time for gun day: Some contractors (and, of course, all military) had to "qualify" but I was just there to learn what to do if I'm ever in a situation to use a gun. (Of course, if it comes to that, we're in a whole lot of trouble.)

The CRC cadre was nice enough to let me draw an M9 (9mm pistol) and I learned how to operate and maintain it before going to the range to shoot at man-sized targets popping up out of berms in the field. And you know what? I qualified as a marksman! Watch out al Qaeda...

Then we went over to shoot M16s (assault rifles). These guns have automatic ("machine gun") capabilities, but we just shot them as semi-automatic.






I found the M-16 much more difficult -- and the qualification standards are higher. Only six contractors had to qualify but, even though I did better than several of them on the M9, I could not match them now. So I guess I'll stick to handguns.