Part 3 - Making of an infantryman

Well, we pushed off and got hit with and IED (improvised explosive device). We had to carry 3 or 4 guys, and their rucks for awhile. And this was the beginning of the bayonet, a tradition passed down, cycle after cycle.

The first real station, we had to carry the 2 biggest guys on stretchers. Next station was to carry full sand bags to another location. Keep in mind we still have our heavy ruck, raining weather, up and and down the hills, and through forest. Next was the tires. One 150 lbs. and the other human goods tire that was literally as tall as me! By this time, we caught another platoon, but the big tire rolled off into the woodune and was a disaster! Then we had to hump mannequins and ammo cans full of sand. Lastly, the most painful was the two logs. All this accumulated to about 4 miles. An UPU was finally awarded for chow, but h-e-l-l was not finished. No earlier than 2100 hour, we started the final 8 miles of FTX.

It was still pouring, we were doing 12 or 15 min. miles, crazy fast. It was hill after hills. After about 4 miles in, right before 'stairway to heaven' (3 huge hills one after another), we stopped for a water refuel break and an emergency. God showed His mercy on us and gave someone a high temperature. Heat casualty. Fell out. 106.8 temperature. Poor guy! Rushed to the hospital and still not back. But due to that, the whole company unloaded their rucks and finished with the rubber duckies, flick, camel back, and PC. We swapped out our M4's for the rubber duckies or plastic M16's, our flick includes 2 canteens, 3 M4 double mag pouches, grenade and flash pouches, and our PC is our patrol cap. So the last 4 miles were a lot easier, and finally, just before 0100 hour, we arrived at Honor Hill. They had smoke grenades, flares, flashes, pretty much all the leftover ammo from FTX going off as we walked in. When I walked through the gates, it looked like a tribal ceremony. They had torches, 2 bonfires, tall wooden gates... so that night, we became infantryman. Finally! We got our cross rifles and congratulated by many honorable men. We finally made it! I made it! It's done!

We finally go back around 0300 and had to wake up at 0600. However, it was an easy day. I actually didn't feel like an army robot that day.

We've been cleaning our equipment in the last few days so they can be turned in by Mon or Tue. Last night, dinner chow was burgers, pizza and all that great terrible stuff! And even ice cream! But it didn't stop there. They took us to a classroom where we ate while watched you tube videos and a movie. That was heaven! Especially after the past 12 weeks, the DS have been easing off too. Well, may be they're still recovering too. I saw one of them limping after the ruck, amazing huh? The movie we saw was 'We were Soldiers' or something like that. It was based off of Charlie I-50, the first graduating class. It's a good movie. Our company doesn't get many privileges like others because of its prestigious and honorable history. Kinda cool, huh? Well, my hands are tired, so I'm gonna go. Hope to talk to you soon. Love ya guys!

PFC Guido
I am the infantry! Follow me!