Day: 14 April 2009

Day: 14 April 2009
Weather report: low 70’s and humidity very high and light rain

It is 0323hrs and I have to be at the PT area at 0400hrs. It is way early and is crazy to be up this early for an APFT. I did not sleep real well last night. I am worried about the APFT for some reason; guess I want to do my best. I know that I am ready, but there is always a small voice in there saying, “are you sure you’re ready for this”? Better get ready to go now. I had to take my wedding band off for training. They want allow us to wear any type of anything out to the training area. Feel very naked with out the extra weight from my ring not being on my finger is a very weird and unfamiliar feeling.

Formation was a mess, AGAIN! We had a roster number check and then marched to the gravel pit for push-ups and sit-ups. I completed my push-ups in less than one minute (42) and sit-ups in less than one minute (53) and my two mile run in 14:09. It was a great success! SFC Kirvin and a Marine First Sergeant and I have budded up and starting looking out of each other. We paced each other on the run and finished the first mile at 6:45. It was nice to have someone to pace you and keep each other going. As soon as we stopped and went back to our platoon area it began to rain. Most of the time it would be aggravating, but it was great refreshment after the run. There were people that failed the push-ups and sit-ups that I know of and I am certain that there are others that failed the run. It was sad to see two lonely canteen’s in the squad in front of me when we marched off to do the run. There were even more canteen’s left in the formation when we went back to our company are for dismissal for hygiene time. They were not kidding about the double-timing everywhere we go. As soon as we started marching back, “DOUBLE TIME, March” was called. Another half mile later we were back and getting ready for further instructions. We were told that on-post personal needed to be back in formation at 0800hrs and off-post personal needed to be in formation at 0845hrs, with helmet and canteen, ID card, and dog tags. They have not given us any additional information on the training for today, guess we’ll find out when we show up for formation.

I was thinking about Mary-Cohen and how she is going to have her four month old check-up and shots today. I will be thinking of her all day and wishing I was there to help her and Amanda. I know she will be fussy and want to be held all day. I sure do miss my little ones. Can’t wait to see them!

We have now starting signing and RUNNING everywhere we go; “Airborne, airborne, all the way, airborne, airborne, everyday; we like it here we love it here we finally found a home, a home, a home, a home away from home”. We have to sign it three times every time we start formation running. It has been a very long and eventful day in the training area. When we first arrived they put us in the bleachers so tight we were sitting on each other. The jumpmaster went through a routing that was very well rehearsed and executed. It was informative and entertaining at the same time. The performance was like a well oiled and perfected dance, with loud pops and slaps to gain your attention. This is done to get your attention and to ensure you stay focused on the portion you should be paying attention to. The instructors told us the performances go back to the first airborne classes conducted in the 1940’s.

We first started by getting our parachute harness and reserve chute. After everyone in the platoon received their gear we had a circle formation to learn the buddy system for getting harnessed up. The parachutes come in a messy looking bundle called a riggers roll. We learned the technique for unrolling it. I will try to give an overview and brief description on this process. You first start by unbuckling the waist band. It is rolled and wrapped around all the other parts of the harness. You then unlatch the chest latch, right and left leg straps, and separate all the parts. Once that is completed, you need to extend all the straps out to full length. Your buddy will then grab the shoulder harness and the risers together facing away from him. You will stand in the high jumper position with you feet shoulder width apart, bent over at the waist, and arms extended to the rear of you body. You partner will then place the chute on you back by threading your arms through the back straps and shoulder harnesses. While still bent over you will attach the chest strap in the fastener and pull it tight. You part will make sure the bottom of the leg harness is below your butt cheeks before giving you the leg straps. Your partner will ensure your leg straps straight and not twisted then will place the left leg strap though your legs and sound off with, “left leg strap”. You will then reply, “Left leg strap”. The same procedure is followed for the right leg. Once those straps are secured you will squat down and pull the leg straps tight while standing up. It really tightens them up, believe me. Your partner will begin tightening your back straps at this point and helping you further adjusts your parachute. Next is the waist band and reserve chute. You will place the reserve chute in the bend of your arm like a football and thread your waist strap through the reserve chute loops. You then attached the right clip to the harness that you are already in and then attach the left one. You partner will then synch up the waist band and put a quick release loop in it. This is done incase you are dropped in a water area. If this is not in place you will drown. Any hanging or free hanging straps must be secured with retainer bands and rolled using the “S-roll” method. This is done by looping the strap over itself back and forth but never rolling it up. Your chute and harness is now on your body. Then you help your partner into his.

We then learned the “HIT IT” drill. This is where you simulate exiting the door of an aircraft while in flight, but on the ground. This is completed by someone saying, “HIT IT”! You will take a full step, jump approximately six inches into the air, and kick out your trailing leg and landing roughly thirty-six inches from your starting position. Once you take the step and jump you will begin counting; one thousand, two thousand, three thousand, FOUR thousand. You will remain in a slightly bent forward at the waist, chin on your chest, hands on the ends of your reserve chute, with your fingers resting naturally on the ends of the reserve, and your legs looked to the rear. We completed this drill several times before they allowed us to enter the aircraft mock ups.

We learned the airborne shuffle on the sides of the road facing different directions, as representations of facing the rear of the aircraft for exiting.

After being able to enter the aircrafts, we learned how to hook-up a static line, how to properly shuffle through the aircraft, and the instructions for handing off the static line and exit the aircraft. This is where the hit it drills comes up again. We took off the parachutes and learned the rigger roll to store our chutes. After we conducted this we ran to the DFAS for lunch and then ran back. Once back we help our partner get back in the harness and conducted more aircraft exiting. Once the training for the day was complete we rolled the parachutes and put them back in the shed. We were all getting a break finally for a few minutes when a Sergeant Airborne decided he had not done any PT for the day and wanted us to join him. We did 110 four count flutter kicks. This hurt pretty badly after all the abuse our bodies had been put through already today. What a jerk! We then formed up and went to the 34’ towers for demonstrations. Again there was more of the snap and pop, slap and point, and weird looking dancing. It was very interesting. I will be amazed if it goes as well as the demonstration did earlier today.

We formed up and ran back. Finally they released us with the following instruction; be back at 0530hrs in ACU’s, patrol cap, and have your canteen. Dismissed! This was great to hear today. After ten pull-ups and ten sit-ups before leaving the company area we were running again out of the company area to our cars.

NOTE: every time we enter our leave the company area we must complete ten pull-ups and ten push-ups. We also have to complete the same task before we can go into the DFAS to eat.

Pretty tired and I am not leaving the room. I was going to celebrate with a small coffee and two donuts from Krispy Kreme for passing the AFPT as a small reward. I am to sore and tired to venture out at this point. Man I was really looking forward to them too! I am going to take a shower and then think about it again. We will see.

PULL-UPS for the day: 50