01 Feb 2007

Another winner of a day, but at least it was indoors. The weather was supposed to be sleeting so the shooting range was postponed until tomorrow. Instead we got a lecture on personnel recovery in the morning and land nav in the afternoon. LTCOL Scovanger, who gave the brief on personnel recovery, inspired worlds of confidence by saying how the Army used to be really bad at recovering their lost people, but now leaving no one behind is becoming part of the Army ethos. He had a list of a bunch of things that would be useful to have if I got lost, but that are not issued. With all of the junk I have been issued, a $10 infrared flashlight would not be a huge add-on, but smarter people than I make these decisions.
Land nav included listening to a sergeant who probably is very good at firing an M-16 trying to explain to ship drivers and pilots how GPS and compasses work. Not his fault. When they started going over pace counts and shooting azimuths, I wanted to cry. I am considering putting a reward out for the first soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who has used pace counts in Iraq. If I were so inclined, I would question the wisdom of the person who added that to my curriculum.
At least I am starting to make some pretty decent friends. Geoff Bent and Brandon Soule from USNA and Robert Duncan have been my meal buddies. All of us are pretty different, but we at least give each other someone to gripe to, and in the group of four there is usually at least one who hasn't had the worst day of his life. I promise to post pictures soon (by the Army's definition of soon.)