Back from MORTEP

MORTEP went well. Our unit is well trained, we function well as a team, and we have high morale. Our NCO's are adept at their jobs, and they are willing to spend the extra time it takes to train us in doing tasks that are a pay grade above what we currently are assigned. Because, as Aunt Abigail knows, everyone is "One Bullet Away" from taking that next level job.

Unlike with 11-C school, we got to actually fire the rounds that went through our guns this time (at MORTEP) and so we got a much better feel for how skilled we are at our tasks. And it turns out, we're pretty good at what we do. My confidence level in our unit has increased again. In addition, I've heard that our line platoons are exceeding expectations while on the ARTEP, as well.

While in the field, we slept ON THE RANGE. Not in a FOB, not in a tent city, but on the back of our Humvees. This wasn't actually too bad, if you prepared properly for being in the field (which I did). We had rain the first and second days, and cold weather the third day. In all, it was ugly, but I was pretty well prepared with cold-weather and wet-weather gear, so it worked out pretty well for me. Everyone was able to find a relatively comfortable place to sleep, and although a couple of people ended the exercise with a lower-GI problem, we were mostly okay.

Now we only have a few days left before we get some pre-deployment leave, towards which we are all looking eagerly.