3/10/2007

Everyone,

Today I fired an AT4! Well, a modified version with only 9mm rounds instead of the actual missile, but it was still a lot of fun. Laypeople would probably refer to the AT4 as the bazooka. It's an anti-tank weapon, should-launched, disposable tube, single-fire. It's ancestor was the bazooka, but the system has changed a number of ways since WWII. This thing was fun. We got on buses and arrived on the range by mid-morning. After a series of safety and instructional lessons, they lined us up, supplied us with modified AT4s, and directed us to a group of disabled military vehicles. Old APCs and tanks have been collected and placed on the range as targets. Now if we were using actual missiles to train with, which is implausible seeing as they cost over $1000 a piece, these vehicles would have disintegrated a long time ago. Instead, we fire 9mm bullets (tracer rounds) through the modified AT4 tubes to simulate the process.

I didn't do too poorly. Of my 5 targets, I hit 4; the Drill Sergeant called out a target number that I couldn't locate, so I targeted a vehicle that I suspected was #8. I hit what I was aiming for, but it wasn't #8, so technically I missed. Stupid of me. But still fun.

The company was allocated two non-modified AT4s to fire so as to demonstrate the actual noise and destructive potential of the system. Two soldiers, neither from my platoon, were selected to show us the real thing. These things are loud. Both guys missed the tank, which was a real disappointment since there would have been a big explosion if they hit, but at least we got to see them blow up some trees. HEAT rounds are fun.

After the range we spent a few hours practicing for the change of command ceremony on Monday. This mostly meant standing in formation in the sun for a long time. Good thing we hydrate as often as we do. It'll be a pity to lose Cpt. Cruz; he can be a bit severe to mistakes (he fired our platoon guide of four hours for incorrectly saluting a few days ago), but he is always somewhere within the company, running beside us on runs, observing us in morning PT, and generally keeping close watch. He makes a point f being involved in our training. I haven't seen Cpt. Ford in action yet, so I'm unable to compare. But for some reason I've taken a liking to Cpt. Cruz's style.

For the rest of the evening we cleaned and received lessons on bayonet training. Next Monday and Tuesday will be spent stabbing things and with pugil sticks, so we should have some fun. A pity we lose an hour tonight, though. I was really looking forward to our extra hour of Sunday sleep. On the up side, at least it is happening on Sunday. Losing another hour of weekday sleep would be a lot more painful.

Speaking of sleep, I'm going to hit the sack. I don't have any duty tonight except for cleaning detail (2100-2200), so I'm going to get some relaxing shut-eye. I'll write tomorrow during Sunday cleaning.

-Jeremy