College Intelligence Brief
Dateline: Oct. 27, 2005
A very, very, very long overdue update

Wednesday, October 26, 2005
 

61 push-ups (min 42); 60 sit-ups (min 53); 2-mile run 12:20 (min 15:54, max 13:00).  Thank you Lord!       

 
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
 

Monday morning, I ran with the Lt.   We did the "Sergeant Roberts" run.   Sprint 100m (or so), jog back, take a lap around the track (1/4 mile), then run up and down the stairs on the bleachers till you get to the end.   Repeat four times.      I kept ahead of the Lt the whole time, but....let's just say that I should have run as hard....but I am sure God will help me get a good score on the APFT tomorrow.  :)  

Lab was a lot of fun today; we went over basic things to keep in mind when out in the field (e.g. brush your teeth    ), EPW (Enemy Prisoner of War) searching, and how to perform some basic medical stuff on a wounded buddy (Really Big Birds Should Fly Back Home - Responsiveness, Breathing, Bleeding, Shock, Fractures, Burns, Head Injuries).    For the EPW lesson, they walked step-by-step through how to search a dead and a live EPW.   They then asked for three MS Is to come up and do it.   I went up, and was the person performing the search (the second cadet was the dead enemy and the third cadet was my security) - I was quite comfortable doing it, since we had learned it in Ranger Challenge.       (Also, during formation, our squad leader wasn't there, so I was made acting squad leader until relieved by an MS II.   It was fun.  :D  ) 

Something I am quite excited about.....(all contracted cadets get this, but still... )   I am going to be getting a "Secret" security clearance!          That will definitely be cool....   

OK, I should get to bed at decent season.....don't want to be tired for the PT test!   

 
Thursday, October 20, 2005
 

In the ROTC building.....

 

Me:  *working at computer in ROTC building, filling out security clearance form AGAIN because I couldn't remember the password to the one I filled out before* 

 

Lt:  "Hey, [name of my squad leader (SL)], are you looking forward to the PT test next Wednesday?" 

 

SL:  "I hope I'll pass...I'm good at everything but the running."

Lt:   "Then you can join MacMillen and I on Monday morning, at 0630 for some running.  So...are you coming?" 

 

SL:   "I'll think about it." 

Lt:  "I want a yes or no answer.  I don't like maybe's."

 

SL:  "Well.....OK." 

Lt:  "Good."  *exits*

 

SL:  "What did I just get myself into?"

 

Me:  "Oh, be there at 0615, that way you can stretch out." 

SL:  "I hate you, MacMillen!"

  

 
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
 

Well...I had lots of fun at ROTC lab, today.  :)   We basically practiced battle drills.  First, we had a lecture on it, then we were given a demonstration by the MS IIIs, then we divided up into 5 squads and practiced engaging the enemy, disengaging with the enemy, reacting to an ambush, etc. 

Some memorable quotes....

Cadet:  "When assaulting a machine gun nest, don't run straight at it.  We're not the Marines." 

 

*****

 

SFC Jennings:  "Now, each branch will have its own battle drill.   For example, if you are in PSYOPS (Psychological Operations), you probably won't do the same thing the infantry guys do, when the enemy attacks.   Maybe the PSYOPS battle drill is where someone jumps up and grabs a microphone and yells, "HELP!!!!"  Or maybe the commanders pile in the Hummer and drive off, leaving the rest of the men behind." 

 

*****

 

(out in the hallway)

"....some people [complain] about the Stryker." 

*jumps up and runs to doorway*

Me:  "Did you just say the Stryker?" 

*laughter* 

 

*****

At dinner, I ran into my academic advisor...we talked about the Future Combat Systems, military operations research in general, security clearances, China vs. Taiwan, etc.   It was neat.  :)  

 
Saturday, October 15, 2005

Today, I got up early to go to the Fairfax County Republican Committee's 16th Annual PepRally Breakfast.   Karl Rove was scheduled to speak, but there was a last-minute change in plans, and so the main speaker was Ken Mehlman, RNC Chairman.   We also heard from VA Governor candidate Jerry Kilgore, as well as some other officials.  

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