CAST TD-6: Risky Business

Well, here I sit, at long last, in the food court at the Lackland AFB Base Exchange. Obviously, I decided to leave Camp Bullis for some much-needed normalcy, regardless how quickly the time may pass. It's 12:45 now, and we have to be loaded up on the bus in two hours. But I'm not complaining. However, before I delve too deeply into my thoughts for today, I must recount the adventures of yesterday.

The day started off as most others: with classroom training. We broke for lunch around 11:15, but only got 30 minutes because we had taken long breaks (2 x 20 minutes), and had to be loaded on the bus for transport to the HMMWV Emergency Action Trainer (HEAT) and Land Navigation. HEAT was essentially a HMMWV-on-a-stick (sorta like a pig over a spit) which simulates rollovers and helps you learn how to egress the vehicle when it's upside down or on its side. HEAT wasn't terribly difficult, but at one point I released my seat belt before I adequately supported my head, so I got a bit of a stinger in my neck. I'm OK today, though.

Then came Land Navigation. There was nothing difficult about the techniques presented, but the oppressive heat in South Texas combined with the weight of the battle rattle made for difficult transit through thick bramble. Again, I have tons of respect for those who do that stuff for a living (and in the service of our Great Land). I thought I might pass out.

I had hoped the day would've ended early (say 16:00 or so), so we'd have a bit of time to relax and get some laundry done before our day off. Instead, it was almost 18:00 by the time we were released by our class leader and finished our chores (e.g., sweep floors, empty garbage, distribute MREs, etc.). Since I had to watch the movie (Dark Knight, with Heath Ledger), I didn't have time for anything but a shower before bed. I guess I'll do laundry tonight.

Today, though, is a welcome respite from the grind of CAST. As I said, I'm in the Lackland BX. If you don't already know, Lackland is where all the Basic Trainees are, so I can't walk from A to B without some pinger standing at attention and saying "Hello, sir." (Pinger is a pejorative term to describe a basic trainee whose crew cut is starting to grow out, so it "pings" up on the top.) I don't recall being told to brace for officers in the BX when I was a pinger, so this must be something new.

I've had my first soft drink in a week (Cherry Coke, thank you very much!) along with a slice of pizza from the ubiquitous Anthony's. I probably should be hydrating for the four grueling TDs ahead of us. But, as we learned from the sage Joel Goodson, sometimes you have to say, "WTF."