T T Q & S: May 2013

The last WOBC post……the course is officially over!!!! I’ve been waiting a while to write that one! I’d like to say that the last bit flew by but the truth is it has seemed like an eternity for most of us. The last bit of true hard work had us in the field doing urban operations in TBS’s two different MOUT facilities for a week. This involved us doing everything from systematically clearing buildings “zero dark thirty stuff” to just patrolling and interacting with locals (role players acting as Afghani’s) proving to us how difficult it can be to command and control a Squad or Platoon in this ever changing environment. This is some of the best and most realistic training we do as counter insurgency is likely going to be our most common fight in the near future. To make it a little more realistic we used SESAMS rounds, basically a 9mm paint round that hurts like hell, so if you are hit there is no denying it (if you want a laugh I can tell you about some of the standoffs and tactics we used). After the last MRE’s were eaten and we did the final hike back (15 miles) we just had a few things left; test, PFT, Mess Night, and weapons/gear turn in. Because of this easy schedule over the last 14 days time seemed to stall out on us. We did get some amazing speeches in those last few weeks by many of the top leaders in the Marine Corps and it was great to hear their encouraging words.

After all was said and done I did well finishing 2^nd in the class of 193 coming up something like .002% short. Even better than that, it was great to have the family come out to see the gaduation and do some sightseeing in DC. The weather held out for us and we did as much as anyone can do in the given time, needless to say you cannot see all of DC in a little over a day!! It is definitely a place that Tara and I have vowed to come back to and explore.

I am writing this from Camp Lejeune as I start yet another course here dark and early Wednesday morning. This is much different though as there are only 9 of us in the Motor Transport Maintenance Officer Course. This is where we will “learn” to do the things required of us in our occupational field as a Warrant Officer. It will last 37 days and will be more of a refresher than the last course, oh yeah and best part - no pressure to graduate high in the class!!

Until next time!