The second week of training is much like the first:  lots of weapons firing and walking in around with body armour in 90+ degree weather. But it’s also the week when you get to shoot the big guns and go full auto. > more <

When I initially learned I would be trained for Iraq duty by Army drill instructors at an Army base, I expected it to be like the Army’s Advanced Infantry Training given to graduates of boot camp. However, the training is less generalized and is geared towards the type of work Navy personnel may encounter in theater. > more <

It’s a real pain in the butt getting ready to go to Iraq. I found out that, contrary to my orders, I’ll be shipping out a week earlier. Because of how my orders were printed, it looked like I had a week of processing followed by a week of uniform and equipment issue. However, they combined these two things together so the first two days were briefs and medical evaluations and the rest of the week is getting everything together. That really hurts because I planned on having at least half a week to buy gear that’s not issued. > more <