This week we have been training with MK 18 rifles. As there is a gun range not far away, we were all loaded into a few Military vehicles (MTV's) in full gear. At the range we all wore bullet proof vests, helmets and ear plugs.
The first day we spent Zeroing and learning how to shoot with blanks. The first half of the 2nd day we also spent on familiarizing ourselves with our rifles, and then shooting paper targets. The 3rd-5th day we spent shooting the targets in different positions: standing, kneeling and lying down. We also had to march about 10 miles with full gear and our rifles back from the range to the field where we have been having formations. On the last day we visited the range. At the end of each day we had to turn in the rifles. Forcing us to have even less sleep. We basically started to get a maximum of about 5 hours rest during this week.
Just as when we learned tactical training the first week, we had to conduct tactical training in the woods and carrying our weapons. The only times we were given rounds (blanks or lives) were at the range. The remaining time we spent carrying our weapons on marches, learning directions and vigilance during marching exercises. We also had to low crawl with our rifles as if we were in actual combat. This was extremely difficult as we had to protect our weapon, ourselves and crawl slowly on the ground both at night and during the day. During the 4th and 5th day we trained for night shooting, this was around 2200-0100 in the morning. While we were in the range our meals consisted of MRE (military rations), as we spent all day at the range.
The days we had night training, we were allowed to take a 4 hour nap before reporting to the field for formation in full gear. We also had to take turns shooting different targets at 50, 100 and 500 yards. Those who failed to hit the mark had to stay for training even longer. Those of us who managed to hit all the marks and complete training, were allowed to train with different types of firearms such as handguns and shotguns. We were also challenged to shoot 1000 yards. We were also trained to identify IEDs and to throw grenades for additional training, as well as how to recognize how to pat down a suspicious person.
Because I had the foresight to read a weapons training manual in space, I was able to do well with shooting. I've already learned how to breathe as I shoot, where to look and how to manipulate each weapon and control the recoil so it doesn't affect me. Even though the knowledge was imprinted in my mind, it still took me 3 tries as I'd never held a weapon before the military. Captain Shikari and many of the other trainers on sight were impressed with my progress. There were 3 other people in the group who did exceptionally well with shooting. One of the males came from a hunter family, where he often shot game. Another female came from a military family, and she was trained to shoot. The 3rd person was another male who often went to the range with his brother who was in the air force.
Interacting with the ice captain as he was dubbed, has always been a test of my will power. I have never been one to shy away in my interactions,however I often found myself unsure of how to interact with him. On the one hand I find him very attractive and admire him. On the other hand, I greatly respect him and think of him as someone I could never be on the same level with. I've developed a crush, as have many females residing on campus. Major Shikari does not appear to be moved by any female, and often has a cold and aloof expression when approached for anything other than work. He would often talk to us, individually or in groups to see how we were doing while at the range whenever he came to check our progress. Apparently other officers in his platoon called him Ice captain due to his countenance, and it has since been stuck.
Our instructors also interact with us on a much more personal level than I believed they would had we been in actual basic training or on an actual military base. The soldiers would often joke with us and even befriend a few people. While there was a sense of leadership structure, they were also able to allow us to feel both welcome and distinct from themselves. We could feel as if those in a high position aren't too different from us, recognize that there is a structure, but still are allowed leeway. While non officers have to salute officers whenever they pass them outside, those of us in training are not required too. Unlike actual soldiers who have a name tape on their uniforms which matches, the 30 of us do not have name tapes on our camouflage uniforms that's the same color. Our name plates are velcro, however they are all printed on a solid color. We are also required to wear a band on our uniform, and do not have a rank on the uniform. These differences separate our ACU uniforms from other soldiers. Another distinction which separates us from military personnel, is that we are not required to have the same look. The men do not need to have their hair cut a certain way, and while us females can wear buns, we are not required to.
There have been occasions where a few different sergeants have screamed in our face during training or for punishment. I remember the very first day, we had a female instructor enter the dorms banging on the walls at 0500 after we barely fell asleep after being up for almost 24 hours straight. It sounded like she was almost kicking the walls and she had a bullhorn while shouting for us to get up and to meet in the field in 30 minutes for formation. If anyone was late we would all be punished. For those who had roommates, we had a responsibility to make sure they showed up if they weren't up. If we knew anyone who stayed in a room alone, we were collectively responsible for making sure they were up. As we ran scrambled to make sure everyone was up, we literally ran to the field after barely waking up to try to make it in time. That was a really stressful situation which has happened on a few occasions. In fact, we never know when we'll be awakened in such a rough manner, if anyone is late then we're all punished. Our instructor said mass punishment happens as a way to build camaraderie and reliability amongst each other.