Update from Fort Lewis

Our Warrior left in the wee hours of the morning for the final phase of his Warrior Forge/LDAC training, the FTX.

They will spend the next 10 days and nine nights deployed in the field.
The purpose is to learn platoon and company level basic combat skills.
Even though most of them won't be in 11 Bravo, (Infantry) every soldier is a rifleman, in theory at least.
Remember what happened to the transportation unit that got lost and captured by the Iraqi Republican Guard unit early in the invasion.
Reports were that several of the soldiers never got a shot off, their training was so poor.

He is thriving so far, and making friends in his squad (10 males and two very tough and respected females).
Some of them will no doubt be friends throughout their careers.

Being an extemely intelligent lad, he has decided not to choose infantry as his MOS
"I'm not real fond of Ruck Marches, Dad" he told me a couple of days ago.

A Ruck march is marching and walking from point A to B, wearing a minimum of 80# of gear.
More if you are a heavy weapons, communications or medical unit member.

Sometimes that also includes wearing a MOP suit to protect against biological or chemical weapons.

We are thrilled, to say the least that he as changed his opinion!

Armor, Military Intelligence and Air Defense Artillery are now his top three choices.

If you are planning on dropping him a line, mail it no later than next Tuesday the 29th, or he probably won't get it before leaving for Platoon Leader training at Ft Bragg on 5 August.