Update #2 - September 10th, 2005
Hello Everyone,
Let me start this update with an exert from my journal entry;
...Second day into training and the growling hot weather and the long hours from yesterday has been eclipsed by today’s schedule. I'm confident that things will only get easier from here. As I lay down to call it a night, I have decided to keep my pants on (as dirty as they were) and both my weapons on me so I can get a head start on a fresh day at 4am. The soothing hardcore sounds of Sepultura and Slipknot blares through my ipod headphones and slowly I regain my sanity. Thirty minutes go by and I feel a thud. I can’t believe people are still moving around this late at night. I open my eyes only to realize that everyone is on the move. I remove my headphones and look over at my squad leader, his silence said it all. BOOM! Another mortar round lands closer to our tent. Within seconds I quickly grabbed my sandals, strapped on my IBA (individual body armor), and secured my weapons and off I sprint to the nearest bunker. On my way over I noticed a man down. He’s one of mine. His casualty card stated that he had a leg wound. I asked him if he was ok and with the assistance of another soldier began dragging him 50 meters to safety. I yell out for a medic and simultaneously scanned the area to locate my other team member. He was only 15 meters to my side in good heath and both his weapons. MedEvac arrived, took the injured and I turned around to give my squad leader a thumbs up. All accounted for Sergeant! “Good job Sergeant Santana” he yells back. It is now 0015hrs…
Welcome to F.O.B. Tiger (Forward Operating Base) Fort Dix training area.
As you can see from day two of training, we are not joking and smoking here. We are preparing to do a job. We are no longer a National Guard unit but a Company of Combat Active Duty soldiers. As you can see from the attached picture, we still manage to have a few laughs here and there.
We as a Company have been very impressed with the different types of scenarios that have been thrown at us. The instructors continue to praise us for our good work. On future e-mails I’ll make sure to mention some of the training we’ve had so far for at this time I cannot share them with you.
Thank you for all the e-mails, music and especially the letters. The letters and notes definitely help me get through a tough day.
I’m in good health and motivated for whatever comes our way!
SGT Santana, Alexandre 3168
Bco 181st Combat Engineer BN
BLD. 6038 Doughboy loop
Fort Dix, NJ 08640-9001
Let me start this update with an exert from my journal entry;
...Second day into training and the growling hot weather and the long hours from yesterday has been eclipsed by today’s schedule. I'm confident that things will only get easier from here. As I lay down to call it a night, I have decided to keep my pants on (as dirty as they were) and both my weapons on me so I can get a head start on a fresh day at 4am. The soothing hardcore sounds of Sepultura and Slipknot blares through my ipod headphones and slowly I regain my sanity. Thirty minutes go by and I feel a thud. I can’t believe people are still moving around this late at night. I open my eyes only to realize that everyone is on the move. I remove my headphones and look over at my squad leader, his silence said it all. BOOM! Another mortar round lands closer to our tent. Within seconds I quickly grabbed my sandals, strapped on my IBA (individual body armor), and secured my weapons and off I sprint to the nearest bunker. On my way over I noticed a man down. He’s one of mine. His casualty card stated that he had a leg wound. I asked him if he was ok and with the assistance of another soldier began dragging him 50 meters to safety. I yell out for a medic and simultaneously scanned the area to locate my other team member. He was only 15 meters to my side in good heath and both his weapons. MedEvac arrived, took the injured and I turned around to give my squad leader a thumbs up. All accounted for Sergeant! “Good job Sergeant Santana” he yells back. It is now 0015hrs…
Welcome to F.O.B. Tiger (Forward Operating Base) Fort Dix training area.
As you can see from day two of training, we are not joking and smoking here. We are preparing to do a job. We are no longer a National Guard unit but a Company of Combat Active Duty soldiers. As you can see from the attached picture, we still manage to have a few laughs here and there.
We as a Company have been very impressed with the different types of scenarios that have been thrown at us. The instructors continue to praise us for our good work. On future e-mails I’ll make sure to mention some of the training we’ve had so far for at this time I cannot share them with you.
Thank you for all the e-mails, music and especially the letters. The letters and notes definitely help me get through a tough day.
I’m in good health and motivated for whatever comes our way!
SGT Santana, Alexandre 3168
Bco 181st Combat Engineer BN
BLD. 6038 Doughboy loop
Fort Dix, NJ 08640-9001
posted by Alexandre Santana at 8:25 AM
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