Airborne!

I'm graduating Airborne tomorrow. Yay! Three weeks of suck is finally over... only 208 more to go.

Anyway, I got my five jumps in with no injuries. We jumped from Air Force C-130s at an altitude of 1,250 feet moving at 130 knots. My first one was kind of rough, since it was in 20-knot winds and I was pretty much terrified, but I landed without injury. The next four went smoother, with softer landings and way lower wind speeds.

Jumping out of an aircraft in flight is a pretty interesting experience, and one that can't be described to someone who hasn't experienced it. It really is nothing but a neat-sounding idea until you hear "Hook Up! 1 Minute! 30 Seconds! Green light, go, go go!" The first time I got on the plane, I had one of those moments where I wonder "Why, exactly, did I think this was a good idea? I must be insane." Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. I look forward to doing some more jumps, though... I want to try one out of the back of a Blackhawk - 130mph wash is not that fun to jump into. A good exit is very, very important to prevent bouncing off the side of the aircraft.

Well, looks like I'm off to Bragg tomorrow. I was supposed to be taking leave and flying home, but looks like I got fucked over instead. Thanks Army! It's not like I had important plans or anything.

Army Livin' Got Me Down

After 16 weeks on Fort Benning I'm incredibly sick of this place. It's hot, sandy, and boring as hell. I'm not sure I have the words to express how badly I want to get out of here. Two more weeks until freedom; they're going to be incredibly slow ones, too.

Still unsure on the leave situation. I haven't seen any of my good friends in 5 months, not to mention my glorious mountains. I really hope I don't get fucked over, but it's a definite possibility at this point.

Frustrating.

By the way

My Springfield TRP kicks all sorts of monkey ass. It became my day-to-day carry pistol combined with an IWB holster and double mag carrier from Sigforum's talented countryboy - his website is www.rgrizzleleather.com. Review to follow... eventually.

A New World

Well, holyfuckingshit it has been awhile.

I'm now a bonafide, Blue Cord-wearing infantryman in the United States Army. Hooah and all that.

Right now I'm getting ready to start jump school on Monday. Should be a kickass course if I can stay on Sergeant Airborne's good side!

I'm looking forward to getting to my (undisclosed here) future unit and learning everything I possibly can, because I sure don't know shit at the moment. Being the FNG will suck for awhile, but if there's one thing I've learned in OSUT it's that life goes on.

Missing my mountains,

Modernmountainman

Randomness

Well, my time here in New York is coming to a rapid end - I'll be back home within two weeks, and finally get to play with my new Springfield TRP 1911 that is sitting at my dealer's right now. Hopefully I can also catch the "tail" end of the Brown spawning season and pull out some hogs!

I'm looking forward to killing the last few months before my ship date with camping trips, beer brewing, and other shenanigans.

New York

So it's weird to be home. (Home being not really home, just where I went to high school - Rich Whitepeopleville, NY, just outside the city.)

$10 for a pack of cigarettes? Really? Fuck you and your vice tax, NY.

On the other hand, I'm sitting here drinking a glass of the Cragganmore 12 year single malt, so I can't actually complain. Except for the fact that my January ship date to basic can't come soon enough.

On another happy note, I got free sushi and beer today and it was wonderful.

In terms of firearms, I really am missing my AR, my AUG and my AAC suppressor. Such things are illegal in this damned nanny state. I also finally bought a decent 1911 - a used Springfield TRP (Armory Kote, not stainless) through a guy on Sigforum. I won't get to play with it until I get back to CO, but the anticipation makes it even better. I also ordered a handmade holster and mag holder from Ryan Grizzle (rgrizzleleather.com - can't get this fucking link button to work). Review will follow when I get it in 6-8 weeks or so. You gotta be patient with made-to-order things... it pays off in the end.

Well it is apparently 0300 right now, which means I should have been asleep hours ago. Stay classy.

Meh

Just thought I'd post a little love... having a taste of some Jack Daniel's Single Barrel. It rocks. My family's system of birthday presents is by far the best ever - 'nuff said.

Time for a cigarette and a 10 hour nap followed by a run. Thank god the weather is cooling off a bit, so I no longer have to wake up at 0700 if I want to run more than a mile.