0400 : Kyle had a billet (job) these 2 weeks, so he had to show up earlier than everyone else. He was Company Police Sergeant. The company is the entire group of men which is about 300. His job was to ensure everything was secure. His main job was to unlock the gear locker, inspect hallways, and ensure the laundry rooms were clean.
0445 : Chow. They had a mandatory chow every morning bright and early with their platoon (about 40 guys).
0545 : They started their 3 mile hump (hike) to the rifle range. They also wore a flak jacket which protects from shrapnel, which is Kyle's favorite part because it is heavy and uncomfortable ;)
0615 : At the rifle range he would start working the pits. They are down in a "pit" and have to put up a paper target and move it up so other guys can shoot at it. Once they are done firing, they pull it down and then score the shots. (A video is posted below where you can see exactly what I mean at the 13 second mark)
1000 : They start shooting the rifle from 200, 300, and 500 yards. At each point they shoot from 4 different positions: standing, kneeling, sitting (criss-cross-apple-sauce which Kyle had a tough time due to his inflexibility), and prone (lying down).
1300 : They start humping to the pistol range which is 1 mile away from the rifle range. They shoot from 7, 15, and 25 yards, standing up the whole time.
1600 : It's time to start humping back to the barracks (3 miles).
1630 : Some evenings they would have to go to class, but most evenings they just had to wait around to be secured. I'm still becoming familiar with everything the Marine Corps does, but one thing that is a little frustrating is getting secured. The company has to secure. This means everyone and everything is accounted for. Then it is up to each platoon to secure. It just so happens to be our luck that Kyle's platoon takes a very...very...long time to secure.
1900 or 2000 : The average time Kyle would be home...
The Goal of Range Week
There are 3 different grades for both rifle and pistol. Below are the medals (from highest first): Expert, Sharpshooter, Marksman.
I am proud to announce that 2nd Lieutenant Kyle Durant qualified EXPERT on the rifle and SHARPSHOOTER on the pistol! He is one happy guy and I am excited to see his hard work paid off. In one year he will qualify again and we'll hope for double expert! :)
During Range Week, the men had one night in the field. This means they stay the night out at the rifle range in their sleeping bags. The reason for this is so they can do a night fire, which Kyle said was "Awesome!" I believe Kyle just fulfilled his childhood dream...or better yet, every little boys dream!
The night the men stayed the night out in the field was Wednesday the 27th. Since all the hubby's were gone, all the wives from the company planned a ladies night at one of the couples house. I was getting ready for the evening by finishing making my parents favorite mexi dip when I looked outside. I walked out on our back porch and the clouds were very dark, it was humid and warm, and there was an eerie feeling. I turned on the news around 5:45 pm and there was a tornado warning for our county! They had a timeline of when the tornado would touch down, if it did and it said 6:04 pm. I know this may sound odd, but I am fascinated with tornadoes and desperately want to see one, but at a safe distance of course. So in a way I was hoping to see one, but at the same time I was ready to hop in the bathtub if something happened. Luckily, for our safety a tornado did not touch down in our area, but as you know from the news it was devastating to multiple other states.
I was anxious to hear from Kyle the next day to hear what they heard about the tornado, if anything. He informed me they announced a tornado warning over an intercom. All the 2nd Lieutenants looked at each other like "oh crap". Then all their senior officers just shrugged it off as nothing and they proceeded with what they were doing. I think people who live here didn't think it would actually happen. I am thankful nothing did!
Here is a video Kyle found about Range Week. It is from Charlie Company in 2009, but it is very similar to what Kyle experienced, minus the throwing of grenades/rockets...at least they haven't done that yet. And pardon the music...most Marine videos Kyle watches have hard rock music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L96AvmrxdGU
I am also going to give you all the TBS (The Basic School) website. Once you get to the website on the left side there is a column with all of the companies. Kyle is in Charlie Company, so click on that link. Then you can click on different platoons. Kyle is in 3rd platoon, so you can see who his SPC, Captain Luke, is and what he looks like. On the Charlie Company page at the bottom you can also click on the link for Company Pictures. It takes you to a facebook page. I couldn't find any of Kyle yet, but once I do, I will show you!
http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/tbs/
I hope you enjoyed hearing about Kyle's adventure so far!
Love ya,
Britt
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