Gold Phase...

There is a countdown board displayed in the Echo Company of the 787 MP Brigade that reads "10 days"...it's 10 days to graduation for the senior MP Company on Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood. The board also lists the accomplishments and other milestones of the Battalion. What this board really means to Josh is that he graduates in 10 days and gets to come home!

The big event of the week was the final FTX. They departed Monday morning under blue skies and sunshine, by midweek the weather had turned to constant rain. By Wednesday they had orders to pack up everything and head back to the Fort. Then the DS's changed their minds and they unpacked and re-set up all the equipment and began training again. On Thursday they went through the same exercise again...they eventually stayed as scheduled in the field until Friday.

The week was full of missions and exercises designed to put all of their training to use. Josh was in charge of the big grenade launcher mentioned last week, so each and every time they packed and unpacked he was in charge of that; it takes two guys to carry the darn thing and they carried it with them everywhere...

During the five days they got to play both roles of MP's and insurgents. During one of the more fun missions Josh got to attack a convoy and storm a watchtower...They also got to do a VIP mission where they picked up the VIP and transported her to the secured location where they got to clear and secure buildings on the compound. Except for the rain, he had a great time using all the skills that the Army has taught him.

They spent most of Friday unpacking and storing all the gear and he finally got to hit the showers Friday evening. So he also set a personal best for lack of showering, Sunday night to Friday night.

Saturday was spent in the motor pool using fire hoses to clean out the Humvees. He elaborated a bit on the vehicles that they use for training; they have been handed down so they are not the luxury models, hard plastic steering wheels, toggles for gauges and other functions. His favorite feature is the nylon strap they use as the gunner seat, he was in the gunner a few times on the mission, and not very comfortable was the general comment.

Today and the next few days he will spend cleaning all of the equipment he has been issued over the last few months, and it is quite a bit of stuff, ruck sacks, duffle bags, Kevlar helmet, chemical gear, outdoor gear, canteens, weapon and much more.

The anticipation of graduation is definitely running through our little family as we prepare for our trip to see Josh graduate and bring him home...his buddy Trent will be in town from his leave for a 12 hour overlap so as soon as we get to Phoenix, Josh is going to hop in his truck and go see his brother in arms...

My next blog will be a recap of graduation...thanks for reading everybody...