Training

In itself, training is the number one most important aspect to my job. We must train. If someone is not trained when a real OP comes around, he is putting many many people at risk. Of course there is always the everyday work that one could find in all parts of the military. It really is just like any other job, until you get to the nit and grit of what we are really here for. In my shop, training takes place two days out of the week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, leaving the rest of the week to do our everyday jobs. This includes monthly checks on equipment, doing paperwork, general goofing off, etc. Training days, on the other hand, are busy. Somedays we are out on the range blowing stuff up, others doing scenarios ranging from chemical, to conventional, to the more pressing mater of the IEDs currently being found and taken care of in Iraq. These days, although longer, are a lot more fun. We get to break out and use our "tools of the trade." It is very important to be proficient with our tools like the Robots, especially since this is the safest way to take care of any IED. I was surprised at how hard it was to grab items with the claw on a 2D screen, or to set up a shot with one of our explosive tools. These things take practice, hence the training. I for one, will never give up an opportunity to train, whether on the Robots, or convention weapons, for instance, landmines. Today in fact I had the chance to get into the sand (AKA, our Vollyball Court) and use some landmind probing techniques and usage of the mine/metal detectors. Besides the laying in cold wet sand in 60 degree temperatures, it was a good experience. We try hard to make it as real as possible, but knowing that it really can't hurt me makes it... well, almost melodramatic I guess. I can only hope that when finally deployed, and I get the opportunity to work on real ordnance or IED, I don't have the same complacentness(made up word I know). Of course, that's why we train like we fight. Good habits make for umm... I don't know, I'm sure there is some sort of proverb for that. I'm not even sure if I got around to my point for this blog. Oh well. Spacing things seems to be something I'm good at.