So...here I am, FINALLY qualified on the M4. Just over one short week ago I was scared to death of the weapon, but now feel completely comfortable! I grew up in a family where weapons were BAD and would kill you, end of story. My friend lived on a farm and had guns and just looking at them made my heart race! Sure, I had shot once before with the Army, but I would hardly call that shooting. They threw a weapon in my hand and said shoot. I had no idea how to shoot and was incredibly scared at what the weapon would do. Realizing it was an object that would do what I told it to do was the first step. After overcoming the fear, I had to tackle how to aim...a harder task than one would think. Merely pointing and shooting doesn't work...I can attest to that.
My first time to actually shoot with the M4 was last Wednesday. I remember talking constantly to my neighbors in the shooting boxes next to me because of nerves. Those poor chiefs! How annoying I must have been! Now...I feel completely confident and comfortable with it! I can actually shoot, and better yet, I actually LOVE shooting! Coming from a liberal family that abhorred weapons, that's a shock!
Here's to another range week next week! M9 pistol time!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
M16 Quals
So...got to shoot an M16 for the first time in a long time. This was the first time I even picked up a weapon in four years! The last time was at the Army Officer Basic Course. I wasnt very good back then really. I just basically pointed and shot. Now Ive gone through an actual class, so I hope my score is better. Definitely didnt do badly before, but I certainly didnt know what I was doing!
Today was awesome! On the range, over looking the beach on one end and the mountains on the other while shooting M16s is definitely a perk of being active duty. I would be in an office somewhere enduring the everyday grind, and wishing for more adventure. Well I got it and I can't wait!
On that same note though...I love being active duty, however, I know I can do bigger and better things on the outside. Several options still exsist. Active duty, full time school, or back to Kraft and risk moving all over the place again. All I want is to be somewhere for longer than 5 months! is that too much to ask? I love to travel, but Id also love to have a place I call home. Maybe someday, hopefully sooner rather than later.
Today was awesome! On the range, over looking the beach on one end and the mountains on the other while shooting M16s is definitely a perk of being active duty. I would be in an office somewhere enduring the everyday grind, and wishing for more adventure. Well I got it and I can't wait!
On that same note though...I love being active duty, however, I know I can do bigger and better things on the outside. Several options still exsist. Active duty, full time school, or back to Kraft and risk moving all over the place again. All I want is to be somewhere for longer than 5 months! is that too much to ask? I love to travel, but Id also love to have a place I call home. Maybe someday, hopefully sooner rather than later.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Back Track (Day One)
29 june 2009
So….i started today, the first day of the rest of my life. Okay maybe a little dramatic, but I am about to embark on what I think will be an INCREDIBLE adventure. I cannot wait to start! I cant wait to don my new gear, walk off that plane with the other 80 something navy Seabees in the 30th NCB and turn this deployment into something I will never forget. Something no one else could ever understand, something that I could be truly proud of, and most importantly, something that would make a difference. I cannot wait for this journey to really begin.
They issued about 200 lbs of gear to me today. A ruck sack, back pack, and green bag filled with tactical gear, ear plugs, gun holsters, tents and sleeping bags. For some, the thought of camping out, dirty, in the middle of the desert, may sound exhausting and overwhelming, but not to me. I cannot wait. This next few weeks I want to float through. Get ready!
So….i started today, the first day of the rest of my life. Okay maybe a little dramatic, but I am about to embark on what I think will be an INCREDIBLE adventure. I cannot wait to start! I cant wait to don my new gear, walk off that plane with the other 80 something navy Seabees in the 30th NCB and turn this deployment into something I will never forget. Something no one else could ever understand, something that I could be truly proud of, and most importantly, something that would make a difference. I cannot wait for this journey to really begin.
They issued about 200 lbs of gear to me today. A ruck sack, back pack, and green bag filled with tactical gear, ear plugs, gun holsters, tents and sleeping bags. For some, the thought of camping out, dirty, in the middle of the desert, may sound exhausting and overwhelming, but not to me. I cannot wait. This next few weeks I want to float through. Get ready!
Back track (Texas back to Georgia)
June 10, 2009
In Texas, just left my family. How I miss them already. Especially Darby. She is my hero. Darby, I look up to you more than you can imagine, and I'm 11 years older! You are going to do amazing things with your life and I feel blessed to be a part of it!
On another note...here I am, waiting in yet another airport...begining a new adventure yet again. Will this marry go round, no sand storm of a life slow down? I feel like my life is a tornado and I am just a speck of sand picked up from the earth to follow this cloud of debris only to be dropped at some unknown location far away...if only for a short time. When will this tornado or sand storm subside?
At the same time, if I had stayed in Texas, gotten a teaching degree and settled down immediatley after college, I wouldve been unbearably unhappy. I thank God for all of the incredible experiences thus far. I am so fortunate to have the friends and loved ones that I have. Hopefully this will be my last adventure for a while. At least my last one involving moving!
Gotta jet...another flight to a new chapter is awaiting. Standby! (thanks for that one Lt Harrell) I am so fortunate because I was able to see my family in Texas for ten days before deploying!
I'm going where?
Where to begin....it all started with a phone call. Driving back from a friend's during lunch I notice a strange number on my cell phone,
"Monica, this is LT Kleinmane. Just wanted to let you know that we are looking forward to working with you in Afghanistan with the 30th NCR!"
Still driving and completely confused to the point of hysteria and desperatly trying not to crash my car, I replied. "EXCUSE ME?"
And that is how I heard about my upcoming deployment. Driving back to the Navy Supply Corps school after lunch. I had so many emotions going at once, I remember walking into the school and when someone asked me what was wrong, I barely opened my mouth to explain that I was going to Afghanistan. The rest of the day was a blur, and most definitely a waste.
Still, after the first day of shock, and after the opportunities from this deployment presented themselves, I was extactic to go! What better way to serve in the military then in a combat zone for my first tour? I cannot wait. This is the reason I joined the US Navy. I want to do more than sit behind a desk. Call me selfish, but I want to be a part of the action, in the middle of it. Of course, being Supply I wont have that much action, stil though, Im pumped!
"Monica, this is LT Kleinmane. Just wanted to let you know that we are looking forward to working with you in Afghanistan with the 30th NCR!"
Still driving and completely confused to the point of hysteria and desperatly trying not to crash my car, I replied. "EXCUSE ME?"
And that is how I heard about my upcoming deployment. Driving back to the Navy Supply Corps school after lunch. I had so many emotions going at once, I remember walking into the school and when someone asked me what was wrong, I barely opened my mouth to explain that I was going to Afghanistan. The rest of the day was a blur, and most definitely a waste.
Still, after the first day of shock, and after the opportunities from this deployment presented themselves, I was extactic to go! What better way to serve in the military then in a combat zone for my first tour? I cannot wait. This is the reason I joined the US Navy. I want to do more than sit behind a desk. Call me selfish, but I want to be a part of the action, in the middle of it. Of course, being Supply I wont have that much action, stil though, Im pumped!
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