August 9, 2007

Yesterday we went to the obstacle course and the confidence course. The obstacle course was very challenging. It took almost everything I had to get through it, but I did. After that, we went to the confidence course where we did four obstacles, or rather everyone else did. I ended up suffering from heat exhaustion, and so wasn't allowed to do them. I had a temperature or over 100 when they checked me. They made me sit on the ground and poured cold water on me until they got my temperature down to 97ish. It was a weird feeling, let me tell you. You're really hot, but you feel cold and your skin is cool and clammy. It's not serious if taken care of though. I'm fine today. By the way, the temperature yesterday was around 103.

Today was even hotter. I heard it was 105 and I believe it. People were dropping (passing out) like flies today. I think at least 20 out of our total company of 212 did. Most if not all were taken to the hospital. One of my drill sergeants, Drill Sergeant Smithling, went down too from what I understand. We haven't been told yet what his condition is.

Today was the day I took on one of my greatest fears and beat it. That's right. Today was the tower. I jumped off a 65 foot tower and rappelled to the ground. I was scared at first, especially climbing up the ladder to the top of the tower. We had to tie our own rope harnesses (something called a Swiss seat) and the drill sergeants at the top I think could tell I was scared so they kept giving me a hard time by pretending there was something wrong with my rope. Drill sergeants can be very cruel people. Anyways, once I got started, it was actually quite fun. I still didn't look down, but I enjoyed the experience. I would probably even do it again.

Things are going fairly well. I've lost about eight pounds so far according to the scales here in the barracks. I was 232 when I weighed myself today. I guess tomorrow we start the hand-to-hand combat training. The army now teaches us what is essentially Brazilian jujitsu, which is the style many of the ultimate fighters use. I'm looking forward to learning it.

The battalion chaplin is very nice. He's Nazarene, so he does most of the General Protestant services. He spoke to the company and did a good job. I liked him

PFC Sam Jones