Chapter 3 Excerpt

Tom and Dave were now on their 23^rd Day of Training (DOT) which meant having to do five laps around the drill pad or one and a quarter miles in eleven minutes and fifteen seconds or less. It also meant that they were now getting close to BMT graduation, which, if successful, would earn them the town pass for a day.

Flight 3720 headed back to their dorm for showers after PT so they could have breakfast. After chow, they marched to their Combat Arms Training class for firing range qualification. While the flight marched to class, Tom and Dave discussed graduation and the town pass.

            “So what are we gonna do during town pass?” Tom asked.

            “Well, buddy, I don’t know about you but I’m heading for the nearest Red Cross office and see if they can help me locate that flight attendant,” Dave said.

            “Hey Einstein, aren’t you forgetting? You don’t know her name. How is the Red Cross going to help you if you don’t know her name?”

            “Shit! I forgot about that part.”

            As they continued to march, Dave came up with a plan.

            “Simple my friend, I’ll bring my airline ticket and have the Red Cross call the airline and find out who was scheduled to work on that particular day and time,” Dave said with a smile.

            “Ahhh…no way.  I don’t think the Red Cross does that type of service. They can contact your immediate family members for emergency reasons, but using them as a dating service will get you nowhere. I mean…you can still go ahead and try doing that. It doesn’t hurt to try at least,” Tom said.

            As the flight reached an intersection, the team chief yelled “Flight halt!” Once he said that, marching stopped immediately. The team chief then gave the command “Road Guards, out!” suddenly the last person on each line would spring out and take their position, ahead of the flight and stop any traffic from hitting the recruits. The road guards stood at semi-rest position which is legs spread apart at about shoulder width, one hand behind the buttocks and one arm outstretched up front, stopping traffic so the flight could cross the intersection. Once the flight crossed safely, the team chief would stop the flight again and give the command “Road Guards, in!” Then the four road guards would return to their original positions on the formation. Once returning to their original positions, the flight would resume their cadence. You could tell who the road guards were because they usually wore plastic wrist bands with the orange and white reflectors.

            As the flight finally arrived in class, SSgt. Williams ordered them to their seats. They were given one rifle per two students. Once they received the rifles, SSgt. Williams instructed them on the rules for the range.

            “Okay, people, these are the rules for the range and they will be followed to the letter,” SSgt. Williams commanded. He paused, sipped his coffee and then continued: “Do not handle the weapon until told to do so!” He repeated it a second time while walking up and down the aisle. “Keep the weapon pointed toward the target at all times. Immediately obey all commands on the range! Last but not least obey the command CEASE FIRE! No matter who gives the command,” SSgt Williams instructed. After giving those instructions, SSgt. Williams gathered his assistants and discussed a few things. One of which happens to be a quiz for the students. “Alright, people! I’m going to give a verbal quiz about the firing range. Let’s see what you all retained.” After that he started calling names out loud.

            “Airman Fox, why don’t we handle the weapon until told to do so?” SSgt. Williams asked.

            “So there will not be any accidental firing of the weapon causing serious bodily injury or death!” Airman Fox responded out loud. SSgt. Williams continued up and down the aisles.

            “Airman Davis, why do we point the weapon at the target at all times?”

            “The reason why we point the weapon at the target at all times is to prevent anyone from being accidentally shot!” Airman Davis answered. Williams then stopped where Tom and Dave sat.

            “Airman Ryan, why do we obey all commands on the range?”

            “The reason why we obey all commands on the range is to have a safe environment and to prevent any accidental shootings!” Tom replied. Williams then went to the front of the class and pointed to Airman Thompson.

            “Airman Thompson, why do we obey the command cease fire?”

            “The reason why we obey the command cease fire from anyone is that someone on that range may see a living creature whether it may be man or beast in the line of fire. We have to cease fire to keep the animal or person from getting seriously injured or kill in that line of fire,” Airman Thompson answered.

            “All those answers are correct. The main reason why we have rules is so that no one gets seriously hurt or killed and to have a safe environment for qualification,” SSgt. Williams said. SSgt. Williams then turned to Sgt. Kelso and the rest of the trainers and said “I don’t believe it, fellas. This is our first class that got all those questions right. Maybe we’ll stump them on the weapons questions.” Williams then looked at the class and gave them a ten-minute break. “Alright people, since you all did good on those questions, I’m giving y’all a ten-minute break. After break we’ll be discussing the M16 rifle, so be ready.” The class stood up and went in different directions. A majority of the students went to the soda machine to get some caffeine to keep them awake.

            The flight was called back to class by Senior Airman John Fitch. Everyone went back to their respective seats and sat. SSgt. Williams was again in front of the class.

            “Does anyone remember some of the specs on the M16?” he asked. SSgt. Williams paused. “Let’s see. How about Airman Martinez answering that question. “C’mon Martinez, this is simple,” SSgt. Williams said.

            “Sergeant, some of the specs on the M16 are as follows: its magazine fed, can be fired on semi-auto or automatic. Maximum effective range is 460 meters, maximum range is 2653 meters, weight is six pounds empty and eight pounds with accessories. Accessories are bipods, bayonet, M-203 40mm grenade launcher,” Studs answered.

            “What about the ammo?” SSgt. Williams asked.

            “The ammo is 5.56 mm.” Studs yelled.

            “Good Martinez, you pulled that one off,” SSgt. Williams said with a slight smile. “Looks like everyone’s familiar with the firing range rules and a little bit of your weapon. Next will be the firing positions which you will be using. These are as follows: standing, prone, kneeling, and sitting,” SSgt. Williams said as Sgt. Kelso demonstrated each position. After everybody was tested on the positions, the recruits had to learn on how to clear their weapons.

            “Now people, you will learn how to clear your weapons before we go to the range. I’ll be explaining the procedure and Sgt. Webster will demonstrate each step, so watch carefully,” cautioned SSgt. Williams. “First step in clearing the M16 is to remove the magazine or the source of the ammunition. Do this by pressing in on the magazine release button located on the right side of the well. When the release is pressed, the magazine will fall out.” SSgt. Williams paused and took a gulp of his soda. “Next, check the chamber. The M16 is designed in such a manner that once the weapon is empty it will automatically lock the bolt to the rear. Next, look in the ejection port on the right side of the weapon to ensure that there is no ammunition in the weapon. If the bolt has not been locked to the rear, push in on the bottom portion of the bolt catch, which is located on the left-side of the weapon, and manually lock the bolt back.” SSgt. Williams paused.

            “Once you’ve pulled the charging handle completely to the rear, while pressing in on the bolt catch, release the charging handle. Push the charging handle forward and release the bolt catch. You can now visually check the chamber to ensure it is clear. Final step is to put the safety selector on ‘SAFE.’ Once this step is completed, the weapon is safe,” SSgt. Williams said.

            “Okay people, we’ll be calling you one at a time to the clearing barrel and see how you do it.”

            While waiting for their turn, Dave was planning on how to contact Grace. He was determined to search for her and not give up. Dave asked for Tom’s advice.

            “Your guess is as good as mine. I wouldn’t know how to locate a person without a name. That would be like looking for a needle in a haystack, man.” Tom said. He was unsure if this was good advice he has given to his best friend.

            “You know what, you’re right,” Dave said with disappointment as he went thru the motion of clearing their weapon while waiting for their turn.