Freedom!

Immediately after we got done at the range, Jason was anxious and waiting for me back at the camp. I was ready and excited to be out of camp, see my fiance, and see my brother and sister-in-law! WHOOP WHOOP!!

We all met at the hotel where i took a nice long Hollywood shower! Afterwards, I could have crashed! Instead, these 3 rugrats had things they wanted to do!! We sat and visited for awhile. Hung out with little Betty, of which my pistol is named after, BLACK BETTY. Betty was allowed on the bed...not sure if she or Meagan was more excited!

Justin, Betty and I-Don't know what Justy is looking at!

It was time for some Mexican food!  So we all went to some mexican restaurant, shared stories, caught up cause it had been SOOO long since we had seen each other...(2 months at most!)

Mi amor



Mi hermana




















I crashed that night after skyping with mom and dad. It must have been around 930ish...

Next Morning we wake up, lay in bed cause day-light savings is no fun!!  But, it was a gorgeous day and Meag wanted to sun-bathe so we had a mission. We all went to Cracker Barrel for some good hearty breakfast.

Justin and Meagan, Jason and Danielle

Then we decided to rescue Betty and take her to a fun park!  We made a quick stop by Wal-mart to get shorts and headed into the sun. We drove around a state park and found the lake. We walked along, talked, frisbee, football, enjoyed the beautiful weather. Meagan and I decided to lounge, so we picked a spot, and had girl talk while the boys did boy things!

Girl Time

In our own little world

Spending time together with my family is one of the best things I can do!  I love my family and ALL of its additions more than anything!

Saying goodbye was one of the hardest things EVER!  I have always struggled saying goodbye to my brothers, and the sister-in-laws come in close behind them, however saying goodbye to Jason was EXTREMELY difficult.  Never want to do that again! I cried and cried and cried...

Range Week: M4 Group and Zero

Saturday was filled with with nothing but range! We started with our M4, grouping and zeroing our rifles. Sounds easy, but let me tell you!!  It was a long tedious job! So with 3 round magazines, we shot 40 rounds in about 3 hours.  The idea of Grouping is no matter WHERE you shoot, as long as the bullets are all within a 4 meter cirle. TOO EASY. Ha.

Here is my first target.  Each of the rounds are colored coordinated by groups. Remember i said grouping doesn't matter where you are at on the target!!

So after some coaching from Mr. Henson and DS Revels, I finally got my groups within range. The importance is the fundamentals of shooting, of which there are 4.

1. Position-you got to have good positioning on the target, squared up
2. Sight Alignment/Sight Picture-on the M4 you have 2 sights, a front and a rear sight. The rear sight is your focus, centering in the front sight and aiming center mass on the target.
3. Breathing-your breathing pattern is routine. Inhale, pause, Exhale, pause.  Whether you are inhaling or exhaling, you want to use the natural pause to allow for minimal movement.
4. Trigger Squeeze-your follow through. Easy, pull all the way back, every single time.  Release, wait for the mehanical click, and hold until the next fire.

So now that i have my grouping done, we started focusing on zeroing in on my target. DS Revels was my observer. He is a competitve shooter ranking 17 in the nation.  Pretty good coach for me I would say! After applying the fundamentals, grouping, zeroing my rifle...I feel pretty damn good about her. Goldielocks.

KILL KILL KILL

Words of affirmation from DS Martinez!  I am now ready for the week...ready to shoot, and become more and more comfortable with my sweet little goldielocks!

HMMWV Training: HEAT and Convoy

Today was the first day in the "field".  Started off by simulating a Humvee roll over.  I had so much anxiety and nerves, i was a little scared to go, HOWEVER, i executed it perfectly...well, the first time!  The second time, i got disoriented, frustrated and took forever.  They give us the 30/45 and then a 180 roll over. All of us yell ROLLOVER ROLLOVER ROLLOVER, then as soon as they say EGRESS, then we commence evacuating the truck.  Open the door, unbuckle the seatbelt, grab your weapon, and exit the truck, setting up a parameter around the vehicle.  TOO EASY.  The second evolution, I was upside down and could not find the handle to open the dang door.  I tried for what seemed like eternity scanning and feeling for the handle, not being able to find it, i released the seatbelt and dropped to my head, i decided if i turn right side up, maybe i would have better luck!  Well, inside the humvee its extremely limited and adding ALL the extra gear we have on just reduces the amount emmensely. So...good ol Chaps, had opened up the rear door to help walk me through and calm my self.  Luckily i wasn't too worked up, however, I was frustrated and just plain ol pissed! I finally got out, and I remember my adrenoline pumping SO hard I felt like my chest was going to explode. I knew upon completion I would like it was awesome and want to do it again.
Moving on to Convoy Operations.
A convoy is where truck after truck is lined up and heads off with a mission.  We had 5 trucks, and 21 people. Each truck has a driver, obviously, a TC or Truck Commander, a Gunner, they are in charge of the crew serve weapon or machine gun on top, and 2 scouts in the back seat. We took an hour and drove around rotating between positions.  As we rolled out the FOB, our base, we had ALL female Gunners.  It was a badass feeling!  Our drill sargeants are mostly males, however our one female drill sargeant was thrilled to see the setup. KILL KILL KILL she says as we rolled out!  Another rush, to have the wind blowing in your face, sitting proped up with a weapon in hand scanning the area.
Final task for the day was to group and zero our M4. Pretty easy task except we had our stupid helmets on.  They are called ACH's and weigh probably close to 10 pounds.  RIDICULOUS. But...if it saves my life I guess its worth sucking up the pain and wearing it. We shot with laser weapons jsut as a familiarization evolution.  Tomorrow morning we actually are going to zero our weapon in at the range, as well as I have to qualify on the 9mm M9. TOO EASY.
I am exhausted.  Thankfully tomorrow is Saturday and we have Sunday off!  PLUS, Jason is coming down as well as Justin and Meagan are coming up!  I AM SO EXCITED!
Love to you all, thanks for your thoughts and prayers, week 1 down, only 2 more to go!!

Week 2: Camp McCready

We left Norfolk at about 0730, and took a bus for 8 hours.  Checked into Camp McCready and got our berthing and linens, we were let free until 1500 on Sunday.What to do...?!

Well, when you put a group of girls together from all over, we found trouble in no time! We went to the local E-Club on base, got burgers and a pepsi, then we tried to take a bus to Wal-Mart, complimentary of the Army.  We stood outside for over an hour waiting for "The Magic Bus". Finally we decided to call a taxi.  After calling several taxi companies, we found a winner. A lincoln towncar with 6 of us girls. A site to see!  Not to mention we ALL had our combat boots on, clearly setting a fashion statement!

As time passed, we became more and more fatigued, we came back made plans to get breakfast, and go to church.

Woke up at 8, only to find out breakfast is only from 7-8.  The not-so magic bus doesn't start running until 1300. So i sit and wait here, HUNGRY, watching the time tick ever so slowly...but 20 mins and the chow hall opens for lunch!  Can't Wait!

After chow we have our admin process and more free time!  If only i had my school assignments today...

Myself, YN1 Gundrum, and MC1 Shaw...enjoying our last night of freedom at the PX (Post Exchange)

Address

If you would like to be SO kind and mail me letters, or care packages. I have created a "wish list" on walmart.com.  They only ship states side so you will just have to buy from the list and then send it yourself.

     http://www.walmart.com/giftregistry/gr_detail.do?registryId=80510621126

Here is my mailing address: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE RANK.

Danielle Church
NTMA/CSTC-A +CJ6
APO-AE 09356

THANK YOU all SO much!!  God Bless and I appreciate all the prayers!
Danielle

Week One: Norfolk,VA

Week one: NMPS Norfolk. 

Its a week full of briefs, medical/dental, and issuing uniforms. Being stationed in Norfolk, it makes this week quite an easy transition. Our days are short, but filled with "white space". Army talk for sit and wait. We got fitted for our uniforms, dog tags, had medical processing, and sat and listened to different organizations.

Saturday we are taking a chartered bus to Fort Jackson. That's when I will have to say my goodbyes.  Well temporarily.  Jason and Justin and Meagan are coming to see me the weekend of the 12th!!  So exciting.  It will be a nice break i think.

For now, it's not so bad. I am sure come saturday i will have a LONG bus ride, with life as i know it, officially green!