Developmental Counseling

Monthly the army does a developmental counseling review.  This month Chris actually got the summary form.  Here's what Sgt. Bravo, Chris' Shop Foreman had to say:

"PFC Allen, you are hereby being counseled for your performance for the month of November 2008.  During preparation for Warrior Task Bravo, you continued to support the company with communication support although you had an injury to your knee.  This say a lot about your work ethics and I commend you on an outstanding job maneuvering around the company area while having a brace on your knee.  You completed all tasks in the preparation phase without hesitation or complaint about your knee, and continued to provide support during the setup and tear down.  Your technical knowledge help you sustain your company's commo through the duration of Warrior Task Bravo without fail.  Keep up the good work and maintain that contagious positive attitude."

"Physical Fitness;  Your knee has somewhat prevented you from improving your run time for the next upcoming PT Test.  By somewhat I mean that even with that brace on your leg you still manage to move around instead of taking the easy way out and pulling out your profile to get out of certain tasks and details.  Continue to push yourself for push-up and sit-up improvement to achieve the BDE standard of 270."

"Education;  You need to continue to complete correspondent courses and enroll in civilian college courses for promotion.  You have the potential to be an exceptional NCO and the road to success start with your preparation for a promotion board through education both military and civilian."

Isn't that a great review?  

FTX with No IBA

This week Chris is on his third and final FTX.  On his second one he was the Commander's driver.  That one was cold and wet and his company got stuck sleeping in the tent housing instead of the buildings because there were so many people.

This time Chris was supposed to be the Commander's driver again, but was unable to because of his knee injury.  Chris has a meniscal tear in his right knee and has been wearing a large knee brace for about two weeks.  The brace is the kind that allows very little bending, so this makes driving difficult.  In his profile (documented physical condition that exempts participation in certain activities) it says he isn't allowed to run, ruck march, or wear his IBA (Bullet Proof Vest).  The reason for not wearing the IBA is that its heavy; same goes for the ruck sack.

I don't like the idea of him not having the IBA with him, but he double checked with one of the head guys when we dropped him of on Monday morning (before the crack of dawn at 0300) and they didn't want him to bring it.  I'm just glad he is still allowed to wear his kevlar (Bullet Proof Helmet).  I told him to be extra careful.  He just laughed at me and said, "of course."  

We will see how bruised up he comes home this time.

Speaking of bruises... While at the doctors for his knee they did a blood draw because they were a little concerned with all of his bruises.  Turned up to be nothing.  He just gets a little banged up and doesn't notice.  

Preparations

Okay, so we are slackers and have not posted here in over a year... Well, most of you know it has been a busy one.  So we will skip to the present instead of recapping everything.

After having a bunch of knee problems and other issues that prevented Chris from taking and/or passing a PT test since we have been at Ft. Carson, he did it!  He passed!  His direct supervisor was thrilled and put in the papers for Chris to get a raise and promotion.  Yay!  Soon Chris will be an E-4 also known as Specialist.  

In preparation for his unit to be deployed to Afghanistan last week Chris was gone on a Field Training Exercise (FTX).  It was held somewhere on Ft. Carson, but he didn't get to come home at night.  That kind of sucked.  While he was on the FTX he did a bunch of weapon training.  When he gets deployed Chris will be carrying a M249 SAW.  

Shooting at targets 100, 200, 300, and 400 meters away Chris got 10 out of 11 targets.  The best in his company with his weapon.  The SAW is heavier and holds more ammo than the M16s that most of his unit will be carrying.  When he came home on Friday he was all banged up.  He looked like he was developing cheetah spots.  Also while on the FTX Chris drove a military Hummer.  He is one of a handful of guys that now have both a military and civilian driver's license. 

Here is a picture of a soldier with a M249 SAW.  I will ask Chris to try and get a pic of him on his next FTX later this month.