Week 6

The challenges here are now becoming a lot more physical. I am exhausted physically and mentally. But, that is part of the process of Officer Candidate School. We start Week 7 tomorrow. The schedule is made up almost entirely of physical events. Last week, we went on an "administrative move" to our Night Compass Land Navigation course site that somehow ended up being a 4 mile hump with a 30 lb. pack on our backs in the middle of the afternoon. We quickly ate chow before going into the tree line for about 3 hours of classes. After which we humped another mile, set up a bivouac site (camp site) and then set about our night land navigation test. It's amazing how you can feel completely alone (not a bad thing, by the way) with 300 candidates surrounding you in the tree line in total darkness trying to follow a compass a set distance to find a numbered box which was impossible to see.

Before dawn, we set out again on a squad mobility march. This was a 3 mile hump back to the squad bay led just by our squad, no staff around, It was a blast! We set a quick pace but sang motivating cadences the whole way back. I don't think anyone wanted it to end.

This next week will be extremely physical. I'm a little worried because my body is so tired. I have a few precious hours left of liberty before things start up again and sleep is a major priority. Thanks to all who are praying for myself and Aaron. Whatever happens, we know God is in control. We could never have made it this far without him.