Sunday Stroll

Our platoon did an urban patrol today at the local FBI facilities. The FBI has built an urban area where they do various types of MOUT training and allow others to train their as well-but only on the weekend. Apparently, there have been motivated Marines who thought the FBI agents walking to their car were in play with their patrol and tackled them to the ground... Therefore, we were banished to train only during the weekend.

At least it was a short training day: 0500 to 1430.

15 Mile Hike

Today, our company conducted a 15 mile hike. Just to get an idea of how it works, imagine trotting around a first-grader piggy-back up and down hills for five hours. My pack was actually pretty light at about 75 lbs of gear. Most FEXs involve a pack weighing in around 105lbs (I weigh 135-shooting for 140!).

Songs running through my head for five hours: Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Climb every Mountain, Go Tell it on the Mountain, and I Will Survive... The funny thing is, I wasn't consciously thinking about the theme that ties them.

Trip to DC Part 2

Here is a little of what I experienced in DC yesterday.



The National Art Museum is overwhelming. There is so much to see, we rarely stopped walking just so we could see most of the art.


This is a statue of Mercury in the National Art Museum.


For Valentine's Weekend, this is the G-rated version of Cupid playing Wheel of Fortune. (Beck and Heidi, what do you think of my graphic design skills?)


I told Aaron that the reflective pool was only about a half inch deep. He said it was more like 18 inches. I showed him who was right. Unfortunately, it wasn't me...


I would love to tour the White House one day. Sometimes some of the platoons here get the opportunity to visit just before graduation. However, it sounds like we are going for a run instead.


DC at night is really peaceful and allows for one to simply think about the past and where we've come from.


There was something about the quiet of night that was moving when visiting the WWII and Vietnam Memorials.


We still remember the sacrifices made...

Trip to DC

We actually had time this weekend to go to DC. Aaron recorded some of what we saw. And here is the National Art Museum. I will add pictures of my own soon.

Apartment Tour

Here's a video tour of our apartment.
Aaron's apartment tour.