Letter Dated May 6th

"I am on the bus to Camp Rudder right now. ...
Well, the last 3 weeks of Mountain phase have been difficult. I can think of hard things we did but overall, it was again easier than I expected. I am beginning to think I just have the right attitude and that is why things are going well. ...
Well, Mountain Phase started out with one week of mountaineering training. We learned rappelling, mountaineering knots, mountain mobility (fixed rope climbs, moving casualties, hauling with ropes) and basic climbing. The week culminated with a 2 day exercise on Mt Yonah, which included a 2.5 mile march up the mountain. It really was a lot of fun. I learned enough climbing that I would like to buy some equiptment and do more. We only did 3 individual climbs but it really was great fun. We also did a couple of long rapells. After that training we began technique training (normal military tactics). We trained on platoon tactics we were to use in field training. The next part was a 4 day field exercise. Things really did not go very well but it was also uneventful. Most of our training was reviewed and we were told that we were doing poorly. At the end of the week only 8 people had passed patrols. We did get rained on a couple times but it hardly bothers me now. After 4 days we came back and retrained on some weaknesses for a day. We discussed our mistakes and how to fix them. Apparently that went well because we only had 2 people fail patrols the second week.
We returned to the field for a 5 day exercise that was much more physical. 3 of the 5 days required extensive casualty evacuation that was very difficult. We had to move multiple people through mountainous terrain to points where they could be extracted (helicopter landing zones, intersections, etc.) The longest was about 2 miles. It was very tiring. It was probably one of the most difficult things we have done and it required a lot of teamwork. A couple of other things that happened of significance were, a thunderstorm in the middle of the night, we had to drop all our gear and move to low ground while the storm passed for an hour and a half. We were just sitting in the woods at 2 in the morning waiting for it to stop.
The last difficult march we did was a three mile march that included a 1/4 mile steep section. It was very difficult. I actually had thoughts of just sitting down and quitting. It was the last night in the field and we had very little sleep while in the field - about 2 hrs a night is the max sleep possible, but we usually only got an hour of sleep at night. The lack of food and sleep constantly nag at me. It doesn't stop me from functioning, but you always notice. I have an insatiable appetite right now. I can eat a ton of food and still be hungry shortly after. Now I just try to ignore the feeling. As for sleep, sometimes you drone an zone out, other times you nod off for a couple of minutes and swear you were awake.
Well, that's it for my paper and tells you a little of what's going on. Florida will be worse. We have a 9 day field exercise with lots of swamps. I hope to do well and see you soon. ..."
-Dale

Posted by Shalene

Letter Dated April 30th

..."We just finished a 4 day field training exercise. It was much more difficult than Benning. The mountains did not bother me so much, but we ate less and slept less than ever before. In 4 days, I think I slept a total of 5hrs. The last night we rotated thru short gaurd shifts, every time someone would wake me up, I would argue that I had just gone to sleep. I was so tired, I wouldn't even realize that I had been sleeping. The field problem didn't go very well for our platoon. Normally, about 40 % of the people already have passed patrols. Our platoon less than 20% have passed. We leave on another field problem today. It should be more stressful because so few of us have passed. Well, I have to run. We have a tight schedule. "
-Dale

Posted by Shalene

Letter Dated April 23rd

..."So far Mountains has been great. The first 5 days is mountaineering training. Mostly rock climbing and rappelling. It was a blast. They say it is the most fun you can have in Ranger School. Now, we are in classes and practical exercises before we start patrolling. It seems like the patrols will be difficult. Our platoon is having trouble coming together. Hopefully all turns out well. I am in good spirits. The first week of Mountains was time to heal and recuperate. We are eating 3 meals a day and sleeping 4-6 hours a night. The breakfasts are great. It's a ton of food. Almost like having a buffet meal on one tray. So, right now I am fat & happy, well at least for Ranger School. .....
We head to the field tomorrow. We are being inserted by helicopter to a mountain landing zone to start our mission. It should be fun. That will be my second helo ride in Ranger School. ...."
-Dale

posted by Shalene