Week 19 was a full week for Troop 35 and brought us one more week closer to the end which is quite close now. I got my posting as well, but I will make you read the entire week before I tell you..hehe.
We started out this week with some more guest speakers talking about their experiences with hate crimes and different lifestyles.
This week also brought us our last shotgun class, the qualifications. We had to get 30/45 to pass on this course, I shot a 42/45. So I passed that course of fire, but there is no crossed shotguns to put on your serge. Also this week in firearms we got our first and only practice session with the rifle. We were shown the different positions that we can shoot in and then were thrown onto the range to shoot off some rounds. The rifle has a good kick to it, quite comparable to the shotgun, so there were quite a few sore shoulders the next day. I shot pretty well during our practice, I shot 85/100. To qualify with the rifle you need to shoot 60/100 and to get your crossed rifles it is 80/100. So if I keep it up I can get crossed rifles, my goal is to get crowns on the rifle, I think I can do it.
In fitness this week we had our last run...ahh. It was our 3 mile timed run which is twice around the streets of Depot. There were many in the troop (including myself) who would be happy when this was over. At least it was a nice cool day to run it, the week leading up to the run was consistently over 30 degrees, but the day we ran it was about 16. I ran it in a fairly decent time, I wasn't feeling the best that day and I couldn't push as much as I wanted but I ended up with a time of 22:59. I can't remember what the benchmark is for this run but I pretty close to it if I am over the time.
The test that I was nervous about was our PDT#3 which was on Tuesday. Each of us was given a scenario that would make us use all the skills that we had been taught in training. I made a few mistakes but the instructor had me explain them to him and I did so he gave me a 'P' and I was relieved. Of all the tests we had so far that one was probably the most stressful, just because there was so much that they could throw at us and knowing that they expect it done the right way. But I am happy to report that troop 35 did quite well on the test with only a few people having to re-test. With that test out of the way now only leaves rifle qualifications and the big three (final detachments, final panels, and the final exam) left.
To wrap up the week we had our tactical training. This is designed to give us a look into the world of a tactical troop. They are the people that get called out when a riot breaks out or when there is a protest that gets out of hand. We got to put on the helmets and carry the shields and batons around and practice formations. After seeing some videos and hearing from our instructors what happens in riots I have no desire what so ever to become a member of a tactical troop. Putting on 60 pounds of equipment in the summer and having rocks, bottles and malakov cocktails thrown at me is not my idea of a good time.
Last week I told you that I was going to strip my boots because the polish was coming off, well I did that and my weekend was spent heat gunning the old polish off and putting new coats on. But the time was well spent because the boots look good. Which is a good thing because for the first time Troop 35 were troop commanders at morning parade. This brave soul writing even took upon himself to be commander of the first troop on parade. I was pretty nervous because being the number one commander you are right in front of the corporal or sergeant running the parade. We did really good commanding I thought, I only got yelled at a few times for not holding my clipboard right and not being in the proper position once. It was more fun than being on parade because you get to tell the troops what they have to do. We only have to do a few more times next week and that will be it for morning parades....YES!!!