This week proved to be a much better week than last, no failed benchmarks and no more troop mates leaving.
There were two benchmarks this week however, the first one was on Monday. We had our Patrol Drive 2, which is like patrol drive 1 but with more multitasking and the instructors are making sure you are practicing your skills. I did alright, I had some trouble when I had to call in a plate do my next 5 legal lefts and then parallel park. It is amazing how you can blank out when you have five things to do and have a Corporal sitting next to you asking you questions. But the important thing is that I got my 'P' out of it and that is all that matters.
My legs are still sore from what we had to do on Wednesday. For fitness class we had to run about 1.5 miles two by two. The people in the back had to sprint to the front, now that wasn't too bad. But when we arrived at the parade square that is where is got interesting. They broke us up into two relays and had us sprint from one end of the parade square to the other. We must of ran back and forth 7 or 8 times. Then is was run back to the gym, sprinting from back to front again. Oh my poor hamstrings!!
Thursday was a day I will remember, it was the day that Troop 35 stopped double timing it around Depot. We had our drill class and instead of our regular drill Corporal we had the drill Sergeant. The class went as usual until the end when one of my troop mates asked if we could wear our boots. The Sgt said "Alright, we will play a game of Sgt says!". The game is basically like simon says but we have to do drill commands, if you move and he didn't say Sgt says you are out. I lasted about 1 minute before I screwed up, but at the end we had 2 guys still standing and the Sgt said "you can wear your boots."
The whole troop cheered as we thanked the troop mates who had won our boots for us. So now we can march around like big shots not having to jog everywhere we go.
Friday was the second benchmark of the week, our PDT (Police Defensive Tactics) benchmark. Basically it was our handcuffing test, and without going into too much detail I passed. The whole troop did really well on this so it ended the week on a high note.
Next week we have our little brother/sister troop coming in, and it is our job to show them around and welcome them to Depot. It also has in store for us our pepper spray day. So look for some pictures of us in pain holding our eyes open.
So with two more benchmarks under our belt and nice shiny boots on our feet, Troop 35 is going strong. Look out week 7 here we come!!!