NousDefionsDoc
02-03-2004, 10:17
I was a tanker for a day.
Back when it was somewhat inconvenient, there was no 18X program. One had to be a Buck Sergeant to apply for the Q (Sp/4 P for 18D). So I went to the 82nd Airplane Gang to be seasoned. My Company Commander in Discom was an Armor officer. And property disposal was near the company area. So one day, we have the mandatory water training at the pool. On the way back, the CO sees a tank in the property disposal yard. Marine M48 if I'm not mistaken. Starts talking about tanks. So me and a bud come up with an idea for training. We're going to get the tank and do something with it.
So we get the ball rolling, lay out the plan, etc. They give us the tank and a 10 minute block of instruction on how make it move. It had been gutted. It would drive ok, but no venitilation, only two vision blocks, etc. We put on the little sleeping bag hats so we would look like real tankers.
We drive it out to a range the day before and spend the night "guarding it" (you guard everything in the 82nd.) Next morning, the Company shows up with an OSHA guy and a deuce and a half full of sub-caliber LAAWs. We park the tank downrange and fire one SC LAAW. The OSHA guy looks to make sure it didn't penetrate, blesses the training plan, and leaves.
So me and my bud get in the montrosity and start driving it back and forth across the range. Both SP/4s. In July.
"Ok, go ahead!"
"On the way"
BANG!
"Time out! Time out! Time out!"
What happened?"
"We didn't count on the noise!"
"Well, we're here now, we gotta train!"
So we spend the moring driving it back and forth while they shot at it.
About 12:00, HQ1 and a bunch of PAO guys show up. Its The Man, General James Lindsay. They watch for a little while and we get a radio call:
"Come on up here, the CG wants to talk to you guys."
The CG wanted to drive the tank. So we're riding around and he says "Tell them to shoot one."
"Sir, that ain't a good idea."
"Who's the CG?"
"Bravo29, this is Tango01, let 'er rip tater chip"
"Tango01 negative. VIP on board."
"Bravo29, The Man says he's the boss, let 'er rip."
"Stand by"
BANG!
CG - "HOLY MARY MOTHER OF GOD! You guys been doin' this all day?"
"Roger that sir!"
"Good training. Stop and let me out." As he walked away, I could swear I heard him say "Crazy assed Spec 4 mafia."
Wait until it gets real hot, then turn on the heater and oven in your house and light a fire in the fireplace. Then have one of your kids turn a blowdryer on you while wearing a wetsuit. Now, have your Missus dump the vacuum cleaner dirt from the bag on you. Now hold your breath. Then stick your head in a steel drum and have a bud hit it with a sledge hammer. That's about half as bad as that day. LOL - a good time was had by all.
The CG gave us a CG's coin and the Co got an attaboy for his file for best training or something like that.
Back when it was somewhat inconvenient, there was no 18X program. One had to be a Buck Sergeant to apply for the Q (Sp/4 P for 18D). So I went to the 82nd Airplane Gang to be seasoned. My Company Commander in Discom was an Armor officer. And property disposal was near the company area. So one day, we have the mandatory water training at the pool. On the way back, the CO sees a tank in the property disposal yard. Marine M48 if I'm not mistaken. Starts talking about tanks. So me and a bud come up with an idea for training. We're going to get the tank and do something with it.
So we get the ball rolling, lay out the plan, etc. They give us the tank and a 10 minute block of instruction on how make it move. It had been gutted. It would drive ok, but no venitilation, only two vision blocks, etc. We put on the little sleeping bag hats so we would look like real tankers.
We drive it out to a range the day before and spend the night "guarding it" (you guard everything in the 82nd.) Next morning, the Company shows up with an OSHA guy and a deuce and a half full of sub-caliber LAAWs. We park the tank downrange and fire one SC LAAW. The OSHA guy looks to make sure it didn't penetrate, blesses the training plan, and leaves.
So me and my bud get in the montrosity and start driving it back and forth across the range. Both SP/4s. In July.
"Ok, go ahead!"
"On the way"
BANG!
"Time out! Time out! Time out!"
What happened?"
"We didn't count on the noise!"
"Well, we're here now, we gotta train!"
So we spend the moring driving it back and forth while they shot at it.
About 12:00, HQ1 and a bunch of PAO guys show up. Its The Man, General James Lindsay. They watch for a little while and we get a radio call:
"Come on up here, the CG wants to talk to you guys."
The CG wanted to drive the tank. So we're riding around and he says "Tell them to shoot one."
"Sir, that ain't a good idea."
"Who's the CG?"
"Bravo29, this is Tango01, let 'er rip tater chip"
"Tango01 negative. VIP on board."
"Bravo29, The Man says he's the boss, let 'er rip."
"Stand by"
BANG!
CG - "HOLY MARY MOTHER OF GOD! You guys been doin' this all day?"
"Roger that sir!"
"Good training. Stop and let me out." As he walked away, I could swear I heard him say "Crazy assed Spec 4 mafia."
Wait until it gets real hot, then turn on the heater and oven in your house and light a fire in the fireplace. Then have one of your kids turn a blowdryer on you while wearing a wetsuit. Now, have your Missus dump the vacuum cleaner dirt from the bag on you. Now hold your breath. Then stick your head in a steel drum and have a bud hit it with a sledge hammer. That's about half as bad as that day. LOL - a good time was had by all.
The CG gave us a CG's coin and the Co got an attaboy for his file for best training or something like that.