[The Reaper]

We spoke of one particular event with the same dread that we spoke of the Ranger Course’s Malvesti Field Obstacle Course, otherwise known for its “worm pit”. This event was the dreaded log PT. Although, log PT would be just a one-day event, it was one of those things that we spoke of in hushed conversations hoping the cadre would not hear us. Perhaps we felt as young school children do; if the teacher is not reminded of the previous night’s homework, she might not assign any today either. Our logic didn’t quite make sense, but we spoke of the log PT as if the mere mention might make logs magically descend from the sky along with instructors with whistles and clipboards. Well, it didn’t quite happen that way. We were actually the ones that descended on the logs, and the cadre was already there with the whistles, clipboards and, curiously enough, a digital camcorder. Not only were they going to record our performance on the clipboards, they were going to film it and study us later.

We performed all manner of exercises with the logs. We pushed them over our heads, did squats, sit-ups, push-ups, and some varieties of back exercises. The strangest of all exercises was an exercise known as the Star Jumpers, which was essentially a jump squat. This exercise we did without the benefit of the logs. The curious thing here was that we were required grab fistfuls of sand when we were at the starting position and fling the sand up in the air as we leaped upwards. This had the effect of creating an abrasive blizzard of sand that got into every orifice in one’s body. We had to essentially do the Star Jumpers with our eyes closed as some of us were already blinded by the fistfuls of sand. Then, a couple of us got the bright idea of flinging the sand forwards, towards the instructors, as opposed to up, or backwards, towards ourselves. This novel idea seemed to spread quickly and soon enough we sent some instructors for cover. It was a simple and short-lived victory, for which we paid dearly in subsequent log drills. But, it was, more importantly, a sign that we had jelled into a cohesive group.

Land Navigation

Log PT was followed by two timed runs and two timed rucksack marches. All four events were several miles in length each. We were never really sure as we were not allowed any watches on these events and were not told the distances we covered. We simply had to do our best and hope it was enough. The runs and rucksack marches all happened on separate days and helped to speed along the week. This led us into some classroom instruction in land navigation. Land navigation is the test bed the instructors use to assess candidates’ commitment to mission accomplishment. Besides it being a cornerstone of SF infiltration methods, land navigation challenges one’s decision-making process as well. For instance, if one is given an objective to which one is to arrive as fast as possible, and it turns out that it is just five kilometers away, as the crow flies, would one use the terrain to one’s advantage and choose the proper routes to expedite the movement? What if there is a huge draw between the objective and the start point? Would one try to avoid the draw completely and move around a much longer route, but with better terrain? How does one measure the pros and cons of a route? Also, the land navigation goals begin to expand. One can begin with a seven-kilometer movement only to arrive and receive coordinates to a twelve-kilometer movement, and so on. The distances get longer, and eventually, the weight gets higher. Many candidates quit, or got injured, during these exercises.

There was a prescribed minimum weight of forty-five pounds for the rucksacks. The instructors had numerous portable scales that they would bring throughout the training area to ensure that all candidates were carrying the correct amount. If the rucksack were lacking in weight it would be considered “light” and the student would loose any points gained during that particular exercise. Also, he would be reprimanded for an honor / integrity violation for trying to gain “an unauthorized advantage over other candidates”. The rucksacks are not the most well designed weight distribution medium the Army has come up with. The straps put undue stress on the shoulders and the weight of the rucksack strains at the muscles on the lower back. If frequent rain wets the feet early on an exercise, it softens the skin, which promptly breaks, or blisters, if not well conditioned. Will the candidate persevere through all this and continue? Or, will his times continue to deteriorate and cause him to be unsuccessful in completing all movements? Most movements began at 0300. This meant that darkness would occupy about half the time one spends out in the woods. Some candidates were not used to the sound of rattlesnakes in the dark, or the shadowy movements of water moccasin snakes in the waters of certain crossings. Unknown howls in the dark, large spiders perched on webs strung-up at about head level, or the mere confusion of moving with poor illumination and rain; all these things got to some people. It wasn’t long before less than one hundred and thirty men were left in the course.

Some of these conditions brought out the best and worst in some; some times at the same time. A captain broke his foot during the second land navigation exercise known as “The Star” and continued with the course until the end. He was selected. Another soldier lost his weapon during one of his land navigation movements. He realized later, several kilometers away, that he didn’t have his weapon. In the dark of night, he navigated back to the very spot he was last time he remembered having his weapon, found it, and continued on to successfully complete that day’s land navigation exercise by finding all his points. The instructors didn’t know about his incident with the weapon, but he did not quit when the situation seemed hopeless. He was also selected. It is that quality of never quitting, regardless of how bad things get, that SF is looking for. Many miles are covered, per “Star” exercise. We executed four of those. Two of them we performed back to back with virtually no sleep for two days. After the last “Star” we were given essentially a day off during which we were subjected to Rifle PT (Log PT, only replace the log for our individual rifles and increase all repetitions). Later that day, we received several briefings and additional communications gear, weighing an additional twenty-three pounds, to prepare us for the last, and most important land navigation exercise in the course, the Long Range Individual Movement (LRIM), better known as “The Trek”.

(TBC)