Week 4

This is probably the second-most eventful week in boot camp. The second training day of this week is spent at a firing range. Don't expect to shoot real bullets yet though. This day is an introduction to the 9 millimeter pistol (watch turnover weapon) and the shotgun and their components. You will then fire electronic weapons and will probably do very bad at it because I don't believe any kind of laser to screen targeting is too accurate. This introduction course is known as Small Arms Marksmanship Training (SAMT). The next training day after SAMT is the real stuff. Time to prove what you are made of with a little pistol. It's.....LIVEFIRE! With distances ranging from 3-15 yards and hand positions to keep it switched up, you have at maximum 4 rounds (which is a lot) to earn your second ribbon. Your first ribbon is the Nation Defense Service Ribbon (well...medal and ribbon). You may only earn a medal in pistol shooting if you achieve an Expert rating. You will also hear something at the beginning of the week called "Breaking Blue." This instance is when you are doing something with the gun that you aren't supposed to be doing, ie. pointing the gun other than at the target. I was afraid the whole week that I was going to get sent back a week in training for this infraction, but in reality, the instructors seemed pretty lenient and unless you actually point the gun at their face, you are going to be fine. You will most likely make it out with your second ribbon, whether its Marksman, Sharpshooter (S), or Expert (E). The second to last major event of this week is the Drill Inspection. With more than 2 weeks to practice for this event, the inspection should go pretty smoothly. You march down to the Pacific Fleet Drill Hall which is pretty far from any of the barracks and then you execute all of the commands from the videotape inside the drill hall. You are inspected even on the way there, but the division is not inspected on the way back. Our last event of week 4 is the second academic test which is over Marlinespike terms, U.S. Naval History, gun components, and a few other things. All of these events sum up what I thought was the most stressful week in boot camp.