This morning was spent touring the Cavalry museum and they let us try on uniforms from each of the wars. Here is Tracy, our Principal, all decked out. We also practiced getting into formation, etc.
Then we ate in one of the mess halls. It was great! Angela and I, then Tracy and our new Assistant Principal, Dave Martinez.
After lunch we went to the simulator training center where first we got into a caravan of humvees and shot at simulated enemies on screens all around us while we drove on rough terrain. I took a turn shooting the big gun on top then a rifle from inside.
Then they showed us how to clear a room in teams of three. One of the soldiers took the best video of me on my turn. Ask me to view it. Hilarious!
We next went to a simulator training next door where we went inside Bradlee vehicles and did a practice simulation and then another simulation of real warfare. Dave and I were hitting targets like crazy during the practice round but when they started the real thing and moved toward us, we quickly used up our ammo and got killed.
It was pretty amazing seeing how tiny the space that the soldiers have to be in. The Bradlees are basically their campers for months at a time. We were cramped in there like sardines and they have six people plus all their belongings in there! And all their food and water and ammo. Unbelievable.
Next they took us to the real vehicles where we tried on the gear and touched he real guns and got into and on all the vehicles. We got on tanks, Bradlees and humvees.
We got to put on all their equipment which was crazy heavy by itself. But then they had us try on their packs, too. I couldn't even take two steps and they train in those! Not to mention combat!
We then went to the recreation center which is a prototype for military installations, a ten million dollar project with amazing technology and entertainment. There were six satellites and tvs, about a half dozen large screen gaming centers and about three dozen additional computers, poker and pool tables, a patio with a fire pit and giant bbqs, and a full snack bar, bar and coffee shop. After seeing what these soldiers experience, I see how they truly need something like this.
The soldiers that we met today and interacted with were friendly, helpful, courteous and professional. They patiently answered any questions and explained things in ways we could understand. They were so proud to share what they do with us. We met two of the four head honchos at Fort Riley and they were super impressive yet very personable, also. They didn't just bull us, either, they shared the real life issues with us. They really wanted us to know what it's like to be in the army.
I went today basically to meet the new Assistant Principal and do some team building with he and Angela and Tracy, which we did, but we did so much more! I learned so much. My step dad would have been so incredibly impressed with the simulators. I am so glad I did this.
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