Shoup Airlines

Victory Forge

One final test. The ultimate exam to measure our skills. A culmination of all things learned in the last eight weeks. How does an organization, one that has been around since 1776, quantify such an unmeasurable amount? By making us hurry up and wait…and wait…and then wait some more. Actually it’s a six day, seven night adventure into the sticks to see who can smell the worst and still accomplish all tasks assigned. Should be fun!

A motor move to wherever we motor moved, because let’s be honest, I have no idea where half this crap is and Ft. Jackson is frellin’ huge! Once off the bus, we heave the rucks and lock and load. Oh yeah, it’s 7:30 at night with a six mile march in front of us. Then, unexplicably, we wait for not a single reason I can identify.

Forty five minutes later we finally step into the dark of night which really isn’t all that dark because of the full moon. Normally we march as a company but tonight is by platoon so we know the games (OpFor) are starting early. Second platoon, up in front of us a good half mile, gets unloaded on by the OpFor. Word is passed down that they didn’t fair too well. Coming up on the scene of attack, nothing is left but the smell of gun poweder. Sadly, no attacks for First. We reach the site, set up the hooches and bed down for the night.