Or, "DaddyBear gladly gives his life to defend Jihadistan, a little known region of Kentucky just to the southwest of Louisville".
Last night, I made my way back down to Fort Knox and spent the evening and early morning as a role player at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) site. I was one of the aggressors against a group of U.S. soldiers who are preparing to deploy overseas. While I did MOUT exercises when I was on active duty, I've never done it as a role player, and it's a totally different experience when you're the one who's being attacked.
I was garbed up in a daishiki, keffiyah, hearing protection, paintball helmet, and a paintball gun. After a safety briefing we were bussed out to one of several 'villages' that have been set up for units to train on several different missions. Due to OPSEC considerations, I won't go into too many details on the scenarios or the layouts of the training areas, but here are a few of my thoughts on the experience:
This morning, I'm tired, sore, bruised in a couple of places, and fired up to go back. I hope that being shot, grenaded, and cuffed last night gave these soldiers experience that will help them complete their missions and come home safe.
Last night, I made my way back down to Fort Knox and spent the evening and early morning as a role player at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) site. I was one of the aggressors against a group of U.S. soldiers who are preparing to deploy overseas. While I did MOUT exercises when I was on active duty, I've never done it as a role player, and it's a totally different experience when you're the one who's being attacked.
I was garbed up in a daishiki, keffiyah, hearing protection, paintball helmet, and a paintball gun. After a safety briefing we were bussed out to one of several 'villages' that have been set up for units to train on several different missions. Due to OPSEC considerations, I won't go into too many details on the scenarios or the layouts of the training areas, but here are a few of my thoughts on the experience:
- The soldiers I fought against were highly trained, extremely professional, and very good at expending ordnance in a very focused and efficient manner.
- When sitting in a conex in 28 degree weather for an hour, you cannot wear too many layers.
- Flashbang grenades, when thrown into said conex in multiples, are extremely loud and will definitely get your attention.
- Up-Armored Humvees with turrets are cool enough to make this cynical veteran geek out. Also, green paintballs will not penetrate the windshield, but will mess up the driver's visibility.
- A vehicle that's been used as an IED will burn for quite a while and makes a good place to warm up in between training scenarios.
- Being captured, flex-cuffed, and placed on your knees facing the wall for 45 minutes sucks.
- 60 rounds of 5.56mm wax bullets, when fired into ones head, torso, and extremities hurts like a mother.
This morning, I'm tired, sore, bruised in a couple of places, and fired up to go back. I hope that being shot, grenaded, and cuffed last night gave these soldiers experience that will help them complete their missions and come home safe.
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