Camp Merrill: Week One

Hello everyone!  As many of you probably remember, during Patrick's first time through Darby Phase, I posted a day-by-day run down of what he would be doing.  Those excerpts are from the book, So This Is Ranger School.  I am going to continue adding those weekly to the blog as Patrick goes through Mountains Phase.  So without further adue, here is what Patrick will be doing this week.

Day 1 (9/30/12):  This day will start with you leaving Camp Rogers by bus and arriving at Camp Merrill sometime in the early afternoon.  Once you arrive, you will receive your orientation brief from your new instructors then move to the gym to get a health assessment.  At the health assessment, the doctors will look at your feet or any other injuries or issues that you might have developed while at Camp Darby.  After this is complete, you will move all of your baggage over to your company area and conduct your duffle bag layout.  Then the instructors will break you down into your new squads and platoons and then issue you the equipment that you will need for mountaineering week.  After all this is complete, you will move to your barracks for the night.

Day 2:  Day 2 starts the four days of the mountain phase known as “lowers.”  During these four days, you will learn the basic mountaineering skills such as knots, belays, anchors, and rappels.  Particularly, on Day 2, your day will start with breakfast in the mess hall.  Camp Merrill has some of the best pancakes ever. After breakfast, you will move to “lowers,” located about 15 minutes from your barracks area.  At lowers, you will get your first class on mountaineering.  On this day, you will rotate between three stations to prepare for your test the following day.  The first station will be your knots class.  At the knots class, you will learn how to tie the knots that you will be tested on the next day and will use during the rest of the phase.  They are:  the bowline, double figure eight, rerouted figure eight, figure eight slip, munter hitch, round turn with two half hitches, square, prusik, and clove hitch.  The second class will be your belay class.  In this class, you will learn how to tie into and test a mechanical belay system.  You will have all day and night to practice the knots and the belay system prior to your evaluations the next morning, so make sure you understand the material.  The third class will be your introduction into rappelling where you will learn to rappel off of a 660 foot wall, and then learn how to tie and rig a SKEDCO for transport.  These three classes will take all day.  You can expect to be at lowers until later that night practicing the knots and belay system.

Day 3:  The beginning of this day will start with the knots and belay system test.  You will be tested on your ability to execute a mechanical belay system. If you fail these tests the first time you will have a chance to retest, but don’t anticipate getting more than two retests.  After the tests are complete, you will receive a class and a practical exercise on a one rope bridge and a V-haul.  A V-haul is a rope suspension system that you will use to transport personnel and supplies up and down the mountain.  These two classes are important for you will have to execute both of these tasks during graded patrols. 

Days 4-5:  these days will be the trip to Mount Yonah where you will do advanced mountaineering known as “uppers.”  You will foot march out to the mountain site and conduct rappelling off the rock face of Mount Yonah.  Also, while you are there, you will do buddy rappels, casualty assisted evacuation rappels, and balance climbs.  You will spend the night prior to the foot march back to Camp Merrill.  If the weather situation limits you from going to Mount Yonah, you will do all of the same exercises at Camp Merrill off a 120+ foot rock face.  Both of these days are a pretty good time, so enjoy it.

Day 6:  This will be your first day of cadre (instructor) led classes.  The first focus for this day is the Operations Orders (OPORD) and Fragmented Orders (FRAGO) classes.  Your orders’ process during this phase will be quite different than your orders during the Darby phase.  Although the structure of your orders does not change much, the main area that will different is briefing the actions on the objective.  You will still have to make the briefing as personal as possible, but you can develop the plan with much more freedom than what you experienced in Camp Darby.  The second focus for the rest of this day will be the development of your platoon stand

Headed to Mountains!!!

PATRICK MADE IT!!!  He passed Darby Phase!  He came out of the gate yesterday grinning like a Cheshire cat! :)  We had a really nice pass, but it flew by!  By the time we shopped for his supplies, did laundry and ate, we didn't have much time left.  It was so nice to be able to see him again, though.  We really were able to soak in that last bit of time together before the baby comes. He had to be back at Camp at 5:00 pm, where they ate chow and then loaded the buses to head to Camp Merrill.  This is where he will complete the mountains phase of Ranger School.  Camp Merrill is located in Dahlonega, GA.  Below is a summary of mountains phase from the Ranger School website.  I will continue to write the daily activities blurbs, but this is a great general overview.

Thank you to everyone for their prayers!  Keep it up!

**His new address is coming soon, but I'm still waiting on his squad info to be able to have it completed.  I'll post it as soon as I have it.

MOUNTAINS

During the Mountain Phase at Camp Frank D. Merrill in the North Georgia Mountains, students receive instruction on military mountaineering tasks, mobility training, as well as techniques for employing a platoon for continuous combat patrol operations in a mountainous environment. They further develop their ability to command and control platoon size patrols through planning, preparing, and executing a variety of combat patrol missions. The Ranger student continues to learn how to sustain himself and his subordinates in the adverse conditions of the mountains. The rugged terrain, severe weather, hunger, mental and physical fatigue, and the emotional stress that the student encounters afford him the opportunity to gauge his own capabilities and limitations as well as that of his "Ranger Buddies".

Ranger students receive four days of training on military mountaineering. During the first two days at the Lower Mountaineering Area on Camp Merrill, Ranger students learn about knots, belays, anchor points, rope management and the basic fundamentals of climbing and rappelling. Mountaineering training culminates with a two day exercise at Yonah Mountain applying the skills learned during Lower Mountaineering. Students conduct one day of climbing and rappelling over exposed high angle terrain. The second day squads perform mobility training to move their personnel, equipment, and simulated casualties through severely restrictive terrain using fixed ropes and hauling systems.

Following mountaineering, students conduct four days of combat techniques training. During this training students receive classes and perform practical exercises on Movement to Contact, Patrol Base, Troop Leading Procedures, Operations Orders (OPORD), Combatives, Ambush, and Raid.

Students then perform ten days of patrolling during two field training exercises. Combat patrol missions are directed against a conventionally equipped threat force in a low intensity conflict scenario. These patrol missions are conducted both day and night and include Air Assault Operations and extensive cross country movements through mountainous terrain. The Ranger students execute patrol missions requiring the use of their mountaineering skills. Platoon missions include movements to contact, vehicle and personnel ambushes, and raids on communication and mortar sites. Students also conduct river crossings and scale steeply sloped mountain. The stamina and commitment of the Ranger student is stressed to the maximum. At any time, he may be selected to lead tired, hungry, physically expended students to accomplish yet another combat patrol mission.

At the conclusion of the Mountain Phase, students move by bus or parachute assault into the third and final Phase of Ranger training, conducted at Camp Rudder, near Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. 

Letters from Patrick

Hello, everyone!  Yesterday, I received a bundle of letters from Patrick!  He likes to write throughout the day and then rip those pages out of his notebook, so they end up reading more like journal entries.  I thought I would share some excerpts from them with you, so you could hear how he's doing in his own words. 

Darby phase ends tomorrow for him, so I am going in the morning to pick him up.  If he meets me at the car, then he passed and progresses onto Mountains phase.  If he does not, then he will be dropped from Ranger School for the time being and come home for good.  If this happens, he will be given another opportunity to complete Ranger School after his first deployment.  I will let you know how it goes.  Now, on to the fun stuff:  Patrick's letters!

September 15, 2012I’m feeling A LOT more confident in myself and the material.  Please continue to pray that it will continue to grow.  I’m in what seems to be a pretty good squad, but we’ll see how things turn our after a couple of days at Darby.  It’s hard to believe that it was a week ago that I was on pass.  Only 13 days til the next one through, and it will be a good one because I’ll be going to Mountains.  There are so many things that happen here that I wish I could take pictures of.  I think it would help people understand what goes on here.  There’s a lot of things that are really funny and then there’s a lot of things that are only funny because you’re in Ranger School.

I’m pretty hungry right now.  I think my stomach expanded during pass and my time in Vaughn’s platoon [that’s where Patrick was in between his first and second attempt at Darby Phase].  I’ve actually been pretty hungry the past couple of days.  I guess there’s nothing to do but to drive on. 


September 16, 2012
Today we’ve had a pretty relaxed day, at least for the inserts.  We got about four hours of sleep last night, and I got a major plus!  In the back of my mind I always remember that the Lord knows what I need before I ask, but He’s really shown our so far.  I’ve been able to learn a lot more, and I pray that I’ll be able to retain it all.  This is due to the fact that I’m not already sleep deprived and broken down from RAP week.  However, the down side is that we are constantly hungry!  There is a constant gnawing in my stomach.  Time creeps by as I chew the same piece of gum for 2 hours. 

I’ve got some good guys in my squad that help me stay motivated and positive. I’m finally getting a little excited about the school and career possibilities afterward... I guess we just train up, have faith and drive on.  Whatever happens, I pray that the Lord will give me the desires of my heart as I trust in Him and bring glory to Him by my life.

September 17, 2012I’m sitting in a Troop Leading Procedures class (TLP) trying to stay awake.   With hot chow you have to get creative in order to get more calories.  For example, I put six packets of sugar in my small serving of grits.  Or grabbing extra syrup packets and drinking them while eating bread with jelly.  The creamsicle flavored gum has been pretty good, though.  However, the strawberry shortcake gum is probably the best.  Eventually the hours turn to days and the days into weeks, and I know that nothing but Heaven and Hell lasts forever.  I want to be more bold in my faith.  I really want a Ranger tab, but it’s not worth mine or anybody’s soul. 

September 19, 2012The past couple of days have been alright.  I got to be the actions on squad leader for yesterday’s ambush patrol.  I shocked myself with how much of the information I had retained.  Did a practice patrol base last night.  It went alright.  The conditions really sucked though.  We were all shivering, trying to finish our priorities of work so that we could eat and sleep.  Had a decent MRE, the Veggie Lasagna.  Only got 20 minutes of sleep though.  It rained pretty much all day on Monday, so Hollis Creek was waist deep when I decided to fall into it today with my weapon on my back.  Oh well.  I laughed it off. What can you do? 

Knee pads were a good idea this time.  So far, I’ve been wearing the same ACUs for over a week [that is his own choice].  It’s probably time to change, especially now that we’re going to start graded patrols tomorrow.  I’m kind of excited and kind of dreading it at the same time.  I’ll do my best and leave the rest up to the Lord.  I’ve become more confident in myself and my leadership abilities the past week.  I hope and pray that this only continues.  I’ve noticed that I’ve become a better soldier too.  It’s the small things that make a big difference.  I’m learning SO MUCH!  A lot about myself and the human body, the spirit of a warrior, and just life in general.  I hope I can make it through this school and pass on the wisdom I learned here to help people grow in their faith and lead better lives.

September 22, 2012The squad is starting to work together and guys are starting to understand how things go around here.  I wonder who Alabama is beating today.  I wish I could have had the opportunity to go to a game this season.  Who knows, maybe I can, but probably not.  I’ve become the admin leader of my squad. 

We’ve got another patrol base tonight, which means none of us will sleep, especially me because I’m the RTO.  I’m kind of disappointed because I have the Southwest Beef and Beans MRE for dinner, and I wanted to be able to enjoy it.  Now I’ll have to eat it really fast.  I finally changed uniforms yesterday.  11 days in the same uniform is a new personal record that I do not intend on breaking any time soon, or maybe even ever.  I’m glad everybody had been praying for me.  I can feel the power of their prayers in my day to day life.  I look forward to seeing everyone again and telling them all about this pace and how their support is going to continue to be part of my success here.

I’ve got an ambush to be a part of right now, so I’ve got to cut this journal session a little shorter than I wanted.  Night vision, face paint, and vegetation wait to be placed on my body.  Gnats and ants stand by to have a feast on my flesh as I lay here in the prone monitoring the radio while watching a beautiful sunset.  I  guess “Rangers lead the way” has to mean something, huh? 

Back to Darby

 Despite the disappointment of getting recycled, Patrick and I had a great weekend!  He got all of Saturday and some of Sunday off.  We spent a good portion of the visit restocking his supplies and washing his clothes.  (We soaked them in Oxi-clean and washed them twice, and they still didn’t have that fresh clean smell.  Yuck!!)  We watched some of the Alabama game before he had to go back, and he really enjoyed getting to do that.  Last season, he only got to see the Alabama-Auburn game.  He should get to see a few more towards the end of this season.  It was really nice to get to catch up and hear some of his Ranger School stories.  The next time you see him, you should ask him to tell you some of them.  I laughed pretty hard!

This week at Ranger School, he will go through a series of classes for the recycle students before being inserted into the new class.  (The new class is doing RAP week this week, and he does not have to repeat that.)  All he will be redoing is the patrols portion, which will be the following two weeks.

 Patrick told me to pass along how great it was to get letters while he's away.  He said getting letters reminds him that everyone back home is thinking about him and praying for him.  If you want to write him, this is his new address.  This address may change, but for now, his new address is  
 
2 LT Peake, Patrick P.
ATTN:  Class 11-12, CO A
10850 Schneider Road
Fort Benning, GA 31905

**The underlined portion is all that may change, but past policy shows that he will be in A company.

 Before he left, he wrote down some prayer requests.  We would really appreciate your prayers!

 

Please pray that:
~He would bond with his new squad
~He will learn and know the material thoroughly
~He would have courage and tenacity in facing each task
~He would be the leader he knows he can be
~He will be mentally and physically tough
~He would stay spiritually inspired
~He would remember why he’s there
~He will believe in himself

** I would also like to add the prayer request that the Lord would keep little John Gideon from coming into the world until November 9, when Patrick can be there.

God's Plan

If you didn't read the previous blog, we found out today that Patrick is having to repeat the first three weeks of Ranger School, moving his graduation date to November 9.  This puts a kink in our plans, as the baby is due November 1st.  As we have moved through this trial that is Ranger School, it has often felt like we just can't catch a break.  We know in our heads that God is in control, but the feelings of abandonment and disappointment are definitely there.  I just started a Bible study at my church, and today's lesson was just what I needed.

God called people in hard times to hard things.  Noah was alone in his righteousness, surrounded by wicked people when God called him to build a massive ship.  He was past his prime, and he could not depend on help from anyone outside of his family.  Gideon had only known oppression--to the point of threshing wheat in a wine press in order to keep his harvest--when God called him to tear down idols.  He was given no promise of personal safety  or a non-violent outcome because of it.  He felt that God had abandoned His people.  Because of God's calling on David's life, he spent years living in caves, running for his life.  Elijah lived in a time where being a God-follower was a death sentence, and God called him to speak to the king and queen.  He not only ran for his life, but he wished to die.  Ezekiel was forced from his home and made to live in the land of the Chaldeans when God called him to give a hard message to His people. 

These men seemingly could not catch a break.  Their lives went from bad to worse.  Yet they shaped the very history of the people of God, and they are still known today as faithful men of God.  when we are in times of great trial, it is hard to remember that God has not abandoned us.  Our finite minds and our slavery to time make it hard to see God' plan and purpose.  But that doesn't mean it is not there.  God has promised good to those He has called to His purpose.  We may see that good on earth, or we may not see it until we are in our eternal home.  It does not change the fact that good is coming.  We must cling to this truth.  At times, it may be our only anchor.  God's good will come--we need only to hope, trust, and wait.

Trusting the Lord: Darby Phase

Well, as often happens in Ranger School, Patrick got recycled from Darby Phase.  This means that starting Monday, he will repeat the three weeks of Camp Darby.  Because of this, his graduation date is pushed back to November 9.  John Gideon's due date is November 1.  We knew from this beginning that this was a huge possibility, as Ranger School tells you to plan for at least one recycle after RAP week.  We are really working to trust the Lord that He is in control, and that this is what is best for us.  Please be in prayer with us that Patrick will not be recycled in any other phases, and that John will take his time in coming into the world so his daddy can be there.

Updated Dates:
Darby Phase:  September 10-September 29
Mountains Phase:  September 30- October 20
Swamps Phase:  October 21- November 6

Graduation:  November 9

The Last Week of Darby Phase!

Hello, everyone!  This is a wonderful week, because I get to see Patrick this weekend!!!  If he passes Darby Phase, he will receive an 8 hour pass on Friday.  If he does not pass Darby Phase, he will receive an over night pass on Saturday.  I'm super excited!  However, I can't have too many expectations for this pass, because most of it will be spent washing clothes, restocking and repacking supplies, and possibly taking a well-deserved nap!  I also taped the Alabama-Michigan game, so we may be watching some or all of it, as well.  I will post on facebook whether he passed or not on Friday, and then give you a full review of the weekend on Sunday.  Until then, please be praying that he will pass Darby phase--putting us one step closer to having him Ranger qualified and back home!

Day 14-16:  (Day 14 is Sunday, Sept. 2)These three days will be your platoon level graded patrols.  For these patrols, the chain of command will consist of a platoon leader, platoon sergeant, and four squad leaders.  Additionally, there are 2 new ungraded positions, the RTO (radio man), and the forward observer.  Day 14 will begin with a full operations order and end with the occupation of the patrol base at night.  Days 15 and 16 will start with a fragmentary order in the patrol base and the platoon will move together to the ORP where the squads will either break off to conduct her individual missions or work together as in a platoon sized mission. 

 Day 17:  Day 17 is your last day of graded patrols.  This day will start with a fragmented order in the patrol base and end with link-up for transportation back to Camp Darby.  Once you arrive back at Camp Darby, you will turn in all platoon equipment, clean up the planning bays and weapons, and then move over to the Darby Dome to fill out your peer evaluations.  After peer evaluations, you will individually meet with the RIs in your platoon and receive your reports from your patrol.  This will be the first time you find out if you passed.  After you receive your report, you will likely have your first Dog-ex.  The Dog-ex will probably cost $5 for four hotdogs, a bag of chips, a snack cake, and a soda.  After the Dog-ex, you will go to sleep for a few hours before waking up and going back to Camp Rogers.

 Day 18:  This day will start early as you begin your final clean-up of Camp Darby and begin movement back to Camp Rogers.  Most students will stay at Camp Darby to clean-up the camp, and a small detail (group) will go back to Camp Rogers to begin cleaning the weapons.  All of these weapons will be turned back in prior to leaving for Camp Merrill (in Dahlonega, GA).  Once everyone returns to Camp Rogers, the rest of the day will be spent cleaning weapons.  You may get a 10 minute phone call this night to let your friends and family know that you passed or to call to coordinate for transportation the following morning. 

 Day 19:  If you passed Darby phase, you will receive an 8 hour pass starting around 9:00.  If you did not pass Darby phase, you will receive a two day pass starting Saturday morning.