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.