Cadre Trip 2010
First off I like to say sorry for the lack of post these past few months, I been busy and been having some major computer problems. I did have a big post about one of my fav photographers but ill guess that will have to come later (It got lost when the old computer crashed…..). With that said im coming to you now from one of two brand new computers just landed and opened…well the desktop opened the laptop is in the process of being loaded and optimized.
Now on to my latest.
Over the past week and a half from the 16th to the 26 i have been in North Carolina….to be precise Camp Lejune. The Marine base for training for the Regiment. First thing im going to say is…it was hell. Every day were were out in the field was a black flag day. This meant that even the Marines weren’t even training. The average weather there was 100deg 0 humidity, not to mention carrying at least an 50-70lb back pack an average of about 30 miles minimum over the course of the exercise. I was drinking about 2.5 camelbaks (3 liters each) of water daily and more. Got only 4 hours sleep 5 if i was lucky every night. There were tons of snakes and insects, poisonous and the non poisonous types, the contionous tick checks (one damn funny tick location, not on me but it does rhyme with tick to give you a clue), having your bivy (tent) partner find a poisonous snake in his bag first thing in the morning as you prep to put it on our back to move out. Soo many things to deal with.
Why in my right mind did I continue in cardre…. to be simple I want to be a photojournalist. If I could make it through all of this doing it on my own, with a truck should be easy. Ok personal dream and goals aside, being able to drive in an AAPC (aquatic armored personal carrier) across a river where crocs are chilling out on the banks, getting flown in a helicopter pulling high g-forces on each bank and turn, landing in a field being dropped off like it was an active war zone (this was the wost day for me……the past 4 years haven’t been able to take g-forces like I used to. Was thrown on to some one’s back and carried off the landing area over heated twice that day). Actually firing live rounds with you other squad mates next to you. (yes one wrong move and you could have gotten shot in the back (yes there wee a few people who had a death with and ran straight in to friendly fire; no one was hurt thanks to the staff keeping a close eye on us and putting a boot to any one who was stupid).
Soo many things happened on that trip….would I do it again………Hell no….it was brutal…..well only if I had a vehicle with Ac (or ice cold water) and could take photos instead of carrying a rifle. To all the guys I was with we made it through hell…..or more we should go to hell for a vacation…..
To those who do want a challenge join the regiment and do the cadre you will regret it during but after this trip your be like ok the crap was kinda worth it (At least for the vehicle rides and the paint ball….(I still have the welts but at lease i got the sergeant good….never seen some one do a little dance when trying to run)).
