Other training

We worked on other things as well while we were in the field.

I got to use NODs for the first time. NOD's are what the military uses for night operations. It takes a while to get used to seeing through them. The ones we used only went over one eye and the other eye was used as normal. This is what they look like:



And what it looks like seeing through them:


I had a massive head ache after from my eyes straining so much. Your depth perception gets really distorted while wearing them. But it was a good experience!

We also did MOUT (Military Operations on Urban Terrain) training. All the tactical training we learn in ROTC is based on non-village situations. MOUT is training focused specifically on how to clear buildings and villages which is going to be very helpful.

We stayed in wooden buildings that slept about 18 to a room. We had enough space for our cot and about 2 feet between each cot to put all our equipment. This was the first time that females weren't separated from the males while in the field. Normally we are put in our own building and then everyone forgets about us and we are then clueless. It was nice to be treated as part of the group for once. They brought us hot breakfast and dinner and for lunch we ate MRE's.

An MRE is a meal of 3000 calories and I end up eating very little of what comes in them. Most of them don't taste very good. My favs are ravioli and cheese tortellini. Some of the MRE's come with M&M's or Skittles that are expired but still taste good....

An MRE:
The green thing is the heater-the chemicals in it react with water and heat up your food.