Operation: March Madness

March 4th-6th

I arrived at 9pm on Friday March 4th. And again the militia taxi had a rider. With rising fuel prices I for one don't mind sharing my truck for the long ride out. Upon arrival StandOnGuard aka Kong and I deployed. The road was snow covered with drifts as high as 18 inches. Sleds were the order of the day having to bring out my winter backpack, kitchen gear and a medic jump bag the sleds really are the way to go. 

Upon arrival we were contacted by members of the pioneer class who had arrived prior to us. Super6, Tinman and Bishop had already made camp for the night. I chose to take the road in, unknown to me at the time the fellas had already blazed a path across the field.  One thing to take into account that most of us don't regularly go out for half mile hikes at 9 o'clock at night in 18 inches of snow dragging 200 lbs of gear on a sled. Its cold, your taxed by the activity and the stress of the day. For my money the longer walk is far better than the chance of tripping on the furrowed ground of the field. 

Upon making it back to the camp I decided to take up residence in Griffin's den (for the new guys this is the official name of the tent). Kong decided he would set up bivouac over where I had attempted to last month. I showed him to the area and gave him suggestions on setting up his tarp and ground cover. Bishop and Super6 also came by and made suggestions. Being the medic on call I made sure that the new guy had a radio with which he could call if he needed help. The temps that night were down to 20 degrees with out the wind chill. I explained that if for any reason he got wet that this constituted and emergency holler for help and or call on the radio. I'm not sure what camping experience Kong has but I wanted to stress to him that winter camping is no joke and that he could get hurt fairly easy if he didn't use his head. This is good advice for anyone the biggest killer in the woods is pride and not being prepared. If you are not prepared and you find yourself in trouble (i.e. wet in winter) you need to get help or help yourself and quickly. Many once a year hunters, and occasional hikers are to proud to call out for help and find themselves in for a world of hurt or worse when they can't find there way back to the truck and end up visiting the 'hypothermia hotel'

Awake I'm wide awake and I got me a new hat. Thanks Tinman

Well revelry was at 0530 and 0531 and 0532 (my cell phone has 3 alarms and plays music) I woke up the first time but allowed the bugle to play on for the amusement of my tent mates. Before we had turned in for the night Mouse had arrived (with his trusty deep dish heavy hauler sled) he made it 4 of us in the tent. I checked on Kong and found him still but alive after asking him if he could feel his fingers and toes and then asking if either hurt I decided that he had successfully winter camped. I later learned that he camped outside on his previous visit with us.

 We had several more arrivals before I had breakfast made Mak9, Scopemaster5,  Eagle, and Truck Stop (the later folks are not new but Oakland County fellas; good to see them guys again) After breakfast Level 2 qualifying began. Only level 2 qualified persons were eligible for the pioneer class.

Three people were going for record, however most of the level 2 people left out with the hopeful to cheer them on. This is a the kind of thing you often see, we have some really good people no one is out there to see anyone fail. We all try to be an encouragement to each other. We don't bend the rules for anyone, safety rules can't be bent cause people could get hurt. We don't bend the rules regarding the standards we have set (levels 1 & 2) Much debate and discussion went into forming them. Often people ask why this or that is a part of level whatever and it not hard to give them a lengthy answer because much thought went into it. The walk was not all that easy due to the snow drifts remember there were spots where the snow was 18" deep. Most of the "cheer leaders" decided to wait at the finish line after a lap or two. Level 2 is three laps (3 miles) in 1 hour and 15 minutes. All but one person finished in time. 

Next came the shooting for record. This took a few attempts I guess Truck stop had some issues with his iron sights on his M1A. But eventually all the shooters hit the mark. Finally came the skills portion of the level 2 requirement make a field expedient shelter that you would stay the night in  complete a series of 3-5 second rushes and bandage an extremity.   

shelter well concealed good use of foliage	good shelter though not as camo-rific	patch me up ! ! !

Everyone did well and all passed the skills requirement. While all this was going on we had another couple of arrivals CPL. Punishment, Sabre21 and more importantly Ross and his lovely wife Robin (who donated the pork cutlets for lunch) Yeah we got lunch in there some where also. Donated pork cutlets and of course my famous garlic beans. We also ran level 1 march apparently Sabre21 needed to requalify, and Kong was eager to give it a try. Unfortunately Sabre21 had a misplaced step that made him reconsider his attempt. There is no point pushing yourself to the point of serious injury. He will give it another try next month. Kong was really close to making level ,1 he had tried level 2 earlier.  He came within seconds of the level 1 mark. He has the ability. I'm sure being a college student he does his fair share of hiking around campus. However, the snow drifts and the uneven terrain of the road really add to the difficulty. 

the manly man what brung da' meat and his lovely wife	Pork the other white meat	apparently the food was good, Ay

With all the qualifying done it was time for the Pioneer class to begin. Super6 had his new gifted hat on and he ran the guys thru the the paces. First up was reading, understanding and signing the waiver he had drawn up. The SMVM encourages people to strive for the highest level of training they are capable of. Super6 offering this class gives people who have completed level 2 something further to strive for. He has spent long hours searching for skills and abilities that he can cover given the nature of a civilian militia and the equipment he has access  to.  This class is all his, every effort will be made to keep thing safe but it is important that the risks be explained and everyone who is willing acknowledge they are volunteering for this challenge.

After the signing of the waivers. Super6 took his crew into the tent for a pow wow. Administrative matters were discussed as well as a overview of the course. On the range our late arrival Ross was sighting in and then qualifying. I guess a few of his shots were two'fers (2 rounds nearly sharing the same hole) Congratulations Ross now all you need is a call sign how about Razor like in Razorback hog.... (since you donated pork cutlets) When the guys broke from the meeting in the tent I was already packing to leave.  I understand that CPL Punishment was getting folks together to run the 4 pin shoot. All in all it was a very productive training one more level one qualified individual, 3 level 2 qualified people and the first ever Pioneer class has begun.

Pioneer class (class A - 104).  (Mouse, Mak9, Eagle, Tinman, Super6 --back row) (Bishop, Truck Stop, Scopemaster5 --front row)

Well next month we will be training but there will also be work details to get the range ready  for the Militia Field day. Make sure you invite everyone you know and if you can't make it for a  work detail to clean up then you better make the field day along with no less than 3 friends. Anything less would be madness.

-ChuckWagon aka F.J. LoPiccolo Jr.

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