West Palm Beach, FL.

Family day today. Showed up at 0730, traditional military start time. Few people around, so I took care of my travel claim and other sundry paperwork. FINALLY was rid of the 8 pound binder that I borrowed for TACP in March. I have been hauling that thing around for weeks, and I am glad to get rid of it. Things finally got going around 10, with many fine speeches and good information passed all around. I met the officers, most for the first time. LTCOL Studds gave me a very favorable impression, and CAPT Catlin seems a decent fellow.

I got a pretty major gear issue today. No personal gear, although I did see a box of Under Armour shirts being distributed to the enlisted Marines.

I got:
Brand new field pack, with detachable day pack/Camelbak
Brand new Kevlar helmet, with new camoflage helmet cover
Brand new Kevlar body armor, with new composite bulletproof plates
New Goggles, with interchangeable lenses
Some chemical bath for my cammies that is supposed to repel insects “..like The Force.”

I also got some various issue, including weapons magazines and first aid kit. Overall, the major items I was worried about were taken care of in fine fashion.Got issued seven magazines for M-16 and two for M-9. I asked for an M-203 on the pretext that a grenade launcher would be handy to mark targets with, but they didn’t have any. The armorer told me to ask when I get in country, as there are plenty available there.

I also got a mailing address. Fine piece of information, although I am annoyed that the Marines have had it for weeks. Long enough to mail most of their gear over there, allowing them to travel light with a single bag. I look like a paratrooper with all my crap. Oh, wait. I am a paratrooper.

I also found that I will have my own trailer to live in, complete with internet. Actually, I was told that WiFi was availablein the trailers. I didn’t want to tip my hand about my geekiness too early, so I didn’t ask if it was WiFi or true Cat 5 connectivity, so I plan on hedging my bets by bringing a bridge.

We finished everything up around 1 PM (1300 to the military types). Next checkpoint is to be back in West Palm by 1500 on Saturday afternoon. We finished up a day earlier than I expected. I had to repack a bit of stuff as Dad’s car was already full. I left most of my gear locked in the ANGLICO office. My Beautiful Bride agreed to travel with me when I come back down, as packing is one of her many superpowers. At first pass, I think I will leave the uber field pack, and travel with the two sea bags and my bugout back. I will also bring the day pack. It is going to be tricky to get my helmet, body armor, and other crap into the small remaining space left in my sea bags. I know that if it can be done, my Beautiful Bride will figure out how.