Week 2: Next time I'm showering with my gun...

This week we got our guns. It was also our first week that we worked outside our base.

We were all to learn how to use our weapons in the most accurate and consistent way. We call this "zero-ing" in our guns. This means that our shots are all hitting the same exact spot throughout every shot. We spent hours shooting and practicing drills. The drills were hard since they involved dropping down on rocks and then crawling on them. Lets just say my arms and legs are all black and blue...

The shooting involved taking 5 bullets and shooting at a target 25 meters away. Then we took the distance away from the center and shifting the aiming devices on the gun till we were perfect or close to it. Also we measured the distance between the 2 furthest bullets to see who has the best shot. It took me 10 times to finely zero in my weapon. I shot way off most the time but the last time it was 1.5 centimeters between bullets which was second best in my unit.

We came back from the outside straight into chag (last day of Passover) which was nice because we got to rest up.

Tonight we had a history lesson on the was of independence. I have to say that sitting where we were all sitting, a couple hundreds soldiers with our guns, learning about what we're fighting for really gave me the chills...

After that we had a half hour to get ready for bed. As I went to shower I left my gun in my room and told my friend to watch it. The problem was I had no time to return to my friend when we were called to attention. I had to run from the shower to where we were standing when I realized I forgot my gun. I ran back to my room. As luck would have it, all 3 of my commanders were standing there asking me were my weapon was. So I said my friend had it. They told me they saw him and he didn't have it so I told them another name and they told me he also didn't have it. So i gave a third name. They were not convinced by my guess work and asked me what if they had taken it? I basically thought they were screwing with me... My commander led me to my unit and luckily my friend had my gun. All was well....for now.

I'm laying in bed with my gun under my pillow going to sleep. Tomorrow we're finishing our zeroing in. Can't wait!"

Week One: Basic Training

Today like everyday started with the soldier who was doing guard duty coming in to our room and waking us up telling us we have 10 minutes to get dressed, shave, brush our teeth, use the bathroom and shine our shoes. Immediately after getting ready we had to race against the clock and immediately stand in rows of three in a straight line with our hands behind our backs without moving. We waited in anticipation to learn see who didn't come out on time, or who came out on time but was not prepared to their standards.
Today worked out well, we all got out on time. We were lucky that even though we were not all ready to their standards we showed that we could all get out on time together. This hasn't happened too much lately. They gave us more time to finish what we needed to do.

After the shock of being woken up earlier than I sometimes go to sleep, followed by 10 minute grooming and dressing we were given the option of praying. In the army here, there are a lot of religious soldiers and the army gives us time to pray in the morning, afternoon and night. This is a designated time that Jews are meant to pray.

Today was Thursday, when we read from the weekly portion of the Torah, so we had 50 minutes for davening. Usually we only have 35.

After Praying went to breakfast. By this time I am very hungry and feel like I have been up for sometime already.

You know, before we start every meal they pour soap in our hands and make us wash. There is a mirror by the sink and every time i wash my hands i look in the mirror and see myself wearing an IDF uniform and i smile. I think I smile more from shock than anything. I can say that wearing this uniform makes me really proud and happy. I know what we are doing here is important to the Jewish people.

After that we spent all day in class learning about the m16 and at night we got tested on it. at 4 we had our first masa with our equipment. It was only part of it no helmet or bullet proof vest.

After that they gave us our tags. It was actually really cool. I got a lot of feeling of pride from the commanders and soldiers.

The rest of the night was the test and the usual running whenever we talk or don't stand straight. Push ups here and there and now I'm laying bed writing this while i need to be up in 6 hours for guard duty and i have to wake everyone up tomorrow.