I AM ALRIGHT, THE SATELLITE WENT DOWN........
I do like the fact that you all keep tabs on me, Thanks for caring and
sending me the messages wondering where I am. Everything is fine here,
quite a bit busy but besides that all is well.
So here is the update on what has been happening:
We took the Jundi (Iraqi privates) to the rifle range.......What a joy that
was! I would assume that all of you have been on a range at least once in
your lifetime. Most of us quite a bit more than that.....We all know that
Marines live on the range and see all sorts of violations all the time.
"target 34 come to the tower!!!"......you know the drill.........you loaded
a magazine before you were supposed to, or something like that.......Well I
have news for you all!!!!!! Ever seen someone point a loaded weapon at you?
You were pissed werent you? Ever had it done again in your lifetime? How
about in the next 10 seconds after you corrected the first 10 guys?????? I
wasnt this stressed out in the FIRST gulf war! Walking through the oil
fires with Iraqis (yet probably some of the same guys I am training now!!!!)
shooting at me!
The Iraqis have this fear of the pistol, as it was used for executions, so
they get real nervous when you pull yours and tell them to stop pointing
THEIRS at YOU and you will do the same. I had to pull my pistol twice in
the course of 2 days to make examples! So many things I could tell you
about the 3 days on the range........Imagine EVERYTHING, every violation you
have ever seen or heard about, and then see it about every 20
minutes..........all day long, for 3 full days.......Truely amazing that
these people have even attempted a war with anyone other than
......nevermind..........
Next on to the Crucible that we had them do. Everyone know about the
Marines "Crucible"? Its over 48 hours of mental torture, physical exertion,
and mental stress.......non stop for those 48 hours.....Well we tried it for
14 hours with the jundi........Not to bad, they were dog tired, and mentally
done! We humped about 8 miles, about 90% of it in the dark. And this is
after the PFT (Marines fitness test) we had them do in the morning. So they
were up for only about 26 hours. But did them well. They learned that they
could go a long way for a long time........something most of them had
probably never done. My company (about 100 Jundi) couldnt remember the
Brigade Commanders name at 0400......Pretty funny.......
Oh back to the range for a minute........dont worry about me getting
shot..............you know!!!!
I think that about covers the big stuff that we have been doing here, the 3
week bootcamp is about over, then on to AIT (advanced infantry training) and
MOS (military occupational specialty) after that.
I didnt bring with me all the invoices to Thank all of you, but just know
that if you sent a package within the last 10 days I have recieved it!!!!!!
I am totally amazed still at how good you all are to us. I would love to
meet everyone of you and personally Thank each and everyone.
I will have to make it a point to hit the Tower Park show again this next
year when I am in the States. I will probably post a sign at my camp site
to tell you all who I am........if not, I have a mule with 2 radio antenna
on the back with flags raised!
Christmas once again this year will be away from my family, but with all the
stuff that you all have sent it makes it a little better knowing you all
have me (and the rest of us) in your hearts and prayers. We all Thank you!
Let me get this off to you all, and know that I Thank each and everyone of
you all the time.........along with the guys here!
Cliff Smith and Crew from Iraq
SSgt USMC in Iraq
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