Well, today was M16 rifle qualification day. I haven't shot the M16 since Rota, Spain back in 2003. The backdrop for the shoot at Point Magu was beautiful. Behind us were georgeous hills leading to the Pacific Coast Highway. Directly behind the targets was the Pacific Ocean. Although I could hear the ocean, the berms hid them from view. Oh, what punishment not to touch the ocean.

I'll be issued a M16 rifle and M9 pistol but expect I will just carry the 9mm. Slinging a rifle everywhere is not fun. I also marched in to the range with the class. That was something I hadn't done in probably 15 years. I suspect there is a lot of basic military drills I will be doing again. This weekend I am going into the field for a final exercise evaluation. I won't play a direct role in this but they want some senior officers in the field.

It's kind of funny, on one hand I am doing basic military training and on the other hand I am running the Supply Department. It's just how this works. Everyone is measured on basic military training yet we all still have to perform our regular duties.

I am constantly meeting new personnel, mainly within the Battalion. They are almost all reservists with civilian jobs at home. Everyone is very friendly and I enjoy learning about them, specifically what they do in the civilian world and within the Battalion. They are all interested in my civilian job for obvious reasons.

Well tomorrow I take CBR (Chemical, Biological, and Radiological) training. I've taken this training dozens of times before, starting all the way back with the Canadian military. It always ends with donning protective clothing, including a gas mask, and being subjected to a tear gas attack. If the mask fits properly, it's never a problem.

That does it for today. An early start again tomorrow.