Back from the "Sand Box"

Wallery suggestisted I start this thread so here goes;
Sand box doesn't discribe Afghanistan it is more like a mountainous dust bowl.
I have been working in Afghanistan for the last 7 months, I am home now for 2 weeks on R&R and my wife and I are going to be in Vegas through Thursday. We plan on shooting next week and here is an open invitation if anybody wants to come along. I have been monitoring the site but haven't had any time to contribute much but reading you guys makes me feel a litttle closer to home.
This by far has been the coolest job I have ever had, I am a Chef working for civilians and since I have started I have worked my way into being in charge of the entire country, so I have the oppurtunity to travel and see most of the country.
Since this is a gun forum I talk about the excelent weapons training I recieved from the US government.
The first week I was trained on the GLOCK 19, The course was designed to take a person that has never handled a weapon and turn them into a competent "combat shooter" They started with the 4 rules and covered maintenance, drawing and firing multiple shots around cover, reloading & malfunction drills, moving with covering fire and exiting vehicles. We shot well over 1000 rounds with timed drills and also at moving targets. They also sent us through several "shoot houses" with 360 degree awarness with pop up and moving targets.
The next week was M4 (full auto), the course of fire included shooting man sized targets from 200 meters all the way to "up drills" at barrel touching distances. We also coverd exiting vehicles and laying cover fire while getting off the X.
I was a pretty good shooter when I started but I made huge strides because of the quality instruction and all of the practice involved. If I was
to attend one of the shooting schools and paid for comparable training it would have cost many thousands of dollars. The hardest part was the stress you put on your self because if you don't qualify you can't go over and there goes you're job. When I come back for good I plan on getting involve with IDPA or one of the other compitition organizitions.
Thes has been an adventure of a lifetime and I don't mind sharing some of my experences on the forum but I also don't want to bore any body either so if anybody has any questions or suggestions I will be happy to reply.

Feed the boys well and take care of yourself! Thanks for all you do to the soldiers. I was one once and always appreciated a friendly helpful civilian. Have fun relaxing and blasting!

Wow sounds like a cool deal. Thank you for doing your part! Have fun in Vegas and win some big cash!

Add my thanks as well, we are a family of vets, and current soldiers, so we also know how it is to be away from home, enjoy and thank you for all you do.

Welcome back MB, hope you enjoy the R&R [Beer]

Jim,

Thanks for replying and a very special thank you for a job well done over there. I wish I had half the training you recieved I'm jealous, it really sounds like a great adventure. We're glad your back and hope you enjoy your R&R. Have fun in Vegas and tell Lisa hi for us okay. Take care and we'll see ya when you get back, we'll have to get the band back together and party! LOL! [Beer] . PS [BDay] just in caes we missed it! [Rock]

Welcome home. THANK YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THEIR SACRIFICE!!!!!