Now You're Dead, II

I forgot to tell you what happened when I left my weapon in the field (Now You're Dead).  I actually was in a lot of trouble.  Usual, huh?

The instructors that found my weapon wanted to impose some type of punishment on me right then and there, including or up to an Article 15 --nonjudicial military punishment.  But luckily for me, since they were not all in agreement as what to do, they said they'd deal with me later.  That was almost worse --like when you're Mom would tell you, "Wait until your father gets home" and the anticipation of the punishment to come was almost worse than the punishment itself.

There was a lot going on with the field exercise, graduation preparation, etc so my instructor forgot about the incident.  I dindn't but you know, who was I to remind him?  Was that my job?  No, it was not.

But a little while after we got back in from the FTX (Field Exercise) we were in the classroom one day and my instructor had an "Ah" moment and he looked at me and said, "That's right!  Don't you owe me something?"  Then he went on to explain he couldn't let me off the hook about the weapon but he wasn't going to impose a harsh punishement ---what to do, what to do????

My instructor put me in the Front Leaning Rest (push up position) in front of the class and made me do push-ups and every time pushed up or down I had to say, "I will not forget my weapon", one word per each movement up or down.  He said I had to keep going until he got tired but you know, I think the max I could do was 23 so it wasn't like I was going to push out a 100 or anything--but after I couldn't do anymore he made me just hold my position --not push up or dow --just hold.  He kept me there what seemed like an eternity.  I even had to stay down in the FLR during a break.  It got to the point my arm muscles were broken down, like all quivery and weak.  Like --have you ever lifted weights and that last repetition you just can't hardly get that last one in?  It felt like that only 10 times worse.  My arms are starting to ache just thinking about it.

I really did get off pretty light.  It could have been much worse.  Before my instructor let me "recover" (get up) he asked me if I learned my lesson.  I guess I did --I never ever ever left my weapon again and I never forgot the punishment.  I was memorable enough to blog about so . . . it made an impact. 

And in a strange sort of way I miss having an M-16 weapon.  I don't know, maybe I just miss being a soldier.