FBCB2

This week I have been learning, legitimately learning which it has been a long time since I have learned in the Army. I am learning about the GPS system that we use in all the HMMV's, aircrafts, submarines, tanks, and anything else that can move (actually there are hand held devices too). It is a really cool system and my dad would be proud because it was developed on Linux. The system tracks all of our movements through GPS, it also allows us to plot the enemy and any obstacles that may be in our way (like minefields or IED's). More importantly it allows us to send up all reports and messages to each other or on up the chain to higher (people that are in charge of us). So if you get in a firefight and someone gets hurt you can send up a MEDEVAC request in about 11 seconds to the medics. Where as before you would have to get on your radio and pray that someone was listening and that they can hear you. With this system you get almost instant confirmation that they got the report and are responding to it.

It has also saved lives because it is constantly tracking us. Awhile ago a chopper went down and they didn't have communication with them, but someone had been tracking all movements for over 48 hours, so they were able to go back and see where they were last reported as having a location and they found the guys. Anyway, it is a really cool system and can clearly save lives if used properly. Of course if not used properly it could also easily kill you...so staying awake in class is very important.

The class is all week long and from 8 am to 5 pm. The instructor is great, and it somewhat challenges me so it is a welcome relief from fighting sleep in a conference room.

Well I am off to run with the Chaplin and a couple other people. Last night we ran 2.5 miles, but in this humidity you would have thought we ran 5 miles.