Week 1: Day 3

0700: Physical Training on the burn pad.

PT lasts 2 hours and consists of calisthenics, stretching, core exercises, a 2 mile run, a run up to the top of the tower and pushups at the top, and a cool down stretch.

Then Battalion 1 has approximately 35 minutes to shower, dress in Class C uniforms, and be in the classroom.  Battalion 1 has approximately 22 men, and 5 showers.....not much time.

We then went over PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).  We learned about the regulations, types/forms, groups that oversee the development, manufacturing, etc.  It led into us being issued our turnout gear after lunch.  If you don't know, turnout gear is what you wear to any structure or vehicle fire....(that's the simplified non-textbook definition anyway).

After lunch, we went into learning how to physically take apart the coats, pants, etc and inspect them.  Then we jumped right into donning and doffing drills (putting the gear on correctly and taking it off).  At first it was not timed, we simply went through to learn how to properly put it all on.  Then the ante was upped.  Battalion 1 vs Battalion 2.  The loser had to do pushups.....IN FULL GEAR.  After a ton of drills, we then went and did exercises in full gear: crawling on hands and knees, duck walks, stairs and crawling.  

I think I lost a few pounds, and I will definitely be in A LOT better shape...tons of running, stretching, pushups, weight training.....

Tonight I am going to relax!!