Hard Day's Night

Two more days of matrix training are behind us, and still two more to go. We get up at 0600, breakfast is at 0640. The line-up in groups is at 0725, and from there the training goes on until 1830, with a lunch break between 1230 and 1330. Yesterday we wore only our fatigues most of the time, but today everyone wore the so called "heavy kit", including combat body armour with heavy plates, combat helmet, equipment vest, pistol and assault rifle, only to name a few items.


Marching to the dining hall at 0635 hrs.

The basic topics of the training have remained the same, with some new themes being introduced lately (vehicles, terrain driving and medical training). Each time we return to a topic, the things previously learned are rehearsed, after which more skills and knowledge are added to the subject. This makes matrix training very effective.

The days are hot, especially in the afternoon. It is essential to drink plenty of water, or hydrate, as it is also called: As the body armour lets virtually no humidity through, the t-shirt is soaked in sweat in about 15 minutes. Still, it feels good to be out and about learning by doing for a change, instead of sitting in the classroom.


Taking turns driving the MB280G in the terrain.

In the evening, I swam for 30 minutes. Tomorrow is shooting range day.