The first units of OCC209 have done the Quigley
We did not see Caleb in any of these photos. We surmise that he has not done the Quigley yet but will probably have the privilege this week. I am confident this is one exercise all these soldiers are glad to have behind them.
Taking the Plunge
Photos of the men in the QuigleyWe did not see Caleb in any of these photos. We surmise that he has not done the Quigley yet but will probably have the privilege this week. I am confident this is one exercise all these soldiers are glad to have behind them.
A few personal insights from our phone call from Caleb last Eve.
ReplyDeleteThe water temperature was about 35 degrees. The exercise started with the company going over the whole course which consisted of walking through knee deep mud and water. Then two platoons (Caleb's) got to have outside instruction while waiting for their turn! Yes, in freezing weather with wet boots and pants (below the knee). The culvert was about 3 feet long they had to go through, no air pocket. On your back, helmet on, rifle in hand, take a deep breath, push with your feet, grab above your head for the far end of the culvert.....whew! I am sure it felt like an eternity.
After Caleb was through they had to shut it down until the corpsmen were free to come back to the site. The corpsmen were all busy in the warming tent.....treating cases of hypothermia! Imagine that! Caleb made it but the end result for many that day, sick, with the crud..
In the words of my Plt. Cmdr, "If you don't enjoy the Quigley, you're in the wrong place, candidates."
ReplyDeleteAs for the culvert, your son probably didn't have a chance to think about it. The tactics instructors that run the event (The Quigley is just one part of a larger event, "The Combat Course") are usually pissed off after about 10 minutes and just start pushing them through the culvert before they have time to psych themselves out. Happened to me and I was just peachy, aside from mud in my nose. The Crud is inevitable, it just happens no matter what you do unless you have a cast-iron immune system. Put lots of people in close proximity and disease spreads. Fortunately for your son, the crud only lasts a week or two, and isn't debilitating, just annoying.
Thanks for the information. Good to hear from someone who has been there and done that!
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