LTC, pt 5

Platoon Photos

Alpha Company, Third Platoon
(Danny is in the center of the second row from the back, roughly)

Second PT Test

One more physical fitness test to see how far everyone had improved over the last month.

Rites of Passage

(okay, this I'm taking straight from the blog, because it explains it well enough and shows that he's kind of a dramatic writer, considering he's writing for an army training blog, and well, it's kind of funny, haha)

"There comes a day toward the end of a company's time at the Leader's Training Course when, under a dark, early morning sky, Cadets are given a moment to celebrate with a ceremony known as the rites of passage -- an event that marks the official end of formal training.  After a 6.2-mile road march starting at 3:15 am, the bleary-eyed, sweat-soaked Cadets made their way to Memorial Grove, where music greeted them.  Tunes ranging from Eminem to Toby Keith blared over the speakers, but were quickly drowned out by the motivating shouts of the Cadets.  Exhaustion could be heared in their voices and seen on their faces.  Just as the sun began to peek, giving the sky a purple hue, the Cadets fell into formation for the ceremony.  Under the shadow of trees, seven Cadets, reciting the seven Army Values, lit torches with a symbolic flame from the past, always remembering those who came before them.  At the conclusion of the ceremony, Cadets received an Army Values tag."