Sunday, November 29, 2009

hump

So yesterday I did a hump. Now even though it involved more than one person, let me assure you that it is not the type of hump you may be thinking. This one requires not only clothes, but a 50 lbs pack load. As I mentioned in previous blog, I am striving to get my FMF pin and part of the requirement is doing a 6 mile hump. This is a waved requirement while in a combat zone, but I am a motivator.

So my partner and I decided to do this hump 24 hours prior and we let some of the Marine officers know our intentions. We got 6 of them actually wanting to go along and another few bummed out that their schedules would not permit. That’s the Marine Corps for you (BTW in TBS which is their officer school they do plenty of humps that culminates with a 15 mile hump with near 100 lbs load).

I paced off a route with our vehicle which encompassed the perimeters of both British bases. We had to wear our uniform, our flak, our weapon and have a 45 lbs pack with our Kevlar attached. The rules were that we had to stop for a gear check and for a 10 minute break midway through and we had to complete the 6 miles in less than 2 hours.

Eight of us left on our mission. Everyone did pretty well through first half. At 4 miles I looked at my watch and made a decision that we would split into 2 units since time was pressing and Mike and I needed to finish within the 2 hours. My group finished with plenty of time to spare. I had been told through the grapevine that one particular Marine 1st LT boldly stated that he was going to drive the Navy officers into the ground. Let’s just say that he was marching off my pace all afternoon and he was a bit more sweaty than I :)




All smiles before the hump.











Leader of the pack.




Madatory break.

3 comments:

  1. I wouldn't be your '80's-loving sister-in-law if I didn't provide a soundtrack for this entry... So here goes, "The humpty dance - here's your chance - do the hump - Uh! Blah blah blah blah! Do the humpty hump - UH!- do the humpty hump!" You know you're pumping your shoulders up and down reading this Mark! C'mon! Need I remind you that our wedding photographer, upon sharing our proofs with us just HAD to point out, "Wow! Your brother-in-law is a great dancer!" Is that why you were in so many of our reception shots? Ha ha ha! Good job you Uncle Mark!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congratulations Daddy! Motivator, motivator, motivator!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am like Obama, I love the attention.

    Will you believe that I have The Humpty Dance by Digital Underground on my Ipod?

    ReplyDelete