"New" Army Standards

 The Army Combat Fitness Test.... 

Finally time I said something about this one. The ACFT as it is called has been in the works since prior to 2016. It was supposed to be the test of record April 1st, 2022. 

Well, shit happens and dates change. Major changes were just made and will be put into effect on April 1st. For those of you that weren't tracking the test was as follows: Deadlift, Standing power throw, hand release push-ups, sprint drag carry, leg tuck, and a two mile run. The test was one standard for both male and females, and for all ages. 

This was sort of a mess. but it was a test, and the powers above knew it needed to be fixed. 

So here are the changes: No more leg tuck, now we have a plank (lets make time stand still for a minimum of one minute and ten seconds). The test now has age and gender specific requirements. Finally, there is a 2.5 mile walk, for those of us that are permanently broken. 

Heres my take on each even:

- Deadlift- Is what it is... However, everything that is over 80lbs in the Army has paint or a label on it that says two-person lift. The minimum for my age is 120lbs...

- Standing Power Throw- Never in my Army Career have I had to throw something backwards ver my head, especially a 10lb ball. 

- Hand Release Push-ups- The push-up will always be a part of the Army. Once again, it is what it is. My minimum is ten. 

- Sprint-Drag-Carry- This one is a bitch. 300 meters, doing various exercises. I especially hate this one, because this what I hurt my knee on practicing for.  Its not going away, so I'm just going to have to deal with it. 

-Plank- So doing one leg tuck was too hard for people, so they made the plank the exercise of record. Screw that. Planks suck. Time doesn't move when you are doing a plank. One minute will feel like 20. 

-2 mile run- The longest combat run in the last 40 years was less than one mile. Why is 2 miles needed? Because the Army says so, thats why...

-2.5 mile walk- I like that this came back, however the time allowed for my old ass is 5.5 minutes less than what it used to be, after doing a more strenuous test. Not too sure what the idea was behind this, I've never walked 2.5 miles in 31 minutes before, can it even be done?

-Age and Gender specific grading- because I am old, I like this change. It may even save a few years on my body, who know. 

That all being said, whether you like the test of not its here. Its not going away.

Just Shut Up and Do it!!!

Sick Kids

 OK, post 2 days in a row....

On 3 hours of sleep.....

Good Luck reading this, I am barely coherent. Yesterday, was a fairly relaxing day. Watched the METs game, watched a little bit of NASCAR, took a nap. The nap is what will bite me in the ass forever. 

Naps feel so good when you take them, but then, for me at least, I can't fall asleep at night. So I was laying in bed watching TV and playing on my phone, at about 11:30 pm, and all hell broke loose. Poor little MJ has a fever and throwing up, and has a nasty cough. So by 1am, I was driving to 7-11 to get some electrolytes and some snacks (electrolytes for her, snacks for me, shit I was out might as make it worth it.). Then no juoke, about 2:30am, Mickey decided he couldn't sleep in his bed anymore. So instead of fighting that battle, there was 3 human beings and a dog in my bed. 

Work sucks on so little sleep. However, hopefully in a couple of days, the kids will be better and the routine will be back to normal again. 

Got to get through today, hopefully everyone goes to bed early. 

I Lied

 OK, so my last post was about 3 years ago, even though I said that I would be writing a lot more. 

I lied..... Life happens. 

I promise I will be writing more often. Maybe not every day, but at the same time, maybe it will be.  

Well, lets catch up a little bit. I still have 3 children, ages 15, 6 and 3. The wife and I are still together, even though times have been trying, but we still love each other. I am currently living in Virginia, still in the Army, going on 10 Active Duty years (24 years total). 

I have bought a camper. I have a Ram, and a Mitsubishi SUV. 

So, that all being said, this is where the blog is turning. I will talk about every aspect of life. There will be travel things, dad stuff, Army stuff, and whatever I feel interesting at the time. I will reflect on decisions I have made, both good and bad, and reflect on how they can have been made better, if at all. I will share goals and progress as always. This is a blog for others to share in my life, while I live it. 

Mickey at IHOP

Range Ammo

Mickey and MJ last Easter

Range Fire (OOPS)

Well, that's all for now! Talk to you all in a day or two.