YHC recently watched “Restrepo,” a documentary about an army unit establishing a remote fire base in the deadliest place on Earth, for about the millionth time. Having played in the sandbox once upon a time, YHC is a little partial to this type of film. The plan was to do 12 Days of Christmas, but the movie inspired a workout which the PAX will not soon forget.
The workout is named after the fire base established in the Korangal Valley in northeastern Afghanistan by the Second Platoon, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team of the U.S. Army. The fire base was named after PFC Juan Sebastián Restrepo, a well-liked and well-respected combat medic with the unit. If you have not watched the film, you should put it on your “Must Watch” list. Immediately.
Dire warnings issued via Twitter did not dissuade 15 faithful and four FNGs from posting for a special recon mission. Here’s how it went down.
Disclaimer
CoP
Sprint to middle of soccer field and circle up.
SSH x 25 IC (Meatloaf wanted to go for 60, but we didn’t have time to play)
Merkins x 10 IC
Whirley Boys x 25 IC
Grab coupons and form up for further instructions.
The Thang
PAX partnered up. Size doesn’t matter, but grit will definitely matter.
PAX will hump in their equipment, dig their hide site, perform the recon, clear their hide site and humo their equipment back out.
INFIL
- P1 farmer’s carry both coupons long way around to the hill. Flapjack as necessary, but coupons can never touch the ground.
DIG HIDE SITE
- P1 sprints to top of hill, 15 KB swings while P2 does manmakers. Flapjack.
- P1 sprints to top of hill, 15 KB goblet squats while P2 does manmakers. Flapjack.
- P1 sprints to top of hill, 15 KB OH while P2 does manmakers. Flapjack.
- Repeato x 3 #CrowdPleaser
RECON
- Sprint to football field
- Lunge walk from end line to end line
- Run backwards to end line
CLEAR HIDE SITE
- Repeat work from digging hide site
EXFIL
- Farmer’s carry through complex to put up coupons
- Jail break back to flag
- Plank-o-rama for the six
CoT
Count-O-Rama
19 PAX!
Name-O-Rama
Welcome FNGs Crockett, Roach, Jenny Craig and Daniel-san!
Announcements
- Christmas party at Mill House Dec. 20th 5 p.m. $10/family does not include food. The money will be used to secure the room and the rest will be donated to the local Veterans home.
- Funeral services for Leaner’s father to be held Sunday 2 p.m. at Main Street United Methodist Church. Show up if you can.
Prayer Requests
- Leaner and family
BoM
NakedMan Moleskin
Meatloaf and Pacer took the point, with YHC and Bobber as Team Leaders. The unit followed in behind, trying to help the new guys come to grips with the gravity of the mission. Nipples stepped up to haul the heavy gear and implored Dixie Chick, YHC and Bobber to join him. So we did.
The PAX knew the op would be a monster mash, but fortunately we didn’t have any ring outs. True grit was on display throughout.
There was some dissension for a few moments as YHC failed to thoroughly explain the mission. However, the men rallied behind the point men and went to work.
Meatloaf and Pacer, ever the dutiful point men, observed heavy enemy activity during the recon and audibled the PAX from bear crawls to lunge walks and a backwards run, knowing the men would need their shoulder strength to clear the hide site.
8 Mile and an FNG had a faulty limpet, but were able to safely evade injury.
The slack man was on R&R for this mission, so all the PAX were forced to carry their weight. They were tested and found true.
Tremendous team work was display as the PAX had to E and E during exfil. We only succeed as a team.
The PAX returned safely to the shadow of the shovel flag, the greatest flag in the world.
As always, an honor and a privilege to lead these men!
Aye!