The Greatest Thrill is Knowing that You Might Die

Going on convoys isn't for the weak of heart.  With every opportunity to leave Camp Leatherneck, I took it.  However, one of our trips was perhaps the most thrilling I have ever had.  After, I had spent the night at one of the most haunted battalion aid stations in Helmond Province claiming to have the most deaths two to five feet from where I was sleeping.   And after watching Paranormal Activity 3 with the lights out in the same location, going on a convoy on a road that used to be known as the most deadliest highway in the world still tops the list in "The Most Scariest Things I have Ever Done."


The morning after watching the movie started with the daily routine of hygiene and breakfast.  And once we got back to clean up our sleeping area to put away our foldable COTs (what we slept on), we were told that someone had found room for us on a convoy leaving in about 30 mikes.


I was thinking to myself, "holy crap."


We put on our flak jackets, helmet, strapped on our weapons, grabbed our bags and ran to the meetup point.  The convoy ops started with an intel brief, safety training and smoke signal training.  There was intel of a suicide bomber in the bazaar within our route to another location.  My pucker factor suddenly increased to a 1000%.  As we started to bring our bags to the trucks, a Master Sergent approached me with this question: "Are you wearing your ballistic underwear?"

"No. Master Sergent."

"Do you have any?"

"Yes, it is in my bags somewhere."

With veins popping out of his neck, he replied, "HM1, WHY DON'T YOU FUCKING HAVE THEM ON?!?"

I was thinking, "oh crap".  I put my bag down and took them out and changed out in the nearest berthing tent and off we go.


The moment I sat down inside the mine roller (the lead vehicle with a custom attachment in front of it to set off IEDs) the officer in charge turned around and said.  "Get into Condition One."

I got out of the vehicle and pointing my weapons at the hesco barriers, I racked my M4 and M9.

Luckily, we had taken a Lance Corporal with us to provide me and my partner security detail.  The officer turn to him and said, "Do you know how to operate the turrent?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Lance Corporal, what gun is that up there?"

"Sir, a M240."

"Okay.  If the gunner goes down.  You got it.  GOT THAT?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Doc, you provide first aid."

"Yes, Sir" I replied.

In my mind, a thousand different scenarios popped into my head.  I was about to panic because I was thinking what a horrible Corpsman I am.  I didn't have a freak'n medical bag with me.  Not even a tourniquet... 

I asked the driver if they had a medbag.  And sure enough, they did.


Picture of a vehicle borne IED that was seized shortly before our convoy.