PAT and PIQ

I knew I wouldn't have a problem on the written test. After all I took the SD Sheriff's test at age 19 to try to work in Detentions, and I scored well. So when I found out I passed (actually most people pass, so they only call the people that fail), it was no surprise. But now I had a challenge; the PAT.

Funny side note: Daniel took the written test 3 time before passing.

I made two trips up to the obstacle course on my own time and fuel (fucking oil companies; $3.60/gal.). The first time I ran the course I forgot my watch so the only thing I found out was that I could get over the six foot wall with no problem. Then the night before the PAT I went back there with my buddy Daniel and we ran it in about three minutes, but there was no 155lbs. dummy to drag.

So a few hours later there we were, back at Miramar for the PAT. I carpooled with Daniel and we were just barely on time. As I was walking to the back of a 300 person line, I saw my buddy Chris near the front. He had arrived an hour early. Ironic because the line was split in half and he ended up in the same alphabetical group as us.

We were in group two, which meant we would fill out the PIQ (Preliminary Investigation Questioner) before the PAT. I had to tell them everything bad I've ever done... ever. They asked about drugs, high school suspensions, sex with animals, kiddie porn, anarchist groups... And every time you checked the YES box you had to write a paragraph about it in detail. After a while I just started checking the NO box to avoid writing a novel about some trivial thing that barely applied. I'm all for honestly but I don't think they care about... never mind.

So that took about two hours. Then we all grouped up near the six foot wall to cheer on our peers. Cheering doesn't come naturally to me, it's just not my personality, but if it's what they're looking for, then give me a mini-skirt because I want this.

The main point of failure was the six foot wall. Especially if you're not as tall as me, you really need that upper body strength.

I was up. First you climb up and down two ladders; I messed up a little because I started up the wrong latter, nothing major. Then its 70 stairs, down and up; fatigue sets in. After the stairs you weave in and out of cones; what is this, a dog show? Then the three, four, and six foot walls; no problem, but I'm getting very winded. Next is the 155lbs. dummy drag; this fucker is heavy plus I'm exhausted, but I took it slow and steady. My time was 2:05 after the dummy drag, on to the 100 (or so) yard sprint. I was beat, so I kinda jogged it until the last quarter, then I gave it everything I had. Final time 3:06/3:30.

Side note: Daniel got the best time in our group; 2:26