My poor man!

So Dean has been at a combatives course all week at Fort Eustis in Newport News, VA. He knew what it was all about well ahead of time, but it's one of those things that you really can't comprehend until you go through it - much like the pain of labor and child birth I would imagine, which is still fresh in my mind. Thursday was to be the big day where the drill sergeants, and apparently the biggest and baddest guys they could find on the entire base, would gang up and give them each a beat down. The students didn't have any protection, except for the mouth guard and athletic cup he took. They weren't allowed to do anything but try to practice their holds and maneuvers on their attackers - no hitting back, or yelling or anything. It was agonizing and shocking to watch the other classmates (half of them women) take their turns.

Dean is a pretty good sized man at six feet and two hundred pounds, but he said he was thrown around by these guys. They, of course, have been studying these martial arts for years (specifically Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and some form of Russian martial arts), whereas the students have had this week to learn. Anyway, he is in bad shape. He has a concussion, as likely all the students do. They aren't to be taking naps or pain killers either as that's not indicated with concussions. His ribs hurt (I would be surprised if they weren't at least cracked). His knee popped out of joint and is badly swollen. He has what would be an aural hematoma in dogs, perhaps similar to cauliflower ear in people? And he has wounds from head to toe from the entire week, and he is in agonizing pain. I feel terrible for him! And really, I can't tell that there was any real reason for him to go through this. He's not a combat soldier, he's a veterinarian! Apparently his former commander thought it would be a good class for him since he's deploying later this year, so he signed him up. I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger? If he's well enough to drive the 4.5 hours Friday after class he'll come home then. He has a new commander, a female, and Ft. Eustis is the home base, so to speak. So he went to visit her on Wednesday, then she wanted him to come back after class on Thursday as well. She was horrified at how bad he looked on Thursday.

On Tuesday they were choked until they passed out. They had to pass out as part of the training. Supposedly they are supposed to be able to teach the course by the time they are done with it. Whatever. He said on Monday before lunch that I might not have a husband by the end of the week. It looks like I'll have one, but he'll need to be nursed back to health!

In other news, Kyler, Tristan and I went to Raleigh yesterday to pick Hunter up from the airport. I planned ahead and learned how to use a baby bjorn to pack Tristan on my chest, and had the leash for Kyler, which he actually cooperated with. I had Hunter pull his own suitcase to keep him in line. It has wheels, so he managed. Kyler had lots of hugs and kisses for Hunter, and they spent the night (must have been until 11pm) doing their usual antics in their bedroom - bouncing off the walls. I just left well enough alone. Tristan did well in the car, and continues to be a sweetie. Hunter is pretty funny with Tristan. He keeps referring to him as "it": "I think it wants some milk", "Can I hold it?" Both boys think it's pretty strange how baby gets nourishment (from Mommy's boobies). They seemed to think I was joking around at first. Hunter kept calling me "Grandma" on the drive home.