Pressure and Pain: All's Fair in War and Jiu Jitsu

     The many layers of straps and webbing had been cutting hard into my shoulders with every step I took. So much gear. So much weight. So many individual pieces of coarse fabric grinding away at the soft skin on my neck. My plate carrier with ammo and radio and antenna attached, my assault bag loaded with food, water, backup radio and batteries. More rifle ammunition and as many mortar rounds as I could possibly haul. I was cursing myself for trying a new single-point rifle sling. They have their purpose, but it certainly is not long foot patrols. Pressure and pain, a constant state of discomfort. Like the annoying mosquito that chose to live in your ear.

      We started the movement well before daylight, in the empty darkness. Well, we were on tarmac waiting for the aircraft which would be our ride into the drop off point. The sun had just broken the horizon when we de boarded the Chinook helicopter...