USS Alabama Battleship and USS Drum Submarine- Mobile, AL

Troop 101 on board the USS Drum Submarine

Boy Scout Troop 101 recently took a trip to Mobile, Alabama. While in Alabama we stayed at Meaher State Park, toured the USS Alabama Battleship, and visited Gulf State Park Beach in Mississippi where we were able to swim in the Gulf of Mexico.

This was my second visit to the USS Alabama. I had previously visited the ship as a scout with Troop 103 from Lake Charles, LA.

When we arrived at the park grounds we were surprised to see thousands of people. There was a Blue Star Memorial Day occurring. I was caught a little off guard since when I contacted the park they had not mentioned this activity. We bypassed most of these activities and headed to the USS Drum Submarine first.

The big guns of the USS Alabama

The USS Drum Submarine is a World War II submarine that was launched on May 12, 1941. From the USS Alabama Battleship website: "Of DRUM's 13 war patrols, all save the second, ninth, and last two were designated "successful".  She received a total of 12 battle stars for World War II service. She is credited with sinking 15 ships, a total of 80,580 tons of enemy shipping, eighth highest of all U.S. submarines in total Japanese tonnage sunk."

We walked up onto the deck of the drum and the boys were able to get in behind the deck cannon of the USS Drum. We then went below and were greeted by a submarine vet who gave us some historical information on the USS Drum and answered many of our questions. 

The USS Drum looks big from the outside but when you get into it you find the inside is quite crowded. I found it interesting to learn how these defenders of our liberty lived during the war while aboard this submarine.

Troop 101 at the USS Alabama

After leaving the USS Drum we headed over to the USS Alabama. By contrast the USS Alabama is massive when compared to the USS Drum. The USS Alabama was launched February 16, 1942. From the USS Alabama website: "With a fighting name to live up to, Battleship USS ALABAMA BB-60 commenced her shakedown training on 11 November 1942. This series of trials, exercises, and drills was conducted in the Chesapeake Bay area and the operating area of Casco Bay, Maine. Upon completion of her post shakedown repair period, ALABAMA stood out from Norfolk and made the up-coast run to Casco Bay where she conducted tactical maneuvers in company with the USS SOUTH DAKOTA, her sister ship and namesake of the class."

We boarded the battleship and broke up into several smaller groups. Our group toured many of the guns on the USS Alabama's deck. We then went down below where we saw sleeping quarters, the commissary, the ships laundry room, sewing room, museum and so much more. 

We departed the battleship and headed over to the aircraft hanger where we were able to get up close views of airplanes and jets used in wars from as early as WW I through Iraq Desert Storm.

This was a fun and educational trip for our scout troop. If you are down in the area I would recommend making the trip at least once in your life. 

If you plan to visit the USS Alabama and USS Drum be prepared to do a lot of walking. Also be aware you will be entering confined spaces, climbing ladders, and visiting high area's.

For more information on USS Alabama and the USS Drum visit : Battleship USS Alabama

The Barrels - National Jamboree 2013

Shooting 22 pistols at National Jamboree.

Tanek had chosen The Barrels as his curriculum for National Jamboree. Each scout at the National Jamboree was allowed to choose one curriculum. In essence a curriculum was sort of like a Fast Pass at an amusement park. The curriculum ticket had a scheduled time. Tanek's was from 8 AM to 12 noon on Monday. During that time, at The Barrels, he was moved to the beginning of any lines.

Shooting a 308 rifle at National Jamboree

Monday started like any other day at National Jamboree. We ate breakfast, which was more than likely cereal, milk, some desert bun, and fruit. We cleaned up an started hiking together to his curriculum. We left at 6:50 AM and did not arrive at The Barrels until 9:05 AM. That’s right, it was a 2 hour and 15 minute hike. I think Tanek could have done it in about 1 hour 45 minutes but I was with him and slowed him down. It is a good thing I lost 16 lbs for this trip.

When we arrived at The Barrels we were provided ear and eye protection which we had to wear the entire time while we were in the area. We were then ushered to the front of the line for a safety briefing. We had to wait about 20 minutes for the safety briefing to start and then the briefing took another 20 minutes. 

 

After that safety briefing we had to hike a quarter of a mile up a hill, gaining about 500 feet in elevation, to reach the 22 pistols. We were moved to the front of the line where we had another safety briefing concerning 22 pistols.  This safety briefing was much shorter and only took about 5 minutes. We were briefed while we were waiting in line. All said it took Tanek about 10 minutes to get up to the shooting line.

An NRA shooting instructor was assigned to every person who was shooting. Each NRA Instructor was there to insure safety and to assist the shooter. 

The only weapon Tanek had ever fired prior to this event was a 22 rifle so he was really ready to try this out. The targets were placed approximately 25 feet down range. The order was given and Tanek began shooting. All ten of his rounds hit within the target. I thought it was pretty good for his first time around.

He then decided to head over to the 22 rifles. Another short safety briefing and he was on the range. The targets were placed approximately 25 feet downrange. He was given ten rounds to fire and the order was given to shoot. All ten of his rounds hit the paper but a few were outside of the circle. I have seen him do better but I think his mind was on the gun he was wanting to shoot.

After shooting the 22 rifles we proceeded to the 223 and 308 scoped rifles. The scouts were told only five of the 30 boys coming onto the line would be allowed to shoot the 308's. The catch was the 223 shooters would be given 10 rounds. The 308 shooters would only be given 5 rounds. Tanek's hand shot up real quick for the 308. He had been talking about shooting the 308's months before the jamboree.

He was selected and moved onto the line. The targets were approximately 75 yards down range. All 5 of his rounds hit the target.

After the 308's we took a quick lunch break we the moved to the 9 mm handguns where we learned our curriculum time had expired. We had to wait about 20 minutes to get up on the firing line. I don't know how many rounds Tanek was given but I think it was around nine.

The targets were metal plates which would fall  over when hit. He only hit 1 target out of the 9 but it had been a long day.

Tanek said he really enjoyed it. I asked if he wanted to go and shoot the shotguns. He said that he did not because he was tired of the safety briefing.

I wish someone had told us about the safety briefings before we had arrived. If I had known I would have suggested going on another day just to get the safety briefings out of the way. If we had done this we could have had more time to shoot during Tanek's curriculum. Live and learn I suppose.

I really liked The Barrels. It was a great set up and there were plenty of NRA Instructors there to help.