Days 30-32

25 May 2009  (Day 30)

Happy Memorial Day!  Hope everyone is enjoying their day off, because I don't have it off (or completely off).  We woke up and did the usual routine -- made bed, used latrine, brushed teeth, shaved, cleaned bay -- and formed up downstairs for PT.  Today's training was an ability group run, which we only ran a little over a mile.  Last time we ran in groups, I was sick, so I couldn't keep up.  Today, I was able to stay with my group, which felt really good.  We were told about an event we have at the end of Basic called The Eagle Run, which is a 5 mile run that has to be completed in 40 minutes (8 minute mile pace).  I have some work to do!  After we ran, we came back to the barracks and changed into ACUs and went to breakfast.  After breakfast, we marched down the street where we got to fight with pugil sticks!  We had a short brief on the proper way to fight and use them before we broke off into platoons and had miniature tournaments.  The idea behind the pugil stick is that one end (black) is the buttstock of your weapon, and the other end (red) is the bayonet.  So using the pugil sticks helps train as if we are using a rifle.  Anyway, the platoon was broken into weight classes, and I was in the heavy weights (200 lbs. and over).  I won my first fight.  I had two really good head shots that sent my opponent to the ground each time.  I would then "stab" him with my red end, earning me points for the win!  the second round, I started out okay, but I got stood up when my pugil stick got tangled, so my chest was exposed and so I lost with a jab to the chest.  I am not upset or anything,  because the winner has to go against the winner of 3rd platoon.  Once all of the winners were declared for each weight class, we marched back to the barracks and got ready for lunch.  After lunch, we went across the street to our PT field to have the tournaments.  We went the winners of our platoon's tournament to the company championships, which none of them won.  I can't complain, though, because I couldn't have done any better.  It rained during half of the fights, so we got a little wet, but right when we finished and made it back to our barracks, a really good thunderstorm rolled in.  At 1500 (3:00 pm), we had a moment of silence for Memorial Day.  We then had a couple of hours in the bay, but they weren't very relaxing.  Apparently, two of the guys in our platoon were doing impersonations of another drill sergeant, so he came to our bay and had them do the impersonations for everyone.  Of course we got smoked for it, and were told it was too early in Basic for that, and that because of their stupidity we had fire guard 50/50 all night (which is half of the platoon up for an hour, and then the other half, all night long - or four separate one-hour shifts).  After a good smoke session, we went to dinner, where we were told that as a company there was to be absolutely no talking.  Of course a few people talked, so we had to get our e-tool (Entrancing tool - or small folding shovel) and go outside in the rain and trim up the sidewalks.  Once we were outside for about 15 minutes, we were called back in.  The reason for the "no talking" was that we were treated to a movie!  We got lucky and got to enjoy our evening watching Underworld, a movie about the war against vampires and lichens (werewolves).  It was just nice to relax and be entertained.  After the movie, we were told we had regular fireguard, which was a relief.  I still had a shift from 2330-0030 (11:30-12:30), but that is better than every other hour!  Hopefully tomorrow is mail call, since Sunday we didn't get mail, and today was a holiday!

26 May 2009  (Day 31)

One month in...two and half to go!  Also, family day is in 45 days!  Just thought I would share the good news!!!  As for today, we woke up and did PT.  PT wasn't too bad today, but I still got a really good workout in.  We were on a hill, and we did push ups going downhill and sit ups going uphill.  We did at least a hundred of each, but we broke it up and changed out with our partners, who counted and held our feet for sit ups.  I enjoyed it, and I can feel and see the difference that PT and "corrective training" have done for me!  After PT, we came back to the bay, cleaned up and changed (the worst part about PT is we work out in sand), and then headed to breakfast.  Breakfast was the usual food.  I had eggs, ham, hash browns, an apple, and fruit salad.  We then had a class over NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical).  We learned how to use our gas mask, and then had 25 drills or so, needing to have it on and secure in 9 seconds or less.  I got it on in time each drill, and didn't "die" like some of the others.  We were told then that we would be going to the gas chamber sometime next week!  That should be interesting.  After class (around 1100), we went back to our bay to clean (again), and do weapon maintenance until lunch.  After lunch, we came back to the bay and cleaned up a little more, until we were told to start packing our rucksack for a road march tomorrow.  While we were packing, the drill sergeants from 1st platoon (mine) and 3rd platoon came up with a plan to swap our "bad apples" (the people in the platoons who want to be "individuals").  So we got rid of our trouble makers and replaced our two with two of third platoon's.  Basically, this is the last straw for all four of them.  If they don't straighten up, they will be restarted!  Anyway, then we had a class in our bay led by our drill sergeant for first platoon about hand grenades.  Apparently, we are going to the hand grenade range tomorrow.  After our class, we finished packing for the rucksack road march.  We had more time then to specifically clean our weapons, until we got smoked for people not having their IDs on them this morning (not me though, I had everything that is required!).  We only got smoked for about 20 minutes before we had to get going to dinner.  Getting smoked is becoming less frequent, and easier.  Both are good things!  After dinner, we came back up to the bay and cleaned it again until we had the drill sergeant on duty mess with us by making fun of last names and the way we looked.  It was mostly light-hearted and meant for fun, but some of it was a bit much.  Oh well, we then got showers and went downstairs for final formation.  We came back up to the bay and went to bed!  I didn't have fireguard, so I get a full 7 and a half hours of sleep!

27 May 2009  (Day 32)

Last night was the best sleep I have gotten in about 2 weeks.  I did not wake up once for anything, and slept from about 2115 until 0445 (9:15pm-4:45am).  It was great to not wake up throughout the night.  A big part of that is I haven't taken any naps during the day.  I just might have to sneak one in today, because I am still pretty tired!  Oh well, the day still goes on!  

As for what we did today, we went and threw hand grenades.  To get there, we did a 2.25 mile road march.  It wasn't too bad getting there, but on the way back we had quite a few people drop out...I am getting ahead of myself though.  So back to the grenade range -- we arrived and the grenade cadre organized us to teach us about the different types of grenades and the purposes of each.  The cadre caught everyone off guard when the grenades they were demonstrating with had blanks in them and went off!  It was amusing and made me more interested in the day's activities (besides the fact that owning and using grenades is illegal, so very few people actually have the chance to throw a real one).  Anyway, after we had our class we broke off into platoons where we were issued our own practice grenade to throw.  After everyone went through the motions a couple dozen times, we actually got to throw our grenades (got to do it twice) for practice.  It was fun to throw them and watch them go BANG!  When all of the platoons finished practicing, it was time to qualify for the use of live hand grenades.  When it got to be my turn, I was so focused on the technique and making sure I qualified that I watched my practice grenade soar over the wire and THEN ducked down to the "safety" of the mock range pit.  My throw was good, so that was a good thing, but my "hesitation" to duck, as they called it, meant that when I went down range, I could only throw one live grenade instead of two.  I spent a few minutes beating myself up mentally, but when I found out it didn't affect my grenade qualification I felt a little better about it.  So as a company, we went down to the live range and got to throw our grenades.  I only got my one grenade to throw, which went over the wire and within range of our target, so I didn't need the second try anyway!  Once we were finished, we headed back to our staging area and ate lunch.  Afterwards, we got our papers that we had to carry around with us from station to station, and got tested on various items.  Our first station was throwing the grenade 35 meters and coming within 5 meters of the target (or within the "kill zone").  After that, we moved to the station where we had to high crawl up to a bunker and check, then throw a grenade inside.  After that, we moved to the next station, and had to throw a grenade 25 meters into a trench and take out "the enemy."  Lastly, we went to a station where they had different grenades on a table, and had to correctly identify what type of grenade each one was.  And then the purpose of it (ie - smoke grenade, which is yellow, is used to signal),  I am proud to say that I successfully passed all stations, which should mean come graduation, I will earn the expert grenader badge to wear on my class A uniform (oooh, ahhh!).  When the whole company finished, it was time to put our rucksacks back on and head back to the barracks.  We had been wearing full battle rattle all day.  On the way back, we had a lot of people fall out of formation, and at least five people were sent to the hospital.  Another dozen people had to ride back in the truck because they fell out as well and couldn't finish the road march.  I have to give credit to my backpacking experiences and that I  know how to plan ahead for treks.  Drinking water all day is key.  Most people were just getting dehydrated, but then again, the Army has a standard road marching pace of 4 m.p.h. (or marching with a full rucksack one mile every 15 minutes).  A good stride when I went to Philmont a couple of years ago was 3 miles in one hour, but usually we only did 2 miles in that time.  The pace really is killer, but like most things, hopefully my body adjusts and I will be good to go for our twelve miler at the end of training (which has to be done in 3 hours!).  We finally got back to the barracks, where we rushed to get chow (we were 30 minutes late because we stopped so long along the road to medivac our wounded out!  Dinner tasted good (pot roast), and I made sure to eat lots of fruit.  After dinner, we unpacked all of our gear after a nice long refreshing shower.  All of our gear was just sweaty and nasty, so we left it to air out and set up a couple of fans to move air around because of the gear being gross.  We didn't have to wear full battle rattle during fireguard tonight, which I have from 0400-0500 (last shift).  It is about quarter 'til 10:00, so I am going to sleep!  We didn't get mail again today, so hopefully we get a mail call tomorrow!

Days 27-29

22 May 2009  (Day 27)

Happy birthday to me!!!  Kind of bummin' that I can't spend it with the family, but lucky for me, the drill sergeants made sure I stayed busy!  I started my birthday early in the morning with a fire guard shift from 0100-0200.  I went back to sleep after my shift was over, and then woke back up at 0500 to get ready for the day.  We were told we were going on a 12 mile road march, but we only went on a 4 mile road march (2 miles to the training area, then 2 miles back to the barracks).  At our training area, we learned about land mines and IEDs (Improved Explosive Devices).  Anyone who had gone through basic training prior to 2006 or so never had and IED course, but because of the daily threats, we were taught how to identify them and what to do.  Basically, IEDs are explosive devices that can be rigged anywhere (in potholes, abandoned cars, behind guard rails, etc.), so they are hard to find.  Most are radio controlled, and are set off when troops pass by a lookout, and others require a certain amount of weight to be activated.  My group started in the classroom and learned about IEDs and watched videos of them going off.  After the classroom, there was a mock street that we had to patrol down and find the IEDs.  One kid on the other side of the road stepped on a "land mine" (which popped loudly and puffed smoke), so people took it more seriously after that.  It was a well-ran course and I felt I learned a lot from it.  We then marched back to the barracks and ate an MRE for lunch.  We cleaned up our area and came upstairs to take all of our battle rattle off.  When we got all of our gear off, we had a few minutes to ourselves before we had to head downstairs to go fill out a survey over substance abuse (alcohol, drugs, etc.).  It was pretty boring, and I thought it was a waste of time.  Oh well, we came back up to our bay and our drill sergeants had a project for us.  Apparently the last group who went through had a red rectangle that went around the bay (32 laps equaled a mile or something), so our job until dinner was to scrape and clean the tile so that you couldn't tell it was ever there.  My back hasn't stopped being sore since I have been here (from being in the position of attention all the time), so being bent over working really hurt.  We rushed to get the floor mopped, and then we went to dinner.  After dinner, we came back up to the bay to clean and organize our wall lockers.  Some people are having weird reactions to the shots we got yesterday, so everyone had to have their temperature taken.  After those who had a high temperature left, we had some personal time (of which I got to update today's journal).  Our drill sergeant came back in and told us to get downstairs for final formation.  After formation, we got showers really quickly, and then started to head to bed when we had a mail call!  I received letters from Grandma Sease, my dad, Devon and Deanne, two from Grandma Reinbold, and one from Brittney.  Thank you all for the letters!  They were great to get on my birthday!  Also, as a present, Grandma Reinbold sent address labels for me of my address here.  They will come in handy because I was starting to get tired of looking up my address here, and started to put my home address again.  Now, I just slap on a sticker and mail it!  Thanks for those, Grandma!!!  Anyway, it is almost 2200, so I am heading to bed.  Love you all!

23 May 2009  (Day 28)

It was nice getting a full night's sleep last night, and not having to pull any sort of guard duty or detail.  I got lucky though, because everyone is assigned a roster number, and so your number just gets recycled over and over (start with 101 and goes through 157, and then starts back at 101).  Well, last night the last person to go was 146, and I am 147, so I will have first fire guard shift tonight.  Anyway, we woke up at 0430 to clean the bay and get ready for today's activity. At 0600 we had first formation, and so we did another 1-1-1 (1 minute of push ups, 1 minute of sit-ups, and run 1 mile).  The push ups are the toughest, because you have to keep the right form when doing it.  Last time I only correctly did 18, and this time I did 26!  As for sit-ups, I cranked out 37 in 60 seconds.  And finally, my one mile, I improved by more than 30 seconds at 8:07!  I am just glad that I passed all minimums and won't be recycled.  After we got back from running, we came upstairs and changed into ACUs, without patches, jewelry, and wearing tennis shoes instead of boots.  Today we are learning Army combatives and then learning about a machine gun.  But first, after breakfast, we learned Army combatives Level 1.  I am not very good at it, but if I take it slow, I do alright.  We have a total of 4 levels, and then a tournament on June 6th.  I am not looking forward to that. Haha!  They will be cool little fighting skills to learn.  I felt like Devon and Deanne doing their karate thing, but I am sure they could take me down pretty easily.  After about 2 hours of training, we came back upstairs and dressed in correct ACUs.  After we changed, we cleaned the bay again (we do that a lot if you haven't caught on).  Anyway, at 1230 we went to lunch, and afterwards we had our class on the M 240 B and M 249 AR.  Basically, the M 240 B weighs about 32 pounds and shoots up to 1000 rounds in 30 seconds, and the M 249 AR weighs about 25 pounds and has the same rate of shooting.  Both have their reasons and purposes, but I don't really care to use either one.  Again, I will learn what I need to graduate, but I do not have that kill mentality, just the instinct to stay alive and grow old with a wonderful family.  After our class, we came up to the bay to straighten things up and to change out of ACUs and into summer PTs.  We had about two hours to ourselves before dinner, so I took the time to get in about an hour long nap.  In earlier journals, I used bays and barracks slightly incorrectly.  I have been meaning to explain the difference, so here it is:  I sleep in a bay with my entire platoon, and then all the platoons stay in the same barracks.  Those who have written to me know that I currently live on Treadwell Dr., so as you may guess, I live in the Treadwell barracks.  Each company (A-F, pronounced alpha, bravo, charlie, delta, echo, and foxtrot companies) have their area at the Treadwell barracks.  So since I am in A Co. (Alpha company), and in first platoon, we have our own room, known as a bay, in the barracks.  I hope that was somewhat more clear.  Anyway, after dinner we got showers, which was earlier than normal (1830, or 6:30 pm).  We had the rest of the evening to do what we wanted to do, so I updated today's journal and wrote a few letters (which will be mailed out on Monday).  I have first shift fire guard tonight, so I will have to get in full battle rattle in a bit.  At least I got a nap in earlier!  Love everyone, and can't wait to see you all!  Devon, I hope you had a wonderful graduation party, and again, congratulations!

24 May 2009  (Day 29)

After today, I have 81 days left!  I just can't get hurt and I have to stay healthy!!!  Salado, my battle buddy from Hawaii, is a personal trainer, so he has been helping me with push ups and helping me work hard to get in shape.  Spence, my battle buddy from Boston, has been helping me with the different weapons we have, and learning how to use them.  We had some free time before breakfast, so it was nice to work on my trouble areas.  Breakfast was quick, because church was at 0830, which put breakfast at 0800.  We arrived at church late, which was really packed, and we got to sit in some back hallway (or those who are familiar with FUMC, it was like sitting in the coat room or that back hallway).  I didn't care for that, so I got up and stood by the doors in the back.  As luck may have it, there were two open seats, so I was chosen to go and sit inside the chapel.  Today's sermon was about being a Christian, and needing to be that visual evidence that there is a God out there, and He is an awesome and loving God.  After church, we came back to our barracks and hung out in the bay.  I did a little writing in the journal, but mostly sat around and talked to a few of the guys and compiled stories of what we have heard about Basic and what is to come in future weeks.  We went to lunch, and then it was back up to the bay to sit even more.  I was really hoping that we would get a phone call this weekend, but next weekend will be the end of red phase, and we will move into white phase, where we might get the use of our cell phones (but probably not).  So let's see, with over 8 hours today of downtime, where we did nothing but sit around, what do I have time to further explain?  How about meals?  The place we eat is called the "D-FAC" (short for Dining FACility).  We stand in line and grab a pre-made tray of food.  Once we have our tray, we get drinks, and then move to the salad bar.  For breakfast, there are different fruits on the salad bar, and then for lunch and dinner there is salad, cottage cheese, jello, and other items to add to salads or the main course.  Because we are a low stress, high speed group, we have a little more time to eat meals.  When the last person from our platoon sits down, we have 10 minutes to eat.  When we are done eating, we take our trays up and form up out in the hallway.  As long as you keep looking at the food on your tray and don't talk to anyone, everything is fine and the drill sergeants leave you alone to eat.  All the meals are that structured when we eat in the D-FAC.  If we are out training, we eat MREs.  If you write me and have questions about things, I will answer them in future journals.  But after doing nothing all day, we went and ate dinner at 1800 (6:00 pm) .  After dinner, we came back to the bay and took showers.  When I finished, I went downstairs and did my laundry.  When I came upstairs after loading my clothes into the washer, fire guard had been posted, and I don't have it tonight (but I will have it tomorrow).  I put my laundry in the dryer, and then we had final formation a little later.  After final formation, I gathered up my laundry and then it was time for bed!  Tomorrow, we are doing ability group 2 mile run, and then pugil sticks as our daily instruction.  I am actually glad my Sunday is over, because although it was relaxing, it just got really boring.  I wrote just about everyone through the week, so I know now to write less during the week, and more on Sundays.  (Eh, I like writing to family too much, so I might still just write the same!)

Day 26

21 May 2009  (Day 26)

I have now been at basic training for 2 weeks.  I am glad time is going by fast!  Today, I had to march about 2 miles to get my Class A.  I am a part of the funeral detail, so if there is a military funeral while I am here, I could be chosen to be a pall bearer.  It was nice to get fitted in a Class A uniform.  It really motivated me, because it was like seeing myself in a scout uniform.  I cannot wait to have earned the right to wear it.  Also, Deanne, you would be happy to know that I was also issued two berets, so when you come to see me (if you make the trip), you can check it out :).  While I was gone, 1st platoon had their wall lockers inspected.  They also informed me that they got severely smoked, so I am glad I wasn't here when all that happened.  Anyway, we had MREs for lunch and then got our things together to go get our hair cut.  On the way to the barber, the drill sergeants pulled a fast one on us, and we all got shots for pneumonia.  About three out of four people in our company are sick, so it was a good idea to treat/prevent everyone who is sick or could get sick.  So after everyone made it through the health clinic, we marched down to the large PX, which has an ice cream shop, t-shirt shop, and barber shop attached.  A hair cut, or shaved head style, costs $5.70.  That seems a little much to pay to get a shaved head, so we might pitch in as a platoon and buy a couple of clippers and cut hair in our own barrack.  After everyone came back from hair cuts, we cleaned/straightened up the bay, and then we were surprised with a mail call.  Brittney's letter was the oldest, being post marked for May 14th.  So with that said, I can expect to get mail within a week of when it is sent.  I received a second letter from my dad, and then one from Grandma Reinbold.  It was nice to get mail, so keep sending it!  After we read our mail, we headed to dinner.  After dinner, the company did laundry downstairs with a waterproof bag, a couple of rocks (to aggravate the dirt), and five minutes in a soap bag and five minutes in a rinse bag.  After our clothes had been washed and rinsed, we laid then out to dry.  We had a final formation at 2100, and we came back upstairs to fall asleep.  

Now this is when it gets fun.  We still have a few people who want to be individuals.  So yesterday, we had people take the candy from the MREs, which we were told from day 1 that we were not allowed to eat the sweets from the MREs.  On top of that, someone left their M4 in the barracks while we were out at the land navigation course.  Let's just say the drill sergeants were hot and until further notice, we have four people on fire guard, and two people on laundry detail every hour until we are out of red phase.  I am just glad I have been following the rules and haven't caused our platoon to be punished.  As long as I continue to do the right thing, I should keep on plugging along and see myself graduating in August. I have fire guard from 0100-0200, so I am off to sleep.  Night!

Days 23-25

18 May 2009  (Day 23)

Well, I had a 0400 wake up, so I could try to do this sick call thing again since I was rejected  on Saturday.  I have been sitting here for over 2 hours waiting to be called, but I was given a face mask so I wouldn't cough into the air, and I have been using hand sanitizer (provided by the Army) at least every 30 minutes.  I had enough time to write a couple more letters, so that helped pass the time.  When I got checked out, the noticed white spots on my tonsils, so they took a swab of my throat and sent me to TMC #7.  There I was able to watch the news on TV, which was nice because I got to catch up on things going on in the world.  I was finally called up after about 90 minutes of waiting, where I had to get my blood pressure taken again (did it earlier in the morning), and then I got to see the doctor.  He was in a bad mood, but then again, it was a Monday and he sees hundreds of sick trainees a week--not exactly my idea of a fun job.  I didn't have strep throat or anything, so I received some Mucinex, a decongestant, some Ibuprofen, and some cough drops to ease my coughing.  He also put me on profile for this week (my specific profile says "no" to basically everything: marching, push ups, sit ups, crawling, etc...).  On top of that, I have to wear a mask over my mouth and nose.  At least I don't have to put my arm to my mouth to cover my cough!  Anyway, I got back and joined up with my group in the classroom to learn about land navigation (or land nav. for short).  The land navigation stuff is so easy.  I don't know why people have so much trouble with it...Oh well.  We went to lunch, and then the group spent the day outside cleaning up company gear.  Because I was on profile, my job was to stay upstairs and guard the weapons.  We had a Major and Captain from the health department come by our barracks to see what we need to clean better to contain and eliminate the sickness that is going around.  After they left, the people on profile (including me) had to spend the next two hours scrubbing the showers and bathroom with bleach (that's how long it took us), and completely cleaned it so that not a single germ survived.  After we finished cleaning, we went back on weapon detail until dinner.  After dinner, we got clean linens to put on the beds, and then the platoon had more things to take care of outside again, so I was on weapon watch again.  Finally, we were able to go take showers.  We got dressed in summer PTs, headed downstairs for a final formation, then were dismissed and sent off to get ready for bed.  I spent my last few minutes before lights out finishing up today's journal entry, and mailing off a couple of letters.  Tomorrow's training involves putting today's land navigation lesson into practice in the field!  So this will be something I should be good at, and I am looking forward to it!

19 May 2009  (Day 24)

Well, this morning for PT, it was freezing cold (we could see out breath). We were instructed to put on our long sleeve PT shirts.  Four of us are on profile, so everyone else went off to do PT, while the four profiles stayed back and guarded weapons.  Once the drill sergeants and our platoon left, we took shifts going inside and warming up, and during our first time inside we put on polypro (a brown Army Under Armor material) to keep us warmer.  When everyone else got back from PT, we came back upstairs, changed into ACUs, and headed to breakfast.  After breakfast, we came back up to the barracks and joined 3rd platoon for another class/practice with a map, and adding compass components to what we learned earlier.  We were then assigned to groups of three to complete land navigation courses for today and tomorrow.  My roster number is 147 (meaning I am in 1st platoon [1] and the 47th person on the roster alphabetically [47]).  So my partners in this are 146 and 148 (who are also the people my bunk is near, and who I line up in formation with).  I really got lucky being here, because these two guys are older and are just two good guys.  No one really goes by first names in the Army, but 146 is Mateo Salado (or just Salado), and is a 29-year-old personal trainer who lives in, and is a native of, Hawaii.  On my other side, 148, is Jared Spence (or just Spence), and he is 26 years old from Boston (he has a heavy accent) who gave up repairing and building boats at a boat yard for active duty Army.  I am the young one of the three, but I feel that my maturity matches their ages.  It is nice to have people right around me who I can trust and count on, so I was glad when we got paired for land navigation groups in roster number order.  Also, I finally figured out when to write.  I tried to write at the end of the day during personal time, but that has usually been taken up with shower time, changing, getting ready for bed, getting ready for the next day, and then a final formation downstairs before we go to bed.  So what I have found that works is coming and going between meals, classes, or training, taking 5-10 minutes to write up to that point of the day.  Like right now it is almost 11:30, and we were supposed to hit the land navigation course at 9:00, but we did more training.  I wrote after breakfast to start the journal, and now I have caught up with what I have done since breakfast, as well as added a couple of side thoughts about the closest people to friends that I have here, and when I have made or found time to write.  I have found out I like writing because since I don't really know people here, I confide most of what I am thinking into these journals.  I know Brittney receives, reads, and types them online for everyone else to read, but these journals are basically the written conversations I would have had if I had my phone and could talk to Brittney daily.  So in a sense, this notepad and pen I use are my best friend here...haha!  It is not that bad though, because Spence, who is my "official battle buddy," and Salado are nice to sit around and talk to here.  Other than that, everyone else is either immature, or just not close enough to my bunk to really talk to.  A lot of who we hang out with is dictated y platoon, and then per platoon who is in the bunk above/below you, and to the left and right of you.  Anyway, we marched down to the land navigation course, and we got assigned new teams because we had a dozen people gone, so most teams were uneven.  So now I have a new team, and we just didn't click as well.  We found two of three markers in the woods in the two hour time limit, and when we turned our paper in, the two that were found weren't even correct.  Oh well, Spence, Salado, and I decided that we were going to line up later that night so that we would be on the same team together.  So third and first platoons marched back together and were told when we got back to clean and reorganize our equipment so that it hung from our wall lockers.  After we finished cleaning and reorganizing the barracks, we ate dinner and came back upstairs until it was time to leave.  We marched to the land navigation course and arrive at about 1930 (7:30 pm).  We were told to get into the same teams as earlier, so again Salado, Spence and I weren't together.  Oh well, we then picked up a couple of new people to make a 6 man team.  I was confident in my land navigation skills and set out that night to redeem myself from the previous course.  Misquitos were biting and there was a chance of being bitten by a snake or attacked by a wild boar, but I plotted our points confidently on the map.  They were double checked, then we aimed up our degree, and headed out.  After two hours of mushing around in the marshes and fighting our way through the thick underbrush, my team was the only one in the entire company to get all three points (out of 220 people).  It was nice to be successful.  We got back just before midnight, where I quickly got ready for bed until it was time to wake up!

20 May 2009  (Day 25)

Last night was a new experience.  I am still excited that I was a part of the group, the ONLY group, who got all points last night!  Wake up was at 0600, which came really early.  At least we didn't have PT this morning, but not like that mattered, because I am still on profile for my coughing.  So we all woke up, cleaned the barracks, and then had a short class on land navigation until we went to breakfast.  After breakfast, I had to get my helmet because I can't march so me and about 7 others rode in the back of the company deuce (large truck with a cover over the back).  Everyone else had a 2 mile march to our land navigation training area, but not me, I rode in style!  We followed the company in the deuce and the water buffalo (a 500 gallon tank full of water on wheels) so anyone who needed more water could fill up.  We pulled in and got our instructions and were placed in our new groups.  We now had 5 points to find, and no map to plot points on.  We were given a starting point and the coordinates for each point.  We had three hours to find all five points and complete the course.  Of course, my group was done in about 90 minutes, and when we turned in our information, we had all five points correctly found.  The actual land navigation course was way easier than the company course that they have to practice.  A lot of people got all 5 points correct, but then there were quite a few who only got two or three.  You had to have three of five right to pass.  After everyone was done, we ate our MREs, and then just sat around until dinner.  A few people tried to sneak candy that was in the MREs, but were caught, so we had a pretty intense smoke session (except me and the others who are on profile).  While we were sitting around, the drill sergeant taught us CPR, and we were told that everyone had to stick someone else in the arm for an IV sometime soon.  I hate needles, so not only do I not want to stick someone, but to have someone who hasn't had the experience stick me is a terrible thought. After a very boring and uneventful afternoon, we had dinner catered to us (dining services brought out a truck with food trays).  So after dinner, we waited around until it got dark, and at 2100 (9:00 pm), my group set out to find our first point, but we failed to locate it.  We started over back at our starting point and tried again, and for a second time we could no locate it.  I felt horrible reporting empty handed, but had to face the music.  So everyone came back from their course and we went back to the barrack.  I rode in the deuce (looked and saw that it was an Interstate 4200 truck).  I slept on the way back, which must have taken over 45 minutes.  Everyone else outside had to walk, so I felt bad I had just been napping, so I didn't tell anyone.  We then came back upstairs, were told of a few things I will explain tomorrow, and I pulled the first fire guard from 0000-0100 (midnight to one in the morning).  It is currently about 1:20 am, so I am out for the night!

Derek's Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEREK!!!  :D

Days 19-22

14 May 2009  (Day 19)

Last night, I had laundry detail, where people place their laundry at the front of the barrack, and then laundry detail takes it downstairs to the laundry room, and does the laundry and waits until it is done.  It was only a one hour shift, so I had about 30 minutes of sleep before I had to get up at 2200 to do my shift.  I was able to write a few letters and mailed them out once I got back upstairs.  Then, in the morning, we did PT that focused on abs and arms.  My body is really killing me.  I can;t even do pushups now because I don't think my body has time to recover from the previous day.  Looking in the mirror today, I think I look a little slimmer, or at least slightly more tone.  It's not enough of a difference to get too excited about yet, because I am so sore, I feel sluggish and still out of shape.  Anyway, yesterday we also were told to square away our assault pack (I thought it was a change of clothes for the gas chamber).  We then came back upstairs after breakfast and double-checked our gear, and were told to also pack our knee and elbow pads.  When everyone was ready, we got into formation downstairs and headed out on a road march.  Surprisingly, after about a quarter of a mile, we loaded onto five buses to head further down range (It was about a 25 minute bus ride).  When we arrived at our destination, it was a leadership course.  The course was similar to other courses I had done -- Different stations where we had to use either boards, rope, or barrels to get across, except this course was all over freezing cold water.  So while 3rd and 4th platoons did the course first, 1st and 2nd platoons learned how to low crawl, high crawl, and move when under enemy fire.  This is why we needed elbow and knee pads (Along with the gear we had to wear -- battle rattle without the bulletproof vest).  We ate more MREs for lunch again (eating MREs more than I thought we would).  After lunch, it was my group's turn to do the leadership course.  they made everyone jump into the water (reason for the extra clothes), and it was really cold.  Because it was in the upper 80s, the water actually felt good (even though we were in full ACUs).  Our squad didn't do so well, but it was overall a good experience.  We finally changed out of our wet clothes and headed back to the barracks.  The day was pretty much over, except in a matter of 10 minutes, we had four guys in my platoon pass out due to heat exhaustion or dehydration.  We were all told to drink water after that, and got a 2 minute cold shower.  It was refreshing!  We then headed to dinner, and then back up to the barracks to clean and put away gear from today's activities.  We have a mandatory laundry night tonight.  I have first shift fire watch as well, so at least I get one solid night of sleep!  The only thing that has been bothering me is the fact that we don't know when mail is distributed.  Rumors around say we'll get it next weekend, because with 220 new trainees, the mail room needs time to organize.  Oh well.  Other than that, I'm pretty sun burnt from the last 3 days worth of activities.  Hopefully I can borrow sun screen and when we go back to the PX next week I can buy some Aloe!  Time to get ready for firewatch, then sleep, then start a brand new day in a few short, but much needed, hours!

15 May 2009  (Day 20)

This morning we had PT and split off into our running agility groups.  My running has suffered because we didn't do any physical activities during reception, so we ship down range only to have done a few lunges and pushups.  After PT and breakfast, we put on full battle and loaded buses again to head to a firing range where we shot a 50 caliber and an MK-19 (grenade launcher).  It was a long hot day, but it was a fun experience, especially since I have only shot shot guns and rifles in scouts.  These were "big boy weapons," but I'd rather not use them.  I'm not really into violence or anything, and that is another reason I did National Guard instead of Active Duty Army.  When we got back to our barrack, we cleaned and put everything away.  The whole platoon got a counseling form that said our bay didn't pass inspection.  Another individual, who transferred from a different platoon due to restart, said his drill sergeants did the same thing, so this is more of a scare tactic.  Oh well, my gear was squared away.  Now back at home, this weekend is the Ordeal, which is the first Ordeal I will have missed in 5 years or so.  I hope everyone has a fun time, and I will be thinking of you all.

16 May 2009  (Day 21)

I have been putting of going to sick call for nearly 10 days now, so last night, after not seeing any improvement, I got a sick call form and filled it out.  I also had firewatch from 0200-0300, which is the third night in a row now I have had a night shift (One laundry detail and two fireguard).  So when I woke up this morning, I got ready (along with 9 others from my platoon), and was about to head to sick call, when I vomited all over the floor (just a lot of water and mucus).  So after that was cleaned up, we all went downstairs and waited around for over an hour.  We met up with the other three platoon's sick call people, which totaled our group to 19.  We went to breakfast, and then headed to TMC #7 (Troop Medical Center #7).  When we got there, we were denied access at the door, saying unless it was life threatening, we should just go back.  That really blew.  I have been putting up with a sore throat, constant coughing, clogged/runny nose, headache, and now vomiting for over 10 days, and I get rejected and told to come back on Monday.  Whatever.  So the group walks the half mile or so back to our barracks, where we just missed the group leaving for the day's training.  one of the drill sergeants got a 16 passenger van, which all 19 of us crammed into, and we met up with the group.  Today's training was about communication.  we learned about the 9 line medivac (9 steps to call over the radio for a medical pickup), and then how to assemble and set up a radio to call on.  It was interesting, but my cold is messing with my head, and I have all sorts of trouble staying awake and am becoming disoriented.  I haven't been caught by a drill sergeant for falling asleep yet, so at least I have been lucky in that sense.  Anyway, we got back from training and practically had the rest of the day off.  Someone in our platoon left their wall locker unlocked while we were gone, and so the drill sergeant played a joke on us and said someone stile his hat (which no one even TOUCHES a drill sergeant's hat), so everyone opened their lockers and the guy who left his wall locker open had it inside, and so everyone was either shocked or thought he had been set up by someone else.  The drill sergeant explained what happened and everyone in the platoon was still shocked about what had just happened.  I thought it was great.  Later on, I was called into the drill sergeant's office and received another counseling statement.  This one was unfair, and I explained it to the other drill sergeant who was giving it to me because the drill sergeant who wrote me up went home for the day, but I was written up for lack of motivation.  I was the last person to get out of the van at training, and I went to join my platoon (who had already undressed out of their full battle rattle).  When I got to my platoon, the drill sergeant was counting down from 15 seconds that everyone needed to be undressed.  I failed to meet that deadline, because I had to take off my assault pack (camo backpack), my FLC (carries canteens and magazines for my M4), my bulletproof vest, and my helmet, while stacking it by my feet in a specific way.  I was told I wasn't motivated?!?!  I said I undressed as fast as I possibly could, and that I had just gotten there, but the drill sergeant said that I need to follow directions and I don't have much time to change if I am deployed.  UGH!  Oh well, a couple of counseling forms don't hurt, and after Basic they are thrown away.  The only bad thing they do is, if there are enough repeats, I could get restarted (which isn't an option), or if I build up enough unique ones, then I lose my family day pass (which also is not an option).  I just have to step up my performance even more.  Oh well, enough about that.  For dinner tonight, I went with a pasta.  It wasn't labeled, but it looked good, so I got it, and about half way through it, my stomach felt queasy.  I was about to take my tray up when I threw up a little on it.  I then took my tray up and threw up a little more.  I made it outside and asked for a battle buddy and stepped into the bathroom where I threw up the rest of my dinner.  I later found out that it was a tuna casserole.  Again, I do not like fish or seafood of any kind!  I do not make this stuff up.  Here is the good news - we got mail today!  I stayed up to read all the letters I received (mom's, dad's, grandpap's, Mr. Schumacher's, and two from Brittney).  It was so nice to read mail from everyone, even though I had to do 10 pushups per letter received, it was definitely worth it!  Thank you all so much for mailing me and write as often as you want.  I have to maintain my record of the most mail received!

17 May 2009  (Day 22)

Last night, at about 2130 (9:30 pm), the fire alarm went off and everyone evacuated the barracks.  I was right in the middle of reading my mom's letter, so I had to set it down and go outside.  It was raining outside, and the Ft. Benning Fire Dept. showed up and let us go back in within 10 minutes or so.  I finished reading my mail, and then went to sleep.  Wake up was at 0600, which is nice to be able to sleep in, except I had to be on suicide watch (4 nights in a row I have pulled a duty of some sort).  The guy we are watching is not even suicidal.  He is being medically discharged for pins in his legs that are hurting him, so he is going home in a day or two to his wife and kids.  He isn't suicidal and this watch is pointless.  Oh well, I am just doing what I'm told.  At least I was able to sit on the floor and write this journal entry up to this point!

After my shift was over, everyone woke up, and those who were going to church changed into ACUs, and those who weren't stayed in summer PTs.  The nice thing about the Protestant service here is that it is about the same time as the first service back home, so from 8:30-9:45 I am at church and feel that I am in worship (a few hundred miles away) with my family.  Also, today I ran into Brandon Clymer, who is a Construction Management major and ROTC cadet like myself at Ball State.  It was really nice to see a familiar face.  We aren't best friends or anything, but out here I am really by myself and not knowing anybody, just something familiar is comforting, but the letters last night really helped.  When we got back from church, I changed out of my ACUs and into summer PTs.  While I was gone, the platoon wiped everything down with bleach, because a good 75% or so is sick here, and we are trying to get everyone in 1st platoon healthy again.  The last four nights I have needed my laundry off at the front of the barrack to have the laundry detail wash it, but it has failed to be selected to get clean.  So today is free for all laundry day, meaning anyone can wash whenever there is an open machine today.  However, before I was able to do my laundry, the drill sergeants told us we were going to rearrange the barrack.  So instead of four rows of single bunks, we not have two rows of bunk beds along the walls.  All of the wall lockers are then lined up side by side, blocking all of the windows, which I think is stupid, but oh well, less than 13 weeks left here!  After the barracks were straight, I went downstairs and started my laundry, then we had a brief land navigation and map reading course (which we had at reception, as well).  When class was over, I moved my laundry into the dryer.  We went to dinner, came back, and so I started folding my laundry when our drill sergeant decided to show us how to load, clean, and unjam our M4s.  When he called on me to see what I had picked up, I did everything correctly.  Luckily, my battle buddy is awesome and he was helping me out before I was called, so he really helped me out.  After class, we took showers.  I finished folding laundry, and now at 2130 (9:30 pm) I am going to sleep!  Night all!!! 

Days 17-18

12 May 2009 (Day 17)

I am so tired and sore today.  We actually did something fun, but hard.  The obstacle course went like this:

     Station 1: 30 yard low crawl (run to)

     Station 2: 20 ft. rope climb (run to)

     Station 3: 15 ft. monkey bars (run to)

     Station 4: Run across log over pit (run to)

     Station 5: Hop/roll down 4 ft. ledges (run to)

     Station 6: Slide/climb from rope (run to)

     Station 7: Back crawl under barbed wire (run to)

     Station 8: Over concrete block wall (bear crawl)

     Station 9: Up and under fences (crab walk)

     Station 10: Low crawl through pipe

     FINISH!

The whole obstacle course took about 10 minutes to complete, with the worst part being station 7, where we dove into a nasty/muddy water puddle (small pond) and then rolled on  

our backs looking up at the barbed wire, wiggling our bodies up a slight incline.  It was one of those things that had to be done, and now that it is over and I'm showered, I am glad it's out of the way.  (However, we might go back in 5 or 6 weeks to see how we have improved).  The obstacle course took all day (multiple heats), and we even had two tour buses stop and take pictures of us doing it.  Apparently they were a group of recruiters with local high school teachers from different states.  It was a way for teachers to tell students about what they saw while they were here -- Whatever!  Anyway, we came back and showered and then learned how to clean our weapons (which took a while).  I was glad to finally get to sleep, because I have been dead tired, and have had no problem falling asleep.  Again, keep me in your prayers, and I love and miss everyone.

13 May 2009  (Day 18)

Last night, one of the company drill sergeants came into our barracks and found one of our fire guards asleep in the chair.  Needless to say, everyone was rushed downstairs after some yelling and cussing by the drill sergeant, where we got smoked for a little while.  In the morning when we woke up, we had PT, which ended as a smoke session again for what had happened (led by our drill sergeant).  After PT and breakfast, the entire company headed to eagle tower, where we repelled down a 35 ft. or so tower, as well as climb across three different types of rope bridges.  I was pretty proud of myself because I was the first person to successfully complete all 3 bridges out of the first half dozen guys or so.  We ate MREs (meals ready to eat) when we were done, and came back to the barracks to clean our weapons.  Our drill sergeants told us to pack one of our packs, so I wonder what that is about.  Rumor has it that we are going to go to the gas chamber later this week, so that should be interesting.  I really am looking forward to the end of this summer.  So far it has been a lot more relaxed than I would have thought, and no different that being initiated into one of the scout service programs (Order of the Arrow and Firecrafter).  The worst thing is just the fact that I can't talk or see family for so long, so hopefully I will be able to make up for lost time when I get back!  I love everyone!

PS: The previous entry has been edited with new information that Derek sent me.  (5/16/09)

Days 14-16

09 May 2009  (Day 14)

Saturday we didn't do too much.  We went on a road march about a mile away or so to get more supplies.  We were issued our helmets, rucksack (which is a backpacking type backpack), and our bulletproof vests.  When we wear the helmets and bulletproof vest, it's called full battle rattle.  But anyway, we did double time on the way back with all $4500 worth of gear (which weighed around 150 lbs.), and because I've been designated as a road guard (someone who runs ahead to block traffic), I was in the front and actually led our platoon.  Others couldn't keep up, so we got smoked when we labeled and organized all of the gear we had and then got smoked for the remainder of the evening.  We had a quick briefing about church in the morning and what to do, so it gave me something to look forward to!  As for my weight --  I don't really feel like I'm losing weight yet, but I'm sure I have to be.  Hopefully I will see some visual evidence soon, but at least I feel like I'm getting stronger, so that's good!  Tomorrow we have our first official PT (Physical Training), so we'll see how they do things here in Georgia as compared to Ball State's ROTC PT sessions.

10 May 2009  (Day 15)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM!  It has been two weeks since I've been home, and going to church has both helped and broken me down this week and last.  Something about being in a house of worship makes me think about just being home with my family and Brittney, and worshipping with my loved ones every weekend.  I can usually make it through about half of the first song before I choke up.  I love my family very much, and being away from them has been ten times harder than anything physical we have had to do.  We didn't even get a phone call home to wish our mom's a happy Mother's Day, so this is the best I can do.  For church, I prerecorded a short video wishing my mom a happy Mother's Day to be played on the projector, so hopefully she liked that and it wasn't too hard on her to watch (She's a strong woman, so I'm sure she took it well), but today's scripture is one that a lot of people are familiar with.  

"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."  - Philipians 4:13

Because I'm down range, we were at a different chapel.  The chaplain was fairly entertaining, and did a good job preaching, but I wish I wasn't so emotional.  Oh well, still glad I have the opportunity to go to chirch here.

After lunch, we went to the PX, where I purchased much needed baby powder and some vaseline.  It's not a secret that I am a large guy and have thick thighs, so these Army sand-colored tighties are not my sort of underwear.  While we were waiting in line, someone replied to the drill sergeant with, "Yeah, drill sergeant," instead of, "Yes, drill sergeant."  So as a platoon, we had to write "YES DRILL SERGEANT, NO DRILL SERGEANT" 500 times and turn it in by Wednesday.  I finished mine later that night, but it backed me up even more on writing journals.  I plan on catching up during this week, because I just don't have the time to write more than one journal a day (or even time for that!)

As for earlier, PT was nothing.  It was more of a demonstration of the exercises we would be doing rather than a workout session itself.  However, it was when we got back from church when it got bad.  People keep saying, "Drill Sergeant on deck," instead of, "Drill Sergeant on the floor."  They keep telling us it's not the Navy, but people still say it when a Drill Sergeant comes onto our barrack.  So yeah, we went outside and kinda got smoked for over and hour.  It could have been a lot worse, but it was more of a teaching session on more PT exercises.  We got back after dinner and got smoked again, and it was really down to the last straw.  Luckily no one messed up again, and we were able to go to sleep at 2100!  Tomorrow is the confidence course and we've been told Wednesday is the climbing tower (known as Eagle Tower).  I'm looking forward to both, but now it's time for bed...night!

11 May 2009  (Day 16)

Today was actually a pretty fun day.  Sure we got smoked for not being still while at attention and for other minor things, but today was the confidence course.  Now mom, you might not want to read this, but since I am writing about it, means I'm safe and okay!  Basically we did a high COPE course (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience), except in the Army, unlike the Boy Scouts, you don't get tied off.  Yeah, we had to climb ropes, walk across logs, and crawl down cargo nets around 40 feet in the air.  There were cargo nets below in some of the "hazardous" areas, but for the most part, if you fell, it was likely you would break something.  Some people couldn't  do it, but I was proud of myself for having the 'confidence' to complete the course.  It was a long and hot day, and I ended it pulling a 2100-2200 fire guard shift in full battle rattle.  At least my shift started at lights out, so I got one continuous night's sleep.

Over the course of the last couple of days, I was able to do a couple of statistics to make this time away from home sound better.  First of all, I am two weeks into it, so since I am gone 16 weeks, I'm 1/8 of the way finished.  Also, Sundays are typically free days (minus red phase), so with 14 weeks remaining, I get like 2 weeks off total from those days.  So yeah, I'm really looking forward to the days I will get to spend with my family here, and even more so until I am out of here for good!

Days 11-13

06 May 2009 (Day 11)

The rumors are true -- there is hardly any time to write, especially during the first few days (or weeks).  I'm writing this a couple of days late, but I took notes on the main things that happened, so that when I did have time to write, I would remember.  First of all, it was really hard to sleep last night (May 5th).  We got cell phones back, so I talked to my parents for 45 minutes, and then Brittney for about an hour.  So I got off of the phone around midnight.  (This might be a repeat of the last journal, but I mailed it a few days ago, so I forgot what was on it).  Anyway, we had a 0300 wake up call because we did ship!  So we got up and packed everything up as well as cleaned up our bays.  We went to breakfast and afterwards we made sure we had all of our paperwork with us.  We then filed outside and waited until the drill sergeants came around the corner yelling to move and grab our gear.  We threw our large green, army-issued duffle bags into a truck and then proceeded to hang onto our personal bag in our arms for over and hour... very hard!  We then got on a bus and were shipped down range where we got off the bus and formed into our platoons for the summer.  There's a total of 220 of us (four platoons of 55).  All 220 of us were sent scrambling to a pile of everyone's duffle bags and we had to get ours.  Someone yelled out "Sease," so I got mine quickly, but we only had two minutes, so of course we all got smoked because we didn't all have ours after the time limit.  The rest of the day consisted of putting our gear away in the barracks and leaning Army basics.  We had "Corrective Training" about once and hour, but for the most part, it has been fair punishment.  People will thank the sergeant, which you aren't supposed to do, and they will call drill sergeants "Sirs," when only commanding officers are sirs. So while we are doing all of this corrective training, I am looking at it as a way to get stronger quicker.  The last thing we did before we went to sleep was have a shower drill, where everyone holds their towel up with their right hand and their soap with their left, and we have 30 seconds per group of 8 to get showered.  We were told we have personal time to write from 2000-2100, but we didn't get that tonight, so hopefully we have more time later.  If anything, I will write the journals so everyone knows what is going on, and will wait to write to individuals once I am given time!

07 May 2009  (Day 12)

FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!  The drill sergeants came in at around 0430 waking everyone up.  Of course they briefed us the day before about what to do in case of a fire, but people forgot the fire extinguisher and also the lights, so we got smoked outside in the wet sandy/grassy hill -- which was not too fun at all.  We came back up to our barrack (which is a three story building: main floor is open air, and second and third floors are giant rooms lined with beds), and made our beds and cleaned our barracks (sweep and mop floors, dust wall lockers, and clean windows and blinds).  We left for breakfast and afterwards, got smoked again.  Once our "punishment" had been served, we came upstairs and did more paperwork and inventoried our Army supplies that were issued in reception.  After an hour or so, we went to the classroom and learned more Army basics.  Then, we went to lunch and of course, got smoked again.  We then got issued our weapons, which are M4s.  We had a quick class over maintenance and use of the weapon.  We took them apart, and then people got rowdy so we had to put them together on our own (given two minutes).  I was one out of 48 who was able to put it back together without the drill sergeant's help (out of 220 total).  So that was cool.  (Although, having my own M4 isn't cool to me because I hope I never have to take someone else's life).  After our weapon course, we went to dinner and then came back to our barracks to label our M4s (I'm roster #147), so that everyone can keep track of their own weapon (as well as all other gear).  Our drill sergeants left for the evening, and didn't say when they would be back, so I got our platoon together and we cleaned our barrack.  When the drill sergeants did come back, they told us to get showers (we had 60 seconds this time!) And we didn't get smoked either.  I then had to wake up for firewatch from 0200-0300.  I had to patrol the barracks and do a head and weapon count about once every 5 minutes.  I'm not allowed to write during firewatch, and we still haven't been given free time to do so.  I can't wait to be able to write to people instead of journals for all to read.  Again, keep me in your prayers!

08 May 2009  (Day 13)

Due to time constraints and lack of personal time still, this entry will be short.  For the most part, we didn't do much at all today.  All we did was attend a class over sexual harassment and equal opportunities in the Army.  We spent the afternoon working on our wall lockers -- organizing them and learning the proper way to roll clothing (no folding in the Army).  This really did take a long time to do for some reason, and of course we paid the price for how long it took, but at least my locker looks good!  But yeah, we pretty much got smoked all day today, and my arms were killing me.  People kept falling asleep during the class, and not addressing our drill sergeants properly.  Anyway, that's all I have for now.

ADDRESS

No updates yet...but I at least have an address for Derek!

He would love to receive mail from anyone, so here it is:

#147 PFC Derek Sease

A Co, 1-50th Infantry Regiment (ITB)

9240 Treadwell Dr.

Ft. Benning, GA 31905-5919

Also, please do not send him packages! He will not receive them, and he will be punished with a workout. Thanks!

-Brittney

Days 9-10

04 May 2009 (Day 9)

People really don't know how to not talk.  We got smoked first thing this morning because people wouldn't stop talking for morning countablility formation.  After that, we did PT for about a half hour or so, and then went to breakfast.  The menu at breakfast has not changed at all since I have been here.  There are scrambled eggs, sausage/bacon/ham (choose one), waffles, pancakes, french toast, biscuits and gravy, and a while fruit bar with milk, cranberry, and orange juice.  I usually get eggs and ham, with apples, cantaloupe, and honey dew.  I'm still trying to watch my weight (and the joke here is that they are fattening the pig before the slaughter).  After breakfast though, all we did was sit in the classroom and study army things and get ready to ship on Wednesday.  We all really hope we are shipping then.  No one knows for sure if we will or not, but we have been told that everyone in A Co. (Alpha Company) will ship.  We got our personal bags back to pack up anything non-Army that we might have, and then head down range the next day.  I should have my cell phone that night to talk briefly on, but we will see.  I am so scared about this summer, but at the same time, I am ready to start to get this summer done and over with.  I've got to stay motivated, or I will never make it.  When I get my address, please send me encouraging and motivating words -- I'll need it.

Anyway, lunch came and went, and afterwards, I was able to exchange my summer boots for some better ones.  The blister on my heel is getting better, just in time to break in the new boots (the ones I will basically live in for the summer).  After I got back, I watched another group do their shakedown (so that A Co. would know what to do tomorrow).  We went to dinner, and then it was time to clean the bays (which it rained until 1400 or so, so it was muddy).  I've already taken my shower and I'm just enjoying my personal time now.  I really hope I ship this week... We'll soon find out.

05 May 2009 (Day 10)

Today was a roller coaster of emotions.  As for what we did, it was the same old eat, wait, eat, clean, eat and wait.  But what was said really had me bumming.  We were originally told last week that we would be shipping on Wednesday (tomorrow), but then as the day went on, no one had us do a shakedown and word was that it would be another week.  I just want an address and to have a set date for when this all will be over.  By pushing the date back and back, morale was really starting to tank all around.  If the Army could improve anything this far, it is to be more organized.  This whole process has been very hectic and no one seems to know what is going on.  Anyway, the good news is after dinner, we were told we had a 0300 wake up call because we were shipping at 0900!  I honestly broke out in tears of joy, because now I will be able to receive letters and know for sure I will be home in 14 weeks!  The drill sergeant called me up to the front to ask what was the matter, and so in front of everyone, I said I was just happy to be shipping down range -- That is the simple answer.  Anyway, we got our personal bags and I spent the remainder of the evening on the phone with my parents and then Brittney.  It was nice to hear everyone's voices and not be limited on how long I got to talk.  I got off the phone with Brittney at midnight, and went to bed...or at least tried, but it was a rough sleep.  My mind was too active and I just can't wait to see my family later this summer.

Days 6-8

01 May 2009 (Day 6)

My emotions are still on a roller coaster.  I found out that it might be another week until we ship down range.  If this is the case, my future plans may change.  As much as I want to finish this out, I don't want to miss school to work towards my future for what I need later in life.  I've held up my contract thus far, and it's not fair to me that I wait for two weeks when I need to be home for school.  I also found out now that my graduation is in August for both AIT and Basic Training.  Since I am doing Basic and AIT straight through and I don't transit to another base in between, it's one ceremony in August, which if I don't ship this next Wednesday will be during school for Deanne and I don't know what family would come down.  I've heard rumor that I might have a 72 hour pass between basic and AIT, so hopefully the second week of July I can still see my family.  If I don't ship next week then we'll see how the rest of the summer goes.  Hopefully I do ship because I truly think this well be a good (but emotionally difficult) experience for me.  I really love everyone back home, and keep praying for me to stay strong and grow closer to God in this time of need.  I'm looking forward to Sunday to see what a military church service is like.

As for today, we woke up at 0400 to get shots and do our first PT (Physical Training).  It's about time we worked out.  Army rules say that we can't work out until we are fully processed.  So I guess we are processed!  After PT we went to breakfast.  After breakfast, we changed out of PT gear and into our ACUs.  We went to the classroom where we had general questions about the army, Basic, AIT, and Iraq answered.  We then had to take care of dirty bed sheets and linens (which took over an hour).  We headed to lunch (steak again) and then back to the classroom to learn about land navigation.  Later we went to dinner for some beef and noodles, then back to the classroom to watch videos about various Army things.  I hear the rest of my time here will be boring, so I really hope I get to ship Wednesday.  I haven't written anyone but Brittney and home because I don't have an address here in "Limbo."  This would be better if we could have cell phones or at least phone card usage while we wait.  Anyway, after videos in the classroom (which is just a large empty room with a desk, computer, and screen -- so we sit on the floor hours on end), we came back to clean up the bays.  I talked with a few people who were supposed to ship last week (and obviously didn't), so I'm a little down on the information I received.  I'll try to keep a positive attitude and pray that I ship.

02 May 2009 (Day 7)

Ah, the weekend!  We got to sleep in until 0500 today.  We had formation at 0530, but it was canceled.  One of our fellow 11Bs (pronounced, "Eleven Bravos," meaning infantry) fell asleep during their firewatch last night, and was caught by the drill sergeant.  He did PT for over an hour for all of us (YUCK!).  We changed into ACUs and went into the classroom and had a shakedown of everything we need for Basic.  I got a red ID tag because I am allergic to penicillin, so my neck jingles because I have so much around my neck.  I need to exchange my summer boots to get better ones that don't tear up my heels.  Also, I'll get some baby powder and ID tag silencers (Black rubber pieces that wrap around ID tags) from the PX when we go.  There has been rumor that we wouldn't ship for yet another week, but there are a lot of new people processing, so I'm pretty sure we will be heading down range.  I'm pretty excited actually.  I know that I will get scared...Again, but who isn't that scared of the unknown?  I definitely have a different mentality than most of the people here.  These guys are real Army and want to be shipped to go "kill somebody" (legally).  I hope I never have to take someone's life.  I guess we'll come across that when the time presents itself.  Anyway, after the shakedown, we headed to lunch (cheeseburgers and fries) and then back to our bays to clean them again.  We were here for nearly four hours just sitting around, talking, studying Army information, and writing part of this journal.  We then went to dinner, and when we got back, we were allowed to make a phone call home.  I said I would call home first, but I called Brittney because I thought she knew how to do a three-way call, but she was babysitting and couldn't figure it out (and I only had five minutes and the calling card took a minute to punch in all the numbers).  Sorry family for not calling and hopefully you are home tomorrow if/when I call.  And Brittney, it was really good to hear your voice.  It should help me until I get to talk again.  Also, sorry all for not mailing letters, but I would rather wait a couple of weeks so you can at least have a return address that you can write back to (and please do!).  Anyway, this journal is long enough (and since it was a boring day it is more about what I was thinking) so keep me in your prayers and I love everyone.  God bless!

03 May 2009 (Day 8)

Today is Sunday, and I attended my first church service with the military.  Church really made me miss my family.  I have felt like crying all day (but haven't...yet).  I got to call home before I left at 0915, but I guess my family went to the early church service, so I didn't get to talk to them.  I am such a family man, and that is something the Army can't take from me.  I love my mom and dad, grandparents, girlfriend, the "in-laws," and just the comfort of familiar faces and home.  I love everyone so much, and this last bit has been really hard to write.  Brittney, you really are such an amazing person, and you are such a rock in my life to give me the support I need.  I can't wait to go down range just because I will get an address!

But today, church was pretty nice -- a little short for me, but the message was good.  The scripture (which I am going to memorize for this summer to get me through) was I Corinthians 10:13, which says:

"No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face..." (NIV)

It means something to me because I am so scared and feel alone here.  Most people here have no other option in life, meaning parents have kicked them out, they need to support a kid, or they are flat broke.  I on the other hand, have a supportive and loving family, no kids to support (Just Brittney ;)) and I have money saved away and enough to finish school.  Most people here  have all of the benefits to look forward to, but money just doesn't mean all that to me -- I just want the people I love dearly around me.

Days 4-5

29 APR 2009 (Day 4)

I woke up with a new mindset...I will continue on and I will pass!  I know it's going to be tough, but I can't let my supporters at home down, and most of all, myself.  I got myself into this mess, so the only way out is to keep pushing strong.  The word around the army is that Benning has the toughest Basic Training.  Come August 12th or so, I am going to be glad I went through and made it through one of the worst moments in my life (Only the death of a family member outranks this).  Anyway, today we had to get our shots.  Yeah, I hate shots, but I got lucky (at least today) and didn't have to get the worst one, in the butt, because I am allergic to penicillin.  I also had a brief dental checkup.  Of course I passed with flying colors, and there's not much left to do that could keep me from shipping on to Basic.  I'm trying to break my boots in.  My heels are a little sore, and my right heel had a blister and was a little raw.  Oh well, I'll just get a nice callus to keep it rough and from hurting.  On a positive note, we had steak for lunch (and leftovers for dinner).  I only ate it at lunch.  Right now, it is hectic.  We had to pack everything up and head to a new bay (room that holds 68 people).  I hope I get a phone call home soon, but I guess the longer I go without it, the easier it might be.  (Although, it would be easiest to just be able to call everyday :)).  I only have a couple of minutes until lights out, so I'm out tonight.  I love everyone and you're in my thoughts always.

30 APR 2009 (Day 5)

Last night I had firewatch.  My battle buddy and I wake up at our assigned time and patrol our bay.  We're supposed to stop people from going AWOL (Absent WithOut Leave), as well as clean the latrines.  After my firewatch, which was from 0330-0430 (the last shift), I got dressed in my ACUs (Army Combat Uniform) and formed up outside and went to breakfast.  Basic is harder than reception, so I've been told, and meals here are still very structured.  We line up along the wall in parade rest (Feet shoulder width apart and hands together in the small of the back).  Anyway, they feed us well and we have about 5 minutes to eat.  Sit down, heels together, feet flat on the floor, don't talk, and eat fast.  I don't really mind it.  I'm getting used to the schedule and the formality of it all, but this is only a taste of what is to come.  After breakfast, my company took care of payroll and life insurance while I am active duty during training.  It wasn't too bad, but the group is ready to get out of reception.  There are a few guys who want to visit with the chaplain to get out of what they signed up for.  I had the same ideas on Tuesday, but this is something that I know I can do, and although it's time away from loved ones, I have to do this.  We got our pictures taken today, but they want $31 for a package of a dozen wallets, four 8" x 5", and like two 8 1/2" x 11".  I don't think it is worth that, but I will probably buy the DVD and company photo.  I still haven't received my PFC (Private First Class) rank emblem for my uniform, but I have about a week to get that still.  I did, however, get my dog tags, so that is cool.  We learned a little drill and ceremony tonight, as well.  It was alright, but it got boring.  People are still talking and messing around, so we have had to do some pushups.  My heels are raw still, so I switched to my more cushioned winter boots (hotter).  They helped my feet out, but they aren't the best.  Oh well, hopefully my feet heal before heading down range.  I love everyone at home a lot... Keep me in your prayers.

...Crud, new news.  I don't have a Basic Training graduation in July, but a graduation at the end of everything in August.  I might have a few days off in between for family to visit, though.  We'll see.

Days 1-3

26 April 2009 (Day 1)

Today begins a life-changing journey.  My parents dropped me off at the Radisson hotel in Carmel at 8:00 pm (2200 in military time), and stayed about an hour.  Remembering the evening brings back tears to my eyes, because to know that I actually volunteered to leave my loving family and the comforts of my home is mind-boggling.  The best thing about it is the fact that I know hundreds of thousands have done this before me, and that I get to see everyone in a little over nine weeks.  Anyone who doesn't serve, seriously take the time to thank someone who has been to basic.  Just the process of leaving everyone is more difficult than imagined.  I thought I had mentally prepared for this, but it was nothing like I thought it would be.  To help my family and Brittney cope with me being gone this summer, I made them videos to give a weekly update from the previous week at Basic.  When Dana (my sister), left to Japan to teach English, she set up a Skype account.  Since I don't have access to a computer or internet, the best I could do was a video.  I just wish I had videos to watch of my family.  Oh well, hopefully it goes by fast.  Graduation for Basic Training is somewhere around the 4th of July (Cool huh!) and then I will be done on August 7th with AIT.  Anyway, it's 10:30pm (2230) and I have a 0430 wake up time (I will use military time from here on out).  I'll let everyone know how things go tomorrow!

27 Apr 2009 (Day 2)

I am currently flying to Ft. Benning, but my day hasn't been as easy going as it is now.  My roommate at the hotel last night was an odd character.  For some reason, he set an alarm for 0330.  Why?  I have no idea.  Previously the night before, I asked him his name, but I guess that was his cue to roll over in bed and throw the covers over his head.  But now, on such a short night's sleep, he woke up an hour early.  He got up, showered, packed his belongings (loudly) and was out of the room by 0405.  (I then proceeded to settle back into my Sleep Number bed for an additional 30 minutes of shut-eye).  Anyway, I finally got up when I was supposed to and got ready myself.  Ate a light breakfast of cereal, juice, and a few potatoes with sausage and bacon (2 pieces of each).  Everyone who was going to ship or enlist was on a bus and heading to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) by 0530.  I had another quick weigh-in and medical check up to make sure I could ship, and then got to wait around with Brittney and her mom at 0800, and then my dad, grandma, and grandpap came at 1000.  I was called up a little later to go into the room where the mock swearing in ceremony was to take place.  Afterwards, I got to visit with my family before having to leave for my transportation briefing.  This was the last time I got to see my dad and grandparents until July at my Basic Training graduation.  Brittney and her mom had already left for the airport to see me off there along with my mom.  Meanwhile, I got my flight details (1455 out of Indy to St. Loius, and 1710 flight out of St. Loius to Atlanta).  At the airport it got really hard.  I love my family too much.  I called my mom while I was traveling to the airport to ask if she could pick me up a notepad for me to write my journals in.  The sound of my mom's voice has a strong effect on me.  I would have to say I'm a momma's boy, because as soon as I saw her at the airport (along with Brittney and her mom), I almost instantly broke down.  I love the women in my life and I wouldn't trade anything for any one of them.  I enjoyed my hour I had with them before I had to leave (which was hard), but I've since talked on the phone with them and been able to ease my mind drifting in and out of sleep on the plane.  Not having a cell phone at basic might be more difficult then basic itself, just because I rely on Brittney (and my mom) so much.  Writing these daily journals should help with that while I'm gone, but I can't wait until I will be home this summer.  The plane is about to land in Atlanta, so I'm only a bus ride away from being at my home for the summer.

28 Apr 2009 (Day 3) 

Today has been tough.  Really tough.  I have been second-guessing this decision all afternoon.  I'm sure it's just a minor (semi-major) case of homesickness, but right now I think I'll still tough it out.  For starters, I haven't slept yet.  I had a little nap each flight, but nothing that helped.  When we pulled into Ft. Benning, we unloaded off the bus (which I had a good last phone call with Brittney).  The drill SGT had us do paper work and get PT gear (physical training gear) and bedding stuff.  But, by the time we could have gone to sleep, we had 30 minutes to shave and form up outside.  Then, today has been going by really slowly.  We got dental x-rays and mouth guards made for our hand-to-hand combat days.  After that, we got our heads shaved and military ID pictures taken.  We went shopping at the PX and got everything we needed for Basic (and no, there weren't any posters for Brittney's dad).  The next bit of new was the worst...I won't be going "down range" (or leaving for Basic) until May 6th.  That's 7 days from now!!!  I'm going to try to talk and see if I can't go this Friday due to school obligations in August, but we'll see.  That's just another week not being able to see my family.  This is going to bite.  We got our ACUs (Army Combat Uniforms) and boots, which took over three hours.  I've had too much time to think and not enough sleep.  I've just wanted to cry, but I'm trying to stay strong.  The day ended with the drill SGT giving words of inspiration to help boost my morale.  I can't wait until August.