Days 60-62

24 June 2009  (Day 60) - Happy birthday, Dad!

This morning we did the usual cleaning thing and then went downstairs to get our Nutrigrain bars.  We then came back up to the bay to finish up and wait for first formation.  While waiting, I folded and rolled my laundry and put my pads and chin strap back in my ACH.  We then went downstairs and had formation, and then the First Sergeant (commanding NCO of our company) gave us a talk about how our family day pass is a privilege and that if we mess up again it will be revoked.  It better not happen, because I am really looking forward to my pass and the thought of my pass is a huge morale booster for me...and it is less than two and a half weeks away!  So anyway, after First Sergeant's talk, we went and did PT.  We did 60-120s, and I gave it my all.  I was pretty worn out and soaked in sweat!  We then went straight to breakfast and had about 25 minutes to change into full battle rattle and be downstairs to catch our transportation to the shooting range.  Once at the range, we got into our shooting lanes and shot ready ups at four different targets.  We had 30 rounds in three magazines (one with five, ten, and fifteen rounds).  Everyone went twice, and while we waited, half were in the shade practicing how to use a wall as a cover, and the proper shooting techniques to shoot around or over it.  Once everyone shot, we ate MREs for lunch and then policed the range, picking up the brass and any live rounds (which would have been ejected from a jam or whatnot).  Once the range was clean, we had some men there set up to show us some "new" technology -- Boomerang III.  It has been around for awhile, but they have made it better.  Basically, seven microphones are on a pile and they pick up the supersonic waves of a rifle round.  Within 300 meters, it can pinpoint where the shot was fired within 16 inches, which says what direction and elevation to the position of the microphones.  It was neat, but we were out in the sun for about an hour, so by the end, I felt overheated and dehydrated, especially since I was picked to help carry some of the equipment back to the truck.  We then had a shakedown and headed back to the barracks once the buses arrived.  When we got to the bay, we took cool showers and changed into summer PTs, and then had downtime to clean weapons and relax.  I just stood in front of the water fountain drinking down cold water, and enjoyed not doing much!  We then had dinner and went back to the bay for an uneventful evening.  We just sat around the bay, and I should have written letters, but I was just drained from the day.  We then had final formation at 2030 (no milk) and had mail call (no mail).  Afterwards, it was back upstairs and lights out at 2100.  I was dead tired and went right to sleep.

Happy birthday, Dad!  Hope you had a wonderful day and I know I kept you in my thoughts today!

25 June 2009  (Day 61)

Our fireguard decided to have some fun this morning, so he flipped on the lights and ran through yelling, "We have five minutes to get downstairs and be in full battle rattle!"  Everyone, in their grogginess, jumped out of bed to get ready, but the fireguard said he was kidding and everyone was fooled.  I thought it was funny, because we have a half a dozen sleepy heads in our platoon, and the rule is when the lights come on, get out of bed right away, so they just lay in bed every morning, taking their time to get out of bed.  Not today!  So anyway, we got ready, cleaned the bay, and headed downstairs for first formation and PT.  PT was hard for me today.  I think it's because of all of the extra PT I have been doing in the bay in the evenings.  We climbed a 25 ft. rope, which was a lot harder to get to the top than last time.  Then we did pushups facing down hill, and sit-ups going uphill.  We ran .25 mile laps in between each exercise, and by the end, I was done.  We came back to the barracks, changed into ACUs, and took our battle rattle down to our formation area to stage it while we ate breakfast.  After breakfast, we had a couple of minutes to use the latrine before putting on our full battle rattle and getting on the buses to go to the range.  At the range, we waited around for a couple of hours just waiting for things to get set up, plus the General and all of his brass were coming today, so our company Captain and First Sergeant were there making sure things were perfect.  We finally got started with the shooting around 1100, but not everyone shot at once (14 lanes open), so the last firing orders went and had a class in the shade on how a team (typically four people) clears a room.  My group was finally called to go fire after about 45 minutes.  Today's drills consisted of shooting behind a wall from the kneeling, standing, and prone positions, like what we practiced yesterday.  When I finished shooting, I drank some cold Gatorade that they had just made and ate an apple.  I went back into the shade, and people were eating MREs, so I grabbed a cheese tortellini MRE and ate it.  After we were done eating, I went and shot again, and then headed back to the shade to do magazine changing drills.  We then had a spur of the moment competition, ran by the drill sergeant who was teaching the class, on who could change out the magazine the fasted with their eyes closed.  I messed up when I did it...Not because I didn't put it on safe, didn't take a knee, or opened my eyes like everyone else who was eliminated, but because I tried to put my magazine in upside down.  Oh well, there was no punishment for the losers and no prize for the winner (who was from first platoon!).  When the competition was over, we formed up and grounded our gear, and then went to police the brass and live rounds on the range.  After the range was clear, we fell in (formed up)  on our gear and got searched.  As we were putting gear back on after inspection, the buses arrived, so we quickly grabbed our belongings and loaded the buses.  When we got back, we went up to the bay to take cool showers and then cleaned our weapons.  We then headed downstairs and went to dinner (where two people were caught watching the news on TV...Later telling the platoon that Michael Jackson went to the hospital with a coma and had passed away).  After dinner, it was back to the bay to enjoy the evening how we wanted.  Most people did laundry, worked out, and wrote letters.  At 2030, we headed downstairs for final formation.  We were told to wear black socks under our white socks with our PT uniform.  I, however, wouldn't have to, because the company was going to be sized and issued their Class A uniforms.  I had been issued mine early in the cycle due to my funeral guard detail (which I haven't yet been called to do).  So after formation, we came back upstairs, got ready for bed, and went to sleep.  I got to sleep for about 35 minutes when I was woken up for my 2200-2300 fireguard shift.  My shift was with Spence, so it went by quickly because we just talked about home and future plans, and how being in the military will affect our lives (he being active duty and me being National Guard).  Our shift ended, and so I changed out of full battle rattle and into summer PTs, and basically passed out for the night.  Tomorrow should be a somewhat easy day!  

26 June 2009  (Day 62)

Wake up was at 0500, so I got up, put my battle rattle away in my locker (I guess last night I just took it off, changed, and left it behind my bunk...Oh well!).  We had first formation at 0530, and everyone but four people in my platoon left to get their Class A uniforms.  Three of us are on funeral detail and the other was restarted after he broke his wrist, so we had a day off, and didn't have to be around the rest of the company.  So when everyone left, we were told to go up to the bay and conduct bay maintenance until 0700.  While I was up there cleaning, my drill sergeant asked for me and another guy to come and see him, and we got a special assignment for the day.  For starters, we went to the D-Fac and our drill sergeant walked us to the front of the line (in front of another company) to get breakfast.  After we ate, we met our drill sergeant outside of the First Sergeant's office, and we spent the morning with him taking inventory of weapons, accessories, radios, NODs...Anything we have or will use while we are here.  Once we finished there, we went around to all the bays to record the serial number from everyone's M4 and M68 (optic) from their weapons.  The morning's tasks took a little over three hours to complete, and when we finished, our drill sergeant told us to just relax in the bay and not to fall asleep.  After a little while, groups started coming back from getting their Class A's issued, so it was our job to tell them to put their belongings in their lockers and head downstairs to do area beautification.  After about an hour and about half of the company was back, we got to eat lunch (MREs) down in the formation area.  When I finished my MRE, it was back to the bay to sit around and wait until our drill sergeant came to get us to finish up the inventory we started earlier.  We took another two hours to go through the rest of the NODs, lasers, M240s, and M249s, up to the bay.  Someone then came up and told us we had a mail call (which was weird we had one so early and before dinner), so I got my mail (a letter from Grandma Reinbold, my dad, and one from Brittney).  We then went back up to the bay and read our mail until our 1800 dinner time, except the D-Fac didn't tell us that it was changed to 1770, so our platoon had about 7 minutes to get everyone through and fed, which I literally inhaled my food.  Afterwards, we came back to the bay for the evening.  I decided to do laundry and write a letter to Brittney.  We had a talk from our company Lieutenant about behaving tomorrow, because if people start messing up, then we will lose our family day pass.  People better not mess up!  We finally had our final formation and got Nutrigrain bars and milk.  My laundry was finished so I brought it back up to the bay and then got ready for bed.  The guys just relaxed and had fun, getting ready for tomorrow's Independence Day celebration!  Then, at 2115, the lights came back on and we were told we could buy pizza, Powerade, and energy bars...Whatever.  I went back to bed.  I'm not eating that junk!

Days 58-59

22 June 2009  (Day 58)

This morning I woke up and got ready our ruck march.  I had my personal hygiene kit to pack after I brushed my teeth and shaved.  At 0530, we headed downstairs to stage our gear in our formation area.  We got our Nutrigrain bar, turned in our linens, and used the latrine one last time.  We set out around 0630, and treked about 6 miles.  We arrived at the range at 0915, which is about the time it is supposed to take to ruck 12 miles, but we had a couple of people go down, so we stopped for a total of over an hour to treat the victims.  After we took our gear off, the drill sergeants had everyone take off their boots and socks and checked our feet.  We then put new socks on (I had foot powder, so I put that on, as well), and a new undershirt, because everything was soaked with sweat.  Once the entire company had changed, we lined up for a late breakfast (about 1000), and then we had ready-up drills.  Those drills are where we stand in ready shooting position, and then react to the drill sergeant's commands to locate our target, aim, switch to semifire, say bang bang (shots fired), flip to safe, and lower weapon.  Once all of the platoons went through the drills, the drill sergeants got out the MREs and we sat around in the shade and ate them.  After lunch, we stayed in the shade just talking and protected our weapons from being taken by the drill sergeants (it started out as taking them from those who dozed off, but then they were doing it just for fun).  Finally, at 1500 and the hottest part of the day (110 degrees), we lined up to shoot.  We put the ready-up drills into practice, but with live ammo.  The drill sergeant in the tower would call out which color of target to aim at (orange or black), and we would aim and shoot and go back into the ready position.  After the entire company went, we had a catered dinner, and then it was back to the shade to wait for further instructions.  A few days ago, my platoon attached a front plate to our ACHs, so today we actually attached the NODs (night optic device) to our ACHs, while fourth platoon attached a laser to their M4s.  We then went to the range and zeroed the lasers with the scopes using the NODs.  It was awesome.  You couldn't see the laser with the naked eye, but you put the NOD on and there it is!  It made shooting really easy!  Because there was a limited supply of lasers and NODs, the entire company took turns using our ACHs (as well as shooting with fourth platoons weapons).  The thought of a bunch of sweaty guys wearing my ACH was gross, so good thing the pads are removable and I can wash them before I have to wear it again.  So anyway, the entire company shot, and after we cleaned up the brass, took off the devices from our equipment, and got shaken down, it was about 2330 and our buses pulled in ready to take us back to our barracks.  We loaded onto the buses, and I was out shortly after.  It was only a 15 minute bus ride (if that), so I woke up, got off the bus, and headed to the formation area.  We got new linens and took them upstairs, and then back downstairs and brought up our barracks and weapons.  We racked our weapons for the night, quickly got ready for bed, and most people were asleep by 0030 (12:30 am).  I took a shower, just threw my sheets on the bed (planned to make it in the morning), and went to sleep.  I had a 0445 wake up for my 0500-0600 fireguard shift, so it was important to me to get all the sleep I can!  I love everyone at home and ask you to keep me in your prayers.  Sounds like I have a busy and tiring three weeks ahead of me leading up to family day!

23 June 2009  (Day 59)

The morning came way too soon.  I slowly got up and changed into my ACUs (thankfully didn't have to wear full battle rattle).  Salado and I pulled our shift without any trouble, and woke everyone up at 0600.  We took out the trash and the mail (all two letters), and came back to the bay to get ready and make our beds.  The schedule for the day only said "ADMIN 0900-UTC," so everyone was wondering what that meant.  We were all in our ACUs and about to head down, when the drill sergeant said to change into PTs for the day!  We quickly changed and then went downstairs and formed up for breakfast.  Our platoon was first in the chow line, so we got in and our of the D-Fac pretty quickly.  We came back up to the bay to clean, and then waited until it was time to go.  At about 0840, the power went out (never found out why), and so we headed down a few minutes early.  At about 0930, we finally went to the classroom, because we couldn't until the power came back on.  We watched a video on the effects of suicide on the loved ones left behind (part 2 of 3 classes over suicide).  After the video, we went back to our formation area, then were told to get our weapon cleaning kits, and cleaned our weapons downstairs in the formation area.  The power went out again, but we were outside, so we were only affected if we had to use the latrine in the bay.  Once we were done cleaning our weapons, we came back up to the bay and did nothing but sit around and relax for about an hour (lunch was pushed back an hour, so we were putting our cleaning kits away when we heard the news).  We then went to lunch and came back to the bay to do more nothing!  Finally, the day got interesting, and was about to take a turn for the worse.  The drill sergeant came in and told us to get toe to line.  Someone in the company was caught with a can of chewing tobacco, and they told us we had five minutes to come clean...No one moved.  We were then told that we could lose our family day pass.  Since no one turned it in during the amnesty.  The drill sergeants came in with four cans and said nine people in the company have been caught, and he was going to turn the bay upside down.  He did exactly that.  One locker at a time, he dumped everything out, flipped beds, took out ceiling tiles and searched our rucksacks and everywhere else.  After searching the entire platoon, he found nothing!  The only platoon and the company to not have something!!!  Let's just say we were in good graces with our drill sergeant!  We then had forty minutes to get the bay back together (took a little longer, but it didn't matter-- We're in blue phase and weren't caught with anything).  It was then time for dinner.  On the way back, the other platoons were saying since it was a company-wide ordeal, we weren't going to get our family day passes.  For now, it's a rumor, and our drill sergeant said later that if this all pans out, and the platoon stays out of it, this would be the first time sine we got here that he was impressed with us!  So I'm not going to think about it too much, because I'm sure we will get it!  I then took out my pads and chin strap to my ACH, and went downstairs and started my laundry.  We had final formation and got mail (one from mom, dad, Grandma Sease, Mr. Schumacher, Brittney's Aunt Debbie, and Brittney).  I read them all before I took a shower, got my laundry, and went to bed.  Thanks for all the letters!!!

Days 56-57

20 June 2009  (Day 56)

Alright, I wasn't sure how to start out today's journal, so I won't hold it in...I PASSED MY PT TEST!!!  Now to the beginning!  I woke up at 0255 for my fireguard shift with Salado, and used it to stretch out and pray.  I asked God to give me the strength to do well today!  At 0330, Salado and I woke up the bay, took the trash and mail out, and then came back to clean the latrine.  At 0415, we went downstairs and lined up in our lines for our test.  Pushups were first.  Salado pumped out 90, so I didn't have a tough act to follow...HA!  I needed 35 to score the minimum 50 points...I scored a 52 with 36 pushups!  Next was sit-ups.  Last time I had 55 total, this time I improved to 60 for a score of 71. Then for my two mile run...DUN DUN DUN...I shaved 1:56 off my last time, going from 17:41 to 15:45!  That was good enough for a score of 61, which brought my final PT score to 184!  I scored at least a 50 in each category, which is the requirement to have the family day pass!  At the end of the summer, all scores have to be at least 60, so I am getting close to that!  It is such a relief to know that I can pass the PT test now, and that I am only going to keep getting better, and that I have the capabilities to earn my family pass, and in three weeks when we so PT to earn it, I will have it!  So after our PT test, we went back up to the bay and changed into sterile ACUs, because GFT was part of our phase 2 testing (weeks 4-6).  We then headed to breakfast, and then held a red robin going to each platoon's area, which tested us on how to load and unload a magazine, how to clear a jam or double feed, and the process of fixing it (S.P.O.R.T.S. - Slap the magazine, Pull the trigger, Observe the chamber, Release the bolt to go forward, Tap the forward assist, and either Squeeze the trigger or put the weapon on Safe).  Next, we headed over to third platoon's area, where we had a written test over everything that we couldn't demonstrate.  Fourth platoon was next, and we were given a scenario, and we had to show the proper first aid for it (mine was a bullet wound to the upper thigh).  We then ran out of time for our last test, because it was time for lunch!  After lunch, it was time for our last test over GFT in second platoon's area.  We then went up to our bay and enjoyed the AC, and then changed into summer PTs to head outside to do some area beautification.  We were just in charge of cleaning the entire formation area, and once we had finished, it was free time up in the bay.  I wrote Jody Winko back, and then headed to dinner.  After dinner was all free time, so I took a nap and just enjoyed my evening off.  I did a little upper body workout and then took a shower.  We then had our milk formation and got...our milk!  After milk, we had a half hour in our bay before we had final formation (we were supposed to get mail, but didn't).  We came back upstairs and had a head count, then got into bed.

21 June 2009  (Day 57) 

Happy Fathers' Day!!!  Dad, I hope you had a great day today, and I want you to know I thought about you and appreciate all you have done today and every day.  It was nice to sleep from about 2130-0600!  I woke up at my normal time, but it wasn't hard to lay there and go back to sleep!  We took our time getting ready this morning, because we didn't have to be anywhere until 0745 for breakfast.  Those who were going to the Protestant service went first like usual, and we got to church right before the service started.  Today, the chaplain had his family there and mentioned how blessed he was for being a father.  We sang a few songs and then got into the scripture.  Today's service was over Daniel chapter six, which is the story of Daniel in the lion's den.  Basically, we need to live like Daniel did, and have our moments each day alone with God.  The Devil prowls around every day like a lion, trying to tempt us, and we need to ask God for his help keeping the lions at bay, and only do God's work!  The pastor's daughter then came up (she just graduated from college with a degree in sign language of some sort), and signed to the song "Letters Home" by John Michael Montgomery.  Some of the guys teared up at the part where the soldier received a letter from his father telling him just how proud of him he was (being Fathers' Day, I thought that was relevant).  After church, we marched back, and it was up to the bay until lunch.  The platoon has to turn in a design for a T-shirt tomorrow, so people are drawing different designs that we will vote on later in the day.  After lunch, we got word of two people who came back from church and were caught using the pay phone down street outside of the PX.  Rumor has it through the PNN (Private News Network...hearing/being told something from another private), that we won't be getting phone calls today, which really bites.  I got to call Brittney Friday as a result of winning the competition, and now I don't get to wish my father a Happy Fathers' Day.  Dad, know that I was at least thinking about you!  So we spent the day in the bay just cleaning and hanging out (wishing I could have a phone call today) until dinner time.  After dinner, we went back to doing nothing, when our PG told us we got five minute phone calls for Fathers' Day (would be longer, but because of the incident, fourth platoon didn't get phone calls and ours were restricted).  So I waited for my turn and called my dad (fumbled with the phone card info -  one minute down).  We talked for a very short and fast two minutes, and then I talked to Brittney for the last portion of my call.  Five minutes goes by way too fast, but I had jotted down a brief outline of what I wanted to say during my phone calls so I was prepared!  I actually didn't cry for either phone call, but that is probably because I was rushed, and didn't have time to think about my emotions!  

After phone calls, we came upstairs and packed our rucksacks, because we have a six mile road march in the morning!  We then had our final formation and some milk!  Afterwards, we came back upstairs and voted on the t-shirt design and went to bed.  Less than three weeks until I see my family, so keep me in your prayers and let these next few weeks go by fast!

Days 54-55

18 June 2009  (Day 54)

By the time I actually fell asleep last night, it was midnight, but I still got 6 hours of sleep!  My natural sleep clock woke me up at 0430, 0500, and the yahoos who got up to get ready at 0530 woke me up, but I enjoyed my sleep!  At 0600, the lights came on.  I got ready and changed into ACUs, and headed downstairs for first formation.  We got our granola bars and then headed back upstairs to clean the bay.  When we finished with the bay, it was time to go to breakfast, so we ate breakfast and headed back upstairs to get our gear.  We marched out to the buses and went to the same range that we were at yesterday.  I was in the 8th group to shoot on lane 6 (Malone Range IH), and shot a 30 out of 40, so I went to the table and got pinned by our company commander (Captain Flook) with the sharp shooter badge, so I felt good about qualifying with the best score I've shot over the last couple of days!  Also, I was wrong about the breakdown, 23-29 is marksman, 30-35 is sharp shooter, and 36-40 is expert, so I just made sharp shooter!  I am glad I got what I did because my optic wasn't zeroed in, so I had to shoot high and to the left on the farther targets.  I think I did pretty well at readjusting my poorly-zeroed weapon.  After I walked back to our waiting area, we put on our ACH covers (which is all digital camo, so we no longer have to wear our plain, olive green helmets, but look all cool in digital camo covered ACHs!).  After we got our covers on, it was time for lunch, and I got a chicken tortellini MRE.  I had never had it, but it had a chocolate pudding mix in it, which apparently is really good.  I had someone ask me for it, but I didn't want anything he had for a trade, so he offered me $3 for it, so I said sure.  When he reached to get his money, he had $4, so he paid me $4 for it (he claimed he didn't want to have just an extra dollar to keep track of).  After lunch, it was just more down time waiting for those who hadn't qualified yet (or failed to hit at least 20 out of 30 targets), so I just spent time socializing with the guys in my platoon.  We had seven expert shooters (Spence hit 36), and a dozen sharp shooters or so.  Salado had a tough break, missing the sharp shooter cutoff at 28 targets hit.  I don't know how many people didn't qualify at first, but it was at least 11 or 12.  By the end of the day, everyone was able to qualify from our platoon, so we were told we got a pizza party later for the day's success.  We finally were told to form up, and we did the usual protocol (put all gear on the ground, clean and police the range, have a drill sergeant search us, and then put all our gear back on and wait for the buses).  The buses arrived early so we loaded them, came back to the bay, and then got a chance to take a cold shower!  After showers, we changed into summer PTs and cleaned our weapons until dinner.  At dinner, I got a brownie because it was a catered meal (I don't think we were supposed to be back as early as we were), so I waited to see if anyone wanted it.  The same guy who bought the chocolate pudding said he wanted it, and because he did give me the extra dollar earlier, I let him have it.  It's funny how eager everyone is to pay for sweets, even at such over-priced rates.  I'm not about to eat them, so if people want to buy them off of me, then I am fine with that!  If I didn't learn anything at Basic, then at least I had hands-on experience with supply and demand.  After dinner, we came back up to the bay for a little while, and then we had to go outside to do some area beautification.  I was part of the group to police the area and pick up trash, then when we were finished with that, we pulled pieces of grass that stuck way above the rest (there is some type of grass that seems to grow really tall overnight).  After we finished, we came upstairs for free time!  We were then called downstairs at 2010 for final formation and our pizza party.  I chose not to eat anything!  People were trying to get me to eat it, but I felt I didn't need the calories, plus the pizza was cardboard and looked like they heated it up and gave it to us, so I wasn't too sad about my choice... I'm here to get fit!  After the pizza was out, we had a mail call!  I received a letter from my dad, Grandpap, and Brittney!  I read them while the rest of the mail was being passed out (and the article about the Colts' new rookie).  Afterwards, it was time to go to bed, so I went upstairs and fell asleep a little after 2200!

19 June 2009  (Day 55)

Today we woke up at 0500 to get ready and do PT.  PT was easy, and not really PT, because we have a PT test tomorrow, so we just did warm-ups and stretches.  Once we were done, we came back to our barracks, changed into ACUs, and went to breakfast.  After breakfast, we went back to our bay, got our FLCs and ACHs, and went downstairs and formed up.  When all of the platoons were downstairs and ready, we marched down the road and loaded the buses.  We came out to a range and conducted ARM 4 (Advanced Rifle Marksmanship 4), which was moving targets!  This was awesome!  Little green figures would pop up and roll along tracks, and if you hit it, they would pop down.  We paired up with partners and had to do magazine changes and everything.  It was like playing Duck Hunter, but using real M4s and live ammo!  It was by far the best thing we have done at Basic, training-wise!  My partner and I hit 36 of 40 targets, but we thought our lane had some malfunction.  When we were done, we joined up in groups and studied our first aid and chemical warfare training, so that we would do well on our week 6 tests tomorrow.  After everyone shot, we grounded all of our gear and waited in the bleachers and each platoon's best two shooters were on a team and had a shoot-off.  First and third platoons tied for first, so there wasn't a winner (no surprise there), and so we went to the range and picked up all the brass.  When we finished, we had a shakedown and then ate MREs.  We waited about an hour for our transportation and when the buses arrived, we loaded them and went back to our barracks, took a nice cool shower, and then sat around cleaning our weapons and reviewing for tomorrow's tests.  When I was looking in my locker for my other note pad (I have one I keep in my locker that has 200 sheets, which I use here, and then another one with 100 sheets that I take out in the field with me), and noticed I had June 15th's entry still.  I forgot to mail it home with June 16th and 17th, because we went out bivouacking, so I forgot about the 15th being written and not sent...oops!  I will send it out tonight with yesterday's and today's journals! So we went to dinner, and afterwards, came back up to the bay.  We were then told that today's competition wasn't a tie, but that first platoon won, so everyone in the platoon who trained today got a 10 minute phone call!  I waited for my turn, and I called Brittney since I talked to my parents longer last weekend.  I spent almost three minutes trying to make the call, because the Wilson family was letting Brittney's brother, Jerry, have friends over for a birthday party, so she was in the pool when I first called.  She answered the second time I called, and we got to talk for about six minutes before my time was "up" (I had only been on for a total of nine minutes, but oh well).  It was awesome to talk to Brittney for those six minutes, because those are six minutes that I got to talk and hear her voice!  It was tough to hang up, but great things are always hard to let go of/say goodbye to (and I am not letting her go at all!).  I came back upstairs and it was almost time for final formation, so I got ready and then headed back down.  We got our milk and read the rules for tomorrow's PT test.  We then got mail (a letter from Dana, and a letter from Jody Winko).  I quickly read them and then went to sleep.  Wake up is at 0330 and I have the last fireguard shift...BLAH!  Goodnight!

Days 51-53

15 June 2009  (Day 51)

Wake up this morning was at 0430, and at 0500 we turned in our linens, came back upstairs, and cleaned the bay.  It was my day for the group I'm in to clean the latrine, so tomorrow I will be off!  Once we were done, we went downstairs for formation and went out to the PT field and did 60/120s.  After an exhausting PT, we went straight to breakfast, and then afterwards went upstairs and put on full battle rattle.  Let me just say, I looked really good.  I mean, I look like a soldier.  I had my ACUs on, pants tucked into my boots, ACH on my head, IBA and FLC on, and to top it off, we wore our elbow and knee pads.  You can go online and look up a picture of active duty Army in combat gear (AKA: AT-50), and that's what I looked like.  Once the platoon was all decked out in their gear, we formed up downstairs and marched about 10 minutes away to the EST buildings (Engagement Skills Training) to start our ARM (Advanced Rifle Marksmanship).  We shot MIGs that were hooked into the computer and air compressor (We shot M4s last time...and that is what we carry around), except this time the targets moved, like how they will when we qualify later this week.  It was fun, and got us out of the heat (inside a dark room that has to be air conditioned to keep the computer and equipment from overheating).  After both first and third platoons were finished, we marched back to our barracks, took off our battle rattle, and went to lunch.  After lunch, we had a suicide prevention class in the classroom led by our company commander, Captain Flook.  It ended up being the same video I watched both at Ball State ROTC and my RSP unit at the Muncie Armory.  Oh well, with the problem of suicide in the Army (We were told May hit a new high), it is a good video for everyone to watch.  For those who get deployed, they leave a family behind as well as deal with death on a daily, or at least weekly, basis.  I just know that God is in control and that everything happens for His reasons, and that he won't ever put me in a situation that I can't bear.  So anyway, after our class, we weren't allowed to go up to our bay, because we had a surprise bay and locker inspection!  We were told to go upstairs and unlock our wall lockers, not to touch anything, and then stand toe-to-line.  Someone moved while we were waiting, so the drill sergeant smoked us for about 20 minutes (I think it was more to stall time and get another workout in today).  About two minutes after we finished getting smoked, the company commander and company first sergeant came into our bay and inspected our lockers.  As a platoon, I guess they were really bad, but mine (as hard as this may sound, Mom) was just about as perfect as it could be, but when our inspectors left, we got smoked again for another 20 minutes.  When we were done getting smoked again, we had some down time, which most everyone used to square away their wall lockers, except I used it to write (because 8 letters and a journal yesterday wasn't enough!).  We were then told to go downstairs with some money to buy tokens for some fourth of July festivity, but I only had a few bucks on me, and the ATM was out of order, so I will wait (They will be back to sell them).  Apparently, the tokens are the only "currency" that is allowed, and we only get breakfast and dinner that day!  So yeah, too bad family weekend isn't then.  Anyway, after everyone got their tokens, we practiced urban combat tactics from kneeling behind and beside an object.  By the time we all practiced, it was time for dinner.  After dinner, we got our linens, came back upstairs, made our beds, and took showers.  The rest of the night was ours to do what we wanted, which I wrote more, did laundry, and just people-watched--staying out of trouble!  A few guys picked up a handful of small rocks, filled the toes of a sock with them, and tied the open end to make a hacky sack, and played around all evening with it.  Another group made some ball out of a sock, wrapped it in tape, and tossed it around (if it hit the ground, you were out?).  So yeah, I didn't join in that game.  Finally, final formation was at 2130 and we got milk and fruit.  Afterwards, I grabbed my laundry our of the dryer, headed back upstairs, and finished a letter at 2130, after lights were out and most were asleep, the DS on duty turned on the lights and brought us mail!

16 June 2009  (Day 52)

I woke up this morning just wanting to stay laying in bed, but I had a lot that needed to get done before we left at 0600 (0515 was formation, and we woke up at 0430).  Most of our rucks were ready to go because we keep them packed and hung on the end of our bunks, so when we were told to pack them, we just needed to pack toiletries that we use on a day to day basis.  I saved the mail I got to read for the morning, because I was guessing I would have a little time before we headed out, which I did!  I put my letters away, got all of my gear on that we were told to bring, and we marched down the street to our bus loading area.  It was about a 20 minute bus ride to the shooting range.  The first forty shots we received were with our iron sites.  I was in the fourth group to shoot, and shot 32 of 40 targets.  From what I heard, the best scores were in the low-mid 30s (35 being the highest), so I felt pretty good about my shooting.  When we were done, we practiced our shooting stance and pivoting to the left and right.  Once everyone was finished, the first group went to shoot with their scopes, while the second group (which I was in) went to eat MREs.  When it was finally my turn to shoot, I went up, got my ammo, and prepared to shoot.  I ended up shooting 25, so I don't think my scope/optic is zeroed in (I kept calling it a scope, but it doesn't magnify anything, just puts a red dot on a lens).  After everyone shot, we picked up the brass and cleaned up the range.  After the range was clean, we had some time to kill, so we went over the ledge formation (movement formation that gives the best security for your team).  The buses arrived a little early, so we rushed to get on and then headed to the area we were camping at for the night.  The Army calls it a bivwack site (whatever that is), but it's not much different than a back country campsite.  We practiced shooting drills and proper stances and techniques until dinner.  Dinner wasn't anything special, but we did have brownies.  I decided I was going to get one this time (I was finally going to splurge!), but when I went back to the platoon, one of the guys wanted a brownie, and was willing to buy it for $5.00, so I gave it to him, and I made five bucks!  I completely got the better end of that deal, because now I didn't eat those bad calories!  So anyway, after dinner we got smoked for about 45 minutes because the group nearest to the drill sergeants talked during dinner (it doesn't matter if we eat in the D-Fac or have MREs in the field, there is no talking during meals).  When the smoke session was over, we split off into two groups and learned about our night optics that attach to our ACHs.  We didn't have batteries, so they didn't turn them on, but at least we know how to attach and use them when we do use them.  When our class was over, we went and set up our camp, which was as a company instead of by platoon like last time.  We had five fireguard per shift.  It was 2200 before we were done and in bed.  It had gotten up to 103 degrees today, so I was tired and felt drained from the sun and heat... I was really looking forward to my sleep!

17 June 2009  (Day 53)

UGH!  Last night our drill sergeant decided to test how combat-ready we were, so he woke us up at 0005 (five minutes after midnight), and said we had 5 minutes to be dressed in full battle rattle and up in formation at the clearing (which we sleep a hundred yards into the woods or so).  We were confused and a little disoriented, being that we only had 2 hours of sleep, it was pitch black, and we weren't sure what was happening.  I thought we were packing up, so I almost had myself packed up when I was told not to pack it up and just be in full battle rattle.  We formed up, and apparently took too long, so we started off on a road march through the woods on a fire road.  We went back about a quarter mile or so, and our drill sergeant said to hurry it up, and the next time we need to be faster, or we will really head out on a road march!  We RAN back to the formation area, and were then told to go back to bed.  I went right out, and was then woken up at 0245 for my 0300 fireguard shift.  My job was to walk along the line of our platoon while they slept, making sure no one came into our area, or at least know our password.  My shift went by sort of fast, pleasant thoughts of home running through my mind!  Time really is moving pretty quickly, and before I know it, I will be somewhat of a normal citizen again (and be a "weekend warrior").  So anyway, we were the platoon up at 0400.  We packed up camp, and were in formation by 0500.  At 0545, the company moved into a road march formation, and at 0600, we headed down the road about 2 miles to the firing range for the day.  We dropped our gear once we got there and ate breakfast.  After breakfast, we formed up and got assigned a firing lane for our pre-qualifying day.  We got two practice rounds (with a MRE for lunch in between), and each round consisted of about nine different targets that pop up at distances of 50 meters to 300 meters.  You get 40 rounds (2 magazines--30 rounds in one and 10 in the other), of which the first 30 rounds are shot in the prone (lying down) position, and then you switch magazines and shoot the last 10 in the kneeling position.  For my first pre-qualifying round, I only hit 24 of 40 targets, but I was able to learn from where I missed (the farther the target, the more left I needed to aim), and improved slightly, hitting 28 out of 40 targets.  Hitting 28 targets is good enough for sharp shooter, but I really want over 30 (and expert would be awesome--36 hits).  I still wished I had more time zeroing in my optic, but I am just going to have to shoot with what I have.  Everyone was done shooting by 1430, but we didn't have a bus pickup time until 1700, so we waited around.  A couple of platoons were smoked (one had a heat casualty and an ambulance was called in), but first platoon didn't get out of hand or fall asleep (or wasn't caught--I didn't sleep, though, I was just a good lookout) so we didn't get smoked!  The buses finally arrived at 1730, and we were transported back to our bay!  It felt so good getting out of the 105 degree heat (with humidity), especially since we wear boots, pants, shirts, blouses, and headgear!  Once we were back, though, we grounded our rucks and other gear in our formation area, and then headed to dinner.  I love the Powerade!  It got old after drinking two glasses with every meal, but now, after being outside all day with nothing but water to drink, that cold Powerade is awesome!  After dinner, we had a lady talk to our platoon about t-shirts for our platoon with our names on them and all.  I might get one, but we will see.  They're fifteen dollars (or $50.00 for 4, so team up with three other guys and save a couple dollars).  After our t-shirt briefing, we went upstairs and cleaned our weapons and unpacked our rucksacks.  I chose to write as well, so that I could mail out the latest journals in the morning, so I will finish cleaning tomorrow.  We then had showers (which felt really good), and then final formation.  We learned we get to sleep until 0600 tomorrow, and that we don't have PT either (they want us to do as well as we can qualifying tomorrow).  We came back to the bay, and since I had done laundry before we left, I took a shift for Salado to watch his stuff, if he threw in my ACUs (so I got those washed).  We also had mail call at 2200, but I didn't get any mail.  I finally went to sleep around 2230 after taking out the laundry, which I didn't mind, because we got to sleep in!  Hopefully the rest I get tonight will help me shoot better tomorrow!  (Happy birthday, Dana!)

Days 49-50

13 June 2009  (Day 49)

I didn't wake up this morning until the lights came on at 0445!  I still needed more sleep, but I will get that tonight.  We did a quick, but thorough, cleaning job (short on time) and then headed down to get out granola bar and do PT.  Because of the road march yesterday, PT was lighter than normal (only a half mile run and pushups and ab exercises).  After PT, we had a catered breakfast (I don't know why, because we weren't going anywhere and the D-Fac was open).  After a rushed breakfast, we went to the classroom and stayed there until lunch in a "Personal Financial Management" class.  The Army has their different savings and retirement plans, but I didn't sign up for any of them, and decided to just wait until I get home to do anything that involves a financial decision with my parents.  So we left to go to lunch, and after lunch, it was back to the classroom to continue the class.  The topics of the class after lunch were credit, consumer awareness, and taking care of finances when deployed.  It was very long and somewhat boring in the afternoon, but the morning was good, because although I have thought about how I am going to set up my finances, I haven't actually done much in the way of setting up and putting that plan to action.  Class ended around 1630, and then we went to dinner.  After dinner, we grabbed our weapon cleaning kit and cleaned our weapons (which were still dirty from shooting them yesterday) for over an hour in our formation area.  Afterwards, we came upstairs and performed bay maintenance and had free time.  I was finally able to write back to Mr. Schumacher and the Barnett family, but mail doesn't go out until Monday now!  I took a shower, changed into summer PTs to sleep in (thanks again for mailing these to me, Mom and Brittney).  We went downstairs for final formation, got our milk and an apple (surprise treat!), and then headed back upstairs and we should be asleep by 2130.  I needed to get some sleep because, although we get to sleep in until 0600 on Sundays, I have staff duty at 0500, so I get to wake up just like it's any other day.  Hopefully I get a phone call home tomorrow!  Anyway, until tomorrow, night!

14 June 2009  (Day 50)

 Happy Flag Day!  Also, today marks the two month mark of when I get to graduate from Basic Training!  Come August 14th, I will wake up, graduate, and then hop in the car with my family and drive far away from here!!!  I can't wait!  So anyway, today I woke up at 0445 to go to staff duty, so Salado and I got dressed and reported to our station a little before 0500.  We were told that another battalion was taking over at 0500, so we received our guys, waited about five minutes, and then were replaced by two guys from Delta company.  So we came back to our bay and went back to sleep until 0600.  I just took off my blouse and boots and hopped into bed, because I had to get dressed into ACUs when I woke up anyway for church.  So we had first formation at 0730, and those who were going to the 0830 Protestant service headed to breakfast.  While I was in the chow line getting fruit, I heard on the TV (it's on for the drill sergeants while they eat) that today was also the birthday of the U.S. Army (234 years old).  So yeah, I ate my breakfast, then went outside and formed up to march to church.  We got to church a couple of minutes late, but we only missed a song or so.  The sermon came from Mark 10:17-31, which is the story of the rich man who wants eternal life, and when he asked Jesus for it, He told him to give away all of his possessions, which he couldn't do, and walked away.  We can not earn salvation, because Jesus has already earned it for us.  All we have to do is keep God as our #1 "possession" in life and believe He is our God and Savior.  I have noticed most of the sermons here are aimed towards the non-believers, but I enjoy the teachings and sermons because they are so basic and easy to understand.  It makes things so simple for those who are just coming to get away from their drill sergeants, a good lesson to listen to, and to find out what a life with Jesus Christ in your heart is all about.  The sad thing to see is those guys who do go, and have since accepted Christ in their hearts here, come back from church cussing, telling the same perverted stories, and acting the same way.  Please pray for all of those who are still the same, because they need prayers.  So we came back from church, and apparently someone from second platoon spit on someone in my platoon, and words were exchanged between two others, so the drill sergeant was ticked and told everyone to get outside (the two who exchanged words were on their way back from church, too).  We got downstairs in our formation area, and the drill sergeant gave his "fed up" speech, and I don't blame him.  This company has no discipline, and I hope we get some quick, or these last couple of months are going to start going slow.  After he was done talking, he asked who still wanted to fight, and so the idiot from second platoon (who also raised his hand for not wanting to be here anymore) was challenged by the guy he spit on, so the GFT mats were brought out and they went at it.  The idiot lost the first round and asked for a rematch, which he got choked out and lost as well.  The mats were put away and we were sent back upstairs.  I felt like we dodged a bullet, because I was certain that we lost our day off and were going to be stuck outside for the remainder of the day.  We then had about an hour before lunch, so I wrote a letter home, and then decided to write to everyone at home individually, as well.  I wrote my mom's letter first, and then had to head to lunch.  I ate ribs in honor of my dad (since I had Raisin Bran the other day for mom).  When we returned from lunch, half of the platoon fell asleep, and so I took that time to write my dad, Devon, and Deanne.  I then decided to let my hands take a break from writing, so I went to our weight bench and joined a couple of guys and benched a few reps.  I just came back to write more, when our PG (platoon guide) said we had 90 minutes to make 10 minute phone calls (or until dinner), so I called Brittney really quickly to ask her if she could go to my house, but she was about to start a family birthday party for Jerry.  So right before dinner, I made my phone call home.  The whole company left to eat dinner, but I stayed back to talk to my family.  The Barnetts and Elaine were over, so I talked to everyone for about 10 minutes, and then hung up to call Brittney.  We only got to talk for a little over five minutes, but it was worth talking, even that little bit.  Emotionally, I was a lot stronger, because I only choked up when I was saying bye.  I quickly ran to dinner and got to the back of the chow line (which was inside, and the last person was just getting their food).  I grabbed some turkey and noodles, a scoop of mixed vegetables, and some lime jello with fruit cocktail!  I snarfed everything down in about three minutes, and went back to my platoon area to go back upstairs to write to Dana and update my journal.  Afterwards, I did more arm and ab workouts.  I have to get that 50 point mark in all categories!  Once my abs hurt and my arms felt like jello, I took a shower, and then continued writing a letter I started yesterday to Brittney.  We then had final formation (no milk), and then lights out at 2100.  I stayed a up a few minutes longer to finish Brittney's letter and this journal.  No guard duty tonight, and linen turn-in in the morning, so I get to sleep under the covers tonight!  It was nice to talk to everyone, and I can't wait for phone calls next week (hopefully)!

Days 44-48

08 June 2009  (Day 44)

Last night's sleep was alright, and I wish it was longer.  Wake up was at 0400, and we had to turn in our sheets/linens at 0430, after we changed into ACUs.  After we turned them in, we cleaned the bay and grabbed the last of our items we needed for our overnighter.  We then went downstairs and were going to eat breakfast, but ended up standing in formation for over and hour.  We then put on all of our gear (FLC, ACH, and rucksack) and headed out to the buses to get transported out to the firing range.  We got off the buses and lined up our gear in formation on the ground, and got breakfast.  It was the usual food (eggs, ham, potatoes).  Plus, in honor of mom, I ate a bowl of Raisin Bran (sorry, it was Kelloggs!).  After breakfast, the company lined up in four ranks, and the first two lines went to zero in the sites on their M4s, while the back two lines went to learn about how to set up a perimeter as a platoon.  I was in the third line, so I enjoyed the class, and then sat and waited in the shade while the first half of the company shot their weapons.  I wish I had brought some letters with me for all the down time I had while I was waiting, because I need/want to reply!  After sitting around for over five hours (ate an MRE for lunch as well), I finally got to shoot.  I got recorded as a group on my first five shots, and after that, the shots were together but didn't count as a group.  When I finished with my 30 shots using the iron sites, and because I was in the last group, I basically sat down and got right back up to to shoot using the scope on top and zero it in.  My first five shots were somewhat close, and so it was readjusted and I shot another 25 shots.  During one group of ten shots, I started on the wrong target, and shot the last two shots on my first target.  I have a breathing problem, because my shots are spread out vertically, so that is something I will have to practice controlling.  I then got to sit around in the shade, sipping on Gatorade while second platoon zeroed in their scopes.  We ran out of time for third and fourth platoons to zero in their weapons, so they will probably do that tomorrow.  We had a shake down to make sure no one was taking anything from the range, and helped clean up the area.  We then put everything back on and got ready to ruck to where we would be spending the night.  We were told it was a four mile march, but it was maybe a mile and a half or so.  We didn't leave from the range until 1830, when we were supposed to leave at 1700.  We ate dinner once we got to our site, and as predicted, set up our platoon areas in the way we were taught during our class.  Because of my camping experience, my battle buddies around me came to me for advice.  It didn't rain so I just laid out my poncho, put my sleeping bag on top, and then used my poncho liner (blanket that ties into the poncho during cold weather) and slept like that.  It was too hot to use a sleeping bag (plus, I didn't want to stuff it back into the bag and compress it, then put it back in my ruck sack in the morning) so I didn't use it.  I slept great, and fell asleep to the sound of another group doing their night shooting on a nearby range.  By the time I went to sleep, it was about 2130, and wake up was at 0430.  I didn't have to pull fireguard, so I got to sleep straight through until morning! 

09 June 2009  (Day 45)

Fireguard woke us up at 0430, and it was a lot cooler than when I went to bed.  I laid in bed and fell asleep sweating, then woke up cold and trying to stay warm.  As soon as I got up and moving, I warmed up, and so we packed everything up, broke camp, and went to the main area to meet up with other platoons.  We got our granola bar, and then sat around for over and hour, waiting on our next instructions.  I am glad I brought my notepad with me to write, because with all the down time we have had, I have been able to get my journal yesterday done and start today's with ease and not lose any sleep.  Plus, it has made time go by faster, which is a good thing!  I am the only one in my platoon to have brought letter writing material (as well as our pocket notebook).  Anyway, the buses came at 0700, so we got on them, and went to the next rifle range.  We pulled in and there were different buildings and plywood structures, so we thought we were going to learn tactics of how to clear a room or building, but there was a range we didn't see at first in the back.  We got off the bus and ate breakfast, then second and fourth platoons went to the range to zero in their scopes, while first and third worked on changing out magazines correctly and quickly from the prone and standing positions.  For the prone, you roll to your side to grab a new magazine, dropping the old one, and sliding the new one in.  If you're standing, you drop your old one as you take a knee, put in the new one and stand back up.  It is a great lunge workout!  As second and fourth platoons finished zeroing in their scopes, they would take the class, so my platoon ended up practicing for over two hours!  At 1100, everyone finished zeroing in their scopes and buses came and took us back to the barracks, where we had a shake down and cleaned our weapons.  We then got MREs for lunch (which was around 1330), and then we went back to cleaning our weapons.  We had a briefing about weapon safety and qualifying before we were allowed to go up to our bays and put things away.  After about 30 minutes, it was time to go to dinner (1630).  After dinner, we went back upstairs with our clean linens, took showers, made beds, and then had time to clean and unpack our gear.  During that time, some of the guys were called into the drill sergeant's office, including Spence and Salado, and they found out where they could be stationed.  They will be in the 101st stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky.  They were all excited because that is air assault, so if/when they go to combat, it will be via Black Hawk (like in Black Hawk Down).  This was good news to them, and they are happy to be there!  Since I am National Guard, I already know I am in Indiana.  It just matters what specific job I choose as Lieutenant once I graduate to go into, so we will see where in the Indianapolis area I will be stationed.  So anyway, we went down to our final formation, got a head count, then came back up to the bay to get ready for bed.  We didn't get mail tonight, so that was a bummer, but hopefully we get it tomorrow night, since it would have been a few days now.  Anyway, I have fireguard from 2300-2400, so lights just went off and I am going to bed!

10 June 2009  (Day 46)

Last night I had fireguard from 2300-2400, so I was able to get about 90 minutes of sleep before waking up for my shift.  For fireguard, our drill sergeant was the one on duty for the night, so he had me follow him around for about 20 minutes, taping up notecards of items that needed to be cleaned in the other platoons' latrines.  After that was done, I joined Spence back in our bay to finish up our fireguard shift.  When I woke up at 0445, I got ready for the day, and my squad has latrine cleaning duty this week, so today was my day to clean (I have tomorrow off).  Once our bay was clean, we headed downstairs for first formation and did PT outside.  Today's physical activities included warm-ups, 60/120s (60 seconds of sprints, then 120 seconds of walking), and stretches.  After PT, we came back to the bay and changed into ACUs and headed to breakfast.  While waiting for breakfast, I am starting to notice the heat and humidity earlier.  We are just standing in formation, and sweat is rolling down my face, back, stomach, legs...just everywhere.  It is not even 0800, and I am soaked with sweat.  It is a feeling I am just getting used to...always being sweaty!  Anyway, breakfast was the same and afterwards, first and second platoons went out to zero in our weapons at 100 meters and 200 meters.  We loaded onto the buses and drove about 15 minutes away to the range.  We shot 60 rounds (30 at each distance) total, and of those, I hit the black figure 57 times (still hit the target the other three times, just not the shadow).  When we finished, we ate MREs for lunch, and then switched with second platoon.  By switching, we went behind the mound and were in charge of raising and lowering the targets for second platoon.  It was an interesting process.  The target was on this medieval-looking contraption that had counter weights and then the target on the front.  We would lower it and put in plugs to make the areas where the shooter shot larger so they could see it.  We were outside from 0900-1830, so it was a long hot day, in which I easily drank a gallon and a half of water or more!  The drill sergeants had us get into heat category five uniform (roll up pant legs to above the boot, roll sleeves twice, and unzip shirt and just velcro it up).  Anyway, we came back to the barracks and ate a catered dinner in out formation area (they stop serving dinner at 1800 in the D-Fac).  After dinner, we went upstairs and unpacked gear and took showers.  We enjoyed a little bit of personal time and then had our final formation.  We went upstairs and I stayed in the laundry room to write today's journal and keep an eye on the load I had in the dryer (put it in the washer during free time).  We were then told we had mail, so the platoon came down to our formation area to get it.  I had two letters, one from Brittney and one from my dad.  After mail call, I went back to the laundry room, read my letters, and got my stuff out of the dryer.  I then headed back upstairs and went to bed!  I didn't have any other duties tonight, so I was in bed and asleep by 2200.  I still haven't had time to write back to previous letters, but if we switch with third and fourth platoons, then we will have a lot of down time tomorrow and get hair cuts (because that is all they did while we were out shooting).  Anyway, goodnight and hopefully I get a lot of time to write tomorrow!

11 June 2009  (Day 47)

I woke up this morning and had the morning off (half of my squad cleaned the bathroom one day, and the other half cleaned it the next, and yesterday was my day), so I folded my laundry, filled up my camelback, and then it was time for first formation, and we headed out to do PT.  By the time we got out to the PT field, I was already sweating up a storm because of the humidity, but 3+ miles and countless numbers of push ups and sit-ups later, I am sure I couldn't get any wetter, even if I stood under a shower!  My clothes clung to my body and I felt disgusting!  We came back to the barracks and had catered breakfast.  We then went upstairs and changed into ACUs, where we formed back up downstairs, and had a class over recon and a refreshing over the platoon fortification formation out in the sun!  Just standing there, my ACUs were sweaty after just a few minutes.  The class was somewhat interesting, but it was really just all replay material.  We walked through the motions of setting up our own fortifications, and by the time both first and second platoons did it, we came back for lunch in the formation area.  I had a sloppy joe MRE (not too bad!), which was the first time I had that.  Afterwards, we cleaned our weapons for about an hour, and then changed into PTs.  We then marched down the road and got hair cuts (or our heads shaved).  As we got done, we walked back to our barrack in groups of five, and had some downtime until it was dinner time.  Dinner was catered, and when we finished eating, we went back upstairs to what we thought would be a nice time in the bay where I could write some letters and relax, but fourth platoon left two weapons out, and so they were smoked out on the PT field, while the rest of the company did PT on their own.  Third platoon messed up as well (not sure what they did), so they joined fourth platoon crawling around in the sand.  This went on for over three hours, in which I took my time walking the track (over five miles!).  So yeah, we came back inside, took showers quickly, and Spence and I had fireguard from 2200-2300, so we ended up having the first shift!  And on top of that, final formation wasn't even until 2220, and by the time everyone got done with their mile and received their mail, it was 2305, and I had to go downstairs to get my mail, which I got my package of PTs, and a letter from my mom, dad, my Sease grandparents, and Brittney!  Anyway, Spence and I didn't even really have a fireguard shift, which we didn't really lose any sleep, and we had gone through our rotation!  Sleep around here is treasured, so I am no longer going to write after lights out.  I started to respond to a letter I had received over a week ago (yes, I am that behind), but PT tonight got in the way!  Again, hopefully I will have time in the near future, but for now, these journals will have to do!

On a side note, we are coming to the end of week 5 (family day in one month!!!), and there are still guys in my platoon who are just too young (mentally).  I don't know what it is, but they just don't have the discipline.  They talk in formation and move around.  They play stupid games in the bay (slapping rears, throwing soap suds in the shower, saying side comments to everything, etc.), and it is really starting to get annoying.  Mark my words...we will probably get smoked, and smoked good in the future for their constant stupidity.  We might be coming up on our last week of red phase, but the lack of discipline is plenty a reason for some corrective training.  Anyway, enough ranting for now (I'll save that for my letters to Brittney).

12 June 2009  (Day 48)

Less than a month until family day!!! :)  I can't wait, plus, today is the start of week six!  Anyway, about last night's mail...I read Brittney's letter first (which was a few pages long), and was going to read more, but we had a rucksack march in the morning, so I saved the rest for morning.  When I woke up this morning (about four hours of sleep later), I got ready for the march and was downstairs with a 50 lbs. rucksack, FLC, ACH, and wearing ACUs!  As I thought would happen, we didn't even start marching until a little after 0600, so I grabbed my letters and read them while I was downstairs!  Mom, thanks again for mailing the PTs, as well as a little over 40 stamps! (Had 20, now 60, so I should be good for the remainder of my stay in Georgia!)  Also, thanks for the pictures!  It was nice to see the family and Dad and Grandpap's picture with General Umbarger.  So anyway, we finally stepped off and did about 4 and a half miles (of which about one and a half miles was on the road where I lost the ring, but I didn't find it as we marched through).  We arrived at the shooting range and got a briefing on what we will be doing.  We had 44 rounds that we shot at three different targets (one at 75 meters, 175 meters, and 300 meters) that popped up and down.  The process took all day, and I hit 37 of 44 targets.  The 300 meter shot was hard for me, because the target was a silhouette of a man that popped up from behind a dirt mound for about 10 seconds, and at that distance, it's like trying to hit a football player on the field from the nosebleed section.  We had MREs for lunch (had meatballs in marinara sauce...not too bad).  After lunch, most of the company (including me) fell sleep in the shade (it was 94 degrees and humid), but I wasn't caught!  Of course, we all got smoked for it, but those 20-30 minutes were worth it (a combined total of over four hours of PT the day before, and only four hours of sleep plus a 4 and a half mile road march gets tiring).  Anyway, we cleaned our weapons and practices magazine changes and then it was time to top off water and get our gear pack on for the 2 and a half mile march "home" (yes, "home," because after 5 weeks of living in the bay, it feels so good to come back after a day's training to the AC and what little property of mine I have here, so it is now my home away from home...for now).  So we got back and had a couple of drop outs this time, but not to the scale of our last road march.  However, we came back and went straight to dinner, and a guy from our platoon and third platoon both went down and had to go to the hospital.  We then came upstairs with our gear after dinner, took cool showers, and then had personal time, which was really filled with unpacking, cleaning, and organizing the gear we took.  We then had final formation at 2030 (be downstairs 10 minutes early to ALL formations), and we got mail (another letter from my mom about coming down for Family Day, the hotel being booked, and looking at aerial views of Ft. Benning online).  By the time we got upstairs, it was 2105, so lights went out shortly after, and now I am writing this journal...and just yesterday I wrote about not writing after lights out anymore.  The sacrifices I  make so everyone knows what I am doing while away from home.  I started a letter yesterday and didn't have the time to finish it, and now today, so I will make sure that this weekend I catch up with mail.  I enjoy writing, so when I can't write back, it is a bummer!  It is about 2145, so I am going to get some sleep and let my body rest.  At least I don't have any guard duty tonight!  Love you all and keep me in your prayers!

Days 42-43

06 June 2009  (Day 42)

I slept like a baby last night.  When my head hit the pillow, I didn't wake up until the lights came on at 0430.  My squad was in charge of cleaning the latrine in the morning, so we took care of that and then formed up downstairs to go to PT.  After eating our granola bars and waiting around for 20 minutes, we were told to go upstairs and change into our GFT uniform (sterile ACUs).  We came back downstairs and did a company stretch session, and then set up the formation area for the GFT tournament.  We headed to breakfast, and then it was time for the tournament.  We had a weigh-in yesterday (which I forgot to mention) to determine our weight class, and I hit 224 lbs. (so I have lost 12 lbs. so far).  I thought I would weigh less, but oh well.  I lost my first round, but it didn't bother me.  The person I lost to was a body builder from third platoon, and he completely out-muscled me.  I am not hurt, and that is what matters to me most!  After the first round was over, the losers went upstairs and changed into complete ACUs (patches and all).  One of the drill sergeants had staff duty, so those who lost were cycled through to do area beautification.  I followed people who were mowing with a broom and swept the grass clippings off of the sidewalk.  The tournament had to take a break because it was lunch time, but it continued after lunch.  When the tournament was over, we went outside and conducted more area beautification until 1700.  My job for almost the entire time was picking up the dead leaves that had fallen off the bushes and were lying on the ground underneath.  BORING!  Oh well, when we finished, we cleaned up and headed to dinner.  After dinner, we listened to the drill sergeant on duty for about an hour tell was stories (ehh...), and then we had free time in the bay until our final formation.  Also, the punishment for the cell phone users has been set.  All four were given the option of a restart (go back to week one), three took it, but the person who had their phone (and the only one in the National Guard) decided to leave and not take the restart.  The restart is in 3 weeks (so they will still train with us until they leave), and the one who is leaving/quitting the Army will leave whenever he is told to.  I am glad I am not in that situation, because right now I wish I had a phone call home and I would rather be home than here, but I will play by the rules and will be home in 10 weeks!!!  Anyway, we took showers at 2000, and then final formation was at 2030.  It's not a little after 2100, and I have staff duty from 0300-0500, so I want to get to sleep!  Remember, 10 weeks left...WOOOO!!! :)

07 June 2009  (Day 43)

I love white phase...but I am sure it will only get better!  I will explain later in today's entry...! :)

So, I was woken up at 0250 to get dressed in ACUs to pull staff duty from 0300-0500.  Wake up was at 0430, so I only lost 90 minutes of sleep!  All we (Salado had it with me) did was sit behind the desk and read the paper, looked a display cases reading about war items, and read the history of 1-50th Infantry Regiment.  We started our shift with a radio check, I cleaned the bathrooms, and we were ready to answer the phone if it should ring (it never did).  After our 2 hour shift, we went back to the bay to finish cleaning until breakfast.  We had about two hours, so cleaning didn't take forever.  Finally, breakfast came, which I had to eat fast, because we have to leave by 0820 to march to church, which starts at 0830.  The message at church was sort of the same, coming from second Timothy.  The sermon was about keeping a positive attitude through Basic (and life), and ask God to rely on him to help you make it through.  After church, it was back to the bay to change into summer PTs and just hang out until further notice.  I had time to write a couple of letters, and then relax while others played multiple games of dodgeball with rolled up socks.  The drill sergeants really leave us alone after 1800 (6:00 pm) and on Sundays (as long as people don't mess up during the week).  People were then allowed to write down what they needed from the PX, and their squad leader and a few others would go and buy the items on the list (I needed laundry soap, deodorant, hangers for my Class A's, and more stamps, just to be safe).  When people got back from the PX, the drill sergeant told our PG (platoon guide) to get us downstairs to use the phone!!!  (That's the good part I said I would write about later!).  So I started tearing up just at the thought of talking to my loved ones!  It had been 4 and a half weeks since I called last (May 6).  So it was my turn to call, and something went wrong, so I didn't get to use the phone before lunch.  Afterwards, like we do after all meals, we ran around the building, and I have never ran so fast to get around that building than I did today.  I sprinted to the phones and made a quick call and told my parents to call Brittney and have her come over so I could talk to my loved ones all at once!  I thought it would take about 25 minutes or so before I could call back, because they were 5 minute phone calls, but the drill sergeant left right before lunch, and our PG was left in charge.  He had things to do, so he passed on the job to one of the squad leaders (Spiva, who was my IV partner), and he let us use the phones for a little longer.  I thanked him afterwards for the extra time, and I know the platoon liked it as well, even though it meant longer waits.  So when it was my turn, I got through and found my parents, Devon, Brittney, and my Sease grandparents on the other end (Deanne had just left for a mission trip, so she wasn't there).  I talked for about 20 minutes to everyone!  It was hard to stay calm and contain my emotions, but I did a good job...until I talked alone with Brittney.  I filled her in on the ring situation, so now when she reads the journal and letter I sent a couple of days ago, it won't be a surprise.  It was great to talk to everyone, and from here on out, I might get a phone call every Sunday!  We will see.  I hung up and finished being all emotional.  No one really said anything, because everyone felt a little emotional.  For someone like me who feels so blessed with the family he was born into and the girl God placed in his life...of course I am going to cry tears of joy for finally being able to talk to them!  It was well worth the 2 hour wait in line to use the phone.  After phone calls, we had to pack our rucksacks for tomorrow.  Word is going around that we have a 6 mile road march either to or from the firing range, and we will be staying the night out in the field.  When we finished, we had more down time, where we wrote letters, relaxed, and cleaned the bay.  Dinner was then at 1800, and afterwards, we came downstairs and had the evening to ourselves, which I used to write.  We had final formation with last minute instructions for tomorrow, and then went to bed.  Keep writing to me and I can't wait for my next phone call!

Days 40-41

04 June 2009  (Day 40)

Last night, I had to do laundry, so I had the fireguard wake me up at 0200 so I could wash and dry Salado and I's clothes before the laundry room closed at 0400.  You have to stay in the laundry room to watch your clothes, so I "guarded" the laundry room from 0200-0300, and Salado had CQ last night, so he took our clothes out of the dryer and brought them up to our bay.  I went to bed on time last night, and finished yesterday's journal and wrote home (sorry it wasn't a long letter, but I needed to get back to sleep) while I was waiting on the clothes.  All of our down time lately I haven't been able to write, so when I wrote letters before, I now have to write in my journal.  So anyway, I woke up again at 0450, got ready to go to PT, and then rolled my laundry until it was time to go.  PT was interesting today.  It poured down rain the entire time, and we did pushups and ab workouts in about a 2-3 inch puddle of water, and let me tell you, it wasn't that fun, but there is nothing I could do about it, so I got soaked and focused on my workout!  We came back inside, dried off quickly, changed into ACUs, and headed to breakfast.  At breakfast, we got our FLCs and ACHs together, and then waited while some people had to get shots before we headed off for training (I didn't need a shot!!!).   Second and fourth platoons did GFT today, while first and third went to a building, where we shot M4s hooked up to air compressors that would give a recoil.  It was fun, and I shot all five shots within 2.1 cm.  The worst thing about it is it rained all day, so it was a 15 minutes march there and a 15 minute march back in the pouring down rain in full ACUs.  Oh well, we got back in the afternoon and thoroughly cleaned our weapons for about 90 minutes, and then headed to dinner.  After dinner, we got mail!!!  Brittney sent me one, her Aunt Debbie from North Carolina sent one, my dad sent one, and both my Grandma Reinbold and Grandma Sease sent me one!  I started reading my letters when the drill sergeant came back in with more mail, and I got another letter from Brittney!  It had been awhile since we had gotten mail, so it was nice to have time to read them tonight!  I then hopped in the shower to wash off the day's rain, and then got ready for final formation.  Rumor has it we will be getting phone calls this weekend, but I won't get my hopes up.  It has been nearly four weeks since I have gotten to talk to family, so I do want a phone call, but these letters really do help!  Sorry I haven't had a chance to reply lately.  Hopefully no one is caught with a cell phone this weekend, and I get my Sunday to write!!!  After final formation, and getting our liquid cheese (warm milk), I came back upstairs, and Spence and I had first fireguard, so I get a solid sleep tonight (2200-0445)!  Family day is just over five weeks away, so I been gone longer that I have left until I get to see my parents and Brittney!!!  Keep sending letters, and I will keep writing journals.  Keep me in your thoughts and prayers!

05 May 2009  (Day 41)

I woke up and took are of the usual cleaning and then did PT.  At today's PT, we did a company run, which was only about two miles.  I made a mistake though.  I forgot to take off my ring when I woke up, and so it went with me to PT (we are not allowed to wear rings in the military unless it is a wedding band).  I took it off and tied it off in my PT shorts draw string, except when I got back from the run, it wasn't there.  I felt a little sick through breakfast, because that ring means a lot to me, being a major symbol of Brittney and I's relationship.  I came to terms with losing it, thoug (It is the only thing I have that is non-military that's Brittney and I's), because I know I am not losing Brittney, and at least objects can be replaced.  *SIGH* At least family day is coming up in five weeks!  So anyway, after breakfast we did GFT until lunch.  I won my match, but only did that one because it was mandatory, and I am really trying to play it safe and not get hurt.  We have our company tournament tomorrow, so I have on or two more matches.  After today's matches were over, people challenged each other (I was asked privately, but turned them down).  After we ate our MREs for lunch, we cleaned the mats off and put them away.  We then went up to the bay, changed into PTs, and headed outside to the PT field.  First platoon (mine) was out there for about an hour before the other platoons joined us, and we did organized PT with them for another hour.  That was extremely tiring!  We came back to the bay, took showers, and got into formation for dinner.  When dinner was over, we returned to the bay for a platoon meeting ran by our PG (platoon guide).  It was pointless and our platoon doesn't really respect him because he was the guy who ratted on the person with the cell phone.  After our meeting, we conducted bay maintenance and cleaned up everything.  I started a load of laundry and then we had final formation at 2045, and got more mail (one from mom and one from dad), and more milk.  At 2120, I hung out in the laundry room writing today's journal and writing a couple of letters, trying to play catch up!  Also, I found out you may send packages as long as it is stuff that I am allowed to have (no food, candy, newspapers, stupid stuff really, etc...), and Dad, you can mail newspaper articles in you letters now.  I would prefer letters still over packages, so keep the morale coming!  Hopefully after our GFT tournaments tomorrow, we will be given more time to write and unwind!  I think about you all often, and hope you are all enjoying your summer.  Keep praying and I should make it through!

Days 37-39

01 June 2009  (Day 37)

Happy June first!  I enjoy seeing a new month at the top of my journal because I can see the time going by!  Last night, though, we were woken up at 0230 because we didn't have a laundry guard downstairs in the laundry room watching our laundry.  Due to laundry  being mixed up, we stopped having a laundry guard, but we still should have had two people who were doing laundry stay down there.  We didn't get in trouble, just had the inconvenience of being woken up, so I think that was lucky.  The platoon went back to sleep and then woke up at 0400 to turn in our bed linens at 0430.  We then came back to the bay, cleaned it up, and then went to PT at 0600.  Today's PT was broken down into our running groups.  I am still in C group, and today I wished I was in B group.  All we did was a warm up lap (1/2 mile loop track) at about a 10 minute pace, and then a mile at about a 9.5 minute pace.  That was too slow and short for me.  I didn't feel pushed enough, so I am going to switch groups next time.  We came back from PT and changed into ACUs and formed back up downstairs.  We then worked on basic marching commands (left face, right face, about face, cover right, dress right, open ranks, and close ranks).  Once it was time for chow, we went and ate breakfast.  After our platoon was finished eating, we marched ourselves back to our area, and then headed upstairs to our bay, where we had a class over splints, and how to treat a fracture.  Once the class was over, we headed over to second platoon's bay and learned about blocked airways.  We were taught the head tilt chin lift and the jaw thrust.  Then, if the lung is collapsed and pressure is built up in the chest cavity, we use a chest decompression needle.  For our third class in fourth platoon's bay, we went over the 9 line medivac (9 lines read over the radio for a medical evacuation).  Also, we were quickly shown the fireman's carry and the seated carry (both learned in Boy Scouts).  The last part of the class was about using a little and stico. A litter is a stretcher and the stico is for carrying and helicopter pick-up.  After that class was over, we went to our final class where we learned about how to properly give an IV to someone, so I am glad I wasn't the one chosen to have the IV demonstrated on.  It was interesting, but I am not looking forward to me and my battle buddy taking turns doing IVs on one another (Basic Training requirement).  Oh well, like the gas chamber, this too will pass!  After our classes, we went to lunch, and then went upstairs to change into a sterile ACU (no patches or things in pockets).  We then went downstairs, formed up, and proceeded to the grassy area across the street next to our PT field to do parts 2 and 3 of level 1 GFT (Ground Fighting Tactics).  I definitely performed better this time, but I won't win any sort of competition.  Oh well, so we did that for a couple of hours, came back to our bay and got smoked because of someone who had talked in the D-Fac (Dining Facility) during breakfast.  It lasted for about 20 minutes, and then we were allowed to take showers and change into summer PTs.  We then headed to dinner, and then back to the bay where we cleaned and organized things, as well as made our beds.  One of our road guards lost their vest, so I went around the other platoons with a battle buddy to see if they found it.  No one had it, so we came back empty handed.  We didn't do too much until final formation (I worked on FAQs a little more).  We drank our milk (or warm liquid cheese) and then went to bed.  I haven't had much downtime over the last couple of days, so the journal is my way of communicating right now.  I will try to respond to letters when I can!  I love you all and keep me in your prayers (less than 40 days until family day!)!

02 June 2009  (Day 38)

Last night, I had fireguard from 0300-0400, so I woke up at 0245 to get ready, and then pulled my shift.  Wake-up was at 0415, so I didn't get to go to sleep after my shift was over, but at least I shouldn't have any duties tonight.  We then had PT, so that was fun.  We ran about a mile, did chin-ups, pushups, sit-ups, and climbed the rope.  I was able to climb all the way to the top, so that was good, but on the way down, the drill sergeant asked if I made it to the top, and I answered, "Yeah...Yes, Drill Sergeant," so since I said yeah, he made me low crawl through the sand.  When PT was over, I took a shower really quickly, changed into clean PTs, and went to breakfast.  After breakfast, we came back up to the bay to fill up our camelbacks and to sweep up the sand from PT.  We then headed downstairs for our first aid class...IVs!  I was teamed up with Spiva (roster #149, so the bunk beside me).  I did the IV first, and did it with ease, although I didn't like the feeling of me being the one to stab the needle through the skin, but in a life or death situation, I feel confident in my ability to stick someone with an IV.  Anyway, afterwards, we went to lunch, then changed into sterile ACUs, and did part 4 of level 1 GFT, which was about how to do submissions.  My arms were a little sore from the IVs (Spiva sort of messed up on the first one, so he had to do it a second time!).  We did GFT for a little over three hours, and then were allowed to go to the bay, shower, and get ready for dinner.  After dinner, our drill sergeant left for home (I believe there was an NBA playoff game tonight), so we were on our own for the remainder of the evening.  We had a bay meeting (I guess we ARE in white phase), and our temporary PG (platoon guide) led it.  The meeting had to end due to final formation, where they had Powerade, Gatorade, and energy bars for sale.  We finally got finished and sent upstairs, where we went to sleep at 2200 (10:00 pm).  Since I left home, half way to family day!!!

03 June 2009  (Day 39)

Besides the delay in going to sleep, our platoon actually did well, and we weren't woken up by the drill sergeant on duty.  I got a full 6 hours of sleep before lights came on!  We did the usual cleaning and then went to PT.  We did our warm-ups, and then did 60-120s, which is 60 seconds of sprints with 120 seconds of walking.  I was glad I was able to push myself to keep up with Salado (who ran a 17 minute 2 mile).  We came back from PT and went to breakfast.  I had the usual (Eggs, ham, and potatoes with a side of fruit), and then we came back up to the bay and changed into ACUs.  We had BRM (Basic Rifle Marksmanship) today, during which we learned the proper positions to fire our M4s.  We also took apart and relearned how to clean or weapons, and were shown areas that we might miss and that are hard to get.  The class was interesting, and afterwards we had time before lunch, so we practiced in the area we form up in.  We then headed to lunch and they had corn beef, so I got some rye bread and a little thousand island dressing from the salad bar and sort of had a Ruben sandwich (or a rub, since I eat rubes--no sour kraut)!  Anyway, after lunch, we laid out mats, went upstairs to sterilize our ACUs, and then headed back downstairs for free for all GFT.  Each platoon broke up in their areas and had 3 minute fights, practicing for Saturday's tournament against the other platoons!  I tied my round, but if points were taken, I am pretty sure I would have won, because I was in more dominant positions, and got out of a couple of locks, earning me points.  I am not going to try to win to be in a tournament because I am willing to put up a fight, but I am trying my best NOT to get hurt this summer.  If I get injured and I can't train, then I will be restarted, which I do not have time for.  Plus, I am learning how to do it and know what the different moves and positions are, and how to get out of locks.  My biggest fear here is getting hurt because I want to be out of here and graduated by August 14th!  Anyway, after we finished rolling around, we changed into PTs, came downstairs to our formation area, and cleaned our weapons thoroughly.  About an hour later, we went to dinner, and then went off to the PT field and had free PT.  Once again, I worked out with Salado, and I was soaked in sweat at the end.  We got in about two miles, and in between laps we did some log flipping, pull ups, inverted sit ups, power lifting (there are metal pipes with concrete filled coffee cans at the end of our track), and some other exercise that Salado made up on the spot- flip the 80-100 lb. log end over end, then do a push up, jump into the air, and go back into a pushup.  I think I get a better workout when I am off on my own with friends then I do with the drill sergeants leading it in the morning.  We then came back to the bay, showered, and got ready for final formation, which we received our delicious liquid cheese (warm milk in the juice box), and then went back upstairs and prepared for bed.  We were finally assigned our PG (platoon guide), and squad leaders, so they held a brief meeting about how things were going to start running, and about a letter we were going to sign to keep the guys who used the cell phone.  More has come out about the cell phone situation, and the guy who had the cell phone asked the drill sergeants if he could call home to check on his really sick brother (not flu sick), and they couldn't let him.  Then, the other three individuals had problems at home that they were dealing with and had asked to call home on things to make sure were okay (wife's pregnancy, a child who went to the hospital, and a serious financial situation at home).  Anyway, after things settled down, lights were turned off, and I went to sleep! 

Day 36

31 May 2009  (Day 35)

Today was a long, hot day, but I will get to that shortly.  First, last night I had fireguard with Salado, and we had a good talk about last night's ordeal.  Our drill sergeant, Drill Sergeant Bruce, actually had Salado and I (with a few other people) block doors into the latrine and those that led outside.  We were talking about the fact that he knew our names and told us to do that!  This was a good sign, because he obviously trusts us, or at least feels we have the integrity to be asked to do things that he needs done right.  He looked at us and said, "Sease, Salado, go clear the latrine and block the doors."  There are 56 guys currently assigned to our platoon, and I don't want to read too much into this, but I am sure I have the trust of the drill sergeants (which I feel I should because I do what I am told and nothing less!).  Anyway, fireguard went smoothly and I enjoyed the rest of the night's sleep.  Wake up was at 0600, so when lights came on, I got ready for the day, changed into ACUs, and got my mind prepared for church.  During this time, there were all sorts of rumors going around about what was going to happen to the platoon, the guilty party, and the company.  I tried not to pay attention because whatever happens is going to happen.  So anyway, we went to breakfast and then to church.  We must not have very spiritual drill sergeants, because we were 15 minutes late and they didn't care that we were late.  Although there is a rumor going around about not going into white phase now (which I don't believe).  We marched ourselves to church after the drill sergeant took a head count, which we have never marched ourselves before, because it is a white phase thing.  We arrived to church a little late, but we were still able to sing a couple of songs, and didn't miss the actual service.  We had a different chaplain today, who preached about Jesus' transformation (Matthew 17:1-2), and how we need to have a serious transformation while we are here, because we need to understand who God is and what he does for us.  Matthew 17:3-4 then goes on to talk about how it is our personal agenda vs. God's agenda.  For the active duty guys, they need to come to terms with being overseas and the likelihood of shooting someone.  I sure hope as National Guard I will help people in times of need, not war, but I will go where I am told to go (pray that I will help people).  Anyway, enough about what I hope for.  Whatever God has planned for me will be the right path in my life.  After church is when it got fun (sarcasm).  From 1000 until 1800 (dinner), we were outside doing area beautification.  It was basically a company punishment for the phone issue the night before, because we were done in just a few hours.  People just tried to look busy, and when we didn't , we got smoked.  Oh well, I'm improving my PT scores!  After dinner, we had bay inspections.  While one drill sergeant conducted the inspection, the other told us we were going to stay in red phase for at least another week.  There was talk about getting phone calls home next weekend (but I have learned that the drill sergeants lie ALL the time, so don't believe them outside of the classroom setting).  Anyway, we got released to take showers and go to bed, but someone in 4th platoon went and did laundry in their shower shoes (flip flops), and not in socks and tennis shoes, so everyone was called back downstairs for a light smoke session.  We then came back upstairs and went to bed.  I didn't have any time this weekend to respond to letters like I was hoping, so hopefully I will have time this week!

Days 33-35

28 May 2009  (Day 33)

Fire guard went just fine last night, and since Spence and I were last shift, we were in charge of taking out the trash and dropping the mail off at the mailbox.  When I woke up for my shift, my right knee was killing me.  I might have bruised it or something yesterday during the road march.  When we stop, we turn and face away from the road, and take a knee while having our weapon up and ready.  Because of all the heat-related injuries, we were on the side of the road for at least 45 minutes.  That is a long time to be on a knee (with a 50 pound rucksack), even if you switch knees every so often.  Someone a couple of bunks down from me had some muscle relief cream, so I used that just to see if it would help.  When we were getting ready this morning, we were told that today's activities were a trip to the recreation center, phone calls, and then group therapy (whatever that would be.)  That information was wrong!  We formed up downstairs and went to the PT field in our ACUs to stretch out.  Then we came back and were informed that today was the...DUN DUN DUN...gas chamber!  We went to breakfast, and then went upstairs to get our gas mask, FLC (I forget what it stands for, but it is a vest that carries canteens, my magazines, and other equipment), and helmet.  So we formed up downstairs and loaded on the buses to go to the gas chamber.  It was about a 15 minute ride to our destination, and as soon as we got there we formed back up into platoons and put on our gas masks!  We had a quick briefing on the proper procedures of how to go through the gas chamber.  First platoon was told that we would be first, which was a good thing because we got to air out longer afterwards.  So we lined up outside of the gas chamber and awaited the "all clear" to go inside.  Once inside, we lined up around all four walls and were instructed to ease our masks open about four inches and say our last name and the last four digits of our social security number to make sure we inhaled the air and to test the gas out.  It wasn't too bad, because you then put the mask back on and exhaled hard to clear the inside air out.  Then, we lined up into three lines, and one line at a time, were instructed to remove our masks, take a few deep breaths, secure our mask in our left hand, our weapon in our right, and our helmets back on our head.  Once everyone in our line had done so, we were led outside into the fresh air.  The gas inside really hurt.  My eyes watered to the point where I couldn't see, and I had snot running down my face.  My lungs felt like they were full of steel wool and it was extremely hard to breathe.  I was so glad to get outside, but somehow my pouch for my gas mask came unvelcrowed, so I had to go back through a second time!  Ugh!  At least I was already messed up, so the second time through wasn't as bad, just the same.  Some people went through three or more times, so I guess I got lucky in that sense.  After the whole company went through, we had a class over chemical warfare and how to decontaminate yourself if you are caught up in some gas.  After the class, we ate MREs, waited around for the buses to pick us up, and then headed back to the barracks to clean our masks, shower, and change into PTs.  The drill sergeants then held a mandatory class on how to properly do your PT test for the first APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) tomorrow.  We then headed back up to the bay and cleaned it, as well as our weapons, until dinner.  After dinner, we came back to the bay to study for our end of red phase final.  It is about land navigation, using a radio, NBC, and disassembly and assembly of our weapon and a functions check.  After an hour of studying, I went and did laundry and then went to bed.  Hopefully I do well tomorrow, but we will see.

29 May 2009  (Day 34)

Today was test day!  Yeah...not very fun, but not a hard day, so that was good.  We started out the day with our 2-2-2 (2 minutes of pushups, 2 minutes of sit-ups, and run 2 miles).  For pushups I let myself down.  I was cranking them out, but my grader kept telling me to go lower.  He is supposed to stop you after 10, but I did at least 25 and he told me to get to the back of the line (when I was already second to last).  I had to try again after 2 minutes, and I did about another 20, but he said I only had 13 that were proper form.  So yeah, I needed 31 to pass, and I got 13-- Not a good start.  After pushups came sit-ups.  I did much better with that, and got 55 (which is 63 points on the Army score card).  Then, it was off to our 2 mile run.  I had the first mile done in 8 minutes, but took longer on the last mile, with a final time of 17:41 (which is 15 seconds faster than I have ever run my 2 miles).  So I need to work harder on correct pushup form, and keep running harder and longer.  Oh well, room for improvement!  We came back to the barracks and ate breakfast, then went upstairs and changed into ACUs.  We had a written test over rank, military time, chain of commands, general orders, and other small Army basics.  I did well (missed 9) compared to other people (who missed over 35), so I passed the test because they did a curve.  We then were tested on disassembly, assembly, and function check of our M4 weapon.  I passed that test as well!  By then, it was time for lunch!  We ate MREs, and I recommend the beef ravioli!  After lunch, we had three more tests that took over four hours.  The first test was over our gas masks and what to do when under a chemical attack, and how to identify signs of a chemical in the air and symptoms if you inhaled it.  I passed with flying colors!  Our next class was how to send a message over a radio.  This was way too easy, because it was a script and you just had to read it.  There were a couple of tricky parts (only if you didn't know what to do), but I passed that, as well.  The last test was land navigation, which we had a three page test with a map, and we had to answer the questions correctly.  I missed 7 questions, and the cut-off was 6, so I missed that event, but only 3 people in our platoon passed, and overall, our platoon had the best scores!  By the time we finished testing, we had about an hour of unwinding time, so that was nice to enjoy before heading to dinner.  After dinner, things were relaxed.  Our drill sergeant told us how we did in the events, and just sat down with us to give us some news...on Monday, we start white phase!!!  That means we will have a little more independence, and won't be "babysat" by the drill sergeants!  It was welcomed news!  After our platoon meeting, we got mail!!!  It had been almost a week since we received mail, so it was nice to get!!!  After it was all passed out (I received 9 letters), we decided to go outside and run.  I worked out with Salado, and we did a quick estimate - If I work out with him over the course of Basic Training, and he keeps helping me and giving me tips on how to be more physically fit, he would charge one of his clients at the gym roughly $5,000 for the number of hours we have together!  So we ran and did sprints, and then worked on core and ab muscles.  I felt like it was a pretty good workout.  So we came back to the barracks and took showers.  When we were done, they made an announcement that the people higher up say we need to drink more milk.  So we get a little juice box (or milk box) to drink at night now.  I don't know if it will be every night, but we drank them tonight.  Also, at least 30 minutes before we have PT or a road march, we are supposed to eat a granola bar.  I am not really sure why there is a sudden change, but oh well.  After formation, I had about 15 minutes before lights out, so I read the letters I received (Two letters and a card from Brittney, one from my mom with all the notes from Devon's graduation party, two letters from my dad, a letter from Dana, one from the Barnetts, and a letter from Mr. Schumacher).  It was nice of everyone to write!  Also, I didn't have to do pushups because a different drill sergeant handed them out!  I will write tomorrow about a few things that were brought up in a few letters, because I need to get to sleep now, which was prolonged because we got smoked after lights out, due to the fact that some of the idiots in our platoon didn't sign out with the fireguard, so when the drill sergeant on duty came around and his count didn't match the count of the fireguards, we did some more "corrective training."  As soon as we finished, lights were turned out, and I put my letters away and went to sleep!

30 May 2009  (Day 35)

It was great getting mail last night!  Even though I am tired and my body is physically spent from this week's activities, the mail was a nice boost of morale for me.  The entire platoon is in a better mood (the news about moving to white phase on Monday might help, as well).  For PT this morning, we did a lot of running, chin ups, pushups, sit-ups, and my body is even more tired than when I woke up.  At least tomorrow is Sunday, and hopefully we have the day somewhat off.  My knee has stopped hurting from being on it so long during our break when we had the road march, so that's good!  The bad thing is, with all the running we have been doing lately, I have developed a slight shin splint in my left shin.  That is another reason that I need an easy day tomorrow.  Anyway, after PT, we came back up to the bay to change into ACUs and then head to breakfast.  After breakfast, we had another red robin type setup, where each platoon went to another platoon's bay, and that platoon's drill sergeants held a class about first aid for about an hour or so.  We started in our own bay, and learned about how to evaluate a casualty.  We practiced rolling our buddy over safely, and the different steps you take to secure the arm and get the wounded to safety.  Our next class was over turnakits.  We practiced field wrapping and dressing wounds using bandages and then if the bleeding wouldn't stop, how to use a turnakit to save a limb, and keep from bleeding to death.  Our third class was about shock and how to treat burns.  I knew the shock material pretty well because of scouts, but the burn class was interesting because it was about how to treat burns from chemicals, thermal, or laser burns.  I just knew how to treat first, second, and third degree burns, and that doesn't mean anything here.  We went to lunch before we went on to our fourth and final class.  I don't think I mentioned it yesterday, but I dropped my class A uniform off for dry cleaning because I might be part of a military funeral tomorrow, and today after lunch it came back all nice and pressed, so at least my class A looks sharp!  After I hung it up in my locker, I joined my platoon for our last class, which was about how to treat a victim of an open chest wound.  All the classes were interesting, and it is a good thing I took decent notes, because I am sure we will be tested on all of this in about three weeks.  When classes ended (about 1500...3pm), we returned to our bay where I had time to write a good portion of today's journal.  I have decided to write a page or so of frequently asked questions, and Brittney can add it on the side of the blog.  Anyway, people were caught sleeping, so we got smoked for a good 40 minutes or so, and we stopped because it was time for dinner.  After dinner, we were allowed to come back to the bay and take showers, write letters, clean weapons, and/or study the first aid we learned today.  I chose to unwind and write the questions and answers.  I can't believe I haven't had a phone call in 3 and a half weeks!  I'm hoping we get one soon, but I'm not expecting anything.  Letters help, and honestly, I don't think I could hold it together if I heard my mom or Brittney's voices, but that doesn't matter really.  I want to talk to my family!  So, I took a shower tonight and then got ready for bed.  I have fireguard from 0100-0200, so I am looking forward to sleeping until I have to wake up.  

Well, that was wishful thinking.  I put my journal away, used the latrine, and we were called toe-to-line (stand at the position of attention at the end of our bunks), and were told someone in the company has a cell phone, and that someone in our platoon knew who it was.  The individual had 10 minutes to come forward, so people in the platoon started freaking out (I don't know why...I just roll with the punches now).  A guy two bunks down from me came forward and said he had a phone charger, but that was it.  So everyone put ACUs back on, as well as full battle rattle, and the entire company met downstairs awaiting the next step!  The entire company was just standing at attention when the drill sergeant asked who owned the phone he was holding.  Again, the guy with the charger came forward and said it was his (and verified it with the contacts saved in his phone).  The whole company was told to do a half right face (the most dreaded words to hear!) and we did 20 four-count pushups, which is 40 pushups, and 20 mountain climbers.  We then got back up, and the company minus first platoon was sent upstairs.  We were told that we weren't allowed to touch the individual tonight, and that he would be dealt with by the drill sergeant.  We were sent back upstairs, toe-to-line again, and the drill sergeant asked who in the platoon had used it.  Honestly, if I had know about it, I probably would have used it to call home and Brittney, because it has been three and a half weeks, but I am sure I wouldn't have because I would have it on my conscience.  Three others stepped forward (one had been freaking out earlier about not telling- now it makes sense!), and admitted they used the phone.  They all went to the drill sergeant's office and we got ready for bed.  Lights were turned off and people could be heard whispering for awhile, I'm sure discussing the night's events.  I am glad I'm still following the rules, and I know this can't last forever.  I will call home when I get the opportunity, with the permission of the drill sergeants of course).  I don't know what repercussions we have in store, but I will be sure to write about it.  Family, I love you all, and when I do get a phone call...I just can't wait!  Keep me in your prayers! :)