Day 106

09 August 2009  (Day 106- 5 days to go)

Wake up was at 0600, so I took care of personal hygiene, then took about a 30 minute nap.  I was woken up by our platoon guide yelling to get downstairs for first formation.  The drill sergeant on duty talked to us about what was going on today (church, clean bays, football games?, phone calls?, movies).  As long as we got our bays clean, we got the perks that were to come later.  At 0730, we headed to breakfast, and then by 0800, we were headed to breakfast, and then by 0800 we were heading to church.  Today was my last Sunday service on Sand Hill!  I couldn't help but think that in a week, I would be worshiping in my home church with my own family!  I am really looking forward to that.  Music started playing, so I got in the mindset to worship, and after a few songs, they sang "Friends Forever" for our company, since we will be graduating, and then got into the sermon.  Today's scripture came from Philipians 3:12-14, where Paul is in a jail cell writing a letter, and mentions that he has not arrived yet as a Christian and will keep pressing onward.  He will continue to pursue Jesus, and we too should seek His vision for our lives.  Also, forget about what's behind you, and press on to what is in the future.  We came back to the bay, changed into summer PTs, and then just relaxed until lunch at 1300.  After lunch, I slept for probably three hours or so, and everyone else either sat around, listened to music, or started getting things ready for tomorrow's inspection.  Around 1700, people who needed to make calls to verify traveling arrangements could make calls, so I called home and talked to Devon for a couple of minutes, and then called my mom's cell because both she and my dad were at a youth group dinner with Deanne.  I talked to my parents then for about eight minutes, then had to get off to let others on and head to dinner.  After dinner, it was similar to this afternoon, a lot of nothing.  I took care of the little laundry I had so my laundry bag would be empty for tomorrow's inspection, then got organized to lay out my gear in the morning.  When I went to switch my clothes to the dryer, only a couple of people were left on the phone, so I got on and called Brittney for a few minutes!  I came back upstairs and had a brilliant idea!  Because we would be getting rid of our weapons shortly and we didn't have a drill sergeant around, we decided to have a "photo shoot" since someone had a disposable camera.  I made sure to get a picture with the M240B, since that's what I had to lug around during the FTX.  Others started putting ACUs on, and before we knew it, a dozen guys were all taking pictures!  Afterwards, I just relaxed and waited until final formation at 2030.  I grabbed my laundry after that, folded it, and put it away.  Because final formation ran a little late, I didn't get to sleep until about 2200, but oh well, I didn't have fireguard and I had some good naps throughout the day!  However, at 2345, the lights came on with Captain America furious.  Someone apparently took out his SIM card from his cell phone and left it on his towel in the bathroom.  No one confessed to it, and after about fifteen minutes of listening to him ranting, he turned the lights out and we went back to bed.  He could go and complain to the drill sergeant, but he wasn't supposed to have it, so he would get in trouble for having it in the first place.  I feel bad that his phone was stolen, but if he hadn't snuck into the drill sergeant's office and took it in the first place, then he wouldn't be in this situation.  Again, it pays to follow the rules!

Days 104-105

07 August 2009  (Day 104- 7 days to go)

This morning, I was woken up at 0245, so I got dressed in ACUs because I was going to go back to sick call because my wrist started swelling and the area turned red.  First off, fourth squad had 0300-0500 weapon cleaning shift tonight, so since I was in ACUs, I had fire guard for the first hour.  At 0400, Salado replaced me so I could get ready for sick call, and at 0430 I went downstairs and checked out with the on duty drill sergeant.  When I got to sick call, the computer network was down, so they couldn't check anyone in.  When a couple of the other staff members arrived, they began taking temperatures and heart rates from everyone.  I was quickly seen, received paperwork to head to TMC7 (Troop Medical Center #7), and then went to get checked out.  I arrived and only waited for a couple of minutes before being seen by a medic.  I was prescribed a few pills to take, as well as...dun dun dun...two shots in the rear!  I hate shots!!!  I had to wait in the waiting area for 20 minutes to make sure my body accepted the medication, and once my time was up, I went back to get reevaluated and receive my sick call slip.  I headed back to the barracks, signed in to the company, and went to breakfast.  After breakfast, everyone was upstairs cleaning their weapons, so I got mine out, but the drill sergeant called me into his office, and mentioned something about whining the other night and getting the phone pass, so I had to bring in the pictures that won the contest for me, and when it got to the picture of the "I heart Derek" shirt, I received a hard time, but I could tell they liked it and thought it was funny (I love it!).  After that, they made everyone open up their wall lockers and show them pictures!  I eventually snuck away and took about a 45 minute nap, then came back out to make an appearance.  I acted like I was cleaning my weapon for about an hour, then went into hiding for another nap until it was time for lunch.  B company was in line, waiting for their warrior dinner, so it took us nearly 45 minutes to wait and finally get our food, but when we did, I got a deli sandwich and a salad because with all the inactivity, if we keep eating the amount of food we are without intense training, I will put the weight right back on.  I've got to eat less or control my portions this next week, and once I get home and start in my intense workouts, I will be able to eat more!  After lunch, we came back to the bay and continued to clean our weapons.  The afternoon was very uneventful, consisting of a couple of naps and more weapon cleaning.  Around 1500, our drill sergeant told us to get toe to line, and handed us our blue disks that will go under our U.S. and cross rifle pins on our Class A uniform, and our three ribbons that we have earned. One ribbon (rainbow) is for the Army service medal, which is awarded to everyone that joins the Army.  The second is the global war on terrorism (blue ribbon with yellow, red, and white horizontal stripes), and the third is the national defense service medal (red ribbon with a yellow center and blue and white horizontal stripes), which is awarded for joining during a time of war or conflict.  These ribbons are a lot like the knots that are worn on a boy scout uniform, but obviously Army related.  Our drill sergeants then left for the day, and so we finished cleaning our weapons and just relaxed, gearing up for tonight's cleaning sessions.  At 1730, it was time for dinner, so we went and ate, and afterwards we had a mail call!  I got two letters from my dad (and the schedule for the Indianapolis Indians), a letter and a card from my mom, and two letters from Brittney, one with the heading of "LAST LETTER," so the end is near!  I read all my mail back up in the bay, and a little after I finished reading my letters, the Class As were back from dry cleaning, so although I didn't send mine because I had it done for funeral detail, others came for my help to put things on, because my uniform was squared away, other than having the ribbons on.  After I finished helping, I worked out for about 40 minutes, concentrating on abs, but made sure I worked my arms out as well.  Final formation was canceled, so we just took a head count up in our bay.  I took a shower, and then went to bed at 2100!  I have a 0100-0200 shift to clean weapons, but my naps today should help with me being tired.  One week from now, I'll be in Indiana... I CAN'T WAIT!!!

08 August 2009  (Day 105- 6 days to go)

Our squad had weapon cleaning from 0100-0300, and we broke it up so that "A team" cleaned from 0100-0200, and "B team" cleaned from 0200-0300.  I was on the first shift, so I cleaned my M4 from 0100-0200, then went back to sleep when my turn was over.  Wake up was then at 0500, and I got up and brushed my teeth and shaved, then read the morning newspaper.  Everyone was moving slow and crashed back out after they were woken up, so I stayed awake to call "at ease" if a drill sergeant was to come in.  At 0600, we went downstairs and formed up for first call, then headed outside for PT.  Today was free PT day, so we worked out on our own.  Robbins, one of his friends from another platoon, and I jogged the track for 3 miles, then took a one mile cool down (16 laps total).  It felt good just to run, because I can't do that up in the bay!  So after PT, we came back to the bay, and then headed to breakfast at 0730.  After breakfast, everyone came upstairs and crashed.  I got in about a 90 minute nap, and only woke up because my sixth sense told me something was up, and the bay was extremely quiet.  I came out of hiding, and our drill sergeant was here pouring water on people who were asleep.  I was lucky and escaped the unwanted shower!  Once everyone was awake, he checked helmets and made sure that they were all good to go!  I helped Robbins with his helmet, and then just stayed looking busy.  I did a small arm workout and then cleaned up my area.  We went downstairs for lunch at 1200, but apparently we were given the wrong chow time, so the drill sergeant led us in some unexplainable PT for 30 minutes until it was time for lunch at our new time of 1230.  After lunch, we had a formation and he told all of our PGs that if he comes up to our bays, he doesn't want to see people just sitting around not doing anything, so we cleaned the bay and made sure we looked busy again.  I laid down again, and took about a two hour nap, before waking up and doing another small arms-only workout.  Tomorrow is Sunday, so it will be a good day to rest up for the week to come!  Then, someone came upstairs and said we were ordering pizza, so the platoon lined up and put in their orders.  I chose not to buy any, but because each person could only buy one pizza, I let someone use my roster number in exchange for a slice whenever the pizza came.  I then messed around in my locker, making sure things were somewhat organized, and then it was time to head to dinner.  After dinner, I went to the PX for over an hour, looking around, just glad to be out of the bay.  I bought some pins for my Class A uniform, as well as a few other things for people that they had asked me about picking up for them.  I came back to the bay, and delivered the items to the people, and then just relaxed until final formation.  After final formation, the pizza arrived, so I got a slice of sausage pizza, and then by just sticking around and being social, I was given another three slices and a Powerade.  It is funny, because people get all excited about buying food, and then they get too much because their bodies aren't used to the food, so I luck out, don't spend a dime, and still end up with a late evening snack!  After we were done eating, we came upstairs and got ready for bed.  Because of all my naps today, I volunteered for fourth squads fireguard shift.  I fell asleep around 2200, and then was woken up for my 2400 shift.  I woke up tired, but still pulled my shift.  A few guys had snuck a deck of cards back from the PX and were still up playing Texas Hold 'em at the back of the bay, and someone else (Captain America) had gotten ahold of their cell phone and was in the latrine texting with it.  I decided to ignore both incidents, because we are so close to graduation, I don't want anymore trouble.  Plus, it is my own platoon doing it, and if I don't call them out... as long as a drill sergeant doesn't catch them, it should be a fairly easy last 6 days (2 of which are family day and graduation).  So anyway, I went to sleep at the end of my shift, and didn't wake up until the lights came on in the morning... so no one was caught.

Days 102-103

05 August 2009  (Day 102- 9 days to go)

We have finally hit the single digits!  Only nine more days, and I am on my way home!  I got a wake up call at 0500, and got ready for the day.  I took a nap once I was finished, until it was time to go down at 0600 for first formation.  For some reason, we didn't have PT, but instead, were sent upstairs to pack up our ACUs, put them in our green Army duffle bag, and left to go to 30th AG at 0730.  We walked there and arrived at 0800, where we went through the same clothing process that we did 14 weeks ago when we first got here.  We went to the classroom in the basement and filled out some paperwork, and then we were moved out into the warehouse area.  When we were waiting to turn our gear in, the fire alarm went off, so we had to evacuate the building and move outside to the pavilion that we would form up at after meals when we were t 30th AG.  After about a half hour, we were let back inside, and I again waited in line to get my new ACUs.  Finally, it was my turn!  I got up to the counter and handed over my four old pairs of ACUs, and I tried on new pants first!  I went from an XL pant size to large, and I must say, they fit amazingly!  In my old pants, I could fit both arms down my pant legs, and still have room!  I then tried on my new tops, and the lady fitting me thought it worked well, but I asked about going down a size, because I felt like I was swimming in it, so I tried on a medium regular.  She said it was too small, but I thought it fit well!  Oh well, I got four new tops of the same size.  We then marched back in small groups and put our names on our new ACUs on the inside with permanent markers.  Because I was one of the first ones back, the drill sergeant had me and a couple of others come into his office to help put together packets for the next cycle to have and fill out.  The drill sergeant had to leave, so we left his office, and when we got back into the bay, the atmosphere was like Christmas, with everyone re-trying on their new clothes!  Exciting times!!!  The drill sergeant came back, so we went back into the office to keep putting the packets together until it was time for lunch.  We went downstairs and ate MREs, and when we were finished, it was back upstairs to the bay!  We went back to help the drill sergeant, and he called three guys into his office and told them to erase a marking by their names on the large dry erase board on the wall.  He told them that the drill sergeants had a poll going where they picked three guys in the platoon the first week who they didn't think would make it this summer.  He lost!  The other drill sergeants had their choices, too, and that's when I learned why the green asterisk was by my name!  I was chosen by our senior drill sergeant as one who he did not think would make it, but I am glad I proved them wrong!  Oh well, it has bugged me not knowing what it meant, so I am glad the mystery is now solved!  We finished the packets up around 1500, so I came out to the bay and napped for about an hour off and on while others cleaned their weapons.  At 1630, the drill sergeant made us get toe to line to make sure he had an accurate list of what branch we were in and other training we have after basic training.  When he was finished, I went downstairs and washed my new ACUs.  Because my tops are a little big, I wanted to wash them in hot water and dry them to make them shrink a little.  Afterwards, it was time to head to dinner.  When I got back, I moved my ACUs to the dryer and then headed back up to the bay.  Our drill sergeant handed out new letters to send home regarding family day/turning blue and graduation.  I grabbed three extra letters to mail to Brittney, my Reinbold grandparents, and my Sease grandparents, so all the people who are coming will have a letter to know how to get here!  The best news on it is that graduation is an hour earlier (which gives me more time to visit with Devon and Deanne since they won't be able to come due to work and school before I take Brittney home to visit with her family, as well!)!!!  After I was done addressing all of the envelopes and putting them in our mail box, it was time to go check on and get my stuff out of the dryer.  I brought my ACUs upstairs, put my old patches on (which showed how new and clean my ACUs really were), and then put them on hangers and put them in my locker.  The drill sergeant brought in mail, and I got a couple of letters from Brittney, a card from my mom, and a letter from my Grandma Reinbold.  There was then a competition for our platoon to bring up pictures of our girlfriends and/or wives, so I took up a few pictures of Brittney.  I am proud to say that not only do I think I have a wonderful, smart, and beautiful girlfriend, but the platoon also voted Brittney as the prettiest (maybe the cookies from family day helped *wink*)!  Because I (or Brittney) won, my drill sergeant awarded me a phone pass to call home!  I quickly ran downstairs and called Brittney on the pay phone and talked to her for nearly 20 minutes (since she is the reason I was allowed to call), and then called my parents for a little over 10 minutes, when I had to get off because it was time for final formation at 2030, and it was getting hard to hear.  I filled them in on the time changes for graduation and turning blue, as well as gave them a heads up about the letters that were on their way tomorrow morning in the  mail!  It was great to call home and talk to everyone!!!  So we had final formation, and then came back up to the bay to get ready for tonight's cleaning shifts.  The way the rotation worked out, fourth squad had the first shift from 2100-2300!  I cleaned my waist strap on my rucksack again, because I thought it could be cleaner, and I was right.  I also cleaned my boots with my boot cleaning kit, and then sprayed a sealer on them.  Lastly, I cleaned my canteens, inside and out, because there was tape residue on the outside from my roster number sticker.  When I was finished with all of that, I came upstairs, did 500 or so ab workouts and a hundred pushups (wide, diamond, regular-- normal and from my knees).  I then took a shower, applied calamine lotion all over my poison ivy, and finished writing today's journal.  A little after 2300, I went to bed!

06 August 2009  (Day 103-  8 days to go)  

Today's morning routine was the same as usual- 0500 wake up call, brushed teeth and shaved, got ready for the day, and went downstairs for 0600 first formation.  We went out to the PT field, and just did some low intensity workouts and stretches, and ended it with a lap around the track.  We came back inside and relaxed in the bay until it was time for breakfast.  By my calculations, today would be the last day I can write letters to anyone who would be coming to my graduation, because mail would go out tomorrow, and then have Saturday and Monday, and hopefully delivered on Tuesday.  If not, then there will be letters for  my family when they get home.  I cleaned my weapon again, then was called into the drill sergeant's office to do more paperwork sorting for him.  We then had a transportation briefing at 1030, so we went to the classroom and were briefed about plane tickets home and going to our next duty station (I didn't need to be there because I am riding home with my parents, so it was basically a waste of my time).  When we were done, we came back up to the bay and went back to cleaning our weapons.  At 1200, it was time to go to lunch, so we went, ate, and came back to the bay to continue to clean weapons.  It is safe to say that everyone is tired of cleaning these M4s, so whenever the drill sergeant was in his office, I was writing my last letters to my grandparents!  Then, a great game was discovered!  We use Q-tips to clean our M4s... and they fit perfectly down the barrel of the weapon!  By placing a Q-tip in the end of a barrel, you can actually use it as a blow gun, so I must say, it became war among squads!  That lasted for about 20 minutes, and then got old, but it was at least something different to do!  We continued cleaning our weapons until it was time for dinner at 1700.  We went to dinner, and were a half hour early, so we returned back to the bay to wait.  The other platoons leave 20 minutes early (supposed to leave no more than 10 minutes early), so we decided to just go down at 1730 and not wait forever in line to eat, but just walk right up to the back of the line and almost get right inside!  It almost worked out that way, but oh well.  After dinner, I came upstairs and took a nap for about an hour, but it wasn't a very solid sleep.  I then spent some time rereading letters and writing my last letter to Brittney.  We had final formation at 2015, and then it was back upstairs, get ready for bed, and then sleep at 2100.

Days 100-101

03 August 2009  (Day 100- 11 days to go)

We had a 0500 wake up call this morning, so I got out of bed, remade it (I slept underneath the sheets just in case we had lined turn in like every Monday morning), brushed my teeth and shaved.  The drill sergeant asked for all National Guardsmen to turn in their orders, and then we headed downstairs for morning PT!  Today's PT was easy... just twenty minutes of easy calisthenic workouts.  We came back to the bay, changed into ACUs, and then proceeded to look busy "cleaning" our weapons or TA-50 gear until breakfast at 0800.  At breakfast, they always have pancakes, but today they had blueberry pancakes!!!  So I had the usual, plus three delicious blueberry pancakes!  After breakfast, we went back up to the bay where our drill sergeant kept having different forms for the active duty army guys.  I continued to look busy, but others were caught lying/sleeping on their beds, so at 1030, our platoon was kicked out of the bay and told to take our M4s downstairs to clean in our formation area.  Meanwhile, others were called away to do other jobs, such as repaint our e-tools (entrenchment tools-- collapsable camp shovels), clean and wipe down NODs, and sort paperwork for the drill sergeants in their office.  We eventually went to lunch, and then got to return to our bay to keep cleaning our weapons.  At 0200, we had a briefing in the classroom over COE (contemporary operational environment).  Basically, it was over why people do things and make decisions based on the economy, where they are from, and the most influential- politics.  After our briefing, we had a couple of minutes to drink water and stretch out, before we had another briefing over anti-terrorism at 1500.  The instructor informed us about terrorism, in and out of the United States, and told us to be aware of what is going on in the world around us. Also, he talked about how the military reacts to terrorism and the different threat levels that pertain to military bases and facilities.  After our briefings, we went back upstairs and continued cleaning our M4s until dinner at 1700.  After dinner, it was back up to our bay for the evening to continue cleaning our M4s.  I had completely broken my weapon down, oiled it up, and then put it back together, letting the oil soak in and break down whatever carbon was still stuck on the weapon.  I was finished "playing around" with it by 1830, so I tried to take a nap, but that was unsuccessful.  We have a squad up every two hours again tonight, so I wanted to catch up/get ahead on sleep, but I will just have to try and catch up tomorrow if I can.  Also, I started getting a small rash, which is spreading, and it looks very similar to poison ivy.  I decided to go to sick call in the morning to get some anti-itch cream, because it is quite itchy!  At first I thought it was maybe a prickly heat rash, but when I nicked it open while cleaning my M4, it started oozing, and has spread.  We'll see what the "professionals" have to say about it tomorrow!  We then had a mail call, where I got 4 letters from Brittney, 3 from my dad, 1 letter from Deanne, and 1 letter from each my Sease and Reinbold grandparents!  Thanks for all the letters!  I started reading them, until it was time for final formation at 2030.  I filled out my sick call form, got it signed, and then returned back upstairs to take a shower!  I didn't have time to read all my letters, so I have reading material tomorrow now!  Lights out was at 2100, but most people went downstairs to buy Powerade and energy bars.  I chose to get sleep, since I had to be awake to clean weapons during the night, and an early wake up to go to sick call.  I'll fill everyone in on what I have tomorrow!  Goodnight!

04 August 2009  (Day 101-  10 days to go)

Last night, no one woke me up to go down with my squad to clean weapons.  Apparently Spence had told them that I was going to sick call in the morning, so they let me sleep.  I then woke up at 0400, and was dressed and ready in my ACUs by 0420.  I went downstairs, signed out at the CQ desk, and made my way to the sick call check in.  I had brought a few of my unread letters with me, and read those while I was waiting to be seen.  One of the guys in my squad, Wilcox, was also there for knee and shoulder pains (from the ruck march), and he was telling me that his girlfriend back home was keeping up with my blog online.  Apparently I write more about what we do than he writes to her, so he was "in trouble," but now she has a way to know more!  There are a half dozen guys who have family reading and following along from my platoon now, so hello to everyone from A Co 1-50 first platoon at Ft. Benning!  :)  Anyway, I was finally seen for my rash. At 0720 (nearly a three hour wait), when I was done, I left with my calamine lotion and a couple of tubes of hydrocortisone to relieve my itching, and headed back to my company area, signed in, and went to breakfast.  After breakfast, I came upstairs and changed into PTs, and then started helping put together another ruck.  We were then called downstairs for a quick briefing about giving blood to the ASBP (Armed Service Blood Program).  All blood donated went to troops in theater, and if they run low, they have to buy from the American Red Cross for a couple hundred dollars per unit.  I could not muster up the courage to give this time, but maybe in the future my hatred towards needles will lessen.  I came back upstairs and worked on the ruck again, then spent about two and a half hours cleaning my M4 again.  People started to come back from donating blood, and I listened to their horror stories of the size of the needle and that they could see inside the hole that it made-- good choice not to go!  We went to lunch at noon, and afterwards, it was back to they bay to continue to clean weapons.  I helped a couple of guys with their rucks while I let the oil soak in to break down the carbon!  At 1500, our drill sergeant told us to get out a dollar for Gatorade tonight, and then passed out slips to fill out to get stuff dry cleaned for next week's events.  Since my stuff was dry cleaned for funeral detail, I didn't get anything dry cleaned!  So we went downstairs to dinner, which I guess was our "warrior dinner."  We had steak and fried shrimp, but I didn't eat the shrimp.  The only difference between this dinner and any other meal was that we ate in the classroom (across the hall), and were allowed to talk.  No big deal really, but oh well, at least I had steak!  After dinner, we did some area beautification because we have a general coming tomorrow to talk to us, so the place has to look good.  Our drill sergeant (who is on CQ duty tonight) went around and passed out Jolly Ranchers, which was odd, but the taste of sour apple hard candy was pretty good!  When we were done, we came back up to the bay and did a very thorough cleaning.  We worked on that until just about lights out, so I got my ACUs ready for tomorrow, because we are going to exchange them for brand new pairs!  I need some that finally fit me!  Lights went out at 2100, so I fell asleep for a couple of hours, before being woken up at 2250 with fourth squad to pull our cleaning shift tonight.  I went downstairs and took apart the feed tray and thoroughly cleaned it with Q-tips for a good 45 minutes!  I wanted to make sure it was really clean!  At 2350, I headed upstairs to pull a fireguard shift with Robbins, and then went to bed (again) shortly after 0100!  I really don't like this one squad up for two hours deal, but the sooner those weapons are spotless clean, the sooner we go back to full nights of sleep!

Days 97-99

31 July 2009  (Day 97- 14 days to go)

LAST DAY OF FTX!

We woke up this morning at 0530, and I was moving really slow.  I was tired, but glad that today was going to be the end!  This morning's routine was the same as the last few days: Put on ACUs (wet and dirty- ugh!), went to formation, breakfast truck arrived, duty squad unloaded it, served breakfast, and cleaned up.  I then headed back and decided, because I was chafing, I needed to wear my last clean pair of ACUs.  I changed, then the entire platoon tore down the hooches (shelters) and broke down our control base.  We took all of our rucks to the area we have been forming up in, and then waited for further instructions.  When the drill sergeants were ready, it was time to start the bayonet.  We put on our FLCs and our patrol caps (PCs), then walked about a mile to our first lane (AKA station).  Let me explain just what the bayonet is.  It is a four hour smoke session.  Period.  Sure, we do things "Army related," but it is the last smoking before we go to Honor Hill.  With that said, we arrived to our first station (in the rain) and one squad had to make five laps around water jugs carrying a person on a stretcher.  The squad waiting to go then had to low crawl to the water jugs and high crawl back, and the other squads were smoked with the good old fashioned pushups, mountain climbers and flutter kicks.  Each squad rotated until all squads had completed each task.  After an hour of this, we ran to our next lane, which was a half mile ammo can carry.  The rain had stopped, and it started to get really hot and humid when we started up again.  One squad ran the half mile carry four sixty pound ammo cans, while the other three squads did PT waiting for their turn.  We were given a couple of water breaks, but they ran out of water, so we went to the next lane hoping for more. Nothing.  We waited in the shade, but the heat was already too bad, and Salado went down.  He was IVed and taken away for more medical treatment.  We waited about a half hour, and finally the deuce came with the water buffalo and everyone drank up and topped off.  Because of the heat and humidity, we went to heat category five (roll up our pants and sleeves), and the other two lanes we were supposed to do were cancelled!  That was fine with me, because my butt had been kicked over the last two hours of physical endurance and being out in the heat.  After an hour of resting in the shade, we went to where we had done the react to contact training, and picked up brass.  Each squad in all the platoons went through, so there was a lot of shooting through a lot of woods.  We spent a good hour picking up brass before returning back to base camp and meeting back up with Salado.  On the way back, it sprinkled a little, but we made it back just in time to grab MREs for lunch and cover our rucks before the real storm hit.  We were issued wet weather gear (camp rain pants and rain coat), but apparently we aren't allowed to wear it.  So, we sat in the middle of a field, eating our MREs, during a thunderstorm.  Again, we were soaked through.  The rain finally stopped after 45 minutes, and we began the process of drying, changing socks and other clothing for the ruck march, now just a few hours away!  It was a pretty nice afternoon.  We just sat around doing foot maintenance (sitting on our rucks with our boots and socks off, applying foot powder) and resting our bodies.  I got mole skin for a hot spot on my heel and applied baby powder (thanks, Mom!) to help with my worsened chafing.  The drill sergeants finally got bored and had the privates who did good impersonations of drill sergeants come over and perform for them.  Everyone had a good laugh, because the impersonations were spot on!  Down to their voices and mannerisms-- it was really funny!  The deuce with the water buffalo arrived with a full load of water, so it was time to fill up on water and get our gear on.  We stepped off at 1800, and began our journey to Honor Hill.  We took a little over four hours, and I felt well prepared.  I had snacks in my pocket from MREs, and drank three camelbacks of water (300 fl. oz.).  I ended with sore feet and a sore back, but I truly felt I could have kept going.  We stopped about 500 meters short of the entrance, and another company was lined up on both sides of the road.  Our drill sergeants threw a couple of flash bangs, and the line of trainees along the road began to clap and cheer for us as we marched by.  We marched to Honor Hill, grounded our rucks, grabbed our canteen cups, and filled them up with "grog" as we went inside the ceremonial ring.  We were congratulated by our battalion commander and drank to a toast.  Our drill sergeants came around and pinned our cross rifle infantry pin on our ACUs, and congratulated us.  When it was all over, we went back out, put our rucks back on, and went down the hill back to our barracks.  We checked our weapons in to make sure they were all there, and then went upstairs to check through our equipment.  Around midnight, we got showers, went downstairs to eat our dinner MRE, and then got linen for our beds.  I didn't even bother making my bed, so I laid a sheet down, put my pillow case on, and fell asleep.  I dreamt of being home with loved ones, and was glad that my basic training was now complete.  Thirteen days left, and all I have to do is clean gear, get refitted for clothes, and practice for graduation!  I am so glad to be done and make it through injury-free!  Keep me in your prayers, and I will see you all soon!

01 August 2009  (Day 98- 13 days to go)

Today begins gold phase!  Only two weeks left, and I can't wait for this time to go by.  What a better way to start it off than with a fire guard shift with Salado at 0400, two and a half hours after we fell asleep!  Oh well, I spent the time writing and catching up in my journal, since yesterday we were busy with the bayonet and ruck march.  I mailed out two letters with my journals to Brittney, finished out my shift, and then went back to sleep.  Wake up was at 0730, and we got up, brushed teeth, and shaved.  We formed up and went to breakfast in the D-Fac at 0800, and then went back upstairs to clean the bay (as well as we could-- everyone had their stuff everywhere).  I then took my dirty laundry downstairs to wash it, and at 0930, everyone went downstairs and did nothing but sit in our formation area, cleaning our M4s, inside and out until lunch at 1300!  After lunch, we continued cleaning our M4s (which mine was basically done before lunch), but we just tried to look busy.  The only rules were to stay awake, stay out of the bay (unless using the latrine), and keep cleaning (look busy) our M4s, and we would get phone calls that evening!  I made sure to do all three things, because I really wanted that phone call.  At 1630, we got ready for dinner, ate, and returned to the formation area.  First and third platoons got to use the phones first (our drill sergeant was on duty for the day), and I called my parents because I hadn't gotten to talk to them for a couple weeks!  We talked for about 8 minutes, and so I called Brittney for about another five minutes!  After phone calls, it was up to the bay to relax before a... fun night.  We had formation at 2030, and then lights out was at 2100, and that's when things got fun.  Every two hours, each platoon had to have one squad awake cleaning gear for two hours, so first squad was up from 2100-2300... and then my squad had from 0300-0500.  All we did was clean our gear by scrubbing it with soap and water, and just made sure any dirt or stains were rubbed off.  I had my stuff that I was going to try to get done finished about 20 minutes early, so I just waited around and helped others until it was 0500.  I got my stuff out of the dryer, went back upstairs, and got about another 45 minutes of sleep before first call.

02 August 2009  (Day 99- 12 days to go)

Wake up was at 0600, but I went back to sleep for another 45 minutes on the floor.  We had first formation at 0700, and then we went back upstairs.  I took a shower, changed into clean ACUs for church, and then went downstairs for breakfast.  After breakfast, we headed to church, where today's service was from Genesis 5 :21-24.  Enoch went the first 65 years without God, but then found Him and continued to walk WITH the Lord for the next 300 years.  We walk WITH the Lord and he doesn't walk with us, and just  like we started off on our 12 mile ruck march and earned our cross rifle pins, this is just the beginning.  We need to be like Enoch and continue to walk with the Lord for the rest of our lives and be faithful to the Army until our contract is completed.  After church, we walked back to our barracks, changed into PTs, and spent the morning cleaning the bay, beautifying the area, and making sure all of our TA-50 gear was clean (the gear cleaned last night... ruck sack, ACH cover, FLC, sleep pad, IBA... our battle rattle/digital camo tactical gear).  At 1300, we went to lunch, and then I looked through my gear and re- hand washed  the gear that still looked dirty.  Our drill sergeants told us that if our gear isn't clean enough, we would be held over and not graduate with everyone else, so I am making sure everything I have is as clean as I can get it.  So after I hand washed it, I put it in the washer to give it a third wash!  After it was washed, I put it in the dryer, and got it out about an hour later.  While I was waiting for my TA-50 to clean and dry, I wrote and caught up on all my journals and a couple of letters.  When my gear was dry, I put it back together and relaxed in the bay.  At 1730, it was time for dinner, and I guess there was a mess left behind, so the drill sergeant on duty told the company to clean up after ourselves.  We had a few minutes up in the bay before we had a formation at 1830.  When we got down there, the drill sergeant had left to pick someone up at the hospital, and left behind the instructions to wait downstairs in formation until he got back.  He said for first and third platoons to go upstairs and take showers while second and fourth used the phones (since we used them yesterday).  I returned back upstairs , did a small workout to boost my metabolism for dinner, and then it was time for final formation.  The drill sergeant read off people who needed dental appointments, and what we had going on this week (roughly 10 briefings or so).  We went back upstairs.  I took a shower, and then headed to bed.  Hopefully this week is fairly easy, and it goes by fast without incident!

REMINDER:  Send all mail no later than August 7th, or there is a chance I might not get it here!

Days 93-96

27 July 2009  (Day 93- 18 days to go)

FTX DAY 1

Surprisingly, we didn't get woken up last night, and we slept until 0445 when we had to turn in our linens.  We came back upstairs, and made the decision to turn off the lights and go back to sleep.  We only got about a 15-20 minute nap in before lights came back on, because our drill sergeant had arrived downstairs, and the other three platoons had their lights on and were cleaning their bays.  I got up and took a nice shower, and then got dressed in ACUs.  This week, first platoon's fourth squad (the squad I am in) is duty squad.  That means when equipment needs to be moved, me and the eleven other guys in the squad move it or ride in the deuce to take it elsewhere, and we also have the job of serving the company food whenever it is delivered to us (catered food-- either unit pick up or field food).  So anyway, duty squad was called downstairs to take the duty equipment (ice sheets for heat casualties, stretchers, company board, gideon (flag), and a case of miscellaneous things needed throughout the day) and barriers out to the range that we would be training at for the day.  We loaded our rucks onto the back of the deuce, and then headed out to Malone Range 18.  When we got there, we unloaded our rucks, took off our battle rattle, and then went about unloading the rest of the truck.  We set up barricades at the nine lanes at the shooting range, made sure everything else was set up, and while we waited for ammo, ate MREs for breakfast.  I had chicken and dumplings (another great MRE!), which I didn't mind at all...way better than getting stuck with the vegetarian egg, cheese, and veggie omelette... BLAH!  When we were done eating, ammo arrived, so we spent about 90 minutes loading 15 rounds into some 700-800 magazines.  We finished that task, and the deuce was already back with about half of the company's ruck sacks.  We unloaded the deuce as quickly as possible, and then sorted them into their respective platoon areas while the deuce went back to load up the rest of the rucks.  Our drill sergeant was talking to us earlier about the weather for the week, and if the lightning and thunder storms come as predicted, we might be in for an interesting week, meaning the Army doesn't mess around with that, and since we are only training, we could end it early, skip Honor Hill, and just get our pins down in our formation area.  I want to finish this all out, but if we finish early, I won't complain.  I wonder what will happen!  The deuce arrived again and we unloaded the rest of the rucks.  When we finished, we got to sit in the bleachers in the shade, drink cold Gatorade, and relax until it was time to get to our area to help this event go smoothly.  Our jobs were to pass out loaded magazines, tell people where to go, make sure weapons were clear afterwards, and sort empty magazines into crates for each platoon.  After the first two platoons went, the duty squad loaded up into the deuce and joined our platoon at Malone 14.  When we got there, our platoon was pulling security in a triangle shape, we got smoked for no reason, and then after joining our platoon, we did more workouts, then headed out on a very quickly paced mile.  We ran up to the firing line under simulated machine gun fire, smoke grenades, and flash bangs.  We shot 45 rounds or so at moving targets, and then we were done.  Duty squad tore down the range, while fourth and first platoons policed brass.  Afterwards, duty squad had to take things back to the barracks, so they asked for volunteers to join the rest of the platoon on a ruck march (found out it was about four miles... at 1600 the sun was still hot).  I volunteered to ruck, but after only three or four of us volunteered, Townsend had the idea that the first seven rucks pulled out of the deuce had to ruck, and the five left were helping and staying back with the deuce.  Mine did not end up being pulled, so I stayed back.  Townsend, who went to ruck, came back and told me to go ruck, since I was the AG for a M240B.  The drill sergeant told him to get over it, and Townsend, my team leader, seriously pouted away.  So while the platoon marched away, the five duty squad members from first platoon loaded ammo into the ammo truck when it arrived, and then we headed back to the barracks in the deuce.  We unloaded the barricades once we got back, enjoyed some ice cold water from the water fountain in our bay, and then ate MREs on the way out to the FTX site.  We got to the site and unloaded the deuce.  Townsend came over and quickly gave me grief for not going (whatever :P), and then the five who went with the deuce joined the rest of the platoon, which was just relaxing in the shade.  We quickly heard horror stories of the ruck march we missed, and found out that seven people from the platoons that marched out together went down, and had to be I.V.ed and taken to the hospital.  Meanwhile, our platoon had still not eaten their lunch MREs and were told to wait, because UPU was on its way out.  After waiting an hour, the platoon was starting to give up hope on the UPU, and so they dug into their MREs and 18:30!  Shortly after, the drill sergeants called the squad leaders up, and they came back with cases of MREs, which they handed out to the platoon.  I chose not to get one, because I had just eaten one and was not hungry at all.  I decided to use this time to catch up on my journal, so I wrote until everyone had finished eating, and it was time to  move and set up our control base.  We went wandering off down a path, and finally picked a place in the woods.  I was assigned the  M240B for the night, so after we dropped our rucks at the spot we would be sleeping at that night, I slung the M240B and the platoon headed out to be assigned our task for the night.  Six people from first platoon, including myself, were put into an OpFor (Oppressive Forces) group, and our job was to provide fire against third platoon as they reacted to contact.  To get to the training site, we walked a good mile or so through thick brush, and carrying a rather large and awkward weapon proved to be a challenge.  We finally made it to our area, set up our position, and then spent the next three hours lying on the ground, playing bad guys, waiting for third platoon to run through their night training.  I used the M240B with no trouble, and Spiva was my assigned AG for the night.  We had nice little chats while we waited, but mostly we enjoyed just having downtime in the woods.  The drill sergeant we were with built a small fire (signal as to where we were), and it was Salado's job to keep it burning.  Finally, at 2330, an hour after we were supposed to be done, we packed things up, and got the word that we got to get in the back of the puptruck (F150 with a cover on the back) for a ride back to the main base camp!  We got back, waited for another OpFor group to join us, and then headed back to our control base and set out to go to sleep.  Spiva and I set up our sleeping pads and then fell asleep, tired from a busy first day!

28 July 2009  (Day 94-  17 days to go)

At 0200, I was woken up to pull security, and for some reason, my shift was only 30 minutes, but I didn't complain.  I then went back to sleep and didn't get woken up again until wake up at 0500.  I got up, finished writing yesterday's journal by flashlight, packed up my ruck, and at 0530, met in the middle of our control base with full battle rattle, and moved out to formation by 0600.  Breakfast arrived by truck, and another job description of duty squad is to serve chow, so I served a biscuit for biscuits and gravy until I was relieved to eat breakfast.  After breakfast, while I was cleaning up, someone was caught in our platoon for not shaving, so the entire platoon was smoked while those who didn't shave ran back to their rucks, grabbed their razors, came back, and shaved.  At 0900, it was then time for us to start training.  Our  platoon did react to contact, which is what I was the OpFor for last night.  As for the M240B, it looks as though I am going to be stuck with it, because the rest of my squad doesn't want it, and I am tired of listening to them saying FTX is hard, so I'm just going to take it and hope that it will be one less thing they complain about.  So anyway, now that I traded my nearly 7 lb. M4 for a nearly 30 lb. machine gun!  Today's training, we took a different way there, but it was about the same distance- a little over a mile.  We completed our training in a couple of hours, and then did the mile or so back.  By then, it was 1230 or so, so we passed out MREs and ate lunch.  I had manicotti, which was a decent meal.  After lunch, we just had time to relax, and were told to take apart and reassemble the SAW (M249) and Bravo (M240B).  It was supposed to be our afternoon training.  At about 1630, storm clouds moved in, and by 1700, the drill sergeants had us on standby for evacuation.  We had dinner brought out to us, and while we set it up, it started to rain.  Lightning was in the are, but still to far out to make a call.  Duty squad served dinner in a steady, and annoying rain.  By the end of dinner, the rain was lighter, great for growing grass type of rain.  I helped pack everything up and got on the deuce to return the food tubs and other dinner items.  It was a nice break to get out of the rain!  We went back to our barracks, and we unloaded everything at the D-Fac loading docks.  We then went to our bay, used the latrine (which was very nice!), and then went to pick up ice for our water buffalo (500 gallon water tank pulled around by the deuce) and the drill sergeant's coolers.  When we got back to the FTX site, we put the ice where it needed to go, and then joined back up with our platoon to start our night training.  NODs were distributed out to the platoon (which mine was awful), and ammo was also distributed.  We then marched a mile and a half or so by road to the area we had been training at earlier, and did the same training that we did during the morning, except this time we had our night optic devices!  In the confusion of everything, my weapon jammed and I lost an earplug.  At least my weapon was inactive, so I didn't have to listen to it blasting in my ear!  When training was over at 2230, we marched back to base camp, turned in our NODs, and went back to our control base to get some sleep.  Spiva, who is my AG, had made a spiffy shelter while I was gone earlier, so we had a nice place to take baby wipe baths, and then fell asleep.  I was out, and slept until morning!

29 July 2009  (Day 95-  16 days to go)

I don't know why I (or Spiva) wasn't woken up to pull security last night, but I'm not complaining!  I woke up at 0530 (sore from carrying the Bravo all day yesterday), put my boots on, packed my things, and then joined the platoon at 0600 for first formation.  At about 0730, the white food truck came to bring breakfast, so duty squad set up the tables, unloaded breakfast, and then served food to the entire company.  Once breakfast had been served, we cleaned it up and got ready for the day's training.  We put on our FLCs and ACHs, and headed out on a road march on a sand road.  After a good mile, we set up a control point, and fourth squad (heavy weapon squad) had been divided so that first, second, and third squads had a bravo and a few people from fourth squad.  Anyway, first squad went first, then second, then third squad...the squad I was in.   We walked down the road and were ambushed, but we saw some RPGs and so we did a movement to contact, and initiated the fire fight.  We were told we were the best squad in our platoon, so that was good news!  Anyway, by the time we finished policing brass, it started to rain, and during the mile walk back, the rain just got heavier and heavier.  We made it back to base camp, and were distributed MREs.  Eating in the pouring rain is not fun at all.  We just sat in the open and dug into our MREs.  I had chicken and noodles, but that was it.  Eating in the rain killed my appetite for some reason.  After lunch, we were told about going back to the bay to take showers, and by the time we went to our control base, the rain had stopped.  We grabbed out wet clothes and personal hygiene kit and came back up to base camp to get on the bus.  We rode back to our bay, and had 25 minutes to get everyone through the shower, changed, and back out to get on the bus.  The bus dropped us off and left to get the next platoon as we rushed up the stairs to our bay, and I was one of the first ones in the shower.  It was really nice to get clean, but it went by really quickly.  I threw my dirty wet clothes into my laundry bag, grabbed some clean clothes, and headed back out.  The next platoon arrived and got off the bus, and our platoon got back on the bus to head back out.  I looked at the odometer on the bus when I got on and again when I got off, and the FTX site is about 8 miles away.  So we got back and did nothing but clean our weapons until dinner time.  I got to clean the bravo (which I hope the whole platoon takes turns cleaning that monster), which took a couple of hours to do it right.  Finally, at about 1700, the dinner truck arrived and duty squad did their thing (served the company dinner), and then cleaned up and got ready for a mini church service.  The chaplain came out with his guitar and led the company in song, then spoke about the difference between killing and murder, and how we are to listen to our government, and that is honoring God.  After the service, it was time to get ready for our night mission.  We passed out our NODs and adjusted them to our helmets, making sure they had batteries and worked.  We then headed out at 2100 to do our react to ambush night training.  We took a different path to our training area than we did this morning, but it still took just about as long.  We did the mission as a platoon, which in my opinion, was way too many people.  We started out fine, but when the drill sergeant told another M240B to fire, half the platoon and the OpFor started firing again.  It was a good learning experience-- fire at what you see and know is there.  After training was over, we marched back to base camp and turned in our NODs.  When all NODs, weapons, and personnel were accounted for, we went back to our control base and got ready for bed.  Spiva and I laid out our mats and fell asleep almost immediately!  One more day down, just two more to go!!!

30 July 2009  (Day 96-  15 days to go)

Last night, Spiva and I were not woken up to pull security again-- I guess since we are heavy weapon squad and have to carry 3 times the weapon weight, we get more rest!  I woke up this morning still tired though, and my shoulders and back were sore.  I stayed laying down for a little while after we were first woken up at 0500, knowing all I had to do was put my boots and top on, grab my FLC and ACH, then head up with my bravo-- it would only take about 10 minutes tops!  So at about 0545, I finally rolled out of bed, got ready, and then headed to form up for first formation.  We didn't do anything until 0700, so until then, I just laid down and rested.  The breakfast truck arrived, so duty squad unloaded the truck, set up breakfast, and then served the company their food!  Once everyone had been served, the servers ate their breakfast, and the drill sergeants followed behind us.  We then ate and cleaned up, loaded it back onto the truck, and then joined the platoon.  We had about 45 minutes to utilize the woodline and get ready for the day's mission.  We put on our gear, and by 0830, we were ready to go.  Our drill sergeant was busy doing something, so we didn't leave until 0915, but when he did come, it was hurry up and move out.  While we were walking, I was thinking about home, and how great it is to be close to finishing up.  Mentally, I am probably one of the strongest here, but that's because I know I will be with Brittney, my parents, and grandparents at exactly two weeks from that moment!!!  Let's just say I have been in a really good mood all week, and FTX so far has been cake mentally, because then end is so close!!!  So anyway, we stopped and set up a perimeter while first and second squads went to do the mission together (leaving third and fourth squads behind).  We waited nearly an hour in the prone while the other two squads did their mission, then they came back and it was our turn!  We formed out in the field in a wedge formation, and then started heading through the woods.  We walked for about 10 minutes, where we met up with the drill sergeants, where we quickly had to clear to tower and set up a traffic control point.  I didn't fire during the entire mission, but when one of the detainees ran after we stopped the truck, a half dozen people were a little trigger happy.  When the mission was over, we did a little AAR (after action review), and discussed what we did right and wrong.  We should have chased down and tackled the guy running instead of shooting him down, and we needed to do a more thorough search of the truck.  Other than that, we did well, and then headed back to join the rest of our platoon.  Once we were all back together, we went back to base camp and ate MREs and drank Gatorade that had been made for us!  After lunch, Spiva and I went back to our shelter, because the new drill sergeant said that shelters should only be 12-18 inches off the ground, and ours was 3-4 feet.  While we were fixing it, a thunder shower rolled through and soaked everything and everyone, except Spiva and I, who stayed dry under our shelter.  After the rain rolled through, our drill sergeant noticed how dry Spiva was, so he made him jump into and lay in a puddle of water.  I thought he asked who else was dry, and for them to join him, but he didn't.  I would have been the only dry one, and I wasn't about to be the odd man out, so I jumped in and got wet, too. A couple more showers rolled through, and by now, we all moved back to our control base to review basic soldier skills.  Then, someone came by and said for everyone to get to base camp because they had mail!  I received four letters from Brittney, two letters and a postcard from my dad, and a card with a letter inside from my mom.  My mind set has been on seeing my family at the end, so my morale didn't change, but for a lot of the other guys, receiving mail helped them get motivated to finish out the next 36 hours!  After all mail had been passed out and I was able to finish reading it all, the dinner truck arrived, so duty squad unloaded it and we served the company dinner.  We finished cleaning everything up just as another shower rolled through, which soaked everything again.  After the rain stopped, it was time to do our last training mission, so the last of the ammo was handed out to use (they don't take any back).  We headed off back through the woods, but this time with out NODs on.  The first two squads went first again, then about an hour later, it was my squad's turn to do it with third squad.  Our traffic control point went fairly smoothly, but still being new at it, we did a couple of things not by the book.  After we finished, we lined up in the field and just got to shoot all remaining ammo.  A lot of the guys wanted to shoot the M240B, so I let them take turns firing off 50-100 rounds.  When all ammo had been shot, we policed our brass and headed back to base camp.  We turned in NODs, received a Nutrigrain bar, and then headed off to bed.  Spiva and I did the usual hygiene routines and then fell asleep.  Only one more day to go and I'll be done with training!!!