Day 111

14 August 2009  (Day 111 - Last Day!)

Lights out was supposed to be at 2100, but with people taking showers, cleaning up, and just being excited about the last day, we ended up staying up until 2200.  Everyone was just excited about being done with Basic Training, so most people stayed up the whole time.  Lights came on at 2330 (30 minutes before they were supposed to come on!), so when it was all said and done, I probably only got an hour of sleep because of those who were awake the whole time.  We were told to start cleaning, and to stage our personal bags, that we would be taking with us, downstairs.  We continued to thoroughly clean the bay upstairs, because after today we would be out of here!  We cleaned the windows, we cleaned the walls, the wall lockers, the bunks, the floors, the latrine, the showers...every single nook and cranny, we cleaned.  It was about 0300 in the morning by the time we finished cleaning, and so I hid behind the wall lockers just to try to get a few more minutes, if not an hour or so, of more sleep.  People were pretty loud, but I was able to get a couple of naps here and there.  At 0500, we went downstairs and loaded the deuce with our personal bags, and we would get them back once the graduation ceremony was over.  We then formed up and marched as a company down to where we had our Turning Blue Ceremony the day before and took buses to the graduation field, which was located behind the National Infantry Museum.  Once we got there, we formed up parallel to the other company that was graduating with us and we did a run-through of the ceremony, which took a couple of hours.  We had already ran through the ceremony a couple of days before, but this was the first time we ran through it on the graduation field.  Once we were done, we sat around and waited for an hour, and watched all of the families file into the bleachers and wait for us to commence.  A little before 0900, the Army band went out onto the field to play some music for the crowd before the ceremony began.  At 0900, it was finally time for the graduation ceremony to start, and the Hooah squad had different colored smoke grenades go off in the back, and then paraded up to the front, and a brief history of the Infantry and the weapons they use today was delivered over the loud speaker.  We then marched out onto the field and stood in a mass formation in front of our families.  After standing before our families, the music struck up again as we paraded around the field, and got in a second formation in front of the families, and the Honor Grad from each company graduating was honored.  We sang the Army and Infantry songs, and the ceremony concluded.  The families came out onto the field, took pictures with their new infantry soldier, and I got to see my family again!  After about 10 or 15 minutes of taking pictures, we formed back up and marched off the field, where we were given a briefing about transportation to our next duty station, but since I'm in the National Guard, I didn't really need that.  I snuck a text to my family letting them know where to meet me after the ceremony, and by the time I got my bag off the deuce, my family was there waiting for me.  We were FINALLY released to go, and at about 1030, I was on my way home!  I was finally FREE!  My Reinbold grandparents headed back home to Florida as soon as the ceremony was over, so I got to ride home with my Sease grandparents, my parents, Brittney, and Devon.  We stopped off at Ranger Joe's and while my family looked around at Army memorabilia, I changed into civilian clothes for the ride home.  The ride home was kind of a blur because I drifted in and out of sleep, and answered questions while I was awake.  We stopped off at Ryan's for dinner, where I got a military discount, and enjoyed some non-Army base food!  After dinner, we headed on home and got in around 9:00 pm (yes, 9:00 pm, finally off of military time!).  I took my stuff inside to my room, said hi to my little sister who I hadn't seen since April, and then headed over to Brittney's house to "re-introduce" myself to her family!  I had defied the opinions of my drill sergeants, I had my mom and everyone at home praying, and I had made it through basic training!  

Day 110

13 August 2009 (Day 110 - 1 day to go)

Ugh! Wake up was moved up during the night to 0400, so most people only got a few hours of sleep last night. Everyone got up and took care of their personal hygiene, then almost everyone went back to sleep. I stayed awake, making sure the bay was squared away, and at 0500, we had to go downstairs for first formation. We were sent back upstairs to finish squaring away the bay (or for our platoon, sleep) before we had to be back downstairs at 0530. I called Brittney at 0510 for her requested wake up call, and got to talk for a few minutes before heading downstairs again. We marched to the ceremonial field and ran through the Turning Blue Ceremony once (which took about a half hour), then returned back to the barracks. Our platoon guide's wife was there, and he stopped to say hi, but when we got upstairs, we got smoked for thirty minutes by our special forces drill sergeant, who thought we needed a lesson in waiting to talk to family until the ceremony was over later that morning. After a good smoking, we went downstairs for breakfast, where we put on a show for the waiting family by doing push ups in the hallway while waiting to enter the D-Fac. After we ate, and while the families were in the classroom being briefed, we went back upstairs, cleaned up, changed into Class A's, and then formed up in the formation area. We marched down to the ceremonial field, where we waited until the families came from the classroom and filled the bleachers. It was then time for our Turning Blue Ceremony. The company marched out and we stood in formation facing our families. The ceremony went along and at the end, we received our blue cords (which distinguishes infantry soldiers) and our families came down to put them on us and take pictures. I got to see my grandparents, parents, Devon (who surprised me by showing up), and Brittney! After the families had returned back to the bleachers, the company marched back up the the barracks, where we got our personal things together to give to our families before leaving on our family pass for the day. We changed into Class B's, and when I finished, I took m stuff downstairs and gave it to my family. The rest of the platoon joined me in formation, but due to last nights mooning incident, we were not yet released and had to go back up to our bay. the first sergeant told us that the family saw a flash come from the bay window, and if no one showed him the picture, we would all have our family day pass taken away. We had to dump all of our belongings out. He and the drill sergeants went through all of our phone pictures, and the photo was not found. The person who was with the guy who mooned the family said that no picture was taken. It wasn't looking good--we thought we had lost our family day pass, but because the photo wasn't found, they decided that if a picture was taken, it had been deleted, so a half hour after everyone else had been released, we were let go and I got to meet my family outside. I enjoyed hugs and cookies from my Grandma Reinbold. We split up into two vehicles and I gave a tour of Ft. Benning for the Grandparents who weren't on the driving tour last month. We drove by our FTX site, and I took them the route of our last road march up to Honor Hill, and then we went out to eat at Cheddar's. As we were leaving the restaurant, my company's drill sergeants, first sergeant, and captain, with their families, came in and were seated at the table behind ours. I was glad to get out of there! After we ate, we went to the National Infantry Museum, where we spent nearly four hours looking at the exhibits, again because my grandparents weren't there the first time, and the museum does a really good job portraying what I went through at basic, as well as displaying the different wars that the U. S. has been in. Once we finished looking through the museum, we went back to the hotel to relax a little bit before heading to dinner. For dinner, we went to Caraba's and enjoyed a good italian meal. I had to report back for final formation at my barracks, so Brittney, Devon, and my parents took me back while my grandparents finished eating their meals. It was a lot easier to say goodbye to family this time knowing that I would back with them in less than 16 hours, so when it was time to leave them I headed to form up. We had a couple of guys in the company that were running late, so we got smoked until everyone showed up. By the time we were dismissed from formation, lights out was at 2100, and we were told that we would be waking up at midnight. I was exhausted from a busy day with the family, and wanted to get as much sleep as I could.

Days 107-109

10 August 2009 (Day 107 - 4 days to go)

Wake up was at 0400, which came way too early!  We had linen turn in at 0430, so I fell back asleep on the floor with my linen until it was time to go downstairs to turn it in.  After I turned it in, I cam upstairs, shaved, brushed my teeth, and put on ACUs.  Today we have a bay inspection, so I made sure my wall locker was squared away, and then had to lay out all of my gear on my bed in an organized and platoon uniform fashion.  We spent a good two hours working on the bay, making sure everyone's locker, bunk, gear...everything, was neat, organized, and looked the same!  We went to breakfast at 0730, and then after breakfast, we got toe to line and waited.  We were told our Command Sergeant Major was coming around to inspect, but he never showed up (so it was just a rumor), and only our drill sergeants looked at our gear and bay.  My TA-50 was pretty much good to go, and once they looked at our gear, we changed into class A's to get checked.  My items were pinned on, and for the most part, spot on (the book I bought at the PX helped!).  So after I straightened out my marksmanship pin and re-centered my U.S. pin, I went around and helped others fix their class A's.  After about 30 minutes of fixing our class A's, we were told we had ten minutes to change into PTs and have all of our gear packed up.  That didn't happen, but there weren't any consequences for not making the time... We worked hard and as fast as we could to get the job done!  Most people were finished before lunch, except those who went to turn in the M249 and M240B's to the armory.  After our 1200 lunch, we came back to the bay and relaxed until we had a briefing at 1330.  We got paperwork back and filled out others... all relating to moving to our duty station and leaving here.  At 1500, after our briefing was over, the group that took the M249 and M240B's came back and said the weapons were rejected due to rust on the outside.  Because of the humidity, the moisture got onto the weapon and rusted the outside (slightly).  So each platoon took their weapons back upstairs to re-clean them.  Once again, I was behind the Bravo I had been carrying, but mine was pretty good.  Salado gave it a good oil brushing, and we put it back up front!  Once others finished with their weapons as well, I floated around helping with class A's again.  I then took a nap for about an hour until it was time for dinner.  After dinner, we had a mail call (a letter from Devon, a letter from Dana, a letter from my dad (his last), and a letter from my Grandma Sease)!  I then re-cleaned a few of my TA-50 items and put them in the dryer to dry.  I decided to do a hard-core body, core, and arm workout!  I was dripping with sweat and it felt really good!  Devon, I'll share this workout with you!  We then staged our TA-50 downstairs where we form up, and had our final formation.  The Powerade/energy bar guy came, so I had a protein bar since I worked out and wanted the protein.  After I was done eating, I went upstairs, took a shower, and enjoyed a night of sleep!

11 August 2009 (Day 108 - 3 days to go)

Although wake up was at 0500, our drill sergeant arrived early and we were woken up at 0440!  I really wanted those extra twenty minutes of sleep, but oh well.  I got up, made sure people were out of their bunks, and then got ready for the day.  Our uniform was ACUs, so I got into those and then helped straighten up the bay.  First formation was at 0600,  where we were told last night we were getting UPU, but instead, we were told to come back downstairs at 0645 for 0700 breakfast.  We went back up to the bay, but were only upstairs for about twenty minutes before being told to go back downstairs to wait in formation.  Finally, it was time for breakfast, so we ate in the D-Fac and went back to our formation area and put on our rucks.  We formed up as a company on the sidewalk, and marched the mile to the warehouse to turn in our equipment.  We arrived at about 0800, and I didn't leave until 1330!  Five and a half hours of standing around waiting for everyone to turn in and get their equipment inspected and then signed for.  Just as I was about to go in to get my gear inspected, a thunderstorm rolled in, so I attempted to stay dry under the pavilion outside.  During a break in the storm, I ran to the main warehouse to turn in my gear.  I had everything covered with my poncho, and because my poncho was wet, he told me he wouldn't accept it!  So I proceeded to turn in all my other gear, and while I waited for the next station, I waved my poncho and tried drying it  off on my ACUs!  By the time I finished turning everything in, I got my poncho dry enough, and turned it in!  If I didn't turn it in then, I would have to go back Thursday, and that wasn't an option for me since that was family day!  After I got my paperwork stamped "cleared," I went back to the barracks with a couple of battle buddies, and ate an MRE for lunch.  After lunch, I came back upstairs to the bay and changed into summer PTs.  Within a half hour or so, nearly the entire platoon was asleep, and stayed that way for a couple of hours.  Our drill sergeants came back around 1630, and we were woken up, being told to get toe to line.  We then had some corrective/waking up PT for about twenty minutes, which brought back fond memories of red phase!  When we were done, our drill sergeants went home for the day, and we did a quick graduation rehearsal in the bay.  We were told that after dinner we were getting photos take in our class A's.  I told everyone to hang their class A's at the end of their bunks and I would double check and fix any uniform problems, so the platoon did so and went to dinner while I continued to work!  I was relieved to go get dinner, which I ate in about five minutes and was back upstairs working before half of the platoon was back!  I finished with everyone's uniforms and put mine on, then joined the rest of the platoon in the classroom.  I got my picture taken, came back upstairs, and then changed back into PTs.  We then went downstairs for over 90 minutes of graduation rehearsal in our formation area.  We have to march to two songs and sing the infantryman song and Army song.  After that was finally over, we were supposed to make phone calls, but what we were supposed to say was on a paper taped by the phone, and nothing was on there that wasn't in the letter, so I found it pointless to call (it was at 2130 anyway).  Since there is chance of rain this week, we might move to the gym here on Sand Hill if it is raining.  That decision will be made Thursday at the family briefing.  So anyway, after the rehearsal, I came upstairs, took a shower, and got ready for bed.  The lights went out at 2145, and so I went to bed!  Five minutes went by when one of the guys in our platoon came up and said we had to go back downstairs.  Apparently, he was caught talking about something other than reading what was on the paper, so we got smoked for about thirty minutes because of it!  The drill sergeant on duty was just in a bad mood, but he made some good points, calling our guys thugs that do whatever they want.  Hopefully his words woke some of them up!  We came back upstairs and Captain America got to ranting and raving, acting like he was ready to fight someone.  The lights went out and he eventually calmed down.  I went to sleep some time after 2230, and wasn't woken up until 0045 for my 0100-0200 fireguard shift.  Nothing went wrong during my shift, so at 0200, Salado and I went back to sleep for the night!

12 August 2009 (Day 109 - 2 days to go)

Wake up was at 0430, and when those lights came on, I really wished we had more sleep.  We got ready and went downstairs at 0500.  As a company, we marched to the paved lot at the top of the hill (where the families park for family day), and did stretch drills and warm-up exercises.  After about thirty minutes of a light workout, it was time for the Eagle run!  Our captain led the way, and said as long as we sounded off and sang cadence, he would keep a nice easy pace.  We started off going up the hill, and then turned left past the Soldier's Chapel.  We did a large loop basically to 30th AG and back, being loud and sounding off... making sure everyone knew we were out of here!!!  All but one person completed the run, and when I finished, I felt like I could keep on going!  The total run was about four miles, and took about 35 minutes, so not a fast pace, but a steady and consistent pace!  We went back to the bay, changed into dry PTs, and then headed to breakfast.  As soon as we finished with breakfast, we got our patrol caps and marched down to the field we did our drill and ceremony competitions on last month, and practiced our graduation ceremony from 0730 until 1130 with the company we were graduating with.  Our company did pretty well, and the other kept getting called out on things they were doing wrong.  I made sure to keep note of where I would be, so that when I would be at the National Infantry Museum tomorrow with my family, I could show them where to sit in the stands.  After our graduation rehearsal was over, we practiced our turning blue ceremony for an hour.  Again, I made sure I knew where my family should be in the stands compared to where I am in the formation.  When we finished running through it a couple of times, we went back to our barracks and went to lunch.  After lunch, we came up to the bay and started packing.  Our drill sergeant had our personal bags passed back out as well as our cell phones, with the instructions to not wear civilian clothes or talk on our cell phones yet.  I quickly texted my mom and Brittney saying I had my cell phone back, but couldn't talk yet, and proceeded to pack up the rest of my belongings.  We then had hair cuts at 1600, so at about 1530 we formed up downstairs and marched to the PX/barber shop to get our heads completely buzzed.  That was a long process, but as we got done, we walked back to the barracks in battle buddy teams.  I sent out a few more texts letting family know I was finished  with haircuts, but stopped to finish packing and help clean the bay when our drill sergeant made us stand toe to line as he went around measuring people's pinned items, which for the most part were good, with minor changes.  I was then put in charge of making sure everyone's class A's met Army standards when our drill sergeant went home for the night.  I did the last of my laundry and finished packing.  Meanwhile, one of the... dull apples (not a bad kid, just not all there) decided it would be funny to moon the families that came by this evening, so a drill sergeant was told about it by one of the passing cars, and he was taken downstairs for the remainder of the evening (possibly ruining his chance of graduating this Friday).  We then had to stay home even busier, because the drill sergeants on duty kept a closer eye on us.  We got the bay cleaned and got it inspected so we could go to bed.  I then called Brittney and got to talk to her for a couple of hours quietly in bed.  Then, at 2345, the lights came on and we had to go downstairs.  The fireguard on duty had miscounted and had a wrong number when the drill sergeant came in to do his check while making his round.  We waited downstairs until everyone was there, and had to do a roll call to make sure everyone was there.  Once all personnel were accounted for, we were released upstairs to go back to sleep!

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!