Saturday we didn't do too much. We went on a road march about a mile away or so to get more supplies. We were issued our helmets, rucksack (which is a backpacking type backpack), and our bulletproof vests. When we wear the helmets and bulletproof vest, it's called full battle rattle. But anyway, we did double time on the way back with all $4500 worth of gear (which weighed around 150 lbs.), and because I've been designated as a road guard (someone who runs ahead to block traffic), I was in the front and actually led our platoon. Others couldn't keep up, so we got smoked when we labeled and organized all of the gear we had and then got smoked for the remainder of the evening. We had a quick briefing about church in the morning and what to do, so it gave me something to look forward to! As for my weight -- I don't really feel like I'm losing weight yet, but I'm sure I have to be. Hopefully I will see some visual evidence soon, but at least I feel like I'm getting stronger, so that's good! Tomorrow we have our first official PT (Physical Training), so we'll see how they do things here in Georgia as compared to Ball State's ROTC PT sessions.
10 May 2009 (Day 15)
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM! It has been two weeks since I've been home, and going to church has both helped and broken me down this week and last. Something about being in a house of worship makes me think about just being home with my family and Brittney, and worshipping with my loved ones every weekend. I can usually make it through about half of the first song before I choke up. I love my family very much, and being away from them has been ten times harder than anything physical we have had to do. We didn't even get a phone call home to wish our mom's a happy Mother's Day, so this is the best I can do. For church, I prerecorded a short video wishing my mom a happy Mother's Day to be played on the projector, so hopefully she liked that and it wasn't too hard on her to watch (She's a strong woman, so I'm sure she took it well), but today's scripture is one that a lot of people are familiar with.
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." - Philipians 4:13
Because I'm down range, we were at a different chapel. The chaplain was fairly entertaining, and did a good job preaching, but I wish I wasn't so emotional. Oh well, still glad I have the opportunity to go to chirch here.
After lunch, we went to the PX, where I purchased much needed baby powder and some vaseline. It's not a secret that I am a large guy and have thick thighs, so these Army sand-colored tighties are not my sort of underwear. While we were waiting in line, someone replied to the drill sergeant with, "Yeah, drill sergeant," instead of, "Yes, drill sergeant." So as a platoon, we had to write "YES DRILL SERGEANT, NO DRILL SERGEANT" 500 times and turn it in by Wednesday. I finished mine later that night, but it backed me up even more on writing journals. I plan on catching up during this week, because I just don't have the time to write more than one journal a day (or even time for that!)
As for earlier, PT was nothing. It was more of a demonstration of the exercises we would be doing rather than a workout session itself. However, it was when we got back from church when it got bad. People keep saying, "Drill Sergeant on deck," instead of, "Drill Sergeant on the floor." They keep telling us it's not the Navy, but people still say it when a Drill Sergeant comes onto our barrack. So yeah, we went outside and kinda got smoked for over and hour. It could have been a lot worse, but it was more of a teaching session on more PT exercises. We got back after dinner and got smoked again, and it was really down to the last straw. Luckily no one messed up again, and we were able to go to sleep at 2100! Tomorrow is the confidence course and we've been told Wednesday is the climbing tower (known as Eagle Tower). I'm looking forward to both, but now it's time for bed...night!
11 May 2009 (Day 16)
Today was actually a pretty fun day. Sure we got smoked for not being still while at attention and for other minor things, but today was the confidence course. Now mom, you might not want to read this, but since I am writing about it, means I'm safe and okay! Basically we did a high COPE course (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience), except in the Army, unlike the Boy Scouts, you don't get tied off. Yeah, we had to climb ropes, walk across logs, and crawl down cargo nets around 40 feet in the air. There were cargo nets below in some of the "hazardous" areas, but for the most part, if you fell, it was likely you would break something. Some people couldn't do it, but I was proud of myself for having the 'confidence' to complete the course. It was a long and hot day, and I ended it pulling a 2100-2200 fire guard shift in full battle rattle. At least my shift started at lights out, so I got one continuous night's sleep.
Over the course of the last couple of days, I was able to do a couple of statistics to make this time away from home sound better. First of all, I am two weeks into it, so since I am gone 16 weeks, I'm 1/8 of the way finished. Also, Sundays are typically free days (minus red phase), so with 14 weeks remaining, I get like 2 weeks off total from those days. So yeah, I'm really looking forward to the days I will get to spend with my family here, and even more so until I am out of here for good!
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