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Q: When do I have time to write?
About Me
- PFC Derek Sease
- My name is Brittney, and I am Derek's girlfriend. This is a blog of all of the journals that he sends me weekly from Basic Training. This way, family and friends can read what he is doing and keep up with him. Please keep him in your prayers.
Also, feel free to send Derek mail:
#147 PFC Derek Sease
A Co, 1-50th Infantry Regiment (ITB)
9240 Treadwell Dr.
Ft. Benning, GA 31905-5919
FAQ-Frequently Asked Questions
A: I write every little chance I get. We were told to only write letters during free time, between 2000 - 2100 (8 - 9 pm), but these aren't letters. They are journal entries for me to remember what I did day to day, as well as for my family and friends to read about as I send them home. For instance, I might have 30 - 45 minutes after PT to change into ACUs, which doesn't take that long, so I write a few sentences about waking up and doing PT. Then when we have time to clean the bay or weapons, I do my fair share, and then write about the day's events. So really, by the time I get to free time, I shower and then wrap up the day's entry. Five minutes here and there add up, and it also helps me be a little more detailed with what I am writing about. If I have time, I then write letters to family and friends before I fall asleep.
Q: What is a typical schedule for you?
A: Monday - Saturday:
0430 Wake up
0430 - 0600 Clean bay
0600 - 0730 PT
0730 - 0800 Change clothes
0800 - 0830 Breakfast
0830 - 0900 Organize gear for the days training
0900 - 1200 Training
1200 - 1230 Lunch
1230 - 1800 Training (usually done by 1500 or so)
1800 - 1830 Dinner
1830 - 2000 Drill sergeants time (do what they want - hang out in the bay, workout, clean, etc.)
2000 - 2100 Showers/free time
2100 Lights out!
Sunday:
0600 Wake up
0600 - 0800 Clean bay
0800 - 0830 Breakfast
0830 - 1000 Church
1000 - 1200 Bay time *
1200 - 1230 Lunch
1230 - 1800 Bay time * (drill sergeants might lead class for an hour about events coming up during the week)
1800 - 1830 Dinner
1830 - 2000 Drill sergeant's time
2000 - 2100 Shower/free time
2100 Lights out!
* We are also in charge of mowing and other "lawn beautifications," so we could work outside during this time if it is our company's turn.
Q: What duties do I have while at basic training?
A: Fireguard - walk around in "full battle rattle" [ACUs (Army Combat Uniform), IBAs (Individual Body Armor), FLCs (Field Load Carriers), and our ACHs (Army Combat Helmets)] and patrol the bay, keeping an accurate count of who is in bed and who is out doing laundry or using the latrine. This shift is one hour long, and is between 2100 - 0500 (or during the night), so you have to wake up, get dressed and lose sleep!
CQ (Company Quarters) - Basically, this is a two hour shift during the night where you sit and answer the phone (if it even rings), and clean a specific area of the company.
Staff Duty - A one hour shift that could be at any time of the day or night, where you are a runner between the company headquarters and the battalion headquarters.
Duty Squad - Each week, there is a designated squad (one row in a platoon) that does different things when they are needed. The tasks could be anything from filling water jugs to loading the trucks up when we leave for the day. First squad of first platoon started the first week, then first squad of second platoon the next week. I am in fourth squad of first platoon, so I will be on call during week 13.
Q: What do the abbreviations stand for?
A: ACH - Army Combat Helmet
ACU - Army Combat Uniform
BRM - Basic Rifle Marksmanship
CQ - Company Quarters
D-Fac - Dining Facility
FLC - Field Load Carrier
GFT - Ground Fighting Techniques
IBA - Individual Body Armor (Bullet-proof vest)
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