Fire guard went just fine last night, and since Spence and I were last shift, we were in charge of taking out the trash and dropping the mail off at the mailbox. When I woke up for my shift, my right knee was killing me. I might have bruised it or something yesterday during the road march. When we stop, we turn and face away from the road, and take a knee while having our weapon up and ready. Because of all the heat-related injuries, we were on the side of the road for at least 45 minutes. That is a long time to be on a knee (with a 50 pound rucksack), even if you switch knees every so often. Someone a couple of bunks down from me had some muscle relief cream, so I used that just to see if it would help. When we were getting ready this morning, we were told that today's activities were a trip to the recreation center, phone calls, and then group therapy (whatever that would be.) That information was wrong! We formed up downstairs and went to the PT field in our ACUs to stretch out. Then we came back and were informed that today was the...DUN DUN DUN...gas chamber! We went to breakfast, and then went upstairs to get our gas mask, FLC (I forget what it stands for, but it is a vest that carries canteens, my magazines, and other equipment), and helmet. So we formed up downstairs and loaded on the buses to go to the gas chamber. It was about a 15 minute ride to our destination, and as soon as we got there we formed back up into platoons and put on our gas masks! We had a quick briefing on the proper procedures of how to go through the gas chamber. First platoon was told that we would be first, which was a good thing because we got to air out longer afterwards. So we lined up outside of the gas chamber and awaited the "all clear" to go inside. Once inside, we lined up around all four walls and were instructed to ease our masks open about four inches and say our last name and the last four digits of our social security number to make sure we inhaled the air and to test the gas out. It wasn't too bad, because you then put the mask back on and exhaled hard to clear the inside air out. Then, we lined up into three lines, and one line at a time, were instructed to remove our masks, take a few deep breaths, secure our mask in our left hand, our weapon in our right, and our helmets back on our head. Once everyone in our line had done so, we were led outside into the fresh air. The gas inside really hurt. My eyes watered to the point where I couldn't see, and I had snot running down my face. My lungs felt like they were full of steel wool and it was extremely hard to breathe. I was so glad to get outside, but somehow my pouch for my gas mask came unvelcrowed, so I had to go back through a second time! Ugh! At least I was already messed up, so the second time through wasn't as bad, just the same. Some people went through three or more times, so I guess I got lucky in that sense. After the whole company went through, we had a class over chemical warfare and how to decontaminate yourself if you are caught up in some gas. After the class, we ate MREs, waited around for the buses to pick us up, and then headed back to the barracks to clean our masks, shower, and change into PTs. The drill sergeants then held a mandatory class on how to properly do your PT test for the first APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) tomorrow. We then headed back up to the bay and cleaned it, as well as our weapons, until dinner. After dinner, we came back to the bay to study for our end of red phase final. It is about land navigation, using a radio, NBC, and disassembly and assembly of our weapon and a functions check. After an hour of studying, I went and did laundry and then went to bed. Hopefully I do well tomorrow, but we will see.
29 May 2009 (Day 34)
Today was test day! Yeah...not very fun, but not a hard day, so that was good. We started out the day with our 2-2-2 (2 minutes of pushups, 2 minutes of sit-ups, and run 2 miles). For pushups I let myself down. I was cranking them out, but my grader kept telling me to go lower. He is supposed to stop you after 10, but I did at least 25 and he told me to get to the back of the line (when I was already second to last). I had to try again after 2 minutes, and I did about another 20, but he said I only had 13 that were proper form. So yeah, I needed 31 to pass, and I got 13-- Not a good start. After pushups came sit-ups. I did much better with that, and got 55 (which is 63 points on the Army score card). Then, it was off to our 2 mile run. I had the first mile done in 8 minutes, but took longer on the last mile, with a final time of 17:41 (which is 15 seconds faster than I have ever run my 2 miles). So I need to work harder on correct pushup form, and keep running harder and longer. Oh well, room for improvement! We came back to the barracks and ate breakfast, then went upstairs and changed into ACUs. We had a written test over rank, military time, chain of commands, general orders, and other small Army basics. I did well (missed 9) compared to other people (who missed over 35), so I passed the test because they did a curve. We then were tested on disassembly, assembly, and function check of our M4 weapon. I passed that test as well! By then, it was time for lunch! We ate MREs, and I recommend the beef ravioli! After lunch, we had three more tests that took over four hours. The first test was over our gas masks and what to do when under a chemical attack, and how to identify signs of a chemical in the air and symptoms if you inhaled it. I passed with flying colors! Our next class was how to send a message over a radio. This was way too easy, because it was a script and you just had to read it. There were a couple of tricky parts (only if you didn't know what to do), but I passed that, as well. The last test was land navigation, which we had a three page test with a map, and we had to answer the questions correctly. I missed 7 questions, and the cut-off was 6, so I missed that event, but only 3 people in our platoon passed, and overall, our platoon had the best scores! By the time we finished testing, we had about an hour of unwinding time, so that was nice to enjoy before heading to dinner. After dinner, things were relaxed. Our drill sergeant told us how we did in the events, and just sat down with us to give us some news...on Monday, we start white phase!!! That means we will have a little more independence, and won't be "babysat" by the drill sergeants! It was welcomed news! After our platoon meeting, we got mail!!! It had been almost a week since we received mail, so it was nice to get!!! After it was all passed out (I received 9 letters), we decided to go outside and run. I worked out with Salado, and we did a quick estimate - If I work out with him over the course of Basic Training, and he keeps helping me and giving me tips on how to be more physically fit, he would charge one of his clients at the gym roughly $5,000 for the number of hours we have together! So we ran and did sprints, and then worked on core and ab muscles. I felt like it was a pretty good workout. So we came back to the barracks and took showers. When we were done, they made an announcement that the people higher up say we need to drink more milk. So we get a little juice box (or milk box) to drink at night now. I don't know if it will be every night, but we drank them tonight. Also, at least 30 minutes before we have PT or a road march, we are supposed to eat a granola bar. I am not really sure why there is a sudden change, but oh well. After formation, I had about 15 minutes before lights out, so I read the letters I received (Two letters and a card from Brittney, one from my mom with all the notes from Devon's graduation party, two letters from my dad, a letter from Dana, one from the Barnetts, and a letter from Mr. Schumacher). It was nice of everyone to write! Also, I didn't have to do pushups because a different drill sergeant handed them out! I will write tomorrow about a few things that were brought up in a few letters, because I need to get to sleep now, which was prolonged because we got smoked after lights out, due to the fact that some of the idiots in our platoon didn't sign out with the fireguard, so when the drill sergeant on duty came around and his count didn't match the count of the fireguards, we did some more "corrective training." As soon as we finished, lights were turned out, and I put my letters away and went to sleep!
30 May 2009 (Day 35)
It was great getting mail last night! Even though I am tired and my body is physically spent from this week's activities, the mail was a nice boost of morale for me. The entire platoon is in a better mood (the news about moving to white phase on Monday might help, as well). For PT this morning, we did a lot of running, chin ups, pushups, sit-ups, and my body is even more tired than when I woke up. At least tomorrow is Sunday, and hopefully we have the day somewhat off. My knee has stopped hurting from being on it so long during our break when we had the road march, so that's good! The bad thing is, with all the running we have been doing lately, I have developed a slight shin splint in my left shin. That is another reason that I need an easy day tomorrow. Anyway, after PT, we came back up to the bay to change into ACUs and then head to breakfast. After breakfast, we had another red robin type setup, where each platoon went to another platoon's bay, and that platoon's drill sergeants held a class about first aid for about an hour or so. We started in our own bay, and learned about how to evaluate a casualty. We practiced rolling our buddy over safely, and the different steps you take to secure the arm and get the wounded to safety. Our next class was over turnakits. We practiced field wrapping and dressing wounds using bandages and then if the bleeding wouldn't stop, how to use a turnakit to save a limb, and keep from bleeding to death. Our third class was about shock and how to treat burns. I knew the shock material pretty well because of scouts, but the burn class was interesting because it was about how to treat burns from chemicals, thermal, or laser burns. I just knew how to treat first, second, and third degree burns, and that doesn't mean anything here. We went to lunch before we went on to our fourth and final class. I don't think I mentioned it yesterday, but I dropped my class A uniform off for dry cleaning because I might be part of a military funeral tomorrow, and today after lunch it came back all nice and pressed, so at least my class A looks sharp! After I hung it up in my locker, I joined my platoon for our last class, which was about how to treat a victim of an open chest wound. All the classes were interesting, and it is a good thing I took decent notes, because I am sure we will be tested on all of this in about three weeks. When classes ended (about 1500...3pm), we returned to our bay where I had time to write a good portion of today's journal. I have decided to write a page or so of frequently asked questions, and Brittney can add it on the side of the blog. Anyway, people were caught sleeping, so we got smoked for a good 40 minutes or so, and we stopped because it was time for dinner. After dinner, we were allowed to come back to the bay and take showers, write letters, clean weapons, and/or study the first aid we learned today. I chose to unwind and write the questions and answers. I can't believe I haven't had a phone call in 3 and a half weeks! I'm hoping we get one soon, but I'm not expecting anything. Letters help, and honestly, I don't think I could hold it together if I heard my mom or Brittney's voices, but that doesn't matter really. I want to talk to my family! So, I took a shower tonight and then got ready for bed. I have fireguard from 0100-0200, so I am looking forward to sleeping until I have to wake up.
Well, that was wishful thinking. I put my journal away, used the latrine, and we were called toe-to-line (stand at the position of attention at the end of our bunks), and were told someone in the company has a cell phone, and that someone in our platoon knew who it was. The individual had 10 minutes to come forward, so people in the platoon started freaking out (I don't know why...I just roll with the punches now). A guy two bunks down from me came forward and said he had a phone charger, but that was it. So everyone put ACUs back on, as well as full battle rattle, and the entire company met downstairs awaiting the next step! The entire company was just standing at attention when the drill sergeant asked who owned the phone he was holding. Again, the guy with the charger came forward and said it was his (and verified it with the contacts saved in his phone). The whole company was told to do a half right face (the most dreaded words to hear!) and we did 20 four-count pushups, which is 40 pushups, and 20 mountain climbers. We then got back up, and the company minus first platoon was sent upstairs. We were told that we weren't allowed to touch the individual tonight, and that he would be dealt with by the drill sergeant. We were sent back upstairs, toe-to-line again, and the drill sergeant asked who in the platoon had used it. Honestly, if I had know about it, I probably would have used it to call home and Brittney, because it has been three and a half weeks, but I am sure I wouldn't have because I would have it on my conscience. Three others stepped forward (one had been freaking out earlier about not telling- now it makes sense!), and admitted they used the phone. They all went to the drill sergeant's office and we got ready for bed. Lights were turned off and people could be heard whispering for awhile, I'm sure discussing the night's events. I am glad I'm still following the rules, and I know this can't last forever. I will call home when I get the opportunity, with the permission of the drill sergeants of course). I don't know what repercussions we have in store, but I will be sure to write about it. Family, I love you all, and when I do get a phone call...I just can't wait! Keep me in your prayers! :)
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