Another field problem behind me

Last week was 24 hour operations. I started the week off by being flu like sick. It was a rough first day. Luckily my platoon didn't do that many missions on the first day. We had several mission everyday. The best was when we received a mission and had to practice convoy operations with react to contact, and practiced in the 40 mph wind. The PL was mad at us when we were joking around and making light of our miserable situation.

At some point during our missions on Wednesday, I slightly sprained my ankle. As I was getting off the truck on a later mission, I realized that my ankle was really sore.

The last day was culminated by a 10 mile ruck march. You can never experience a field exercise without ending it with a ruck, it wouldn't be the Army then! Rucks really tearing up my feet. I had a major blister on my right heal. Thank goodness for a sterile needle and a clean tissue for drainage. No problems since!

Thanksgiving week should be short.

Monday we are completing convoy operations and remaining in the barracks overnight. Tuesday we are completing buddy team live fire exercise and night infultration. Wednesday we are turning in weapons and cleaning the barracks. We should be released by 1130 according to the Commander.

Scotts company will be lucky to be released by 1800-1900, even though Battalion-wide everyone is to be released by 1700 for the holiday weekend.

Week 3 complete

The days go by slowly but the weeks go by quickly.

Our week was finalized with two tasks. Friday we had to conduct a raid on a house. I fought, fought, and fought for my sqd (since I was sqd leader this week) to be the support by fire squad. I saw the initial plan and thought that there was no way that we should even be given the chance to go into the house. I knew that we would have all been killed. After some suggestions and finalizations with the PL for the mission, she finally allowed me to move two of my sqd members closer to me. They were now out of the way of the fratricide problem. Plus, I had better command and control of them.

Saturday, my company had night to day land navigation. We started at one end of the course and ended at the other end. No matter what, we were forced to walk the entire course. The course wasn't so much fun. Finding the points was easy. We could literaly, stand on top of a hill and see our points. The problem was the rocky terrain. I don't know how many times I fell in the dark. My nearest point from the start was 700m away. We were told to not use our red lense flashlight when walking. At about 450m at the azimuth of my point, I ran straight into a sticker thicket. I fought my way through, completed my count, and found my point. I found 4 points in the dark. It was starting to daybreak at my fourth point so I glanced down at my leg and noticed blood went through my ACU's. My shin also had a fight with a bouldler, the boulder won. My leg has two huge bruises where I had slammed into the boulder. I could see my 5th point from my 4th point so I cruised over there. When I was punching my paper, a girl from another platoon saw my paper and said outloud to herself, I'm only on my first point. I continued on and found my other three points. I found 6 for 8 successfully in three hours, 5 for 8 was passing. I know exactly which ones I didn't get correctly. The slopely terrain and changes of elevation made my estimation of distance off. Oh well, I'm not concerned. I'm a hell of a land navigator. I was the 5th one in from my platoon. Two others from my sqd just made it in right before me. We have 41 in my platoon, 10 failed - 4 from my sqaud.

My company returned from the land nav course and was released by 1130. Scott's company returned but was held up by Cadre until nearly 2300. I tried to remain awake until he was released and I failed miserably. I fell asleep watching the Texas Tech and OU game. I woke up to him knocking on the hotel door.

In the field

We are in the field for the next three weeks. We've been out here since Monday. Our week started with a 5 mile ruck march. It was at a turtles pace, I was one of the pacers in the front. We were told to speed up, then slow down, then speed up again.

Our ruck march ended at the US weapons range. We fired the MK19, 50 cal, M240B, M249, M203. I've previously fired all weapons besides the 50 cal. After the weapons range, we moved out to the FOB.

Tuesday, my platoon was in charge of ready up drills range. First they fired blanks from different positions, turning right, left, rear, moving forward and target discrimination. I was the Safety OIC for the live fire range.

Wednesday we spent our morning at the FOB doing MOUT training (urban operations). In the afternoon, we conducted more MOUT training at a mock villiage and IMT lanes.

Today, we woke up to a wind strom. I was in charge of PT this morning. I made it quick, and simple because we were about to blow away. 15 minutes later, we were off to change. We rode out to our training area on the other side of post, took about 30 minutes to get there. We continued to practice the MOUT tactics within the squad. Tonight we are off to a night course.

1/3, 2/3's rule violated

My platoon is tasked with running the qualification range tomorrow. The stellar student leadership in charge decided not to tell us what was going on when we were released from the nightfire range.

Its' about bedtime 2200 (for me) and we were just told us 15 minutes ago formation time and uniform.

Honestly, running a range is a mission. The current leadership failed us by not allowing us to prepare properly. We had a significant amount of downtime during the afternoon waiting nightfire. You can not tell me that they couldn't have planned earlier for the range tomorrow and put out the necessary information at an earlier formation.

I have a simple philosophy: Don't waste my time and I won't waste yours.

learning experience.......

It's a FRAGO world

LT's here like to put information out before they fully think through the situation. If you read one of my posts from earlier today, I said that we have a 1600 formation for the nightfire range. It's not nightfall yet, smarties.... Time changed again to 1650, at least we can wait another hour to allow the sun to go down.

Please stop the insanity

LOL, goodness, one of the female students was tasked with making a cleaning roster for the female floor. She has had nearly two weeks now to accomplish this task. Still no roster, and she is getting upset because we don't get things done. Not all the platoons are on the same exact schedule, so getting the cleaning completed is a hassle.

Simple solution, we have 4 tasks to complete. There are 5 platoons. Rotate the tasks through the platoons, every 5th day, a platoon will not have a task.

It's so hard for a LT to make a decision around here. The 1SG stated on the first day that he wanted the barracks cleaned by the first formation OF THE DUTY DAY. (after PT). Some high speed females were waking up at 0400 just to clean for us to get it dirty again after PT. Why are people working against themselves?!?!?!? Clean after PT only, not before AND after! Wasting time yet again.

I'm scared for my life

We were training on ready up drills this afternoon. I'm honestly scared for my life. I admit that I'm not the most proficient at marksmanship skills but goodness I know the basics... muzzle awareness, safety selector switch, etc. We had LT's flashing others while turning towards their targets, turning the selector switch to semi before facing the target. Need I continue...

Muzzle awareness is highly stressed in this environment, rightfully so. When were given the initial instruction for the ready up drills, we were told to get in a circle. So when we drew our weapons up to the ready, we all pointed our weapons towards each other.... Well, I refused pull my weapon all the way up to the ready, because I don't want to point my weapon towards another student. I was yelled at, but I believe that I was correct by not pointing my weapon at a person. We should have all been in a line and pointed our weapon in a safe direction, i.e. towards the building.

We went to the familiarization range in the morning. I thought that I had a firm handle on target acquisition, I aimed at the target, fired at the target, the target didn't go down. Apparently everyone had the same difficulty. There were holes in the target so even if we were right on target, the target didn't pop down. Everyone was highly dissappointed.

Tonight we are going to a night fire range. We are SP'ing from the company at 1600 (hmmm, still daylight for a few hours).

Cluster F&*^

Tie down equipment, no take it off, now put it back on, take it off, put it back on and leave it. Put on your surefire light (for the day, we arent' doing nightfire until tonight). Can someone please make a decision and stick with it.

Here's the song that says it all:
http://www.soundsofswc.com/files/15_What_Ya_Gonna_Do_PL.mp3

Wk 1/Day 1....My buddy and ME!

Our first formation was at 0430. We had medical inprocessing today. We sat around all morning until breakfast to get a PPD (TB) test. When finally released for bfast, the line was so long that I had to resort to a protein bar waiting for me in my wall locker.

The afternoon was spent filling out two pieces of paper, 2 hours to complete task. Ouch! Wasting time. We were briefed by the CDR/1SG, and then released for dinner. 2 platoons immediately were to draw weapons, the other 3 went to eat. I happened to be in the platoon that drew weapons. We were so upsete that we were going to miss chow..... again.... Finally someone removed their head from their 4th point of contact and pulled weapons guard as we barely made it to the DFAC to eat.

We were issued our M4's today. We are doing weapons emmersion just like the Basic Training privates. Yeah! Everywhere I go, my M4 is with me!

Back to school again

Ok, I've signed into my next school, BOLC II (Basic Officer Leadership Course 2, for those non-military types) in Ft Sill, OK. My personal opinion of Ft. Sill is that it is pretty tolerable compared to FLW. Sill is located in Lawton, OK, the third largest city in OK. Everything that one could possibly want is just outside the installation. Granted everything is now nicely located like Columbus, Georgia, but I don't care. It's not lost in the woods. I don't have to drive over an hour away to get to civilization or to shop anywhere besides walley world.

I'm assigned to 4th platoon, Delta Company. Rumor has it, that I'm in the most chill company in the Battalion and the most chill in the company. Hope it's true.

We didn't do too much today. We signed in, got our room assignments, gave our personal data to our platoon mentors, and moved in. I have a 4 person room with only one roommate. We decided to use the additional lockers for personal clothing, one each. ;)

I've managed to see Scott today too. He's assigned to Charlie Company. His company is far less structured and more time consuming than mine. I feel bad for him. He can handle the stresses alot better than I. He begs to differ on that.

I'm planning to give a daily update on my progress so stay tuned. Toodles!

Graduation is next week

We returned from the 4 day weekend with a few tasks to complete, mostly outprosessing. We get our DD-214's and new ID cards tomorrow, turned in our TA50 yesterday, and all we have next is rehearsals for next week.

The last few weeks have been a blur

Sorry for not keeping you all updated on my progress. We returned from the field exercises last weekend, the culminating event was the 10 mile tactical ruck march before we returned to main post. The following week we were in recovery and preparing for inspection, which meant that every waking moment we had was dedicated to cleaning the barracks, our equipment, and our weapons. Our class was the first class in a LONG time to have weapons turned in on the first time go. Thank goodness, no more carbon based hands for me. I was also the Platoon Sergeant for the recovery week so I had little to no time to do anything personal. I checked my email once during the time frame.

Final APFT results are in

This morning we completed our final APFT. I scored a 298, 12 seconds short on the run. I will be receiving the top female physical fitness award. I nearly passed out at the end of the run.

First duty station

My first duty station is Korea. I didn't request it, nor did I want it. I requested every place WARM. Korea was the absolute last duty station preference. I don't want to be cold....

On the brighter side, I will be complete with my PL time and at my second duty station before some of my classmates report to their first duty station.

School dates

I received my follow on school dates this week. My BOLC II is at Ft Sill from Nov 2 until Dec 20. My BOLC III (MPOBC) is at Ft Leonardwood from Jan 7 to Mar 20. In my downtime, I will be at Ft Leonardwood. I don't know where my first duty assignment is going to be next.

FLX 2 complete

We finished our second week of field exercises. Fun stuff! Last week we were fortunate enough to come back nearly every day to shower. This week, not so lucky. We left early Monday morning and returned Friday evening. My level of funkiness was aweful. Everyone smelled so we didn't notice it on each other. Thank goodness. We were told initially that we would return every 72 hours to shower....nope!

A couple funny events happened this week. When the port-a-potty service finally came to clean the potties on Thursday, they discovered that someone threw a blank into the port-a-potty. Training was halted and everyone was returned to the FOB. We were yelled at by our 1SG and told that we wouldn't have pizza that night (our one privilage since showers were out of the question) and that our weekend pass "might" be revoked. Then we had to pull "shit detail" and stand in full battle rattle at the port-a-potties, search the people who were using the facilities, and then inspect the area after use. YUCK! Oh yeah, we had our pizza that night and we had a three day off post pass.....

Friday, my squad was OPFOR. Three of us were at the first objective. For the first group that came thru, my role was to be an informant that turned on the friendly forces. I took a smoke grenade (our version of an IED) and hid it on the small of my back. The friendly forces noticed that I had something and were doing really good on intructing me what to do, THEN..... I heard the infamous words "take it out and throw it". Well, I did. I took it out, pulled the pin, and then threw it just behind the group of soldiers. lol, they were upset, I just smiled.

It's hoTT outside!

We've been coming back from the field on a daily basis (a pleasant surprise) to shower. The temperature has been in the upper 90's with the heat index in the 110's - 120's. We weren't supposed to return from the field yesterday but there was a severe thunderstorm in the area. A private on Sand Hill (basic training side of Ft. Benning -- for those non-military folks) was struck by lightning; and we had over 20 heat casualties (3 serious enought to be sent to the ER). People were dropping left and right. Luckily only one person from my platoon was a casualty, he just needed to sit in the air conditioned truck for a few minutes. Apparantly, the ones who were dropping weren't eating their MRE's. I know that they suck and have 3000 calories in them, but I'll eat it to not allow myself to become a heat victim. I only fell victim to fire ant bites, heat rash, and a blister on the back of my heal the size of a silver dollar.

We had our land navigation practice test on Tuesday morning. If we passed, we didn't have to go out again the next morning. I passed because I knew that I wasn't going to wake-up at the butt crack of dawn (aka 0230). 44 out of 110 failed so they went out again the second morning, Wednesday. On the final day, 17 had to go out again. The entire company passed. Thank goodness, no one was recycled due land navigation failures.

Last night we came back and spent the night in the barracks. Today we conducted squad movements and expected to spend the night in the field. But NO, we came back about 1300, ate a MRE, showered, and are currently resting for our 7 mile tactical ruck march.

The Kilo Papas

For the last couple weekends, a small group from my platoon have been going out to dive bars in Eastern Alabama to sing karaoke and enjoy adult beverages. Yes, we are allowed to drink.

The guys have now named themselves the Kilo Papas.... Everytime we go, they sing "You've lost that loving feeling". Way too funny.

big gun to the little girl

We are leaving for the field tomorrow. Weapons were assigned last week. I was assigned the M249 SAW, one of the big guns. We are completing the final preps tonight. August is the hottest month down here, so we are so excited.

My branch

I'm branched MP!

It was a rough week

I'm falling behind in my updates on the OCS process. Sorry. In the past week, we have taken 3 exams, completed a 4 mile release run, 7 mile conditioning ruck march (run), diagnostic APFT, and combatives. It's been a hectic week. I was also rated in a leadership position as a squad leader.

First off, we were told that we had to have 30% of our body weight. Unfortunatley, the base weight was calculated with ACU's and boots on (dumb). My gear ended up weighing 50 lbs, more than 35% of my body weight. The 7 mile ruck was FAST. My little legs were going as fast as I could. The cadre were even sucking due to the pace that we had set. Our first break was at the 3.5 mile mark. The company made it there in 52 minutes, a pace of less than 15 minutes per mile. My heart was broken when we passed our first rest point on the very first ruck. Then cardiac hill about took my life. I was falling back and a cadre member was pacing me. He asked if I was ok. I told him that slow and steady wins the race. He left me alone after that...lol. Our second break was immediately after the hill with only a mile more to go. At that rate, we could have just finished the event. Once we got back to the company, the cadre finally decided to weigh us probably since we were hauling a$$. 95% of the company were at the correct weight or slightly above. The remainder that were short will have to re-do the ruck on monday. Yikes!

The release run was a blast.... yeah right. We had 36 minutes to complete 4 miles. Don't worry, I made it. I wasn't going to allow myself to not achieve full points for the event. Everything, and I mean everything counts towards the OML.

The upcoming week is going to be worse than last. Academically we have History and Military Intelligence Exams. Physically, I would imagine that they will try to break us off again like they do every week. We branch on Friday. I just want to know where I'm going from here, Leonardwood or Huachuca. On Saturday we leave for the field for three weeks. Land navigation is first and then we start the lane training. Oh boy, field time in August. Everyone's true colors will shine through.

one bad apple, spoiled the bunch

The suspected culprit for the urine in shoe incident is no longer an OCS candidate. I think that he is getting kicked out of the Army too. He had major problems. Too bad it took 5 weeks at OCS to get rid of him.

adult behavior?

Over the weekend we had a problem. Someone urinated on a candidate's running shoes. There are rumors for the suspect but we can't prove anything. How childish is this person? It's not very officer-like behavior. And we are going to commission this guy? How wrong is that? I hope that they find the person and kick them out. I wouldn't want this person to be a representative of my Army. Never!

bored soldiers + MRE = loud boom

We were issued MRE's for lunch on Thursday since we were going to be at a training area during lunch. Well, the training was cancelled and we still were forced to eat the calorie enhanced meals at the company area. A few geniouses decided to make an MRE bomb which created a loud boom. No one truely fessed up to the incident and we were told that our 3 day pass was revoked until the Unibomber reveiled himself (or herself). Rumors flew around the company about who the cluprit was but 4 days later we don't know. By the way, we got our pass. It was nice to get away from the company for awhile.

USB thumb drives are washable

Yeah, I'm an idiot. I left my thumb drive in my pants pocket and washed it last week. Great news.... it still works! I had to have my blonde moment at some point in the week. :)

my cadence is catchy

I sang my cadence twice marching this week. Now everyone is singing it in the hallways. I can't steal the thunder from the NCO that I learned it from in PLDC (lol... it's been so long that the school is now called WLC). She had a beautiful voice that I can't come close to replicate.

OML posted

The OML was posted two days ago but revoked due to many mistakes....data entry errors gotta love 'em! So far, I'm ranked 17th out of a class of 109. Not bad. I lost points on the confidence course when I didn't complete all the obstacles. No worries though.

I'm extremely worried that people who are above me want the MP branch. New branch allocations are out with only 2 slots for MP's. I know of 2 people ranked above me who mentioned the MP branch. Grrrh!

update on blog

I've received a few emails from people stating that they have had trouble posting on the blog. The settings are changed on my account to where anyone may post. Sorry for the problems.

all questions will be answered tomorrow

Tomorrow the OML will be posted........ (biting fingernails nervously)........

the suspense is killing me

For the college options, we are all competing on an OML (order of merit list). Basically the person with the top score in the company will have first choice for their branch. We have completed numerous events for the OML and nothing has been published. I've received A's on my written exams, completed every testable event (water survival, APFT, 3 mile release run, confidence course, 2 ruck marches, leaders reaction course, and etc). I want to know my standing in class.

Along with the OML for branch selection, it extends to the selection of Distinguished Honor Grad, Honor Grad, Physical Fitness Stud/Studette, and other honors. So far, I'm the top female for PT in the class, but the one that will count for the Studette competition will be the final APFT near graduation. At the rate that my body is sore, I have reservations that my score will be as high as the initial APFT.

Blazing Benning

Wow, it's HOTT!!!! I knew that being down here during the summer months was going to be highly uncomfortable due to the heat and humidity. Honestly, I didn't think that it was going to be this hot. We have PT early in the morning. I'm soaked after our sessions. After we finished our ruck march yesterday, I was drenched. It looked like I took a shower with my ACU's on. The only part of my uniform that was dry was the OCS insignia on my chest.

We have 15-20 formations a day. There is hardly any shaded areas in our formation area. We step outside and are sweating instantly. Within 5 minutes, I literaly have sweat rolling down my stomach, back and legs. It's the worst feeling in the world. On a brighter side, I would rather sweat my A$$ of any day of the year than freeze.

The downside of all this, it's only July. In August we are going to the field for three weeks. Talk about some stinky bodies out there running around. phew!

The Roach Graveyard

After being down here in Benning, I've come accustomed to living amungst the roaches. Last week, we were in the class all week. On our first break, we had to run to the restroom. The female restroom was filled with dead roaches --- more than 30 laying around in various places. Luckily the next day they were cleaned up for the most part. They had a graduation on Thursday, so some of the visitors for the graduation were using the restrooms. Unfortunely our 6 legged friends were laying around the restroom. I was highly embarrased while civilians were using the facility. It's one thing for the soldiers to share the restroom with the roaches, but the visitors sharing with roaches..... yuck!

Week 3 is complete

Week 3 went out with a bang. We had a 3 mile release run (go or no-go event) and leadership and justice exam on Friday. Saturday we rucked 5 miles and completed the leadership reaction course.

At the leadership reaction course half of the obstacles were water obstacles. Our first one was a barrel one, my team decided to send me out on the barrels they gave me a good shove and then i went face first and plopped into 3 feet of water. So I was completely drenched for the rest of the course. It provided a good laugh for the cadre who were observing on the catwalk. I wasn't the only one who go wet on the course. Once everyone was complete, the 1SG called a formation by the water side of the course. He told us that we had to go thru the water under the concrete walls. He said that we had to go in a "neat and orderly fashion" but then said that the last person to reach the other side would have extra duty when we returned to the company. It turned into a free for all. It was great.

In the next week we are going to learn about planning military operations. It's all classwork for the next three weeks. We'll be going to the field on Aug 2 and return on the 22nd.

tensions are rising

Attitudes have risen since the 4th of July weekend. It's funny to watch people sweet over the small stuff.

We received our Call for Fire Exam results this week. 4 failed out of the class, none from my platoon. I missed one question. Sometime this week, the OML will be posted and I'll know my official standing in class.

We have a bunch of classroom work, leadership and justice exam on Friday, another 5 mile ruck, and the leaders reaction course. Busy week, but do-able.

Another week down....

Yes, we completed another week of OCS. 10 more to go! In the past week we completed a Call for Fire exam, 5 mile ruck march, the combat water survival test, and various skill level one classes.

In the same day, we completed the 5 mile ruck march but we didn't have enough time to shower afterwards. The ruck march really wasn't a march it was a RUN. The cadre leading the march is a Ranger. My short little legs had trouble keeping up. Good thing my legs were in condition otherwise I wouldn't have been able to last. We sat around all morning funky, then we completed the combat water survival test. The water test was actually fun. The first station we had to swim 15 meters in ACU's, LCE, and a rubber duck (fake M16 for the non-military readers). If we passed, we went on to the next station which was being pushed in the the water backwards and we had to drop all our equipment underwater before coming above water. Then, if we passed, we were climbed up the high dive, were given a rubber duck, a PT cap was pulled over our head (used as a blindfold), and we were walked out to the end of the diving board and then told to take one big step. We had to return to the edge of the pool with all the equipment. Only 15% of the class was able to successfully complete all three events..... I was one of them.

The upcoming week will consist of classroom work, an exam on leadership, the 3 mile run (go or no-go event), combatives (I can't wait!!!), another 5 mile ruck march, and the leaders reaction course.

The class size started at approximately 120 candidates, a relatively small class compared to others. We are now down to ~107 candidates. We lost one to being over tape, 7 failed the APFT, and others were dropped due to family problems and injuries. I would honestly expect to lose another 5 next week due to security violations, several are on the verge of getting kicked out of the class. There is about a 25% attrition rate. I just hope that I'm part of the 75% who complete the course.

OUCH!!!!!

Yesterday we completed an obstacle course consisting of 16 stations. I have a bruises up and down my arms and a HUGE one on my inner thigh --- seriously the size of a volleyball. It hurts to walk right now. And, we have to run everywhere we go unless we are marching in formation. One of our classrooms is in a building next to our barracks. They have no facilities for females so when we get our 10 minute break, we are hauling a$$ back to the barracks to use the restrooms (on the 3rd floor). I'm convinced that I'm going to have buns of steel by the time we graduate. I hope that my run time decreases for that 2 mile so that I can finally max out my APFT.

After watching everyone move around today, it seems like we are all in pain. Our entire bodies are sore.To make matters worse, we had a 4 Mile Battalion Run for PT this morning. I was soooooo afraid that I was unable to make it because of my leg. No worries though, I completed it. It was about a 10 minute pace, too easy.

APFT Results are in!

Drum roll please.............. Ok, I didn't max my APFT but I did score a 296. The 2 mile run was a little long so I fell short 20 seconds. I was so mad. My class standing is #4 out of 112. Two people had 300's and one other had a 297. So close to a 300 that I could taste it!

mass confusion

As in any Army leadership school, the first few days are really rocky. No one knows what's going on or what to do. After attending two Army leadership schools, I just laugh at some of the things people do here. Stress over little things. Our job is easy... be on time in the right uniform with the right information, clean everything, be a team player, lead when it's time to lead and follow when it's time to follow.

No goats

We had a 3 mile release run yesterday morning for PT. On the track, there was a sign for no dogs but the top screw fell out and it was hanging upside down. One of the guys swore up and down that it was a goat. It gave us all a comic relief for the afternoon.

Combat Roach Kills = 5

So, over the weekend only a few of us are staying in Bravo company. Melissa and I are the only females. We had 5 roaches in our latrine last night. It had to be the funniest sight to see me running after the roaches and beating them with a broom and Melissa spraying them down with simple green to finish them off screaming the entire time.

Two of the prior service guys are staying in the room directly across the hall from the female latrine. They were rolling on the floor laughing at us.

Everything starts Sunday

We report to the company by 1500 Sunday. Get briefed by the Commander and inprocessed for Monday. Tuesday morning APFT, then PLT assignments, leadership assignments, room assignments. The remainder of the week we complete a confidence course and water training. Let the games begin!

I'm assigned to Bravo Company. We are told that it's the most relaxed OCS company. HOWEVER, a new 1SG is assigned so who knows what's going to happen now.

Assigned to Bravo Company OCS

I arrived and had to fill out paperwork for branch selection, duty station preference and request for schools. I chose MP, (I forget my duty station choice) and requested Airborne school. It's right across the street from OCS so I figure.... why not? I'm here already.

So far most of the people assigned to the unit are college options straight from Basic training. They have no real Army experience besides what Basic. We have three prior service females and we are trying to stick together but we are already told that we will be split so that we can guide the less experienced students. Oh dear.....

Already dimed out too. A former co-worker is at the HHC. He saw me and pointed me out to the 1SG. My new nickname is.... HARD CORE!!! oh god, now I have to live up to the name. I was trying to fly low under the radar but with no luck. All the people filling into the company are hearing about yours truly. PT stud.... since some of the guys witnessed my PT skills at 30th AG.

Bye Bye 30th AG

I'm finally finished inprocessing in the Army. I was sitting at 30th AG Reception for nearly a week. It was funny to see all the new recruits get yelled at by the Drills. The sad part.... they haven't seen their real Drills yet..... muahhahahahaha......

There are three prior services females in the group. In the land of Infantry, we are an odd commodity. We watched nearly 750 soldiers get inprocessed during our time there. We would walk by hundreds of soldiers and we would be asked why we were there. Of course we couldn't talk to them so we would shout out "dont talk to us" since prior service can't associate with new recruits lol. In the DFAC line we would be joking around and so we made up stories that I was there for Ranger training and had to get special approval to get into the school. Those privates believe anything that they hear. It made the week go by quicker.

It was really boring there. We mostly sat around. It took 5 days to inprocess being that we were considered second rate citizens next to the incoming recruits.

Making Final Preparations

So the apartment is cleaned out, I turn in the key tomorrow. I have nothing left except for the few bags of personal belongings that will be stored in my SUV during school. I have just a few more odds and ends items that need to be taken care of and then tomorrow afternoon, I'm off to Columbia. I have to pick up a few more thing on my packing list, other than that, I'm good to go.

Here's the plan, on Thursday, Jun 12, I report to Ft. Jackson MEPS at 0530 (yuck, I know). I get weighed (taped if needed), swear in, my orders, and then I drive down to Ft. Benning. I plan to report to Benning by 1800 (late enough to not have to process, early enough to get chow... lol). For the next couple days I will be inprocessing, just like a brand new joe. New uniforms, medical/dental checks, paperwork, and so forth. I'm guessing that I'll be at reception for a total of 4 days until I report to 11th IN HHC.

From what I'm told about HHC, there are several PT failures, Land Nav failures, honor violations, and security clearance glitches recycled candidates hanging out there until they figure out what to do with them. I should have some time to get my personal items together after duty hours. Once my class is formed, I'm probably going to be on lock down for a few weeks.

That's all for now, expect to hear more from me while I'm hanging out at reception. Lucky for me, I'll be one of the few females (if not the only one) inprocessing. Hmmm, smelly privates... can't wait.

No more Excel hell

Friday was my final day at Faurecia Automotive Seating. I said goodbye to my co-workers, who wished me the best of luck. I shocked the entire office on Tuesday when I officially put in my resignation letter. I gave them a total of 4 (really 3) days notice. Only one co-worker knew exactly what was going on since February. I've been on a super-diet for the last four months, eating 5x a day, losing nearly 25lbs. No one understood the drive of my motivation to lose weight and workout. I just said that swimsuit season was around the corner and I wanted to be ready (partial truth.....lol). Once people heard the news, I had explained that the true reasoning behind the super diet and exercise was to get ready for the Army once again.Ah ha moments for them, all underneath their noses and they didn't have a clue!On a side note, last week my boss taken a new position and a new person was announced as the replacement (the old plant manager) the day before I went to MEPS. Once I returned to work on Tues, I immediately announced my resignation. Everyone immediately thought that I was leaving because of the change over. I was even called into the HR managers office, where I told her the same story. I didn't leave b/c of the change over. Timed perfectly...... During my employment at the company, I recovered nearly $5,000,000.00 of pricing discrepancies. Not so bad for the Yankee Army girl.