Army Basic Training Journal

Hi my name's Albert Harris, I currently live in Jacksonville and currently in the Army National Guard. I'm 18 years old now and when I joined I was 17 back then and yeah you can join the Army Reserves and Army National Guard at that age. Well I lived a very good life and I want to tell you the truth I felt I was spoiled alot when I was a kid. The thing about this generation is we take everything for granted and don't realize about the outside world. Anyways I wanted to join the US Army since I was a kid and it's been a long time dream. I remember playing Army Men and playing Battlefield 1942 on the computer. I always been fascinated by War Movies such as Black Hawk Down. But remember War is not fun and it's not a computer game or a movie. It's the real thing. People die or get shot and blown up. As one person said "War is only fun to the ones who don't expierence it" That is true. Who wants to see your battle buddy get shot by a sniper right in the head. No one wants to. That would mean you'll never see your buddy again ever. So think about the military and if you're willing to join it because of games and movies then don't because it's not a game. But if you're willing to sacrifice your time and your service to your country and then do so as I did. I joined because I didn't think of myself instead I thought of the other people in this country and I want them to live a good life. Sure I'll be working long hours and I look forward to the Active Duty Army as a Military Police Officer but it will be worth it. Well to this Date the Army needs people and the Guard and Reserve even more. The Army has a great community. So think about it. Oh about Recruiters they do a great job but they need to keep up with a quota and I know they work hard and long hours to meet it. They are looking for good people so contact one if you're interested. I had a good recruiter and they are alot of good ones out there, sure there are some bad ones but most of them are honest and give good information. Just make sure you research things online after getting info on informing your decision. Anyways let's get this baby rollin...

This is how it all started. I took the ASVAB at school which measures your job abilities in the military. I ended up with a 70 and since I was 16 no recruiters called me then. Then when it reached February 7th which is my birthday I got many calls from the Air Force, Marines and the Navy...nothing from the Army yet? Sure Air Force was going to be my second choice since I love their uniforms but something crossed my mind aren't they known as softees? I think I don't want to labeled that...anyways about the Army I was thinking do they need people? Then soon a National Guard recruiter called me and told me about joining the Guard. I did and set up an appointment. I told my parents and were ok with it. We had the appointment and had that contract in front of me. It was the decision either do it or not. I signed it. I never regret doing it. I'm doing it for my country and I'm thinking who else would do it? I would. Then 3 days later MEPS.

February 9th
MEPS
I got home from school on a Wednesday...Damn Today is the day I go to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) Hm...I'm told to bring a day's clothing so I packed my sleeping pants...sweat pants, underwear and 2 shirts.....oh well packed that into my bag and there we go...I waited near the front door for my recruiter to get to my house...in fact he came right on time...4:00 PM...My Mom ever since she signed that contract to let me join she's like against me but she wanted me to go to expierence how the world was out there and shit...but oh well. I hugged my mom and soon we were on our way. The car my Recruiter had was a nice Buick, of course it's Government Registered....so that's where our tax dollars go eh? in cars. Along the way to the hotel we talked about the Sgt's life and his family, how MEPS will be and stuff, how long I'm going to be there, and shit, Some random stuff. I was getting all pumped up all about this because you know what? I'll be in the United States Military and part of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. A chance to serve my country and the nation. Also a chance to gain respect. The only AFJROTC cadet in the corp of FL 939 in the service. Now about my self, I live in a family of 4 I have my father who is in his 50s and teaches at Arlington Day School and he's a technical guy and is very good at computers since he used to work at AT&T, My mom is a Jewelry Associate at Sears and looking forward to a Manager Position and well my sister she's a smart one compared to me...she's looking forward to Paxon which is a highly credited college prep school. Now about me..I'm making a 3.0 GPA average unweighted. I participate in clubs and socialize alot. I'm in Air Force JROTC. I passed the AP American History Test last year and everyone taking it this year asking me for help on their homework and tests. Everyone knows I was smart and such until the day they found out I joined the Army National Guard. They were shocked. I bet they're thinking why a smart guy like Albert going to the military? Is he crazy? You know what? I don't care jack shit what they think about the military which is bad...I'm glad to be here than sitting on some desk but anyways that was going thru my mind. I love it. Meanwhile we went along 9A and went down San Pablo and soon we pulled in to the MEPS Motel. Hey it ain't a hotel guys so don't expect to be like you're the king and queen, you're not on a fucking vacation. We checked in, and the guy who we checked in to was an old guy,he was a prior Service Army and he backtalked Navy which was cool. "Dinner is a buffet and served in our nice award winning restaurant and is served 6PM-9 PM" I didn't know motels had a nice restaurant which is of course free thanks to the US military. He gave us some jokes and then I went on my way while my recruiter told me he'll pick me up after MEPS the next day..anyways... My Hotel room key number was 205 so I went outside and searched for my room. It's a decent room as any motel and it has a nice clean bathroom in there...cool. But in every motel room you're supposed to have a roommate....I didn't see anyone yet coming in...Meanwhile I sat down on the bed...thinking about what might Tomorrow might bring. Either it would be an interesting day or I'll be in hell I hopefully don't think it would be hell...Time went by and damn I'm getting hungry...damn dinner is starting... I decided and thought "Hey maybe I'll wait til my roommate gets here" I have the tendency to meet people and I'm a Social Guy. An hour passed and geez I'm thinking that where the fuck is my roommate?...A few moments I said Fuck it and then I went down to dinner. Damn there was alot of people in the restaurant I mean a lot. I didn't expect that many people to enlist into the military. I sat down next to guy named "Wade" and introduced myself. He was a white teenager who was 19 years old, from Daytona Beach, came from a good family and guess what he's trying for SEALS. I talked to him about the Army National Guard and my job and stuff. Wade was a cool guy to tell ya the truth. Dunno if he would make thru BUDS though. But hey never judge a person by his looks. but anyways, got these cocky Air Force "potentional" recruits next to the table and were talking about the Air Force and the benefits and why they join the service. Note: The Air Force and Navy are overmanned and so if you want to join you have to be highly qualified. I afraid they got too cocky. I hope they won't act that way when they get to Lackland Air Force Base for their BMT. By the way Dinner was great, stood in the line for 5 minutes tops, not bad. They had Sweet Potatoes, Corn on the Cob, Spanish Rice and Sausage, not bad of course the US Military's Compliments. I can imagine what I will eat while I'm in Basic Training. I met more guys who wanted to join Navy, some Marines, Air Force and of course my branch Active Army and Guard and the Reserve. To me I'd tell you alot of these guys were fresh out of high school while me I'm still in High School waiting to for it to be over......There were some guys who went to college then joined the Armed Forces. I talked to this Asian guy I swear he looked 16 but he's 27 for God's sake, He's very smart though, going to be an Aircraft Controller which was a very hard job to qualify and get nowadays. I wish I'd take that job because I qualify but I don't want to because I'd rather be in the field doing patrols and guarding the gates. I know I will have very long hours and such but hey it's worth defending the base and serving my country. Anyways about the age thing...I think it's an Asian Thing. Our skin doesn't even wrinkle unless we reach 60 years old...But anyways we're getting off topic here. I finished my dinner and some guys were going to the Bar adjacent to the restaurant. I decided I should go back to my room, while the others went to the bar. Hopefully they're not drunk when the MEPS doctors evaluate them. I'm walking down to my room hoping my roommate would be there and damn it he wasn't there...damn I really wanted to meet him...oh well I'm thinking maybe I don't have one...I plunked my self on the bed, turning on the TV, I forgot what I was watching but while that happened things went thru my head AGAIN about MEPS and the military. I remember my parents giving me grief about joining the military and the ways...trust me it's a normal thing now adays people..every recruit goes thru this. Every Recruit's fear is always acceptance from their parents. It's a common thing, now unless they're prior service that's different but if not then you have some flak. Trust me I have gone thru alot of flak to get where I'm now in this room watching the TV wasting time so I can get to MEPS. but in the End people, after you get back from basic Training or BMT or boot camp or Navy boot camp, they will be proud that you are serving the nation, that they will be able to say during a conversation my son is a proud American Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine defending his country. My mom is the one giving me the least grief but she's still giving me it, but you know person who gave me the most grief? My dad, to tell you about my dad he is an educated Scholar. Graduated from University of VA with a Mathematical Masters and Physics Bachelors. Top of his class and he graduated from Virginia Tech again top of his class. He is still proud hanging his diploma in his room so everyone can see..anyways He worked at NASA as an engineer, then worked for AT&T as a Software Manager making a six figure salary. He was born in Vietnam and remembers alot about the Vietnam War, the horrible memories he went thru and his father which was a Vietcong Officer, then leaving his mother for another woman. I bet that guy is alive out there. But anyways yeah he thinks I would be throwing away my life to the government and shit...but he still signed the contract because I'm a year from being an actual adult and respected my decision. Anyways it's 8:00 PM now and finally I see someone in front of the hotel room door and a guy opened it. So that must be my roommate! He seemed to be white, a little bearded looked 20ish or so. Looks Navy type material...but anyways I introduced myself asked him about what service and guess what I was right he was going to Navy as a Computer Technician...Hey I don't jack shit about Navy jobs so don't ask me ask a Navy recruiter. He had alot of candy with him and said you wanted some candy? Damn he had swedish fish and Twizzlers in his bag...and damn I was craving for some candy...Meanwhile, He took a shower and plunked himself on the other bed and pulled out a DVD player and watching Bad Boys II. I was watching Law and Order as it turned 10 PM on the clock. I remembered the memo I had recieved when I checked in, "everyone should be in their hotel room and should get a good night's sleep" The memo also said about the time we had to wake up was 4:15 in the morning...oh geez I better get to sleep as I said...I went to sleep as my roommate was watching his movie...Lights were out...

Next day was the physical and such...then I went to Liason and we scheduled my next shipment date which was June 1st to FLW. I finished my junior year and soon it was the day to go...and my parents well, my dad I can see tears from his eyes but he tried to hide it and my mom hugged me and I left with the Recruiter and we were on our way to the MEPS hotel where soon the next day I'll be shipping out...

Well This is my BCT story...The entries are long and very descriptive I hope you will enjoy it. (Note you have to go to the bottom of the page to go to Day 1 of BCT. I know it's weird but that's how it goes...

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Convoy Live Fire...........

Anyways since Night Fire ended.....I've been so tired...not to mention my hand I touched the rifle with after firing it constantly hurts a little because I touched the barrel and it WAS FLAMING HOT!!!!! god damn it........oh well shit happens....but anyways got 6 hours of sleep....unluckly our platoon was picked for detail and my squad ends up going...this sucks....everyone else gets an extra hour of sleep.....oh well got up and got our stuff ready....We would get all our gear....and then head downstairs....ends up when I got downstairs....I didn't have my wet weather gear.....it's missing......god damn...I must have left it on the nightfire range somewhere....shit......oh well I was about to tell DS Hoaglund but we proceeded to the DFAC maybe I'll tell him later.....so I'm ending up worrying the whole god damn breakfast....shit I lost something.....just hopefully someone found it...I know they always sweep the area....after they leave....hm....but anyways finished our lovely breakfast and then got back to the company....and got our gear and hopped on the red company truck. We all squished in and sat down on our rucks....we would just chat about in the upcoming weekend since FTX is gonna happen....after 10 minutes we arrived at the live convoy fire range.....we dismounted the truck and grounded our gear.....and then proceeded to the range cadre about setting up the targets.....anyways today we'll be firing blanks and tomorrow we're going to fire live rounds....but anyways we would procede to another white truck to load up the targets and we finally got on and proceded downrange......then we would set up the targets one by one in specific positions....after that we would get back the range and get back to the windscreen awaiting the arrival of the other Privates.....lucky them......they didn't need to wake up early.....but I guess today we have to do PT in the afternoon.....I'd rather have it in the morning....argh....but anyways while everyone sat in the windscreen by platoon....we would get another boring safety briefing and what would comprise of today's agenda...oh well shooting blanks...we're going to learn how to mount and dismount from a truck.....we learned how to hold the rifle.....they really emphasize muzzle awareness......well we got organized into groups and learned how to mount but I had a little problem holding my weapon and almost pointed at one of the NCOs and I got warned....but DS Code who watched us wasn't happy so me and Hartman who also had problems are holding rifles in front of us and doing rifle PT which absolutely sucks ass.....after that but DS Hoaglund approached me and then asked me where my wet weather gear was.....I said not sure Drill Sgt....he then told me "Pvt Harris you better find that wet weather gear...I want you to go to the windscreen and ask if anyone has extra wet weather gear...so I ended going there but just sat down.....and then my group was called up for going to the range.....we would mount and that NCO I nearly pointed at earlier looks like he despised me......well we finally rolled along and did the range....fired all our mags...pretty fun....then after that we dismounted and got back to the windscreen..Then DS Hoaglund would approach me and I was at ease and he asked me "Did you ask yet Pvt?" I said "No Drill Sgt not yet" Then he had to make a huge scene by quieting everyone and asked about my gear....that if it isn't found they're gonna rip the barracks apart......anyways great thanks DS Hoaglund.....but then we would wait til everyone has gone and then after everyone had gone we would get on our gear and head back to the barracks......we would get our lunch and just chilled all day and go to dinner and then mail call and showers...tomorrow's the day we fire live rounds...the same routine but with live ammo...sleep...damn it got fireguard...

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

An STX and Night Fire hell yeah baby!

You know this gets really boring doing the same old shit....waking up every morning at 0430......I'm glad this is just training......oh well I'll live......got off the rack and made the bed and got my hygiene crap in order....then I would get in PTs and me and my battle buddy would get down to the CTA for PT..once we done that, we would march to the DFAC and eat our yummy! breakfast chow....the best goddamn meal of the day. After chow we would then get back to the barracks and get back into our BDUs and get our gear on....we have a STX today.....oh well got our gear on and proceeded downstairs with full battle rattle. Then we all would get in formation and we would march to Trans....ooooo this time we got buses now yay! We were then on our way when we all got onto the buses. Took 10 minutes to get to our destination....we got off the buses and proceeded to the forest area where we would be split up by platoons. Today's teachings would be concealment...basically with camo....we would help each other put camo on.....now this sounds fun ain't it? When we all put camo on we got all these funky patterns lol but overall it's a fun expierence.....DS Code would come over and teach us proper ways to put camo on. There was also one thing I hated what we did that day....since we had our Pro Mask with us....DS Code said Gas Gas Gas...we would have to our gas masks on in less than 9 seconds...the ones who didn't ended up in the Front Leaning Rest...and I'm the one to be in that position...not to mention thank god I wasnt alone.....ok I said to myself....get the mask on faster lol he would later then do this a couple times.....argh....but overall DS Code is cool....he's also a Drill Freak....oh well....We would then get our MREs and eat chow....I got Beef Ravioli yum....it's not bad just for ready to eat meals....MREs are not that bad like people tell you...it's just that make you shit bad though lol but maybe I haven't eaten MREs 26 days straight like guys in the past did....but anyways after chow we would get in a circle and get a lesson on how to make a tent out of our ponchos meanwhile while we got that DS Johnson called for my battle buddy and since he was my battle, I had to get up with him....but when I got up and rushed....since I had my rifle slung to my back....the muzzle hit Isgitt a female....and ouch she was pissed and told me to get away from her.....well I think she deserved it.....she's a bitch I'd tell ya....oh well too bad lol....but anyways I came back and sat down.....and after I got back it's another gas gas gas....god damn it I hate these sessions..but nevertheless got my mask on...thing is I gotta drop my glasses to put my mask on....after that session we took our mask off and then we were told we're going back to the barracks....to cool off and then we're going to do some firing at night.....we got our gear on and proceeded to Trans...got back to the barracks and basically just chilled.....then we were told to get back on Trans to the range.....we're going to conduct Night Fire tonight....meanwhile we got to our destination....and then we were about to be served dinner chow...it's going to be Hot A's fresh from the DFAC...yum...while we waited we would get nice stories from DS Hoaglund and he told us his Iraq war stories....he didn't like talking alot about them but now he was more opened with us to share it..after those inspiring stories...we would then line up to eat dinner chow....yummy chicken! Gotta love Army food eh...those old ladies in the DFAC do a good job of cookin......anyways after that we would get our safety briefing...and then we would get three mags full of ammo....we would empty two clips and when we would hit the third clip we would get our gas mask on....first it would be daylight and the 2nd round would be at night...so we all lined up waited for our turn.....damn it rocks....firing the weapon constantly....so fun.....then it was my turn.....Fired my two mags and put my mask on but the funny thing is I forgot my optical lenses so I couldn't see shit inside my mask and blindly shot at my targets lol.......after that we would sit down and wait til night would fall....then we would line up again to fire...but this was so cool...they're firing flares so we can see our targets down range...this time we wouldn't have to fire with our masks on....so we fired all of our three mags constantly.....fun fun fun.....after that we would get on our gear for shakedown...and then we would get back on Trans..it's 11 pm...really late.....but we have live convoy fire tomorrow.....nice.......we would get our showers...wakeup is 0600 while people on range detail has to wake up 0500 and leave early...and guess what my squad gets chosen god damn it...I could have used that extra sleep...oh well....I need some sleep....

Monday, July 25, 2005

Buddy Movement Training

Ah.....another day of training....gah this is getting old waking up at 0430 in the morning.....oh well...I'll live as I always do.....so I woke up and did my hygiene stuff and we got our gear ready and prepped...as usual Johnson would get his gear on faster than me......and then I finally got my gear on and headed on with him downstairs...then when we approached downstairs we grounded our gear and while the PG would report to the DS's and then we would march to the DFAC for breakfast...yum sausages and eggs....I'd tell ya one thing I love about eggs....put some ketchup on them it makes it soooo good. Trust me it does....since you don't have time to taste it so you rather do it....but anyways after chow we would all run back to the barracks and get on our gear. And then we would march to Trans....damn it, it's cattle trucks this time...oh well again I'll live...I just hate being all scrunched up in there....anyways we arrived to the range where we'll be doing Buddy Tactical Movement, basically we all move in Battle Buddy Teams covering each other......hard to explain but here's the pictures of what we did.
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Basically the DS's would show us how to do it first...basically we are firing live ammo so we have to be very careful and be fully aware where our muzzle is pointing. The DS's are always stressing muzzle awareness. Anyways it's so fricken hot today. and it was only like fricken 10 am in the morning.....so the DS's told us to roll our sleeves and we're in Heat Cat 5, where it's HOT HOT HOT......but anyways word is the Command Sgt Major is going to watch us...and she's a strict lady....I heard especially on drill....god forbid on our graduation practice whenever that comes we screw up I heard she made the last battalion stay up til 2200 until they got it all right......whoa. Anyways 3rd platoon preceded with training....but soon Leon a private in 3rd platoon would nearly collapse and a female Drill Sgt would bring him over and I and another battle buddy would get him under a tree....The First Sgt and SDS made sure he would be living because it's their ass if he doesn't...but anyways we got out an MRE and gave him bits so he can recuperate. He'll be fine. BTT would be canceled though. oh well so much for that kind of training and getting there....but it's just so fricken hot, I'm talking about 95+. Imagine that....We would get on our gear and clean up the range of brass...meanwhile me and Jones JA when we would clean up he would sneak brass into his boot. Normally DS's don't check that when they do shakedown. I guess that's one way around a DS. After that we would go thru shakedown as you know to make sure we didn't have ammo or brass and then we would get on trans back to the company. We arrived and we would be distributed MREs....yum..Veggie Burger with BBQ sauce....after lunch we would ground our gear in our lockers and then head to the killzone to get a discussion from DS Johnson...basically just joking around and what to expect in the week ahead.....she said we're going to expect Live Convoy Fire and such soon.....and a 10 mile ruck march to the FTX site.....well I'm up for that (I hope...)then we would be called down to the CTA for dinner formation and we would head the DFAC, eat and head out...get mail call and shine our boots....then shower and sleep....tomorrow is another STX......

Sunday, July 24, 2005

Sunday.....booooorrrriiiinnnngggg

Ugh another Sunday....I bet I won't go on pass because DS Johnson is still pissed about me pushing her on that day...oh well I'll live.....anyways wakeup 0530.....and we just made our beds and did our hygiene stuff....and then formation....PG would report in to the CQ DS and then we would be dismissed.....guess what this pass would be the onpost pass....we can go ANYWHERE on post...because next weekend we're going on our FTX....damn a 10k well a little more than that but hey that's nice finally something hardcore lol......but anyways just did some bay maintenence and then reported for formation for chow...yum breakfast chow....at least we got time......DS Beale was on CQ but he's pretty tough on alot of things...you should hear him yell (anyways here's a pic of him on the left.) I cannot forget the lines yeah I got ya Private yeah you got ya Private we're gonna have some personal time with ya....."

and pretty young for a DS but again...he was a hardcore MP...but anyways after chow we got back to the barracks and got into our BDUs for going on pass.....basically he would read off the list on who would go and who would not...I bet I wasn't on that list....he read off the list and guess what I got to go! YAY! Finally freedom! lol I got my 2 qt canteen and proceeded off with Hartman...we would go to the movie theatre and to the main PX...and eat some goodies and..yum I haven't eaten so much good stuff since I was here at FLW...anyways got a haircut also I wish I can get a high and tight now...this buzz cut is really getting annoying.....anyways I love this....but anyways we had to be back around 2000 and so we did....after accountability formation we would get back in the barracks and chill and get our showers and some sleep...tomorrow's we're doing an STX...oh well...fun fun fun...

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Grenade Qualification Day and Blue Phase!

Hm....today...GRENADES! Finally something fun once again....anyways I woke up and did my hygiene crap and got my gear ready......and Johnson once again is waiting for me....then we would head downstairs to the CTA and grounded our gear...then the PG would report in and we would then march to chow...yum...breakfast chow....the usual stuff...cereal, sausages and eggs...here's a tip put ketchup on your eggs...trust me it's FABULOUS..and tastes great. Besides Breakfast is the best meal of the day when you're here....anyways after chow we would get back to the company and get on our gear and head to trans..where they would take us to the Grenade range...when we arrived there we grounded our gear at the assembly area...and then they would tell us to be get in formation as a whole company and by ranks the cadre would have chalk and put 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 on your helmet...to split us up for better organization and do which courses first. There are a couple stations, the live grenade station where you'll throw two live grenades, another one, where they make sure you can throw the grenade (spark one)far enough, the grenade qualification course...and then proper technique on how to throw grenades....I'm not going to go into how they throw grenades but that's how we did it...here's a picture.... Image hosted by Photobucket.com

basically there's a standing stance and then a prone..but anyways after the ranks we would go into the windscreen and get a BORING safety briefing and they would talk about certain grenades...and then show us a car and then threw a incidiery grenade in it and it went thru the hood...I said whoa...that's some cool shit...but after that then the DS's would show us the grenade qualification course on what to do and how far we're supposed to throw...there's 7 stations one's written and the rest you throw the grenade the proper way and distance....looks easy though...after that since I was in group 5 I would be going to the station where they would teach us how to throw it properly....we're throwing dummy grenades...oh well....after that they would sent us to the station where to judge that we can throw far enough.....we would be in our IBAs and then we would assume the stance and duck in the bunker after we threw it...
well I passed and eventually everyone passed..and then we would be sent to the Live Grenade range....there we would be marched with PV2 Gloyd...when we're marching he's singing cadences...he's not bad at all I'll say...he's like a DS...I can see him as a DS though...great man...but finally we arrived at the live grenade station where we would throw live grenades. We would get inside a bunker and watch fellow Privates throw their grenades and damn they are loud...good thing they told us to have on your headphones...imagine in a combat zone..you are going to lose some of your hearing...because you won't have earplugs in a combat zone...while I was waiting the Company Commander was with us...Captain Stoffel...warmhearted guy, he is...but then he asked us while we were waiting for our turn to throw the live grenades..."hey Privates, what kind of car do you drive?" I said a 2003 Convertible Mustang...."holly god Private Harris you are some lucky private eh....get some chicks?" I'm there smiling and laughing and said "yes Sir I do" Then he said" I drive a Ford 1995 truck...boy you're lucky man" wow I think I like officers now....but then it was my turn to throw the grenade....I assumed the position and then threw 2 live ones...they went decently far...finally we finished watching the grenades blow up..we headed back to the picnic table area where they had the MREs setup....Some groups ate early so they did the qualification course....meanwhile for us..though it WAS TIME TO EAT! I got the Country Captain Chicken one! Yum Skittles......Candy! then we would see some groups who finished the qualification course and I asked them on how they did the course...some got expert, some got marksman and some got sharpshooter....they said it was easy though....then after lunch chow we would then go the Grenade qualification station...there we would do the written test....then on to the throwing stations....but I got to admit when we throw the grenades we had to say some KORNY things...like "Battle Buddy cover when I throw my grenade. then your battle buddy would say Got ya covered Battle Buddy" Also like this "Battle Buddy cover me while I prepare my grenade" "Got Ya covered Battle Buddy lol...god this is hilarious though....but I threw the grenades and they passed and did the usual procedure...but when you move between each station..you have to be motivated...meaning that you would have to run with your War FACE! saying AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!but anyways finished the grenade qualification course and made expert...after leaving the course...we were then checked by STO-2s on our hydration cards...I said oh shit...I don't have mine...and then they would write my name down to give to the First Sgt that I didn't have my hydration card....oh well...we passed them but then I went back and remembered it was in my pocket all the time...and then they scratched my name off...oh goodie..I don't want to be smoked for that shit....finally we got back and chilled...at the windscreen...then they would call for volunteers but I didn't go....but some Privates went....but I would just sit back and chill and we would get a nice debrief from the SDS....and then we would get back on our gear and head back to barracks by trans....this time we got buses....hooah! I love this kind of training......but after we got back, we grounded our gear in our lockers and headed back downstairs for formation! It's phasing time baby! The company commander would come out and we would be at attention and he would take command from the first Sgt. and declare we go to Blue Phase....and we did...no more white banner...it's blue now...after that we would be at ease and hear a nice blurb from the Company commander. About what he could have done...and what's coming up like FTX and stuff...and what to expect...we have two more weeks before BCT is over...after that we would get around him and give him suggestions and ask him questions...like when is FTX and what are we provided with and such...we finally finished at and got in formation once more...giving command to the First Sgt and then the DS's....wow we're at Blue....we would then get a little lecture from our DS and then we would march to Dinner chow....BBQ ribs today..wow it gets better and better day by day eh...but after that mail call, shining our boots and shower and then sleep....tomorrow is the day we're going on pass...this time it's a on post pass....yay!....gotta sleep now....

Friday, July 22, 2005

Inspection

Today just another day....but today we have our 3rd Inspection....The 1st Sgt is going to inspect us today....we'll be in formation by platoon and with our M-16s....anyways woke up and did my hygiene stuff and then headed down for formation with Johnson..and then the PG would report in and we would then get in PT formation for our regular morning PT....I hate running today...especially 60 30s..but hey at least my run time is improving...but after PT formation we got upstairs to our bay and changed into BDUs and then we would go down for formation to breakfast chow...oh yum the best meal of the day. Sausage as usual, gotta love the stuff ya know...but after chow we would get back to the barracks and conduct bay maintenance. And then we would go to the killzone and clean our rifles and prep them for inspection. Drill Sgt Johnson and DS Hoaglund are stressing a little about inspection. They want us to pass and succeed. Hopefully we will. I made sure my BDUs were squared away with no strings and such, I'd kill myself because I spent 1/2 hour looking for problems with my uniform...I would then take apart my rifle and apply CLP into the chamber and hopefully that would get carbon buildup out . It's a bitch cleaning this crap though but nevertheless it teaches us responsibility. Soon we would then march to lunch chow......yum cheeseburgers for lunch...too bad we don't have much time to fully enjoy the meal, still we had to rush as usual. Then it would be inspection time...meanwhile we would practice inspection arms...this is the procedure

because some recruits would still have issues with it....I was ok on it...well hopefully. Our platoon guide would put us at ease until our DS instructed us to go to the other CTA and soon the First Sgt would come out and inspect 1st platoon....and then our platoon....squad leaders would call to attention when the first Sgt approached their squad....and then parade rest when he leaves his/her squad to the next one....when inspecting the private, the private would perform inspection arms (if not performed correctly the First Sgt would take his rifle and inspect his/her rifle most likely) and then the First Sgt would ask him a question on the Army Values or ranks or the Chain of Command which were highly stressed into us since Day 0. Then he would come up to me and I performed Inspection Arms, he didn't take my rifle though...I guess I did it right and then he asked Private Harris, who is the Regimental Sgt Major? I said the Regimental Sgt Major is Sgt Major Barrett First Sgt. Then he left...phew...that was a close one....but thing is some privates would be asked about their weapon number and the effective and maximum range of the M-16...I was lucky not to get those questions. However after the inspection of our platoon we were dismissed to our bay and DS Johnson would direct us to the Killzone and we would get a small debrief from her. She said we sucked but personally in her view she think we did fine...she would ramble on that the First Sgt hates 2nd platoon because we're so good...and then she would joke on about stuff....she would then ask questions to the privates that didn't get the questions right and why they didn't know.... meanwhile we would wait for the other platoons to get inspected...time would pass by and after every platoon got inspected we would be called down for dinner chow , after dinner chow, mail call while we were shining our boots, then shower then sleep...tomorrow we're going to do the grenade range...LIVE grenades :D oh hell yeah! Also I hear we phase to Blue....o nice more privledges...I think...

Thursday, July 21, 2005

MOUT site

oh goodie.....woke up in the morning and did my usual hygiene crap...and got our gear ready and headed downstairs along with Johnson for formation....and we would ground our gear and the PG would report in to the DS and soon we would all march to the DFAC for our yummy Breakfast chow :D Anyways we would pass by Foxtrot Company...and damn they have like 45 people on profile....damn....anyways I bumped in DJ Berger...at the DFAC...gee some messed up private...anyways after yummy chow we would get back to the company and get on our gear and head to trans. From there we would be dropped off at the MOUT site. We would get on the bus and ground our gear at the assembly area....the MOUT site looks pretty nice...it had arabic signs and such...and it looked like a warzone...I can imagine what Iraq looks like...Anyways after assembling 1st platoon looks like they fucked up so DS Code smoked the hell out of them...something about a mess in their bay oh well not my shit to worry about but anyways we would head into the main building where there was bleachers and it was air conditioned. There we would get a briefing and our range cadre....there would be stations and we would be split up....first we would learn how to manuever in an urban environment like this in a line formation and we would like learn how to look and be on alert for enemies and such... we would have to be spread out so we wouldn't be hit by grenades in a worse case scenario situation and such.

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Then we would proceed to the area where we would learn how to clear rooms....and the basics using a 4 man team....kinda hard to explain I'd rather do it in person (it's easier to say but here's a picture of what we did.)

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Then we would go to a site where we would learn how enter a building with a 4 man team without a ladder using a few tools in a matter of less than 30 seconds...our team would be competing with each other....my team made it in 19 seconds...impressive eh....others made it 15-23 seconds average.....then we would get a break and eat our MREs and then the range cadre would show us some cool MP videos and some war videos...damn it made me so hyped up....watching a terrorist shoot a rifle at a tank...and then getting blown up..that's so highspeed...but anyways after that my group would approach the station where we would climb the ladder with a 4 man team in less than 30 seconds again..we did in 21 seconds....nice....I love this stuff....this is the kind of training I like :D After that we would cool off and then head on trans back to the barracks......and then dinner chow, mail call...got a letter from Theresa yum thanks Swedish Fish! and then shower....and sleep..I got fireguard 0200-0315...it sucks....anyways gotta sleep...

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

M203, MK19 and the AT4 :D

Today's another day.....but today we're going to fire the cool stuff! The big guns baby! damn...but anyways woke up and did my hygiene stuff and got my gear ready...and of course you know my battle buddy Johnson is waiting for me and then we would head down to the CTA and ground our gear.....PG would report in and then we would march to the DFAC and eat our lovely breakfast...yum sausage....I don't get tired of this shit, because it's sooo good. Then after breakfast we would get back to the company and we would get on our gear and head to trans......we're going to the US Weapons Course today :D firing the fun stuff :D we got on the bus and we were on our way...gosh all this gear....I weigh so little...and all this gear is killing me...oh well...It's Army life for me....meanwhile we got to the range and we would depart the bus quickly and ground our gear at the assembly area. and then we would get our rifles cleared by our DS and then proceed to some tables where we would lay our M-16s since we weren't going to be able to be using them today. First we would go the windscreen where we'll get another boooorrring safety briefing....and then we get in a formation and be split up in two groups one for the M203 and the AT4...before we did that...we would get to see LeMarche , the Private that made Expert during BRM, blow up claymores and fire an AT4 round.....damn those are LOUD as fuck...I can imagine when you go in the field and using those things in combat...after that since I was in the M203 group we would go to a small classroom and we would grab the M-16 with a M203 launcher and then head outside. DS Mckay and DS Mckloskey would teach us how to reload and fire the M203 round and how to aim it right. It took me awhile to learn but I got the gist of it. Then we would all go down to the M203 range and fire the M203...these are not real rounds...basically we fire flares and tried to aim into a window....I fired 2 rounds and it was close to the window but eh I don't care at least I got to fire....it was ok though. Then our group would head to the AT4 classroom and we would be taught by DS Beale and DS Code how to handle the AT-4 and what to say before we fired....saying "BackBlast Area Clear!" Then we would dry fire it....finally we would go down range and fire the AT-4...again these are flares and not the real thing....oh well...fired 10 rounds and it was finished...I can imagine firing the real thing....anyways after that would be MRE time and I would chat with Garcia about home and such....damn I miss home...but then we would get back to training after eating lunch.....it's going to be MK19 time, (for those who don't know what an MK19 is, it's a grenade launcher)
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Basically we would get a refresher's course on how to load and charge the MK19...and then we would fire the baby :D, we would get these rounds and these rounds are fairly big....and heavy lol..and then we would fire these babies downrange....I would have to wait in lines to fire the MK19...meanwhile I would see DS Hoaglund screaming....AS usual...geez...I think he's bipolar....oh well...I try to avoid him as much as I can and I'm scared of him lol.....so I would get in line where DS Sharp (she's a Reserve DS) and soon it would be my turn to shoot....I charged it and then I forgot what to do...then I remembered...she yelled at me though for not remembering it on spot...after spewing the rounds downrange...we would get on our gear and we would hop on trans back to the company...damn cattle truck I wish could burn these things to the ground and we would get buses..but that's me....anyways we got back to the company and would ground our gear in our lockers and head down for dinner chow....yum...sweet potatoes and corn! yum.....and then we would get back to the company, for mail call, shining our boots and then we would get our showers and finally sleep...tomorrow is MOUT....finally....some high speed action!

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

M249 time :D

Today's another day....oh Albert forget the past anyways...I woke up did my usual stuff and got our gear on and headed downstairs to the CTA and then grounded it...you know the drill, PG would report in and we would then march to the DFAC and eat our wonderful breakfast chow. Then we would get back to the company and got on our gear. Then we would get on trans....this time it's those buses :D Thank God....but anyways got to the US Weapons range and we would clear our rifles even though we're not going to use them at all....weird but anyways we would then march and put our rifles in a holding area under the tower and they would lock them up....and then we would go to the bleachers and then get a briefing about safety once again...gosh it gets boring hearing these things...but then we would get a course on how to use the .50 cal....but we never fired it...that sucks...then how to set up the claymore...and then we would learn how to fire the M249 and how to load it and clear it...and then fire the baby :D oh yeah I loved it...once I got on the range and loaded 50 rounds into the SAW it was so cool...with this power in my hands :D gosh I wish this was my primary weapon but it was cool while it lasted....after that we would eat lunch chow, which again was MREs, I would talk with Garcia (he's in Iraq now FYI) and we would exchange goodies as usual....and then after everyone completed firing the M249 we would get our rifles and get back on our gear and wait for Trans to get back....meanwhile we got on Trans and got back to the company....and then we would ground our gear in our lockers....and go to the killzone to get some lectures...and then we would be called down to dinner chow, tonite's entry was BBQ chicken yum! Then after dinner chow we had mail call and then we would shine boots and then shower....and then the usual Hydration Formation...and then sleep...I got fireguard tonite first shift...it sucks lol but anyways tomorrow we're going to fire the AT4 and the M203! YAY! Gotta sleep now...

Monday, July 18, 2005

ARM and today sucked ass...

gosh...another day....it's Monday argh....I need some candy....Hartman got me a bag of M&Ms and I put in the laundry bag...ah...I'll get it later...but anyways woke up and did my hygiene stuff...and then got my gear ready...my battle buddy Johnson is waiting for me and telling me to hurry up lol....got my gear on and (ya know I gotta get quicker now adays)...got downstairs and grounded my gear....the PG would report in and then we would march to the DFAC for morning chow. Gosh I love morning chow....it's just so goooodddd but anyways after that we went back to the company and got our gear on and marched to catch our trans to the range. Today we would be doing Advanced Rifle marksmanship where we will have our weapon pointed down and on safe and then when pointed up we turn the selector lever on semi and shoot a couple rounds and continuously doing that at the standing position and then the kneeling position. Well we got on Trans and this time it would be a cattle car...again these things...imagine getting cramped with everyone with gear yeah it's kinda cramped in there and hot. But anyways we arrived at Range 2 where we first dry fired a week and 1/2 ago. but we got off trans and grounded our gear at the assembly area and then lined up to have our rifles cleared and then walk to the windscreen to hear the "safety briefing" you would always get at the ranges...you do get tired of hearing these briefings...then we would starting shooting..I would get in line and I would see DS Johnson and DS Hoaglund giving instruction as the recruits would shoot and DS Johnson would look at me as she was my enemy...I guess she's not going to forget about me shoving her that one day....oh well...she said stop looking at me Private and then I looked straight....geez I shouldn't have shoved her....but the past is the past but she was going to be my instructor when shooting and I know she wanted me to screw up by the way she was looking at me ...but then Senior Drill Sgt said I need some privates to come down this lane and I volunteered so I could get away from DS Johnson....and I ended up with DS Thomas and truly he's a great DS and a nice one actually, barely yells, very soft kind of person and loves to play Halo 2 on the Xbox during CQ lol, I shot my rifle and he praised me...meanwhile as I got off the range some idiot would piss off DS Hoaglund and I would hear him screaming at him....you would always hear DS Hoaglund screaming on a range everyday no matter what....oh well....got my rifle cleared and got on my gear and waiting for everyone to finish....once everyone was finished we would get all of our gear on and get back on Trans....meanwhile we got back to the company and grounded our gear in our lockers and then get a course on how to assemble and dissemble the M249 SAW and the MK19...and then lunch chow.....it would be MREs by the way....got the Country Captain Chicken...yuck....but anyways it had Skittles...yum! Can't say I hated it! but anyways after chow we would get back on the M249 and then DS Hoaglund would approach me and I would snap to parade rest and said Private there's some of your buddies saying you have food in your locker...I said no Drill Sgt....and he went on his way...oh damn...someone snitched on me...gotta do something about it....but anyways went upstairs and cleaned up my locker and remains of my food...not to mention I left a wrapper unchecked in my locker....and then went back upstairs to finish watching the dissassembling the weapons...and then we would proceed to the Killzone to clean our weapons and then DS Hoaglund went up to me and said he wanted to go to my locker and I would open it and he would search it...and so he did....and he found a wrapper that I forgot to throw away and he said Private don't do this again...good thing I didn't find any food in here...and then he left me....went back to the killzone and cleaned the weapon....and soon it was PT time and we would get into our PTs and proceed downstairs and get in formation...and then we would get in PT formation and do our daily exercises...today would be strength day so we would do pushups and situps....and so we did and then we would have dinner chow well just before that Senior Drill Sgt would come out yelling and saying that he heard some Privates having food in their lockers and he would check every single locker in the whole company.....oh damn I'm screwed I have Peanut M&Ms in my laundry bag...and they would go thru everything thing...pockets and such....damn...so we ate dinner chow and then arrive back at the company and we would tow the line and wait for the all of the DS's to check our lockers...I'm so screwed...DS Mckay would come in and then tell me to open my locker and then asked me if I had anything....and I said yes (I had to admit it to avoid big punishment besides integrity is part of the Army Values) and then asked me where it was, I said it was in the laundry bag....and he took it out and put it on the floor....and then checked everything else...and nothing....oh damn my locker is so messed up...but anyways we were finished and he would check the other lockers...SDS would come in and when he saw the M&Ms he said Private why would you do that...and then walked away....meanwhile another DS would open the bag and spread it around...oh geez...looks like I'll have to clean it up later...after that we would clean up and get our stuff together...and then lined up to get our plates for our IBAs...and these plates are worth alot of money I'd tell ya....not sure how much they cost but these are not cheap and they are heavy....meanwhile we would get our beds back together since they were ripped apart because of that inspection and went to bed.....no fireguard tonite...tomorrow's another day.....and we would shoot the SAW :D (Anyways I found out I wasn't the cause of that inspection....it was some guys in 4th platoon that was running a chain of selling candy and SDS was so furious when he heard that...looks like DS Hoaglund kept it down....) (my buddies would clean up the mess for me while I was sleeping)

Sunday, July 17, 2005

Sunday

Ugh great it's Sunday....but again it's a good thing! 1 more hour of sleep...damn I wish we would wake up everyday like this! But oh well.....today my buddies would go on pass and I can't because I shoved DS Johnson and I guess I got punished for that...damn I regret doing that ya know.....So it sucks not being able to go on pass.....anyways woke up and did my hygiene stuff....and got with my battle buddy and went downstairs for formation....PG would report in and the usual stuff and then we would be sent upstairs to conduct "bay maintenance" basically I just sat at my locker and wrote some letters til we were called down for breakfast chow. We were called and we all marched to the DFAC....singing the usual cadences. After breakfast chow we would get back to the barracks and perform more bay maintanence...meanwhile I would get Hartman who was going on pass to get me some candy so I gave him money....hopefully I won't get in trouble because well you know the rules....anyways we would chat until they would call everyone else to get dismissed for pass....and they did the usual check who was on pass and finally the people on pass left and then we were sent up.....well a couple of guys in the platoon didn't get to go on pass so I hanged out with them.....they're crazy guys geez they're playing sword fights with the PT mats that is hilarious too bad I didn't participate in them....their skin is like red....lol but anyways got called down for lunch chow and this is the part I love about not being able to go on pass which is not spending money.....because basically you know why I'm pretty tight on cash...I didn't bring an ATM card so sometimes I would have to wait til momma sends me money thru the mail. Also there would be one Drill Sgt at the table and just eating so we can take the good food like jello (I dare not to take cake because it's risky....)anyways after lunch chow...we would go back to our bays and I would fall asleep at the fireguard desk, that's another thing I love about Sundays I COULD SLEEP! soon it would reach 1645, that was the time when everyone was supposed to be back....and everyone did just in time...and then we all went to dinner chow and then we all chilled.....for a couple of hours, the Sto 2s would chill on their bunks and I would just chat with them.....and then we would shower and then sleep.....no fireguard tonite :D yay....tomorrow is Advanced Rifle Marksmanship...

Saturday, July 16, 2005

EST and it's frickin Saturday!!!

Hm.....I'm so tired from yesterday....ugh...great....another early wakeup....4 weeks to go I think.....I can't wait to go home...where I will sleep on my own bed.....oh I wish...but anyways woke up 5 minutes early and did my hygiene stuff and got down to formation....you know the normal routine, the PG would report in and stuff, and then we would get in PT formation and perform our exercises....and then we would do our AGR....god I hate those....this time we went out to the Water tower and this is brutal.....I can feel some pain again where I got hurt the 3rd week...the same exact place but I still kept going until we got back to our company....god damn it, I can barely walk...but I still can at least....anyways Next week is US Weapons and I can't miss anything at all! Then we were told to take showers and get into BDUs....damn my buddy's shirt is soaked like he has been hosed down.....geez we had to put a towel so the shirt wouldn't create a puddle.....wow...but anyways took a shower and changed into BDUs.....and then got down to formation and we marched to chow singing Airborne MP (replace Ranger with MP) fancy style DS Code way! Damn I love his cadences but he can be a bitch sometime when it comes to D&C (Drill and Ceremony) lucky he's not my DS...he would keep his platoon (1st) outside and do some facing movements and practice marching while our platoon and the others file into the DFAC to eat our breakfast.....then finally first platoon after 5 minutes of D&C would come in and eat. Then we would leave in groups to the company and wait in formation for the DS's. After that we would get our gear and head downstairs in 10 minutes....Today we're going to the EST to learn ARM (Advanced Rifle Marksmanship) and learn when the weapon is pointed down and on safe and learn to react when you see a target and put it to single and then after finish firing then put on safe.....basically we did that and lunch chow came up and we ate then we would wait for other platoons to go thru the EST and while we waited we practiced manuevers if an enemy and how we would form basically, basic tactics. Then soon it was our turn to go in....we would file by squads and watch first when inside the others shoot....some couldn't shoot for shit some did fine and others did great. However I did great. 19 of 20 shots and another 18 of 20 shots....some others guys in my squad shot 0 on the first try...ouch. Then we would file out and the ones who didn't do well would speak with DS Johnson and explain the reason why they can't do well...well I was fine and was told to get on our gear until DS Hoaglund would get our platoon and march back to the company.....after that we would get to the company and went up to our bay and ground our gear and go into the killzone to clean our weapons.....I hate cleaning weapons ya know but I'll have to get used to it...gonna do that alot when you're in the field out in Iraq anyways. but after cleaning up we would be called down to dinner chow whenever the other platoons came back from the EST. After the yummy scrumcious chow there was no mail call :( but we had to shine our boots....gosh...I hate shining these boots....Johnson would talk about her girlfriend and how she is and stuff....gosh she's like 80 lbs lol and whoa imagine if he was on her...oh never mind I don't think this is the place to talk about this....oh geez but you get the picture! After that personal time to write letters, shower and to bed.....I have fireguard tonite....looks like I'll write letters...tomorrow's there's pass but I can't go because I guess DS Johnson doesn't like me still when I literally accidently pushed her off her feet...... oh darn...tomorrow's another day...

Friday, July 15, 2005

It's Friday...

It's Friday....yeah it's Friday...Did you have any of those days which you didn't want to wake up...yeah it was one of those days...but I fought the urge to sleep more....and I failed....so guess what my battle buddies woke me up by putting a canteen of water over my head and pouring over me....ok this SUCKS! Now the white sheets are wet!...damn luckily there are the outside green sheets... but anyways got up and did my hygiene and got on PTs....and Johnson is again waiting for me at the door to get downstairs for formation, got my rifle and my canteen and went downstairs....and got in formation. The PG would report in to the DS and then we would get in PT formation and commence our daily PT routine...today would be 60 30s around the track...after those I was out of breath....but I felt good...I didn't sweat as much as the others though...Johnson though his shirt was soaked like he had been thru a frickin rainstorm...we would go upstairs to change PT's and get in our BDUs....and hang our shirts to dry outside our lockers....Johnson's shirt on the other hand is dripping with water and he ends up putting a brown towel under it....and it's still dripping...damn he sweats like hell I'd tell ya...anwyays we get down to formation and marched in cadence to the DFAC for breakfast....yum.....eggs and sausage and cereal.....I LOVEEEEEE Breakfast....anyways got back to company and we would practice squad manaevers, DS Hoaglund would teach us the hand signs for danger zone, headcount, pace count, platoon leader, platton Sgt and so forth...it was pretty interesting. Then we practiced a simulation of what to do if a grenade comes by...this is how it goes, we're in a wedge and a grenade is thrown in the middle we disperse and then hit the ground with our helmets covering our face....and yeah that's how it goes...then we performed the same tasks over and over with each squad then we were up, a couple simulated grenade attacks and covering and manuevering, fireteams and such and then we pretend someone gets shot and I'm the medic....he said Private explain to me what you should do to help her Private!!!! I felt panicked and scared and stressed and forgot everything I learned in First Aid...I was there and then he said boom another private is down, "COME ON PRIVATE HARRIS DO SOMETHING ANOTHER PRIVATE IS shot WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO!" There I stand there panicked and shocked......I really forgot my first aid...it was just so sudden....then he said Private you better remember your first aid and when I come back in 5 minutes you better tell me what is to be done...there I got help from my battle buddies and told me the procedures...and then DS Hoaglund would come out and I would explain to him about the procedure and then he said Private you better not frickin forget that stuff or your battle buddies in the field can die! Damn....phew that's over....from now on I'll never forget my first aid...anyways lunch...and then remedial training with the Rifle and then dinner chow and mail call, shower and then sleep......no fireguard tonite thank god...

Thursday, July 14, 2005

BRM

oh how lovely....the day of qualification....got up did my hygiene and got my gear ready and made sure I LOCKED my lock....I don't want another god damn repeat of what happened on Tuesday....but anyways Johnson is still waiting for me...damn I need to get ready faster...got down to the CTA and grounded my gear....platoon guide would report in to the DS's and got us accounted for....and then we went on to chow....yum I love breakfast...pancakes and syrup and Raisin Bran....your typical breakfast...got back to the company and got on our gear and we were on our way....anyways got on trans which this time it was a bus. We got off grounded our rucksacks and put our ponchos on them and then the DS's would clear our rifles. We're shooting at Range 9 which is a flat range unlike the other ranges had frickin hills and such..but we all went to the windscreen and sat down and soon recieved a safety brief...argh the usual old brief then we got shooting....and soon it was my turn....got into my foxhole and adjusted the sandbags to my comfort....and then we would prepare ourself until given the order to get our rifle and started shooting....shot the 75m target and soon the 100m, 125m, and other targets....I did pretty well shooting in the foxhole I think I got like 18 hits in the foxhole supported position...but now to the nightmarish one...the prone unsupported....got into position and got ready and then we were given the order to fire and so I did...I hit 4 targets until I litereally became VERY impatient and tried to shoot the 300m target and end up wasting many bullets on the targets that were very far and my last shot I hit a 75m target....so made that 5...I wasn't really sure how many I hit and I hoped I at least qualified...cause you know I sucked today really bad...I mean I suck. but anyways soon we were lined up on the line to get our results and being that in the first lane I would get my results first....Senior Drill Sgt said 23 Marksman a go. DS Johnson looked at me don't look at me Private...So instead I looked beside me(I wish I didn't push her at all I'm so sorry) and watched my buddies get their qualification badges and watch the ones who didn't qualify fall out and head out to the no go section to qualify again. Oh geez I did it and I made it....even though I made those stupid mistakes of firing at the 300m target so much. but anyways I would watch people after that I headed to the air conditioned classroom they directed us to and I saw people who qualified in the room...my battle buddy who went ahead of me didn't qualify yet....oh darn now I'm getting worried...anyways we chat and waited for awhile and some DS's would come in and out and congratulate us that we qualified. Later I saw Johnson and he did qualify and hit 23 and made the minimum like I did....soon we ate MREs and this time I got Veggie Burger with BBQ sauce yum...I love BBQ sauce...after that we waited awhile for everyone to qualify, most of the company qualified and only a select few did...then we did shakedown which they would search us for brass or ammo....and then we would put on our gear and wait for trans back to the company...this time we got buses again....damn I think I can get used to this lol. Next we would get to the company and ground our gear in our lockers and went to dinner chow...then mail call, shower and then sleep...got fireguard tonite...I need some sleep...

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Day before qualifcation....

Oh darn.....last day we get to practice before the big day tomorrow....anyways wakeup was the usual time 0430, got my hygiene stuff done and about, and got my gear and Johnson is always waiting for me oh well I should be getting ready faster...this time I made sure my locker was SECURE....but anyways got down to formation and the PG would report in to the Drill Sgt and were accounted for....then we would be on our way to chow....yum a great breakfast it was....we would pass by Foxtrot 787th...damn they had so many privates on profile can you imagine it 40 or so Privates on profile, that's fucked up....but anyways finished with chow in 5 minutes or so and then got back to the company and got on our gear and marched to Trans....Cattle Cars this time, ya know I'm getting tired stuck in these but oh well I gotta get used to them....maybe when I write to the Battalion Commander we need more buses instead of these trucks...but anyways got to the range and we would practice what we would usually do....got to the windscreen, get that usual safety brief and went on our way. Soon my turn to get called up and I got in the foxhole, and I began shooting, personally I don't like how these ranges are set up and you can confuse on which lane you're shooting at....I shot at lane right next to me....and I only shot 9 of my targets on my lane because I shot at the other lane...looks like I made someone got a go and I didn't...so I got sent with the no gos and went to remedial training, god I suck....lol it's my mistake shooting someone's else's target....and then we ate lunch and then we got another chance and this time I fired at MY LANE, and ended up with a 27 oh well tomorrow's another day....but anyways got back on trans and this time it was a bus...oh the Air conditioning about time we need it...but anyways got back to the company, and grounded our gear and we would go PT as we usually do and then went to dinner chow, yum this time BBQ meat and sweet potatoes....god I love this dinner! Too bad I wish I had the time to pleasantly eat my dinner, as usual we had to eat quick and get out of there and we got back to the Company...mail call, looks like I got a package from Mom, yum Raisinets I haven't eaten candy in so long besides the candy in the MREs....but anyways shower and then sleep...I got fireguard tonite it sucks....got last shift...tomorrow's a big day...

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

uh today is not a good day....but another day it is...

Same shit different day....damn...but anyways wakeup was the usual time....got my stuff ready and the usual hygiene done....anyways got my gear on and guess what I forgot to lock my locker and both of my DS's came in and are checking lockers...my bad luck...damn it but anyways I thought maybe I could get to my locker intime and rushed down the aisle and DS Johnson would be down the aisle...you know maybe I could pass her because I'm thin ya know but I got all this gear on and I didn't intend to push her off her feet and onto the bed....and now she's yelling in my face STOP PRIVATE STOP, WHAT THE HELL YOU THINKING PRIVATE!!! FRONT LEANING REST POSITION and I'm watching DS Hoaglund going thru my locker and throwing everything out.....damn..I gone from her favorite to her disgusted Private....oh well....then she told me to recover.....I guess that was my only punishment the front leaning rest....anyways got all my stuff back in my locker...I'll deal with organizing it later...I'm thinking was it worth it to get back to my locker? I wish I could go back to the past and locked my locker...but the past is the past....anyways I got downstairs and the PG would report in and we would ground our gear and get in formation for chow....and then after chow the range...got on trans to the range and arrived there, grounded our gear and then went to the windscreen to get the usual safety brief....and then we would be lined up to fire....Soon it was my turn and I got behind the foxhole and waited for the buddy of mine to finish firing, damn he sucks...but anyways soon it was my turn...and then we would all fire....damn I fired some rounds and then I get a damn weapon malfunction....I quickly done SPORTS and remedial action...and then returned to firing....I didn't pass this time and it sucks...luckily we have one more time to fire today.....tips, when it's a 75m target aim at the low bottom, when 150 aim at the chest, 300 aim at the head. and don't forget the 4 fundamentals...anyways 2nd time to shoot and this time we got multiple targets to fire at....and this time no weapon jams...yay! Passed with flying colors....just hope it will be the same during BRM.....anyways lunch then waiting for everyone to finish....which was boring just sitting there...then we would go back to the Company ground our gear and got down to the CTA for formation for dinner chow and mail call shower and then sleep, I still regret bumping into DS Johnson today....now I'm her enemy literally..it was an accident.....anyways tomorrow is another day and one more day before BRM qualification....

Monday, July 11, 2005

another day of BRM

Shit god damn it.....another day of BRM....got up and got my gear ready, Kevlar, IBA, LBV...and rucksack....filled up my canteens and damn Johnson is still faster than me getting his gear ready...oh well we rushed downstairs and got down to formation...damn anyways Platoon Guide would report in and we would get in PT formation and after that Chow...yum...Pancakes...got back to Company and got our gear on....dang first time I wore this gear since I had crutches...hopefully I don't strain this leg anymore...well we marched out and got on trans, this time it was buses...thank god I think I'm getting tired of Cattle Cars.....but anyways got in a seat and slept a little on the way to the Range.....damn it started raining....oh well when we got to the Range we got our wet weather gear and covered rucksacks with our ponchos and went to the Windscreen, then we recieved a Safety Brief from the NCOIC. Then we would get ready to shoot....the range out there looks like a jungle with bunch of trees and tall grass....anyways we were lined up and in firing lines...so it wasn't my turn yet so we waited until our names were announced by one of the DS's....so I got in the line and grabbed my magazines for my rifle and then got cleared by Capt Baranow the XO, then proceeded on to my designated foxhole, so I waited on the bench behind the foxhole because someone was still in it shooting the rifle...finally later it was my turn, so I got into the foxhole and adjusted my sandbags....damn it, the rain, I hope it does nothing to affect my performance....then we were told to get into position and load our magazines and so I did, then we would pull back the charging handle and then directed to put our selector to semi and begin firing....I was doing pretty well....then a stupid jam...god damn it....so I did SPORTS which is remedial action and fixed it but I lost two targets to the damn malfunction...but anyways got my 18 targets....then we were told to go to the prone unsupported position which is my weakest position....so I got on my stomach and got in position....and the usual procedure and then we began to fire and hitting 2 targets my M-16 freakin jammed again....damn it...this time it's not firing...oh geez....so I withdrew my mag and input it again...I lost 16 targets to the damn malfunction but I fixed it and managed to take down two targets....damn....I only hit 22...1 away from a passing...oh well there's many other days...Got our results and SDS said "just 1 Private what is going on?" I said weapon malfunction Senior Drill Sgt" Then he went away oh well....I sat in the windscreen watching everyone else shoot their rifle.....we ate MRE's for lunch and then we went back to the Company to do RTT when is remedial training and helped us on our weak skills and tried to make us stronger....time passed and then we went to Dinner Chow....yum BBQ meat and sweet potatoes....I love this Army food not to mention it's frickin FREE! but anyways after that mail call, shower and sleep...got fireguard tonite....damn I need sleep...we're going to a better range I hope tomorrow....I have 2 more days before qualification and I'd better qualify...

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Sunday, July 10, 2005

Sunday...

Wakeup was at 0530...got up did my stuff and got down for formation....the platoon guide would report in and soon we got orders to do "bay maintenance" I guess we just chill or clean up the bay...oh well anyways, today we could go on pass but I got in trouble because I left the Company without my crutches last week without letting DS McKay knowing so I can't go on pass this weekend....argh..but anyways then it breakfast chow oh yummy! Anyways DS Marlar is on CQ so he's gonna be easy and I heard he just chills in the CQ office all day...back to the Company and stayed there...didn't feel like going to Church today...everyone already left to go on pass....while I'm here in the bay with a couple other people...we chatted about some things and had some fun playing games and such......the other Privates on pass were supposed to come back 1600 and soon it was that time so we got dressed BDUs and waited in formation for them...everyone came back and soon we ate dinner chow and then upstairs chilled and shower and sleep....argh got fireguard tonite......tomorrow we go out to the range...

Saturday, July 09, 2005

Finally the DAY I GET OFF CRUTCHES!

ugh...another day...it's Saturday....wakeup at 0430....did my stuff...and got downstairs to the CTA....we're not going anywhere today....anyways last nite some Sto 2s (those are Soldiers who already graduated Basic training and were split ops coming for AIT) came yesterday and they settled at the bunks at the end near the latrines....names were Holderbey, Grimes and Kress.....First Sgt all granted them an on post pass....guess he's too nice but anyways my followup to get these crutches off me was 0930....so first PG would report into the DS and soon there was PT which I didn't take part on at all since I had crutches still...then breakfast chow...eh still had someone to hold my tray for me....and then back to the company to conduct bay maintenance...meanwhile we were going somewhere today....to the EST....they would leave by platoons so first platoon went first to the EST...we're just sharpening our skills on BRM I guess...anyways then my appointment was coming up soon....One of the Sto 2's Holderbey filled out a sick call slip so he'll be able to go with me to the CTMC. Then we got on the Red Company Truck and waited for the Sgt to drive us there...and soon she got in and drove us there in a matter of minutes. We got dropped off and Holderbey would get his medicine and I waited for an appointment...did the usual like before, I checked in, got my blood pressure and temperature and then was sent to the waiting room. Finally after 15 minutes of waiting the specialist called me up, and I told her I felt better (I still had some pain) and then the doctor would come in and analyze me... then touch where the pain hurt tremendously last week and it still hurt some...but I said I felt nothing...he then said "you won't need crutches any more Private. Good to see you feeling better, it's a miracle you healed up so fast" I felt so happy....He also said I was on profile for no run no march for 5 days...oh well at least I'm able to do PT anyways I got out of there and I found Holderbey waiting for me outside and we walked back to the Company area. Then I would report into the CQ office. DS Marlar looked at me and said HE'S CURED!!!! YAY! (I laughed so hard in my mind) I was dismissed then I went to my platoon and saw our white phase banner furled...and I showed my DS my papers and said if you're on profile anymore I won't graduate....and he pointed to our white phase banner and said you know Private what happened? I said No Drill Sgt. We're back in fuckin Red Phase Private! Then he would storm off....looks like he's in a bad mood today....and someone fucked up....oh well...went back to my platoon. Then 15 minutes later we were called up to go to the EST...got my gear on and my helmet and ruck...and we marched over there...I didn't march with the platoon and I walked just right behind them walking...because I was on profile. Anyways got to the EST and grounded our rucksacks. Meanwhile we would get a lecture from DS Code on BRM. and soon it was my turn to get inside the EST...and I shot 30/40 targets...that's Sharpshooter...nice! Everyone else did well also....and we marched back to the Company. While we waited in Formation for DS Hoaglund to come out, we chatted at ease and chilled....then DS Hoaglund would storm out and we said at Ease! We were at Parade Rest and he said" Privates I'm really impressed by these results! Looks like you proved to be good Privates and I'm rewarding you that we go back to White Phase. You're lucky Privates....so he unfurled the white flag and we're back in White Phase...anyways we would go back upstairs to our bay and ground our gear and IBA and LBV...then we would perform squad tactics that DS Hoaglund had taught us a couple days ago....that was fun....we learned signs such as Danger Area, Squad Leader, platoon Sgt and such...after that Dinner chow, no mail call, shower then sleep....Got Fireguard tonite...

Friday, July 08, 2005

Another day of BRM!!

Well the usual stuff ya know...still on these god damn crutches....going to chow sucks because I still had someone to carry my tray to the table...anyways woke up did my hygiene and crutched all the way back to my bed and made it. Then I would get all my gear and have Johnson bring it all down to the CTA...got down and we would get in formation and the PG would report in to the DS....then we would get in PT formation to stretch then go to breakfast chow...yum...Cereal today....anyways back to the Company and soon we got on our gear and onto Trans...which this time it was cattle trucks damn I can't stand those damn things....they are so frickin hot! Anyways our next destination is another range....We got to our destination and got out of the cattle cars and got into formation...we got our rifle cleared by the DS's and soon we would go to the windscreen to get a safety brief. The Civilian would give us our safety brief and said profiles and sick call people go first...Guess I get to be in the firing line first....Anyways this range is a computerized range and tells you where every round hits. Targets stay up and never go down and records every hit or miss. Neat ain't it? So that's where our tax dollars go to...but anyways got into my foxhole and waited for the usual procedure and then we would start shooting...I was told to shoot 5 rounds at the 50 meter target, 10 rounds at the 150 meter target and 5 rounds at the 300 meter target...shot those rounds at the foxhole position and hit most of them I think...but then we would change positions and this time would be the prone unsupported position where you're on your stomach and on your elbows. This is where I had a problem here...looks like I'll need more practice here...I hit around 40% of my targets...oh well....Total I only hit 22 targets....damn so today was not a good BRM day for me....oh well then I would wait at the windscreen for the others....one thing it sucks is if you're first in the firing line you have to wait for the whole Company to finish which can be a long time....can't go to sleep, damn...Some people on the bleachers would talk so loud even the First Sgt who would observe the shooters said they are louder than the M-16s firing...and he threatened us to put us in the Pit if we didn't keep our mouth shut! oh darn that's the first time I saw the First Sgt Cates get mad! Anyways MREs and literally we were rushed to eat them and get out back to the windscreen....after everyone shot, the whole Company would pick up Brass and live rounds and sweep the area...basically the usual procedure we would do at every range....Soon it was time to get back to the Company and we would get back on Trans. Thank god it's a big bus!! I love that Air conditioning oh the cold air...finally...anyways got to the company...grounded our gear in our lockers and went to dinner chow....then DS Johnson would call the ones who were a no go and I was one of them and she would talk to us why we weren't making the targets and gave us pointers. Anyways after that we would get mail and shower then lights out....tomorrow is my follow up....hopefully I could get these crutches off me....I got some pain still but I can still manage it I think....I'm sick of tired not marching with the Company and someone holding my tray. This is has to stop NOW! Anyways I got to sleep...gotta save my strength for tomorrow...

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Zeroing

Ugh....hopefully I get to group and zero today....anyways....woke up and got my stuff done...and got on my gear and went downstairs along with my buddy Johnson. Platoon Guide would report in and then we would get in PT formation and stretch. Then we would march to Chow. yum! Anyways after chow we got our gear and got on Trans to the same range we went yesterday. They seperated the ones who grouped and the ones who didn't. I didn't group so we did RTT (remedial training) we practiced aiming center mass even though we didn't fire any rounds but we practiced getting a silhouette target and trying to get the same picture everytime we shoot. It would be 11 AM by that time and then and soon we would be called up. First of all we would eat MREs for lunch. This time I had Country Captain Chicken I think it had candy in it so yum I haven't eat candy in so long! After chow I would get on the firing line and would get into position. I would adjust my sandbags and get comfortable. Then we would hear the safety to say all clear and hear the usual saying..."switch your selector lever to semi and watch your lane" and I began to fire 6 rounds so I can group and so I did. Then when cleared I shot three more rounds it went good. Then again when cleared three more rounds and DS Mckloskey who inspected my target passed me....I was so happy when I zeroed. Looks like today is a good day! Anyways we would get on trans and this time we got a nice bus back to the company. I love that Air Conditioning....I wonder do they have these Buses back in Benning? Anyways when we were back at the company, we would go for dinner chow, mail call and shower then sleep...got fireguard tonite....anyways our bay still looks like shit....better clean tonite...we're going to a different range tomorrow....

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Grouping

Hm...another day...got up did my stuff (got into BDUs)and we're supposed to bring all our gear with us downstairs, including the helmet, IBA and the LBV and the rucksack....so I did and yeah with my crutches...with my rifle slinged on my back. Got down to the CTA and ground all our gear and we would do the usual procedure, platoon guide would report in and such...then we would go in PT formation to stretch then we would march to chow for our yummy breakfast...then we would get back to the barracks and get on our gear and wait for Trans to arrive..this time we got a bus and the other platoons have cattletrucks sucks them eh? haha. But anyways we would go to the Grouping and Zeroing Range. Hopefully I would do well...hopefully I remember SDS would say shoot center mass and remember the four fundamentals and you'll group and zero....Well we arrived at the range and grounded our rucksacks and covered it with our ponchos. First our rifles would be cleared by a safety and then we would procede to a windscreen and get a safety briefing (there is always one when you go to the range) after that we would wait until it's my turn to get into the foxhole. God damn the M-16 is loud I never imagined it to be so loud...I think I've played too many games....anyways some Privates had difficulty shooting and their rounds were everywhere or they were far apart and not aiming center mass like they were supposed to..Then came my turn and would get ready in my hole and adjust the sandbags so I could get in a good position. Then we would hear instructions to load the rifle and go into red status which you pull back the charging handle to insert the round into the chamber and then he would say put your selector to semi and watch your lane...and I would begin to fire. shot the first three rounds. They were good and then I was told if I fired 3 more rounds in the general area where I shot I'm good to go. Well you have to wait til everyone fired their 3 rounds and then we would fire again after the DS's went up to every target and evaluate where the rounds hit. Then after they cleared we would wait for the safety to say the usual procedure and we would start firing again...This time I screwed up.....and the next time I got the rounds in the same place and was told to fire three more rounds well fired again and frickin screwed up! Fired again good results and this was my last chance...Fired the last three rounds and then guess what my nose begins to bleed...damn and I missed by one round because my bloody nose came up...damn it...looks like I'm not zeroing it today...so I'm a no go for today...Anyways we would wait at the windscreen and eat our MREs and chill...then after everyone finished we would take trans back to the Company (this time we got a cattle truck I can't stand those damn things) and ground our gear...then dinner chow, mail call, shower and bed...I feel bad that I couldn't group today...damn it tomorrow I get another chance though.

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Dry Firing

Fireguard sucks....oh well wakeup was the usual 0430...crutching my way to the bathroom so I can brush my teeth...then crutching myself downstairs and my buddy Johnson would bring my gear down for me....Thank God we have battle buddies....anyways the Platoon Guide would report in to the Drill Sgts then getting ready for a 8k Roadmarch...looks like I'm not doing that today (it's not a graduation requirement but the 10k and 15k is)....I'll be going on the Company Truck with the other profiles....anyways gave me rucksack to Johnson damn I feel sorry that he has to march with two rucks....anyways got on the truck and chat with the other profiles and watch my battle buddies marching while I was watching from the truck...We're marching to the Dry Fire range where we would get used to the rifle and practice using the four fundamentals....damn it's boring in this truck and guess what I have to go to the bathroom so I end up holding it for 1 and 1/2 hours until the March was over...by the time we got to the range we got in formation and then I rushed to the latrine with my crutches...god damn these things make me slow....anyways then I would get in line for chow...DS Mckay looked over us and yelled at us to eat it faster and chug down the food down our throat so we would get on training....anyways we were told that our Rifles had to be up and facing downrange...at all times to prevent accidental discharge or even fratricide(killing a friendly) we would just practice dry firing using the four fundamentals...

1. Steady Position
2. Proper Aim (Sight Picture)
3. Breathing
4. Trigger Squeeze

(Dry Firing Range is Range 2 I think)

Soon it would be my turn to get into the foxhole but I couldn't get in with crutches since Senior Drill Sgt said something about it. so I leave them aside and got into the foxhole...then we would commence practicing damn I can't wait to shoot live rounds tomorrow...anyways we would continue dry firing it and DS Hoaglund would watch me and said "Pretty good Pvt" Oh that made me feel good.... after that I would just sit on the bleachers and wait for the rest to finish the exercise...anyways then I would get my crutches and sling my weapon on my back. When exit the range you would meet a range safety and he or she will make sure our rifle doesn't a round in the chamber. When coming up to him/her you would say "No Brass No Ammo Weapon on Safe Drill Sgt!" (if it's an officer say sir or mam please) Shakedown is a search for live rounds and they check everything from your pockets to your LBV and cap...evidently we didn't shoot any rounds but we would be doing that everytime we exit a range..after that we would get our MREs and we wouldn't eat it just yet. Well our next destination is the EST where we would have computerized rifles to practice grouping and zeroing. The EST is right near our Company area and the buses would drop off us at the site and then we would settle down and eat our MREs...meanwhile we would get a brief from a civilian running the place about what not to do and such...damn we're being rushed again today to eat the MREs I didn't even get to eat frickin Cracker and my main meal....oh well I'll wait til dinner chow...anyways we would wait for the platoons to finish and soon it would be my turn in there to fire this rifle...Drill Sgt Sanchez and Drill Sgt Johnson was observing and was frowning due to the results many of the Privates were getting...anyways put my crutches down and got into the prone position. These rifles are the M-4 and damn I love these rifles, I wish I had one though instead of those long M-16s...anyways I grouped then zeroed wow....The others were having problems and their rounds were everywhere compared to mine which were right in a 4 cm circle...Pvt Goss damn his rounds were everywhere and some were even not on the target...oh well...Drill Sgt Sanchez says a cripple could do it why you Privates can't? That made me laugh inside and soon we got out and march all the way back to the Company...we would ground our gear then dinner chow and mail call...got a letter from Aaron and the Boston Red Sox scores, nice they're doing great this year hopefully they win the World Series again this year...shower then to bed....I wish the pain would go away....I have a followup next Saturday I hope I won't need to use these crutches anymore....no fireguard tonite...tomorrow we get to fire live rounds...

Monday, July 04, 2005

July 4th...

Damn today wakeup was 0600 I had a great sleep last nite I wish it was that way every night but too bad that ain't gonna happen...anyways did my stuff and went down for formation....MS Mckay would just march us to chow and get breakfast...damn crutches...anyways got someone to hold my tray from 4th platoon....after that...we would get back to the Company and get in formation....since DS Mckay saw me with crutches...guess what he said..."Private you're not going on pass with those crutches..." GOD DAMN IT!!! I really wanted to go on pass....oh darn...Anyways DS Thomas is on CQ today, hopefully the ones who stay back (the ones who don't pass the PT test or didn't get a go on anything) we don't do any detail....Well guess what we didn't and my battle buddies would just chill and talk about stuff....while I heard DS Thomas is in the CQ office playing Halo 2....well lunch chow then more hanging around...everyone was supposed to back by 1700 this time and we back in formation and waited til everyone got back...Everyone did get back...good thing no one went AWOL as I heard alot of Privates in other companies do...Anyways Dinner chow...Ok these crutches are aggravating me...argh...I feel like I'm disabled...but at least I get to do BRM and start shooting soon...well shower then limping to my bed...to sleep...I have fireguard tonite it sucks...

Sunday, July 03, 2005

Sunday....

Hm....today feels like a good day....damn I hate these crutches..anyways wakeup was at 0530 and did my usual stuff...DS Mckay is on CQ today...anyways damn we went to chow...couldn't march with the Company to the DFAC so I went seperate with the rest of the people who was profile (who had medical problems also) and then we went to eat....damn I hate having crutches...Bad thing is when you have these crutches you can't carry your tray and someone has to carry it for you...damn it...We have pass today and word is that people on profile such as can't walk or crutches can't go on pass...damn it...god damn it...I can walk fine well limp....Anyways we got back to the Company and then back up to the bay to do some bay maintenance and some Privates went to church and such...Meanwhile When everyone got back we got in formation...I didn't bring my crutches this time...I want to go on pass damn it...and then we were released to go around the brigade area...So I did it I got past DS Mckay and got to go to the shopette....damn I nearly limped all the way but I tried my best to walk normally...well bought some supplies from the MP Shoppette and today we couldn't get any goodies until tomorrow's July 4th pass...oh darn it..well went under the shade and sat around...everyone's asking where's your crutches? I just said I could walk fine...after that the First Sgt would come up and walk around checking up on us and this time he's in his civies I guess he's just hanging around.....anyways soon it was time to go...we had to get back by 1630 and I did get back...then it was Dinner chow and then shining boots then shower then sleep.....no fireguard tonite that's a good thing...Hopefully I get to go on pass tomorrow....

Saturday, July 02, 2005

I get Crutches...

ouch the pain under my hip is killing me.....damn this sucks....it's Saturday and I'm definitely going to Sick Call...apparently we have the AGRs today...anyways woke up and now I'm limping because it hurts alot now, hygiene and then down for formation....our Platoon Guide would report in and soon the DS Beale would call for the people to Sick Call.....and my name was called and I was told to stand at ease at a certain place in front of the phones to get my sick call slip and while that happened the Company was PTing as usually does in the morning...I thank myself because if I run out there I would seriously hurt myself...anyways a couple of privates and me would go to the Chow hall and marched there accompanied by DS Mckloskey. There was 4 of us and DS Mckloskey told us to eat and get out and go to the CTMC (I think it means Consolidated Troop Medical Clinic if I'm wrong they always called it CTMC) which is just down the street by the Engineers barracks. Well we ate and then I limped all the way...geez...this is fun aint it? Anyways guess what we didn't know where to go..and we ended up back at the company this time DS Hoaglund spotted us and asked why we were so back so early...we explained to him that we were lost and didn't know where the CTMC...I swear he looked at us like we were dumb....he just said down the frickin streets Privates you can't miss it! Well we left again and I'm limpin all the way down the street and this time we actually found it. There's alot of recruits and privates there and when I entered we had to enter a line to the sign in desk where you fill out paperwork on what my injury was or problem was. (Sick Call is not a place to excuse you from training,if you miss the training you have to make it up! only go to Sick Call if it's serious.) Well sat down and finished the paperwork and then I was guided to a station where they take your heart rate and blood pressure it was normal. Then after that I was guided to a waiting area. I saw a sign stating that you cannot sleep, talk or eat. oh well....at least there was TV and CNN was on...anyways I waited there for 15 minutes and then a Specialist called up my name and I went into a room. The Specialist told me to take my pants off and BDU top off and she asked me a few questions about my pain and then she told me to wait for a doctor...the doctor came and analyzed me. I told him about the pain and where it was. He suggested to take an X-ray...well I was guided to the X-ray room and took my xray. Then I went back to room I first came in and then the doctor came in and he wanted to observe the way I walked. I limped so bad because of the pain. Then he made a decision to give me Crutches...this is the first time in my life I have to use crutches...what will DS Hoaglund say? Well The kind specialist showed me how to use crutches and then told me that she'll see me in a week to see if the pain goes away. Then I went outside in a waiting area to get picked up by Senior Drill Sgt. While I was waiting there was some AIT trainees talking and I asked them about BRM and MP AIT and they gave me some advice and told me how fun it was compared to BCT. Then Senior Drill Sgt would come up in the Company Red Truck and he was shocked to see me in crutches and asked me How the heck you get crutches private? Oh well give me the papers and get in the back..." Well SDS is not driving it's Pvt Hurd who I saw on the steering wheel...hm...I hope he drives well. Also he gets to listen to music on the way...damn I'm jealous I haven't heard music for 3 weeks....anyways we were on our way to the STX site. Thing is Pvt Hurd is awful in driving he'd make those Sharp Turns and feels like we're going to flip over...unfortunately we didn't! (I hope he doesn't read this when he gets back from AIT) anyways we arrived at the site and they were already commencing training, they were learning to secure perimeters and I saw 3rd platoon getting intruction from Drill Sgt McKay and I came up and asked DS Mckay where 2nd platoon was and he said go away Private in a funny matter because I was in crutches but he offered his privates to help me locate 2nd platoon....well we I went and crutching along with my crutches to where DS Mckay pointed his finger earlier and as we got down the path I saw DS Hoaglund walking up alone and asked me What the Hell happened and how the hell you get crutches?" I explained to him and I went on my way...and met up with my platoon. DS Johnson was teaching the platoon how to guard a perimeter and she was almost done with it and then she saw me....well she told me to go the back and they were going to the main site area for chow, looks like we're eating MREs today...well My battle buddy Johnson greeted me and asked me How I was and told him about my pain...he had been holding my rifle the whole time (if you go to Sick Call or Self Care you give all your equipment to your battle buddy and they have to carry it...) Well we got our MREs and we sat down....we would chat and stuff and eat our MREs...after that DS Hoaglund would gather up and we would do a checkpoint simuation. Our Squad would be a simulation of a convoy while 3rd Squad would be security at a checkpoint. We would do that and it would teach them how to ask questions and show ID and such....then it was our turn, we would be the security and this time 3rd squad would have an unknown terrorist, we asked for IDs and who is in the vehicle and search all occupants and then found our perp....after that we watched 1st and 2nd squad do their thing....Pvt Green would mess up as usual...after that we would go on Trans back to Company and get back to the barracks and clean up there and ground all our equipment in our lockers and then go to Dinner chow, tonight is something special...there's the Soldier's Show for a celebration of July 4th....well the whole Company would march to Gammon Field to watch but for the injured we got a ride on the Company Truck....Drill Sgt Sanchez would accompany us. He would talk funny and stuff and about me since I and another private had crutches....saying limp limp limp right...oh darn so funny...well we got to Gammon Field and waited for the company to get here and there was alot of people there....Other companies, one was in red phase, alot from Reception, an Infantry Company that was in White Phase, and other companies that were in AIT. Anyways we sat down and watched the show...There were so many Drill Sgts watching the Privates....I mean alot....but anyways there were fireworks at the end of the show and it looked pretty nice....well after the show we got back to the Company by truck while the rest of the Company marched back. After that quick shower and crutching myself to bed....I have fireguard tonite.....Anyways we have pass to around the Brigade area....anyways I heard since I have crutches I'm not allowed to go on pass.... :( anyways gotta do fireguard...

Friday, July 01, 2005

Another day of BCT...

....you know I hate doing the same thing everyday...been waking up the same time everyday oh well I'll get used to it...I kinda like White Phase don't need to worry about DS Hoaglund busting thru door with his whistle which gets my ears...but anyways woke up 10 minutes early and brushed my teeth and got the bunk ready. Then I would hear the PA system "Wake up Privates Wake up! formation is 0450" Oh well...waiting for my buddy Johnson to get his stuff squared away and then we would go downstairs to get down for formation. I'm still in my PT's and I hate carrying my rifle around but I'm getting used to it and they want us to get used to the weapon...we would do PT...the usual pushups situps and crunches. Then yummy chow. This time I got bacon damn they ran out of Sausage!!! But Bacon will satisfy my needs. No more yelling in the DFAC from the DS's and wow they get to eat a Breakfast because in Red Phase they would always walk around looking at us if we did anything wrong. Now they get to chat at their own table. Anyways we would get back to Company and then march to the Battalion Classroom. Today Sr. Drill Sgt was talking about BRM. We're going to start BRM soon and we'll dry fire on Tuesday the 5th and go to do dry fire on the dry firing range practicing the four fundamentals of shooting and getting comfortable to the positions we are going to fire which are the prone unsuppported and foxhole unsupported (Note: some training sites such as Knox and Sill that other Privates told me they don't do the foxhole for qualification anymore they do kneeling and prone unsupported) and go to the EST which is a computer simulation with a rifle you play in video games. That sounds cool. Then Wednesday we would shoot live rounds with our rifles. First we would do grouping then the next day zero our rifles so when we shoot the rounds would go straight. Grouping is a prelude of before zeroing your rifle and if you get a go on that and shoot rounds (it doesn't matter where the rounds land) in the same area 6 times that mean you're grouped and ready for zeroed. The shots have to be within I think a 4 cm circle.

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(That is an example of grouping right)
(Zeroing is after grouping which you would shoot 6 rounds again in the circle so the DS's know your rifle is ready to shoot right in the future)

An example of a grouped and zeroed rifle target.
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Anyways he said always shoot center mass right smack in the center and don't screw up! Also he said once you zero you can relax under the shade and wait for your other buddies to group and zero. Well after that lunch chow then clean up at the barracks and DS Johnson would call us to the Killzone which is a small classroom and we discussed about BRM and she would talk to us about BRM and that we should kick ass in BRM. Wow now that's some damn motivation well after that pep talk we would go to dinner chow, and tonite was BBQ chicken yum...My muscle under my right hip is hurting so bad right now....anyways I ate and when we ran back to the Company I can barely run....it hurts so bad....I think I need to go to Sick Call and fill out a Sick Call Slip, (Sick Call is where you go to the Medical Clinic aka known as the CTMC and they treat the injuries there but if very serious such as broken bones you would go to the Army Community Hospital) so I filled out one...then we got called down for mail call and my leg is really hurtin...so I walk slowly and began to limp...after mail call I'd try to climb the stairs and pain would suddenly strike me...I still went though...and then when I got upstairs I limped again all the way to my bunk and got my soap and toothbrush and brushed my teeth and took a shower. Hopefully I won't need to run tomorrow since we have the AGRs (ablility group run) because I'm injured and in pain...no fireguard tonite because I need some rest badly....anyways tomorrow's Saturday...I heard about a Security Training Exercise we're doing tomorrow aka STX. Well I hope it goes well tomorrow....I need some sleep...

Thursday, June 30, 2005

Land Nav

Wow the first day of White Phase....You know I could get used to this..anyways you know the usual 0430 wakeup..this time Drill Sgts won't come and barge in the door and blow the whistle anymore instead they wake us up by the PA system. They say wakeup wakeup Privates you know what to do formation is 0450 do not be late Privates! (or whatever time) Well Drill Sgt Hoaglund and Drill Sgt Johnson would just come in and sit on top of the Fireguard desk and watch what we were doing. Well I did my bunk and got my hygiene stuff done and of course DS Hoaglund and Johnson would go around the bay to make sure our lockers were locked and if was unlocked well they'll toss everything out...and they sure did find a locker which was unsecure and this time an IBA was on the ceiling...good luck to that person to get that down...Well I got down to formation and we had to select a Platoon Guide (Platoon Guide would be the leader and relay orders from the Drill Sgts) and squad leaders(Squad Leaders are leaders of a squad which comprises of 12-15 Soldiers). So we picked one and the squad leaders. Then the platoon guide would report in to the DS of how many were accounted for. Then we did PT. Then yummy breakfast chow. Well today we're doing the Land Navigation...oh shit I forgot all the Land Nav stuff I learned from that class I'm just hoping I have a group who knows how to read the map and designate points. You guys may think it's easy it's not. Well we got on trans and we arrived at the Land Navigation site. You know the area under my hip on my right leg is feeling kinda weird and it hurts somewhat oh well maybe it's temporary. Well we would drop our rucksacks onto the drop site for rucksacks and cover it with our ponchos because the weather looks very gloomy today. Well we always cover it with a poncho anyways. Then we would go into a windscreen and get a brief from the Cadre about Land Nav. Then we would go into the woods and learn Pace count. Basically it's measurements. Then they would split us into groups. Well I ended up with some of my buddies, Gloyd, Voyles, and Holmes from 4th Platoon. Gloyd would carry compass and Volyes would have the map and do the measurements and where to go. There are points on the map you have to go to and each group which has 4 Privates have to go to those points. And when the DS's were talking about dropping us into a huge ass forest, I thought they were joking! They weren't joking...no wonder why it's called Fort Lost in the Woods. Well they would mark signs where the points on the map would be and every group has different points. So we're all spread out so no one cheats and only your group knows. But of course some groups would have the same points so I guess just in case we run out of time we get the points from the groups. Well Holmes and I would be the spotters looking out for the signs. After given our map our group set out to our first point and Gloyd would just point the compass to see what direction we were in. I hope we're heading the right way...well it took us 1/2 hour to get to our first point.Good thing I have good instincts in finding objects because if I didn't spot them we would have just gone past it! and damn I hate this walking. Also I like to add it is hot out here. I think it's like 95 degrees plus! Lucky we're just wearing our LBVs and not our IBAs. Well we would go to our 2nd point (note: We had 4 hours to complete this task, Land Nav is a graduation requirement) and would climb up and down hills and more hills. God this is killing my freakin legs. The area under my hip feels weirder now....I'm not carrying my M-16 in my hands anymore now so I sling it on my back. Then finally we found our 2nd point, then we went on to our 3rd point and climbed up more hills...argh...this is killing me! and then found it..then got our 4th and final point...I looked down my watch and we had an 1 hour and 1/2 to get back to the site. Looks like we get to rest here on the hill. Well I sat down and we would see other groups trying to find their points and they would ask us where this certain point is and etc. We would have the same points as some others and they would thank us and be on their way. Well to me it's teamwork and hopefully they do find the points! Gloyd would be writing letters and meanwhile Holmes and Voyles and me would chat and talk about home...man I miss home...and I miss the food. I could eat some Reese's Pieces! That's it when I graduate and come home I'm buying a big pack of Reese's and eating it all day!!! After an hour we would set back to our starting point and give the numbers and points to the Cadre and they would clear us that we pass Day Land Nav. Well folks we have Night Land Nav which it will dark as shit....but for now I'm looking forward to my yummy MRE!!! I took off my helmet and LBV and layed my rifle next to me and then opened the precious MRE. This time I got Enchilada yum!!! Damn it I got no candy though but hey I did get a milkshake...but I decided to save the milkshake for later purposes...Meanwhile it would get cloudy and then it rained. I rushed with my gear to the windscreen where 200 of us Privates would sit and squeeze in the bleachers. Well it rained and thundered and then hailed. Sr. Drill Sgt then came out of the tent and told us Night Land Nav might be canceled if the weather keeps on going like this. I felt hungry again though so I took out my milkshake and put some water in it and drank the yummy strawberry flavored milkshake yum!!! 1/2 hour later the rain would stop and we would stay put. Well since most of us were 17 year olds and still in High School we love to talk so guess what? More PT....oh geez...Rifle PT. Drill Sgt McKay would call a company formation and then half right face and put the Rifle over our heads. God damn it people why can't you keep your mouth shut when the DS's tell you to be quiet...then we would do some exercises with the Rifle such as squatting with the rifle in front of you and arms straight. We did this straight for an hour. Then Senior DS would stop it and lecture us about learning a lesson...oh well I hope it doesn't happen again...I'm getting tired of this talking scheme...well we would just sit around and we would learn some covering techniques from the DS's. Then Dinner Chow, had Chicken and Rice yum! After Dinner Chow we would sit in the Windscreen awaiting our next task. Then it rained AGAIN! Damn it...Sr. Drill Sgt said they're canceling Night Land Nav that bad weather is on the way and we would get back to barracks. We then we got in a Company Formation and rushed to our rucksacks and got on Trans. Again now the area under my hip is hurting real bad when I'm running...but I'm ignoring it ..I can barely run but I'm pushing it...Well got on trans and got back to the barracks. We would put our gear away and then go down again for formation for mail call, then up again to shower and I got goddamn fireguard again...oh well first shift..not bad...well cleaned the latrines and then the shift was over and I went to sleep...my legs are toasted...and the area under my right hip hurts...

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Warrior Tower and White Phase

White Phase finally some high speed training....well that's what I heard...Woke up, hygiene and brought my gear down and we did some stretching before going to the wonderful breakfast chow. Well this time I'll be getting sausage, eggs and hashbrowns and Total Raisin Bran yum! Well after breakfast chow we got back on our gear and went on trans to Warrior Tower...well this is Warrior Tower

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yeah I think the tower is around 60-70 feet high I'm not really sure but it's really high up there....well first we have to use a rope to climb up a steep wall and I mean steep...well then when we got up there and had to be on our all fours for safety reasons....we had to use a rope to get across a pit and then climb down a rope ladder which some Privates feared climbing...even the Executive Officer took some pictures of those terrified faces. I'll never forget those faces. Some won't even let go when told to let go so Drill Sgt Marlar would come up and let the fingers of the privates stop touching the rope. It's no harm when dropping from the rope ladder because their is a thick mat full of water.

I commando crawled the rope bridges and went across them perfectly... Well after that we got to eat MREs and this time I got Country Captain Chicken...normally I don't eat the main meals and never heat the main course so I ate the Chicken cold and this time I got M&Ms. Well I decided to share with my battle buddies since they were eyeing my candy! Well you know I had a nice guy reputation so that's what I did I shared with them. Anyways it was soon to be our turn on Warrior Tower. 1st Platoon would go first then 2nd platoon. Drill Sgt Thomas (the nice Drill Sgt) would teach us how to tie a rope around the waist when rappeling. Then we would practice on a miniature wall rappeling down. While 1st Platoon would finish we would check to make sure our rope is secure if it wasn't the Drill Sgts would do the rope for us. They wouldn't want to fall to our deaths...then soon it was our turn. We climbed up the Tower and went on all fours for safety reasons. Senior Drill Sgt, DS Beale, and Drill Sgt Marlar controlled three stations. I had Sr Drill Sgt and Harrison next to me had Drill Sgt Beale...well since Harrison is known for fratinizing in the Company every DS knows about her...while I rappeled down damn I looked down and it was pretty high but it took 3 jumps off the wall to get down...but the funny part is that Harrison when rappeling down DS Beale would shake the rope and literally scare Harrison...I guess they wanted a laugh! When I got down I noticed a German officer was observing us He looked very important...I didn't know the Germans were interested in our training..
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Anyways we would wait for 3rd and 4th platoon to get down...and then we went back to the Company by Trans and then...I noticed our phase banner was gone and we stood in formation until the DS's would come out with the red phase flag but it looked a little buffy...looks like the white phase flag is underneath!!! Well the Drill Sgt would call us to attention then the First Sgt would take place then the Company Commander would take place. The CO would give the command present arms and the banners would be unfurled to the new white phase banner! Later then he would give the command order arms! Next was Stand at ease and then told us to gather around him. The Company Commander would talk to us about Red Phase and the accomplishments we had made and what we did since Day 0 when we first came in on that bus being "sharked attacked" by the DS's. Then he would talk to us about the upcoming weeks about BRM and gave us some info on the passes we get this weekend...well while he was talking my muscle under my hip felt weird and it hurts a little when I move it...maybe it's a strain I ignored the pain and just kept listening to what the CO had to say. Then we would fall back to formation and The Drill Sgt would march us to chow and this time they would do cadences....They would start with this cadence

Hey Hey Lock and Load,
It's 4AM and we're ready to roll,
To kill the enemy and claim his soul,
So early, so early, so early, in the morning.

F. O. On the hill
He calls the artillery and brings in the steel,
To kill the enemy and claim his soul,
So early, so early, so early, in the morning.

Bradleys creeping low,
The engines are ready and they're ready to go,
To kill the enemy and claim his soul,
So early, so early, so early, in the morning.

Sniper on the hill,
He loads a round and he's ready to kill,
To kill the enemy and claim his soul,
So early, so early, so early, in the morning,
So early, so early, so early, in the morning.

For Dinner chow we were given a couple minutes more to eat and the Drill Sgts would be going around anymore to watch what we ate..but they do keep an eye on the Cake...Drill Sgts would have their own table and finally they would eat their own meals.....well we didn't need to line up in formation anymore outside the DFAC, the DS's told us that we would leave in 12 man teams back to the company and then wait in formation until the whole company gets back...well I guess this rocks! They gave us more freedom and I can't wait for the high speed training we're gonna get! Well Mail call, shower and then sleep! No fireguard tonite but I know I will tomorrow though...I hear we're going to Land Nav where they give us a map and we're supposed to go to certain points...well it's a big forest out there and no wonder why it's call Ft Lost in the Woods...oh well I must sleep!

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

The Confidence Course

The last day of before we turn into White Phase damn I'm excited today! Today we'll do the confidence course which consists of obstacles. Well woke up did my stuff and got down in gear, we didn't do PT today and we went straight to chow around 0530 in the morning. Anyways after the yummy breakfast we got back on our gear and put it back on. Then we march to Trans and finally got to the Confidence Course. We were split by platoons and Drill Sgt Johnson would watch us and supervise us while Drill Sgt Hoaglund would overwatch another obstacle as a safety. Well we went thru this obstacle first

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It was pretty fun my hands burned but hey I love being in the air crawling on the rope. (Picture is courtesy of Missinginmo of military.com forums) Well when I got to the bottom and the 1/2 of my platoon got down we cheered but we couldn't keep our frickin mouth shut when we were talking and Drill Sgt Johnson would put us in the Front Leaning Rest Position...oh geez for the time being...then later she would just say get up privates...oh well..Then we would climb walls and climb a tower using battle buddies and help each other to get up the tower. Then we had to climb huge walls and I would have to step on one of my battle buddies back to get up the wall....Then we low crawled and did obstacles that required balance and did the monkey bars which I haven't done since a kid....well that was a long day though...we had Lunch MREs and this time I got Thai Chicken...damn it no candy!!!Stuck with peanut butter and crackers...as a snack but I'm addicted to Peanut Butter! Well then we would just do the rest of the obstacle course and then we would go back to the company by Trans. Then Dinner chow and mail call and shower and sleep...got fireguard tonite....the last night of Red Phase yay!!! Tomorrow is Warrior Tower!!!

Monday, June 27, 2005

Inspection!

Today is inspection day, Fireguard did their best last night and I hope they cleaned the bay well....anyways woke up 0430, formation, PT and chow...and then got into BDUs and cleaned the bay more...then it was inspection time...we towed to the line with our M-16s standing at attention waiting for Drill Sgt Hoaglund to come into our bay and commence the inspection...Our lockers were to remain open and visible so he can inspect our uniforms and gear. The uniforms were supposed to be in a certain order and with the arms at parade rest so it would look neat but guess what I forgot to do that...anyways didn't have time to change it so I stayed there at attention. Drill Sgt Hoaglund soon came in and we yelled At Ease! He said Carry on Privates! We would say Yes Drill Sgt Good Morning Drill Sgt! Then DS Hoaglund said I hope you cleaned this bay because every frickin time it looks like crap in the morning" Anyways we went to the other side of the bay so I guess we're not going to be inspected first. He would put us at Parade Rest...so I had to stay there for 1/2 hour until he would come up to our side...I would just stare at Pvt Reid from 4th Platoon and we would just make gestures and whisper...anyways I could hear Drill Sgt Hoaglund say the discrepencies he said "Strings on uniform, uniforms not in correct order in the locker, improperly rolled socks and underwear and not in order and he goes on and on...he soon reached our side and we were put to attention. I was the one first to be inspected. He inspected me and said "Strings on Uniform, Did you shave Pvt?" oh shit in my mind I forgot to shave this morning..."I did Drill Sgt my blade is getting dull Drill Sgt" "Ok Private you better get a new razor then" Phew I thought I would get smoked for that then he would check my locker and my uniforms were out of order argh I spend 4 hours organizing my locker yesterday..oh well He finished my inspection and went on to my battle buddy, same discrepency...anyways had to stand there at attention for 15 more minutes and then when DS Hoaglund was finished he said I hope you square your battle buddies and yourselves privates and then he left....well then it was lunch chow and cleaning the bay and then dinner chow...Mail Call...I got a letter from my buddy Aaron back in New Jersey...yay and my Mom...I feel so happy after a day being pissed off...oh well shower and sleep...tomorrow we go to the Confidence Course...

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Eh Another Sunday...finally some rest!

Wow Sunday...the best day in the week in my opinion because there is no training yay! but anyways wokeup at 0530 and did the usual drill and got down to formation in PTs. There was no PT today so we got sent up back to our bay to do bay maintenance. Meanwhile my battle buddies were doing their thing...I went to clean up my locker because we have an inspection tomorrow and our bay still looks like crap...but anyways cleaned my locker as prescribed by a proper setup of a Soldier's locker...Then we got called down to chow and Breakfast, I love the smell of sausage and eggs....and then we got back to barracks and for people going to church they would change into BDUs, I decided I go to Baptist Church today so I changed in BDUs and one of the Sgts in our company took us on the truck to Church....at Church we just do our prayers and I cried a little because I missed life so much back at home but oh well....when church was over we got back to Company and got ready for lunch chow....and after that more bay maintenance and some privates would do work detail as such as mowing the Company's lawns and moving the sprinklers. Well I was lucky so I got to stay up in the bay and made sure my locker was squared away...anyways dinner chow, shower and sleep....tomorrow is inspection I hope we're in tip top shape...Warrior Tower is this Wednesday I can't wait and that is the day we phase to White Phase....

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Pugil Sticks YAY!

Well, it's been a good week actually here and I'm beginning to get used to this training. Anyways I woke up, did the usual drill, we got down to formation and then we did PT, we did AGRs today, which is the Ability Group Runs, they based what groups you're going to be in by the PT 1-1-1 accessment we took the 1st weekend we got to basic There are four groups Alpha which have the fastest runners, Bravo group has the people who can run but not as fast as Alpha, Charlie has the average runners and last group is Delta which has the people who can't run well at all. I was in Charlie Group yeah I know it's not good but hey at least I can run. We ran around the Battalion track and we did 60 30s which is 60 sprint and 30 walk. We had to do that same drill 8 times. It got very tiring but when a Drill Sgt is behind you and oh yeah you gotta run, that's what they're there for. Well I'll say I did well. After the run we went to chow and got into our BDUs when we got back from basic. When I was getting my BDUs from my locker I saw my Battle Buddy Johnson damn his shirt is totally soaked from the run, he must have sweated alot during that run, and that shirt was so wet it created a little puddle on the floor. Normally we hang out shirts outside of our locker so they won't smell. Don't worry we had Drill Sgt Hoaglund's permission to hang the shirts on the side of our lockers. Anyways we changed BDUs and my buddies would tease each other and stuff and then we would go down to formation and get the Pugil sticks and gear out. The gear consisted of football helmets, pugil sticks, and padding. Today we're going to fight each other. Our Drill Sgts would then get the company to the "Pit" and then split up into platoons. Each platoon had their own area and their own fights. When we got to our section, Drill Sgt Johnson and DS Hoaglund said lightweights here, middleweights here and heavyweights here. I weighed 112 lbs at the time so I was a lightweight. Jones JA was a lightweight, Inman and Jeter was also a lightweight. So I had a couple of my buddies to fight. Too bad I can't fight my own battle buddy Johnson...anyways they would call out the females to fight first then the males. While they were fighting I spectated and the Company Commander and the XO would take pictures of the fights. Meanwhile Sr. Drill Sgt was not happy though. He stopped the fights and said "Delta Company THESE ARE THE LAMEST FIGHTS I HAVE EVER SEEN! SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT DELTA COMPANY OR YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO THIS ANYMORE!!" Hopefully the Company got the message...soon it was my turn and guess what I went against Inman aka the smelly private..so I got into my gear and put in my mouthpiece and grabbed the pugil stick. I got a little prep from another Drill Sgt which his name was Code. He said to us "Show us what ya got Privates, give us a show!" That got me motivated.
Then we got into arena and faced back to back. Then Drill Sgt Johnson would tap our helmets and we walk out 6 steps and then faced each other. I charged Inman and got a hit off of him and then his head. I got a point. (Max score 3 points) Back to back again and another charge. This time I missed. I would dodge his attacks and tried to block them but he got me in the chest so he got a point. Back to Back again and this time I let him charge and I smacked him in the head, I got 2 points there. The next time we slowly went up to each other and we kept blocking each others attack and then he did a slash and got me on the arms and chest. Damn it's a tie 2-2. I need to win this match. We got back to back and then taps from the Drill Sgt. I charge Inman and again we blocked each others attacks. I'm getting tired ya know but I kept on fighting. This time I went for the groin and it worked he flinched and I did a thrust into the chest. Drill Sgt stopped the match and raised my arm to signal the victory! Yay I won!!! Well Inman and me shoke hands. I would spectate other fights and cheer on. Then I was challenged by Jones JA. I got my gear on and to make this short I got killed. My head was so dizzy...because he kept aiming for my head....anyways then Sr. Drill Sgt would mass the whole company to have the best heavy, middle and light weights and females battle each other by platoons. Jones JA, Gosser and Harris represented 2nd Platoon. Well we didn't do well at all we lost all the fights, so 3rd Platoon grabbed the honors. Well after the fights we would go to lunch chow and put away the equipment and do bay maintenance. I heard there's an inspection on Monday and Drill Sgt Hoaglund would be inspecting so I cleaned up my locker and made sure everything was squared away. Then to dinner chow, no mail call today because Civis don't work on weekends and then shower and sleep...I got fireguard...seems like every other night..since our bay still looks like crap..oh well I sleep...

Friday, June 24, 2005

Team Development Course

Well this is the week which we mark the end of the 2nd week of BCT yay...I can't wait for White Phase!!!! White Phase is the Gunfighter phase which we learn how to shoot the M-16 and other weapons such as the AT-4, M249 and the rest of the US Weapons arsenal used today by our Armed Forces. Well hopefully I'm looking for some bonding with some of my other battle buddies during the Team Development Course. Well did the drill and went to chow...Finally today I got SAUSAGE! All the other days I had bacon oh well finally something tasty....yum yum! Then we went to the course and we were put in teams and mixed in with other platoons. I had Nations and Neumann, Bean and bunch of other good people on my team and they seemed pretty good. Well we did some obstacles, bad part is that Nations, she would freak out sometimes and doubt getting over to the other side on a bar bridge but she made it after a long time yelling of motivation from me and my teammates...that's the thing about Basic it's going to build your strength and confidence so you can do anything. I'd like to say it's HOT HOT HOT out here and you need to drink alot of water and be motivated. I heard we eat MREs today, hm...sometimes I think it's better than lunch chow at the DFAC..because sometimes you get candy in them and DS's don't care! Well ate my MRE which I got Thai Chicken and damn it didn't come with candy argh...I haven't eaten any candy in 2 weeks...I miss candy! Then we went back to company and cleaned the barracks AGAIN! Dinner, mail call, oh about mail call, sometimes the Drill Sgt would make us watch the Privates who got Care packages eat all the food right in front of us, talk about torture, they can't even share and now we have to watch them eating in right in front of us...oh damn I miss that kind of food!!! Anyways shower and then sleep..no fireguard...phew! I heard tomorrow would be Pugil Sticks, oh fun fun fun! I'm gonna beat some people well hopefully...

Thursday, June 23, 2005

oooo ahhh the Gas Chamber

The Gas Chamber, such a place which is a horror to many people. Well today is the day that we will go through it and Drill Sgt Hoaglund and Drill Sgt Johnson asked us if we're scared and said they both love watching Privates panic and puke, well you know the nasty stuff. Well wakeup, hygiene, formation and PT. Then we ate breakfast chow and got our gear on. We got on Trans which was nice buses this time and we were dropped off at the NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical) Classrooms and we learned how to get our masks on properly, if it is not on properly oh you're in for a surprise, I'll tell ya later but after that we marched to the Gas Chamber site and we rested there for a couple hours and ate lunch chow...hm... I'm a little fishy why they fed us Lunch chow before going into the gas chamber. We were all sitting around then the Sr. Drill Sgt would say "YOU BETTER FUCKING CLEAN THIS PLACE UP AND THIS IS YOUR LUNCH AND WE FRICKIN FEED YOU AND THIS IS HOW YOU TREAT US? YOU'RE GOING TO THE FUCKIN PIT TONIGHT I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE TIRED! FRONT LEANING REST POSITION MOVE!" Then the Drill Sgts would go around to make sure we did our pushups and served our punishment then we were told to get up. Oh god damn it the "pit" tonight again, can I have some peace...oh well. Then we were on to the Gas Chamber. 10 people went in at a time. It was hilarious hearing my battle buddies cough and even scream when they took off their masks and had to breathe in the gas. Someone dropped their mask and the row wasn't allowed to leave until that Private picked up their mask. They were in there for 2 minutes and that's got to suck. Some privates didn't follow directions and had to go in a 2nd time. Well I was in the 2nd to last row to go in, and soon it was my turn. I got my mask on and proceeded into the gas chamber. When we were in there we did some facing movements and then told to get our mask off. Dang this stuff burns! I kept my eyes closed and eventually I had to breathe in the CS Gas and it wasn't pleasant at all. I was horribly coughing and panicking a little and soon we rushed outside and the DSs and the other privates would tell us to flap our arms and I had snot come out of my nose and spit coming out of my mouth luckily I did not vomit but other people did. If I were to go through that gas chamber I would never ever go thru that again at all. For the Privates that didn't have their mask secure they coughed and breathe in the CS Gas for the whole 3 minutes and their eyes are completely red and I mean red. Then a lady would come out and sell us advanced orders on yearbooks and DVDs I ordered a DVD well it was 30 bucks oh well. I'll tell ya another thing Basic Training can get expensive...anyways Then we got on Trans back to the Company and dinner chow. We would get into formation after dinner chow and then march to the "Pit" surprisingly when we expected a column left to the pit we did a column right back to our Company meaning that we aren't going to the pit tonight. I think the Sr. Drill Sgt had enough fun watching us cry, puke, and vomit. Oh Thank God! Mail Call and shower then sleep! Damn I have fireguard tonite....2nd shift...2215-2330...

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Radio Communications!

It's Wednesday, another interesting day in Fort Leonard Wood. Anyways woke up did my hygiene and the usual deal. Chow yum I love cereal now...too bad I have to chug it down and get out of there. After chow we got our equipment on and went on cattle cars to the classrooms. I heard we're going to learn communications and how to use the radio properly. Wow finally something fun, it was dull during the past two days... Well after we got out of the cattle cars and got into formation and then we were split by platoons to the classrooms. Drill Sgt Hoaglund would teach us about the radio and what to say while DS Johnson makes sure no one is sleeping. The Company XO and Company Commander were going around and of course we wouldn't want to embarrass our platoon futhermore because well you know Private Green (the fuckup) already caused trouble. I would advise you not to sleep in these kind of classes. Some Privates were caught asleep and had to go back to room and hold their rifles above their head for 1/2 hour and trust me it keeps then awake. Also I hate to hear moaning when they're having the rifles above their head. So I advise you not to do that. Anyways we learned how to use the radio properly and then we went back to Company Barracks in the afternoon just in time for Lunch chow. We ate lunch chow and then went back to the bay and cleaned up there. It feels like we never have time to things on our own it's clean clean clean...well then dinner chow, mail call and shower and sleep. Tomorrow is the Gas chamber how exciting will that be. You know I'm nervous...and I mean nervous!

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Damn nothing fun today well damn detail though

Today was a boring day...we had detail...well to summarize that to you the Whole Company would do work detail. 1st and 3rdth platoon stayed at the Barracks cleaned there and while my platoon (2nd) and 4th platoon would go out and fill sandbags. Yeah so much fun eh....well the good thing is we worked as a team and we didn't finish the job...oh well looks like lunch chow and guess what another lecture....After lunch and the lecture...we got back to barracks and looks like Drill Sgt Sanchez only took his 4th platoon to finish our work...looks like rest for me...well....we would just do bay maintenance to make sure our bay is ready for tip top inspection next monday by our Drill Sgt. Then we got called down and we got our gas masks. The supply NCO would come out and talk about our masks and if there are any problems or parts missing. I had a size small mask...Geez everything is a small for me...X Small BDUs Size 7 BDU cover geez what's next now another size small... Well Dinner chow then Mail Call, shower and sleep....

Monday, June 20, 2005

oh the Bayonet, the ultimate WEAPON!

Wakeup 0430, did the usual drill...people would just walk and guess what we would do pushups...god I hate doing this when waking up in the morning. We have to get our gear on. They handed out IBAs which is the Interceptor Body Armor without the plates and these things protect your body from bullets. I heard the plates would be 15 lbs but we won't get them late. Anyways I put my IBA on and the LBV.
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The LBV

We Got downstairs and got into formation and then we had to take all our gear off to go to get into PT formation...for stretching and then off to chow. After chow we got back on our gear and put it back on. The Gear we had consisted of the IBA, Kevlar Helmet, the LBV and the rucksack and of course my rifle. Anyways, we got on trans this time it was a cattle car got those things are hot inside...and then we were rushed outside when we arrived at the Bayonet Course. We practiced on tires and the Drill Sgts would teach us the techniques such as the slash, buttstock to the groin series, buttstock to the head series and the thrust. We also learned our motivation saying...when the Drill Sgts say Delta Company ARE YOU MOTIVATED? We say MOTIVATED MOTIVATED DOWN RIGHT MOTIVATED HOO HAH I WANNA KILL SOMEBODY HOOHAH I WANNA KILL SOMEBODY. Another was "What makes the green grass grow?" We reply "Blood Blood Bright Red Blood Drill Sgt!" I remember this female private she tore her tire up in pieces and now that was some motivation. After all of that we would take off our gear and go for platoon pictures. I smiled in that picture...oh well I ordered one platoon picture and cadre picture. Those pictures are the one you want! lol I love it when Drill Sgt Johnson says "That is the one you want" in a funny way. Anyways we ate MREs for lunch oooo my 1st MRE some MREs got candy I didn't though...but I did get peanut butter and crackers for a snack and Enchiladas as a meal...We had 1/2 hr to eat lunch wow that was the longest time we ate a meal...anyways we would run the bayonet course where you run with the rifle and bayonet slashing targets using the techniques the DS's taught you and low crawl under barb wire by back crawling and then reaching the end where the 1st Sgt was watching you. Well I finished the course in 5 minutes and damn it was hot out there. So I drank my full canteen of water I had. After that after everyone was done we went back to company and put our gear back in our lockers and went to dinner chow. Then mail call, showers and then off to sleep at 2100 no fireguard tonite...

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Sunday

Well It's Sunday and 530 wakeup but no I had to wake up at 4:15 because I had fireguard basically we don't do anything on the last shift because all the supplies are put away in the closet on the last shift...so we just sit there for 1 hour and 15 minutes doing nothing. Maybe a little chat with my battle buddy Johnson. Oh yeah I forgot they assigned 6 man teams for fireguard since Drill Sgt Hoaglund was pissed that other day and our bay looked like shit that day...but I don't mind. Well did my personal hygiene and went downstairs. NO PT today...We would go downstairs for formation and then go upstairs to conduct Bay maintenence to make sure everything is cleaned. Oh yeah I forgot there was going to be an inspection tomorrow so I think I would clean up my locker today and get my BDUs and myself in tip top shape. After that we went to chow and I think I should go to Church today...well to tell you the truth I'm not a religious guy and I'm buddhist but hey maybe I'll go Baptist today! Just to get away from the Drill Sgts is relieving. They're always around and they are always watching. If you hide anything they will find out sooner or later. Trust me they do. Church was ok. 1 hr of relief. We had Drill Sgt Hoaglund and Drill Sgt Sanchez march over to the Church. Well after Church they would wait outside for us and march us back. Damn when I get back the privates who didn't go to church services didn't do any detail...damn..ok lunch chow and then off to the classroom near the Battalion to learn Land Navigation. I had Harrison as a partner. She looks great to tell you the truth. She's looking at Jones JA(the lover boy) but remember fratanization involves an Article 15 so I'm not getting into that now...So we work together and complete some problems we were taught about on Land Nav. They told us they will put us in a forest and navigate to certain points in groups in 2 weeks testing our skills. The forest and area is huge. I mean HUGE! We learned azimuth and that stuff. Then we completed Land Nav and went for Dinner Chow and there was no mail call since Civilians don't work on Sundays...and I went for a shower and went to bed...

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Saturday

Wakeup.....argh I'm tired. PT then chow.. Today we go to classrooms outside of the Battalion to learn First Aid. Basically, how to do a splint and what to do about exit wounds and such. How to wrap those bandages and how to apply them. I hope I can remember all this stuff for when we go out to FTX for end of cycle testing where the 1st Sgt grades us well if the 1st Sgt grades us...We had lunch outside and it was HOT A's basically food from the DFAC transported here. Of course we had limited time and had to eat fast. Then back to more first Aid. How we got to the classrooms was by bus or cattle truck or those luxury big buses we called them Cadillacs because they were so big and had air conditioning compared to those cattle trucks were blistering hot when you squeeze 50 people with gear on...Well after First Aid we went back to the Company and settled there until Dinner Chow. Good thing Sr Drill Sgt has the day off....anyways then Mail Call...damn no mail today...Anyways the Gas Chamber I hear this Thurs that will be cool...and We go to the Team Development Course on Tues. Finally something better than hearing lectures all day! Anyways shower then off to bed. I have the last shift...it sucks to have last shift..

Friday, June 17, 2005

Friday I'm not saying TGIF

Hm...a wakeup as usual damn doing the same thing every morning gets dull...The other night I had to move next to by battle buddy Johnson (not to confuse Drill Sgt Johnson not her there is a Pvt Johnson in our platoon)and got everything from my old locker right next to the new one I'm going to dang that was a hassle...Anyways PT in the morning then breakfast chow...Yum...then we went back to the barracks to change into BDUs and then off the Battalion HQ to hear more lectures. This time we learned about tactics and bad news I fell asleep...Drill Sgt Sanchez caught me sleeping...well Drill Sgt Sanchez is a buff black man and you don't want him to get on his rough side his yelling is crazy. He can go from happy to crazy in seconds. So I went to back of the room and yep Rifle PT. The Rifle had to be in front of me arms straight for some time and then rifle drills, the rifle in front of me, above me and back of me. I did this straight for 1/2 hour and yeah it sucked. Well I won't be sleeping anymore...After that was lunch chow but another bad thing happened. A Pvt from 3rd platoon needed a battle buddy when the Drill Sgt called for him..no one came with him...so a Pvt from ECHO Company. uh oh this ain't good. We went in to eat and then I hear Sr Drill Sgt yelling Delta Company you fucking pissed me off today. "Why the heck you aren't coming to help your frickin battle buddies? A PVT FROM FRICKIN ECHO COMPANY had to BE HIS BATTLE BUDDY. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU PUSHING ME PRIVATES. You have embarrassed Delta Company! You're going to the fucking PIT TONITE!" Oh geez not the pit tonite. We went to the rest of our lectures(I try not to fall asleep and then dinner chow. After that Drill Sgts took over and we marched into the pit and low crawled and it was hot...so I was sweating badly. then back to barracks and to the showers. then off to bed...damn This Friday is not a good Friday for me. Sleep thank God it's refreshing to feel these sheets..no fireguard tonite

Thursday, June 16, 2005

1st week of BCT is almost over

Got up did my personal hygiene, did my bunk and went down for formation. Also I forgot Fireguard did a crappy job last nite cleaning and DS Hoaglund and DS Johnson isn't happy about it. So while DS Johnson went down with us. DS Hoaglund would trash the whole bay. When I mean trashing the whole bay I mean trashing the whole bay. He made matters worse when Pvt Thao (he's my Asian buddy on the right across from me) left his lock unsecured and DS Hoaglund would throw out everything and toss it in the air. What really shocked us DS Hoaglund would smear SHOE SHINE ON the floor. Who ever has fireguard is going to have a long night...maybe I should help. Anyways while DS Hoaglund was doing his thing DS Johnson would supervise while we do our Early morning PT. I think I'm one of DS Johnson's favorites. Always noticable and I have no idea is that a good thing or a bad thing? Anyways breakfast chow yum yum! but of course I wish they give us more time to eat but we have to CHUG it down! We would hear more lectures about the Army Values and they would show us videos on what to expect in the coming weeks. Some people fell asleep and they would be PTed of course. After the lectures when we're about to file out to formation outside DS Johnson asks me" Pvt where you from?" I replied " From Florida Drill Sgt" " Wow Private I thought you would be livin in New York or somethin Private...What Country you from Private? "Vietnam Drill Sgt" Drill Sgt Johnson " Now that's cool Private now get away from me and get into formation" Hm...I think I'm a Favorite of hers...well we'll see. We went to lunch chow and had to hear more and more lectures when does it stop? Then Dinner Chow. Again Mail Call (about mail call if DS Johnson would hand out the mail and if you get more than 3 letters you have to do 10 pushups per extra letter. Jones JA has 15 letters and you do the math that's a lot of pushups...)and then we were told to go to the KillZone for something special. Hm..Well the platoon went upstairs and we waited eagerly for DS Hoaglund. He came in and we yelled "AT Ease!" HE said carry on and we sat down and he then told us to stand up and said "Privates who live on the east coast and midwest on the right side and West Coast on the left side. Well you know where I went. I went to the right side. We were going to have Battle Buddy Teams and you have to go where ever he goes, get punished when he gets punished. Well Basically be everywhere with your battle buddy is the concept. (females with females and males with males FYI) I was assigned with Pvt. Johnson he was 25 and a great battle buddy. He's from Chicago surprisingly where I was born. He also had a 81 lb girlfriend not to mention she's Asian...I can imagine hm...nevermind..but he's a great buddy. (Since he was ever assigned as a Battle Buddy he made me think faster and move faster. I have done things faster when I was his Battle Buddy and I thank him for that.) You'll never forget your battle buddy, your drill Sgt and your platoon. There's one private named Hurd great guy his father is a Sgt Major here and he's very athletic and he's one of the conservative types here. He likes to talk and settle things down when the shit hits the fan. He's great. Then there's Green...yeah Timothy Green oh geez he's always getting in trouble. He gets our platoon in trouble and everytime he messes up we mess up. But I respect the dude but really it's crossing the line. Another is Jones JA. I can see he has the looks of the ladie's man. He has a 15 year old girlfriend turning 16 soon and he's going to marry her soon after graduation (he soon bought a $600 engagement ring 2 weeks before FTX when we were on pass). But he has some integrity problems such as the cake incident that got us in the "PiT" Drill Sgt Hoaglund and DS Johnson would make him say "I'm Sorry 2nd Platoon!" We would reply Thank Jones JA!" We would say it couple of times and he would repeat it until the Drill Sgts had enough. I think the 1st Sgt doesn't like us much but he's a very nice guy...anyways Off to sleep here...no fireguard YAY!

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Day 5

Oh geez same shit different day again....early morning formation and PT of course then chow this is so exciting...yeah right...Anyways breakfast chow and back to Battalion HQ classroom. This time it was about the UCMJ and the media. We were taught about the Article 15 and the consequences. Ouch losing 1/2 month's pay and rank. That's gonna suck. Then lunch chow after that we were taught about the media and the procedure how to deal with them. Basically becareful what to say to them and what to do if they are there. Anyways dinner chow. Someone fucked up during Dinner Chow and got some cake guess what it was Green and Jones JA (First name was James and middle name I forgot, we had three Jones in our platoon). Oh I hate that kid. I can't believe it. We were sent to the infamous Pit. Jones just had to hide that cake under the table...and Green argh...have to do PT because of both of them....it's hot outside and unbearable. Those bastards got to watch us suffer...argh..anyways maybe it will get better. Gotta keep my nice guy reputation. After that we went back to barracks and we didn't get mail call because it was too late and we went to the barracks and took a shower. Came down again for Hydration Formation and then off to sleep. No Fireguard tonite.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Another day at Army BCT

Wow same shit different day...formation, chow, lectures this time the lectures was about the M-16 and everyone was so enthusiatic about it. At least no one slept on this one. We got our slings for the M-16 so we won't have to march with them holding it. I heard the slings are the new ones that many units don't have and we have the nice ones hm...then we learned how to take apart the Rifle and assemble it. They don't time us on putting it together that's movie stuff...we learned the parts and the ammunition used. Bad part we learned is we won't fire with the Rifle until Week 4 oh we have to carry this rifle around for 3 more weeks not firing it. At least I won't need to worry about cleaning it..yet..Anyways lunch chow and lectures and dinner chow. Mail Call...oh darn no letters today...I can get used to this life ya know. after Mail Call went up to barracks and then back down to shine my boots. I wish I can use QuickShine boy that would be easier but I have to do it the old fashioned way...Then we were sent to take showers. Surprisingly DS Hoaglund would tell us no more Shower Drills but we would have to take showers on our own but limit the time. He said " I don't want to look at you ugly naked Privates anyways! If your buddies is late for next formation just because of a shower you'll pay the price." Next formation would be hydration formation which we bring down our canteens and drink the whole thing. I think I expect toilets to go off the whole night anyways the Company wouldn't shut the hell up and the CQ Drill Sgt on Duty would walk out there and everyone shouted At Ease and then The CQ Drill Sgt shouted
Company Attention!
Half-Right face!
Front leaning Rest Position move!
In cadence!

1-2-3- 1
1-2-3- 2
1-2-3- 3
1-2-3- 4
1-2-3- Halt

Just because we wouldn't shut the hell up in formation....oh geez we have a long way to go. Anyways the Drill Sgts would go home after mail call I think and there's a CQ drill Sgt on duty that stays UP ALL NIGHT to make sure everything's in order and he/she will be inspecting the bays to make sure everyone is asleep and in bed except for fireguard. If we had a male drill Sgt the alarms wouldnt go off if we exited the bay but if a female Drill Sgt and then the alarms would go off if we exited the bay We would have to stay inside the bay the whole time until wakeup so if we had fireguard we had to make sure we get the supplies out of the closet before lights out and alarms activated. The only people allowed to leave the bay is fireguard and CQ duty. About CQ duty is just cleaning up outside and doing errands for the CQ Drill Sgt. Anyways I had fireguard duty tonight I had the 2100-2215 shift that's a good shift well off to cleaning...and then to sleep...

Monday, June 13, 2005

The Day I meet my companion for the next 8 weeks

Well woke up at 0430 did the usual drill. DS Hoaglund and DS Johnson would come in as usual. Then we were issued our weapons card which has our number and information on it. It had the weapon's serial number and the weapon number it self. I had weapon number 78 and I was expected to remember my serial number. ok I hope I remember my serial number. We were then told to go down to formation and DS Hoaglund was checking lockers were locked and such. Ok I'd tell you people make sure your lock is secure. If you don't don't expect it to be tidy. The DS's will throw everything out of the locker and literally dump out everything except your personal drawer. A Private's shirts and underwear were on top of a pipe. Also don't leave your laundry in the dryer expect it to be wet when you get back to the barracks. They do check the dryers and washers. It just teaches you not to leave things unsecure and unattended. So don't do that....Anyways got in formation. We were told to sound off "In number weapon sequence count!" 123456789 1-0 123456789 2-0 and so on...basically the number on your weapon card was 10 then you go when they begin count. I was 78 so I had to wait until 123456789 7-0. We got our weapons and wow the precious M-16 my companion for 8 weeks...we are not allowed to leave our weapons unsecure or the Drill Sgt would take it and when you find out yours is missing you end up getting yelled at and unless he/she is not in a good mood then PT. So we had to go everywhere with our weapon except the latrine. Oh the bathroom is called the latrine. Don't call it restroom or bathroom. Here's what happened when a Private in our Company said that.

"Drill Sgt, Private Morrison requests permission to utilize the bathroom Drill Sgt"
Drill Sgt McKay-"What Private you want to take a bath Private you kiddin me?
"Drill Sgt no Drill Sgt may I utilize the restroom?"
Drill Sgt McKay-"What you wanna Rest now is that I hear?"
"Drill Sgt no Drill Sgt May I utilize the Latrine?"
"Permission Granted Go before you frickin pee yourself!"

Before chow we layed the weapons under the CTA (Covered Training Area)and assigned two weapons guard to make sure our weapons were not taken. That's how it works. You always have to have a battle buddy where ever you go. Always in a pair. Even when a Drill Sgt asks for a one private. That Private is expected to be with a battle buddy. We also had to have weapon's relief which they have to eat fast so the weapons guard can rush to the DFAC to eat themselves. Then after that we went to Battalion HQ classroom to hear more lectures..Boy these lectures can make you sleepy and don't FALL asleep. The DS's will always watch you and walk around and catch people and PT them til they sweat hard. They won't care if you moan they would PT you. When we enter a room we don't take seats immediately we have to stand at attention until the given order "Take Seats!" and we reply "Duty Honor Country!" and then we sit down. After all those lectures we went to lunch chow and we had more lectures and then to dinner chow. Of course we went to the barracks. This time we were told to get our rucksack and helmet. They were in pieces and now we have to put them together. We put the rucksacks and helmet together and helped others who had trouble. I had trouble with my rucksack so after the DS would release us upstairs I just pay 5 bucks for someone to do my rucksack for me. The helmet was easy to do..anyways then lights out. I checked the Fireguard roster and looks like another day off but tomorrow I expect Fireguard...nice a good night sleep once again hopefully tomorrow is a good day...

Sunday, June 12, 2005

Day 3

Wow we got an extra hour of sleep here, wake-up was at 0530 Drill Sgt Hoaglund and Drill Sgt Johnson would do the same old damn thing with the whistle well DS Houglund while Johnson would just watch us and tell us if we were too slow...we would do personal hygiene and then go down for formation and Drill Sgts would check for accountablility of their Privates. Then they gave us the command Stand At EASE. Which is parade rest and your head facing them...don't confuse the both of those commands when parade rest make sure your head is straight ahead. Then they would talk about church services and who would want to go. I didn't since I wasn't religious so I stayed at the barracks. I heard alot about details if you didn't go to church. They would give us 1 hour reflection time but today they gave us 5 hours and didn't bother us hm...that's odd...When everyone got back from church (when going to church you have to change into BDUs)I changed into BDUs and we were on our way to chow. After chow lectures lectures lectures...Oh come on...after that dinner chow and then off to our barracks. We get our weapons tomorrow hm...damn I can't wait..

Saturday, June 11, 2005

My 2nd Day at BCT

ugh I hate waking up at 4:30 AM in the morning anyways it's 0430 in military time for you military folks reading...I follow either ways...but anyways Drill Sgt you know would come in at 0430 blowing that damn whistle of his. And we would do that routine all over again I described earlier. After personal hygiene we got downstairs to the CTA (Covered Training Area) and got into formation. The Drill Sgts would count all of us in our platoons to make sure we were all accounted for. Luckily today everyone was on time. Today we had our 1-1-1 PT assessment. 1 minutes of pushups, 1 min of situps and 1 mile run. When you pushups the arms have to be 90 angle and your back straight and when I mean straight it does have to be or the scorer won't count it. Situps were easy and mile run was a breeze. Boy I was pissed off I only had 12 "correct pushups" I did frickin 50 but oh well looks like I gotta work on the technique. After the PT assesment test we went to Chow and yum you gotta love breakfast all that sweet stuff....and then after that would be more lectures in the Battalion Headquarters. I heard we get our rifles on Monday...hm...maybe it's getting better. Ok about being in the classroom they would talk about certain things like regulations or a specific subject such as the uniform. I caution myself and the others about falling asleep in those classes. you would be in a rude awakening. If caught you would be told to stand up and go back to the room and do PT. When they PT you they PT you hard. Well it wakes you up though. They PTed one of my buddies caught sleeping and his BDUs were soaking wet so I think falling asleep would not be an option here....anyways went to lunch and more lectures...you know it's getting boring and i'm looking forward to the Rifles you know. After more lectures, Dinner chow came up. Then back to the barracks. We had mail call and I got one letter from my mom. Darn I miss my parents ya know. She wrote a I miss you letter well you guys know what to expect in those letters and she sent me some money! That was nice anyways after that we went back to our bay and cleaned it up so Drill Sgt Hoaglund and Drill Sgt Johnson won't yell at us about it...anyways DS Hoaglund came up and it was shower drill time again...oh I hate those...after that I would brush my teeth and write letters back home and to my friends. Then Lights out. Again no Fireguard YAY!

Friday, June 10, 2005

Day 1 of BCT

Day 1 of BCT
June 10th
ugh, Fireguard was ok last nite. I hate losing an hour of sleep doing clean up duty. Ok to clarify what Fireguard is just cleaning the bay and making sure you do the required duties as stated in the binder at the desk we had up front near the entrance to the bay. I had to sweep the floors and mop them. Well I went back to sleep and enjoyed my 3 hours left I had until it was 0430. at 0430 Drill Sgt Hoaglund would come in with the whistle screaming and yelling "Wake up Privates!!! Wake up Privates!! You know the freakin drill left side brushes teeth while the right side folds their bunks! You gotta move fast Privates we got no time! Private Harris you're not moving fast you're not motivated Private! Get moving!!!" Anyways I sleep on the right side of the bay along with 4th platoon and I was trying to move fast. In my mind I was scared and nervous but I'm thinking that I have to get over that. I made my bunk and then I heard a whistle and Drill Sgt Hoaglund saying left side you're finished! Right side brush your teeth! We have a long day privates! Today marks Day 1 and we do PT!" Then Private Voyles one of the guys that came with me from Reception was just strolling down the aisle just walking. Drill Sgt Hoaglund recognizes him and saying " What the hell are you doing Private get moving!!!! OK PRIVATES YOU ARE PISSING ME OFF! FRONT LEANING REST POSITION MOVE!!!!!!" Oh damn it anyways that means pushups. everytime we did a pushup we had to say 1 Drill Sgt, 2 Drill Sgt, 3 Drill Sgt, 4 Drill Sgt, 5 Drill Sgt. Then he gave the command "Attention!" We were back on our feet and he said "I hope you learn your lesson Privates Now get the hell out of here and get downstairs!" Damn I didn't even to get to shave and brush my frickin teeth. damn it! Meanwhile we went downstairs and we got into Platoon formation. We would fall in at attention and the Drill Sgts would report in and then we would fall out to PT formation. We got a routine that we have to do everyday except on Sundays. Meanwhile after PT (first we would change into BDUs then) we would go to Breakfast Chow. Oh we would do the same procedure as I said on Day 0. Well to me and alot of people Breakfast is the best meal. You know why? Because of the sweets yum yum, waffles and cereal and eggs and sausage....After that we would be in formation outside the DFAC and while we waited for the rest of the Company we had to pull out our "Smart Books" and read it. Well someone forgot their Smart Book and guess what our platoon gets dropped. Half-Right Face! Front Leaning Rest Position Move! Oh I can't believe this. My Arms are getting so sore. I don't think anyone will forget their smart book from now on. After Chow we would go to the Battalion HQ Classrooms where we would have the Battalion Commander which was Lt. Col Cadwallader lecture us that we have parted on a great path to become Soldiers and ultimately MPs. She said Imagine yourself on Gammon Field where your family is watching you marching on that field, that same field where thousands of Soldiers before you graduated from years ago and then it would be your turn. Your families are watching your every move when you march and do the Pass and Revue. But 1st we must pass our goals and pass our tasks and face up to the challenges that we will face in the times to come. Then we had the Battalion Chaplain come in and lecture us on the church services available. Some Privates were rude and asked to go to the Bathroom. They were allowed to go but we were soon unaware of the consequences laid before us. After all the lectures, the whole Company lined up outside in Company Formation. Then the Sr Drill Sgt came out and said "Privates you embarrass me and disrespecting an officer. You fucking pissed me off today and you have crossed the line! YOU ARE GOING TO THE PIT!!!! I don't care how long. Drill Sgts you handle that after Dinner chow!" Oh shit damn it. My nice BDUs. Anyways the Pit is it's filled with Rubber chips it's soft but it's basically a pit where people get punished and you're doing out in the heat yeah it can get hot. We got to dinner chow and soon after that waited for our punishment and yes it did happen. We were told to take out everything out of pockets and put it behind us so we don't lose it. Then we did Front Back Gos which Front is pushups, back is flutterkicks and gos is running in place. Then we had to low crawl from one side to the other. I'm getting tired now why did we mess up. Someone had to jack up........argh...After that we marched back tired and we went to our bays and did shower drills and then we went to sleep. I looked on the Fireguard roster. My name is not on the list tonight....

Thursday, June 09, 2005

The Day I entered Hell and which changed my life forever

June 9th
"Field Day" Day 0 is today. we wake up 0430 got our duffelbags with all our issue and personal bags. We wait for chow and soon we ate of course and I was given my Miltiary Glasses. I swear to God these glasses suck ass I'd tell you what these glasses are thick and brown and look like the ones from Revenge of the Nerds. Damn I look ugly in those! anyways then we were told to wait outside. 40 of us Privates waiting outside for our trans to come along. Hm...guess what our transportation was a cattle car, wow I expected a bus like I saw on goarmy.com but I guess not. We got on the cattle car and we're all cramped inside and it was so hot in there oh geez I can bear it phew so hot. We arrived at these white buildings and then the doors opened. I see two Drill Sgts I see their hats and first of all they were calm and told us to get off the cattle car and put our dufflebags on the ground. I see the words on the building CIF issue. That stands for Central Issue Facility where we get our gear, kevlar, LBV, and rucksack.So I ended up carrying TWO heavy 75 lbs duffelbags. Ok it's pretty heavy and carrying in this heat is brutal. Then we got on a big bus we called those cadillacs because they were huge buses. The Drill Sgts introduced themselves there was one female which was Drill Sgt Johnson and the other was Drill Sgt Hoaglund. (They end up as my Drill Sgts). Meanwhile on our ride to the Company we were told to put our heads down and we did. There was one Pvt named Hallmark she put her head up and the Drill Sgt caught her and said Pvt put your head down what the hell think you're doing! Privates don't know how to follow a stinkin order! Then we arrived at the Company. It was time. We were yelled at to get off the bus and____________________________________________________ (I will not talk about this certain part of event because you have to go to Basic Training to expierence this yourself what the Drill Sgts did to us it is an expierence you have to be there for and no it's not the same as in a movie) After that they introduced the Drill Sgts, The Senior Drill Sgt, The 1st Sgt and The Company XO and Company Commander. Then we were split up into Platoons. I was assigned to 2nd Platoons along with 10 other privates and the others were split into 1st 3rd and 4th platoons. And yeah we have Drill Sgt Johnson and Hoaglund as our Drill Sgts. We went upstairs and I'm struggling with my duffelbags because they were so heavy and I'm lucky to carry them up 3 flights of stairs. We went thru the bay and found other privates saying "at Ease" when Drill Sgt Hoaglund came in (They were other Privates that came before us and shipped 3 days before us but didn't start Basic Training yet) Drill Sgt Hoaglund said carry on and the privates would respond "Yes Drill Sgt Good Afternoon Drill Sgt!" we would go to the "Killzone" which is the barracks classroom for each platoon and fill out some paperwork. Meanwhile we also had to go to the Battalion HQ to finish some paperwork there also. After that was Dinner chow. Ok Dinner chow, phew long description on that one. We would march to the Dining Facility (I would label DFAC for short that's what it means) and arrive to the entrance there were two entrances to the DFAC one right and the other was left. We went to the left one. The Drill Sgts would march the whole company and halt them under a huge covering. Then they would give the command "Center Face!" Then "Guidon and Phase Banners Post!" We would sound off and yell off the top of our lungs until the phase banners and guidon were posted. That determined the order of what platoon gets to eat first or last. We would then go into the DFAC and line up. Our heads have to be straight looking ahead at parade rest until the line moves forward. Anyone caught talking or looking around would be intimidated by Drill Sgts and I mean badly of course. Then when we reach the cashier we would say what component for example I said Good evening sir, National Guard Sir. He would say good evening please type in your social. There was a little number pad to type in our social and I did and then we would go in line for food. Again eyes have to be straight even with the tray and you have to sidestep in line and head straight until you get to the ladies who serve the meal. Of course there are some people who would jack it up. The meals aren't bad, the usual good like speghetti and meatballs and such. We were told to get water 1st and that is the rule of the land here. The reason is they want us to be hydrated. I got water and went to the table and you have to wait for the person across from you gets to the table if he/she is not there you have to stand there at attention until he/she gets there then you can eat your meal. Guess what? We have to chug down the food, no looking up and around and talking. Just chug it. If your table was done and then you were done. They gave us less than 7 minutes to eat. When I mean chug it and I mean chug it. We would line up in formation and waiting outside to read our smart books. Of course there were some privates who jacked up so we got ALL in trouble. If one gets in trouble all of us gets in trouble. Guess what it was Timothy Green and he's in my platoon. Oh great. here's how it went. Company Attention! Half-right face! Front leaning Rest Position Move! In Cadence! 1-2-3 1 1-2-3 2 1-2-3 3 1-2-3 4 1-2-3 HALT! The Flutterkick! Start position move! In Cadence! 1-2-3 1 1-2-3 2 1-2-3 3 1-2-3 4 1-2-3 HALT! Hold it Hold it Hold it All the way up! Half-way down and hold it. Hold it Hold it...." Then we were finished. "post to the position of attention!" we would echo the command and then he would say move! then we all went to attention. Then we all marched back to the Company. Remember these barracks are the brand new ones. Oh the Company is Delta Company, 787th MP BN. Brand new barracks and Brand new DFAC. The new privates and I would go back to the killzone and finish inventory and putting our personal bags in a locked room. Then we would get ready for showers. The Drill Sgt would come in and we would have shower drills. Ok I live in 2nd Platoon bay which houses 50 males that goes pretty for every platoon. Except we also house some of 4th platoon males. yeah we have 20 shower heads. Drill Sgt comes in tells off to get our clothes off in the latrines (in the military they call latrine not bathroom or restroom) some of us will shower 1-2 minute intervals and Drill Sgt Hoaglund would blow a whistle when we're done. 30 seconds to rinse then shower off then 30 seconds to apply soap shower off then 30 seconds to rinse again. So little time to do these things. To get all these people done can be a headache. oh yeah being naked in front of 40 guys is weird but it's Military Life get used to it. Got nothing to hide anyways. We would change into PT shorts and sleep in them. Lights out was at 2100. First day though I had Fireguard which is cleanup bay duty at 0045-0200. I did that then I got some sleep until the next day when Basic Training actually starts. Day 0 was a beginning path to become a Soldier.

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Day before Hell

June 7th and 8th
Basically we get our pay and rank finalized and our ID cards and tags come thru. i found out only 1 male from Alpha 1 will be shipping out with me and the rest are females. Interesting eh only one person I know coming to Basic with me...oh geez. There were some others assigned from Alpha 2 and Bravo 3 and 1. There were 40 of us I think. anyways yeah Day 0 Field Day is about to start tomorrow I can't wait to enter hell.

Monday, June 06, 2005

wow...

June 6th
Again the same schedule you know it's getting boring. Today we got the rest of our shots and oh god we all lined up and this was how we got our shots. We got in line waiting to go, and there was this one person on the left and on the right. They both have two needles and stuck those needles into my arms. So 4 needles went into me just like that. *bam*bam*bam*bam* My arms were so sore. Gosh I hope I can get some sleep tonight.. Then we were issued our BDUs, about time we get to wear these instead of those PTs. We got those fitted on us. and by the way we wouldn't get the shirts until before chow because they would have to sew on our names. Meanwhile we would go to the shoppette and get our supplies for Basic. They gave us this $250 card that was out of our pay so we can get supplies such as shower shoes, nail clippers, the flashlight and running shoes and such. After that we got our BDU tops then
Then we had dinner chow. Sgt White which was our Processing NCO then marched us out to the barracks. We would sing some cadences such as the Airborne Ranger cadence. Here it goes:

I'm sitting in my foxhole
Sharpinning my knife
Up jumped the enemy
I had to take his life

Chorus:Airbooooooooorne Raaaaaaaangers Lead The Way

I went to wake up the Sergeant
He was lying in his bed
I went to turn him over
I found out he was dead

Chorus:Airbooooooooorne Raaaaaaaangers Lead The Way

My buddies in a foxhole
With a bullet in his head
The medic said he's wounded
But I know that he's dead

Chorus:Airbooooooooorne Raaaaaaaangers Lead The Way

I hear the choppers coming
They're flying over head
They come to get the wounded
But all they find is dead

Chorus:Airbooooooooorne Raaaaaaaangers Lead The Way

That's my favorite cadence. Then something unfortunate happens. A private named Timothy Green (he'll later be in my platoon when we got downrange which brought alot of hell) claimed someone stole his wallet and let the CQ Processing NCO know. Trust me the processing NCO was pissed. The Sgt told us that if that wallet wasn't turned in now he would call the MPs and the MPs would wreak the place apart and go thru everything. Well we waited 2 hours outside and you know what the MPs did come. They did drive those nice Chevy Impalas. They get their own cars to themselves. Whoa that's nice anyways...and guess what Green found his wallet in his locker..damn kid...2 hours waiting out there for nothing. then lights out.

Sunday, June 05, 2005

the Weekend....

June 4th-5th
The weekend started out pretty boring and nothing significant happens. Anyways we woke up as usual at 0430, ate breakfast at the DFAC. Then we went back to the barracks to get our duffelbags done with our names and last 4 SS numbers. Then we would go to the main hall and watch some movies. It's wierd I thought Reception was going to be boring and I guess not. Anyways there is nothing done because processing only happens on weekdays. the movies we watched were Blade 2 and SWAT. Interesting ain't it? The Army must be getting softer... Then we went to the barracks again to sleep and chill til dinner and lights out at 2100.

Friday, June 03, 2005

the 3rd day.....

June 3rd
It's Friday, wakeup as usual at 0430 well I could get used to this schedule, today we got our 2 shots, and we got our blood taken. Dang there was this Asian Private taking my blood and that needle he has in his hands was so long and he just popped that needle in a vein that he could find. I think my arm is so numb thanks to that. god damn it! anyways we went to lunch and then another long wait. And then we watched some Privates about to go downrange for Basic Training and the Processing NCOs are making sure they remember their General Orders, the Soldier's Creed and the Army Song. I guess it's very important knowing that info...gotta make that note and gotta know that crap... After that we went to dinner and then went back to the barracks.

Thursday, June 02, 2005

2nd day...

June 2nd

It's goddamn morning and I'm so tired. I got no sleep at all! Wow this is so great. Anyways we were issued "Smart books" which we were forced to read that had almost everything about on regulations and procedures, that went from the rifle to grenades ,the bayonet, the Soldier's Creed and the Army Song. Later I got my eyes checked and got my haircut. Wow my hair is gone, I can't believe it I have no hair. What will my folks at home say? And Damn the ladies who cut my hair were so rough on my head and I think I bled a little because they were so rough with the razor. Eh shit happens.. Meanwhile we just filled out some more paperwork.......and another day was done. The day feels like forever when you're here. I want to go to Basic already this shit is so boring.... Anyways we ate our three meals at the Dining Facility which is not bad at all. The food is basically your typical food such as sausage waffles and you know the good stuff. The Army cooks good food not the crap people always talking about.... Anyways after all that we went to the barracks and chilled basically. I made some new friends. I know all of them won't be with me during Basic because they have different MOS's than me.

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

MEPS and Reception

June 1st

Well I just woke up at the MEPS motel waking up at 4:30 as usual. I had a hard time sleeping because of the thoughts going thru my head that my dream had come true to become a Soldier. Anyways got dressed grabbed our bags and went down for breakfast. Breakfast was your usual good stuff you know the hotel restaurant food is good. Well it's the Ramada Inn oh well...Then we would go on our trip to MEPS where we would be shipped out. They were alot of people to be shipped out. Couple of them going Air Force. I remember I met a guy he was in Air Force JROTC at Sandalwood in 2002. I have to tell Colonel about him that's he's enlisting in the Air Force as a mechanic. oh well. It was a long wait at MEPS. Yeah arriving there at 5:00 AM to waiting there til 12:00 PM to get shipped out gets pretty dull. Thank God they have the TV on. They finally gave us our tickets and a bus ride to Jacksonville International Airport. Guess what we were late for our flight! So we had to reschedule a flight for 5:00 PM to North Carolina then 7:00 to St Louis MO. Anyways I made some friends on the way. They were National Guard also and 17 year olds like me doing Split Op. One was going Special Forces, and the other MP. Meanwhile we got on our flights and slept on the way to our destinations. We met a pretty Ssgt from the Air Force and she said you guys will be fine and enjoy what you have now" She seemed pretty nice. Anyways we boarded our flight to St Louis and took 2 hours and 1/2 to get there. Got there around 9:00 we reported to the USO where there was a bus waiting for us there. We got on the bus and I slept on the ride there. It was a 3 hour ride to Ft Leonard Wood from St Louis. By the time we got to FLW it was 1:00 AM Then we arrived at Reception the 43rd AG. We were all nervous and we waited and waited at the entrance while still on the bus waiting for a Drill Sgt to come out. I remember his name very well. Drill Sgt Mathis. He was at least 6 feet with a high and tigh haircut. He's on his 3rd year as a Drill Sgt. I expected the yelling and fear but when he got on the bus he was actually calm and said to get off the bus in an orderly manner and instructed us males on one side and females on the other side and so we did. After that we were told to pick up our bags and go inside to the main hall where they had benches. We filled out some paperwork and then we were given time to dispose of any "contraband" and it was our last opportunity. By the time we finished that it was 3:00 AM I was expecting a shakedown but there wasn't any. We then went to get our PT clothing issue to wear every day which I have no idea how long we have to wear them. By that time an hour passed. so it was 4:00 AM. I can't believe it Drill Sgt Mathis said wake up is 4:30 AM....ah! No sleep! So we situated in our bay and got our bunks and put our bags away. Our bay was labeled and assigned Alpha 1.

Army Basic Training Journal

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Thursday, May 14, 2009

a Long waited update......

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Updated

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Hey guys

Sunday, January 08, 2006

2006...

Friday, December 09, 2005

About Me lately in December 2005

Monday, September 05, 2005

Introduction (DAY 1 BCT you would have to Scroll all the way down)

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Convoy Live Fire...........

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

An STX and Night Fire hell yeah baby!

Monday, July 25, 2005

Buddy Movement Training

Sunday, July 24, 2005

Sunday.....booooorrrriiiinnnngggg

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Grenade Qualification Day and Blue Phase!

Friday, July 22, 2005

Inspection

Thursday, July 21, 2005

MOUT site

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

M203, MK19 and the AT4 :D

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

M249 time :D

Monday, July 18, 2005

ARM and today sucked ass...

Sunday, July 17, 2005

Sunday

Saturday, July 16, 2005

EST and it's frickin Saturday!!!

Friday, July 15, 2005

It's Friday...

Thursday, July 14, 2005

BRM

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Day before qualifcation....

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

uh today is not a good day....but another day it is...

Monday, July 11, 2005

another day of BRM

Sunday, July 10, 2005

Sunday...

Saturday, July 09, 2005

Finally the DAY I GET OFF CRUTCHES!

Friday, July 08, 2005

Another day of BRM!!

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Zeroing

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Grouping

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Dry Firing

Monday, July 04, 2005

July 4th...

Sunday, July 03, 2005

Sunday....

Saturday, July 02, 2005

I get Crutches...

Friday, July 01, 2005

Another day of BCT...

Thursday, June 30, 2005

Land Nav

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Warrior Tower and White Phase

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

The Confidence Course

Monday, June 27, 2005

Inspection!

Sunday, June 26, 2005