Saturday - getting ready for chow. Just found out that hopefully we'll actually do something today. I've been in Kentucky for 15 days now and BCT* for 8. Seems like I'm just sitting here going stir crazy.
Hope all is well. Tell everyone "hi" and sorry I can't call or email. If you can, please let me know how Little Bear is doing. Camas and Cotton, too if you can find out.
*BCT - Basic Combat Training
Friday, January 30, 2009
January 30th, 2009
Still frozen here. The past few days the food really sucks. A lot of people complaining about being hungry. Some people get run out and eat a lot less than others. I'm doing ok. I don't mind. Today we took our first shower in 3 days. 3 guys didn't ever get one. Mine was approximately 15 seconds. There are rumors that we might start training tomorrow. Some also say Monday. A few guys are on the verge of getting recycled and/or discharged. Apparently this boot camp has about a 50% attrition rate. You either really fuck up and they discharge you or get recycled, but this is the last Charlie Troop. So, if I get recycled, I would end up sitting for about 2 months then starting all over at Fort Benning.
Apparently, there is one drill sergeant who has been physically smacking on kids upstairs, but who knows?
Apparently, there is one drill sergeant who has been physically smacking on kids upstairs, but who knows?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
January 29th, 2009
Power is still out. I heard it's about 600k people in the KY/IL area, but who knows where that info came from. Even though they are feeding us without power, or maybe it's the phase where I'm not getting enough calories, I am hungry a lot; not in my stomach but in my body.
We were supposed to be dry-firing rifles today but because of the weather we're cooped up. They assign squad leaders today. They tell you (they being basic graduates) you need to take this up on your own, but here any way it's not so. It's assigned. The 3 they assigned are knuckleheads. I think that's the point. They need that type of challenge.
Turns out there is a kid from Nampa and one from Meridian in my platoon. I got put in 1st squad which turns out to mostly have all good guys. Well at least none of the really fucked up kids. So, here at basic it is: 5-15 Cavalry, Charlie Company, 1st Platoon, 1st Squad (this is just for basic and AIT). Hell-raiser recon was just a temp name. All these guys are trying to come up with a new, quick name for our platoon.
I hope this weather does not throw the schedule off too much. The storm looks like it's going to cause all of Basic to push back about a week. We're supposed to be shooting and doing obstacle courses the last two day. This place is too funny.
Everywhere you go, it's like the March of the Penguins. I have to say some of the cadences are pretty cool. We do all kinds of strange crap. Like when we eat 3 times a day: we form up and march about blocks with the DS to a cadence. Then to get into the chow hall, we have to do this weird ass crap as a platoon:
DS says - Head uncover
we quickly put our hands on our hat
DS says - remove cover
we say - snap, zero zero one zero zero two zero zero three zero zero four zero zero five
by then we have to have our hats in our pocket.
The DS will excalim: TOO SLOW
we reply - Awe, shit!
DS says - Awe, shit!
then the whole thing repeats a second time and after that part we step out attention.
DS says - what is the order of chow?
we reply - Dumb Drill Sergeant, you know the deal. The order of chow is 1-2-3-4*, Drill Sergeant.
Then we say: 1-2-3-4. Get the door, door man. Get the door, door maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan. Boom! Charlie Company is in the house
Then the door man from the back yells - if you ain't Cav,
Then we yell back - You ain't shit.
then we file into t chow by the platoon order, and everyone has to clear their rifle as they pass.
We have to recite all types of songs, rhymes and chants and shit. I will write some more later. For now my batteries are dying in my light.
*Those are the platoons and how they enter the chow hall.
We were supposed to be dry-firing rifles today but because of the weather we're cooped up. They assign squad leaders today. They tell you (they being basic graduates) you need to take this up on your own, but here any way it's not so. It's assigned. The 3 they assigned are knuckleheads. I think that's the point. They need that type of challenge.
Turns out there is a kid from Nampa and one from Meridian in my platoon. I got put in 1st squad which turns out to mostly have all good guys. Well at least none of the really fucked up kids. So, here at basic it is: 5-15 Cavalry, Charlie Company, 1st Platoon, 1st Squad (this is just for basic and AIT). Hell-raiser recon was just a temp name. All these guys are trying to come up with a new, quick name for our platoon.
I hope this weather does not throw the schedule off too much. The storm looks like it's going to cause all of Basic to push back about a week. We're supposed to be shooting and doing obstacle courses the last two day. This place is too funny.
Everywhere you go, it's like the March of the Penguins. I have to say some of the cadences are pretty cool. We do all kinds of strange crap. Like when we eat 3 times a day: we form up and march about blocks with the DS to a cadence. Then to get into the chow hall, we have to do this weird ass crap as a platoon:
DS says - Head uncover
we quickly put our hands on our hat
DS says - remove cover
we say - snap, zero zero one zero zero two zero zero three zero zero four zero zero five
by then we have to have our hats in our pocket.
The DS will excalim: TOO SLOW
we reply - Awe, shit!
DS says - Awe, shit!
then the whole thing repeats a second time and after that part we step out attention.
DS says - what is the order of chow?
we reply - Dumb Drill Sergeant, you know the deal. The order of chow is 1-2-3-4*, Drill Sergeant.
Then we say: 1-2-3-4. Get the door, door man. Get the door, door maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan. Boom! Charlie Company is in the house
Then the door man from the back yells - if you ain't Cav,
Then we yell back - You ain't shit.
then we file into t chow by the platoon order, and everyone has to clear their rifle as they pass.
We have to recite all types of songs, rhymes and chants and shit. I will write some more later. For now my batteries are dying in my light.
*Those are the platoons and how they enter the chow hall.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
January 28th, 2009
1930 - A giant ice storm has hit the area. I don't know anything about what is going but all the power is out. We ate a shit dinner, an MRE might have been better.
This place is so exhausting. Everything is so regimented. I don't get yelled really at all. I keep my head down and do what I'm asked, stay quiet and put forth the best effort I can when at PT*. Everyone else just seems to be on different pages. And just listening to the DS's** is annoying beyond belief. Some, you can tell, are good people ,but it's just retarded how everything is done. So far we're geared up but haven't really done much. The ice storm shut down our first obstacle course today.
We'll get there. Listening to everyone, most want to be snipers, airborne, air assault, ranger, ect. Some will. Some won't. We'll see. I hope I do good. We've lost one person with a blown knee. I see several others limping. I know a few who are having trouble with their back and shoulders. Lots are sick; coughing all the time. Some just can't get with the program, and it's only been 7 days. I think a lot will get cut.
My back is really gone, my left shoulder is too, and so is my left knee. The other night 35 people ran up and down three flights of stairs for about 1.5 hours. That's what got my knee. The ice is scary. I've seen probably 20-30 people eat shit running or walking. My neck is starting to hurt also. I really can't fail. That would be terrible. I hope I start to feel better.
Hopefully we'll start getting to do some stuff soon.
You are never alone here, and there is noise. Yelling, screaming, banging, etc. 24 hours a day.
It's amazing. I am not sad about this decision, but I really miss home. What I wouldn't give for a night back home with the dogs and a little peace and quiet and a good night's sleep. I literally could fall asleep on my feet if I was allowed to.
I think one thing that sucks about this is that I don't need motivation to succeed, which is what I think a lot of the people here need. Hence the regimented yelling and shit.
I think I would be be more focused and relaxed if I knew everything was good at home and with the dogs. I can't stand how we can't use the phone. A single call would be great right now, or a letter. I suppose it seems like all I write is negative. I think that will change soon though. Well we will see what happens. I want to do this, but I feel so out of touch with reality sometimes.
*PT - Physical Training
**DS - Drill Sergeant
This place is so exhausting. Everything is so regimented. I don't get yelled really at all. I keep my head down and do what I'm asked, stay quiet and put forth the best effort I can when at PT*. Everyone else just seems to be on different pages. And just listening to the DS's** is annoying beyond belief. Some, you can tell, are good people ,but it's just retarded how everything is done. So far we're geared up but haven't really done much. The ice storm shut down our first obstacle course today.
We'll get there. Listening to everyone, most want to be snipers, airborne, air assault, ranger, ect. Some will. Some won't. We'll see. I hope I do good. We've lost one person with a blown knee. I see several others limping. I know a few who are having trouble with their back and shoulders. Lots are sick; coughing all the time. Some just can't get with the program, and it's only been 7 days. I think a lot will get cut.
My back is really gone, my left shoulder is too, and so is my left knee. The other night 35 people ran up and down three flights of stairs for about 1.5 hours. That's what got my knee. The ice is scary. I've seen probably 20-30 people eat shit running or walking. My neck is starting to hurt also. I really can't fail. That would be terrible. I hope I start to feel better.
Hopefully we'll start getting to do some stuff soon.
You are never alone here, and there is noise. Yelling, screaming, banging, etc. 24 hours a day.
It's amazing. I am not sad about this decision, but I really miss home. What I wouldn't give for a night back home with the dogs and a little peace and quiet and a good night's sleep. I literally could fall asleep on my feet if I was allowed to.
I think one thing that sucks about this is that I don't need motivation to succeed, which is what I think a lot of the people here need. Hence the regimented yelling and shit.
I think I would be be more focused and relaxed if I knew everything was good at home and with the dogs. I can't stand how we can't use the phone. A single call would be great right now, or a letter. I suppose it seems like all I write is negative. I think that will change soon though. Well we will see what happens. I want to do this, but I feel so out of touch with reality sometimes.
*PT - Physical Training
**DS - Drill Sergeant
Monday, January 26, 2009
January 26th, 2009
Haven't written in a few days.
This place is mentally and physically exhausting. You only get 3-4 hours of sleep at most. You constantly are forced to do PT to the point of total muscle failure and you're constantly being screamed at. Haven't seen too many people break down mentally, a few physically. If you fail anything you get recycled which means you start all over.
Where you end up is all random. I ended up in 5-15 CAV Charlie Company 1st Platoon, "Hell Raiser Recon." Apparently the most brutal of all the CAV companies. Every night when I do get to go to bed I feel like I've been kicked by a mule.
So far, we've been issued our M-16. That's about it. Mostly we just carry them everywhere. You don't really get much time to write. You don't get shit for phone time and there's definitely no PC mail. I'm glad this is only temporary. There should be some fun stuff coming up, but I think the BS will be there till I leave Ft. Knox.
I picked my wish-list* which is crap. You only get 2, 1 overseas and one here. Not 3 of each like the recruiter tells you. I should have picked Hawaii or Italy just for the hell of it, but I chose Alaska and Ft. Lewis, Washington.
I don't regret anything even as fucking crazy as this place is and how much crazier it will get. I look forward to my future in the Army, but I really am fried. I miss home. I miss my own bed, my own space, the ability to do whatever whenever I want, but when I get that back I know I will appreciate it more. I really miss the dogs and wish I could have some phone time to know everything back home is good. Would make me feel a whole lot better. Well, I've gotta get to sleep. Hope to talk to some of you soon.
~Justin
PS - Make sure Mom gets this so she knows I'm good.
*For future station.
This place is mentally and physically exhausting. You only get 3-4 hours of sleep at most. You constantly are forced to do PT to the point of total muscle failure and you're constantly being screamed at. Haven't seen too many people break down mentally, a few physically. If you fail anything you get recycled which means you start all over.
Where you end up is all random. I ended up in 5-15 CAV Charlie Company 1st Platoon, "Hell Raiser Recon." Apparently the most brutal of all the CAV companies. Every night when I do get to go to bed I feel like I've been kicked by a mule.
So far, we've been issued our M-16. That's about it. Mostly we just carry them everywhere. You don't really get much time to write. You don't get shit for phone time and there's definitely no PC mail. I'm glad this is only temporary. There should be some fun stuff coming up, but I think the BS will be there till I leave Ft. Knox.
I picked my wish-list* which is crap. You only get 2, 1 overseas and one here. Not 3 of each like the recruiter tells you. I should have picked Hawaii or Italy just for the hell of it, but I chose Alaska and Ft. Lewis, Washington.
I don't regret anything even as fucking crazy as this place is and how much crazier it will get. I look forward to my future in the Army, but I really am fried. I miss home. I miss my own bed, my own space, the ability to do whatever whenever I want, but when I get that back I know I will appreciate it more. I really miss the dogs and wish I could have some phone time to know everything back home is good. Would make me feel a whole lot better. Well, I've gotta get to sleep. Hope to talk to some of you soon.
~Justin
PS - Make sure Mom gets this so she knows I'm good.
*For future station.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
January 21st, 2009
OK, so just sitting here on guard duty at 2300 hours. What a long day. Tomorrow will be even worse. We're not even in BCT but we're trying to get our shit together so that we can ship Friday with everyone else. I seriously hope we do. If we don't, I'll be here in this limbo for another month. I know two people here that already know they aren't going Friday. Such total BS. My BP became an issue again, but I took it today and it was 126/83 at the dentist. I hope that's good enough. It sucks you get soft sitting here. Not running, not shit, what a stinking joke. It makes me mad not being able to go outside for PT and running.
We've got our PT test tomorrow which sucks cause I haven't run at all in two weeks and on top of that, I'm now sick as fuck with the flu. So, now after not running 2 weeks I gotta run a mile in less than 8 minutes in the butt ass cold, with a sore throat. What a bitch. Hopefully nothing else pops up.
I've noticed most people here are totally full of shit. Rumors run rampant. I also feel like you sort of become numb or desensitized. You start to forget and just go with the masses and we're not even at BCT yet. I just want to get out of reception and start BCT. This all seems like a bit of a waste. The thought of being here another month is really messed up. On top of all this shit, I'm still worried about the dogs and the house.
We've got our PT test tomorrow which sucks cause I haven't run at all in two weeks and on top of that, I'm now sick as fuck with the flu. So, now after not running 2 weeks I gotta run a mile in less than 8 minutes in the butt ass cold, with a sore throat. What a bitch. Hopefully nothing else pops up.
I've noticed most people here are totally full of shit. Rumors run rampant. I also feel like you sort of become numb or desensitized. You start to forget and just go with the masses and we're not even at BCT yet. I just want to get out of reception and start BCT. This all seems like a bit of a waste. The thought of being here another month is really messed up. On top of all this shit, I'm still worried about the dogs and the house.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
January 17th, 2009
Pretty much same shit different day. Sunday lots of guys go to church service. Those who don't clean. I cleaned. Now I am just taking time to write and watch. Tonight at 6 I have line of sight duty which means me and another have to guard the kid on suicide watch. God, this place is fucking weird. Apparently BCT is way worse and I bet it is. At least will be busy. Sometimes I wonder if it is all worth it. I keep telling myself it is and I will see that in the end. Besides, there is no way out now. I think they are quite a few people here asking themselves the same question. Everyone that said you will see every type here was 110% correct.
This place is sort of a cross between a minimum security prison and a friggin nut house. There are a few guys here that are going to do well. There's a lot that will struggle, a lot of serious immaturity in most but definitely not all. To keep busy in free time you can sleep, write, read or do PT (sit-ups, push-ups, etc.). A lot of guys complain about pulling duty. I like it. It keeps me busy. Today I got: clean the stairwell, suicide watch and at 3am - 4am I got door guard. Wake up tomorrow is 0500. 0545 is accountability or some shit. We do that at least 3xs a day. I hope to God I get to go to BCT on Friday. I don't want to be a hold over. I would be here for another 20+ days and do this with whole different group. How fucked would that be?
I'm still nervous about BCT, but at least I'll be moving forward. Found out today; if you pass AIT with 100%, you get EIC which is excellence in Cavalry. I highly doubt that to be possible, but it's something to shoot for. I know I would do well in marksmanship. 95% of these guys talk about they can't wait to shoot. Then will proceed to tell you all about rifles and ballistics and shit. Well not really ballistics. They don't know that shit and that's it when you listen to them. It's like everything they know about marksmanship came from video games or TV shows. I'm sure they'll learn but I am way out in front on the power curve there. The other thing I can't figure our is how so many out of shape fuckers there are here. Maybe like 20-25%. I need to go to the PX. I need cloths bad. My shorts smell like BO bad.
The other thing is I've been told you may or may not be able to get a watch. I really need one bad. Beither wihtout a personal time piece is ridiculous.
I'm not really homesick. I just wish I knew if everything was going well at home. I know it should be and probably is. I just wish I knew how the dogs were doing, and knew that the house is good. It's not like missing your girlfriend. It's more like having everything that is important to you completely out of your control. No No way of knowing if it's good or not and no way to fix it even if it was or is bad. And knowing it's going to stay that way for a while. Well the not knowing for a while and not being able to do anything for a long while.
Man, oh, man.
This place is sort of a cross between a minimum security prison and a friggin nut house. There are a few guys here that are going to do well. There's a lot that will struggle, a lot of serious immaturity in most but definitely not all. To keep busy in free time you can sleep, write, read or do PT (sit-ups, push-ups, etc.). A lot of guys complain about pulling duty. I like it. It keeps me busy. Today I got: clean the stairwell, suicide watch and at 3am - 4am I got door guard. Wake up tomorrow is 0500. 0545 is accountability or some shit. We do that at least 3xs a day. I hope to God I get to go to BCT on Friday. I don't want to be a hold over. I would be here for another 20+ days and do this with whole different group. How fucked would that be?
I'm still nervous about BCT, but at least I'll be moving forward. Found out today; if you pass AIT with 100%, you get EIC which is excellence in Cavalry. I highly doubt that to be possible, but it's something to shoot for. I know I would do well in marksmanship. 95% of these guys talk about they can't wait to shoot. Then will proceed to tell you all about rifles and ballistics and shit. Well not really ballistics. They don't know that shit and that's it when you listen to them. It's like everything they know about marksmanship came from video games or TV shows. I'm sure they'll learn but I am way out in front on the power curve there. The other thing I can't figure our is how so many out of shape fuckers there are here. Maybe like 20-25%. I need to go to the PX. I need cloths bad. My shorts smell like BO bad.
The other thing is I've been told you may or may not be able to get a watch. I really need one bad. Beither wihtout a personal time piece is ridiculous.
I'm not really homesick. I just wish I knew if everything was going well at home. I know it should be and probably is. I just wish I knew how the dogs were doing, and knew that the house is good. It's not like missing your girlfriend. It's more like having everything that is important to you completely out of your control. No No way of knowing if it's good or not and no way to fix it even if it was or is bad. And knowing it's going to stay that way for a while. Well the not knowing for a while and not being able to do anything for a long while.
Man, oh, man.
Friday, January 16, 2009
January 16th, 2009
7 am - Just sitting here in the Boise airport, the plane leaves at 8:30. What a trip this is. It sort of feels almost surreal. It's sort of nice being able to know everything is out of my control and I'm just mindlessly going along with what ever happens. I still have mixed emotions about BCT. I'm extremely excited and at the same time quite nervous. The future just seems to be one endless possibility at this point. I worry about about what all I've left behind but slowly am coming to terms with the fact it's all out of my control at this point and just trying to put it out of my mind and enjoy the whole experience. Besides, the only 3 things that really matter are taken care of. Camas - Bear - Cotton I do miss them already, but I know they're going to be just fine. I already look forward to seeing them again and it's only been one day.
Had lunch at the O'Hare airport. Get to sit here for about 3 hours. Should get to Louisville about 6 pm. I have no idea what I'm in for. I guess I'll see when I get there. All O'Hare is is tens of thousands of moving sea of people. Different languages and colors and shapes and sizes. Quite interesting. Same old guy in the restaurant decided he would tell me about his time in the Greek Army. Nice fellow. Couldn't spend all the military check on food and figured I didn't want to get too wasted so I gave him an $8 tip. It's not like I could have spent it so whatever.
Got to Ft. Knox about 9 pm. What a fucking trip. I can't even explain how fucked up it is. We're not even in BCT yet and you are constantly getting yelled at and told what to do, how to do it, when to do it. The worst part is not being able to understand what the DTs are saying. They ask if you understand; then everyone yells "yes, drill sergeant." half of them don't. Eating is a major operation. That's when I got chewed the first time for trying to pick up a glass. Everything is all regimented. It's really fucking trippy. We got in on Friday night so we can't process till Tuesday thanks to MLK day. Some of us have been wearing the same shit for three days.
I guess I am lucky though. Some guys have been here almost a month. BCT starts Friday (next) if there's too many to fit in they hold you over. Then you're fucked. Like there are 200 kilos. Some wait. There are only like 40-50 Deltas. Hopefully I'll be okay to go. Somethings they don't tell you. Like if you fuck up they can cut your pay. Other things like if your teeth are bad they can fuck you over once you're here. One guy, they pulled all his teeth and gave him dentures but he's so fucked he gets held over. Another guy who came in on our bus is on suicide watch. Watched another guy almost choke to death at chow on a piece of chicken.
Had lunch at the O'Hare airport. Get to sit here for about 3 hours. Should get to Louisville about 6 pm. I have no idea what I'm in for. I guess I'll see when I get there. All O'Hare is is tens of thousands of moving sea of people. Different languages and colors and shapes and sizes. Quite interesting. Same old guy in the restaurant decided he would tell me about his time in the Greek Army. Nice fellow. Couldn't spend all the military check on food and figured I didn't want to get too wasted so I gave him an $8 tip. It's not like I could have spent it so whatever.
Got to Ft. Knox about 9 pm. What a fucking trip. I can't even explain how fucked up it is. We're not even in BCT yet and you are constantly getting yelled at and told what to do, how to do it, when to do it. The worst part is not being able to understand what the DTs are saying. They ask if you understand; then everyone yells "yes, drill sergeant." half of them don't. Eating is a major operation. That's when I got chewed the first time for trying to pick up a glass. Everything is all regimented. It's really fucking trippy. We got in on Friday night so we can't process till Tuesday thanks to MLK day. Some of us have been wearing the same shit for three days.
I guess I am lucky though. Some guys have been here almost a month. BCT starts Friday (next) if there's too many to fit in they hold you over. Then you're fucked. Like there are 200 kilos. Some wait. There are only like 40-50 Deltas. Hopefully I'll be okay to go. Somethings they don't tell you. Like if you fuck up they can cut your pay. Other things like if your teeth are bad they can fuck you over once you're here. One guy, they pulled all his teeth and gave him dentures but he's so fucked he gets held over. Another guy who came in on our bus is on suicide watch. Watched another guy almost choke to death at chow on a piece of chicken.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
January 15th, 2009
@ 8:25 I swore into the Army for real. I guess I'm on the clock now. I was reminded of the UCMJ and told that I now represent the US Army; act like it and don't forget it. Without even having gone to BCT there is a certain sense of pride that oges with just the knowing.
Last night was a big sleepless night. I used the scale at the hotel gym and weighed 215 pounds. I almost got sick. I stripped down to my boxers right there and weighed 210. I was sicker. I checked the scales with different gym weights and it verified that it should be correct. My heart sank. I figured they could just do a BMI, but at 210 that might not go over so well either. I knew I would be weighted at MEPS on the 15th and if I was over I was totally FUCKED.
Waiting to get on the scales my head was spinning. I got on and prayed for any weight under 200 (my magic number - the one I can't go over or I would have been rejected). It was 195 but I figured at least under 200, I stood a chance with the BMI and on the gym scales that morning I was 203-205. Nervously I got on and watched the digital counter go up, up, up 170-180-190-191-92-93-94-94.1-.2-.3-.4 and then it STOPS! Oh my God what a great relief. That fucking gym scale is a lying piece of shit and cost me a whole night's sleep.
From here on out weight shouldn't be much of an issue. Well, I'll write again when I get to Chicago or maybe Louisville.
Last night was a big sleepless night. I used the scale at the hotel gym and weighed 215 pounds. I almost got sick. I stripped down to my boxers right there and weighed 210. I was sicker. I checked the scales with different gym weights and it verified that it should be correct. My heart sank. I figured they could just do a BMI, but at 210 that might not go over so well either. I knew I would be weighted at MEPS on the 15th and if I was over I was totally FUCKED.
Waiting to get on the scales my head was spinning. I got on and prayed for any weight under 200 (my magic number - the one I can't go over or I would have been rejected). It was 195 but I figured at least under 200, I stood a chance with the BMI and on the gym scales that morning I was 203-205. Nervously I got on and watched the digital counter go up, up, up 170-180-190-191-92-93-94-94.1-.2-.3-.4 and then it STOPS! Oh my God what a great relief. That fucking gym scale is a lying piece of shit and cost me a whole night's sleep.
From here on out weight shouldn't be much of an issue. Well, I'll write again when I get to Chicago or maybe Louisville.
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