Beat up again. So damn tired and I got fire guard at 0230-0330 and wake up at 0400. Woohoo. I can actually almost sleep standing up now, but I'm always afraid I'll drop my rifle.
Learned how to set up radio communications today. Mostly set up, radio check and med-evac. We'll be tested on that soon.
Tomorrow we road march and use the rifle simulator again.
Had to run 2 miles for a guide for the PT test. At my age, 19 minutes will pass me. I did it in 14:50. That's not the best but it is passing for the 18-21 age group, even, and it will get me a 100% score. So, that's good.
woo, my letter's kind of listing here. (he was writing more and more to the side of the page)
Oh and we had 2 more go AWOL today. I think the total now is 8 crazy fuckers. Anyhow, take care, all!
Justin :-)
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
February 15th, 2009
It's funny how as people start to get comfortable in their surroundings their attitudes change, or start to. I see people here who their inner ass really starts shine, people who need to be controlling, people who act as if all the rules apply to everyone but them. That saying - that you'll see every type in the Army - really holds true and I'm sure will be something I will talk about again sometime. Right now it's almost 6am. We've been up cleaning for about 2 hours. It's Sunday, so mostly we won't get fucked with today. Beds have to be all made like you see it in the movies. Lockers all have to be organized exactly the same. Boots and shoes displayed all the same under the bed.
I also notice a huge amount of shit talk. He said, or I heard this or that, but I've come to realize you can't buy into any of it. Process it for what it most likely is and that is most likely BS.
Church day and cleaning all day. most people you find seem to be in pretty good moods around here on Sundays. Tomorrow we go to some basic marksmanship and commo (communications) classes. I think Land Nav courses are coming up soon, too. Family day and BCT graduation is end of March, but I expect that anyone who might want to come should plan on May 15for OSUT* graduation. That's the end of the whole training cycle. If no one comes for family day, I plan on having someone sign me out - go figure at 37 years old I can't check myself out, I have to get someone else parents to do it for me - I'll probably get a taxi and have them take me to some cheap ass motel in Louisville so I can sleep for 2 days, watch TV - especially the news, order a pizza and take a long, hot shower.
I think we're going to the pit tonight. That's gonna suck. It's cold out and I'm tired. CID** is here investigating all the people who lied on their apps to get in. Mostly criminal shit, I think. Thank God my name wasn't called.
Now that it's starting to ease up, it's getting a little squirrelly. Quite a bit of aggression and a lot of immaturity. What is really fucked is about 10 of the 35 in 1st pretty much got their shit together but the other 25 are just a bunch of retarded monkeys. Two more guys went AWOL again out of 2nd platoon. We're also loosing two more - one to a dislocated shoulder and one with cracked shins. Well I'm going to bed. No fire guard tonight so I am hitting the sack.
Please write back and let me know how Little Bear is doing. Well, take care, all.
Scouts Out
~Justin :-)
*OSUT - One Station Unit Training
**CID - Criminal Investigative Division
I also notice a huge amount of shit talk. He said, or I heard this or that, but I've come to realize you can't buy into any of it. Process it for what it most likely is and that is most likely BS.
Church day and cleaning all day. most people you find seem to be in pretty good moods around here on Sundays. Tomorrow we go to some basic marksmanship and commo (communications) classes. I think Land Nav courses are coming up soon, too. Family day and BCT graduation is end of March, but I expect that anyone who might want to come should plan on May 15for OSUT* graduation. That's the end of the whole training cycle. If no one comes for family day, I plan on having someone sign me out - go figure at 37 years old I can't check myself out, I have to get someone else parents to do it for me - I'll probably get a taxi and have them take me to some cheap ass motel in Louisville so I can sleep for 2 days, watch TV - especially the news, order a pizza and take a long, hot shower.
I think we're going to the pit tonight. That's gonna suck. It's cold out and I'm tired. CID** is here investigating all the people who lied on their apps to get in. Mostly criminal shit, I think. Thank God my name wasn't called.
Now that it's starting to ease up, it's getting a little squirrelly. Quite a bit of aggression and a lot of immaturity. What is really fucked is about 10 of the 35 in 1st pretty much got their shit together but the other 25 are just a bunch of retarded monkeys. Two more guys went AWOL again out of 2nd platoon. We're also loosing two more - one to a dislocated shoulder and one with cracked shins. Well I'm going to bed. No fire guard tonight so I am hitting the sack.
Please write back and let me know how Little Bear is doing. Well, take care, all.
Scouts Out
~Justin :-)
*OSUT - One Station Unit Training
**CID - Criminal Investigative Division
Saturday, February 14, 2009
February 14th, 2009
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, EVERYONE!
So, what's new? Not too much. Today we went into white phase. Doesn't mean a whole lot. The drills are still mostly mean, but they also are showing their real sides. most likely we'll fuck something up and go back into red, then the drills will go nuts again. Whatever. Blue is in 3.5 weeks from now. If we make it.
We were at the range all day practicing for rifle qualification. We shot at 75-175 and 300 meter targets. I did above average, but we'll see. We qualify Tuesday. It was cold as hell today. We still march everywhere we go. Sometimes, we take old school buses, but mostly march. Everywhere we go we have to wear what they call FULL BATTLE RATTLE. That includes our IBA (Industrial Body Armor and plates) that is about 20 pounds, our kevlar helmet, glasses, pads and M-16 rifle, and about a 25 pound rucksack. Doesn't sound like too much but after all day it gets heavy. One of the first things I'm doing when I get out of here getting a back massage.
I think we'll be training most next week with our M-16 at the range. We do have a bunch of other weapons we have to qualify with. I think that up next might bethe 249 (5.56 belt-fed rifle), the 240B (7.62 belt-fed) and the .50 cal belt-fed rifles. I'll tell you all about the stuff as we qualify. There's not much to the M-16 other than to say they're total hunks of shit, that would go for about 20K on the black market. I would like to have the trigger group out of one for the three round burst, but that ain't happening.
Had to go to the PX again and get a hair cut. $5 and I swear nothing comes off. What a rip. :-) Got some stamps, a pencil, paper and few razors. Yeehaw! Everyone else had mountains of shit. You have to understand - this sounds normal, but what you don't know is that to do it we have to form up a platoon, march across "Disneyland" (our living area) over to the shopette. We then stand in an hour long line for the ATM, move 2 steps at a time, going from "attention" and moving then stopping and going to "at ease" then attention and move and over and over and over. Then we travel in pairs to get our haircut. We stand in line for about 1 hour, then sit in chairs in order for about 20 minutes, moving like robots skipping chair to chair. Finally, we get in the chair. They shave our heads, we hold the money up, they take it, push our change in our hand and we move off to the store. Where there is all kinds of stuff to buy, but you can only have authorized items, and if you get caught trying to buy a non-authorized item, you're screwed. The whole time you do all of this, you walk like a robot - head and eyes straight forward - you listen to everything and watch only where your peripheral vision which is hard cause there is all kinds of craziness going on all around and if you get caught looking at something that's none of your business - which is everything - you'll get smoked, or sometimes they'll smoke the whole platoon on your behalf. The whole time screaming, "Buddy fucker. Don't be a buddy fucker." instead of counting.
Man going to the firing rangs is a whole gigantic process that would take a manual to explain.
1) you get off the bus and form up - then you ground your ruck, then move to the bleachers for briefing, then you file out - move down the firing line, well anyhow, I'm not going to explain this. It will take forever. Just let me say: It takes all day long.
Everyone here, well the privates I mean, are slowly being worn down - Lights out - talk to you later.
scouts out
~Justin :-)
So, what's new? Not too much. Today we went into white phase. Doesn't mean a whole lot. The drills are still mostly mean, but they also are showing their real sides. most likely we'll fuck something up and go back into red, then the drills will go nuts again. Whatever. Blue is in 3.5 weeks from now. If we make it.
We were at the range all day practicing for rifle qualification. We shot at 75-175 and 300 meter targets. I did above average, but we'll see. We qualify Tuesday. It was cold as hell today. We still march everywhere we go. Sometimes, we take old school buses, but mostly march. Everywhere we go we have to wear what they call FULL BATTLE RATTLE. That includes our IBA (Industrial Body Armor and plates) that is about 20 pounds, our kevlar helmet, glasses, pads and M-16 rifle, and about a 25 pound rucksack. Doesn't sound like too much but after all day it gets heavy. One of the first things I'm doing when I get out of here getting a back massage.
I think we'll be training most next week with our M-16 at the range. We do have a bunch of other weapons we have to qualify with. I think that up next might bethe 249 (5.56 belt-fed rifle), the 240B (7.62 belt-fed) and the .50 cal belt-fed rifles. I'll tell you all about the stuff as we qualify. There's not much to the M-16 other than to say they're total hunks of shit, that would go for about 20K on the black market. I would like to have the trigger group out of one for the three round burst, but that ain't happening.
Had to go to the PX again and get a hair cut. $5 and I swear nothing comes off. What a rip. :-) Got some stamps, a pencil, paper and few razors. Yeehaw! Everyone else had mountains of shit. You have to understand - this sounds normal, but what you don't know is that to do it we have to form up a platoon, march across "Disneyland" (our living area) over to the shopette. We then stand in an hour long line for the ATM, move 2 steps at a time, going from "attention" and moving then stopping and going to "at ease" then attention and move and over and over and over. Then we travel in pairs to get our haircut. We stand in line for about 1 hour, then sit in chairs in order for about 20 minutes, moving like robots skipping chair to chair. Finally, we get in the chair. They shave our heads, we hold the money up, they take it, push our change in our hand and we move off to the store. Where there is all kinds of stuff to buy, but you can only have authorized items, and if you get caught trying to buy a non-authorized item, you're screwed. The whole time you do all of this, you walk like a robot - head and eyes straight forward - you listen to everything and watch only where your peripheral vision which is hard cause there is all kinds of craziness going on all around and if you get caught looking at something that's none of your business - which is everything - you'll get smoked, or sometimes they'll smoke the whole platoon on your behalf. The whole time screaming, "Buddy fucker. Don't be a buddy fucker." instead of counting.
Man going to the firing rangs is a whole gigantic process that would take a manual to explain.
1) you get off the bus and form up - then you ground your ruck, then move to the bleachers for briefing, then you file out - move down the firing line, well anyhow, I'm not going to explain this. It will take forever. Just let me say: It takes all day long.
Everyone here, well the privates I mean, are slowly being worn down - Lights out - talk to you later.
scouts out
~Justin :-)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
February 11th, 2009
Man, long day. Been up since 0200 and it's 2200 now. Have to get up at 2330 for fire guard then sleep at 0030, then up again at 0400.
Today was pretty fun. We got to go to the range today. We got to group our rifles. Tomorrow we go again and we'll zero our rifles. Something a normal human can do in an hour takes us days and 5 million push ups to get done. If you suck, you basically got to shoot all day till you got a 5 round group. I shot in the first section at about 8 in the morning, took five shots, got my group and stood around until 1530. Some people shot several hundred rounds and handful didn't even get a group of 5. Well at least training has started for sure. Tomorrow is the official start of white phase, but I don't know what will happen. It's strange how living like this starts to affect people. Sides of who people really are start to emerge. You really start to get an idea of how different and diverse people are.
Well, it's 12:30 am. Just got off guard. It's amazing how scared people will get around drill sergeants who are acting like asses. I just do what I'm supposed to and if they come after me, well then they do. But I just try to block them out.
Well I hope all is well with everyone. We'll be at the range for the next week. I'll let you all know how things go.
*Side note for you - please let me know how Little Bear is doing. At this point I don't know what else to do but keep him in my heart and prayers.
*If you have a few extra stamps and envelopes, I could use a few
*Tell everyone hello and I'll talk to them soon
~Justin :-)
Once again, I (morgan) have sent him stamps and envelopes. I think he should have them by now!
Today was pretty fun. We got to go to the range today. We got to group our rifles. Tomorrow we go again and we'll zero our rifles. Something a normal human can do in an hour takes us days and 5 million push ups to get done. If you suck, you basically got to shoot all day till you got a 5 round group. I shot in the first section at about 8 in the morning, took five shots, got my group and stood around until 1530. Some people shot several hundred rounds and handful didn't even get a group of 5. Well at least training has started for sure. Tomorrow is the official start of white phase, but I don't know what will happen. It's strange how living like this starts to affect people. Sides of who people really are start to emerge. You really start to get an idea of how different and diverse people are.
Well, it's 12:30 am. Just got off guard. It's amazing how scared people will get around drill sergeants who are acting like asses. I just do what I'm supposed to and if they come after me, well then they do. But I just try to block them out.
Well I hope all is well with everyone. We'll be at the range for the next week. I'll let you all know how things go.
*Side note for you - please let me know how Little Bear is doing. At this point I don't know what else to do but keep him in my heart and prayers.
*If you have a few extra stamps and envelopes, I could use a few
*Tell everyone hello and I'll talk to them soon
~Justin :-)
Once again, I (morgan) have sent him stamps and envelopes. I think he should have them by now!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
February 10th, 2009
Today was pretty fun. We did marching this morning for about 4 miles. Then we did the bayonet coarse. It was raining cats and dogs and a muddy mess. We run up and down hills over barrier and tunnels and stabbing the little people on the TL. Screaming like idiots the whole way. 34 of us made it through in 8 minutes. One guy went through by himself in 7.5 minutes. Our total was 15.5 minutes. Therefore we lost the over all. All for one guy who couldn't do it. I didn't care about winning, I just had fun, but we got smoked for loosing. Then we marched about a mile to the gas chamber.
Now that's something else. You go in this concrete bunker with 25 guys, you have your mask on and you can breathe fine, but you're skin starts to burn all over. you then close your eyes and hold your breath and pull your mask off. If you breathe or open your eye at this point you'd be fucked. Then you put back on, purge the mask and then check the seal. At this point if you followed directions your eyes burn a little and you taste it a little. Then you take your masks off in groups of 5. I was in the 2nd group so I got to watch first five. Oh shit they looked like they were dying. They're all screaming and choking. Snot and spit and foam is frothing out their mouths. One guy started screaming. He couldn't breath. "Oh shit" I was thinking. Then it was my turn. I pulled mine off. You can see, but your eyes are on fire (shit I just found out I have fire guard at 0330 tonight and we get up at 0400 = 4 hours of sleep for the 2nd week in a row) then it starts to get into your throat and lungs and I tell you what, it does feel like you're choking out. You are breathing but you can't get hardly any air and it feels like you're inhaling pure campfire smoke X 10,000. Several guys in my group started puking. I just stood there and kept trying to breath as foam and saliva sprayed out of my mouth. Waiting, waiting finally they open the door and I got the hell out. Then you flap your arms and don't touch anything for about 10 minutes. Walking around checking my eyes are open and my arms are flapping over and over. It was pretty frickin cool. Most people hated it. I really thought it was fun though not a good all the time thing.
Then we stood in the pouring rain with burning skin and bloodshot eyes for about an hour waiting for everyone. Then we marched home, showered , went to chow in the pouring rain, came back, went over what we do tomorrow and then everyone cleans over and over and over and over and over.
Now I'm on free time that could at any moment if some jack ass pulls something and there is no end to the type of stupidity that can cause all hell to break loose at any moment and we're out in the rain crawling around in the mud at midnight who knows.
I hope Bear's tail can be saved. He has a pretty tail and I would hate to see him lose it, but his life is what's important. I left the decision to you. You will do what is best and I will be ok with that. Though in my heart I would hate to see him lose such a big part of who he is and what makes him what he is.
It's barely been three weeks in BCT and what I wouldn't give for an hour with a masseuse, a 6 pack of Bud and an all you can eat Chinese Buffet and a quiet, sound night's sleep in my own bed. :-)
I just got the results of my PT test. Not bad, 45 push ups, 46 sit ups in 1 minute and to graduate the whole 16 week course I have to do 30 something of each and 50 something for a perfect score. I also have 18 minutes to run two miles to pass. I should do it in about 14 minutes. That would get me a perfect. I think we start rifle training tomorrow. That should be good.
Hope everything is well with everyone. If anyone has any stamps or envelopes to send, feel free if you like.* I'm out and I don't know when we get to the PX again. Anyhow, talk to you all later.
Take care,
Justin :-)
*I already sent a bunch.
Now that's something else. You go in this concrete bunker with 25 guys, you have your mask on and you can breathe fine, but you're skin starts to burn all over. you then close your eyes and hold your breath and pull your mask off. If you breathe or open your eye at this point you'd be fucked. Then you put back on, purge the mask and then check the seal. At this point if you followed directions your eyes burn a little and you taste it a little. Then you take your masks off in groups of 5. I was in the 2nd group so I got to watch first five. Oh shit they looked like they were dying. They're all screaming and choking. Snot and spit and foam is frothing out their mouths. One guy started screaming. He couldn't breath. "Oh shit" I was thinking. Then it was my turn. I pulled mine off. You can see, but your eyes are on fire (shit I just found out I have fire guard at 0330 tonight and we get up at 0400 = 4 hours of sleep for the 2nd week in a row) then it starts to get into your throat and lungs and I tell you what, it does feel like you're choking out. You are breathing but you can't get hardly any air and it feels like you're inhaling pure campfire smoke X 10,000. Several guys in my group started puking. I just stood there and kept trying to breath as foam and saliva sprayed out of my mouth. Waiting, waiting finally they open the door and I got the hell out. Then you flap your arms and don't touch anything for about 10 minutes. Walking around checking my eyes are open and my arms are flapping over and over. It was pretty frickin cool. Most people hated it. I really thought it was fun though not a good all the time thing.
Then we stood in the pouring rain with burning skin and bloodshot eyes for about an hour waiting for everyone. Then we marched home, showered , went to chow in the pouring rain, came back, went over what we do tomorrow and then everyone cleans over and over and over and over and over.
Now I'm on free time that could at any moment if some jack ass pulls something and there is no end to the type of stupidity that can cause all hell to break loose at any moment and we're out in the rain crawling around in the mud at midnight who knows.
I hope Bear's tail can be saved. He has a pretty tail and I would hate to see him lose it, but his life is what's important. I left the decision to you. You will do what is best and I will be ok with that. Though in my heart I would hate to see him lose such a big part of who he is and what makes him what he is.
It's barely been three weeks in BCT and what I wouldn't give for an hour with a masseuse, a 6 pack of Bud and an all you can eat Chinese Buffet and a quiet, sound night's sleep in my own bed. :-)
I just got the results of my PT test. Not bad, 45 push ups, 46 sit ups in 1 minute and to graduate the whole 16 week course I have to do 30 something of each and 50 something for a perfect score. I also have 18 minutes to run two miles to pass. I should do it in about 14 minutes. That would get me a perfect. I think we start rifle training tomorrow. That should be good.
Hope everything is well with everyone. If anyone has any stamps or envelopes to send, feel free if you like.* I'm out and I don't know when we get to the PX again. Anyhow, talk to you all later.
Take care,
Justin :-)
*I already sent a bunch.
Monday, February 9, 2009
February 9th, 2009
So, ok, back to the journal. I don't actually get much time to write at this point and given the phone situations, the last two times I wrote I sent letters to Mom and Morgan just cause I needed to. They should hopefully post those letters on the blog as part of the journal.
What what is new: We're in week three still red phase pt 2 (eventually we go through blue, black and gold). I passed my basic combat training 1 test and my combat medic test. Not too hard. We've also completed basic rifle bayonet course and had our first pugil battles. I got put against some big, ole, dumb, 20 year old guy. He got a few good licks in, but over all I kicked his ass, till he actually tried to run off while I was chasing him and beating him in the back of the head. Drill Sergeants jumped his shit pretty hard for being a quitter, but I had a good time. He did crack my eyebrow ope a bit. I don't know why, but that always happens to me.
Tonight we got sent to the pit. That was some fun shit. Well I thought so. You have to low crawl about fifty yards on your belly in sand and mud shit. Then get up and sprint up a hill then sprint back down and low crawl through it (this means you're face down in it). I got road rash all over my forehead. Then you repeat two more times doing back crawl. I thought it was great; most others didn't.
This morning we did our run. Oh shit, I screwed that up. The other day we did our PT test. I was feeling good so I ran what I thought should about a 7+ minute mile putting me in the Bravo PT group for running. That's the slow fuckers. Well, I ran a 6:30 putting me in Alpha. Oh crap! So today we ran about 3 miles. I am beat to shit. Especially after everything else. Tomorrow we go to the real gas chamber. We'll go through it, the last time was just getting us familiar with the shit. Then we go to some bayonet obstacle course and the a 3 mile road march. In what order, I don't know. Everything we do we have to pass. It's not an option - pass or fail - failure is not a good option.
I gotta get up at 0400 to get the barrack in order. It's 11pm now. I just got off fire guard. The barracks were a shit hole after the pit. I'm in a room with 7 other guys. Most rooms have 8 people. There are 35 of us in 2st platoon. Same thing with 2-3-4 platoons, all are Charlie Company. They all live on the upper floor. We have 3 toilets and 2 showers. What a disaster. I did pretty goof for a while flying under the radar, but now it's getting hard to not cause I'm a fuck up because I'm twice most everyone's age. There are a few older guys, but they're pretty broken. I keep up and actually do physically well. I'd say I do physically better than 80% of the guys here. Which after a while draws attention when they know I'm 37 and everyone else is 17-25. I still get left alone a lot. Shit I do that other guys might get 100 push ups for, I'll get 10-20. I think cause a lot of the younger guys are really squirrely. They also know that the old guys just do what they're supposed to be doing. It's still rough. The constant yelling and degradation gets old. It's not directed at me much, but it's still hard to listen to all day and night.
Well, I gotta go to bed. There's going to be lots of interesting things to come, I think. Things way more interesting than what I've been writing about. The good stuff is just getting going. It is tough we don't have regular basic. Our basic is geared specifically for us and about one of the hardest trainings the Army has to offer. It's supposed to get real bad with a bout 50% attrition rate.
Week three and we're down to 30 from 35. I don't know about the other platoons and companies. Well, like I said, there will be fun stuff coming later this week. I think we start our marksmanship stuff. Everyone is looking forward to that. Well I'll write again in a day or so.
Scouts Out!
- Some other little things
I should start writing down some of the cadences.
Another thing we do is in all classes we can't stil till told to do so. So the DS will say "TAKE SEATS" and we reply with, "Scouts in the backwoods, scouts in the hills, scouts on the war path stacks up the kill, to sets of track tearin' up the sod. I'm a bad ass scout, I'm a devil by god. We are the cavalry" then we stomp our feet twice and yell "mount up" Then we get to sit. And you realize that all this is sounded off at a deafening yell.
SCOUTS OUT
What what is new: We're in week three still red phase pt 2 (eventually we go through blue, black and gold). I passed my basic combat training 1 test and my combat medic test. Not too hard. We've also completed basic rifle bayonet course and had our first pugil battles. I got put against some big, ole, dumb, 20 year old guy. He got a few good licks in, but over all I kicked his ass, till he actually tried to run off while I was chasing him and beating him in the back of the head. Drill Sergeants jumped his shit pretty hard for being a quitter, but I had a good time. He did crack my eyebrow ope a bit. I don't know why, but that always happens to me.
Tonight we got sent to the pit. That was some fun shit. Well I thought so. You have to low crawl about fifty yards on your belly in sand and mud shit. Then get up and sprint up a hill then sprint back down and low crawl through it (this means you're face down in it). I got road rash all over my forehead. Then you repeat two more times doing back crawl. I thought it was great; most others didn't.
This morning we did our run. Oh shit, I screwed that up. The other day we did our PT test. I was feeling good so I ran what I thought should about a 7+ minute mile putting me in the Bravo PT group for running. That's the slow fuckers. Well, I ran a 6:30 putting me in Alpha. Oh crap! So today we ran about 3 miles. I am beat to shit. Especially after everything else. Tomorrow we go to the real gas chamber. We'll go through it, the last time was just getting us familiar with the shit. Then we go to some bayonet obstacle course and the a 3 mile road march. In what order, I don't know. Everything we do we have to pass. It's not an option - pass or fail - failure is not a good option.
I gotta get up at 0400 to get the barrack in order. It's 11pm now. I just got off fire guard. The barracks were a shit hole after the pit. I'm in a room with 7 other guys. Most rooms have 8 people. There are 35 of us in 2st platoon. Same thing with 2-3-4 platoons, all are Charlie Company. They all live on the upper floor. We have 3 toilets and 2 showers. What a disaster. I did pretty goof for a while flying under the radar, but now it's getting hard to not cause I'm a fuck up because I'm twice most everyone's age. There are a few older guys, but they're pretty broken. I keep up and actually do physically well. I'd say I do physically better than 80% of the guys here. Which after a while draws attention when they know I'm 37 and everyone else is 17-25. I still get left alone a lot. Shit I do that other guys might get 100 push ups for, I'll get 10-20. I think cause a lot of the younger guys are really squirrely. They also know that the old guys just do what they're supposed to be doing. It's still rough. The constant yelling and degradation gets old. It's not directed at me much, but it's still hard to listen to all day and night.
Well, I gotta go to bed. There's going to be lots of interesting things to come, I think. Things way more interesting than what I've been writing about. The good stuff is just getting going. It is tough we don't have regular basic. Our basic is geared specifically for us and about one of the hardest trainings the Army has to offer. It's supposed to get real bad with a bout 50% attrition rate.
Week three and we're down to 30 from 35. I don't know about the other platoons and companies. Well, like I said, there will be fun stuff coming later this week. I think we start our marksmanship stuff. Everyone is looking forward to that. Well I'll write again in a day or so.
Scouts Out!
- Some other little things
I should start writing down some of the cadences.
Another thing we do is in all classes we can't stil till told to do so. So the DS will say "TAKE SEATS" and we reply with, "Scouts in the backwoods, scouts in the hills, scouts on the war path stacks up the kill, to sets of track tearin' up the sod. I'm a bad ass scout, I'm a devil by god. We are the cavalry" then we stomp our feet twice and yell "mount up" Then we get to sit. And you realize that all this is sounded off at a deafening yell.
SCOUTS OUT
Saturday, February 7, 2009
February 7th, 2009
Just so you know, this should be the third letter you have received, and I sent one to Mom.
Have a med test today. I hope I pass. I should. The material isn't that difficult.
I hope you can have time to just drop a line and let me know how things are going and if you know any one that would like a letter, just give them my address and have them include whatever info I need to get them a letter. Without phone or computer the only thing I really have to do here is write letters in my free time. Plus it would be nice to hear from some people I know so I can have something to relate back home. Something other than this here.
Take care, JCB
Have a med test today. I hope I pass. I should. The material isn't that difficult.
I hope you can have time to just drop a line and let me know how things are going and if you know any one that would like a letter, just give them my address and have them include whatever info I need to get them a letter. Without phone or computer the only thing I really have to do here is write letters in my free time. Plus it would be nice to hear from some people I know so I can have something to relate back home. Something other than this here.
Take care, JCB
Friday, February 6, 2009
February 6th, 2009
So hey what is up? Same old shit here. Last two days and tomorrow is all about combat medicine. Sunday I'll probably go to church again, and get a rash of shit for it again. I hear we have another road march Monday, but you never know around here.
It's funny, I've been gone 3 weeks and it's strange how you start to miss things. Especially when everything is out of your control. There's a guy that just showed up in Charlie Company, 3rd Platoon. He was on week 13 of 16 and he got caught with a power bar, well two power bars and using someone's cell phone and is now back at week two. I still really don't know how they can do that type of stuff. It really kills me about the phone situation also.
I guess I am just going to keep plugging along. I hope I get a trip to the PX* soon. This will be my last letter out till I get more. I think we might go Sunday.
I have no idea what has happened in the news in the past three weeks (I almost got caught writing this letter - haha)** Whatever. Well, I am about to pass out. Say HI to everyone. Tell Bear I love him, even though he won't know it's from me :-). Hope all is good. Hope to hear from somebody someday.***
(signed) PFC JC Ball
*Post Exchange
**He is allowed to write letters, but I (morgan) would guess he was writing it outside of the allotted time.
***I know he has been sent letters - I just don't think he's rec'd any yet. I think the more he gets the better, though.
It's funny, I've been gone 3 weeks and it's strange how you start to miss things. Especially when everything is out of your control. There's a guy that just showed up in Charlie Company, 3rd Platoon. He was on week 13 of 16 and he got caught with a power bar, well two power bars and using someone's cell phone and is now back at week two. I still really don't know how they can do that type of stuff. It really kills me about the phone situation also.
I guess I am just going to keep plugging along. I hope I get a trip to the PX* soon. This will be my last letter out till I get more. I think we might go Sunday.
I have no idea what has happened in the news in the past three weeks (I almost got caught writing this letter - haha)** Whatever. Well, I am about to pass out. Say HI to everyone. Tell Bear I love him, even though he won't know it's from me :-). Hope all is good. Hope to hear from somebody someday.***
(signed) PFC JC Ball
*Post Exchange
**He is allowed to write letters, but I (morgan) would guess he was writing it outside of the allotted time.
***I know he has been sent letters - I just don't think he's rec'd any yet. I think the more he gets the better, though.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
February 5th, 2009
Hey, all. What's going on? How are things going there? Things are good here. Still just trucking along. Same old shit everyday, but after two weeks it is just routine, and we're doing a lot funner shit now. Some people are are starting to come together and form cohesive teams. Some people just struggle. A few people I feel real bad for. They just get a never-ending rash of shit.
At least I'm two weeks in now. Not too long, but it is better than two days in. In October Cav Scout school moves to Ft. Benning, GA. Think it is strange too how small a MOS 19S is. Only a few hundred every year. And after this, no more will come from Ft. Knox.
I think next week will be warmer, but I think it will get cold again. I keep hoping to get a phone call, but I just don't know. And when you do, it's only a few minutes. I still don't understand how they have the right to not give you phone time.
The guy across from me has pneumonia, but he is getting over it. I've been told that as we progress through the phases we get more privileges. For the next three days we're doing medical training.
My three favorite times of day are chow. They feed you real good food at chow just not a lot. The other day I had to get my hair cut. I don't think a single hair came off. I sitll got charged $5.00, which sucks because I needed that money for stamps and envelopes and some more paper,* but I really didn't have a much say so in the matter.
Well, I gotta go to bed. I got fire watch in two hours. I'll send this out later.
*Don't send him these things. I (morgan) already have.
At least I'm two weeks in now. Not too long, but it is better than two days in. In October Cav Scout school moves to Ft. Benning, GA. Think it is strange too how small a MOS 19S is. Only a few hundred every year. And after this, no more will come from Ft. Knox.
I think next week will be warmer, but I think it will get cold again. I keep hoping to get a phone call, but I just don't know. And when you do, it's only a few minutes. I still don't understand how they have the right to not give you phone time.
The guy across from me has pneumonia, but he is getting over it. I've been told that as we progress through the phases we get more privileges. For the next three days we're doing medical training.
My three favorite times of day are chow. They feed you real good food at chow just not a lot. The other day I had to get my hair cut. I don't think a single hair came off. I sitll got charged $5.00, which sucks because I needed that money for stamps and envelopes and some more paper,* but I really didn't have a much say so in the matter.
Well, I gotta go to bed. I got fire watch in two hours. I'll send this out later.
*Don't send him these things. I (morgan) already have.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Mailing Address
PFC Ball, Justin C.
CTRP 5-15 CAV
5938 - Wilson Rd
Fort Knox, KY 40121
I (morgan) don't know what you can send him other than letters. I am sure you could find a website for the AIT and see what the policies are.
CTRP 5-15 CAV
5938 - Wilson Rd
Fort Knox, KY 40121
I (morgan) don't know what you can send him other than letters. I am sure you could find a website for the AIT and see what the policies are.
Monday, February 2, 2009
February 2nd, 2009
Hey there. How's it going? Good here. We're finally starting to do fun stuff; today we did a bunch of crap with CS* gas masks and took a little march with them on, but we didn't get gassed today :-(. Tomorrow, we're supposed to do pugil stick crap, but rumors are rampant here. You can't believe anything you hear. I'm still sore as hell but getting stronger, and the most painful stuff is working its way out. I've been sick as hell, but I think I'm getting over it. Tons of people are are just starting to get the same stuff I am getting over. A few guys got it real bad.
It's 2145 now. I have fireguard at 0000 until 0100. The Wake up is at 0400 for PT. The weather is getting nicer here. We ran about 5 miles today. I just imagine I'm back home on the bike path with Bear. It helps me not stop. If you stop you bring down the wrath upon yourself.
Two guys went AWOL last night. They're already in jail. Ft. KNox is approximately 150 square miles. They didn't really have a chance. And it's a time of war. They're screwed.
Tonight was mail night. It was pretty cool seeing how excited everyone gets. A lot of crying for joy. A lot of bummed out faces too. I wrote a letter to mom the other day, but it won't go out till tomorrow. Maybe this one will go out with it.
I suppose Tom might be home now, or will be soon. That must be good. After BCT there is only a 2-day family thing and graduation is mid May. That's all I know for now. Just so you know, I don't get email access here and pretty much no phone calls. So I'm really sort of in the dark here. I wish that was different, but it is what it is. It's funny, you can't believe anything anyone says around here.
I hope I get lucky and go someplace interesting for my post station. I find out in about 8 weeks where I will go. I like it here. I think it takes a certain sort of crazy to like this. It's challenging; it pushes you in ways I never thought about. I do feel a sort of guilt and emptiness still about the dogs. And I hope when I am finished here and ready to move on with the next step I don't come back to my life all fucked up. If you are still doing the net thing for me, you can post this letter too.
Well, I need to get a few hours sleep. Say hello to everyone. I hope Bear is behaving. I miss him lots. If you can write back, put my last name first on the envelope (PFC Ball, Justin C.) or I will get smoked.
*CS - A nerve agent
It's 2145 now. I have fireguard at 0000 until 0100. The Wake up is at 0400 for PT. The weather is getting nicer here. We ran about 5 miles today. I just imagine I'm back home on the bike path with Bear. It helps me not stop. If you stop you bring down the wrath upon yourself.
Two guys went AWOL last night. They're already in jail. Ft. KNox is approximately 150 square miles. They didn't really have a chance. And it's a time of war. They're screwed.
Tonight was mail night. It was pretty cool seeing how excited everyone gets. A lot of crying for joy. A lot of bummed out faces too. I wrote a letter to mom the other day, but it won't go out till tomorrow. Maybe this one will go out with it.
I suppose Tom might be home now, or will be soon. That must be good. After BCT there is only a 2-day family thing and graduation is mid May. That's all I know for now. Just so you know, I don't get email access here and pretty much no phone calls. So I'm really sort of in the dark here. I wish that was different, but it is what it is. It's funny, you can't believe anything anyone says around here.
I hope I get lucky and go someplace interesting for my post station. I find out in about 8 weeks where I will go. I like it here. I think it takes a certain sort of crazy to like this. It's challenging; it pushes you in ways I never thought about. I do feel a sort of guilt and emptiness still about the dogs. And I hope when I am finished here and ready to move on with the next step I don't come back to my life all fucked up. If you are still doing the net thing for me, you can post this letter too.
Well, I need to get a few hours sleep. Say hello to everyone. I hope Bear is behaving. I miss him lots. If you can write back, put my last name first on the envelope (PFC Ball, Justin C.) or I will get smoked.
*CS - A nerve agent
Friday, January 30, 2009
January 30th, 2009
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
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
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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