Your Fighting Weight - Army Weight Standards

Below is a height and weight table for weight standards after 12 months in the Army:

Inches	Minimum Weight	17-20 yrs	21-27 yrs	28-39 yrs	40+ yrs
58	91	-	-	-	-
59	94	-	-	-	-
60	97	132	136	139	141
61	100	136	140	144	146
62	104	141	144	148	150
63	107	145	149	153	155
64	110	150	154	158	160
65	114	155	159	163	165
66	117	160	163	168	170
67	121	165	169	174	176
68	125	170	174	179	181
69	128	175	179	184	186
70	132	180	185	189	192
71	136	185	189	194	197
72	140	190	195	200	203
73	144	195	200	205	208
74	148	201	206	211	214
75	152	206	212	217	220
76	156	212	217	223	226
77	160	218	223	229	232
78	164	223	229	235	238
79	168	229	235	241	244
80	173	234	240	247	250

Army ABC's - The Army Approved Phonetic Alphabet

Let's have a little fun here. Let's say that you and I are hiding out at point B. We have a clear view of the combat unit we are charged with watching over and protecting. They are at point G. Off in the distance, we can see enemy tanks advancing on our boys at point G. The enemy tanks are located at points C and D.

Well, this is nothing we can't handle. We whip out our Army radios and call in an artillery strike and direct fire to the tank at point C. But these Army radios are crackling and full of static. We hear the whoosh coming overhead, and the Howitzer round lands directly on our boys at point G.

"No goddamit! I said point C, not G!" Oops. It's a little hard to tell the difference over a crackling radio transmission.

Suddenly, the tank at point D turns in our direction. We call in another strike, this time directing the fire to point D over our crackling, static-filled Army radios. We hear another whoosh. And an arty round lands on our heads. Oops, guess they thought we said point B.

Don't worry, this was only a simulation. But if this were to happen in the real world, the results would be catastrophic. To prevent situations like this from happening, we use the Army approved phonetic alphabet to ensure that our transmissions are clear, even over the static. Instead of just using letters, many of which sound the same, we use an approved set of words in place of the letters so that our transmissions can be heard properly.

The Army phonetic alphabet is as follows:

A = Alpha
B = Bravo
C = Charlie
D = Delta
E = Echo
F = Foxtrot
G = Golf
H = Hotel
I = India
J = Juliet
K = Kilo
L = Lima
M = Mike
N = November
O = Oscar
P = Papa
Q = Quebec
R = Romeo
S = Sierra
T = Tango
U = Uniform
V = Victor
W = Whiskey
X = X-Ray
Y = Yankee
Z = Zulu

Numbers are pronounced as follows:

1 = Wun
2 = Too
3 = Tree
4 = Fow-er
5 = Fife
6 = Six
7 = Seven
8 = Ate
9 = Niner
0 = ZE-ro

10 = wun ZE-ro
11 = wun wun
12 = won too
13 = one tree
and so on

100 = wun ZE-ro ZE-ro

1,000 = wun tousand

No matter what your MOS (Military Occupational Specialty), it is important that you take the time to memorize the phonetic alphabet and the Army approved pronunciation of numbers. This is especially important if your MOS requires you to use radio transmission regularly to perform the essential tasks of your job, such as a 13Foxtrot10 Fire Support Specialist.

The US Army Values

Each and every soldier in the United States Army is required not only to know the Army Values, but to live them every day of their life, every moment, and in every decision they make, in or out of uniform, whether on post, on leave, or on the field of battle.

Of course the first step in being able to live the Army Values is to know them. Following is a list of the seven Army Values and their meanings. To help you to remember the Army Values, remember the acronym LDRSHIP.

Loyalty - Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit, and other soldiers.

Duty - Fulfill your obligations.

Respect - Treat people as they should be treated.

Selfless Service - Put the welfare of the Nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own.

Honor - Live up to all the Army Values.

Integrity - Do what's right, legally and morally.

Personal Courage - Face fear, danger, or adversity - physical or moral.

Memorize these values. Learn them and live them. We are truly a fortunate and proud team, a small group of few who were chosen to bear the honor of defending the freedoms of the hundreds of millions of people who make up this great nation of ours, and to represent this fine nation to our countrymen and to the rest of the world. Let us all carry ourselves every day with loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage and show them what it truly means to be an American!

13 Foxtrot - Fire Support Specialist

An artillery observer is a soldier responsible for directing artillery fire and close air support (ground attack by aircraft) onto enemy positions. Because artillery is an indirect-fire weapon system, the guns are rarely in line-of-sight of their target, often located tens of miles away. The observer serves as the eyes of the artillery battery, calling in target locations and adjustments to the Fire Direction Center (FDC) via radio or (less commonly) landline. The FDC then translates the observer's orders into firing solutions for the battery's cannons. Artillery observers are often deployed with combat arms maneuver units, typically infantry companies or armored squadrons.

The artillery observer must be skilled not only in fire direction, but also in stealth and, if necessary, direct combat.

In the U.S. Army, an artillery observer is called a Fire Support Specialist but is generally known as a Forward Observer (FO). A mechanized FO team usually comprises an officer and several enlisted personnel (a technician, a driver/radio operator, plus any extra personnel) traveling in an infantry fighting vehicle. A non-mechanized FO team travels on foot (analogous to light infantry), and generally includes a gunner trained to operate a Squad Automatic Weapon for self-protection.

In the British Army the term Forward Observation Officer (FOO) is used.

Forward Observers in the US Army/Marine Corps
Joint Fires Observer
Field Artillery Forward Observer 1189

Forward Observers in the US Army/Marine Corps

Artillery (Forward) Observers carry the MOS designation of 13 Foxtrot (13F) in the U.S. Army and 0861 in the U.S. Marine Corps. This is considered a Combat Arms MOS, and all enlisted personal schooled in this duty will carry this designation. Officially, FOs are actually designated “Fire Support Specialists”. While they are commonly referred to as Forward Observers or FO’s, FISTERS, or members of a FIST (Fire Support Team), COLTs (Combat Observation Lasing Team)this is more precisely the designation of a Fire Support Specialist in a particular position. The Company Fire Support Officer (or FSO) is the leader of a Company Fire Support Team (FIST).

This oft-overlooked position is considered one of the most challenging positions on the battlefield for a variety of reasons. FOs are highly skilled and usually exceptionally intelligent. They are also able to work silently for long periods of time, as some missions may range from a few hours to several weeks, long. They can operate with minimal support located both on or behind the enemy lines.

Their skills in reconnaissance must be met with similarly high intelligence and ability to think quickly in situations of extreme stress. Their missions are always critical as mental errors under stress can bring the massive firepower and ordnance they control down on friendly forces as well as enemy. FIST team members are especially self-reliant and independent. Their mission requires quick thinking under pressure, effectively integrating with many types of units and command structures as well as the ability to operate independently. At a tactical level the FO can serve in mission planning, strategy, and advisory positions with his command elements.

There exist 2 main duties associated with Forward Observer Teams according to general military doctrine and the FIST field manual 6-30, now known as FM 3-09.30. Primary duty consists of bringing to arms all indirect fire assets (artillery, mortars, naval gunfire and close air support [CAS]). Secondary duties consist of communicating battlefield intelligence such as enemy locations, strength, and activities to the command echelon.

Soldiers in this MOS must meet a number of requirements not demanded of many other military careers. The artillery observer must be acutely aware of the position and movements of their own troops as well as those of the opposing forces. Because of the strategic importance of this information, U.S. Army FOs must qualify for security clearance, the level depending on their specific position. They must be able to work independently for long periods of time, as some missions can last for days or even weeks, and because of the clandestine nature of their work and their frequent placement on or behind enemy lines, the ability to operate with minimal support is of great importance.

Their physical demands are extremely high as the FO's must survive and fight alongside paratroopers, airmobile infantry, light infantry, mechanized infantry, United States Marines and even United States Army Rangers while typically carrying a much greater equipment load (radios, secure communication equipment, laser target designators, etc.) than the maneuver element they are attached to. FM 22-100 lists the common combat loads for many of the MOS's in the US Army. FIST is noted as the second highest combat load. They must also survive in an armored and cavalry environment. Because of this, their infantry fighting skills must be on par with their fellow soldiers in the maneuver element. FOs are often required to train with the maneuver element they are assigned to.

Most and eventually all US Army armored and infantry battalions have converted to the Modular Force organization. Forward observers are members of the Fire Support Platoon of each heavy, light or Stryker battalion rather than being members of an artillery battery that supports that battalion.

Infantry training provides the individual soldier with a direct action skill level that provides them with an optimal survival rate. The Forward Observer is qualified to attend many military schools because of their Combat Arms designation such as, Airborne, Air Assault, Ranger, and Special Forces training. They also qualify for the Army's Combat Action Badge. Forward Observers are also given difficult cardiovascular, strength, infantry and self defense United States Army Combatives United States Marine Corps MCMAP training in addition to their FO training. As the FO is attached to direct action units, this training is meant to ensure they have the capability to perform their more cerebral duties, while under the same stress the infantry unit is exposed to.

Fire Support Specialists may be attached to the mechanized infantry or an armored division. When mechanized infantry or armored, fire support teams consist of a driver, a commander, a Fire Support Non-Commissioned Officer, and a Fire Support Specialist of rank of E4 Specialist. This team works within an M7 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, called a B-FIST or Bradley FIST, which is designed for the task of Coordinating indirect fire. FO teams are often attached to Mechanized infantry dismounted teams. In this scenario they break off with small infantry teams and travel on foot akin to light infantry and search for the enemy. They can also break off in two man FO teams and establish an observation post.

Due to personnel shortages more and more Forward Observers are finding themselves tasked with the duties of the Fire Support Officer and/or Fire Support Non-Commissioned Officer, while simultaneously expected to perform the duties and responsibilities required of them at the platoon level if a qualified Radio Telephone Operator (RTO) is not available to step up to fill in the FO position. Many RTOs are not available for an FO to use, the FO is then expected to perform as an FO while also carrying, operating, and maintaining his radio equipment. If the Forward Observer is tasked elsewhere up the chain of command, an RTO is then expected to perform the duties of an FO without an RTO. This lack of available bodies combined with the high deployment rate is the cause for a mass exodus out of the military by Forward Observers. As a direct result, unqualified RTOs are being promoted to NCOs and E-5s are finding them selves promoted to E-7s within 2–3 years, despite never having put together a proper promotion packet. Many in the field believe the lack of experience and rapid promotion rate is going to create unforeseen problems in the future.

The COLT Team is a high-technology, deeply inserted, observer/reconnaissance team often called on to maximize the use of GPS guided munitions like the EXCALIBUR series weaponry/155mm paladin howitzers. The standard COLT team consists of a driver/Grenadier(PFC/E-3), a gunner/RTO/Observer(Specialist/E-4) and a TC(CPL-SGT), the vehicle commander who oversees the operation on the OP, and approves fire missions. COLTs are now equipped with the FS3 (Fire support sensor system) which has consolidated all of the target acquisition equipment which was previously on the KNIGHT series HMMWVs. These teams typically work closely with attack aircraft to guide air-delivered laser-guided munitions, while still providing ground support for maneuver battalions and acting as a reactive strike force supporting special operations units.

Fire Support Specialists are also vital for their skill in enemy vehicle recognition. Because of this, along with the need for coordinated indirect fire support control at higher levels, Fire Support Specialists are also assigned to augment “Fire Support Elements” that travel with headquarters from Brigade level to Corps.

The Results of the Army PT Test

So yesterday wrote about my impending Army Physical Fitness Exam. Today, I post the results.

But first, a prelude.

A short while back, my Sergeant informed me that I would be taking a Physical Fitness exam as part of my pre-BCT (Basic Combat Training, A.K.A., "Boot Camp") requirements. If I were to complete all of my tasks before my ship-date, I would be promoted to E-2, which equates to some extra pay and the right to wear a cool stripe on my uniform sleeve. I am shipping out alot quicker than most, so I have less time than most new recruits do to complete all of the tasks. I flew through most of them pretty quickly. The only thing left was the dreaded PT Test.

My recruiter gave me some advice to get into tip-top shape: "Do a set of 50 sit-ups at least 3 times a day. Try to do them all in under 2 minutes," he told me. "Also, do sets of 39 pushups every other day. Do alot of sets. Do them when you wake up. Do them every time you eat. Do them every time you need to go to the bathroom. Do them again before you got to bed. And on the days when you're not doing push-ups, run 2 miles. Try to do it in under 17 minutes."

Now my Sergeant is a freakin' animal. This guy is in awesome shape and can run like water downhill. So of course I took his advice.

My first attempt at sit-ups resulted in me only managing to do 32. The next time I managed to do 50, but it took me 3:26 to complete them all. The last time I did them before my Test, I was able to do 50 in 2 minutes and 46 seconds. Still not fast enough, but a vast improvement over where I started.

My first attempt at push-ups went even worse. I only managed to do 9 push-ups like a man, and had to do the rest of them in the modified (girl) style, and it took me 2:03 to complete. The last set I did before my test, I manged to do 28 man push-ups, finished off the rest modified, and did it all in 1 minute and 11 seconds.

And now for the results.

Now keep in mind, for my particular gender and age group (31 year old male), I must perform at the following minimum standards to pass:

Push-ups: 39 push-ups in 2 minutes
Sit-ups: 45 sit-ups in 2 minutes
2-mile run: Run 2 miles in under 17 minutes.

So I'm pumped and ready to go, but knowing full well that the most push-ups have manage to push out at once up til this point has been 28. I push that thought out of my mind. I visualize success. In my mind, I watch myself on the ground, pushing myself up 39 times. Everyone disappears. The world goes silent. I all can see is the ground. All I can hear is the sound of my muscles screaming to PUSH! PUSH! PUSH!

"On your mark," the Sergeant says.

I drop to my hands and knees.

"Get set," he says.

I pop up into the push-up position.

"GO!"

1, 2, 3, I think.

I watch the ground rise and fall beneath me. I breathe in on the way down. I blow out on the way up.

10, 11, 12.

Don't watch the ground. Look at the wall, I remember. I lift my head and keep pushing.

27, 28, 29. I have broken past my barrier. My arms are getting weak but I keep pushing.

36, 37, 38. I'm struggling and shaking with each push.

I get stuck halfway up on 39. My entire body is trembling. My foot slips, and my knee hits the ground.

"You're done!" says the Sergeant.

I dropped the F-bomb... and it was loud.

Failure in any one event is failure of the entire test. Because of my quick ship-time, that was my one and only chance to pass. My chance at an early promotion when swirling right down the crapper.

Although, I didn't pass the Test, I did finish. I did my sit-ups and my 2-mile run, but at that point it was only training, and no longer a test.

When we returned to the office, my Sergeant told me that he would give me a private test at 0800 on September 17th. That gives me 2 more weeks to get it right. I really want to leave for Basic Training as an E-2. Over the course of the next 3 years of my Army career, passing this test and getting promoted early will equate to an extra $7,200 in base pay alone, not to mention the added benefits, and will bring me that much closer to the next rank of E-3, Private First Class.

Time to go train. HOOAH! I love my job!

Fort Jackson Basic Training Packing List

What to Bring to Army BCT (Basic Combat Training) at Fort Jackson

Clothing

• One set of casual, comfortable clothing - No halter tops or ragged shorts
• Three sets of underwear (White) - One packing list I have states specifically that they must be "tighty-whities" and NOT boxers or boxer briefs.
  
• One pair of white, calf-length athletic socks - No color bands, designs or logos
• One pair of comfortable athletic shoes - Should be running shoes. Do not buy new shoes to take with you. You will be required to purchase a pair of running shoes from the Army while you are in processing.
  
• Eyeglasses - No faddish/stylish eyewear. Leave your sunglasses at home, folks. People who require prescription glasses will be given a pair of BCG's courtesy of the US Army. BCG means Birth Control Glasses. They are called birth control glasses because they are the ugliest goddamned glasses you have ever seen in your life. You have absolutely zero chance of getting laid with these things on. On the upside, these glasses are nearly indestructible. Though you cannot survive a nuclear blast, your BCG's probably would.
• Athletic supporter (males only) - I've got to clarify here, I've heard people ask, "What's an athletic supporter?" It's a jock-strap, where you would put your "cup" to protect your nuts.
  
• Luggage should be limited to one small suitcase or gym bag.
• Two locks (combination or padlock with 2 keys) - Don't get the locks with keys. You'll have enough shit to remember and lug around with you for 9 weeks without having to worry about what the hell to do with your keys. Get combo locks. And here's a tip: Buy the 2-pack of combo locks. I got mine at Target. You get two locks, both with the same combination. Now that's one less thing that you've got to remember. With all the shit you've got to remember, you'll thank me and yourself later for the 2-pack of combo locks!
  

Toiletries

• Disposable / safety razor with blades - Nothing electric, like the battery operated vibrating Mach razors.
  
• Shaving cream (optional for women) - Non-aerosol
  
• Toothbrush with clear carrying case - CLEAR carrying case. Shit... mine's yellow. Note to self: find a clear carrying case.
  
• Hairbrush or 6" black comb
• Shampoo - 3 ounces in a clear bottle will do
  
• Two washcloths and one brown towel
• Non-aerosol antiperspirant - Now this is what's on the official list, but this is also an area of confusion. Another list states that it must be a deodorant and can NOT contain antiperspirant. The reasoning for this clearly stated that we can NOT wear antiperspirant because it stops us from sweating, and sweating is VITAL in cooling your body and preventing heat related injuries.
  
• Black shower shoes - Means black flip-flops. MUST BE BLACK!
  
• Toothpaste
• Dental Floss
• Soap with clear carrying case
• Nail clippers

Money*

• A minimum $10.00 - but No More Than $50.00 in Cash
• Traveler's Checks or Money Orders
• ATM Card or Personal Checks

*You will be given an advance pay for any required purchases.

For Women Only

• Undergarments:
  • 8 underwear (cotton recommended, White or Neutral)
  • 6 sports bras
  • flesh tone nylons
• Hairstyles not appropriate in uniform: ponytail, extreme bouffant styles, exotic upsweeps, and corkscrew or "corn-row" styles.
• You may wear quarter-inch or smaller pearl, gold, silver, or diamond spherical earrings, only with Army "dress" uniforms.

Documents You Need To Bring with You

• Social Security Card
• Driver's License
• Direct Deposit Form - 1199 signed by a bank official, or the name, address and account number and routing number of your financial institution.
  

If applicable, notarized copies of your:

• Marriage Certificate
• Divorce Decree
• Separation Order
• Birth Certificates for all children under 18
• Affidavit of Support for Parents
  
• Court documents
• Direct deposit forms if ordered to pay spousal and/or child support. Ask your recruiter for full details.
  
• Proof of Citizenship (aliens only).
  
• The name, Social Security Number, and Military Address of your spouse if you are married to another service member.
  
• Copies of your lease agreement or rental contract for any dependents residing outside of government quarters.
  
• Documentation of any ROTC experience.
  
• College transcripts.

Your Orders

Be sure to have all copies of your orders and documents issued by your unit recruiter or the Military Entrance Processing Station. These orders must be hand-delivered by you. Travel and meal tickets will be provided.

What NOT to Bring

• Prohibited Items, Do not bring these items with you to Fort Jackson:
  • Weapons
  • Drugs or narcotics
  • Alcoholic beverages and empty containers
  • Counterfeit money
  • Tobacco products
  • Pornographic items
  • Cell phones, pagers, and other electronic communication devices
  • CD players and walkman-type devices
  • Body jewelry
  • Contact lenses
    
• Retained Items, These items should not be brought with you, but may be turned in for safe keeping at the OWNER'S RISK
  • Knives
  • Gambling devices
  • Suggestive items and pictures
  • Un-opened over-the-counter drugs
• These items should be retained by individual
  • Prescription drugs with a written prescription

Taking My Army Physical Fitness Test Today

I'll be meeting with my recruiter today to take my Physical Fitness Test. I'll be leaving in about an hour.

Just finished eating, so I am well nourished. I am drinking 0.5 liters per hour of water. This is the prescribed amount to stay hydrated without over hydrating. A boost of potassium (commonly found in bananas) helps your body to retain the water until it is needed for perspiration. It's important to be well hydrated to avoid heat cramps or other heat related injuries such as exhaustion or heat stroke. On the flip side, it's advisable to stop drinking the 0.5 L per hour 1 hour prior to exercise to prevent the water in your stomach from causing cramps.

The PT Test consists of 3 main elements. For my particular gender and age group (31 year old male) the standards are as follows:

To be able to attend BCT, I must be able to perform at the following levels:

• Run 1 mile - 8:30
• Sit-ups - 17 in one minute
• Push-ups - 13 in one minute

To graduate BCT, I must be able to perform at the following levels:

• Run 2 miles - 17:54
• Sit-ups - 36 in two minutes
• Push-ups - 30 in two minutes

To graduate AIT and qualify for a promotion to E-2, I must be able to perform at the following levels:

• Run 2 miles - 17:00
• Sit-ups - 45 in two minutes
• Push-ups - 39 in two minutes

My goal for today is to surpass the AIT Graduation / Promotion mark. Good luck to me!

After exercising, it is important to rehydrate. To accomplish this, simply drink cool water until you are no longer thirsty, then drink a little more. Cool water is easier absorbed by the body than cold or warm water.

I'm off. Wish me luck!

The US Army Life Timeline

08/10/2007 - At the age of 29, I got married to my perfect wife.

08/10/2007 - Fired from my job (Turned out they didn't want to give me the night off. Apparently your own wedding isn't a good enough excuse to miss work, no matter how far ahead you requested the time off.) Of course, my wife was totally supportive and understanding.

09/30/2007 - Began receiving unemployment compensation. For the next few months, I looked for work and took whatever odd jobs I could find along the way (run to the grocery store for the neighbor with the broken ankle, mow grandma's lawn, help mom paint her house, stuff like that). Again, my wife was understanding and patient with me through this process.

06/15/2008 - After nearly a year with not so much as a nibble on the job line, but no shortage of free time, I proposed to my wife an idea that I had formulated about starting up my own business. No surprise. She was 100% behind me in support of my idea.

06/15/2009 - Started actually playing with the notion of joining the Army. But as understanding and supportive as my wife had been all along, how understanding and supportive would she really be when I said "Hey honey. I'm going to leave you with a son and a daughter for god knows how long while I go run off to the Army." And still, she was 100% supportive and understanding. I'm a very lucky man.

I get asked alot, "What made you want to join the Army?"
"I'm too old to join the Marine Corps," I tell them. I'm just kidding, I don't seriously say that.

The truth is, I don't usually know quite what to say. It's not like I just woke up on June 15th, 2009, turned on the laptop, poured a bowl of Cap'n Crunch Berries, even sliced up some bananas in there, starting eating, and then halfway through breakfast dropped the spoon and went "HOLY FUCKING SHIT! I WANT TO JOIN THE ARMY! HOOAH!!"

What made me want to join the Army? Life, I guess. Hard to explain why I wanted to join really. As a kid I always loved the good action flicks. The quality of a movie was based on the number of bullets that flew and explosions that went off, size of explosions, etc. Storyline? Yeah, when I wanted a good plot, I read a book... usually books with guns in them. I would run around the house with my plastic guns drawn, leaping over the couches and landing in ninja rolls, destroying the hordes of enemies that had me surrounded. I would creep around corners and tiptoe through the hallways, trying to avoid the being seen by the enemy (mom and sis).

Now I would like to pause for a moment and make one thing clear. I'm not a moron. I don't expect to be Rambo and single-handedly destroy the entire Viet-Cong or Fedayeen or whoever the enemy may be with a bow and arrow. I understand that movies are for entertainment. War is not. War is hell. I am simply trying to paint a picture here that may answer the question, "What made you want to join the Army?"

Moving on.

My favorite video games were always the ones that involved combat. Like my movies, I liked my video games with guns, grenades, and big freakin' booms.

As I got older, I began my collection of things that go boom. I had my daughter at a very young age. I spoke with an Armed Forces recruiter and almost joined way back when I was about 18. But I wasn't married and therefore couldn't take my daughter with me. I felt guilty about leaving her behind for years, and in the end, I didn't sign. Later I had a son. As the years passed, I seriously considered time and time again about joining the US Military. Each time, the need to be there for my kids, or maybe the guilt of not being there, won out in the end, and I stayed home, working this job or that, and scraping by a living.

Still the desire to serve my country never left. I'm going to toot my own horn here. I am a very intelligent person. I can whoop your ass at chess or a battle of wits. If you're one of 99 people in a room taking the same test I am, my scores are higher than yours, and I didn't even study. I can also beat you to death in a fight, injure you, break your arm, restrain you, let you live, or stand there, let you beat your aggressions out on me, and take it all with a smile. I shot a pack of cigarettes from 100 yards out with a compact handgun. I shot a bird only slightly larger than a hummingbird from 30 yards out down an embankment from the hip! I can outplay you or outcoach you in any sport. I'm tough as nails - strike that - make it railroad spikes. I'm alot stronger than you might expect. Even at 5'10" 120 lbs I could pick a fucking couch up over my head. The point is, I have tons a qualifications that can make me a tremendous asset to our Armed Forces in any MOS (Military Occupational Specialty).

Another factor that played in my decision to join the Army was, believe it or not, the pay! Plenty of you out there are making $90,000, $120,000, or more a year. If that's your status, you may not think so highly of Army pay as I do. But try living (in Northern California) and supporting 2 children off of $1,404 a month, or $802 a month, or $615 a month. I have. It's hard. But we got by. The Army offers more than that to start off at E-1 (an entry level enlisted soldier starts of at E-1, or Private). But we don't get paid just Base Pay. Here's what's included in your pay and benefits package with the US Army:

• Base Pay - Yes, it's a job, and it comes with a salary. Each promotion in rank (E-1 to E-2, Private to Private First Class, PFC to Corporal, Corporal to Sergeant, etc.) also comes with a raise in your base pay and other allowances.
  
• Housing Allowance (AKA: BAH or Basic Allowance for Housing) - Now this isn't some sort of coupon you give your landlord. This is cash money direct deposited into your checking account every month if you choose to live off base or if there is no Army base housing available. An example of a Housing Allowance: Sacramento, CA, 2009 Housing Allowance for an E-1 = $1,498. That's $1,498 + my Base Pay!
• Separation Pay - Additional monies deposited into your account for separation from family members during training (such as BCT [Basic Combat Training] or AIT [Advanced Individual Training]) or deployment.
• Hazardous Duty / Imminent Danger Pay - HDID Pay is some more cash thrown in every payday for soldiers who are deployed to combat zones. Base Pay + Housing + Separation Pay + HDID Pay... we're rakcing them up here, and we ain't done yet!
• Food Allowance - Like the BAH, more cash in your bank account every payday.
• Clothing Allowance - Yep, you got it. More cash!
• Signing Bonus - Amount varies depending on your MOS, contract length, and ship status, but can be worth up to $40,000... yes, cash.
  

And let's not forget the benefits.

• Medical, check.
  
• Dental, check.
  
• Psych, check.
• VA Loans - 4% Locked interest rate on a mortgage.
• Montgomery GI Bill - Money for College (up to another $40,000 I believe).
• Tuition Assistance.
• Student Loan Repayments.
• ConAP - Schedule college enrollment to coincide with the end of your enlistment.
• The Commissary - Very cheap food (which you can buy with your food allowance, don't forget!), usually at just a shade above cost.
• The PX (Post Exchange) - Everything else you need to shop for... uber-cheap.
• Retire after only 20 years! Most people will start working around the age of 18 and retire around the age of 65 if they're lucky. A soldier who starts working at 18 can retire when he's 38. Imagine that. Retired at only 38 years old! That's a shitload of free time.
• Moving Expenses are covered. That's not the beautiful part for me. The sweet piece of this deal is that they will pay to have someone pack, move, and unpack your entire house, all the way down to putting your food back in the cupboards. Awesome!

It all sounds great, but what to do with the kids for the next 3 years?! Well things are so much simpler now. My kids are older now, and can comprehend and rationalize my absence. My wife is a natural. Her and the kids have a very close relationship, and I can 1,000% trust that they are in good hands for the 5 months or so that I'll be in training. Once I complete my training, I will be assigned my duty station, where my wife and kids will join me. We will all live together either on Base Housing or somewhere near base courtesy of the US Army's BAH. Even when I'm called on to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan, I know that they will be safe and happy for the 6 to 15 months that I am away. Best of all, I am building a future for them and making a serious contribution to helping this world become a safer place for them to enjoy their lives.

So I guess that essentially covers "Why I joined the Army."

July 22, 2009 - I selected my MOS (my job) from the list of available jobs. I am to be trained to be a 13F, Fire Support Specialist. No, not a firefighter as most people think when they hear the title. Here's my understanding of what a 13F does. He remains invisible to the enemy and blows shit up. He uses field or naval artillery, CAS (Combat Air Support), missiles, bombs, helicopters, or whatever is necessary to rain hellfire down upon the heads of the enemy. I'm down with that.

July 28th, 2009 - Processed at MEPS and was sworn in as a Future Soldier in the United States Army.

September 2oth, 2009 - Scheduled to return to MEPS for final processing and head to the hotel for my last night in "the world."

September 21st, 2009 - Scheduled to depart via airplane for Fort Jackson, South Carolina. My first order is to report to Battalion for in-processing.

September 28th, 2009 - Scheduled to begin BCT (Basic Combat Training) at Fort Jackson.

And that's the general rundown, from here to there.

Between now and my ship-date, I will continue to share my experiences. I imagine that once I arrive at Basic, I will have very little time to write, and zero access to a computer. Perhaps my wife and my kids would be kind enough to post my letters I send home to them.

I will also continue to share my experiences after training and all the way through the US Army life. Enjoy the ride. Thanks for tuning in. Till next time.