US Army Life

A Letter to My Wife - Part 13

2009-12-14T21:00:00.000-08:00

Well can you believe it? We made it through to Christmas Exodus. Only one week to go. I'm still hanging out in Ft. Sill, blowing shit up with the Artillery boys. But who gives a crap.

It's almost Christmas and they're letting me go home to see you guys! That's what it's all about!

Tomorrow is payday again. Don't forget that this is our last paycheck before Christmas, so you're going to want to use this one to get your Christmas shopping done. Make sure to either get some crap for my side of the fam, too, or at least save me some dough so I can get them shit.

But still, you deserve a little something special. You've got options this week:
Option A. Buy yourself a X-Mas gift, wrap it up, label it to and from yourself, and stick it under the tree.
Option B. Go to a salon and do girly stuff that chicks like to do like get your nails done or your hair done or whatever.

Just so you know, this will be the last one of these posts, the final "Letter to My Wife," because I expect to be home next week.

Thank you for sticking by me and taking such good care of yourself and the kiddies.

I love you very much.

See you soon.

Love,
Your Husband
Private 2nd Class
United States Army.

A Letter to My Kids - Part 13

2009-12-14T20:00:00.000-08:00

Well kiddies, this is the last one of these posts that will appear.

This week we won't have one of our usual surprises. Instead, we will prepare for something different. Next week, I am coming home for Christmas!

Shooting guns and blowing shit up has been alot of fun, but I can't wait to get home and see you guys.

Thank you so much for being so good (you have been good right?!). Let's close out this last week before I return with some extra good behavior. Be extra nice to everyone and show eachother some extra love.

P.S. Don't forget to put out the trash tomorrow night!

I'll see you guys soon.

I love you all!

Love, Daddy.

A Letter to My Wife - Part 12

2009-12-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

Hello again, my lovely.

So by this point I'm finally out of BCT and I have moved to O-o-o-oklahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plains...

Okay, so I'm just a little giddy with the idea of moving on from BCT to my next phase of training. I'd like to talk some more about what I'm doing here in AIT, but I really have no fucking idea what's supposed to happen here, so I won't even try to wing it. I'll just have to tell you about it in the handwritten letters home.

So we'll just go ahead and skip to the good stuff. This week's little surprise is.... drumroll please...... I've got nothing! lol. So this week it's a wildcard, The Wife's choice! Money permitting, do whatever the hell you would like to do. Buy yourself something nice, or go do something fun. Just do something to make yourself happy, and don't forget, I'll be home in a couple of weeks.

Sorry for the crappy surprise this week, but if you get creative, it could be really awesome!

OMG how exciting is this! I'm almost home!

I love you.

Love,
Your Husband

A Letter to My Kids - Part 12

2009-12-07T20:00:00.000-08:00

Hello again, Kiddies.

Well, by now I ought to be living in Oklahoma.

We've got some special stuff coming up soon, so this will be the last week of your "surprises."

Christmas is coming, and with Christmas, I am coming home soon, too.

This week, for your surprise, you can do another camp-out in the living room one night this weekend. Be sure to bring lots of blankets, because it will probably get very cold on the floor at night. Also, if you build a fort, be sure to put everything away by 3:00 the next day. If you would like, you guys can go to target and get some snacks and watch movies on your campout night.

Ok, I'll write you guys again next week.

I love you guys.

Love,
Daddy.

A Letter to My Wife - Part 11

2009-11-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

Well, this last week has been pretty "easy," at least by Army BCT standards. We have continued our PT and worked on our Drill and Ceremony in preparation for our graduation ceremony. I know that you guys probably wanted to come out and see, but since I'll be home in a few weeks anyways, we can celebrate my graduation when I return for Christmas.

And I'm not the only one graduating. You have been right here with me, in my heart, the whole time. As you have been carrying yourself and the Brats through the world without me, you have also carried me through training. I know this has not been easy on you, but still, you have stood by me. Therefore, for myself and on behalf of the United States Army, I would like to thank you for and recognize you for all that you have done.

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Certificate of Recognition

Private 2nd Class "Delta"
of the United States Army

hereby recognizes

A Loving and Beautiful Wife

for exceptional bravery in time of separation,
and outstanding performance in fulfilling all duties
and responsibilities of two parents in the absence of one.

Your proud service to Private "Delta,"
to the Army Brats,
and to the United States Army is greatly appreciated.

Just know that you have still been on my mind, every single day. I love you and miss you very much. Some may think that over time, it gets easier to miss someone, but that really hasn't been the case for me. I miss you just as much now as I always have when we're apart.

Tomorrow is Payday again. This week I think you ought to get yourself some Art-type things. What do you think? I know you've been wanting that storage thingy for your art supplies, and now would be a good time to get it. While your at it, go ahead and replenish any of your art supplies you may need for upcoming projects. No sense in having an empty storage unit. :)

Okay, well I'll be home soon. Can't wait to see you again.

I love you.

Love,
Your Husband.

A Letter to My Kids - Part 11

2009-11-30T20:00:00.000-08:00

Well, it's that time again folks.

Check and make sure you guys have been on good behavior, because this one's a biggy.

Is the answer yes?

If so, today is your lucky day. Well actually, tomorrow, because we don't get paid until tomorrow. You each get.... drumroll please.......... $20! Holy crap, that's alot of money! Buy whatever you would like with the money, and be good and nice and helpful to earn next week's surprise.

I love you guys.

Love,
Daddy.

A Letter to My Wife - Part 10

2009-11-23T21:00:00.000-08:00

Holy freakin' crap. I made it through the most intense week of my life and I survived (I hope... hopefully these posts aren't coming from "beyo-o-o-ond the gra-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ave." Ha ha ha). I spent the last week surviving off of very little sleep (which was done outdoors in the dead of winter), and crappy "food." Actually, I'm not sure if this stuff can legally be called food. That's probably why they're called MRE's. I have decided that MRE means "Might Regurgitate Everything." It's alot like eating neatly packaged shit out of a plastic bag. Never thought I'd say it, but boy is that chow in the Mess Hall DELICIOUS! But we spent the last week many miles from the Mess Hall, so we ate what we got. This phase of our training was crazy intense, and also alot work and alot of fun.

Our platoon worked together as a team to overcome some seemingly impossible obstacles in the midst of a full-scale battle simulation. Some of the other platoons tried to kill us by day, while our drill sergeants had a little fun trying to kill us on those rare occasions when we dared to sleep.

After spending the last week and all of our energy fighting our way through Victory Forge, we all felt like real god-damned soldiers. On the 9 mile march in the middle of the night back to base, we really looked like a bunch of veterans fresh out of battle!

And when we returned to base, the Battalion Commander and a whole slew of Drill Sergeants were there to greet us. As it turns out, it wasn't just in our heads that we felt like soldiers. Our drill sergeants, who have mistreated us and pushed us to our breaking points in every which way possible were there to recognize us as real-deal US Army Soldiers. Even the Commander recognized us no longer as recruits, but as American Soldiers.

As it turns out, our drill sergeants really are human after all. The crazy realization after all this is not only are they human, but the actually love us and regard us as Brothers. Everything that they have done over the last couple of months has not been done to us, but done for us, to make us stronger, to make us better, and to help us become the best damned soldiers we can possibly be. After all that we have been through, we owe them a huge debt of gratitude for all that they have done for us. Cheers to the United States Army Drill Sergeants, the baddest and best instructors in the world!

To celebrate our achievement, I would like for you and the kids to go out to dinner this week at the Olive Garden or a restaurant of your choosing. While you're there, raise your glasses and toast the fact that I am now officially an American Soldier!

And when you are done with your toast, raise your glasses again. Salute yourselves for your own outstanding courage in making it through each and every day on your own. These last couple of months have been a true test of your own will and determination, and you have passed with flying colors!

I love you all. And I'll see you soon.

Love,
Your Husband.

A Letter to My Kids - Part 10

2009-11-23T20:00:00.000-08:00

Hello again kids. I think Thanksgiving is this Thursday... or was it last week? Shit I don't know... time is confusing in BCT.

Anyhow, I hope the turkey's delicious. Make sure to pig out hardcore! Tell everyone I said hello. This year, I am thankful to have a great family who is being good and sticking together while I'm away in training.

What are you guys thankful for?

Well are you ready for this week's surprise? Check and see if you've earned it.

Did you earn it?

I hope so.

This week is a special surprise. Ready? You get to clean up dog poop! YAY! Isn't that fun!

Ha ha ha. I'm just razzing you. You surprise this week is "Kid's Choice Movie Nights." Man-child, you get to pick the movie on Friday night,

Girl-child, you get to pick the movie on Saturday night.

Make sure to head over to target before movie-night and grab a big box of microwave popcorn so you can all have big bowls of popcorn on the movie nights.

I love you guys.

Love,
Daddy.

A Letter to My Wife - Part 9

2009-11-16T21:00:00.000-08:00

This week we will begin our march up to Victory Forge. It ought to be a pretty intense week. This is where we put all of our training together in a full scale battle simulation.

And since I'm nearing the end of my Combat Training, I think that this would be a good time for you to ditch all of your old friends and get some new ones. No offense, but I just don't like your friends. They are all screwed up and half of them don't even work. The easiest way to replace them would probably be to go to Amazon.com and buy a whole new Friends box set. :) Ha ha. Gotcha. Bet you thought I was talking about your human friends, huh? No way, I love your human friends... they're awesome. But your DVD Friends have got to go.

Anyhow, I hope that things are going well for you. I know that you have been doing a great job on your own. Even if not everything is going right, be sure to take some time to focus on the things that have gone and are going well. Congratulate yourself on all of the little victories. The kids are fed and off to bed, the house is still standing, and you've done alot on your own for months now without me.

If there's anything else you would like to have or do, please, feel free to just do it. Trust me, you deserve it. These little "surprises" in the blog are just something extra for you. Make sure that you are also taking the time to do some nice things for yourself.

I love you so very much. I'm very proud of you. I'll talk to you again on the other side of Victory Forge!

Love,
Your Husband.

A Letter to My Kids - Part 9

2009-11-16T20:00:00.000-08:00

Another week has passed. It won't be long now til I'm on my way home.

So I bet you guys are wondering what your next surprise is, aren't you? Well, first things 1st, check and make sure that you have been good enough to earn this surprise.

If the answer is yes, here you go. You guys are going to enjoy this one.

You guys get to go play a round of Miniature Golf at Golfland! Have fun. Think "hole in one!" And remember, if you don't play the last hole where they take your ball, you could always sneak over to the other course for another round. Since everyone may be getting tired by the 2nd round, you may want to try "speed golf." Remember that one? No waiting your turn, everybody goes at the same time, blocking is legal, and the first one into the hole wins and then zoom! On to the next hole!. Good times. You guys might have to show my Army Wife how it's done.

Okay, well have fun. And be good so that you guys can get your next surprise.

I love you.

Love,
Daddy.

A Letter to My Wife - Part 8

2009-11-09T21:00:00.000-08:00

Hello again, my lovely!

It's hard to believe, but I'm already 2/3 of the way through my Basic Combat Training.

In a strange twist, it seems as though my drill sergeant may actually be human. Not quite sure when it happened, but he doesn't seem to be yelling at us quite as much as he used to. Sometimes I almost wonder a little if maybe we're finally learning to do things right. Stranger things have happened.

Truth is, we do get rewarded alot here. We get to eat free food. You know how much I love free food!. We get to shoot guns and throw grenades. We get free time every day. We do get time to rest, mot as much as I was used to in the civilian world, but more than I expected here. We get to wear awesome uniforms, and we get to serve under the baddest branch of the military for the greatest country in the world, besides maybe Hawaii. Ha ha ha. Tell Desirae I said hello. lol.

Being an Army Wife is no walk in the park. I make sacrifices in my duty, and you also make sacrifices that no one else in the world (outside of the Army) has to make. You deserve rewards as well, so let the rewards continue.

I hope you enjoyed your Day Spa treatment last week. If you haven't done that yet... get on it!

Here is your next mission.

This week, I want you to take someone (the kids or a friend or your mom or whoever) to see a movie in the theaters. You pick the movie and the time and day.

And remember that I miss you and I love you.

Can't wait to see you again.

Love,
Your Husband.

A Letter to My Kids - Part 8

2009-11-09T20:00:00.000-08:00

Well, another week has passed, and hopefully you guys have been very good this last week to earn your next surprise.

Oh, I hope you didn't forget and start acting crazy once you got your $10 last week!

Remember to be on VERY GOOD BEHAVIOR EVERY WEEK so you guys can get your next week's surprise. Yes there is another surprise coming next week, and you guys have got to be very good to earn it.

Go ahead and ask the pretty lady in charge if you have been good enough this week to earn your surprise.

If the answer is yes, then you've got something to look forward to.

When the weekend comes, you get a special treat this week. On Saturday Night, you get to camp out in the living room! And yes, you may build a fort to sleep in if you would like. Remember to leave enough room so that the doggies can get in and out the door.

Everything needs to be cleaned up and put away no later than 3:00 in the afternoon on Sunday.

Okay. Enjoy your camp-out this weekend.

I love you guys.

Love,
Daddy.

A Letter to My Wife - Part 7

2009-11-02T21:00:00.000-08:00

Can you believe another week has flown by so quickly? Training seems to really be picking up steam. We're slowly becoming a real team, and a real unit. And I can see the finish-line ahead. I know that the closer I get to the end of Basic, the closer I get to the beginning of AIT. And the closer I get to AIT, the closer I get to Exodus!, which means I finally get to see you again.

So we're still doing everything we've been doing since day one, and now we've added some stuff to our curriculum, such as heavy anti-tank weaponry and obstacle courses, which my battle buddy and I maneuver and complete as a team.

Enough about me... on to the good stuff.

You have been so patient in dealing with everything in my absence, so it's time for you to be rewarded. Therefore, I have a little surprise for you. I would have liked to have done this sooner, but without knowing for sure when we get paid, I just wanted to wait long enough to be sure that we got our money.

If you haven't been paid yet (due to a long processing time with the paperwork), you ought to have gotten paid now. Go ahead and take a peek at the bank account balance to be sure.

Ready for your surprise? Okay, here's what I want you to do.

Call your Mom (or maybe you want your mom to go with you, so you could call Gramma or Patti and arrange a time that one of them could watch the kids for a few hours, or of course you can use the "babysitter" we usually use when we go play poker. Wink, wink).
Go to AvalonExcellence.com and click the "Services" link, then click "spa packages." (If you don't like that place, feel free to select one of your own).
Since I have no idea what's what, I would like for you to select the package that you want. *IMPORTANT* Ignore the prices and just get the services you want! Okay?
Feel free to add any extras you would like (ie. haircut, color, style, mudbath (I've taken some of those here lol), or whatever else sounds appealing.
Give them a call to schedule your time (and maybe mention that you're military... military discount, hee hee).
Enjoy a day of relaxation and pampering!

Follow the instructions above to complete your mission. That's a direct order from a member of the United States Army! Mission failure is NOT, I repeat NOT an option!

I love you.

Love,
Your Husband.

A Letter to My Kids - Part 7

2009-11-02T20:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, are you guys ready for your surprise?

I hope so.

The first thing you guys have to do is to check with my Army Wife and make sure that you guys have been on good enough behavior to earn your surprise. Go ask her right now.

So did she say yes?

If so, tell her to give you each $10. If she doesn't have any cash on her now, she can get it next time she goes to the bank.

You guys can spend your $10 on anything you want.

Have fun. Don't forget about the trash tomorrow night. And brush your teeth!

I love you.

Love,
Daddy

A Letter to My Wife - Part 6

2009-10-26T21:00:00.000-07:00

We finally made it through Phase I, or Red Phase, and moved on to White Phase. This is also known as the "Rambo Phase."

We finally got to fire our weapons. I've been waiting weeks for this, and I've got to say, it was worth the wait. We've got all types of ranges here. Training is actually starting to get a little fun. We've been tossing grenades, firing our rifles at close targets, pop-up targets, far-away targets. We've been chucking grenades and learning our way around other types of weapons as well.

Even with all the PT, drills, marching, running, classes, shooting, and blowing shit up, they still can't keep me busy enough to keep me from thinking of you and missing you. I have officially been gone for over a month now, but you're still just as clear in my mind as the day I left.

I hope that you are doing fine and getting along alright without me around. I hope that you are happy and having a good time. I hope that you still laugh alot. It's probably hard to laugh as much as you did when I was around because, let's face it, I'm fucking hilarious, and it would be impossible to find someone as funny as me. But still, I hope that you still smile and laugh alot. Don't forget that I will be home soon. Not super-soon, but soon enough. I am determined to make it through this thing they call BCT so that the next time you see me, I will be a soldier.

Thank you for loving me. Your love is my strength.

I miss you.

Love,
Your Husband.

A Letter to My Kids - Part 6

2009-10-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

Hi kids!

It's almost Halloween! Everyone excited? I'm excited for you guys.

Everything's going good for me. We're having alot of fun here at Fort Jackson.

I hope you guys are having alot of fun too.

Tell everyone I said hello. And don't forget to put the trash out tomorrow night.

I love you guys.

And oh yeah, almost forgot. I hope you guys are being very, very good! Because next week you guys get your first surprise! Remember to be on very good behavior, because you only get your surprise if your being good.

Alright. I love you guys.

Love,
Daddy.

A Letter to My Wife - Part 5

2009-10-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official. It's no longer a matter of, "I can't do anything right." Now "WE can't do anything right."

Yeah, this week I was assigned my battle buddy. Every time I fuck up, we both pay. And every time he does something wrong, I get to share the credit with him. It's awesome. It is kind of nice to have someone to motivate you along, and someone to motivate. That feeling that someone is relying on me to help and motivate them makes me feel... more useful, I guess. It inspires me to try that much harder.

I have also mastered the art of taking apart and putting my rifle back together. Don't tell my drill sergeant I said that; he doesn't agree.

Aside from that it's been another week of the same old same old. Drills. PT. Marching. Running. Getting dropped (DROP AND GIVE ME TWENTY! YES, DRILL SERGEANT!). Eating food that tastes like feet. Sleeping every now and then for what feels like a few minutes.

And still I think of you every day. I wonder what you're doing. Sometimes I get a moment to look up toward the sky. It's beautiful out here after dark. It's a strange feeling to be so far away and know that when I look up and see the moon, it's the same moon that you see out in California.

Sometimes I picture myself sitting over there on the couch, staring at you as you sit there in your chair. You are beautiful. I picture your smile when I need a boost. Thoughts of you have become my wonder drug, my steroids, and my serenity.

Anyhow, make sure you're taking good care of yourself. Eat well, and rest well. And make sure to have some fun, too. Pick up the phone and call people. Talk to people. And be sure to smile.

I miss you and I love you very much.

Love,
Your Husband.

A Letter to My Kids - Part 5

2009-10-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

And here we are once again... another monday cyber meeting.

I know that you guys miss me, and I miss you, too. Just stay strong and we'll all be back together soon. Just so you guys know, I'm having alot of fun in training. We get to shoot guns and throw grenades and play on obstacle courses. It's alot like 9 weeks of recess... with guns.

Halloween is coming up soon. Make sure to decide what you want to dress up as this year and go out and get LOTS of candy! If you need money for costumes, ask Nana or Gramma or Grammy Tammy, I'm sure they'd be glad to help out.

Okay, well be good and have lots of fun. Be nice to eachother, and make sure to help out with things like keeping the house clean, feeding and watering the dog, doing dishes, taking out the trash, and stuff like that.

I love you guys!

Love,
Daddy.

A Letter to My Wife - Part 4

2009-10-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

Hello again, pertty lady!

How's everything going with you? Not too crazy, I hope. Have the kids been (relatively) good? If not, remind them that I now have an M16A2 Assault Rifle, and I'm alot stronger now than when I left. Ha ha ha.

So by now I'm sure you've sent me tons of letters, which I really appreciate. The food tastes like feet, sleep is a rare delicacy, we work way too hard and way too long, I can't do anything right, and my drill sergeants hate me. Your letters really are the only things I have to look forward to every day.

You're never gonna believe it, but I finally learned how to clean a bathroom and make my bed. Tell my grandma, she'll be shocked to hear it.

So over this last week, we have continued on as we did in week one. Learning to march. Learning to stand. Learning to build muscle and endurance. But we've also had a little class time to learn a few other things, such DON'T freakin sexually harass people, and don't be a fucking racist.

We also learned how to choke, vomit and cry like little girls. They taught us that in the gas chamber. Once your ability to breathe returns, it's really quite nice. It was like an enema, or a colon cleansing for the lungs and sinuses.

This week the people of the United States of America thought it would be a good idea to give me an M16A2 assault rifle. I don't know whether or not that's the best decision this country has ever made, but I think it's freakin awesome. I have named my rifle Annaleese. We go everywhere together. Don't be jealous though. Okay yeah, I have some feelings for her, but not like the feelings I have for you. Plus she feels nothing for me... she's as cold as steel. Oh wait, she is steel.

I finally learned how to do some things right, though most of the time it's not quite good enough. Oh well, at least I'm not doing everything completely wrong anymore.

I am exhausted. Constantly. I miss you and think about you all the time. I want you to know that I love you very much. Can't wait to see you again.

Love,
Your Husband.

A Letter to My Kids - Part 4

2009-10-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

Hello again, kids!

I'm having alot of fun in BCT. We get to shoot shit and crawl around in the mud and do lots of running around and pushups and stuff. It's really alot of fun.

But I do miss you guys. I think about you every day. I know that you guys are being good and having lots of fun. I know that you guys are doing what your told and not fighting to much or giving anyone too much crap, right?

I hope so.

Anyhow, I just wanted to say that I love you guys very much. Thank you both very much for helping out around the house while I'm gone. I also appreciate the letters that you guys send. I always look forward to mail call every day and getting to read your letters during my free time at night.

Stay strong you two. I'll talk to you later.

I love you.

Love,
Daddy.

A Letter to My Wife - Part 3

2009-10-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

Oh god, please, get me the hell out of here. Seriously, come pick me up. Let's go be hobos in Canada. Or hey we could use that jar full of change to buy a city in Mexico were we can be gods with all of our copper and nickel and silver.

Do I really feel this way? A part of me seriously does. Hell maybe even most of me. But then there are those other parts of me. There's the part that wants to succeed. There's the part that wants to provide for you. There's the part of me that will never accept defeat, will never quit. There's the part of me that wants to be able to pay the utility bill. There's the part of me that wants to be able to provide for my children, to help them through college. To be able to help them through hard times in their early adulthood when they need food or PG&E is threatening to shut off their power. And there is that isolated part of me, the one that likes to run with loud music playing in my MP3 player, who likes to read books and write, who likes to play poker with my face covered and not say a word... the part of me that is, in some twisted way, truly enjoying this adventure, doing things I have never done before in places I have never been.

These are the parts of me that are stronger and more determined and hard-headed than those weaker parts of me that want to quit. My desire to fall down, to just go home on a early separation cannot outweigh my will to overcome all that seems impossible.

Would I rather be sharing all of these experiences with you and the kids? Y-E-S. Would I like to be able to see you and hug you and kiss you every day? Yes. But I carry you with me every where I go, in everything I do, in my mind and in my heart. No, that's not exactly true. To be accurate, the thoughts of you in my mind and in my heart are what is carrying me through this. And it will carry me through all the way to the end.

On to some details regarding my training.

This week we learned the definition of "Total Control." I have officially stopped thinking for myself. I have been programmed to be in "standby" mode by default. Standby mode is where I stand by and do nothing, think nothing, look at nothing, and try not to fart, smile, or collapse from exhaustion. When I am given a command by my drill sergeant, I snap out of standby mode on go immediately into "I-do-whatever-the-fuck-you-say" mode. While this is extrememly physically demanding, I'm on a mental freakin vacation here. I don't have to try to figure out the right way of doing anything anymore. I just do it. There is no more right and wrong. The right way to poop used to be in the toilet. Now, I'll just go ahead and poop in my shorts if I'm instructed to do so. See how much simpler things are now? Ha ha ha. I don't have to think. I just wait and then do as instructed. It's that simple.

Another thing you might find interesting is that my drill sergeant is deaf. I didn't even know that deaf people were allowed in the Army, but they are. Maybe it's because he's not completely deaf; just very hard of hearing. As long as I scream everything at the top of my lungs, he is able to hear me. Usually. It really pisses him off when I don't talk loud enough for him to hear, so for now, I love screaming. I also love the phrase "Drop and give me twenty." It is my favorite phrase and my favorite activity. You can tell because I do it ALL THE TIME!

I was also given my PT Test. I didn't do as well as the drill sergeants grandma, but I did okay by my standards. We also began our Physical Training. It's tough, but if the DS's grandma can do it, so can I. So far I am still not able to run as fast as his grandma, but I'm working on it. I also can't do as many sit-ups or push-ups as his grandma yet, but maybe I will be able to by the end of this thing.

We get up every day at 0430. That's so we can get more done by noon than most people get done all day. And believe me, we do! And instead of wasting all night sleeping, I get to wake up in the middle of the night and go on "fire guard." That means I walk around the barracks for two hours in the middle of the night instead of sleeping. Doing this reminds me of a word I used to know, though I can no longer define it. The word is "why." I have completely forgotten what that word means. "Why" is irrelevant here. Doing it is all that matters, whatever "it" is.

I can't wait til next week. I'll get tear gassed in the face. I hear it's great for clearing out your lungs and sinuses, and after going two weeks without I cigarette now, I could go for a good lung and sinus clearing. I'll also get my M16A2 Assualt Rifle. Seriously can't wait for that.

I miss you and I love you.

A Letter to My Kids - Part 3

2009-10-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

Hello again, kiddies!

Another week has passed, and I'm sure you all have been doing great. I'm working out alot, getting screamed at alot, but they're getting me in great shape.

Now I have bigger muscles and a big-ass assault rifle! Awesome!

So you guys are still being good right? Getting all your homework done? Have you been helping out around the house? Is the dog still alive? Make sure she gets food and water every day!

Okay, so a few more weeks to your first surprise. Make sure that you guys are having fun and are happy and are being good. Hopefully you guys got my address so that you can write letters to me whenever you want. If not, you should be getting it soon.

Okay, so keep up the good work. Don't forget to put the trash out tomorrow night.

I love you guys!

Love,
Daddy.

A Letter to My Wife - Part 2

2009-09-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

Hello again, my love.

So now I've been gone for a week. That means I've probably smacked it around 21 times already. Ha ha ha. Oh god, I hope not.

So at this point in my Army career, I'm sure there's not much to report. Here's a rough rundown of how my week probably went.

I stood in line. I got yelled at. I stood in line.

I stood in line. I got a haircut. I stood in line bald.

I stood in line, I got stabbed with every needle on the planet, I stood in line.

I stood in line in my skivies. I got a shot in the butt by a needle with the rough diameter of a telephone pole. I stood in line (with most of my weight on one leg).

I stood in line. I got yelled at. I answered tons of questions, filled out mountains of paperwork. I stood in line.

I stood in line. I got yelled at. I stood in line. I got my anal probe and visited the dentist. I got yelled at. I stood in line.

I stood in line. I got yelled at. I got yelled at again, I stood in line. Then I got yelled at.

I stood in line. I forgot what I'm standing in line for. I got yelled at for forgetting. I got yelled at for standing in line. I stood in line.

I stood in line. I got yelled at. I got my uniform. I feel like a fucking Soldier (although I'm not. Hell no. But I will earn the right to be called a Soldier. Hell yes and Hoo-ah!). I got yelled at in my uniform. I stood in line in my uniform. I got yelled at again.

I got yelled at. I got yelled at again. I stood in line. I got yelled at. Yes! I'm getting yelled at more than I'm standing in line. That means I'm almost done processing! I got yelled at again. That made me happy. I got yelled at for being happy. I stopped being happy. I got yelled at for being a sourpuss. Hoo-ah!

And yes, it went on and on like this for a week (and no more I hope). Each time I got yelled at, I had to do push-ups. And when I couldn't do anymore push-ups, I got yelled at. And my punishment for not being able to do enough push-ups was... oh come on, take a guess... you got it! More push-ups (while being yelled at).

But I'll tell you what. Every time I felt like, "this sucks," I stopped and thought of you. I thought of how hard this last week has been for you. I thought of how much I love you, and how much you love me. I thought of how proud you would be of me if you could see me, and how proud you are of me even though you can't see me. I thought of how this will be making a better life for us. That's all it took to find the strength to keep going.

Now if only I can make it through the next 3 weeks. But you know what? I will. I know I will.

I dedicate this last week and these next 3 weeks to you. Every moment of the hardest month of my life will be made easier by thoughts of you. You are the reason I have come this far and the reason why I will go all the way. You will be so proud of me when you see me. And I can't wait to see that look on your face when that time comes.

Basic Combat Training, here I come! (I hope... oh lordy let processing be done by now!)

A Letter to My Kids - Part 2

2009-09-28T20:00:00.000-07:00

Hello again kids!

Just wanted to check in and let you know that I'm thinking about you guys.

I hope school's going well and you guys are having fun.

This last week for me, I have just been in reception, getting shots in my butt and getting yelled at, so yeah, pretty boring stuff over here.

Anyhow, I'm sure you guys have been very good this last week, right? Keep it up. Don't forget you guys have some surprises coming soon if you're very good!

I love you guys. I carry your pictures around with me everywhere I go. Be good, have fun, and don't forget to take out the trash and brush your teeth. Also, if you guys wouldn't mind helping out with the dishes and keeping the house cleaned up, I would greatly appreciate it.

Okay, I'll talk to you here on the blog next Monday at 8:00 PM.

I love you!

Love,
Daddy.

A Letter to My Wife - Part 1

2009-09-21T21:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, my love.

I actually wrote this letter, and all of the letters in this series, a while back, back before I shipped out. Although I'm not actually writing these letters from Basic, I have scheduled them to appear while I'm away in training.

Since I am writing these posts "in the dark," it may be interesting to compare them with my hand-written letters home to compare the accuracy or wild misses of reality and our expectations. Perhaps you could even comment on these posts or hack into my account and post accurate information, mis-information, letters home, etc, for our readers, if you've got the time.

I know that you are going to be very busy these next few months. Not only will you be continuing your own role on the homestead, but you'll be taking mine over as well, as well as helping the kids adjust to this new way of life, while you cope with it yourself. And on top of it all, you're busy preparing for the big changes ahead. And now for the first time since we met, you're doing it all without close support.

I applaud you. I love you. I respect you. And I appreciate all that you are doing.

Well, let's talk about me now, shall we? Do let's!

So I imagine I've had a pretty eventful last 24-48 hours. We had the Send-Off, which I'm sure was a blast. We said our goodbyes, which was hard. And just so you know, the goodbye's were about, oh to put an exact number on it, Id say, infinitely harder on me than I showed on the outside. But if I crack, we all crack a little (or a little more).

Anyhow, then came another trip to MEPS and another night in the hotel. And then came the ride to the airport, where I jumped on that plane. And that plane took me farther than I have ever been from home, and farther than I have ever wanted to be from you. And the whole time my mind is surely divided between the longing thoughts of what's behind, growing smaller and smaller in the rear-view mirror, and the ominous and adventurous mass of what's looming ahead.

So now I'm all tucked in my new bunk, and of course thinking of you, and for the first time in a long time, I'm having troubles falling asleep.

I miss you already and I love you with all my heart.

Love,
Your Husband.

P.S. If you do hack into my account, don't read ahead into the posts that haven't gone up yet... there are some surprises in there that should wait until their scheduled posted dates. Trust me.

A Letter to My Kids - Part 1

2009-09-21T20:00:00.000-07:00

Hi you guys!

So I just left for BCT today. Got to ride an airplane all the way across the country, which was a lot of fun.

I miss you guys already, but I am thinking about you.

Make sure you guys are good while I'm gone, okay? Listen to the Army Wife and do what she tells you. And try not to fight with eachother too much.

Just so you know, I have planned some little surprises for you guys, but that comes later. For the next few weeks, you guys have got to prove that you can be good (I know you can!) and be happy!

Remember, you have to be on good behavior while I'm gone if you want to get your surprises.

Your first surprise comes in a few weeks, so be very good until then, okay?

Okay. Check back here next Monday night after 8 o'clock to read the next letter.

I love you both and I miss you guys already.

Be sure to brush your teeth at least three times a day and do all of your homework. Also, don't forget that the trash goes out tomorrow night.

Okay, well I love you.

Bye.

Love,
Daddy.

The US Army Takes Over the Lake

2009-09-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, I got a phone call from my Sergeant telling me that our 16:30 Thursday PT has been cancelled. Instead, we would be meeting up at 15:00 and then heading over to the lake for a little R&R. I was told that the family is invited if they would like to come along.

Now I'm the kind of guy that likes the Army Chain of Command. Throughout my life, I haven't exactly been the type to follow orders without question, but I do feel that when it comes to the Army, following orders is an important and necessary part of being the best Soldier I can be. So when my Sergeant says to spend a relaxing day at the lake, who am I to question orders? After all, he's got many years in the Army under his belt and many stripes on his sleeve, and I am only an E-1, yet to even earn my 1st stripe.

We all had a great time at the lake. The Brats had a blast splashing around in the shallow waters of the lake. The Wife and I even enjoyed getting our feet wet a little.

Another little piece of info about me: I've always struggled making friends. So when the other Future Soldiers set up a volleyball net in the sand, my Wife insisted that I go play and make some friends. I suck at volleyball, but again comes the Chain of Command. I love my Wife with all my heart, and completely trust her, especially with decisions that involve my happiness. I know she has my best interest in mind, and she has never steered me wrong. She has earned her "stripes" as my Wife, and therefore she has the right to give certain orders that I must follow.

I headed over to the volleyball court, but the teams had already been decided. So I stood on the sideline and waited for someone to maybe want to rotate out so I could fill their spot.

But then I saw a football go flying through the air off in the distance. When it comes to footballs, I am like a Golden Retriever with a tennis ball. The football went flying through the air again, and I couldn't resist. I gave chase. We played some toss, and soon the group that had gathered around the football was big enough to get a game going.

We headed to a big open part of the beach. The Wife and the Brats took a tailgate seat to watch the game. The Sergeant joined the melee. And we got us a full fledged football game going on in the rocky sand.

The game was awesome and exhausting. We ran the old no-huddle 2-minute drill throughout the entire game, which went on for about an hour and a half. I played Safety on defense, and managed to pick up a few of tackles, including one touchdown saving tackle inches short of the goal line. I also deflected a few passes and even managed to intercept a pass and return it most of the distance back across the field. On offense, I played Wide Receiver, Running Back, and even tried my hand at Quarterback, which I really enjoyed.

After the game (which either ended in a tie or we won by a touchdown... the debate rages on), we'll all headed back over to the water to cool off. After a brief swim, we were all ordered out of the water and to fall into formation.

We all lined up.

What could this be for? I wondered.

The Sergeant called out a couple of names and ordered us out of formation and to stand front and center.

I was then presented with an award that states:

"DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Certificate of Promotion

MY NAME
(I omitted my real name here for a little online anonymity,
but my real name is printed on the certificate)

has been promoted to

Private Second Class

This promotion recognizes demonstrated ability
and is a credit to both the individual and the Army"

How cool is that? Turns out the day of R&R was actually a celebration in honor of our promotion. I was recognized in front of my entire unit. And my Wife and Brats were there to see me get my 1st promotion.

I am now officially and E-2, or Private 2nd Class. I have earned my 1st set of stripes (which comes with added benefits, including a nice little pay raise)!

I have been working my butt off in an attempt to promote early. Not only have I been studying hard to learn everything a Soldier should know, but I have officially done more push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and ran more miles than I can count in this last month. I am fortunate to be working under a great Sergeant who cares about his recruits and takes all the time we need to not only physically train us, but to also get us all the information we need to excel.

I am also very lucky to have a beautiful, supportive Wife and two adorable, supportive Brats who have been right behind me, rooting me on every step of the way.

Signed,
PV2 Delta... hooah!

9-Line Medevac Request

2009-09-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

9 Line Medevac Request:

Line 1.
Location of the pick-up site.

Line 2.
Radio frequency, call sign, and suffix.

Line 3.
Number of patients by precedence:
A - Urgent
B - Urgent Surgical
C - Priority
D - Routine
E - Convenience

Line 4.
Special equipment required:
A - None
B - Hoist
C - Extraction equipment
D - Ventilator

Line 5.
Number of patients:
A - Litter
B - Ambulatory

Line 6.
Security at pick-up site:
N - No enemy troops in area
P - Possible enemy troops in area (approach with caution)
E - Enemy troops in area (approach with caution)
X - Enemy troops in area (armed escort required)
* In peacetime - number and types of wounds, injuries, and illnesses

Line 7.
Method of marking pick-up site:
A - Panels
B - Pyrotechnic signal
C - Smoke signal
D - None
E - Other

Line 8.
Patient nationality and status:
A - US Military
B - US Civilian
C - Non-US Military
D - Non-US Civilian
E - EPW

Line 9.
NBC Contamination:
N - Nuclear
B - Biological
C - Chemical
* In peacetime - terrain description of pick-up site

A Soldier's General Orders

2009-09-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

The Army Song

2009-09-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

There are quite a few things you will want to memorize for Army Basic Combat Training, including US Army Rank Structure, The 7 Army Values, The Soldier's Creed, A Soldier's General Orders, Reporting to an Officer indoors, 9-Line Medevac Request, UXO IED Report, and The Army Song, amongst other things.

If you are a Future Soldier preparing for BCT (Basic Combat Training), be sure to return to The US Army Life. Over the next few days, we will cover all of the basics mentioned above that you will want to memorize before entering BCT.

Today we'll cover the official Army Song:

“The Army Goes Rolling Along”

Intro:
March along, sing our song, with the Army of the free
Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory
We’re the Army and proud of our name
We’re the Army and proudly proclaim

Verse:
First to fight for the right,
And to build the Nation’s might,
And The Army Goes Rolling Along
Proud of all we have done,
Fighting till the battle’s won,
And the Army Goes Rolling Along.

Refrain:
Then it’s Hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army’s on its way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong (TWO! THREE!)
For where e’er we go,
You will always know
That The Army Goes Rolling Along.

Verse:
Valley Forge, Custer’s ranks,
San Juan Hill and Patton’s tanks,
And the Army went rolling along
Minute men, from the start,
Always fighting from the heart,
And the Army keeps rolling along.

(refrain)

Verse:
Men in rags, men who froze,
Still that Army met its foes,
And the Army went rolling along.
Faith in God, then we’re right,
And we’ll fight with all our might,
As the Army keeps rolling along.

(refrain)

Army Physical Fitness Standards

2009-09-05T08:04:00.000-07:00

In order to move along through certain phases of training and maintain your status as an American Soldier, you will be required to physically perform up certain standards. You will be tested regularly to track your progress and make sure that you are maintaining your physical fitness standards. Those standards vary by gender and age group.

Below is a rundown of the Army Physical Fitness Standards:

To be able to enter Army Basic Combat Training (BCT), you will be tested on and must be able to meet the minimum standards. You will be given this test in Reception:

For males:
Run - 1 mile in 8:30
Sit-ups - 17 in 1:00
Push-ups - 13 in 1:00

For males age 35 and older:
Run - 1 mile in 8:45
Sit-ups - 14 in 1:00
Push-ups - 12 in 1:00

For females:
Run - 1 mile in 10:30
Sit-ups - 17 in 1:00
Push-ups - 3 in 1:00

For females age 35 and older:
Run - 1 mile in 11:00
Sit-ups - 14 in 1:00
Push-ups - 12 in 1:00

In order to graduate from Basic Combat Training, you will need to be able to perform at the following standards. You will tested on this prior to graduating BCT. Note that after the intense physical training of BCT, you will be in excellent shape to pass this test. Failure is very rare.

BCT Minimum Graduation Standard:

Males age 17-21:
Run - 2 miles in 16:36
Sit-ups - 47 in 2:00
Push-ups - 35 in 2:00

Males age 22-26:
Run - 2 miles in 17:30
Sit-ups - 43 in 2:00
Push-ups - 31 in 2:00

Males age 27-31:
Run - 2 miles in 17:54
Sit-ups - 36 in 2:00
Push-ups - 30 in 2:00

Females age 17-21:
Run - 2 miles in 19:42
Sit-ups - 47 in 2:00
Push-ups - 13 in 2:00

Females age 22-26:
Run - 2 miles in 20:36
Sit-ups - 43 in 2:00
Push-ups - 11 in 2:00

Females age 27-31:
Run - 2 miles in 21:42
Sit-ups - 36 in 2:00
Push-ups - 10 in 2:00

In order to graduate from Advanced Individual Training (AIT), the following standards must be met:

Males age 17-21:
Run - 2 miles in 15:54
Sit-ups - 53 in 2:00
Push-ups - 42 in 2:00

Males age 22-26:
Run - 2 miles in 16:36
Sit-ups - 50 in 2:00
Push-ups - 40 in 2:00

Males age 27-31:
Run - 2 miles in 17:00
Sit-ups - 45 in 2:00
Push-ups - 39 in 2:00

Females age 17-21:
Run - 2 miles in 18:54
Sit-ups - 53 in 2:00
Push-ups - 13 in 2:00

Females age 22-26:
Run - 2 miles in 19:36
Sit-ups - 50 in 2:00
Push-ups - 11 in 2:00

Females age 27-31:
Run - 2 miles in 21:30
Sit-ups - 45 in 2:00
Push-ups - 10 in 2:00

Now, whether you are trying to work your way up through these standards or are already there and looking to maintain, I highly recommend working out every day. I was given the following advice by my recruiter and follow it to the letter.

1. Look at the AIT graduation standards for your age/gender group. Those are the numbers I want you to use. For me (31 year old male) my standards are 2 mile in 17:00, 45 sit-ups in 2:00, and 39 push-ups in 2:00.

2. Do at least 3 sets of sit-ups every day. Once in the morning, once mid-day, and once again before going to bed.
Each time, do at least your minimum number for the AIT standard or go for 2 minutes, whichever is longer.

3. Do tons of sets of push-ups every other day. Do them when you wake up. Do them mid-day. Do them before you go to bed. On top of that, pick a frequent activity you perform throughout the day, such as going to the kitchen, going to the bathroom, or passing through a certain doorway. Each time you perform this activity, do another set of push-ups.
Each time, do at least your minimum number for the AIT standard or go for 2 minutes, whichever is longer.

4. On alternating days (the days you're not doing push-ups), run at least once.
Run for two miles or for your AIT standard time, whichever is longer.

Stick to this schedule like glue, every single day, and you'll be in fine shape to pass any PT Test the Army can throw at you.

The Soldier's Creed

2009-09-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

The Soldier's Creed

I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough,
trained and proficient in my Warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment, and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.

US Army Rank Structure

2009-09-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

Each soldier in the US Army must be able to identify each of the different ranks of enlisted men & women and officers. If you are a Future Soldier or considering joining the Army, you will want to memorize the following rank structure:

Insignia	Grade	Rank	Abbr.	Addressed As
No Insignia	E-1	Private	PVT	Private
	E-2	Private	PV2	Private
	E-3	Private First Class	PFC	Private
	E-4	Specialist	SPC	Specialist
	E-4	Corporal	CPL	Corporal
	E-5	Sergeant	SGT	Sergeant
	E-6	Staff Sergeant	SSG	Sergeant
	E-7	Sergeant First Class	SFC	Sergeant
	E-8	Master Sergeant	MSG	Sergeant
	E-8	First Sergeant	1SG	First Sergeant
	E-9	Sergeant Major	SGM	Sergeant Major
	E-9	Command Sergeant Major	CSM	Sergeant Major
	-	Sergeant Major of the Army	SMA	Sergeant Major
Warrant Officers
	W-1	Warrant Officer	WO1	Mr. or Ms.
	W-2	Chief Warrant Officer	CW2	Mr. or Ms.
	W-3	Chief Warrant Officer	CW3	Mr. or Ms.
	W-4	Chief Warrant Officer	CW4	Mr. or Ms.
	W-5	Chief Warrant Officer	CW5	Mr. or Ms.
Officers
	O-1	2nd Lieutenant	2LT	Lieutenant
	O-2	1st Lieutenant	1LT	Lieutenant
	O-3	Captain	CPT	Captain
	O-4	Major	MAJ	Major
	O-5	Lieutenant Colonel	LTC	Colonel
	O-6	Colonel	COL	Colonel
	O-7	Brigadier General	BG	General
	O-8	Major General	MJ	General
	O-9	Lieutenant General	LG	General
	O-10	General	GEN	General
	-	General of the Army	GOA	General

Your Fighting Weight - Army Weight Standards

2009-08-31T14:24:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-29T13:16:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-28T23:11:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-27T21:17:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

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.