Dear All:
Our company is up for Battalion duty again today. Because 2 of the 5 companies here are graduation we’re getting slotted with it more often than usual (it’s like having fire guard, but at a different location). Our platoon also has CQ duty all day today (same deal – just for our company), and that’s where I am now. Machado (one of our team leaders, a future medic and future father) is down here with me – we’re waiting for Mommearts. He’s one of the more “undesirable” members of our Platoon (right now he’s boycotting his shift because he “always” gets stuck with them). I don’t mind the guys who have a hard time here (either physically or mentally), but I can’t stand the ones who have the attitude that this team doesn’t count. Just my two cents.
Anyway, today was a makeup day for a snow day we had on Monday of last week that closed the Post. We went to another range for our last qualification shoot. This time we had combat qualification, which consisted of firing on a 300m range at pop-up targets, while behind a wall from 3 different positions (standing, kneeling, and prone), and tested our ability to quickly change magazines and transition from one position to the next. It’s new to Basic Training, but I think it’s more practical test than regular qualification. Of course, being a makeup meant that almost nothing ran smoothly because it wasn’t scheduled. They didn’t have any MRE’s ordered so we had a UPU (You Pick Up) for lunch in the field. It basically meant they brought the DFAL (Dining Facility) to us…except that they forgot silverware (which would have been fine if they weren’t serving chili and potato salad – we had to use the removable lens from our sunglasses as a spoon). Transportation was also jacked when we got word that while we had buses out there, we had no means of getting home. So, 20 at a time, the DS loaded us up into the deuce (an open trailer on a 2-ton army truck) to make the 20 minute drive back to our company. And it was raining – just another day at basic.
But it was made lighter because I was asked to keep retelling the story of why I got dropped by DS Morrisette (quickly becoming my favorite) last night. All the companies in 2/47 had to line up to greet Alpha as they came back from their 7-mile ruck march (the last exercise of Basic – ours is a week from next Saturday), and the row is lined with Tiki Torches along the field the walk through. I just so happened to be standing in front of one when the DS asked me to “make a wish”. I closed my eyes and opened them, but that wasn’t good enough. HE said, “go on, make a real wish – anything you want” and gestured to the flame. So, like any dumb private, I took a step forward and blew the candle out. He smiled, shook his head and said, “oh no…you did not just do that…just do push-ups”. And he walked away. He came back around #47 and gave me permission to recover. Then he asked me what I wished for. I responded (honestly, but stupidly) that I wished to become a soldier like him one day. His response? “Yeah…do more push-ups”. No one around me could keep a straight face. That will probably end up being the funniest thing that happens to me here.
Anyway, I hope things are going well back home. Thanks to everyone who has written. I’ll try to respond, as always, as soon as I can. Oh, and don’t use this address after 01 April 09. I don’t know when the last day I’ll receive mail at this address, but I’ll send out my new one as soon as I get it.
Talk to you guys soon,
Nick
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Blue Phase Day
March 14, 2009
Dear All:
0405: Yes, I’m picking this letter up again, but I’m sure I’ll have time to finally finish it – we just “phased” into Blue Phase the final 3 weeks of Basic, and cheered Alpha Company home last night as they returned from FTX3 – again, another story.
But, since this is taking a week to write, a lot has happened. That’s the thing I’ve noticed the most. Nothing has been so stressful or physically demanding to break anyone yet – I actually feel like I’ve been able to thrive in the pace and pressure – but we sure do know how to cram a lot of shit into our 17-hour work days.
Monday was another PT test. Unfortunately, no one felt as if they were prepared (physical training took a back seat to marksmanship and it felt like we hadn’t really done anything in 3 weeks). But I still improved with a 67 push-ups, 62 sit-ups, and a 2-mile in 13:58. That puts the perfect score of 75, 80, & 13:00 (respectively) well within my sights and gave me the highest point total of my platoon. The rest of the day was spent prepping for FTX 2. While most of the guys were complaining about how much they had to carry (especially Ehlers, a construction worker from NY who is unusually put out by pretty much everything and uses the “F” word to prove it). There are actually a few guys from NYC including Alfonzo, a great guy and one of our squad leaders – every day begins with his Brooklyn accent yelling “Let’s go first squad!” – he actually saw the 2nd plane hit the WTC from his apartment. Mungo and I were busy in the “War Room” scheming. We had to draw up, plot out, and plan the operations for setting up and manning our patrol base for our 2nd field training exercise (FTX). It was to be our first overnight event, and I was just glad it was starting to get warm. Plus, playing Platoon was cool too, as I drew up charts and maps and diagrams.
We woke up Tuesday morning, brought our rucks down (a good 70+ pounds with our body armor inside) and sat on the ground to eat MRE’s for breakfast. Then we took the hour bus ride out to the middle of nowhere (in the dark) and started marching out to our scouted area. The patrol base is essentially a triangle made out of soldiers who pull security while a squad or platoon rests, performs maintenance and continues to move towards its objective. The PG, APG, Radio man and Medic all remain in the middle. In reality, it was an exercise in keeping people awake, quiet, and down.
There were risks involved. We sat up in some dense bush with downed trees for cover. But that set us up for the wonders of Georgian wildlife – including wolf spiders as big as my hand, fire ants, and a black widow that was well over a half-dollar in size. Luckily we go to sleep on the ground (note the sarcasm.) The few hours I did sleep were spend fully clothed with layers on the ground and encased in my sleeping bag. We had to set up 2-man hoodies earlier that day, so we had some cover – but it was still nice to get home.
Of course, to be allowed home we had to complete ambush drills, receive and break contact, and squad attack movements (we’re definitely in a tactile mode now). But, after eating MRE’s and rucking up the “highway to hell” back to our buses, we were allowed to leave. Another major checkpoint complete. And we all had to show for it was exhaustion (from the late night land navigation and the 50% overnight security detail), soreness from our rucks, and the random case of poison ivy and a flu bug that put 4 in the infirmary this week. All in all, pretty successful. I will say this: marching through the woods with an M-16 beats the hell out of sitting in class.
0805: I just got back from the best breakfast chow I’ve had yet. Lil’ Rod (our guide-on who carries our platoon’s flag and consequently eats first) and myself (who eats second so that a PG is always with a portion of the troops) were treated to omelets. That’s right an omelet. With ham, cheese, onions, green peppers, tomatoes – the works. I’ve literally eaton scrambled eggs every day for the past 7 weeks, so it was a big deal. But I digress.
Thursday was spent with our first day of Urban Operations training. Mungo, Eissler (aka, Caption America – who ran the 2-mile in 11:30), Ayer (who was the only Titan to shoot Expert), and myself formed a super-team and spent the day busting down doors, clearing rooms, and learning the proper movements for approaching doors, walking down hallways, and other real-world scenarios. A lot of the footwork was awkward at first, but it reminded me of football practice – working together in a seamless flow – and I picked it up pretty quickly.
SIDENOTE: The first person to enter a room is either the youngest, or the lowest rank because they are the most expendable – there are little things like that that make all of our training a little more real and a little more serious.
Yesterday we phased. I’ve observed a pattern with Basic that every time we approach a new phase, our Drill Sergeants switch back from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde (or the other way around, whichever’s worse). Thursday night we had our “hydration formation” at 1900 and we got smoked until 1930. And I mean smoked. It was epic. 300 straight jumping jacks in our boots, followed by 20 minutes of “Up, Back, Go’s” The first whistle drops us into push-ups, the second flips us on our backs to do flutter kicks and the 3rd, running in place. Drill Sergeant Shepard (the most stereotypical DS in our company) ran it and loved every minute of it. At the end, you were left with 240 soldiers in sweat and a DS with a huge smile on his face.
That brought us into Blue Phase Day. And, as usual, we had something badass on the schedule: prepare yourself for this one…..yesterday I shot a grenade launcher and a rocket launcher!
We started with a block of instruction on the AT4, a single-use, anti-war, rocket launcher (feel free to Wikipedia it). Ours were rigged with a 9mm adapter that fed tracer rounds so that we could get used to the flight path. Then, the top 2 shooters in the company, both 40/40 Experts, were able to shoot live rockets. I’m not even going to try to describe what it was like to witness that.
Dear All:
0405: Yes, I’m picking this letter up again, but I’m sure I’ll have time to finally finish it – we just “phased” into Blue Phase the final 3 weeks of Basic, and cheered Alpha Company home last night as they returned from FTX3 – again, another story.
But, since this is taking a week to write, a lot has happened. That’s the thing I’ve noticed the most. Nothing has been so stressful or physically demanding to break anyone yet – I actually feel like I’ve been able to thrive in the pace and pressure – but we sure do know how to cram a lot of shit into our 17-hour work days.
Monday was another PT test. Unfortunately, no one felt as if they were prepared (physical training took a back seat to marksmanship and it felt like we hadn’t really done anything in 3 weeks). But I still improved with a 67 push-ups, 62 sit-ups, and a 2-mile in 13:58. That puts the perfect score of 75, 80, & 13:00 (respectively) well within my sights and gave me the highest point total of my platoon. The rest of the day was spent prepping for FTX 2. While most of the guys were complaining about how much they had to carry (especially Ehlers, a construction worker from NY who is unusually put out by pretty much everything and uses the “F” word to prove it). There are actually a few guys from NYC including Alfonzo, a great guy and one of our squad leaders – every day begins with his Brooklyn accent yelling “Let’s go first squad!” – he actually saw the 2nd plane hit the WTC from his apartment. Mungo and I were busy in the “War Room” scheming. We had to draw up, plot out, and plan the operations for setting up and manning our patrol base for our 2nd field training exercise (FTX). It was to be our first overnight event, and I was just glad it was starting to get warm. Plus, playing Platoon was cool too, as I drew up charts and maps and diagrams.
We woke up Tuesday morning, brought our rucks down (a good 70+ pounds with our body armor inside) and sat on the ground to eat MRE’s for breakfast. Then we took the hour bus ride out to the middle of nowhere (in the dark) and started marching out to our scouted area. The patrol base is essentially a triangle made out of soldiers who pull security while a squad or platoon rests, performs maintenance and continues to move towards its objective. The PG, APG, Radio man and Medic all remain in the middle. In reality, it was an exercise in keeping people awake, quiet, and down.
There were risks involved. We sat up in some dense bush with downed trees for cover. But that set us up for the wonders of Georgian wildlife – including wolf spiders as big as my hand, fire ants, and a black widow that was well over a half-dollar in size. Luckily we go to sleep on the ground (note the sarcasm.) The few hours I did sleep were spend fully clothed with layers on the ground and encased in my sleeping bag. We had to set up 2-man hoodies earlier that day, so we had some cover – but it was still nice to get home.
Of course, to be allowed home we had to complete ambush drills, receive and break contact, and squad attack movements (we’re definitely in a tactile mode now). But, after eating MRE’s and rucking up the “highway to hell” back to our buses, we were allowed to leave. Another major checkpoint complete. And we all had to show for it was exhaustion (from the late night land navigation and the 50% overnight security detail), soreness from our rucks, and the random case of poison ivy and a flu bug that put 4 in the infirmary this week. All in all, pretty successful. I will say this: marching through the woods with an M-16 beats the hell out of sitting in class.
0805: I just got back from the best breakfast chow I’ve had yet. Lil’ Rod (our guide-on who carries our platoon’s flag and consequently eats first) and myself (who eats second so that a PG is always with a portion of the troops) were treated to omelets. That’s right an omelet. With ham, cheese, onions, green peppers, tomatoes – the works. I’ve literally eaton scrambled eggs every day for the past 7 weeks, so it was a big deal. But I digress.
Thursday was spent with our first day of Urban Operations training. Mungo, Eissler (aka, Caption America – who ran the 2-mile in 11:30), Ayer (who was the only Titan to shoot Expert), and myself formed a super-team and spent the day busting down doors, clearing rooms, and learning the proper movements for approaching doors, walking down hallways, and other real-world scenarios. A lot of the footwork was awkward at first, but it reminded me of football practice – working together in a seamless flow – and I picked it up pretty quickly.
SIDENOTE: The first person to enter a room is either the youngest, or the lowest rank because they are the most expendable – there are little things like that that make all of our training a little more real and a little more serious.
Yesterday we phased. I’ve observed a pattern with Basic that every time we approach a new phase, our Drill Sergeants switch back from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde (or the other way around, whichever’s worse). Thursday night we had our “hydration formation” at 1900 and we got smoked until 1930. And I mean smoked. It was epic. 300 straight jumping jacks in our boots, followed by 20 minutes of “Up, Back, Go’s” The first whistle drops us into push-ups, the second flips us on our backs to do flutter kicks and the 3rd, running in place. Drill Sergeant Shepard (the most stereotypical DS in our company) ran it and loved every minute of it. At the end, you were left with 240 soldiers in sweat and a DS with a huge smile on his face.
That brought us into Blue Phase Day. And, as usual, we had something badass on the schedule: prepare yourself for this one…..yesterday I shot a grenade launcher and a rocket launcher!
We started with a block of instruction on the AT4, a single-use, anti-war, rocket launcher (feel free to Wikipedia it). Ours were rigged with a 9mm adapter that fed tracer rounds so that we could get used to the flight path. Then, the top 2 shooters in the company, both 40/40 Experts, were able to shoot live rockets. I’m not even going to try to describe what it was like to witness that.
Qualification
March 11, 2009
Dear All:
(This is a continuation of the previous post…I haven’t had much time to write – actually we just got back from 2 days out in the field, but that’s another story).
Wednesday last week was qualification day. Along with PT, it is the single most important factor determining graduation, and they definitely built it up that way. We were bused to the nicest range, given brand new magazines, and told we’d never make it out of Basic if we didn’t cut it here.
The First Sergeant and Company Commander both came out to spectate and give out the awards. I was in the first firing order because my Drill Sergeant wanted me to come up to the Tower after I finished to fill in spreadsheets and keep the day organized (and to lighten their own workload). It was still cold, and the sun was just starting to come up over the berm downrange, so the conditions weren’t perfect but I was glad to get it over with so my nerves didn’t have a chance to get to me.
I’ve done really well with the academic and physical side of the military, but I’m really just an average shot on the 300m range. It could be my weapon – going through its 180th (and last) cycle, or my second-hand gear, or the fact that I’ve only been shooting for 3 weeks – or it could just be me, plus a bunch of excuses.
March 12, 2009
Dear All:
I’m going to be really happy when I finish this letter. I thought about going to bed early tonight because I’m beat (literally – we had an epic 25 minute smoke session because some guys still can’t remain disciplined in formation – but that’s also another story).
Anyway, back to qualification – long story short, I was a first-time “GO” and earned my Marksman badge. I hit 28 of 40 targets (including 1 of 3 300m targets) and while that’s not great, it still put me in pretty exclusive company. I didn’t make sharpshooter or Expert, but I got through the course on the first try, and I’ve been told I’ll be on the range at my first duty station until I shoot a perfect score, so I’m satisfied. If nothing else, I got to put my camouflage over on my helmet (there are about a dozen in the company who couldn’t qualify – even after 15 rounds that day – so they stand out with their solid green kelvars). Now I’ve completed the look and am officially a soldier.
Dear All:
(This is a continuation of the previous post…I haven’t had much time to write – actually we just got back from 2 days out in the field, but that’s another story).
Wednesday last week was qualification day. Along with PT, it is the single most important factor determining graduation, and they definitely built it up that way. We were bused to the nicest range, given brand new magazines, and told we’d never make it out of Basic if we didn’t cut it here.
The First Sergeant and Company Commander both came out to spectate and give out the awards. I was in the first firing order because my Drill Sergeant wanted me to come up to the Tower after I finished to fill in spreadsheets and keep the day organized (and to lighten their own workload). It was still cold, and the sun was just starting to come up over the berm downrange, so the conditions weren’t perfect but I was glad to get it over with so my nerves didn’t have a chance to get to me.
I’ve done really well with the academic and physical side of the military, but I’m really just an average shot on the 300m range. It could be my weapon – going through its 180th (and last) cycle, or my second-hand gear, or the fact that I’ve only been shooting for 3 weeks – or it could just be me, plus a bunch of excuses.
March 12, 2009
Dear All:
I’m going to be really happy when I finish this letter. I thought about going to bed early tonight because I’m beat (literally – we had an epic 25 minute smoke session because some guys still can’t remain disciplined in formation – but that’s also another story).
Anyway, back to qualification – long story short, I was a first-time “GO” and earned my Marksman badge. I hit 28 of 40 targets (including 1 of 3 300m targets) and while that’s not great, it still put me in pretty exclusive company. I didn’t make sharpshooter or Expert, but I got through the course on the first try, and I’ve been told I’ll be on the range at my first duty station until I shoot a perfect score, so I’m satisfied. If nothing else, I got to put my camouflage over on my helmet (there are about a dozen in the company who couldn’t qualify – even after 15 rounds that day – so they stand out with their solid green kelvars). Now I’ve completed the look and am officially a soldier.
My Routine
Dear All:
I hope everything is going well at home. I’ve been getting a lot of mail, thank you! I hope everyone is enjoying following me along through Basic. I can’t believe how fast it’s gone by (definitely faster than a semester of law school). We’re already in Week 6 and we move into Blue Phase this coming Friday – which means that graduation is right around the corner. It also means, in retrospect, that we’re already passed a lot of training milestones.
Last week was “range week” and I squeezed off a good 1,000 rounds. Casey performed really well (YES, we all named our M-16’s as we should, we spend all day with them), even though she needed a thorough cleaning each night. We started the week at Malone 9 (there are 18 ranges on Post) at the first pop-up range. All the ranges we shoot at have targets at staggered ranges out to 300 meters. Tuesday was more of the same:
Wake up at 0500
PT until 0630
Bussed out to the range by 0645
Chow in the field until 0730
Shoot all morning
MRE at noon
Shoot all afternoon
Bussed back at 1630
Chow at 1700
Hydration formation at 2000
Lights out at 2100
And repeat.
Of course it’s not as easy as it sounds. In order to go to a range we must be in full gear (Kevlar helmet, IBA vest, LCE suspenders, elbow and knee pads) and our ruck sack (that we have to front load so that we can get on a bus with it). All in all we’re wearing about 40 lbs and rucking between 30-80 depending on the day’s training.
I hope everything is going well at home. I’ve been getting a lot of mail, thank you! I hope everyone is enjoying following me along through Basic. I can’t believe how fast it’s gone by (definitely faster than a semester of law school). We’re already in Week 6 and we move into Blue Phase this coming Friday – which means that graduation is right around the corner. It also means, in retrospect, that we’re already passed a lot of training milestones.
Last week was “range week” and I squeezed off a good 1,000 rounds. Casey performed really well (YES, we all named our M-16’s as we should, we spend all day with them), even though she needed a thorough cleaning each night. We started the week at Malone 9 (there are 18 ranges on Post) at the first pop-up range. All the ranges we shoot at have targets at staggered ranges out to 300 meters. Tuesday was more of the same:
Wake up at 0500
PT until 0630
Bussed out to the range by 0645
Chow in the field until 0730
Shoot all morning
MRE at noon
Shoot all afternoon
Bussed back at 1630
Chow at 1700
Hydration formation at 2000
Lights out at 2100
And repeat.
Of course it’s not as easy as it sounds. In order to go to a range we must be in full gear (Kevlar helmet, IBA vest, LCE suspenders, elbow and knee pads) and our ruck sack (that we have to front load so that we can get on a bus with it). All in all we’re wearing about 40 lbs and rucking between 30-80 depending on the day’s training.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
My First Rant
Dear All:
Can you believe I’m beginning my 6th week at Basic Training? It’s amazing how fast time has gone by and there are always exciting things happening, even on a slow day. Today we started our Saturday by bringing wrestling mats into our bay and reviewing our MAC hand-to-hand moves. Then on the way to chow our PG collapsed—I had to run into the chow hall yelling “Man down!” to get the Drill Sergeants to help. He was sent to the hospital and we’re awaiting the results (but we think it’s just dehydration).
The rest of the morning was spent watching an Army film on suicide prevention. It rang true because I’ve already had two soldiers pull me aside this past week to talk about personal issues. It’s hard on someone to be away from their spouses and children for so long and it is wearing on everyone. But morale is still high and the end is in sight.
This weekend is slow, but next week begins “range week”, including 1) Reflexive Fire Drills, 2) Night Shoot (with night vision goggles), and our Pre-Qualification and Qualification for our M-16’s. We’ll be required to hit 23 of our 40 targets (10 rounds kneeling, 10 rounds unsupported prone, and 20 from the supported prone). 36 and up is “expert”, the highest level, and I’d love to get that honor since Dad qualified there too. But it’s really all downhill from here after this point.
It’s now 0515. I don’t even mind being on Fire Guard because we were given an extra hour of sleep going into tomorrow (2000-0600) that’s unheard of, but we think it’s because they want us to rest up going into our PT test on Monday. To date, of the 240+ soldiers in Echo Company, only 42 have completely passed. I feel good about being in that percentage, but I can’t believe that so many can’t meet the standard.
Then again, considering the mix of people here, maybe it shouldn’t be so surprising. There are so many guys in my platoon that I’ve formed instant bonds with. My bunk has become the hot spot for a lot of guys to hang out when we do get personal time, and, like high school and college, I’ve found a mutual respect among just about everyone. My bunkmate, Bourne, and I always talk about how lucky we are to get paired together instead of the 5 or 6 who have simply become “that guy” either because of their attitudes (which range from distant and totally disinterested in any kind of team concept, to ignorant and prejudiced on levels I never expected so far removed from 1963, to individuals who are so hard and aggressive that it’s safer to simply ignore them) or because of the situation they are in (I have to admit I’ve developed a slight bias against those who felt that the Army was a “last resort” – either because of the risk of going to jail, or because they needed a paycheck to support themselves and their families—and still refuse to understand the responsibility and accountability that comes from being in the Army. I know it’s still early in all of our careers, but serving in the military carries the weight of the life of the guy next to you and I just think that everyone should realize that before signing on the dotted line.
But that’s enough of my rant. And it doesn’t mean I’m not having fun and already talking about having all of our families get together for dinner during Family Day, and we’re planning annual reunions. Our Drill Sergeants tell us that the only time we’ll form faster and stronger bonds then we do here is if we are deployed. I believe it. I mean, in 6 weeks I’ve spent every minute with these guys. We’ve run together for distances most of them never thought about, hiked deep into unknown woods, coached each other after shooting, lifted each other over obstacle courses, get smoked together and rewarded together, led each other in and out of the gas chamber and stabbed each other with 18-gauge needles. And in a few weeks, the entire platoon will be entrusting Mungo and I to create a plan to keep them safe, fed, and rested while in the field for a week (FTX 3, our final challenge), all while taking live fire (with real bullets) and being shelled with gas, smoke, and flash-bangs from all of the Drill Sergeants who act as the enemy. It’s as real of simulation as there can be, culminated by a six-mile march home. As Boyd would say (the 17-year old JROTC grad from Poplar Bluff, MO) in his drawl “There’s never a dull moment, I’m not gonna lie.”
I hope all is well at home. Hopefully I’ll see you guys in a few weeks. I’m trying to work out coming home for Tony’s graduation. Gotta see that Marianist Award winner walk across the stage. Thanks again for the letters. (Matt Wendler needs to mail me again with a return address). I’ll talk to you soon.
Love, Nick
Can you believe I’m beginning my 6th week at Basic Training? It’s amazing how fast time has gone by and there are always exciting things happening, even on a slow day. Today we started our Saturday by bringing wrestling mats into our bay and reviewing our MAC hand-to-hand moves. Then on the way to chow our PG collapsed—I had to run into the chow hall yelling “Man down!” to get the Drill Sergeants to help. He was sent to the hospital and we’re awaiting the results (but we think it’s just dehydration).
The rest of the morning was spent watching an Army film on suicide prevention. It rang true because I’ve already had two soldiers pull me aside this past week to talk about personal issues. It’s hard on someone to be away from their spouses and children for so long and it is wearing on everyone. But morale is still high and the end is in sight.
This weekend is slow, but next week begins “range week”, including 1) Reflexive Fire Drills, 2) Night Shoot (with night vision goggles), and our Pre-Qualification and Qualification for our M-16’s. We’ll be required to hit 23 of our 40 targets (10 rounds kneeling, 10 rounds unsupported prone, and 20 from the supported prone). 36 and up is “expert”, the highest level, and I’d love to get that honor since Dad qualified there too. But it’s really all downhill from here after this point.
It’s now 0515. I don’t even mind being on Fire Guard because we were given an extra hour of sleep going into tomorrow (2000-0600) that’s unheard of, but we think it’s because they want us to rest up going into our PT test on Monday. To date, of the 240+ soldiers in Echo Company, only 42 have completely passed. I feel good about being in that percentage, but I can’t believe that so many can’t meet the standard.
Then again, considering the mix of people here, maybe it shouldn’t be so surprising. There are so many guys in my platoon that I’ve formed instant bonds with. My bunk has become the hot spot for a lot of guys to hang out when we do get personal time, and, like high school and college, I’ve found a mutual respect among just about everyone. My bunkmate, Bourne, and I always talk about how lucky we are to get paired together instead of the 5 or 6 who have simply become “that guy” either because of their attitudes (which range from distant and totally disinterested in any kind of team concept, to ignorant and prejudiced on levels I never expected so far removed from 1963, to individuals who are so hard and aggressive that it’s safer to simply ignore them) or because of the situation they are in (I have to admit I’ve developed a slight bias against those who felt that the Army was a “last resort” – either because of the risk of going to jail, or because they needed a paycheck to support themselves and their families—and still refuse to understand the responsibility and accountability that comes from being in the Army. I know it’s still early in all of our careers, but serving in the military carries the weight of the life of the guy next to you and I just think that everyone should realize that before signing on the dotted line.
But that’s enough of my rant. And it doesn’t mean I’m not having fun and already talking about having all of our families get together for dinner during Family Day, and we’re planning annual reunions. Our Drill Sergeants tell us that the only time we’ll form faster and stronger bonds then we do here is if we are deployed. I believe it. I mean, in 6 weeks I’ve spent every minute with these guys. We’ve run together for distances most of them never thought about, hiked deep into unknown woods, coached each other after shooting, lifted each other over obstacle courses, get smoked together and rewarded together, led each other in and out of the gas chamber and stabbed each other with 18-gauge needles. And in a few weeks, the entire platoon will be entrusting Mungo and I to create a plan to keep them safe, fed, and rested while in the field for a week (FTX 3, our final challenge), all while taking live fire (with real bullets) and being shelled with gas, smoke, and flash-bangs from all of the Drill Sergeants who act as the enemy. It’s as real of simulation as there can be, culminated by a six-mile march home. As Boyd would say (the 17-year old JROTC grad from Poplar Bluff, MO) in his drawl “There’s never a dull moment, I’m not gonna lie.”
I hope all is well at home. Hopefully I’ll see you guys in a few weeks. I’m trying to work out coming home for Tony’s graduation. Gotta see that Marianist Award winner walk across the stage. Thanks again for the letters. (Matt Wendler needs to mail me again with a return address). I’ll talk to you soon.
Love, Nick
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Ups and Downs
Dear All,
It’s now 0410 on what is now 24 Feb. 09, my birthday, and I am celebrating with a fire guard shift. Today was a good day for me, and an interesting one for the Titans. We rucked again today (all in preparation for our final, 13 mile road march that happens just before graduation). It was a cold morning, but since we’ve moved into “White Phase” now, the Drill Sergeants are actually affording us creative comforts like being able to wear our field jackets and our PT beanies, that’s a far cry from the treatment we had during our first week when we went out to the gas chamber on the coldest day of the year in Columbus where the only way we were able to warm ourselves was by getting smoked for not forming up correctly.
The reason we marched today was to reach the site of our FTX 1 (our first field exercise). Wakeup was at 0500 with formation at 0520. As usual, we didn’t get breakfast until we completed the 3+ mile trip. But, fortunately, our platoon is on duty squad this week – which means they are responsible for setting up equipment and chow when we travel away from our company. Even though this is extra work to coordinate for me, it guarantees I’ll get huge servings in the chow line!
After eating in the cold we moved onto our site where we would spend the day hiking through the woods of southwestern Georgia scouting out and setting up our triangular shaped patrol bases. Most of us will never see this stuff again since our company is non-infantry, but it’s interesting and fun to practice regardless. As I was ordering the 3 squads around just after we had finished our MRE’s for lunch (I had cheese tortellini – solid), I couldn’t help but think about how satisfied I felt doing this and that if I weren’t here I’d probably be in my last semester sitting in a class like Secured Transactions – I think I made the right choice.
I won’t go as far as to say we looked like Green Berets out there today (there are a surprising number of soldiers hesitant to get themselves dirty), but it was a good experience. The march back, however, was not. We road march in a staggered column at 5 meter intervals (so there are two rows on either side of the road with a man every 15 feet). If they keep their spacing it’s easy because the pace remains steady. As APG I walk down the middle and patrol the last third of our platoon. But today everyone was tired and in a hurry to get back – combine that with the fact that our Platoon was leading the company home (with our Drill Sergeants wanting to set a breakneck pace) and you ended up with us, wearing 40 lb. rucks, sprinting half-mile sections at a time to keep up. It’s no coincidence there are over 15 of them going to sick call today for their feet – or that I had to carry 2 rucks the last mile to aid a fallen solider.
But there are ups and downs. No one minded the march when we learned they were serving cake at dinner to anyone who didn’t fall out.
And so that will be my schedule for the rest of Basic Training: Wakeup, train, chow, train, chow, train, chow, mail call, personal time, lights out, and repeat.
Outside the military, I hope everything is going well. When I woke up this morning, I had no idea it was my birthday – all I could think about was how sore I was from the March. 11 of our platoon went to sick call today and two came back on crutches. What made it better was sprinting hills with Alpha group at 0530 during our Ability Group Run. Alpha is the best group and we maintained a 6:50 pace for roughly 4 miles. Needless to say the hot shower was nice tonight – even if it only lasted 3 minutes. Tomorrow we head out to the range all day to finalize our “zeros” before we begin our qualifying shoots with our M-16s. That’s an eliminator and we need to hit 23 of 40 targets to qualify – wish me luck!
Anyway, I’ll end this now so that I can get to sleep on time, but I’ll write again soon. I hope everything is going well. I did find out some info about leave: there are 15 OCS candidates in my company – 14 in 1st platoon and myself in the 2nd. I talked to some of them today and they said our class won’t start until the 27th and that I get leave. They also said we can have cell phones and laptops but that’s not confirmed. Hope the weather is getting warmer, but either way, don’t take your heat or your car for granted!
Love, Nick
PS – For all of those who are reading along with my adventures, I wanted to let you know that I am writing these letters to Matt and he is posting them for me. I have no access to computers or email – so if you want to send your thoughts and comments feel free to write a letter and mail them to me! My mailing address can be found at the bottom of my blog.
It’s now 0410 on what is now 24 Feb. 09, my birthday, and I am celebrating with a fire guard shift. Today was a good day for me, and an interesting one for the Titans. We rucked again today (all in preparation for our final, 13 mile road march that happens just before graduation). It was a cold morning, but since we’ve moved into “White Phase” now, the Drill Sergeants are actually affording us creative comforts like being able to wear our field jackets and our PT beanies, that’s a far cry from the treatment we had during our first week when we went out to the gas chamber on the coldest day of the year in Columbus where the only way we were able to warm ourselves was by getting smoked for not forming up correctly.
The reason we marched today was to reach the site of our FTX 1 (our first field exercise). Wakeup was at 0500 with formation at 0520. As usual, we didn’t get breakfast until we completed the 3+ mile trip. But, fortunately, our platoon is on duty squad this week – which means they are responsible for setting up equipment and chow when we travel away from our company. Even though this is extra work to coordinate for me, it guarantees I’ll get huge servings in the chow line!
After eating in the cold we moved onto our site where we would spend the day hiking through the woods of southwestern Georgia scouting out and setting up our triangular shaped patrol bases. Most of us will never see this stuff again since our company is non-infantry, but it’s interesting and fun to practice regardless. As I was ordering the 3 squads around just after we had finished our MRE’s for lunch (I had cheese tortellini – solid), I couldn’t help but think about how satisfied I felt doing this and that if I weren’t here I’d probably be in my last semester sitting in a class like Secured Transactions – I think I made the right choice.
I won’t go as far as to say we looked like Green Berets out there today (there are a surprising number of soldiers hesitant to get themselves dirty), but it was a good experience. The march back, however, was not. We road march in a staggered column at 5 meter intervals (so there are two rows on either side of the road with a man every 15 feet). If they keep their spacing it’s easy because the pace remains steady. As APG I walk down the middle and patrol the last third of our platoon. But today everyone was tired and in a hurry to get back – combine that with the fact that our Platoon was leading the company home (with our Drill Sergeants wanting to set a breakneck pace) and you ended up with us, wearing 40 lb. rucks, sprinting half-mile sections at a time to keep up. It’s no coincidence there are over 15 of them going to sick call today for their feet – or that I had to carry 2 rucks the last mile to aid a fallen solider.
But there are ups and downs. No one minded the march when we learned they were serving cake at dinner to anyone who didn’t fall out.
And so that will be my schedule for the rest of Basic Training: Wakeup, train, chow, train, chow, train, chow, mail call, personal time, lights out, and repeat.
Outside the military, I hope everything is going well. When I woke up this morning, I had no idea it was my birthday – all I could think about was how sore I was from the March. 11 of our platoon went to sick call today and two came back on crutches. What made it better was sprinting hills with Alpha group at 0530 during our Ability Group Run. Alpha is the best group and we maintained a 6:50 pace for roughly 4 miles. Needless to say the hot shower was nice tonight – even if it only lasted 3 minutes. Tomorrow we head out to the range all day to finalize our “zeros” before we begin our qualifying shoots with our M-16s. That’s an eliminator and we need to hit 23 of 40 targets to qualify – wish me luck!
Anyway, I’ll end this now so that I can get to sleep on time, but I’ll write again soon. I hope everything is going well. I did find out some info about leave: there are 15 OCS candidates in my company – 14 in 1st platoon and myself in the 2nd. I talked to some of them today and they said our class won’t start until the 27th and that I get leave. They also said we can have cell phones and laptops but that’s not confirmed. Hope the weather is getting warmer, but either way, don’t take your heat or your car for granted!
Love, Nick
PS – For all of those who are reading along with my adventures, I wanted to let you know that I am writing these letters to Matt and he is posting them for me. I have no access to computers or email – so if you want to send your thoughts and comments feel free to write a letter and mail them to me! My mailing address can be found at the bottom of my blog.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
New Experiences
Dear All:
I hope you’ve been receiving all of my letters and have enjoyed the stories so far. We haven’t been given a phone call in a while, and no one is sure when the next will be, but I hope everyone is safe and well.
We got haircuts for the first time since the first day this week ($6.50 gets you a 30 second shave) and we feel like soldiers again. We had our first substantial road march on Saturday (almost 6 miles round trip with a 40-pound ruck sack, body armor, and helmet) which led us out to our land navigation drill. It was our first outdoor exercise—and it went bad…really bad. We had teams of 4, and were given 2.5 hours to locate 5 points with our compass and map. I know what I’m doing, but since I’m the APG, I’m out in front of our formation, and when the Sergeant asked us to file back in, I was left without a choice but to team up with the “stragglers”. That’s the term we use for the few soldiers who always end up in the back of the formation, can’t march in time, and have generally bad attitudes and no motivation. We ended up with a “no-go”/0 out of 5 (the first thing I’ve failed so far). I was disappointed, but given the situation, not surprised.
Today was a good day, and I don’t even mind this 0000-0100 Fire Guard shift because our wake up call on Sunday, and because of the holiday, Monday, is 0600. So we’re getting plenty of sleep. At mass, the priest has all of the soldiers graduating each week come forward for a special prayer. Even though we have 8 more weeks it seems close.
I was asked to create a PowerPoint presentation for Drill Sergeant this week (one of the many “technical tasks” I get because I can somewhat navigate around a computer) and he talked to me a little bit about my future. He’s infantry, 10th Mountain Division, and spent 5 years in Afghanistan, and was interested in what branch I was considering. I told him that I wanted to bounce around a little to expand my education and training, but wanted to start in either military intelligence or armor, and ultimately end up in JAG. He understood my sense of service from the combat side, but reminded me that if I put myself in the position to keep soldiers out of harm’s way, that is just as important as firing the weapons myself. Then he started talking about the logistics branch. It’s completely different from supply, and works closely with intelligence as an advanced planning sector for troop deployment, relief, relocation, strength, training and equipment. It essentially dictates where everything should be places, and when, on the battlefield and in terms of the US Army as a whole. As a junior officer I’d be working for Generals and Colonels disseminating information and preparing documents and presentations for them to make decisions. I’d be responsible for moving thousands of people and millions of dollars in equipment. He made a point to note how well that translates into a civilian résumé. It sounded really interesting, so I’ll look into that more.
Since I have the time, I’ll tell you a little bit about what it’s like moving around from Point A to Point B during boot camp. For example, let’s say we have to go to lunch. We report to our CTA (company training area) and fall into formation (we have four ranks of 15 soldiers) w/ myself (APG), Mungo (PG), and “Little Rod” (Luis Rodriguez, the 5’1” pirate who carries our guide-on/flag) at the front. We’re given instructions (usually given 10 minutes to utilize the latrine and change from our PT clothes into our ACUs) then told to fall out. There is an orderly mad dash to run up the stairs. Of course, some one won’t make it back into formation on time (usually because they had to use the bathroom for more than 3 minutes and our platoon gets smoked. The Drill Sergeant (DS) will yell something like “the front leaning rest position! Move!”). And that is our cue to drop, put the weapons on our hands and start doing push-ups. When he says “down”, we reply “attention to detail!” and when he says “up” we yell “motivation is the key!” This goes on until “he gets tired”. There are a million different variations of getting smoked like this. We could be required to put the weapon over our heads and do the military press on a 4-count movement until he hits a ridiculously high and random number like, say 219. That’s happened. Or we’ll have to do mountain climbers or flutter kicks or jumping jacks until we can do them exactly in unison with everyone sounding off (which never happens).
On average I’d say we get smoked at least twice a day but as we get further along, it becomes more individualized, which is good for my back, but bad for the few who decide to be “that guy”.
Also, I went to “sick call” today (another classic military adventure of a 15 minute clinic visit that turned into a 4 hour waiting game). But I got to watch some SportsCenter (how about A-Rod and Michael Phelps?!) so that was nice. In the end I got Return to Duty status so I won’t miss anything, was given some cough drops, Mucinex, Tylenol, and Tessalon. Not bad, and I figure I’ll have this cold kicked in a few days.
Other than all of that, I’m doing really well and getting more acclimated to the environment all the time. Hope everything is well.
Love, Nick
I hope you’ve been receiving all of my letters and have enjoyed the stories so far. We haven’t been given a phone call in a while, and no one is sure when the next will be, but I hope everyone is safe and well.
We got haircuts for the first time since the first day this week ($6.50 gets you a 30 second shave) and we feel like soldiers again. We had our first substantial road march on Saturday (almost 6 miles round trip with a 40-pound ruck sack, body armor, and helmet) which led us out to our land navigation drill. It was our first outdoor exercise—and it went bad…really bad. We had teams of 4, and were given 2.5 hours to locate 5 points with our compass and map. I know what I’m doing, but since I’m the APG, I’m out in front of our formation, and when the Sergeant asked us to file back in, I was left without a choice but to team up with the “stragglers”. That’s the term we use for the few soldiers who always end up in the back of the formation, can’t march in time, and have generally bad attitudes and no motivation. We ended up with a “no-go”/0 out of 5 (the first thing I’ve failed so far). I was disappointed, but given the situation, not surprised.
Today was a good day, and I don’t even mind this 0000-0100 Fire Guard shift because our wake up call on Sunday, and because of the holiday, Monday, is 0600. So we’re getting plenty of sleep. At mass, the priest has all of the soldiers graduating each week come forward for a special prayer. Even though we have 8 more weeks it seems close.
I was asked to create a PowerPoint presentation for Drill Sergeant this week (one of the many “technical tasks” I get because I can somewhat navigate around a computer) and he talked to me a little bit about my future. He’s infantry, 10th Mountain Division, and spent 5 years in Afghanistan, and was interested in what branch I was considering. I told him that I wanted to bounce around a little to expand my education and training, but wanted to start in either military intelligence or armor, and ultimately end up in JAG. He understood my sense of service from the combat side, but reminded me that if I put myself in the position to keep soldiers out of harm’s way, that is just as important as firing the weapons myself. Then he started talking about the logistics branch. It’s completely different from supply, and works closely with intelligence as an advanced planning sector for troop deployment, relief, relocation, strength, training and equipment. It essentially dictates where everything should be places, and when, on the battlefield and in terms of the US Army as a whole. As a junior officer I’d be working for Generals and Colonels disseminating information and preparing documents and presentations for them to make decisions. I’d be responsible for moving thousands of people and millions of dollars in equipment. He made a point to note how well that translates into a civilian résumé. It sounded really interesting, so I’ll look into that more.
Since I have the time, I’ll tell you a little bit about what it’s like moving around from Point A to Point B during boot camp. For example, let’s say we have to go to lunch. We report to our CTA (company training area) and fall into formation (we have four ranks of 15 soldiers) w/ myself (APG), Mungo (PG), and “Little Rod” (Luis Rodriguez, the 5’1” pirate who carries our guide-on/flag) at the front. We’re given instructions (usually given 10 minutes to utilize the latrine and change from our PT clothes into our ACUs) then told to fall out. There is an orderly mad dash to run up the stairs. Of course, some one won’t make it back into formation on time (usually because they had to use the bathroom for more than 3 minutes and our platoon gets smoked. The Drill Sergeant (DS) will yell something like “the front leaning rest position! Move!”). And that is our cue to drop, put the weapons on our hands and start doing push-ups. When he says “down”, we reply “attention to detail!” and when he says “up” we yell “motivation is the key!” This goes on until “he gets tired”. There are a million different variations of getting smoked like this. We could be required to put the weapon over our heads and do the military press on a 4-count movement until he hits a ridiculously high and random number like, say 219. That’s happened. Or we’ll have to do mountain climbers or flutter kicks or jumping jacks until we can do them exactly in unison with everyone sounding off (which never happens).
On average I’d say we get smoked at least twice a day but as we get further along, it becomes more individualized, which is good for my back, but bad for the few who decide to be “that guy”.
Also, I went to “sick call” today (another classic military adventure of a 15 minute clinic visit that turned into a 4 hour waiting game). But I got to watch some SportsCenter (how about A-Rod and Michael Phelps?!) so that was nice. In the end I got Return to Duty status so I won’t miss anything, was given some cough drops, Mucinex, Tylenol, and Tessalon. Not bad, and I figure I’ll have this cold kicked in a few days.
Other than all of that, I’m doing really well and getting more acclimated to the environment all the time. Hope everything is well.
Love, Nick
Getting "Real"
Dear All:
Yes it’s another Fire Guard shift. It’s just after 0300 so I have another chance to write you. We’ve had another action packed week. Unfortunately, my cold has gotten worse and I’ve developed a pretty nasty cough (everyone is my bay is sick now), so I haven’t able to enjoy it at 100% I’ve told myself that if I can’t kick it by Sunday, I’ll go to the infirmary (Sunday is a good day b/c I won’t miss training).
On Monday we had our first full PT test. I passed all of the events which put me in the top 20% in our company (yes 80% of the soldiers here are still that out of shape). But to be competitive for OCS, I want to score 100% on everything by the end of basic. I led my Platoon in push-ups with 67 (of the 75 possible), had 58 sit-ups (I need 80) and ran the 2-mile in 14:15 (not the fastest time in the world, but I know that I can get the 13:00 need to ace it).
Tuesday was a full day of outdoor field classes and a wake-up call for most. The first half was spent setting up and conducting searches, containment, vehicle extraction and initial interrogation of enemy combatant, as well as escalation of force (EOF) and rule of engagement (ROE) briefings. My squad acted as the enemy for an exercise that troops to escort prisoners into the initial holding facility at a COP (combat outpost) before processing and transportation to the FOB (forward operating base). It’s cool stuff in the fact beginning to learn some tactical concepts (Basic in general has been retailored with a combat focus because of the wars, and all of our Drill Sergeant have been deployed), but at the same time having to put my hands on my head, hooded so I can’t see, searched, put my hands my knees and left the corner of the holding pen made me realize just how real all of this is.
And speaking of “real”…the second half of Tuesday was spent on instruction regarding casualty treatment. There was a disclaimer about how our knowledge is to be used for military use only, but learned how to apply tourniquets , dress wounds, perform CPR, treat shock—and most importantly—the procedure for inserting and IV.
Which brings us to Wednesday (the day our Drill Sergeants hate the most because of how freaked out everyone gets). We have to start IVs on our “battle buddies” and (even worse) let them start IVs on us. I lucked out and teamed with one of my good friends her. Dominic Bontaglio (we call him “Bonnie”) sleeps in the bunk next to me. He’s 19, from Bah-ston (yeah his accent is great) but he could easily pass for 23. He is as confident as I am, so I knew we’d be ok. Of course, after only about 3 hours of instruction ( and 5 min. per soldier to practice on a dummy arm) we were all a little nervous. But I’m proud to say I did it. Bonnie and I both needed 2 shots at it (his first try found him removing the needle instead of advancing the catheter)(which caused a little bleeding), and my first try didn’t penetrate enough so that when I dropped the needle to insert the catheter, I was basically “opening a door” in his vein and we had a little squirt. But it wasn’t so bad and since so many of my friends are doctors, I feel like I’ve now equaled them in medical knowledge.
But the excitement this week didn’t end there. This morning we had our first AGR run (ability group run). I was in “A” group, so I spent about 40 mins this morning (0500) sprinting my ass off to keep up with the group. Then we had to change, pack our ruck sack, and march about 2 miles to Eagle Tower. That was the mission of the day. All soldiers in the Echo Company were required to rappel down a 4-story wooden tower (no nets) harnessed in only by a “Swiss Seat” (which you tie yourself out of a single piece of rope). And I’ll be totally honest with you, when I got to the top of the ladder and went over onto the platform (and felt it sway in the wind) I was freaked out. But once I stepped out onto the ledge and leaned back (and felt just how supported I was) it was a whole different story. I made it down in 3 jumps, yelling our motto (“Titans, Warriors til the end!”) at each stop. I’m not saying I’ll ever do it again, but it was fun, and I know I could.
We had MREs for lunch—and they were delicious. I had beef stew with cheese and crackers, a protein bar, Reece’s Pieces and Strawberry milkshake. Not exactly the same as the ones that Dad used to have huh?
And of course, the best news is that Monday is President’s Day, which means we get back-to-back Sundays (so hopefully I’ll have a chance to write more soon). Hope all is well.
Love, Nick
Yes it’s another Fire Guard shift. It’s just after 0300 so I have another chance to write you. We’ve had another action packed week. Unfortunately, my cold has gotten worse and I’ve developed a pretty nasty cough (everyone is my bay is sick now), so I haven’t able to enjoy it at 100% I’ve told myself that if I can’t kick it by Sunday, I’ll go to the infirmary (Sunday is a good day b/c I won’t miss training).
On Monday we had our first full PT test. I passed all of the events which put me in the top 20% in our company (yes 80% of the soldiers here are still that out of shape). But to be competitive for OCS, I want to score 100% on everything by the end of basic. I led my Platoon in push-ups with 67 (of the 75 possible), had 58 sit-ups (I need 80) and ran the 2-mile in 14:15 (not the fastest time in the world, but I know that I can get the 13:00 need to ace it).
Tuesday was a full day of outdoor field classes and a wake-up call for most. The first half was spent setting up and conducting searches, containment, vehicle extraction and initial interrogation of enemy combatant, as well as escalation of force (EOF) and rule of engagement (ROE) briefings. My squad acted as the enemy for an exercise that troops to escort prisoners into the initial holding facility at a COP (combat outpost) before processing and transportation to the FOB (forward operating base). It’s cool stuff in the fact beginning to learn some tactical concepts (Basic in general has been retailored with a combat focus because of the wars, and all of our Drill Sergeant have been deployed), but at the same time having to put my hands on my head, hooded so I can’t see, searched, put my hands my knees and left the corner of the holding pen made me realize just how real all of this is.
And speaking of “real”…the second half of Tuesday was spent on instruction regarding casualty treatment. There was a disclaimer about how our knowledge is to be used for military use only, but learned how to apply tourniquets , dress wounds, perform CPR, treat shock—and most importantly—the procedure for inserting and IV.
Which brings us to Wednesday (the day our Drill Sergeants hate the most because of how freaked out everyone gets). We have to start IVs on our “battle buddies” and (even worse) let them start IVs on us. I lucked out and teamed with one of my good friends her. Dominic Bontaglio (we call him “Bonnie”) sleeps in the bunk next to me. He’s 19, from Bah-ston (yeah his accent is great) but he could easily pass for 23. He is as confident as I am, so I knew we’d be ok. Of course, after only about 3 hours of instruction ( and 5 min. per soldier to practice on a dummy arm) we were all a little nervous. But I’m proud to say I did it. Bonnie and I both needed 2 shots at it (his first try found him removing the needle instead of advancing the catheter)(which caused a little bleeding), and my first try didn’t penetrate enough so that when I dropped the needle to insert the catheter, I was basically “opening a door” in his vein and we had a little squirt. But it wasn’t so bad and since so many of my friends are doctors, I feel like I’ve now equaled them in medical knowledge.
But the excitement this week didn’t end there. This morning we had our first AGR run (ability group run). I was in “A” group, so I spent about 40 mins this morning (0500) sprinting my ass off to keep up with the group. Then we had to change, pack our ruck sack, and march about 2 miles to Eagle Tower. That was the mission of the day. All soldiers in the Echo Company were required to rappel down a 4-story wooden tower (no nets) harnessed in only by a “Swiss Seat” (which you tie yourself out of a single piece of rope). And I’ll be totally honest with you, when I got to the top of the ladder and went over onto the platform (and felt it sway in the wind) I was freaked out. But once I stepped out onto the ledge and leaned back (and felt just how supported I was) it was a whole different story. I made it down in 3 jumps, yelling our motto (“Titans, Warriors til the end!”) at each stop. I’m not saying I’ll ever do it again, but it was fun, and I know I could.
We had MREs for lunch—and they were delicious. I had beef stew with cheese and crackers, a protein bar, Reece’s Pieces and Strawberry milkshake. Not exactly the same as the ones that Dad used to have huh?
And of course, the best news is that Monday is President’s Day, which means we get back-to-back Sundays (so hopefully I’ll have a chance to write more soon). Hope all is well.
Love, Nick
Monday, February 16, 2009
Overcoming Fears
Dear All,
I can’t believe tomorrow is Sunday! This week has flown by and I’m still shocked at how quickly they’ve thrown us into the deep end. There have been a lot of really exciting things to have happened this week. I was officially appointed APG (Assistant Platoon Guide), and was given an SFC rank badge to wear on my sleeve as 2nd in command of the Platoon (which meant a lot to me because that was Dad’s rank).
I officially overcame my fear of heights on the Confidence Course when I was forced to climb to the top of a ladder made of telephone poles and then go over and come down the other side. Honestly, if it were voluntary there’s no way I would have done it!
We’ve also had our first share of classes, including: evaluating a casualty, law of land warfare, uniform code of military justice (which was right up my alley), and we also began our MAC (modern army combatives) training this week (basically MMA for the army).
And today was one of the highlights because we got to fight with the Pugil Sticks. There’s nothing like releasing some frustration than by strapping on a football helmet and beating a kid’s brains in for 3 minutes with a giant Q-tip. I had an even match and we both got in some good shots, but I’ve never been more exhausted that I was when the round was over.
Our Platoon won the middle and heavyweight divisions in the Company Challenge, so we finally get to put our names on the Victory Board (we came in last in both the Obstacle Course and Confidence Course competitions). That was a big morale boost. Our Platoon name is the “Titans” and we were chanting liens from “Remember the Titans” all the way to the chow hall.
Of course everyone is looking forward to tomorrow since wakeup is not until 0600 (definitely considered sleeping in), and we don’t have to carry our weapons. We also get to go to church, and the saying is true: everyone does find God in the military. It’s a good way to refocus for the week to come.
I hope everything is going well at home. It’s starting to warm up here; I hope the same is true for STL. It must have been great watching the Super Bowl on the new TV, Dad. I’ve occasionally caught glimpses of a TV when working with the Drill Sergeants in their office, but otherwise I’ve been totally cut off from the outside world. Fortunately, I’ve been busy enough not to notice.
Thanks for writing the letters, it’s nice to hear from home and it’s always a good feeling when they do mail call. I’ll write more soon – I can’t wait to get a chance to tell you about the guys in my platoon.
Love, Nick
I can’t believe tomorrow is Sunday! This week has flown by and I’m still shocked at how quickly they’ve thrown us into the deep end. There have been a lot of really exciting things to have happened this week. I was officially appointed APG (Assistant Platoon Guide), and was given an SFC rank badge to wear on my sleeve as 2nd in command of the Platoon (which meant a lot to me because that was Dad’s rank).
I officially overcame my fear of heights on the Confidence Course when I was forced to climb to the top of a ladder made of telephone poles and then go over and come down the other side. Honestly, if it were voluntary there’s no way I would have done it!
We’ve also had our first share of classes, including: evaluating a casualty, law of land warfare, uniform code of military justice (which was right up my alley), and we also began our MAC (modern army combatives) training this week (basically MMA for the army).
And today was one of the highlights because we got to fight with the Pugil Sticks. There’s nothing like releasing some frustration than by strapping on a football helmet and beating a kid’s brains in for 3 minutes with a giant Q-tip. I had an even match and we both got in some good shots, but I’ve never been more exhausted that I was when the round was over.
Our Platoon won the middle and heavyweight divisions in the Company Challenge, so we finally get to put our names on the Victory Board (we came in last in both the Obstacle Course and Confidence Course competitions). That was a big morale boost. Our Platoon name is the “Titans” and we were chanting liens from “Remember the Titans” all the way to the chow hall.
Of course everyone is looking forward to tomorrow since wakeup is not until 0600 (definitely considered sleeping in), and we don’t have to carry our weapons. We also get to go to church, and the saying is true: everyone does find God in the military. It’s a good way to refocus for the week to come.
I hope everything is going well at home. It’s starting to warm up here; I hope the same is true for STL. It must have been great watching the Super Bowl on the new TV, Dad. I’ve occasionally caught glimpses of a TV when working with the Drill Sergeants in their office, but otherwise I’ve been totally cut off from the outside world. Fortunately, I’ve been busy enough not to notice.
Thanks for writing the letters, it’s nice to hear from home and it’s always a good feeling when they do mail call. I’ll write more soon – I can’t wait to get a chance to tell you about the guys in my platoon.
Love, Nick
The Gas Chamber
Dear All:
It’s officially the last day of my first full week of Basic Training. If nothing else I can tell you that it will go by much faster than a semester of law school. Already the last few days have held some new and exciting challenges that I didn’t expect to come so soon. Yesterday we had our first road march. It was only about a mile, but it was fun to stretch our legs and yell out some cadence. It brought us to the obstacle course (you know, the one with the walls to jump over and the barbed wire to crawl under that you see on the commercials). And it pitted our 2nd Platoon (the Titans) against the other 3 platoons in Echo Company for the best time. So far in Basic our platoon has been huge underdogs and gets picked on by the Drill Sergeants running the other squads. It doesn’t help that our guys consistently do dumb things like having your weapon on “burst” when you enter the Chow hall or always having the highest percentage of soldiers to get sleeping during classroom sessions. Even as their APG (assistant platoon guide) I can only do so much. But we’ve got quite the spirit (we adopted the aura from the team from “Remember the Titans”) and that makes things a lot more fun. Still we ended up 3rd runner up (only off the lead by 20 seconds) but it some of the soldier a while to realize that meant we were last. For me, it was good to realize how far we have to go over the next 9 weeks.
Then today we were bused off to the gas chamber. Let me set the record straight and say that walking into a 10x10 room full of tear gas is a terrible idea. However, the purpose of the exercise was to develop confidence and to show us just how much trust we should be putting in our gear. And let me tell you, I am converted. I will believe and trust anything the Army tells me because that gas mask worked. They lined us up by Platoon with our masks sealed and escorted us inside. Then after showing how they held up, we had to remove our masks, place our helmets on, buckle them, place your hand on the soldier in front of you and wait for the command to leave. It was the equivalent of pouring Tabasco sauce on pepper, lighting it on fire, and pouring it down you throat with a funnel. You’ll never hear any group cough, gag and cling to life than we did today. And everyone having a cold didn’t help since it cleared out our sinuses. I know for a fact my Drill Sgt. had a great time snapping a few pictures of my snot-covered face. But at the end, I survived. I have stepped, willingly, into a gas chamber. What else should I be afraid of?
Tommorrow Tomorrow (sorry, it too late to spell) is the Leadership course—an obstacle course that requires teamwork and direction to complete. It should be fun, but I hope it’s not as cold as it was today. Other than that, things are going well. We’re still getting smoked regularly because a few soldiers still aren’t catching on (we couldn’t successfully complete a “shower drill” today in which our 60-man platoon must be showered and dressed (there are 8 showers) in 20 minutes). So we spent the 7-minutes we were over by doing flutter-kicks, naked, on the floor of our bay. So I guess you can say there’s a little bit of everything here in training.
I hope everything is going well at home. Getting mail is a good feeling. Talk to you guys soon.
Love,
Nick
It’s officially the last day of my first full week of Basic Training. If nothing else I can tell you that it will go by much faster than a semester of law school. Already the last few days have held some new and exciting challenges that I didn’t expect to come so soon. Yesterday we had our first road march. It was only about a mile, but it was fun to stretch our legs and yell out some cadence. It brought us to the obstacle course (you know, the one with the walls to jump over and the barbed wire to crawl under that you see on the commercials). And it pitted our 2nd Platoon (the Titans) against the other 3 platoons in Echo Company for the best time. So far in Basic our platoon has been huge underdogs and gets picked on by the Drill Sergeants running the other squads. It doesn’t help that our guys consistently do dumb things like having your weapon on “burst” when you enter the Chow hall or always having the highest percentage of soldiers to get sleeping during classroom sessions. Even as their APG (assistant platoon guide) I can only do so much. But we’ve got quite the spirit (we adopted the aura from the team from “Remember the Titans”) and that makes things a lot more fun. Still we ended up 3rd runner up (only off the lead by 20 seconds) but it some of the soldier a while to realize that meant we were last. For me, it was good to realize how far we have to go over the next 9 weeks.
Then today we were bused off to the gas chamber. Let me set the record straight and say that walking into a 10x10 room full of tear gas is a terrible idea. However, the purpose of the exercise was to develop confidence and to show us just how much trust we should be putting in our gear. And let me tell you, I am converted. I will believe and trust anything the Army tells me because that gas mask worked. They lined us up by Platoon with our masks sealed and escorted us inside. Then after showing how they held up, we had to remove our masks, place our helmets on, buckle them, place your hand on the soldier in front of you and wait for the command to leave. It was the equivalent of pouring Tabasco sauce on pepper, lighting it on fire, and pouring it down you throat with a funnel. You’ll never hear any group cough, gag and cling to life than we did today. And everyone having a cold didn’t help since it cleared out our sinuses. I know for a fact my Drill Sgt. had a great time snapping a few pictures of my snot-covered face. But at the end, I survived. I have stepped, willingly, into a gas chamber. What else should I be afraid of?
Tommorrow Tomorrow (sorry, it too late to spell) is the Leadership course—an obstacle course that requires teamwork and direction to complete. It should be fun, but I hope it’s not as cold as it was today. Other than that, things are going well. We’re still getting smoked regularly because a few soldiers still aren’t catching on (we couldn’t successfully complete a “shower drill” today in which our 60-man platoon must be showered and dressed (there are 8 showers) in 20 minutes). So we spent the 7-minutes we were over by doing flutter-kicks, naked, on the floor of our bay. So I guess you can say there’s a little bit of everything here in training.
I hope everything is going well at home. Getting mail is a good feeling. Talk to you guys soon.
Love,
Nick
Smoked
Dear All,
Well, it’s another day and another fire guard shift. I only have duty from 2300 to 0000, so it’s not so bad. At least I can put together a few hours of sleep before our 0430 wake-up. Everything is still going well. I’m shaking my cold, so that’s a plus. The weather is still chilly overnight (our morning), but warms up in the afternoon. We’re so busy that the days are flying by. Today we were issued our gas masks (which means that day is coming soon), and had our first classroom instruction on land navigation. So far, I’m picking up all of the concepts really easily. The hardest thing for me has been learning not to think. I realized early on that, as a private in the Army, life is simple; too simple. And you only succeed if you do exactly what they say, and I mean literally. If they tell you that you are going to exit through a certain door and to open it, you are only supposed to open it. Don’t exit. You will do that when they tell you to.
Of course, not everyone has grasped that as firmly as I have, and our Platoon has been “smoked” plenty for it. The first 3-4 weeks are “Red Phase”, which is the soldier’s wake-up call to Army life. You have to be everywhere 10 minutes early, and follow specific rules….specifically. If you don’t (and by “you” I mean anyone in your Platoon), the Drill Sergeants are like (as they like to say) Milton Bradley and Parker Bros. combined they have games to keep us “entertained” all day. Needless to say, I’m getting in shape. There are 3 drill sergeants assigned to my Platoon. Acosta looks like the Hispanic Adam Sandler, Morrisette is the black version of Ivan Drago from Rocky IV, and Guerra is the “good cop”. They are fair, but they hold us to a high standard – which is good, and I’m looking forward to week 4 when they start peeling off the weak links.
I’ll write more again when we have the chance, but free time is limited. I almost got a phone call the other night…so stay tuned because I may be able to call home soon. I hope all is well at home. I heard the Steelers won – hopefully there were some good commercials.
Talk to you soon, Nick.
Well, it’s another day and another fire guard shift. I only have duty from 2300 to 0000, so it’s not so bad. At least I can put together a few hours of sleep before our 0430 wake-up. Everything is still going well. I’m shaking my cold, so that’s a plus. The weather is still chilly overnight (our morning), but warms up in the afternoon. We’re so busy that the days are flying by. Today we were issued our gas masks (which means that day is coming soon), and had our first classroom instruction on land navigation. So far, I’m picking up all of the concepts really easily. The hardest thing for me has been learning not to think. I realized early on that, as a private in the Army, life is simple; too simple. And you only succeed if you do exactly what they say, and I mean literally. If they tell you that you are going to exit through a certain door and to open it, you are only supposed to open it. Don’t exit. You will do that when they tell you to.
Of course, not everyone has grasped that as firmly as I have, and our Platoon has been “smoked” plenty for it. The first 3-4 weeks are “Red Phase”, which is the soldier’s wake-up call to Army life. You have to be everywhere 10 minutes early, and follow specific rules….specifically. If you don’t (and by “you” I mean anyone in your Platoon), the Drill Sergeants are like (as they like to say) Milton Bradley and Parker Bros. combined they have games to keep us “entertained” all day. Needless to say, I’m getting in shape. There are 3 drill sergeants assigned to my Platoon. Acosta looks like the Hispanic Adam Sandler, Morrisette is the black version of Ivan Drago from Rocky IV, and Guerra is the “good cop”. They are fair, but they hold us to a high standard – which is good, and I’m looking forward to week 4 when they start peeling off the weak links.
I’ll write more again when we have the chance, but free time is limited. I almost got a phone call the other night…so stay tuned because I may be able to call home soon. I hope all is well at home. I heard the Steelers won – hopefully there were some good commercials.
Talk to you soon, Nick.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Finally "Down Range"
February 01, 2009
Dear All:
Well guys, I finally made it to basic training. After a little over a week of sitting in lines and listening to briefings and collecting my gear in reception (it was starting to make people insane), we were shipped “down range” to our training center. That was Thursday morning. It’s now 0415 on Sunday and I am on fire guard duty (again). But I don’t mind since it at least gives me a chance to write.
So far, things have been really good. I was appointed (APG) Assistant Platoon Guide, which means I am second in command of our 60-man Platoon. I also scored the most push-ups in our Platoon (2nd Platoon, Echo Company) during the first of 4 PT tests we will have to complete.
Here are some other interesting highlights: We were issued our weapons (a well-worn M-16) on our first full day. It’s cool, but we have to have them with us at all times, so it’s kind of a pain in the ass. Speaking of which, the hardest thing so far has been regulating my bathroom use. We get plenty of latrine breaks (which is good because they force us to drink a ton of water and have issued us Camelbaks), but they are rarely over 3 minutes for the entire Platoon. Needless to say, I’ve worked out a system so I can go after “lights out”. I’ve also mastered the fine art of taking many different kinds of food, from any meal, and turning it into a sandwich. At the mess hall, when the last member of the Platoon sits down, we have exactly 7 minutes to finish and be back in formation. Every morning I put my eggs, sausage, and a small box of corn flakes between 2 waffles. My dinner was a boneless pork chop, asparagus, and a salad…on wheat. There just isn’t time for anything else.
I have a cold, but everyone else does too. The combination of the schedule, the weather, and everyone passing germs makes for that to be the norm. But other than that, I’m handling everything really well and feeling good about my decision.
I hope everything is going well at home. Please write whenever you have time, and I promise to do the same. In the meantime, I’ll be spending my days marching in formation, doing PT, screaming our Army chants, creeds, and cadences, and looking forward to completing my training.
Love,
Nick
Dear All:
Well guys, I finally made it to basic training. After a little over a week of sitting in lines and listening to briefings and collecting my gear in reception (it was starting to make people insane), we were shipped “down range” to our training center. That was Thursday morning. It’s now 0415 on Sunday and I am on fire guard duty (again). But I don’t mind since it at least gives me a chance to write.
So far, things have been really good. I was appointed (APG) Assistant Platoon Guide, which means I am second in command of our 60-man Platoon. I also scored the most push-ups in our Platoon (2nd Platoon, Echo Company) during the first of 4 PT tests we will have to complete.
Here are some other interesting highlights: We were issued our weapons (a well-worn M-16) on our first full day. It’s cool, but we have to have them with us at all times, so it’s kind of a pain in the ass. Speaking of which, the hardest thing so far has been regulating my bathroom use. We get plenty of latrine breaks (which is good because they force us to drink a ton of water and have issued us Camelbaks), but they are rarely over 3 minutes for the entire Platoon. Needless to say, I’ve worked out a system so I can go after “lights out”. I’ve also mastered the fine art of taking many different kinds of food, from any meal, and turning it into a sandwich. At the mess hall, when the last member of the Platoon sits down, we have exactly 7 minutes to finish and be back in formation. Every morning I put my eggs, sausage, and a small box of corn flakes between 2 waffles. My dinner was a boneless pork chop, asparagus, and a salad…on wheat. There just isn’t time for anything else.
I have a cold, but everyone else does too. The combination of the schedule, the weather, and everyone passing germs makes for that to be the norm. But other than that, I’m handling everything really well and feeling good about my decision.
I hope everything is going well at home. Please write whenever you have time, and I promise to do the same. In the meantime, I’ll be spending my days marching in formation, doing PT, screaming our Army chants, creeds, and cadences, and looking forward to completing my training.
Love,
Nick
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Mailing Address
January 29, 2009
Dear All:
It’s 0312 on Tuesday morning and I have a few minutes before morning formation to write you. Things are going well, but our platoon is getting anxious from all the waiting we do at reception, and we are ready to go “down range” and begin Basic. We are scheduled to ship out on Thursday. I’m doing well so far (getting used to the pressures and schedule more every day). And, there is even a Stewart, a Boyd, and a Perry in my Platoon, so it doesn’t feel like I’m quite so far from home.
But the real reason I am writing is because I now have a mailing address:
SPC Bono, Dominic J.
E CO 2nd Battalion 47th Infantry
RN 209
5375 Hanson Drive
Fort Benning, GA 31905-4930
Please use this address exactly when sending mail. And please do not send any mail until at least next Monday (from this date) to ensure that I am already moved to my new locations.
Hope everything is well at home. I love and miss you. I’ll write again as soon as I can.
Love,
Nick
Dear All:
It’s 0312 on Tuesday morning and I have a few minutes before morning formation to write you. Things are going well, but our platoon is getting anxious from all the waiting we do at reception, and we are ready to go “down range” and begin Basic. We are scheduled to ship out on Thursday. I’m doing well so far (getting used to the pressures and schedule more every day). And, there is even a Stewart, a Boyd, and a Perry in my Platoon, so it doesn’t feel like I’m quite so far from home.
But the real reason I am writing is because I now have a mailing address:
SPC Bono, Dominic J.
E CO 2nd Battalion 47th Infantry
RN 209
5375 Hanson Drive
Fort Benning, GA 31905-4930
Please use this address exactly when sending mail. And please do not send any mail until at least next Monday (from this date) to ensure that I am already moved to my new locations.
Hope everything is well at home. I love and miss you. I’ll write again as soon as I can.
Love,
Nick
Saturday, January 24, 2009
First Letter Home
January 24, 2009
Dear All:
I’m writing this at 8:35 p.m. (2035 hrs) on Saturday night, but I’m not sure when it will get mailed. First, Happy Birthday Mom! I love you and hope you had a great day.
I’ll write as often as I can, but free time is limited and the time we do have is usually taken up with things (like shaving and going to the bathroom). I’ve been in reception all this week and will head Basic Training this coming Thursday. That’s where the real work will begin. In the meantime, I’ve been settling in the routine (wake up at 0330 and lights out at 2100), taking care of the guys in my platoon (90202 BA) (I’m the assistant platoon guard of our bay—an old, very large and very wise black man named Mungo is the bay leader). It’s been busy, but most of the time is spent waiting in line. I’ve never stood up for so long (4+ hours at a time in some cases).
Some other highlights include having only 5 minutes to eat meals so that everything on your plate turns in a sandwich, getting a shot in the ass that left everyone sore for 2 days, and laughing about all of it.
But I’m safe, and I’m surviving. I’ll try to write more soon. Hope all is well.
Love,
Nick
Dear All:
I’m writing this at 8:35 p.m. (2035 hrs) on Saturday night, but I’m not sure when it will get mailed. First, Happy Birthday Mom! I love you and hope you had a great day.
I’ll write as often as I can, but free time is limited and the time we do have is usually taken up with things (like shaving and going to the bathroom). I’ve been in reception all this week and will head Basic Training this coming Thursday. That’s where the real work will begin. In the meantime, I’ve been settling in the routine (wake up at 0330 and lights out at 2100), taking care of the guys in my platoon (90202 BA) (I’m the assistant platoon guard of our bay—an old, very large and very wise black man named Mungo is the bay leader). It’s been busy, but most of the time is spent waiting in line. I’ve never stood up for so long (4+ hours at a time in some cases).
Some other highlights include having only 5 minutes to eat meals so that everything on your plate turns in a sandwich, getting a shot in the ass that left everyone sore for 2 days, and laughing about all of it.
But I’m safe, and I’m surviving. I’ll try to write more soon. Hope all is well.
Love,
Nick
Thursday, January 15, 2009
My New Ship Date?
You probably didn't expect a post from me this soon after my departure. Of course, I expected to be in Georgia right now, undergoing my reception. I suppose we can't always get what we want.
Fortunately for you, you get a great story to start off my trip. Before BCT (Basic Combat Training) even begins, I get a firsthand practical lesson in the military's "Hurry Up and Wait" policy. And, since I'll have to get used to it, I don't mind getting a head start.
My wakeup call came at 0400 hours, and I was shuttled to the federal building for processing and shipment at 0500 hours. Of course, I wasn't in the system yet (I was worried about my documentation getting from OKC - where I originally processed and did all of my MEPS work - to STL in the first place, and this confirmed my fears). I had to wait for a special "records liason" to show up at 0830. By then, he realized that they had all of the paperwork, but that they forgot to read a note attached to my medical records ordering them to "take ownership"/aka, register them in the STL database, so that i could be processed and shipped.
And, since the inspection team designated to check my height and weight left at 0900 hours, there wouldn't be enough time for me to get finished and make my 1200 flight to GA.
Long story a little bit longer, after waiting around for 5 hours, I was informed that my ship date would have to be rescheduled for Tuesday, January 20th. Before long, events like these will become so commonplace that I won't even think to write them down, let alone be affected by them. Until that day, I'll find solace knowing that tax payers are fronting the bill so that I can spend two nights in the Drury Inn downtown instead of just one.
Fortunately for you, you get a great story to start off my trip. Before BCT (Basic Combat Training) even begins, I get a firsthand practical lesson in the military's "Hurry Up and Wait" policy. And, since I'll have to get used to it, I don't mind getting a head start.
My wakeup call came at 0400 hours, and I was shuttled to the federal building for processing and shipment at 0500 hours. Of course, I wasn't in the system yet (I was worried about my documentation getting from OKC - where I originally processed and did all of my MEPS work - to STL in the first place, and this confirmed my fears). I had to wait for a special "records liason" to show up at 0830. By then, he realized that they had all of the paperwork, but that they forgot to read a note attached to my medical records ordering them to "take ownership"/aka, register them in the STL database, so that i could be processed and shipped.
And, since the inspection team designated to check my height and weight left at 0900 hours, there wouldn't be enough time for me to get finished and make my 1200 flight to GA.
Long story a little bit longer, after waiting around for 5 hours, I was informed that my ship date would have to be rescheduled for Tuesday, January 20th. Before long, events like these will become so commonplace that I won't even think to write them down, let alone be affected by them. Until that day, I'll find solace knowing that tax payers are fronting the bill so that I can spend two nights in the Drury Inn downtown instead of just one.
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