Shipping Out

Hey everyone!

I am leaving for Basic Combat Training with the Army National Guard TOMORROW - Monday, July 20. I wanted everyone to be aware that this blog is going to remain active although I will not have any computer access during my training cycle. My beautiful fiance Emily is being gracious enough to type the blogs that I'll be writing the old fashioned way and sending through the mail. These blogs will mainly be for the purpose of letting everyone know what I'm up to and that their thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated.

My address will be available soon to anyone that wishes to write to me. My every second is going to be owned by the Army for the next several months since I'll be in Basic for about 10 weeks and then spending another 18 weeks in Georgia completing my Advanced Individual Training. That should allow me to return to normal life sometime around February 11, so it will be AWESOME to hear some positive words from everyone while I'm completing all of the training.

Everyone is asking me some questions frequently, so here is a very brief FAQ about my career with ARNG.

Q. What will I be doing for the Guard?
A. I will be trained to do a job known as Signal Support, or 25U as the Army calls it. As far as I know, this will mostly involve working with all of the communications systems such as radios, computers, and satellites that keep things going. I'll be dealing with sensitive information and will have skills to get a cool civilian job afterward if I want to.

Q. Why did I decide to join?
A. The National Guard has some pretty outstanding education benefits that I will be taking advantage of next fall to complete a degree. Basically I will be getting free school and a steady paycheck for showing up 1 weekend a month. Plus I will be completely honest, I enjoy a good challenge. Shipping off to Basic is intimidating. I have very limited experience dealing with firearms and yelling sergeants, so I feel like getting through something so tough will have its psychological rewards.

Q. Where will I be after training?
A. I am already set up with a base near Pittsburgh to carry out my monthly obligation. However, I may choose to complete my education somewhere else within the state (currently interested in West Chester University) so I may attempt to transfer to a base in that region.

Q. What are my chances of being deployed?
A. It is very possible that I'll be deployed at some point during my career. There will always be hurricanes and disasters stateside, but the Guard is totally capable of sending some units to Afghanistan or elsewhere. It's not something that I want to do, but I fully understand that this job comes with risks and sacrifices. But I have talked to many soldiers that did their time overseas and came back perfectly happy and had no regrets.

Q. Music? What the heck??!
A. I miss the stage. I strongly desire to get back to it next year. I can't say anything beyond that :).

That is all for now. Thanks for reading. Stay in touch!!! I want everyone to know that I love you a lot and will be thinking about all of the amazing friends and family I have to keep me strong.

-Tim Gregory