BCT Blog #8

Friday 8/21/09

3 weeks since Basic Training started. A full month since leaving home and seeing a familiar face. In some ways it seems to have gone fast. But it feels like an eternity has gone by at the same time.

Either way, today was a huge milestone for my platoon - we have passed out phase testing and will not be carrying around a white flag instead of a red one. This signifies that the first 3 weeks of training is complete and we are slightly competent as US soldiers.

Yesterday was an interesting day. We were taken to a remote area of Fort knox with a map, compass, and rucksack to practice our newly learned land navigation skills. On paper, the map concept is easy. My group was very confident. It turned out to be quite discouraging at first! They hide signs at coordinates in the middle of the woods and fields and using the compass we are supposed to get within 10 meters of our point. On our first round we found 1 our of 4 points in 4 hours. That was no good lol. At night after we ate chow we found 4 our of 4 points!

Chow was the highlight of the land nav. experience. The military serves soldiers "MRE's" out in the field. MRE=Meal Ready to Eat. It was delicious! All in a compact container, there was a 1300 calorie mean. Mine included pasta tortellini, apple stuff that I can't even explain, an energy bar, Reese's Pieces, and apple cider. It was all amazing! I can't believe how exciting FOOD is in the military. I live for 3 things on each day's schedule" chow, mail call, and sleep.

On that note, I'm going to sleep.


8/23/09

As always, Sunday is the best day ever! I am caught up on sleep, read the bible (I decided the military Protestant service isn't for me), cleaned my weapon, and chilled with my boys. My eyes are no longer red and puffy (all week it has been 4 hours of sleep per night) and I'm in a great mood. We decided as a platoon to only eat dessert at chow at chow on Sundays, so my sugar rush tolerance is lower and today's cake is really picking me up lol.

Tomorrow we begin BRM-Basic Rifle Marksmanship. We'll be spending the next 3 weeks firing our weapons and (hopefully) qualifying. It should be exciting but I've heard it tends to get boring after several days of it. Therefore my blogging may slow down a little.

On that note, THANKS so much everyone that has written me. I have consistently gotten encouraging letters from various friends and family, and every time it makes me incredibly happy and at peace. Hopefully i will get the time to respond to everyone individually. But if not just know that I am very thankful and love you all.

5 weeks from now, I'll be getting ready to graduate and move on from Fort Knox. Please continue to write me and if anyone has any questions at all - whether you just want my experience for fun or if you are considering military as a career, don't hesitate to send a letter.