Off..

To basic training. I will update the blog as soon as I can.

Less Than A Week...

away from leaving. I'm excited. I went shopping Sunday for a few items that I would need. I wont get my full list until I drill this weekend. I must say, I am ready to leave. I'm ready to start this new journey, this new life. I can't wait. So my last few days will be spent like I spent most of my time, laying low, and spending time with the ones I love the most. God is good.

2nd Day at Drill

Today was my second day at drill and I started to get into the flow of things more. I have my uniform, but I don't have my name badge, US Army badge, USA flag, rank or boots. Ill receive those at basic training.

Today we did PT (physical training) for about 2 hours. Then we went into a class on sexual harassment and suicide prevention. Suicide prevention is really being stressed now in all branches of the military because of the recent rashes of soldiers killing themselves. We were in that class for about an hour and a half. Afterwards, we drilled for a bit.

Then it was time for chow. Basically, the food was horrible. All pork & other things I don't eat. I was going to eat a salad, but it had bacon bits in it! So I just ate 3 pieces of cake (bad i know).

After chow, the first timers went into another class while the other soldiers did something else, I don't know what it was. This class was all about rankings and how to address officials and higher ups. After that the E-1's took their test, while the other soldiers cleaned up.

Then we had to go to a fighting class, teaching techniques about fighting and we had several spars. It was a lot of fun, probably the best class they had there! It was exciting and it wasn't any old fighting, there were techniques that had to be used.

After the fighting class, it was finally time to go home! But not before the soldiers who earned it got their promotions. About 11-12 soldiers got promotions. Another 8 got coins for coming back from basic training and AIT. In a few more months that will be me, I cant wait.

After the promotions it was time to go home!

1st Day at Drill

Today was very eventful. I woke up at 6:15 to shower and to get ready. I left the house around 7:15 and headed to the Fairgrounds Armory. I arrived there at 7:30. Drill was supposed to start at 7:45. Only 7:45 came and went and no one was there. So I called my recruiter and he told me to wait til 8 & if no one came to call him back. Well 8 came & went & I called him back. Long story short, I was at the wrong Armory. So I had to drive 15 minutes to another Armory.

So finally I arrived. I was a little nervous because I didn't know what to expect. I walked in, & there were soldiers to greet me. I explained my situation and I immediately got to work. I had to do as many push ups as I could with in a minute. I counted 22 but the Sarge only counted 15. Bummer. Then I had to do sit-ups. I forgot how many I did, but I passed.

Then came the hardest part of all- the mile run! I was very upset they had us running in 35 degree weather! On top of that, it was snowing! So I already had an attitude about that. Then we had to march like half a mile down to the track. We had to run down, turn around and run back. I haven't ran anything since October of 2009, so i was definitely tired. But I made it. I had to make 10:30, and I came in at 9:14. Not my best (6:25) but not my worst. When I was done running, I literally couldn't feel my face (No Lil' Wayne). I couldn't wait to go back into the armory. But we had to wait until everyone was done. I thought it would be forever but it finally came.

When we got back in, we did a few stretches, and went into the showers. Well I didn't cuz (1) i didn't have my ACU (uniform) and (2) i don't trust those showers LOL. I finally got my uniform at like 2:00. They didn't have my name tags or my boots but I was at least happy to get my uniform.

After the showers we went into the classrooms, and they answered whatever questions we had, and told us things about basic. Like what to expect, what to bring what not to bring things like that.

Then we went to have chow (lunch). It was decent. I ate roast beef, scalloped potatoes, pasta salad, and a roll. I had apple pie for dessert even though it was cold.

After chow we marched, and drilled. Then we had to fill out paperwork. To finish off the day we had to do 2 minutes of 6 inches which was oh so painful. After that, we went home. & tomorrow I have to do it all over again.

This is just the start of my life as a citizen soldier in the Kentucky Army National Guard.