Journal Entry: "Idle Time"

More sitting around. The malaise is starting to get to the more weak-minded of the soldiers. I have a hard time calling us that since we’ve done nothing yet to deserve the title shared by those who are in harms’ way. If Darwin ever needed more proof for his theory, he needed only put a bunch of young Army recruits under observation for a week. Some of these guys go straight to “silverback” mode, strutting around, acting tough, talking a lot of shit, boasting of their sexual exploits, etc…..trying desperately not to show how scared shitless they really are just under the surface. Another “coping” mechanism is the Know-It-All-Loudmouth syndrome, a.k.a. the “bunkhouse lawyer,” and we’ve got a couple here no doubt. These types seem to exhibit absolutely no self-awareness whatsoever! I mean, how can you talk for 15 minutes after lights out when everyone quit talking 10 minutes ago! The sad thing is, those with little or no self-image are without the self-awareness necessary to make the transformation into those who respect and love themselves and others. It makes me wonder what happens. What can happen to them, or for them, that makes the switch click ‘on’ and causes them to introspect and examine their attitudes and interactions with others and see themselves in everyone around them?
All in all, it was a fairly uneventful day, but the upside is we had more free time to get to know one another… and for the children to act up and get us in trouble. We had our phone privileges revoked for awhile, but it must have been rumor because we ended up getting more time than ever. I even had time for a second phone call to Dad which really supercharged my already high spirits. I’ve already bonded with a couple of guys enough to want to keep up with them even if we don’t end up in the same company next week after reception is over and real BCT (Basic Combat Training) begins. What is also very encouraging is how many other guys I’ve met who have come for similar reasons. It’s good to know that there are still those out there with a real sense of selfless nobility. You get enough of these types together and you begin to feel like anything is possible.