Journal Entry: "Back in Uniform"
Firstly, I need to write an “Epilogue to A.I.T.” but as of yet have not found the creative inspiration to tackle that. Suffice to say that it mostly sucked, that Drill Sgt. Rose never stopped being an asshole and I’m delighted to be through with the initiation rites of the Army and on my way to actually doing what I signed up to do. When (if) I get the epilogue written, I’ll post it in chronological order prior to this posting so everthing will make sense. I suppose I’d be more forthcoming with content about A.I.T. if I had found much of it to be of use. I did not. I did however make Distinguished Honor Graduate which is the top honor of the class. That did feel pretty good and it was another feather in my cap to take back to the 321st which, if anything should help me to be taken more seriously into consideration for the assignments that are above my paygrade. In fact, for getting both top honors at Basic and A.I.T, my unit gave me the Army Achievement Medal at my first drill back from training. An effective re-introduction to be sure. I still feel like I haven’t done anything though…anything that counts that is. Everything up to this point has been training. I’m humbled to be around some of these guys who are on their fourth and fifth overseas tours.
Just when I start to feel special for what I’m doing I spend some time around these guys and I’m reminded that there are hundreds of thousands of other men and women out there that make these kinds of sacrafices as well. People like 1LT Thomas, our company chaplain who after serving an enlistment with the Rangers from 1978 to 1982, took a commission in his mid 40’s to minister to troops in combat; to be there for people like me for moral and spiritual support. And though I’m not aligned with his faith – I feel a strong connection from our shared sense of duty and servant’s spirit. Its actually very comforting to know that I’m not “special”. After all, its not why I decided to do this anyway. Its not “ordinary” but if it were, the world would be a much different place. I suppose my wish if I were given one were that everyone felt called to service the way Lt. Thomas and I do.
Things have started off slow, as expected. We flew out to Phoenix for a couple days to merge up with the 492nd that we’re being attached to (administratively) for purposes of deployment. It was an utterly useless two days spent there, but the upside was it just so happened to be where my grandparents live so I was able to meet with them for dinner one night. I’m a big believer in fate and as my grandfather has already lived beyond a terminal cancer prognosis, it did cross my mind that I might not have ever seen him again had it not been for this “useless” layover. On the other hand, the old guy looked great and can still put away a plate of brisket better than this kid can. My bet is that he’ll be chugging along just fine this time next year.
We spent all last night on a 13-hour bus ride from Phoenix to Camp Roberts, CA. Its from here on out that I’ll have to start being more prudent about what we’re doing and when for purposes of operational security. A lot of it strikes me as somewhat paranoid. I mean its not like we’re going to have a Taliban U-boat waiting to sink us as we sail out of San Diego harbor on 2 June at 1300 hrs. (just joking, we’re not taking a ship) But seriously, I have to be considerate of “OPSEC” lest some fidgety commander pull the plug on my blogging. They’re not big on the idea as it is and I’m not inclined to publicize it around here just yet. I’m still in the process of feeling everyone out.
I’ve made a few friends already. Sgts. Carrillo (two of them, yes, brothers) and Sgts. Brenner and Moore and Pfifer to name a few. All great guys who serve with distinction and humility…and know how to have a good time doing it. I’m looking forward to getting into some trouble with them in the near future. As for now, I’m doing my “observer” thing. Not giving away too much too soon. My true nature will come out soon enough…it always does.
Accomodations are vintage WWII open bay barracks. The smell is strikingly the same as the old barracks we had at my grandparents farm when I was very little. That was 28 years ago and I knew the smell as if it were yesterday. I could have told you what it was if I had been led in blindfolded. Amazing how powerful olfactory associations can be. We’ve been given most of the day to chill out and catch up on sleep lost from last night’s bus ride. Tomorrow training begins. Hope its more fruitful that what they called “training” at Ft. Bragg. I’m sure it will be.
Just when I start to feel special for what I’m doing I spend some time around these guys and I’m reminded that there are hundreds of thousands of other men and women out there that make these kinds of sacrafices as well. People like 1LT Thomas, our company chaplain who after serving an enlistment with the Rangers from 1978 to 1982, took a commission in his mid 40’s to minister to troops in combat; to be there for people like me for moral and spiritual support. And though I’m not aligned with his faith – I feel a strong connection from our shared sense of duty and servant’s spirit. Its actually very comforting to know that I’m not “special”. After all, its not why I decided to do this anyway. Its not “ordinary” but if it were, the world would be a much different place. I suppose my wish if I were given one were that everyone felt called to service the way Lt. Thomas and I do.
Things have started off slow, as expected. We flew out to Phoenix for a couple days to merge up with the 492nd that we’re being attached to (administratively) for purposes of deployment. It was an utterly useless two days spent there, but the upside was it just so happened to be where my grandparents live so I was able to meet with them for dinner one night. I’m a big believer in fate and as my grandfather has already lived beyond a terminal cancer prognosis, it did cross my mind that I might not have ever seen him again had it not been for this “useless” layover. On the other hand, the old guy looked great and can still put away a plate of brisket better than this kid can. My bet is that he’ll be chugging along just fine this time next year.
We spent all last night on a 13-hour bus ride from Phoenix to Camp Roberts, CA. Its from here on out that I’ll have to start being more prudent about what we’re doing and when for purposes of operational security. A lot of it strikes me as somewhat paranoid. I mean its not like we’re going to have a Taliban U-boat waiting to sink us as we sail out of San Diego harbor on 2 June at 1300 hrs. (just joking, we’re not taking a ship) But seriously, I have to be considerate of “OPSEC” lest some fidgety commander pull the plug on my blogging. They’re not big on the idea as it is and I’m not inclined to publicize it around here just yet. I’m still in the process of feeling everyone out.
I’ve made a few friends already. Sgts. Carrillo (two of them, yes, brothers) and Sgts. Brenner and Moore and Pfifer to name a few. All great guys who serve with distinction and humility…and know how to have a good time doing it. I’m looking forward to getting into some trouble with them in the near future. As for now, I’m doing my “observer” thing. Not giving away too much too soon. My true nature will come out soon enough…it always does.
Accomodations are vintage WWII open bay barracks. The smell is strikingly the same as the old barracks we had at my grandparents farm when I was very little. That was 28 years ago and I knew the smell as if it were yesterday. I could have told you what it was if I had been led in blindfolded. Amazing how powerful olfactory associations can be. We’ve been given most of the day to chill out and catch up on sleep lost from last night’s bus ride. Tomorrow training begins. Hope its more fruitful that what they called “training” at Ft. Bragg. I’m sure it will be.
