Happy New Year!
I wanted to let everyone know how and what I'm doing.
I know some of you are more interested in details than
others, so skim any parts that don't interest you.
I left for Basic Training on 11-8. I joined the Army
due to the September attacks, and signed up for the
Infantry. When I reached the Reception Battalion, I
found that processing was quite a bit behind, which I
attribute chiefly to enlistment after 9-11.
Paperwork, fitting for uniforms, shots, and the
initial physical theoretically takes 4 days to
complete. My "line" took just under 3 weeks, which
were some of the longest days of my life.
At the Reception Battalion, there was nothing to do
except wait for my group's turn to stand in line for
whichever step in the process we were scheduled for.
To add to the problem, practically everyone staffing
the Reception Battalion was a reservist who had just
recently been called up, and was therefore rusty, to
say the least. This was my introduction to "hurry up
and wait", the worst example of which was waiting in
line for 7 hours to be fitted for Class A (dress)
uniforms, only to be told to come back at a later
date.
The Reception Battalion also was my first introduction
to disciplinary physical training (PT), Army food, and
marching. My line was about a platoon (50 men)'s
worth of young soldiers- some of whom like to talk A
LOT. (This meant that we often had to do pushups or
other exercises such as the overhead clap, which is
nothing more than the arm movement from a jumping
jack, without any leg movement. These do cause pain
after 60 repetitions, or so.) Pt was rarely fun, but
I was surprised to find I enjoyed marching, and Army
food was actually usually pretty good. Also at the
Reception Battalion, I- along with more than half of
the other recruits- contracted one of the worst cases
of flu I have experienced. This left me with
practically no desire to do anything but sleep, which
was not allowed during the day. It was with great joy
that we welcomed the move to Basic Training.
The typical Army soldier undergoes 9 weeks of Basic
Combat Training (BCT), graduates from Basic, then
moves to another base where he completes his advanced
training for his "military occupational specialty"
(MOS). As an infantryman, I am an exception.
Infantry recruits undergo a more rigorous training
program, that is entirely completed at one location.
I will graduate this program on March 22.
A day in the life of an infantry soldier in training
goes something like this: rise about 0430, formation
at 0520, followed immediately by PT. Breakfast about
an hour later. Change. Class for several hours,
followed by lunch. Class for several more hours,
followed by more PT or "drill and ceremony", which
usually means practicing marching in formation.
Dinner. Boot drills (change into PT shorts and shirt,
shine boots). Training in the barracks or barracks
maintenance, then prepare for bed. Lights out at 2100
(9 PM). Fire watch for an hour sometime during the
night, about every other night.
The classes we have taken cover subjects like
nutrition, exercise, map reading, first aid, and
military- specific classes such as surviving nuclear,
biological, and chemical attacks. We also have
"hands-on" training (such as grappling), as well as
exercises to test many of these newly learned
subjects. After a little over 3 weeks in training, I
have been subjected to tear gas, have rappelled off a
50 foot tower, have run, jumped, crawled, smashed, and
stabbed my way through the bayonet assault course-
twice- have gone through "confidence" and obstacle
courses, have had team building exercises (involving
groups of people, knotty problems, and physical
challenges), have had a 5 mile march in gear, and many
other exercises designed to strengthen and toughen my
body and mind. I have also already dropped several
minutes off my two-mile run time.
Because of my entrance date, I have been enjoying a
Christmas break, during which I have eaten too much
junk food, but have dutifully performed my PT. I look
forward to completing my training, and learning where
I will be stationed. I have almost no phone access,
but can receive letters at the following address:
PFC John Shirley RN 350
E CO. 1-50th IN. ITB
FT Benning GA 31905
If you want to spare me additional pushups, write "RN
350" at the left and right bottom corners of the
envelope. I also get additional pushups for cutesy
stickers or drawings, in case you believe I can use
the extra exercise!
I wish you the best of years, and hope love will
brighten and enrich your lives.
Best Regards,
John
