It’s been a long time since I last wrote anything here. I have wanted to for a while now sit down and sum up the experience I have had since joining the Army. So…here goes nothing!
The journey started back in May on the 25th, I left for Ft. Benning in Georgia. I remember the bus ride from Atlanta to Columbus with 50+ other guys all wondering what we got ourselves into!The rumor on the bus was to expect a “shark Attack” from the Drill Sergeants, we imagined it to be exactly how it sounds!
When we arrived at Ft. Benning it was not at all as “bad” as I thought it might be. The first two weeks or so we spent in processing at 30th AG reception battalion. Here we had to go through countless medical procedures from hearing test to blood work and shots, also this is where we were issued our uniforms and clothes. The biggest surprise for most of us what the fact we were still allowed access to cell phones here. Also we were never “smoked” here or made to work out. That was all up to us. The worst thing they would do is come through and mess up the bay (the barracks were one big room with bunk beds) if it was not cleaned properly.We counted down the days to when we would go “down range” in this case we were talking about basic. Finally the day came, we packed up what we had in a duffle bag and a drawstring laundry bag.We heard that you would have to hold one of these bags over head during what would be the “Shark Attack” for a long time. With that being said I did my best to distribute the weight evenly!I’ll tell you this it didn’t matter what bag you packed what in, you held both over your head for long enough for the pain to set it. The first day was rough for sure. I’m not going to go into every little exercise we did I would be here writing a while! This was the start of a 9 week process for basic training. In this 9 weeks we would learn first aid, marksmanship, physical fitness, diet, buddy carry, basic tactical maneuvers, all in all…just how to take care of ourselves and those around us. We would learn to be disciplined.The majority of basic training is taught on the idea that if one person is all jacked up, every one is all jacked up, this results in mass punishment. Through out basic there were some pretty retarded things that we got smoked for, but in the end it taught you to look after each other and make sure you square away your buddy.
For the entire 9 weeks there were few things to look forward to. One was the chance for a 5 minute phone call and the other was mail call. On most nights they would have us stand out side their office door in our bay and there we waited for our names to be called as it wasvread off the envelopes. Mail call was GREAT! well…except for those days that no mail came! God placed some very special people in my life and there were only few days that no mail came for me.The one other thing to look forward to was Family Day. Family day was a pass that we got for 36 hours upon the completion of basic training. It was amazing to get off base and enjoy a little of the real world and everything I have always taken for granted!
When we came back from Family day we had another 5 weeks or so of AIT (Advanced Individual Training). We had been deemed soldiers but had not yet earned the right to call ourselves Infantryman.The PT became a bit more intense and so did the field training that we were exposed to. We learned in this time frame more about U.S. weapons, moving in fire teams and small unit tactics. Everything we learned would be put to the test in our last field training exercise (FTX).
FTX was about 8 days long and was held in a make shift FOB (forward operating base..A big fenced in field with 10 guard towers and a controlled entry point.) We did 24 hr missions, 24 hr patrols, 24 hr op4 (play the bad guys for the other platoons), 24 hr guard towers, and 24 hr QRF (quick reaction force).On our mission day we set out early in the day and would not come back until the next morning. We rucked 5+ miles through the brush and would set up a road blocks, encounter ambushes, set up ambushes and work on land nav to get from point to point. On patrols, we were able to ride in Humvees and were given ccmck (paint rounds and yes they hurt!) for our M4 rifles. Patrols were done in full battle rattle including a paintball mask. Here we would have to clear a village and take out the enemy and obtain a HVT (high valued target).On the way back, we are given the scenario that we were ambushed and 3 out of 8 members are shot dead or wounded. We still have about 300-500 meters to go until we reach the front gate of the FOB. No man is ever left behind so we carried them, this is where the fatigue sits in…carrying your buddy while you are both in full kit.Playing the bad guys for the other platoons was an easier day as we would kick out small teams at a time giving the rest of the platoon time to rest. The guard towers were really boring! Every now and then a op4 team would show up and fire off some blanks and we could shoot back.Towers were manned by 4 man teams, two on the ground resting and two in the tower on guard, you switch out for sleep every 2 hours when you are not under fire. All week long you learn and relearn what you will use on your trip back, “The Bayonet.
The bayonet is a long ruck march that started late one night and would not end until around 4am at Honor Hill.Even though we were without showers or sleeping inside for 8 days during the Summer heat of Georgia we all were ready to get this Bayonet over with, it was the way home and at then end of it, we would become Infantrymen.
The final day came and we set out for this march. Every 2 miles or so, we would encounter an attack or some kind of artillery attack. We would have to carry the wounded, their rucks and their weapons for about 300 meters or so.By mile 6, you are hurting and ready for it to be over. As the hours pass on you start to recognize streets and know you are closer to where honor hill should be. As we rounded our last turn and could see the sky lit with the flames of bon fires and hear music blaring over loud speakers. (Let the Bodies Hit the Floor” by Disturbed)We all assembled in a formation, dropped our rucks and rifles and waited to enter through these huge wooded gates. I could write a really long time about honor hill and what the expressions on the faces of those around me, but I will keep it limited as possible.Once inside the gates and we were formed up, the Chaplain stepped forward and said a prayer. I’m not some big expressionist of emotion but this night it was hard to contain. All of the days leading to this point where I had wondered or questioned what it was I was doing here became clear and real. The prayer of the Chaplain and the words from our chain of command are something I will always remember. Tonight was the night that we completed all tasks required by our Country to have the right to defend her. At this Honor Hill we received our Infantry Cross Rifle Pin from our Drill Sergeants. This small pin from them and a hand shake meant more than I ever thought it would. I’ll never forget that night or what it meant to me.
The next week or two was spent in recovery mode. We had to clean all of our gear and the barracks. We finally graduated in September. Walking out across that graduation field with everyone who made it through basic with me and knowing my family was watching was an amazing feeling. I was proud for finishing every thing we did and I was extactic that my family was there to watch! That weekend, was a brief break before Airborne school and I got to spend that weekend with the family!
Airborne was awesome! The PT was pretty decent and we ran everywhere we went there. It was only 3 weeks long. 2 weeks of training and 1 week for jump week. I was scared to death when the day came to jump. As soon as my shoot opened and I saw the view, my breath was taken. It was amazing! The landing wasn’t the best the first time around, but I did it right and didn’t break anything! We had 5 total jumps that week.
After Airborne graduation, we went to a brief for all the Special Forces Candidates to find out what to expect next.
That day a bus brought us to Ft. Bragg, NC. I am now here awaiting to go the Special Operations Precourse out at Camp MacKall. I should have already gone with most of my buddies from basic but I got sick and held back.I will be leaving for the precourse on November 29th and coming back the 17th. On the 18′th of Dec I will be showing back up in Houston until the 2nd of January!When I come back out to Bragg I will be preparing to leave soon for Special Forces Selection. (2 weeks in hell…well now 3)
I am excited as ever to be here and can’t wait to see what is next! Thank you all so much for your prayers and thoughts, they keep me motivated and pressing on!
