The waiting is almost over...

Take a look at the picture to the right here.  So far, I've done WOCS (Warrant Officer Candidate School) and Dunker.  Those two combined took me about 5 weeks.  I've been here for 5 months.  Don't ask what I've been doing in the interim.

O.k,… took a PT test this morning and while the temperature was below freezing… it still wasn't as cold as the winter I spent at Fort Knox for Basic.  The PT test was a sign that the waiting (for Basic Officer Leadership Course) is finally coming to an end.  Assuming I pass my PT test next Monday, I'll move on to the next phase of flight school.  I'm still not too far along but we are definitely making progress.  Hard to believe I've been here for 5 months already.  It certainly feels like it has been longer.  Funny thing about flight school…. just about everybody passes the PT test.  I suppose when your career is on the line you'll push just a little bit harder.  I'm pretty much in the same shape I was in when I was here before (Fort Rucker, AL) for AIT (Advanced Individual Training).  Some of my classmates on the other hand seem to have the innate ability to smoke the PT test without working out at all.  It's quite impressive actually.  And while I'm on the subject of my classmates let me say a couple things;  For the most part… most of them are straight up studs.  Imagine the soldier that you would put on a recruiting poster and well, those are my classmates.  They're a great group of guys (and gals) and I'd be lying if I told you they didn't inspire me a little.  These soldiers have seen it all…. combat (Real combat), multiple deployments and have served our county 3 to 4 times (or more) longer than I have.  I definitely feel like a little fish in a big pond.  I'm just glad most of the bigger fish are my buddies.

Really looking forward to coming home for the holidays.  Gonna try to squeeze in a lot of stuff while I'm home.  Hope I get to see everyone and I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.

C²

An Army Thanksgiving...

It's the day before Thanksgiving and unfortunately I'm not going to make it back to Texas for Turkey Day. I remember when I was younger and my Father was a battalion commander, my family would go to the dining facility on post.  Back then I thought it was cool because we got to eat with the "soldiers" and my Father and his company commanders would serve the soldiers in the 551st Signal Battalion.  Just two years ago I became one of those soldiers and spent Thanksgiving at a dining facility at Fort Knox Kentucky while attending Basic Combat Training.  It was miserable… and cold and definitely not as a cool as it was in my memory.  I recall seeing a young boy with his family and I couldn't help but think back on my experience with my own family.  Funny how Thanksgiving can seem so different depending on what your particular situation is at the time.  Now, as an officer I look forward to serving my soldiers on Thanksgiving,… just not this Thanksgiving.

So,... I'll be thinking about my friends and family tomorrow and give thanks with my roommates here in lower Alabama.  I'll also be watching the annual game between my beloved Aggies and the Longhorns.  The year isn't over yet but I have many things to be thankful for.  My selection to flight school, my commission as an officer in the United States Army, my great friends back home, my family and realizing my heart is a lot bigger than I ever could have imagined.

Gobble, gobble,… and Gig'em!!!

Long overdue

So I meant to do this a long time ago… you know.. start a blog about my flight school experience.  However, the last four months have been incredibly uneventful.  WOCS (Warrant Officer Candidate School) has been over since August 10th and since then I have not done too much.

Only took two days to complete Dunker (HOST - Helicopter Overwater Survival Training).  If you've seen the movie "Officer and a Gentleman" it is similar except the Army's version of this training places you in a 'mock-up' of a helicopter and instead of sliding down a rail-system roller-coaster style you simple drop in the water and rotate upside down.  Then the fun begins… It's good training.  I won't forget it either.
1.  Reference point (so you can actually find your way out),…
2.  Release (I know it sounds dumb, but you do have to release yourself from your restraints).
3.  Finally,… AIR!!!  Pull that mini-scuba looking bottle thingy out, put it in your mouth and get some air.

There are the occasional "casual duty officer" details.  I have had my fair share but for the most part I have successfully circumvented most of the 'not-so-good' ones.  I'm looking forward to going home for the holidays and see all my friends.  I miss home, but I know for now, I belong here in the middle of nowhere Alabama.