Since I HAVE to be signed in to reply to my Significant Others' blog, I might as well type something here.
I had duty last night, 1800hrs (6pm to the civilians out there that wish they'd never found this,) Saturday until 0600hrs (6am- sorry again!) Sunday.
So I wake up at 0410 (also known as "O dark ten") and am in to work by about 0430-0440 (silly comment here.) I get an hour after physical training to shower and eat breakfast, an hour for lunch, and I'm usually home by 1830 (aka "dinner is now cold.")
That's about 12 hours per day. Plus 6hours this weekend on Saturday night and 6hours Sunday morning puts me at 66hours for last week, around 54 hours this upcoming week, since I'm taking vacation on Friday.
Sigh. Love taht overtime!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Thursday, October 30, 2008
PCS
So the Army likes to move us around. Typically if you're single or in the US, you won't be at the same place for more than 2-3 years. When it's time to move you get papers called "orders" which Order you to do a Permanent Change of Station (PCS.) These orders instruct you whether you can take all of your stuff (or not,) family, car, etc...
For example, PCSing to Kuwait or Korea it's a year tour and you can't take car or family. (In most cases.) If you PCS to Germany the Army will ship one car and your family has to get passports.
A couple weeks back we were doing early morning rollcall and 3-4 Soldiers were missing. We sent someone to go look for them- they were all in the same room and were still sleeping. So they got rustled out of bed and when they got downstairs i just had to ask the dumb question
SSG D: So what's going on? Why are you late?
PVT: Our alarm clock PCS'd.
I knew what he meant- their roommated had left, taking his clock with him.
Still, I was smiling inside the rest of the day at that one.. Unless I thought about how no one had the sense to get another clock or use a cellphone or watch or SOMETHING- then I just had to shake my head..
For example, PCSing to Kuwait or Korea it's a year tour and you can't take car or family. (In most cases.) If you PCS to Germany the Army will ship one car and your family has to get passports.
A couple weeks back we were doing early morning rollcall and 3-4 Soldiers were missing. We sent someone to go look for them- they were all in the same room and were still sleeping. So they got rustled out of bed and when they got downstairs i just had to ask the dumb question
SSG D: So what's going on? Why are you late?
PVT: Our alarm clock PCS'd.
I knew what he meant- their roommated had left, taking his clock with him.
Still, I was smiling inside the rest of the day at that one.. Unless I thought about how no one had the sense to get another clock or use a cellphone or watch or SOMETHING- then I just had to shake my head..
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The world is ending!!
So it FINALLY got kinda cold at Fort Gordon. Cold being a relative term, it's been in the mid-30s. --Back home (Wyoming,) it gets REALLY COLD..
The Privates were freaking out like it was the end of the world.
Anyways- yesterday we got outside at 0450 and several of the Privates were missing hats and/or gloves.
The uniform of the day is written on a white board they can all see when they're coming out the main door of the barracks building.
I asked one why he didn't have a hat, and I just didn't know what to say:
PVT: "It's in the trash."
SSG D: "On accident or on purpose?"
PVT: "I threw it away at basic training. I didn't think it would get cold."
The Privates were freaking out like it was the end of the world.
Anyways- yesterday we got outside at 0450 and several of the Privates were missing hats and/or gloves.
The uniform of the day is written on a white board they can all see when they're coming out the main door of the barracks building.
I asked one why he didn't have a hat, and I just didn't know what to say:
PVT: "It's in the trash."
SSG D: "On accident or on purpose?"
PVT: "I threw it away at basic training. I didn't think it would get cold."
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
AIT
After Soldiers finish Basic Training, they move on to Advanced Individual Training. The length of the course varies depending on the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS- job) that the Soldier has chosen. Some MOSs are just a few weeks, others a half-year or more.
Here at Fort Gordon we train Signal Corps jobs (communications) as well as some electronics repair. I am a 25P, I teach that course during the day, to new Soldiers as well as more experienced Soldiers who are just switching jobs. But I act as a Squad Leader to a different bunch of Soldiers- New Recruits, of MOS 25N and 25F. I fill out their paperwork, counsel, mentor and teach them, fix minor discipline issues, etc...
A typical day for me starts at 0440 (4:40am.) We count heads, check names off on the roster, and get ready for Physical Training 0530- running, pushups, calisthenics, etc... We're finished with that by 0645 and I go eat, shower, and start teaching class at 0830. Lunch is 1130-1230, then class is done at 1630. Then we have formation at 1700, salute as the United States flag is lowered for the evening, do mail call, disseminate information, and Hopefully be released by 1730, but sometimes later..
This blog will be the always entertaining, and at the same time sad, adventures and witticisms of those outstanding young men and women who have signed years of their life away to serve their country (and sometimes get some college money and ca$h...)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Occupational_Specialty
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Individual_Training#AIT2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/25P_Microwave_Systems_Operator/Maintainer
Here at Fort Gordon we train Signal Corps jobs (communications) as well as some electronics repair. I am a 25P, I teach that course during the day, to new Soldiers as well as more experienced Soldiers who are just switching jobs. But I act as a Squad Leader to a different bunch of Soldiers- New Recruits, of MOS 25N and 25F. I fill out their paperwork, counsel, mentor and teach them, fix minor discipline issues, etc...
A typical day for me starts at 0440 (4:40am.) We count heads, check names off on the roster, and get ready for Physical Training 0530- running, pushups, calisthenics, etc... We're finished with that by 0645 and I go eat, shower, and start teaching class at 0830. Lunch is 1130-1230, then class is done at 1630. Then we have formation at 1700, salute as the United States flag is lowered for the evening, do mail call, disseminate information, and Hopefully be released by 1730, but sometimes later..
This blog will be the always entertaining, and at the same time sad, adventures and witticisms of those outstanding young men and women who have signed years of their life away to serve their country (and sometimes get some college money and ca$h...)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Occupational_Specialty
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Individual_Training#AIT2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/25P_Microwave_Systems_Operator/Maintainer
How much longer??
So I've been in the US Army for a little over 8.5 years. In June '08 I was transferred to Fort Gordon, Georgia, USA- to do "Advanced Individual Training" (AIT) for new Soldiers in the Signal Corps (as well as Soldiers changing jobs.)
I was telling my wife that EVERY DAY these wonderful young men and women come up with something I'd never heard of before. So I figured I'd share.
I will be doing this job for quite a while- I just started a few months ago but I'm ready for a Permanent Change of Station (PCS- a "job relocation" or "move" in civilian terms..)
I was telling my wife that EVERY DAY these wonderful young men and women come up with something I'd never heard of before. So I figured I'd share.
I will be doing this job for quite a while- I just started a few months ago but I'm ready for a Permanent Change of Station (PCS- a "job relocation" or "move" in civilian terms..)
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