August 21, 2006, Monday:
MEPS DAY:
At 4:35 am. the wake up call came (I was already ready though). Amanda went to get ready and I headed downstairs. I sat and waited in the lobby with about 20 guys (mostly shippers). At 5:00am they opened breakfast for MEPS people and we turned in our room keys. The only thing on the breakfast buffett was scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, sugared muffins, doughnuts, OJ & Milk. Oh, I think there was sausage too. I grabbed an orange juice and a muffin (I didn't realize they were sugar coated until I got to my table). I took a few pinches of muffin not to look wasteful and drank my OJ. I sat looking around at all of the recruits wondering what I was doing there? I just didn't feel like I fit. I felt like a poser playing Army. Most were 18, but they were all so fit and young. Strong and determined. I then stuffed my un-eaten muffin in my OJ container and went back out to the lobby. Amanda came down and we talked with another male shipper and male recruit. Male shipper: Army, 3 year, patriot missle, was suppose to ship last year, but had his license suspended for driving w/out insurance-was suppose to be marines, but they wouldn't take him after that, switched to Army, close to 21 yrs. old, BCT: Ft. Sill, OK, AIT: ?, TX. The male recruit: Reserves, while attending college ROTC. We then loaded on the Grey Hound bus and went to MEPS. I sat towards the back and it was nice when all the lights went off, just us and the world around us. I would stare out the window and wonder if the commuters to work had any idea that the men on the bus would be leaving that day to train to defend their freedom? I smiled inside proud to be sitting on this bus with so many heroes. Then I prayed for each one of them that they have the strenght they need to train and the courage and safety for whatever comes after the training. Then I prayed that they would make it alive to MEPS as the driver was CRAZY! Again, I felt like a poser amongst so many strong soldiers. One young man behind me on teh bus was saying he was going active to avoid a stalking ex-girlfriend:)
Anyway, we survived the bus ride and pulled up out front of MEPS. We unloaded and went inside and formed 2 lines in front of Officer B. We go through metal dectors and they X-ray our bags. We go down a long white corridor hall and the ex-mairne helps me out and tells me I have to be on the right side (physicals) shippers on the left. There were only about 10 of us physicals. The shippers walked by 1st into the main area and I couldn't help but admire them and wished the guys good luck!
We go in and stow away our bags, no food or drink allowed! S***! There goes my snicker plan for the ARMS test. I havent' ate for almost 24 hours and I have to do the ARMS!!! CRAP! Physicals then go and check in at the main control desk and get their file and go check in at medical control desk. I then go sit and have my blood pressure and pulse checked. 1st BP: 137/84 P: 135. It all goes downhill from there! 2nd BP: 124/70 (recorded) P:134, 3rd P:135, 4th P:130 (recorded); I then sit in the chair for the eyey exam. One of the last to pass BP (felt like the last kid on the playground to be picked for the team:(). I do vision with Sgt. K. Vision was awful, but still passing. Sgt. K takes me into medical briefing room and tells me to sit there (first chair in front row). Almost everyone is already in there. He sets up powerpoint slide, leaves and does 2 more eye exams. A female officer (Army) comes in and does an orientation on what will happen today. Then the Sgt. comes back in and tosses a pen to everone and tells us NOT TO WRITE ON ANYTHING.
He then tells us to pull out all loose leaf forms from our file. He goes over every single one: HIV test form, Drug/Alcohol Test (Urine & Breathalizer); initial for tests in blocks; previous medical information. They are very strickt about when signing your name in a box, you cannot touch any of the lines of the box. He then does breathalizers for those who have to go take the ASVAB and a couple of others and me. He also checks my pulse again and it goes up to 137. ARGH! He sends me to Dr. F, but Dr. R sees me though and goes over my paperwork more than my pulse issue. He marked my scars on my knee and hip (from my previous femur break), looked at my eyes (follow the light test), checked my ears and throat and had me smile & because I was so nervous I had the goofiest smile. Dr. R just started laughing at me and kept singing Laura Lee. I then went and had blood drawn by Sgt. K (he got it on the 1st try, yeah!), then had my hearing test (was told I hear well and actually the same for both ears), then I had to pee in a cup in front of the civilian female employee, then me and the other female recruit had to undress and weigh (I had to tape).
We sat there and talked while we waited for the Dr. She is 21, N.G., has 2 kids, fiancee (who is N.G.), father ex-marine, brother in Iraq, she is supply, 6 yrs., BCT Ft. Jackson, SC, AIT Ft. Lee, VA. Dr. F came in and asked me if I was going to pass out because my pulse was so high (FYI my pulse should be below 100, I'm currently at 137). I told him no, I feel fine. We did squats, balancing, joint checks, spine checks, large circles with arms, hip benders, duck walk, etc. Checked for flat feet and then a breast exam, tissue (stomach) exam and gynecological exam (exterior only). Then I was instructed to go sit outside Dr. F's office.
He had already told me I was temporarily disqualified. I dressed and went and sat outside his office. One of the other recruits asked me what happens in the Dr's. office, I told him the eye, ear, throat, etc. stuff. Dr. R walked by and asked if I got my pulse down yet? I told him no. Dr. R, civilian female employee and Sgt. K were all trying to help me get my pulse down. Dr. F came back after examing the other girl and took me in his office. Whie sitting out there it took everything not to cry. I keptimagining Mike's face when he came to pick me up and I almost just wanted to walk home instead of calling him. I knew when I called him he would want the details over the phone and I knew I couldn't because I would just cry. So anyway, in Dr. F's office he checked my pulse again after informaing me I was done for the day. In the exam room I was 98 and now 80, but they can't go off that. He told me I can't do the ARMS test because of my high pulse. Because I am temporarily disqualified from the ARMS test I have to loose 12 lbs. to join (again loosing inches in my hips while not in my neck, forearm and wrist). I weighed 173, hips 44.5, neck 15, forearm 9.5, wrist 6. Dr. F told me that he feels I can do all the physical parts of the military, but he is concerned about sending me through the ARMS test with my pulse so high. He explained that he bikes 16 miles several times a week and he himself couldn't pass the males test. He said he believed I should come in under weight/tape, not ARMs. He kept commenting on how flexible and agile I am and how he knows I will be fine in basic. He said when temporary disqualification comes up I can't come back before the date listed. I have to loose 2lbs. a week for 6 weeks to get my 12 lbs. I can come back 20061002 (Oct. 2, 2006) and I have to have a pulse survey from my family Dr. re: Tachycardia. He told me that everything else checks out fine though. I went to medical desk to check out. Officer B went over the info with me. I also (by Dr. R's recommendation) have to have X-Rays and a ortho. consult for my leg when I return.
I went upto Main Control Desk, had to check out with ARMY office, then got my bags and waited with shippers for Mike. When I walked up to Main control desk, ex-marine asked if I got in, I explained about my pulse and he said don't give up. While checking out of Active Army I called Mike. He was excited to hear my voice, but when I told himl I needed him to come get me it dropped so much I wanted to cry. I cannot handle disappointing him. I told him I was temporarily disqualified and he asked why. I asked if I could just tell him when he got here and he wanted at least the basics. I said my pulse was to high and I needed to loose 12 lbs. He wanted more, but I couldn't, I was already chocking back tears. We hung up and thats when I went and waited for him.
8:45am., 3 hrs. 15 min., after my arrival I was offically temp. disq. It was so hard to sit there and not cry. I did not want to face Mike. I thought I would loose it wehn I saw him and the disappointment on his face. 9:25am. he was at the door. I could feel his presence and turned around and saw him. I turned in my tag (ID stickers incl. my 88 for ortho.) at main control desk and left. All I could do was apologize to Mike. He wanted to know all about what the Dr. said so I told him. We drove to Carrabbas to eat. I had bread, filet, asparagus and dry spaghetti. This was suppose to be my celebration dinner. I had mixed emotions. Relief that I didn't have to do the ARMS test, disappointment that I "failed" and worry that maybe I shouldn't be doing this, I mean if a stupid puslse disqualified me today, maybe I'm doing the worng thing . . .is this a sign? The trouble with signs is you can make something a sign in favor or against you. Anyway, I was starving and tired. I had a bite size snickers on the way to carrabbas. On the way home I called Sgt. P and told him. He asked if we could swing by (mind you swing by means 30 min. one way out of our way past our home) for him to look at the papers. This upset me because he should have actually been down there at MEPS like all of the other recruiters I saw. He specifically said he would be there. By the time I called 12:00ish, I could have already been sworn in twice. That really upset me because not only was he not there, but he wanted us to drive all the way to C-ville to take him my papers. Bull****! But we did. We came home and I crashed! I was emotionally, mentally and physically drained. We had dinner at El Jareipo (Chips, salsa, cheese, soft taco, refried beans and rice). We came home and I relaxed more. We later took our dog for drive to get some fresh air. I am really bummed right now . . .
MEPS DAY:
At 4:35 am. the wake up call came (I was already ready though). Amanda went to get ready and I headed downstairs. I sat and waited in the lobby with about 20 guys (mostly shippers). At 5:00am they opened breakfast for MEPS people and we turned in our room keys. The only thing on the breakfast buffett was scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, sugared muffins, doughnuts, OJ & Milk. Oh, I think there was sausage too. I grabbed an orange juice and a muffin (I didn't realize they were sugar coated until I got to my table). I took a few pinches of muffin not to look wasteful and drank my OJ. I sat looking around at all of the recruits wondering what I was doing there? I just didn't feel like I fit. I felt like a poser playing Army. Most were 18, but they were all so fit and young. Strong and determined. I then stuffed my un-eaten muffin in my OJ container and went back out to the lobby. Amanda came down and we talked with another male shipper and male recruit. Male shipper: Army, 3 year, patriot missle, was suppose to ship last year, but had his license suspended for driving w/out insurance-was suppose to be marines, but they wouldn't take him after that, switched to Army, close to 21 yrs. old, BCT: Ft. Sill, OK, AIT: ?, TX. The male recruit: Reserves, while attending college ROTC. We then loaded on the Grey Hound bus and went to MEPS. I sat towards the back and it was nice when all the lights went off, just us and the world around us. I would stare out the window and wonder if the commuters to work had any idea that the men on the bus would be leaving that day to train to defend their freedom? I smiled inside proud to be sitting on this bus with so many heroes. Then I prayed for each one of them that they have the strenght they need to train and the courage and safety for whatever comes after the training. Then I prayed that they would make it alive to MEPS as the driver was CRAZY! Again, I felt like a poser amongst so many strong soldiers. One young man behind me on teh bus was saying he was going active to avoid a stalking ex-girlfriend:)
Anyway, we survived the bus ride and pulled up out front of MEPS. We unloaded and went inside and formed 2 lines in front of Officer B. We go through metal dectors and they X-ray our bags. We go down a long white corridor hall and the ex-mairne helps me out and tells me I have to be on the right side (physicals) shippers on the left. There were only about 10 of us physicals. The shippers walked by 1st into the main area and I couldn't help but admire them and wished the guys good luck!
We go in and stow away our bags, no food or drink allowed! S***! There goes my snicker plan for the ARMS test. I havent' ate for almost 24 hours and I have to do the ARMS!!! CRAP! Physicals then go and check in at the main control desk and get their file and go check in at medical control desk. I then go sit and have my blood pressure and pulse checked. 1st BP: 137/84 P: 135. It all goes downhill from there! 2nd BP: 124/70 (recorded) P:134, 3rd P:135, 4th P:130 (recorded); I then sit in the chair for the eyey exam. One of the last to pass BP (felt like the last kid on the playground to be picked for the team:(). I do vision with Sgt. K. Vision was awful, but still passing. Sgt. K takes me into medical briefing room and tells me to sit there (first chair in front row). Almost everyone is already in there. He sets up powerpoint slide, leaves and does 2 more eye exams. A female officer (Army) comes in and does an orientation on what will happen today. Then the Sgt. comes back in and tosses a pen to everone and tells us NOT TO WRITE ON ANYTHING.
He then tells us to pull out all loose leaf forms from our file. He goes over every single one: HIV test form, Drug/Alcohol Test (Urine & Breathalizer); initial for tests in blocks; previous medical information. They are very strickt about when signing your name in a box, you cannot touch any of the lines of the box. He then does breathalizers for those who have to go take the ASVAB and a couple of others and me. He also checks my pulse again and it goes up to 137. ARGH! He sends me to Dr. F, but Dr. R sees me though and goes over my paperwork more than my pulse issue. He marked my scars on my knee and hip (from my previous femur break), looked at my eyes (follow the light test), checked my ears and throat and had me smile & because I was so nervous I had the goofiest smile. Dr. R just started laughing at me and kept singing Laura Lee. I then went and had blood drawn by Sgt. K (he got it on the 1st try, yeah!), then had my hearing test (was told I hear well and actually the same for both ears), then I had to pee in a cup in front of the civilian female employee, then me and the other female recruit had to undress and weigh (I had to tape).
We sat there and talked while we waited for the Dr. She is 21, N.G., has 2 kids, fiancee (who is N.G.), father ex-marine, brother in Iraq, she is supply, 6 yrs., BCT Ft. Jackson, SC, AIT Ft. Lee, VA. Dr. F came in and asked me if I was going to pass out because my pulse was so high (FYI my pulse should be below 100, I'm currently at 137). I told him no, I feel fine. We did squats, balancing, joint checks, spine checks, large circles with arms, hip benders, duck walk, etc. Checked for flat feet and then a breast exam, tissue (stomach) exam and gynecological exam (exterior only). Then I was instructed to go sit outside Dr. F's office.
He had already told me I was temporarily disqualified. I dressed and went and sat outside his office. One of the other recruits asked me what happens in the Dr's. office, I told him the eye, ear, throat, etc. stuff. Dr. R walked by and asked if I got my pulse down yet? I told him no. Dr. R, civilian female employee and Sgt. K were all trying to help me get my pulse down. Dr. F came back after examing the other girl and took me in his office. Whie sitting out there it took everything not to cry. I keptimagining Mike's face when he came to pick me up and I almost just wanted to walk home instead of calling him. I knew when I called him he would want the details over the phone and I knew I couldn't because I would just cry. So anyway, in Dr. F's office he checked my pulse again after informaing me I was done for the day. In the exam room I was 98 and now 80, but they can't go off that. He told me I can't do the ARMS test because of my high pulse. Because I am temporarily disqualified from the ARMS test I have to loose 12 lbs. to join (again loosing inches in my hips while not in my neck, forearm and wrist). I weighed 173, hips 44.5, neck 15, forearm 9.5, wrist 6. Dr. F told me that he feels I can do all the physical parts of the military, but he is concerned about sending me through the ARMS test with my pulse so high. He explained that he bikes 16 miles several times a week and he himself couldn't pass the males test. He said he believed I should come in under weight/tape, not ARMs. He kept commenting on how flexible and agile I am and how he knows I will be fine in basic. He said when temporary disqualification comes up I can't come back before the date listed. I have to loose 2lbs. a week for 6 weeks to get my 12 lbs. I can come back 20061002 (Oct. 2, 2006) and I have to have a pulse survey from my family Dr. re: Tachycardia. He told me that everything else checks out fine though. I went to medical desk to check out. Officer B went over the info with me. I also (by Dr. R's recommendation) have to have X-Rays and a ortho. consult for my leg when I return.
I went upto Main Control Desk, had to check out with ARMY office, then got my bags and waited with shippers for Mike. When I walked up to Main control desk, ex-marine asked if I got in, I explained about my pulse and he said don't give up. While checking out of Active Army I called Mike. He was excited to hear my voice, but when I told himl I needed him to come get me it dropped so much I wanted to cry. I cannot handle disappointing him. I told him I was temporarily disqualified and he asked why. I asked if I could just tell him when he got here and he wanted at least the basics. I said my pulse was to high and I needed to loose 12 lbs. He wanted more, but I couldn't, I was already chocking back tears. We hung up and thats when I went and waited for him.
8:45am., 3 hrs. 15 min., after my arrival I was offically temp. disq. It was so hard to sit there and not cry. I did not want to face Mike. I thought I would loose it wehn I saw him and the disappointment on his face. 9:25am. he was at the door. I could feel his presence and turned around and saw him. I turned in my tag (ID stickers incl. my 88 for ortho.) at main control desk and left. All I could do was apologize to Mike. He wanted to know all about what the Dr. said so I told him. We drove to Carrabbas to eat. I had bread, filet, asparagus and dry spaghetti. This was suppose to be my celebration dinner. I had mixed emotions. Relief that I didn't have to do the ARMS test, disappointment that I "failed" and worry that maybe I shouldn't be doing this, I mean if a stupid puslse disqualified me today, maybe I'm doing the worng thing . . .is this a sign? The trouble with signs is you can make something a sign in favor or against you. Anyway, I was starving and tired. I had a bite size snickers on the way to carrabbas. On the way home I called Sgt. P and told him. He asked if we could swing by (mind you swing by means 30 min. one way out of our way past our home) for him to look at the papers. This upset me because he should have actually been down there at MEPS like all of the other recruiters I saw. He specifically said he would be there. By the time I called 12:00ish, I could have already been sworn in twice. That really upset me because not only was he not there, but he wanted us to drive all the way to C-ville to take him my papers. Bull****! But we did. We came home and I crashed! I was emotionally, mentally and physically drained. We had dinner at El Jareipo (Chips, salsa, cheese, soft taco, refried beans and rice). We came home and I relaxed more. We later took our dog for drive to get some fresh air. I am really bummed right now . . .
posted by Laura | 8:06 AM
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