December 16, 2006, Saturday:
Airborne Shuffle:
Today with the weather being nice for a run we got up and did the Airborne Shuffle. With the Airborne Shuffle you don't really run for time, but more distance. It sounds easy because you are "shuffling" your feet across the pavement, but it was a little harder than I thought. First of all, I am not good at shuffling my feet. All of my life I have picked up my feet to walk so I don't wear out my shoes, plus it is annoying to hear the shuffling. I tried it, but felt like I would trip and fall flat on my face. The run wasn't difficult because of any physical part like breathing, muscle, etc. It was difficult because it is hard to take baby steps and once your use to running a certain speed you have to force yourself to run slower.
A couple of times we picked up the pace more than the airborne shuffle pace. I felt good while running and didn't feel the need to stop. Both, Mike and I were breathing good and feeling good overall. Today we ran 3 MILES!!!! That is my longest distance yet. It was great when we rounded the corner after the 2nd mile I told Mike as of right now I have ran farther than I ever have. It was a great feeling. We didn't exactly time ourselves, but I glanced at the clock when we walked out and came back in and we ran the 3 miles in around 38:00. It seems like a long time, but that is what the A.S. is for, distance not speed.
I was happy to know I could run 3 miles before shipping. With my mile run time dropping by almost 30 seconds (sounds like nothing, but in the world of running 30 sec. can make a difference) and knowing I can run 3 miles I feel pretty good. The census is that they run you anywhere from 1.5-6 miles in a day at training. I know I could go on while running A.S. I feel pretty good, now it is just a matter of putting it all together, all the training, marching, classes and FTX (field training exercises).
I can't wait. I am so excited. I know I can do this. Am I scared/nervous? Yes, I will not lie, but without fear there is no courage, right?
December 13, 2006, Wednesday:
Ship Test Do Over:
Today I had to re-do my ship test because the last one wasn't within 30 days of shipping. Since I now have less than 26 days before I ship this one is valid. My recruiter came to our house at around 14:00 (2:00 civi time) and I ran in our addition since our normal running area is exactly .5 mile in distance. I hate being tested, I get weak in my body and butterflies in my stomach. I am so afraid of failure that I get so nervous. I imagine my pulse was somewhere in in the 130s today. I have to get over that, but I guess it is normal.
Anyway, we stretched for about a 1/2 hour before he came. My recruiter gave me the option to not do the ship test because I have done this before and he knows that we have been training a lot since the end of August and that I can do it, but I and Mike said lets do it. We have to run today anyway and it is good motivation to run hard and fast. I did my push-ups (5), sit-ups (20) and ran 1 mile (9:33). Remember I had to do push-ups (3), sit-ups (17) and run 1 mile (10:30). We ran hard and fast today, but if I would carry that time for another two more laps (1 more mile) then I would come in under my APFT. Yeah!!! I improved from my original run time of 10:00 flat. This was my best mile run time (recorded). Monday we ran, but didn't exactly time it, but Mike thinks it might have been pretty close to 9:00. I think it was closer to todays time though, but who knows:)
Anyway, we talked with my recruiter for a bit. This is the last time I will see him because he is being transferred so I am getting a new recruiter. My recruiter is being put in charge of Ft. Ben. motorpool as of next week. He is happy to no longer be recruiting. I asked him how I could avoid being made to be a recruiter and he said by being a single parent. Hmmm, might re-consider having kids:) (just kidding, that is no reason to have the little ones:)). Anyway, he informed me that they will even pull E-4's to recruit (which I will be very soon in my first enlistment). He said you can also avoid it by going to OCS (officer candidate school), but you could be put in charge of a recruiting battalion though. I'd rather be a DS (Drill Sgt.) than a recruiter although everyone says I would make an awesome recruiter I don't want to be it. They are pulling people to be recruiters and DS's because people aren't really volunteering right now. People would rather go to Iraq than recruit, scary huh?
Anyway, after that Mike and I walked the dogs a mile, stretched and then ran errands. Nothing to exciting except that I am good to go for shipping. I had a weigh in the 6th at Ft. Benjamin Harrison at the recruiting command station. According to them I lost a lot of weight (157) and came in at 31% Body Fat. (I don't buy the weight loss). For some reason they didn't want to go for accuracy. First of all, they had to adjust the scales and was using a 10lb. weight, but were calculating it at 5lbs. I pointed out that it was 10lbs. not 5lbs. in my oh so subtle way. I hate correcting captains. I keep having to correct mine because he thinks I am single, going reserve and a graduate of college. Sometimes I just let him think that, but then Mike feels the need to correct him (he,he). I have a feeling in the Army I can be an E-3 one day and an E-4, O-2, or an E-1 without being busted or promoted because no one takes the time to read any of your paperwork:) It's all good though, I am loving the challenge. Anyway, I got off subject there, but after adjusting the scale (high tech let me tell you) they had me step on, not only did I gain a half inch in height (who says you can't grow after puberty?). The Captain and Sgt. are like 4'9" and couldn't really read it well I think and they can't have my recruiter or Mike tell them (they have to be able to say what it is) so to them it looked more than I really am. They had me at 5'6.5 (don't ask). Anyway, the Army has changed the female measuring standards. Get this, they now measure neck, waist and hips. You would think it would help right? Nope, I talked to the Captain and Sgt. and they said everyone's Body Fat has increased by several percents. The new measuring method does not take height and weight into consideration (again don't ask). I have no idea what military person decided on this cooky method, but it is what I have to deal with. Anyway, on top of all of this, they changed the maximum allowable Body Fat and weight because the new standards knocked so many females out. Well, if you are going to change weight/Body Fat to allow for the females to get in, then why did you change the method of calculations? Again, don't ask. I have beat my head on that one.
Anyway, I also registered and have taken my DEP (Delayed Entry Program) Courses. I have so far taken Communications (scored a 95%) and Written Communications (scored an 83%). The Written Communciations is screwed up. Military style of doing things is so different from any Writing, English, etc. course in the civilian world. That will take some getting use to. I have studied my Self-Aid/Buddy-Aid and have to take the test on that, but I have actually been procrastinating on that. I am not to good at Medical stuff and dread long tests. Although, I have done well on the practice quizes, still I worry about it. It is cool though the things I learn. How to evaluate a persons injuries, whether to surpress fire or attend to the injured, how to move them while under fire, how to do CPR and insert tubes for airway breathing. Also, when to help a person and when to leave them (if the mission does not allow you to help then the mission comes first). To me the coolest is if you can't help the injuried and they can't surpress fire to protect you so you can help them then they must play dead. Who would have thought, right? Also, the military isn't about saving body parts, if you have a pulse and can breathe on your own then count your blessings not your fingers, toes or legs. It is pretty cool. There is so much stuff though, you should see my SMCT (Soldiers Manual of Common Tasks) book.
Anyway, these courses go towards promotion points and so far I have done great. I also have been reading about what else goes towards promotion points. Everything does basically. For instance my APFT (my physical test) counts. I know I can max my sit-ups (80) that is what I do now instead of 50. I need to work on my Push-ups and run time to max. for promo. points. Marksmenship counts, any awards earned counts and my college credits count. I get 1 or 1.5 (I can't remember) point for each college credit earned so right now I have around 157 promo. points for my college credits alone. I figured if I do the the medium amount at BCT (which I don't plan on doing) I should have around 400 promo. points towards the end. The max. promo. points is like 800.
Anyway, I am excited to be going, but the butterflies have landed in my stomach this week. I have been talking with about 7 other female future soldiers shipping the same time as me. A lot of them are scared and I have been working on reassuring them and that takes my mind off of myself and my nerves. My recruiter keeps telling me I will be made Platoon Sgt. and I need to prepare for that, such as practice giving commands and know it all before I go because day one they'll expect me to know it. I have met a female from Puerto Rico who enlisted that is really cool. Some of these females aren't training the exact schedule with me, but most are. Most of them are 21 and under, but the lady from P.R. is 28, so it would be cool to have someone close to my age. These females are all cool though. I can't wait to meet them. Their MOS's range from HR, light wheeled mechanic, Blackhawk mechanic, PSYOPS, Mental Health Spc., Medic/Nurse, Unit Supply and more. It is pretty cool to talk to everyone about the different MOS's, where they train, how long and where they plan on being stationed.
I am ready to go. I feel like I have learned all I can on my own and now it is time to learn from the Master Jedi, my Yoda's ("beat your face you must"), my Drill Sgt.s I probably shouldn't call them Yoda at BCT, huh? I don't know, I might get a cool DS. I have chatted with a few online and some are cool, but then again you also can get some that think they have to punish you for their lack of effort in their own life. I just hope I don't get an infantry DS. By that I mean someone who initially was an infantry/combat arms person and went to DS school and thinks everyone has to be as sharp as an infantry man. I understand everyone is a rifle man, but I want to learn more of the MOUT and NBC attack training than running all day.
Anyway, Friday or Saturday if the weather is good then Mike and I are going to run Airborne Shuffle for as long as we can. I am hoping for 3 miles at least. Pray for good weather for us. We have been fortunate to have good weather this week to be able to run and walk outside.
I am absolutely going to enjoy this holiday season, being around family and all. Last Thursday I went shopping with my Gma and enjoyed it so much. I am enjoying being with loved ones and doing this makes this holiday so much more important to me. Now I am glad I didn't get the quick ship as I would only have 2 weeks to be around family for the holiday during Exodus. I am going to miss so many people, but I hope everyone understands that I have to do this for myself, my family and my country.
November 27, 2006, Monday:
Flutter-Kicks . . . Argh!:
So yesterday I decided that I need to kick the exercise into overdrive. I have been studying really hard the General Orders, Army Values, etc., but now I am worried about the PT (Physical Training). From now on we will be working out 30-45 minutes everyday. I have about 6 weeks to ship, so I need to utilize my time.
Today we did conditioning drills and ran (it was hard since we haven't ran since Monday last week), but I still worked within my time. After the run we came back inside and did flutter kicks. This is where you lay on your back and raise your legs about 6 inches off the ground you kick your legs up and down (alternating) as if you were swimming in water. At the highest point your leg should be around 12-14 inches off the ground. These suck!!! They are painful on your abs and thighs. I was screaming in agony. We did about 6-7 sets of these. Then after that we did hip raisers. This is where you spread your legs shoulder width apart and place your hands on the floor between your legs. You bend at the hips down and raise back up while keeping your hands always on the floor. Sounds easy, do 20 of them, at 10 you'll want to stop. It starts killing the insides of your thighs. We did several sets of these. Then we walked at a brisk pace. All of this took about 40 minutes, maybe a little longer.
I need to make sure I continue this because just that little bit today made me suffer. It is time to kick it into full gear and push through the next 6 weeks and train hard.
Airborne Shuffle:
Today with the weather being nice for a run we got up and did the Airborne Shuffle. With the Airborne Shuffle you don't really run for time, but more distance. It sounds easy because you are "shuffling" your feet across the pavement, but it was a little harder than I thought. First of all, I am not good at shuffling my feet. All of my life I have picked up my feet to walk so I don't wear out my shoes, plus it is annoying to hear the shuffling. I tried it, but felt like I would trip and fall flat on my face. The run wasn't difficult because of any physical part like breathing, muscle, etc. It was difficult because it is hard to take baby steps and once your use to running a certain speed you have to force yourself to run slower.
A couple of times we picked up the pace more than the airborne shuffle pace. I felt good while running and didn't feel the need to stop. Both, Mike and I were breathing good and feeling good overall. Today we ran 3 MILES!!!! That is my longest distance yet. It was great when we rounded the corner after the 2nd mile I told Mike as of right now I have ran farther than I ever have. It was a great feeling. We didn't exactly time ourselves, but I glanced at the clock when we walked out and came back in and we ran the 3 miles in around 38:00. It seems like a long time, but that is what the A.S. is for, distance not speed.
I was happy to know I could run 3 miles before shipping. With my mile run time dropping by almost 30 seconds (sounds like nothing, but in the world of running 30 sec. can make a difference) and knowing I can run 3 miles I feel pretty good. The census is that they run you anywhere from 1.5-6 miles in a day at training. I know I could go on while running A.S. I feel pretty good, now it is just a matter of putting it all together, all the training, marching, classes and FTX (field training exercises).
I can't wait. I am so excited. I know I can do this. Am I scared/nervous? Yes, I will not lie, but without fear there is no courage, right?
December 13, 2006, Wednesday:
Ship Test Do Over:
Today I had to re-do my ship test because the last one wasn't within 30 days of shipping. Since I now have less than 26 days before I ship this one is valid. My recruiter came to our house at around 14:00 (2:00 civi time) and I ran in our addition since our normal running area is exactly .5 mile in distance. I hate being tested, I get weak in my body and butterflies in my stomach. I am so afraid of failure that I get so nervous. I imagine my pulse was somewhere in in the 130s today. I have to get over that, but I guess it is normal.
Anyway, we stretched for about a 1/2 hour before he came. My recruiter gave me the option to not do the ship test because I have done this before and he knows that we have been training a lot since the end of August and that I can do it, but I and Mike said lets do it. We have to run today anyway and it is good motivation to run hard and fast. I did my push-ups (5), sit-ups (20) and ran 1 mile (9:33). Remember I had to do push-ups (3), sit-ups (17) and run 1 mile (10:30). We ran hard and fast today, but if I would carry that time for another two more laps (1 more mile) then I would come in under my APFT. Yeah!!! I improved from my original run time of 10:00 flat. This was my best mile run time (recorded). Monday we ran, but didn't exactly time it, but Mike thinks it might have been pretty close to 9:00. I think it was closer to todays time though, but who knows:)
Anyway, we talked with my recruiter for a bit. This is the last time I will see him because he is being transferred so I am getting a new recruiter. My recruiter is being put in charge of Ft. Ben. motorpool as of next week. He is happy to no longer be recruiting. I asked him how I could avoid being made to be a recruiter and he said by being a single parent. Hmmm, might re-consider having kids:) (just kidding, that is no reason to have the little ones:)). Anyway, he informed me that they will even pull E-4's to recruit (which I will be very soon in my first enlistment). He said you can also avoid it by going to OCS (officer candidate school), but you could be put in charge of a recruiting battalion though. I'd rather be a DS (Drill Sgt.) than a recruiter although everyone says I would make an awesome recruiter I don't want to be it. They are pulling people to be recruiters and DS's because people aren't really volunteering right now. People would rather go to Iraq than recruit, scary huh?
Anyway, after that Mike and I walked the dogs a mile, stretched and then ran errands. Nothing to exciting except that I am good to go for shipping. I had a weigh in the 6th at Ft. Benjamin Harrison at the recruiting command station. According to them I lost a lot of weight (157) and came in at 31% Body Fat. (I don't buy the weight loss). For some reason they didn't want to go for accuracy. First of all, they had to adjust the scales and was using a 10lb. weight, but were calculating it at 5lbs. I pointed out that it was 10lbs. not 5lbs. in my oh so subtle way. I hate correcting captains. I keep having to correct mine because he thinks I am single, going reserve and a graduate of college. Sometimes I just let him think that, but then Mike feels the need to correct him (he,he). I have a feeling in the Army I can be an E-3 one day and an E-4, O-2, or an E-1 without being busted or promoted because no one takes the time to read any of your paperwork:) It's all good though, I am loving the challenge. Anyway, I got off subject there, but after adjusting the scale (high tech let me tell you) they had me step on, not only did I gain a half inch in height (who says you can't grow after puberty?). The Captain and Sgt. are like 4'9" and couldn't really read it well I think and they can't have my recruiter or Mike tell them (they have to be able to say what it is) so to them it looked more than I really am. They had me at 5'6.5 (don't ask). Anyway, the Army has changed the female measuring standards. Get this, they now measure neck, waist and hips. You would think it would help right? Nope, I talked to the Captain and Sgt. and they said everyone's Body Fat has increased by several percents. The new measuring method does not take height and weight into consideration (again don't ask). I have no idea what military person decided on this cooky method, but it is what I have to deal with. Anyway, on top of all of this, they changed the maximum allowable Body Fat and weight because the new standards knocked so many females out. Well, if you are going to change weight/Body Fat to allow for the females to get in, then why did you change the method of calculations? Again, don't ask. I have beat my head on that one.
Anyway, I also registered and have taken my DEP (Delayed Entry Program) Courses. I have so far taken Communications (scored a 95%) and Written Communications (scored an 83%). The Written Communciations is screwed up. Military style of doing things is so different from any Writing, English, etc. course in the civilian world. That will take some getting use to. I have studied my Self-Aid/Buddy-Aid and have to take the test on that, but I have actually been procrastinating on that. I am not to good at Medical stuff and dread long tests. Although, I have done well on the practice quizes, still I worry about it. It is cool though the things I learn. How to evaluate a persons injuries, whether to surpress fire or attend to the injured, how to move them while under fire, how to do CPR and insert tubes for airway breathing. Also, when to help a person and when to leave them (if the mission does not allow you to help then the mission comes first). To me the coolest is if you can't help the injuried and they can't surpress fire to protect you so you can help them then they must play dead. Who would have thought, right? Also, the military isn't about saving body parts, if you have a pulse and can breathe on your own then count your blessings not your fingers, toes or legs. It is pretty cool. There is so much stuff though, you should see my SMCT (Soldiers Manual of Common Tasks) book.
Anyway, these courses go towards promotion points and so far I have done great. I also have been reading about what else goes towards promotion points. Everything does basically. For instance my APFT (my physical test) counts. I know I can max my sit-ups (80) that is what I do now instead of 50. I need to work on my Push-ups and run time to max. for promo. points. Marksmenship counts, any awards earned counts and my college credits count. I get 1 or 1.5 (I can't remember) point for each college credit earned so right now I have around 157 promo. points for my college credits alone. I figured if I do the the medium amount at BCT (which I don't plan on doing) I should have around 400 promo. points towards the end. The max. promo. points is like 800.
Anyway, I am excited to be going, but the butterflies have landed in my stomach this week. I have been talking with about 7 other female future soldiers shipping the same time as me. A lot of them are scared and I have been working on reassuring them and that takes my mind off of myself and my nerves. My recruiter keeps telling me I will be made Platoon Sgt. and I need to prepare for that, such as practice giving commands and know it all before I go because day one they'll expect me to know it. I have met a female from Puerto Rico who enlisted that is really cool. Some of these females aren't training the exact schedule with me, but most are. Most of them are 21 and under, but the lady from P.R. is 28, so it would be cool to have someone close to my age. These females are all cool though. I can't wait to meet them. Their MOS's range from HR, light wheeled mechanic, Blackhawk mechanic, PSYOPS, Mental Health Spc., Medic/Nurse, Unit Supply and more. It is pretty cool to talk to everyone about the different MOS's, where they train, how long and where they plan on being stationed.
I am ready to go. I feel like I have learned all I can on my own and now it is time to learn from the Master Jedi, my Yoda's ("beat your face you must"), my Drill Sgt.s I probably shouldn't call them Yoda at BCT, huh? I don't know, I might get a cool DS. I have chatted with a few online and some are cool, but then again you also can get some that think they have to punish you for their lack of effort in their own life. I just hope I don't get an infantry DS. By that I mean someone who initially was an infantry/combat arms person and went to DS school and thinks everyone has to be as sharp as an infantry man. I understand everyone is a rifle man, but I want to learn more of the MOUT and NBC attack training than running all day.
Anyway, Friday or Saturday if the weather is good then Mike and I are going to run Airborne Shuffle for as long as we can. I am hoping for 3 miles at least. Pray for good weather for us. We have been fortunate to have good weather this week to be able to run and walk outside.
I am absolutely going to enjoy this holiday season, being around family and all. Last Thursday I went shopping with my Gma and enjoyed it so much. I am enjoying being with loved ones and doing this makes this holiday so much more important to me. Now I am glad I didn't get the quick ship as I would only have 2 weeks to be around family for the holiday during Exodus. I am going to miss so many people, but I hope everyone understands that I have to do this for myself, my family and my country.
November 27, 2006, Monday:
Flutter-Kicks . . . Argh!:
So yesterday I decided that I need to kick the exercise into overdrive. I have been studying really hard the General Orders, Army Values, etc., but now I am worried about the PT (Physical Training). From now on we will be working out 30-45 minutes everyday. I have about 6 weeks to ship, so I need to utilize my time.
Today we did conditioning drills and ran (it was hard since we haven't ran since Monday last week), but I still worked within my time. After the run we came back inside and did flutter kicks. This is where you lay on your back and raise your legs about 6 inches off the ground you kick your legs up and down (alternating) as if you were swimming in water. At the highest point your leg should be around 12-14 inches off the ground. These suck!!! They are painful on your abs and thighs. I was screaming in agony. We did about 6-7 sets of these. Then after that we did hip raisers. This is where you spread your legs shoulder width apart and place your hands on the floor between your legs. You bend at the hips down and raise back up while keeping your hands always on the floor. Sounds easy, do 20 of them, at 10 you'll want to stop. It starts killing the insides of your thighs. We did several sets of these. Then we walked at a brisk pace. All of this took about 40 minutes, maybe a little longer.
I need to make sure I continue this because just that little bit today made me suffer. It is time to kick it into full gear and push through the next 6 weeks and train hard.
posted by Laura | 11:11 AM
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