November 13, 2006, Monday:
2 Mile Run:
Okay, today we were going to do 60/30's where you sprint 60 seconds and walk 30 seconds. Sounds easy, but I'd rather run 2 miles than do these. When you walk it is hard to get back into the run let alone a full blown sprint.
Anyway, we decided to do the 2 mile run instead. We started off at a pitiful pace and completed the first 1/2 mile in 5:25 (a very bad time for a 1/2 mile). After that lap, I said to myself "I want my time today", "I want my time today". I felt great when running and did my second 1/2 mile in 5:00 (still not good enough, it needs to be less). This brought our first mile to a time of 10:25 (Argh!!). So the third lap I picked it up and pushed through and completed the third 1/2 mile in 4:40 (my best lap ever actually). Then the dreadful 4th lap came through and this is where I dropped the ball, okay, so it wasn't a ball, I dropped my hat and stupid me, I went back for it so I had to run hard and fast to make up for the lost time and to catch up with Mike. Then about 100 yards away from the finish the sidewalk was swaying and I was seeing spots in front of my right eye. I stopped, I stopped, who the hell stops 100 yards away from completing? Me, that's who . . .I was stupid, I was flabergasted with myself, I was disappointed. I picked it up and ran hard and fast, but I completed my 2 mile run in 20:36. Exactly one minute over my time. Granted I've ran the 2 miles 3 times and each time I have shaved minutes off and I am only 1 minute over, but I could have had this today. Today was my day to prove I could pass my APFT run and I failed. Not only did I fail, but I failed miserably because there was no excuse for being so close and doing what I did. I went to slow on the first lap, I should have left my hat where it fell and I should have continued running no matter what my body was doing.
Mike later told me that is normal what I felt and it is when the brain is lacking oxygen because it is pulling all the oxygen to the muscles. If I would have pushed through everything would have returned to normal within seconds. Which, when I started running again it did return to normal. The spots were still there, but the sidewalk/road were no longer swaying like a Jerry Garcia music video:)
So now I have my own personal defeat to overcome and overcome it I will. I will not let this run overcome me. I can do it, I know I can. The thing that sucks is today I felt no pain, the weather was great, no wind and yet I failed. Today was a great day for a run and I abused it. I will get that 19:36, because when I take the APFT in basic I want to come in under my time, I want to do more push ups than required and I will get more sit ups than required. I probably won't max my APFT, but I will come in above the required 180 to pass. If I could at least get 200 points on my APFT I would be happy.
November 12, 2006, Sunday:
Today we did push ups, sit ups and jumping jacks. To try and compensate for a pitiful run on Friday. We screwed up on Friday and stretched, but then stood around and talked for a bit. So when we started running our muscles were tight as if we didn't stretch at all. So we only ran a half mile and walked a half mile. We were going to walk more, but a neighbor stopped us and she seemed like she needed someone to talk to so we talked to her for about 20-25 minutes. She was really nice though, sweet lady.
Anyway, back onto today though. We did sit ups first (I did 50, which is what I have to do for my APFT), then push ups (I did 17, which is what I have to do for my APFT and then I did 10 more) and we did 100 jumping jacks. I love jumping jacks. I prefer them over jumping rope. Especially if you don't have a good jump rope. Anyway, so I finally got my push ups in, I know I can do the sit ups and now it is time to get my run done within 19:36. That is my goal before I leave for basic. I don't want to just do it once, I want to know I can do it any day of the week, sick or well, rain or shine, cold or warm weather. I have to do this.
November 8, 2006, Wednesday:
Training:
Today we got up and ran. I was planning on running 2 miles (so was Mike). Everything about the run was great today. The weather was perfect, my body felt great and I was mentally doing well on the run. We ran the first 1/2 mile in 5:08 and then on the second 1/2 mile I got a great second wind and sprinted (for me) about 1/4 mile and finished the second 1/2 mile in 4:45. This brought the total 1 mile run to 9:53 (my best run time for a 1 mile run). I thought I had exerted all of my energy on this run. Mike and I walked for another 1/2 mile and I later realized what felt like fatigue wasn't really it. I was disappointed in myself when I later realized I could have ran more and should have pushed on. I am still learning to listen to my own body and understand the pains, the second/third winds and know my own pace. I thought I did good today, running without any pain, negative thoughts and completing the mile in my fastest time, but I could have done more and I should have. I will not make this mistake twice. From now on, no more mile runs. We will be doing 2 mile runs working up to 3 mile runs.
Oh, on a side note, I found out today that I have to do my ship test again. I guess mine didn't count because it has to be done within 30 days of shipping.:( So now, I'll probably be doing my ship test in the freezing cold December weather. Plus I have to go in for a weight/height test next week. I know I haven't gone crazy and gained massive weight, but I always hate going through this portion because I struggled so hard for 2 years to loose the weight to get into the Army. Oh well, I'll do what I have to, because I want to be in the ARMY!!!!
ARMY STRONG!!
November 6, 2006, Monday:
More training:
Today we did a mile run in 9:58. I kept a steady pace throughout the run and "opened it up" (sprinted) at the end. We sprinted the last 100 yards to the finish. It sucked, but I did it. The only thing I could do to get through the sprint was keeping saying "Pain for Pride" over and over in my head. This comes from a quote "Pain lasts for a moment, Pride lasts for a lifetime" or something like that. I don't know who said it. Anyway, I got through it.
Over the past couple of days I have been studying the Soldier Codes, General Orders, 7 Core Values, Army Structure Organization and the Army Song. The Army Song really gets me motivated. I was reciting some of the words while running today to motivate me. My favorite part is the 2nd Chorous: first lines: Valley Forge, Custer's ranks, San Juan Hill and Patton's tanks and the Army went rolling along. Anyway, I sing little bits of it every now and then and God love Mike that he tolerates me singing over a meal or while driving in the car or while he is playing his computer game. I hope we get to sing the song a lot in training. Mike said he doesn't remember them ever playing it.
I am so psyched and ready to go. I wish I was shipping now, but on the other hand I love knowing I have the time to get into better shape and studying my Army book on first aid, M16, News Interviews, etc. The book is cool, intimidating because it is so thick, but cool. Right now I am learning how to treat heat exhaustion, burn victims, etc. I've also been studying on my own the proper way to do "retreat" when you take the flag down at the end of the day and the way it is to be folded, who can salute from vehicles and how to salute when in civis (civilian clothes).
November 3, 2006, Friday:
2 Mile Run Day:
Today we got up and did our run. We were just planning on doing 1-1.5 miles today. However, Mike said after 1.5 miles to keep going so we did. We ran 2 miles in 21:46 (exactly 2:10 over what I need to be for my APFT). Mike was happy and told me that most likely by the 2nd week of BCT I'll be able to do my run time for my APFT. HOOAH!!!! I kept the same pace on the run today except a little bit on the end I sped up, but for doing a pretty even pace I did great. I can shave 2:10, look how far I've come in just basically 12 weeks. I still have about 7 weeks of more training before BCT and the first week of BCT is basically going to run me ragged so I'll be improving.
Today on the run though Mike kept yelling at me to pick up the pace and I kept telling him I was going for distance, not time. I finally just gave up telling him that and ignored him. Not to be mean, but I was really working on trying to change my mindset while running. Today's run I did awesome at it, considering that I never walked and I never almost gave up (slowed down). Running is seriously mental. Mike has told me I need to try and think of something else, but I have not been successful at that. Today I was. I kept saying out loud that this is great, I can do this, today is a good day, etc.
Mike springs when he runs (that boy is like Forest Gump:) ). He has calves that are huge and seriously strong and developed. I have to quit using him as a bar for me though because I will never be like his body type as I am female. I like running behind him and watching his huge calves flex, they are incredible. I feel sorry for anyone who gets kicked by him if he was angry, he'd probably kick them into the future they are so big and strong. Sorry to ramble they just truly amaze me. Anyway, today I started getting down on myself while running because he was just springing along running, but then I reminded myself that if he had to do the APFT he would have to complete it in less time than me so he should be running faster and harder (well maybe not harder, but faster at least). That fixed that negative thought. Then at another point I started getting down on myself and I said outloud, "this is great" and that changed that thought. I also started thinking of other things. I was thinking about some cadences I have read recently and that helped.
I am so grateful for Mike, I know I can be a pain, but thankfully he tolerates me. Maybe he is just thinking 2 more months and she is someone elses problem:) (j/k). No he is really great and I know he wants the best for me!!!
Anyway, my stomach started hurting, I think I need to be drinking more water. Supposedly at BCT they do formation hydration, where in formation everyone fills up their canteens and you drink it until it is gone and hold it upside down over your head showing you are done. We will be doing this like 5 times or more a day, not including our own drinks. Anyway, my stomach was hurting on the left and right side under my rib cage, but I kept saying I don't feel it. The left side did go away, but the right side started spreading down to my hip. I kept pushing through and saying the pain doesn't exist. This worked as well!
Now for those push-ups. Some days I am good at them and other days I struggle big time.
November 1, 2006, Wednesday:
Ship Test:
Today I had to do my ship test. The ship test is to make sure recruits are in somewhat good condition. I guess if you can't pass the ship test then they send you to a place called FTC (Fitness Training Camp - otherwise referred to as fat camp, which makes no sense because thin people aren't always physically fit). Anyway, for me being a female, age 26 (the top of my bracket if I was 27 I would get an extra minute on my run time:( ), I have to do 1 mile in 10:30 or less, 3 push-ups and 17 sit-ups. We met my recruiter at McDonalds and then went to the Lebanon High School to use their track (Thank you LHS). Anyway, I did my push-ups first (I did 5, but definetly had 3 good ones out of 5), then sit-ups (I did 21) and then the run. Mike was nice enough to run with me, because it helps when running to have a partner and I'll never run alone in the military. So we did the mile and we completed in 10:00 exactly!!!! Yeah, me. It was very windy and soooo cold. I couldn't talk after the run because my esophagus was so cold it felt like I had freezer burn. However, I did it, I did it, I did it!!!!! I am good to go to ship and no FTC for me:) My recruiter told me he was impressed with my run time and that I did awesome and kept a good even pace, but that I need to try to open it up (sprint) on the last 1/4 mile when finishing. He said it always looks better to sprint across the finish line. I am going to work on that. I gave my recruiter my shot records (to avoid going through all the shots at BCT (reception) I think now I'll only need the anthrax shot and maybe one other one, instead of the full 5-6 shots you get. Thank you again LHS for keeping those records. By the way, did you know they try to keep shot records for 75 years? I was shocked.
Anyway, afterwards we went to Bob Evans to eat lunch and I gulped down coffee to warm my throat. I was coughing like crazy from the run. This isn't typical after my runs, but I pushed hard and it was so cold. I think I prefer our runs in our neighborhood over the track. It psychologically screws me up to run 4 times around a track opposed to the 2 times around our circle (which we have measured and 2 times around is a mile).
October 30, 2006, Monday:
Practice Ship Test:
Today we ran a mile to make sure I am still staying under 10:30 for my ship test. We ran the mile in 9:54!!!! At the end of it I stopped almost dead in my tracks because my stomach was cramping so bad. It was hurting from the top right, under my rib all the way down to my hip. It was a pain that made me want to automatically curl up. Mike came up behind me and was trying to help me along, but I wasn't to accepting of his help and was pushing him away. He wanted me to keep moving (like I should have been), but my body said I was to just stop and curl up, I wanted to listen to my body not Mike:) I finally listened to Mike and kept walking. We walked a mile beyond what we ran. We also have been working on crunches and ooohhh how painful. I can do them, but I feel them.
October 19, 2006, Thursday:
The last bit of News:
Mike's sister came by tonight and we told her our news. She was very happy for us and even said she would be happy if we were in Germany because she would be visiting us a lot:) She said she would come no matter where we are, but that is good to know that if we did get stationed overseas we won't be forgotten:)
We also typed up letters and mailed them to family around the country to inform them of our news. We tried telling all of our immediate family personally, but distant friends and family we did by letter because we can't fly everywhere:)
October 18, 2006, Wednesday:
More News:
Today is run day! I still feel like I am struggling with the run. We did 2 miles in 23:36 (Mind you I have to complete my APFT 2 mile run in 19:36). I was happy with that run time for my first two mile run. I can push hard on the 1 mile run, but having to add an extra mile makes me slow down. I had to pace myself big time. I did walk about 10 steps at a fast pace so that slowed me down. I won't do that again. Mike went crazy on me for walking. Note to self drop dead before walking while exercising with Mike!!! ha,ha . . . (By the way, he doesn't yell to be mean, but to motivate and his yelling isn't like the DS's (Drill Sgts.) his is more motivational. Anyway, for the 2 mile run I thought I would die . . .sucking air big time:) Why can't the Army just base it off a mile run and say for instance I run a mile in 9:00, then they double that and say you would theoretically run 2 miles in 18:00? That would rock. Or maybe instead of running just have me do 200 jumping jacks for cardio (I prefer exercising in one place. Looking down a long road to run just seems never ending.) Oh well, this is what I must do, so I'll do it. I was happy that I did the run, but disappointed that I walked the 10 steps.
We then cleaned up (because I sweat horribly while exercising, of course Mike just glistens:) ) and then ate at Bob Evans and headed off to tell Mike's aunt about my enlistment. She was happy for us and was proud of us as well. We are so happy that everyone has been excited for us and believes in me and my ability to do this. I know some are scared of Iraq, but overall everyone's happiness makes me feel better about mine and Mike's decision.
We were going to tell Mike's sister tonight, but she just got back in town (from being out of state) and was tired so we said we would talk tomorrow night. We left Bob Evans (yes, we eat lunch and dinner there) and went home and watched Jericho (great show).
October 17, 2006, Tuesday:
Family News Continues:
Today we headed out to my Gpa & Gma M's. house to tell them about our news. They were happy for us and proud of us. I think they are sad that we are moving, but I think most of our family is. Although, it gives them an excuse to go on vacation and come see us:) ! We later went to Outback on Michigan Road, Indianapolis and told a server that works there that we have befriended. He was happy for us, but sad to hear we would be leaving. He was relieved to hear we weren't leaving within the month and I told him Mike would be here until almost June. Mom called to see how we were doing in our mission of telling family. I told her we had two more to go before everyone knew. She then told me that she told my sister about it and she was happy, but scared for me. Heck with everyone being scared for me I don't have to worry about myself:) (j/k). My sister asked my mom why no one tried to talk me out of enlisting and asked why Mike didn't try to talk me out of it. Mike supports my decision and no one knew, other than Mike and my family doctor, that I was enlisting so family didn't have a chance to talk me out of it:) She was happy for me though, which is really great! Tonight we watched Hereos!
October 16, 2006, Monday:
Family News Day:
Today we ran and exercised. It killed. I feel like I am going backwards in my training and my running ability. I should be improving, but I don't feel like I am. My stomach was cramping and my breathing was labored. Afterwards we ate at Bob Evans and headed out to my Dad's to tell him and my grandparents. We told them and Gpa and dad were so excited for me. Gpa said I'll look sharp in uniform and I'll do really good. Dad was happy as well, but he is worried about my chances of going to Iraq. But he is really happy for me and says I'll do good at it.
We then headed out to my brother and sister-in-laws house (Mike's brother) and told them. She was totally psyched about it and said I'll do good in the military.
October 13, 2006, Friday:
D-Day:
We got up and got ready and headed down to Keystone to meet Sgt. T. 8:00am. We drove to MEPS and I checked in and we sat and sat and sat . . .MEPS style. I finally got fingerprinted and started processing paperwork. We ate lunch and for the rest of the afternoon we spoke to a recruiter Sgt. S. He was really cool. Funny guy! He kept trying to tell me with my education and more I am selling myself short to be a cook:) I'll probably get this a lot:) So I finally get to sign my contract, paritally, I meet with a 2nd counslor, civillian, to make sure I understand my MOS, the IRR (Inactive Ready Reserve), etc. Then I am rushed into a room where they brief us on 3 UMCJ codes (desertion, falsfying info. and homosexuality). We go into the swear in room and are briefed on what to do. I am so nervous I feel like I am going to pass out. My heart rate has to be 150+. I bend my knees and try to breath calmly. All of hte family (Mike) and the recruiters come in. Lt. Col. S. is talking and I'm afraid I am gonig to pass out before he finishes. I don't hear most of what he says because I am trying to calm myself down. We finally raise our right hands and repeat the Oath. We go back into the briefing room and sign our contract and it is official. My hand is shaky so my signature looks a little bad.
Then Lt. Col. S takes all of our papers one by one and ask "Did you get the job you wanted?" - Yes, sir. - " What is it?" - Food Services, Sir. - "Good Luck". Thank you, sir. Almost everyone before me was infantry and I was afraid I'd slip up and say I was infantry from hearing it so much:) But I didn't.
I went back to the Army office, signed some more papers, Sgt. T (the other recruiter) came and did my temporary ID since my recruiter had a physical he had to do. Sgt. T did my welcome packet, etc. We finally left about 5:20pm (yep, we got there at 9:00am and are just now leaving), but it doesn't matter because I GOT IN!!!! I am officially PFC McMann!!!! YES!!!! YES!!!! I DID IT!!!!!
We went to Fazolis to celebrate and of course Mike told the cashier and she was congratulatiing me! We ate and then headed home. We started telling family tonight. Oh yeah, no one knew we were doing this. For almost two years we have been planning on this and we have not told anyone!!!! So now we have to spread the news. Tongight we told my mom and mother-in-law, as well as my brother. That took until 1:00am so we are saving the rest.
October 10, 2006, Tuesday:
New Recruiter Interviews:
Today Mike and I went and met with a new recruiter, Sgt. T. I refuse to enlist under Sgt. P. It took all evening, but they transferred all of my paperwork to Sgt. T. We were there from 4:00pm to 8:30pm, but everything is set for me to go to MEPS Friday, October 13, 2006. Sgt. T is really great and helpful. He wants me to get what I want and he is honest. A no pressure kind of guy, which makes me feel better. We ate dinner at Carrabba's and split the 3 way chicken. We stopped by Scrubs and Beyond and bought Mike some EMT pants because he has his ambulance ride along tomorrow and then we went home.
October 9, 2006, Monday:
Get my running on:
Today we had to run, we haven't ran for a while because I have been residing at the Hilton and MEPS. However, we ran 1.5 miles (even with me still being really sick). Yay me and Mike!
October 5, 2006, Thursday:
Military Free-Day:
I told Mike that today we do not discuss anything Military, we don't talk about it or to anyone else. I need a free-day.
October 4, 2006, Wednesday:
MEPS (my second home):
So you want to hear about today, huh? Well, I woke up at 4am after only 2.5 hours of sleep. I showered and packed my stuff up. Cheryl and I went downstairs and had breakfast. Oh yeah, in the shower I prayed to God to let everything work out for my enlistment. I am tired of being at MEPS. So I eat two bites of eggs and a piece of bacon and drink OJ and water. Cheryl is still struggling emotionally about leaving her kids so I stay by her to try and help her through. She is shipping today. I really like her. I wish I was going to BCT with her, we are so much alike. We both dread the panty hose and we have a lot in common. Anyway, we board the bus and go to MEPS. There are like 50 some people. I check in with ARMY and sit and sit and sit . . .from 6:15am to about 1:00pm.
Mike showed up around 9:30am and we hung out and low and behold . . .guess who walks in? That's right . . .my recruiter (I use the term loosely) Sgt. P. I have a more colorful vocabulary when referring to him, but I'll spare you the sailor side of my emotions (sometimes Mike probably wonders why I chose the Army over the Navy:) ha,ha). Mind you, my "recruiter" has not come any other time I have suffered through this hellhole, nor has even done anything beyond reaching for a tape measure for Mike to measure me to help me through this process. Anyway, He tells me there are no 92G (food services) MOS's available. But he, almighty OZ, can get me 30K for 14J or 14T. I told him in what I thought was plain English, since I only speak that language, that I want 92G, food services. I didn't care about the money. I wanted the skill of the job. If I decided not to re-enlist then I wanted to know I had civilian skills for the real world. If I did 14J or 14T do you think I can go to Eli Lillies and say I can operate a patriot launching station or I can work as an Air Defense Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence Tactical Operations Center Operator/Mainter. Is that the longest job title in history or what? I told Mike that if the recruit can remember the whole job title then they should bypass AIT and just be it. The title alone will take one week of AIT to remember:) ha,ha.
Anyway, not even 5 minutes later he comes over and starts trying to get me to go 14J or 14T (the above mentioned MOS's). Again, I say NO! in the only language I know, ENGLISH. He then switches to try and get me to do Hospital Food. Saying you get the added experience of doing special diets. Hello, I told you I wouldn't do anything medical because I loath being around sick people. Then he tries to tell me I'll never be around a sick person working in a hospital. I think he is on the brink of claiming he is the son of God just to get me to enlist with one of these MOS's. Now he is switching to try and get me to be a driver or petroleum specialist. Again, NO is all I say. He is to stupid to get it. So he said he asked Mst. Sgt. H if Mike could go back with me and Sgt. P said she said no. Not even 1 minute later she comes out and calls me back and asks if I want my husband to come back. Yeah, did you catch that Sgt. P lied to me, he never asked because his strategy was to get me the dumb female back there alone and pressure me into one of the above MOS's. He thinks Mike controls me and I am just a stupid marionettes and he (Mike) is my puppet master. Ha, shows how stupid he is. Ask Mike, I wear the same size pants as Mike in our relationship and NO ONE CONTROLS ME!
Unfortunately the bonus amount dropped drastically and we discovered more lies from my recruiter. Oh, and my recruiter came back with the counselor and I was told they were not suppose to be back there because they try to pressure people into things. He kept harrassing me, but I finally quit acknowledging him. Mike and I told Mst. Sgt. H. that we wanted to think about it and discuss it amongst ourselves. We go to the "safe zones" where recruiters are not allowed to talk. I show Mike a trick to get the change machine to take his dollar because it wouldn't. (Wet lightly the president's picture and sometimes reverse the way you put it in the slot). Anyway, we sit down to discuss things and Sgt. P. sits down next to us (in the safe zone) still going on about 14J and 14T and 30K for the MOS's. I know, you probably think I'm crazy for passing up 30K, but it isn't about the money. Plus it isn't really 30K, Sgt. P is lieing again about the bonus money. If you have the loan repayment program it knocks the bonus down drastically. Which Sgt. P said he didn't know I wanted the loan repayment program. Um, he reserved my MOS for me and he selected the LRP and told me to get my promissory notes together before shipping. LIAR!!! I told him "I am not signing today and I'll only do 92G - Final answer!!!" Exactly how I said it. He then says "I don't want to roll the dice and you loose out on something". I said "it's my dice and I'm rolling them. I'll take my chances since it is MY future".
I go back to Mst. Sgt. H., but she is with someone so I go and wait and Sgt. P says he is going to have me speak to his 1st Sgt. I remained in my seat, because he is not having me do anything. When he realizes I am not moving from my chair he asks if I will be willing to talk to 1st Sgt. J. I do and I sit on the phone for 32 minutes exactly with Sgt. J. He didn't convice me of anything, if anything he dug a bigger hole for the Army. This guy is worse than a woman on a phone. He didn't help matters because I hate, loath, deteste being on the phone and he kept me on for 32 minutes. Finally, Mst. Sgt. T (who is in charge) comes and gets me and takes me into his office (Mike comes to). Later, Sgt. P comes in and spews some more lies. Mst. Sgt. T understands and realizes that I WILL NOT enlist today and tells me to go home and think it over.
I keep noticing that people are staring at me today. Recruits are looking wide eyed at me and recruters are being very hush, hush around me. It feels eerie. Mike said because they realize something is going on with me and I am not just caving in to their desires and standing my ground because I have people running around trying to get me enlist. Mike then proceeds to tell me that he wishes he could see my file after my enlistment I asked why, he said because do you know who you were talking to in there? I said military personel, he said yes, but they were Mst. Sgt's. and high up people. I didn't really pay attention to rank I paid attention to my future and I was not settling.
So we leave and Sgt. P pushes us to commit to calling him Monday, which I know I will not do because I am done with him. I will only enlist under a real professional recruiter.
We did meet a nice recruit today. He is do the officer program, ex-marine and ex-navy (now going Army N.G.). He is a volunteer fireman at Wayne Township, a licensed Paramedic at Wishard (I think) and volunteers for the Indianapolis Police Dept. What a human, huh? I felt like a little person next to this person who not only works a hard job, but volunteers as much as he does.
We go to eat at Chili's and talk about the days events. I go home and go to bed as I am still really sick and today did not make things any better. I am sad, angry, disappointed and overall just feeling really blah. I keep switching from tears to silence, to anger to doubt. I feel horrible. Poor Mike, did he really sign up for all this? How does he tolerate my struggles with life? God love him for being the angel he is!!! God knows I do.
October 3, 2006, Tuesday:
HILTON (my third home):
I'll try and sum today up in a few paragraphs. Sgt. P called today and told Mike that my waivers came through for my leg and Tackycardia. Guess again . . .a waiver came through for my leg and Mike. Um, notice an issue? That's right I said Mike received a waiver. The doctor paid such close attention to everything that he provided a non-applicant a waiver to enlist in the US Army:) Makes you feel like your in good hands, huh? Just kidding. I know I am healthy so it didn't bother me, but it delays things because that waiver is useless I need one for my Tackycardia.
Also, Sgt. P is now saying 92G does not have quick ships any longer. Mind you, a couple of weeks ago I specifically asked do they always have quick ships? He said yes. I asked what is the latest time they will ship before Exodus (where recruits come home for 2 weeks over Christmas)? He said up until Exodus (I know this is BS because why would they fly you down there and then turn around and send you home within a day? Now you see my problem with my recruiter, huh? He is trying to get me to change MOS's. He wants me to be a driver or Patriot Missle blah, blah, blah! Mike basically told him to screw himself. He wanted us to drive all the way to C-ville to select one of the above jobs. Mike said NO! Mike is upset at him now.
I went to the doctor because I am still feeling really sick. I have a bad sore throat and he gave me a RX for amoxicilin and a decongestant. Mike dropped me off at home and then went to his Aunt's house to move some things for her. He came back and picked me up to go to Indianapolis, that's right the Hilton for me tonight. I have spent so much time at the Hilton recently that I feel like Paris' evil step-sister:)! I checked in at the Washington Suite and then Mike and I went to Max & Erma's. can you believe they dicontinued their pretzel appetizers? They were the best:) I still don't feel well, but anyway Mike takes me back to the hotel.
I go up to my room and read some mags Mike bought me and watch Oceans 12. My roommate came in. Her name is Cheryl, NG, 91W (medic), BCT Ft. Jackson, SC, AIT Ft. Sam, TX. She has 2 kids and is 33, but totally looks 19. I was blown away and couldn't get over how young she looks. Anyway, she is really cool. We have talked about our fears of basic and shared our limited knowledge. Her mom and kids came to see her off. We have talked a lot about BCT. I fell better about BCT. I called Mike to let him know I was feeling better about joining. iI think it made him feel better.
We were up until about 1:00 am talking. She was telling me cute stories of her little girl and her son. I didn't sleep much between talking and my throat killing me.
October 2, 2006, Monday:
MEPS again for me:
So I am trying to control my weakness, pass out feeling and I go through the detectors, baggage and instructions. I check in with ARMY and go sit in the Main Control Desk area with 3 other inspects (people who don't have to do the full physical). We wait about 45 minutes and go back to medical. I do a urine test and weight/tape test (weight: 162lbs. Neck: 16, Forearm: 9.75, Wrist: 6.25, hips: 42, waist: 30.5 and get this . . .I gained an inch in height 65" (5'5"). I MET WEIGHT! I did it, I lost the weight and inches in my waist and gained enough inches in my neck and forearm to make tape!!! NO SUCKY ARMS TEST FOR ME!!!!
Dr. R checks me for tatoos and I get dressed an am told to sit in the Main Control Desk area and wait to go do an ortho consult for my leg. At 6:50am I sit in the 1st chair in control desk area. At 9:55am Mike comes in and sits by me. I tell him everything about what I have done thus far today, I was so excited about making weight. He asks what I am doing now. I tell him I was told to sit here and wait for my ortho. consult. He asks how long I have been sitting here. I tell him since 6:50am. He asks if I have asked anyone about when my consult is. I told him no, I was told to sit in the chair and I have not left the chair. He tells me to go and check with the control desk about my appt. I finally got Mike to understand that I haven't received anything on my status because I was told to sit in this chair and I have not moved from this chair. By not moving I mean I have not stood, used the restroom or raised my butt off of this chair. He couldn't believe that. I told him I was just doing as I was told. He busted out laughing at me. It's okay, I have a feeling I am going to experience a lot of laughs on my behalf because of stupid things I do. They call back to medical and then tells me to go to medical. Civilian R. gives me my packet and directions and Mike drives me to my ortho consult with Dr. L. on North Meridian St.
Ortho Consult: This Dr. sucked. He cared more about the mechanics of my car accident that broke my leg rather than anything else (like how my recovery was, how I feel currently, what physical activity I do, etc.). Plus he asked if my husband was going to leave me for joining the Army. Nice, huh? A married man joins the Army and everyone supports it, including his spouse, but a married woman joins the Army and my husband must be divorcing me. You will not believe how many times people have asked me this about my husband.
Anyway, this Dr. constantly yelled at his employees and never clarified anything. He was careless in his practice. For instance my left leg is the leg that was broken. He told the X-Ray tech. (I was there) that it was my right leg. My husband even overheard it and corrected him. He didn't like being corrected, but my husband is a loving puppy until pushed, then the rabid dog comes out to play. Mike basically let this Dr. know what he thought of him. I spent a lot of time with the radiologist and tried to cheer him up. I was asking him about the technology they use and what they expect to use in the future and he was like a kid in a candy store talking about it:) I felt so sorry for the employees.
We then rushed back to MEPS and I met with Dr. F. and he signed off on my paperwork. But Army regulations say I have to have a waiver for a rod in my leg. So I am done for the day. No more processing, no enlistment. While waiting for my out processing paperwork Mst. Sgt. T comes back to get me (he is an enlistment counselor). However, since I'm on a waiver I can't meet with him. I get a water and talk with Mike, get my packet and leave.
We went to Fazolis for lunch. The food wasn't as good as I remember it. We stopped by Gma M's. house to pick up a family mirror. She has new glasses that look really, really good. She also has painted her paneling white and it looks really good. We went by my mother-in-laws house to move her china cabinet back and looked at her newly painted walls (very nice color scheme). Looks really good! Then we went home. I slept for about 3 hours (mind you I am sick today). We then went and had dinner, but I couldn't eat much (sick). We came home and Mike played computer games and I laid down. Later Mike fixed me toast and watched Hereos (great show).
October 1, 2006, Sunday:
The Hilton again for me:
Today I am feeling really sick. My throat kills. We hung out for a bit and then we headed down to The Hilton so I could go to MEPS tomorrow. I am still questioning myself. Mike keeps telling me if I am questioning myself then I should reconsider doing this. It isn't that I question whether I'll be good at the "military life" I know I can do that, it is BCT that I am scared to death about. I hate not knowing exactly what will happen.
I check in at the Washington Suite again and Mike and I have dinner at the Hilton and then I swim and Mike leaves afterwards. I have a roommate, Breanna, Army, Intelligence Analyst, BCT at Ft. Leonardwood, MO, AIT at Ft. Hutchuka, AZ. She is 17 and shipping tomorrow.
I showered after my swim and watched Everybody Loves Raymond. I called Mike, he was helping his mom move her china cabinet for the painter. I asked him if I was doing the right thing? He said 100% (that was exactly all the words that were exchanged between us). I hung up and went to bed.
My roommate was a tosser and tossed all night. I don't get it, she woke up all refreshed and wide eyed when she tossed every 5 minutes and yet I stay still, sleeping on one side and I never feel as well rested as she seemed to. Frustrating, it is. I had trouble sleeping because my throat hurt so bad. I laid in bed and stared out the window wondering what the rest of the world was doing. I finally woke up at 3:54 am and showered, dressed, went downstairs, had 3 bites of eggs and half a piece of bacon & OJ. I felt so sick. I felt bloated even though I did not eat much.
I got on the bus and waited. We went to MEPS and while I am in line getting instructions for the metal detectors (by the way this time we were told to make one big line) I fell queasy and feel like I am going to pass out.
September 30, 2006, Saturday:
Downrange:
Today was an eventful day. We went to our nephews football game. They smoked the other team like 48-0. Go WEBO! After the game, we ran home to get my ARMY packet for MEPS tomorrow/Sunday. Sgt. S was nice enough to drop it off at our house since my recruiter, Sgt. P does absolutely nothing to make this process any easier. We then headed out to my brother-in-laws where my husband, Mike, taught me how to shoot. I have never shot a pistol or a rifle before so I was really nervous. Which seemed to make Mike a little bit nervous, but what a trooper he still was willing to risk life and limb to teach me!
Mike first taught me safety and explained downrange/uprange. He said you never point your weapon uprange and NEVER FIRE UPRANGE! I first shot the 22 rifle and then shot a 9mm pistol. I thought I shot myself with the pistol. I stood behind Mike as he shot first and watched him. When he shot the pistol the casings went off to the right. When I fired my first shot the casing hit me in the forhead and I thought I shot myself. I know, go ahead and laugh it up and then read on:) Mike freaked out (not because I thought I shot myself, but because he thought I was going to drop the gun). I wasn't that bad. No matter what I kept the pistol pointed downrange and towards the ground, but turned my head to tell him I hate the pistol.
I LOVE the Rifle though, which is good because that is what I have to qualify on. I just feel unstable with the pistol and it is held away from your body while the rifle is held close to the body (the shoulder). Mike later said I was holding the pistol straight in front of me instead of off to the right a little and that is why the casings kept hitting me. It was a great experience and he said I am a great shot with the rifle. I was able to shoot appropriately with the breathing technique.
We went up to the house and talked with my brother and sister-in-law and then went and had dinner and watched the movie The Guardian (rockin' movie). However, I started freaking out about BCT and felt like I couldn't do it. Mike talked with me for hours about my fears. I was feeling really sick though. I finally calmed down and went to bed.
2 Mile Run:
Okay, today we were going to do 60/30's where you sprint 60 seconds and walk 30 seconds. Sounds easy, but I'd rather run 2 miles than do these. When you walk it is hard to get back into the run let alone a full blown sprint.
Anyway, we decided to do the 2 mile run instead. We started off at a pitiful pace and completed the first 1/2 mile in 5:25 (a very bad time for a 1/2 mile). After that lap, I said to myself "I want my time today", "I want my time today". I felt great when running and did my second 1/2 mile in 5:00 (still not good enough, it needs to be less). This brought our first mile to a time of 10:25 (Argh!!). So the third lap I picked it up and pushed through and completed the third 1/2 mile in 4:40 (my best lap ever actually). Then the dreadful 4th lap came through and this is where I dropped the ball, okay, so it wasn't a ball, I dropped my hat and stupid me, I went back for it so I had to run hard and fast to make up for the lost time and to catch up with Mike. Then about 100 yards away from the finish the sidewalk was swaying and I was seeing spots in front of my right eye. I stopped, I stopped, who the hell stops 100 yards away from completing? Me, that's who . . .I was stupid, I was flabergasted with myself, I was disappointed. I picked it up and ran hard and fast, but I completed my 2 mile run in 20:36. Exactly one minute over my time. Granted I've ran the 2 miles 3 times and each time I have shaved minutes off and I am only 1 minute over, but I could have had this today. Today was my day to prove I could pass my APFT run and I failed. Not only did I fail, but I failed miserably because there was no excuse for being so close and doing what I did. I went to slow on the first lap, I should have left my hat where it fell and I should have continued running no matter what my body was doing.
Mike later told me that is normal what I felt and it is when the brain is lacking oxygen because it is pulling all the oxygen to the muscles. If I would have pushed through everything would have returned to normal within seconds. Which, when I started running again it did return to normal. The spots were still there, but the sidewalk/road were no longer swaying like a Jerry Garcia music video:)
So now I have my own personal defeat to overcome and overcome it I will. I will not let this run overcome me. I can do it, I know I can. The thing that sucks is today I felt no pain, the weather was great, no wind and yet I failed. Today was a great day for a run and I abused it. I will get that 19:36, because when I take the APFT in basic I want to come in under my time, I want to do more push ups than required and I will get more sit ups than required. I probably won't max my APFT, but I will come in above the required 180 to pass. If I could at least get 200 points on my APFT I would be happy.
November 12, 2006, Sunday:
Today we did push ups, sit ups and jumping jacks. To try and compensate for a pitiful run on Friday. We screwed up on Friday and stretched, but then stood around and talked for a bit. So when we started running our muscles were tight as if we didn't stretch at all. So we only ran a half mile and walked a half mile. We were going to walk more, but a neighbor stopped us and she seemed like she needed someone to talk to so we talked to her for about 20-25 minutes. She was really nice though, sweet lady.
Anyway, back onto today though. We did sit ups first (I did 50, which is what I have to do for my APFT), then push ups (I did 17, which is what I have to do for my APFT and then I did 10 more) and we did 100 jumping jacks. I love jumping jacks. I prefer them over jumping rope. Especially if you don't have a good jump rope. Anyway, so I finally got my push ups in, I know I can do the sit ups and now it is time to get my run done within 19:36. That is my goal before I leave for basic. I don't want to just do it once, I want to know I can do it any day of the week, sick or well, rain or shine, cold or warm weather. I have to do this.
November 8, 2006, Wednesday:
Training:
Today we got up and ran. I was planning on running 2 miles (so was Mike). Everything about the run was great today. The weather was perfect, my body felt great and I was mentally doing well on the run. We ran the first 1/2 mile in 5:08 and then on the second 1/2 mile I got a great second wind and sprinted (for me) about 1/4 mile and finished the second 1/2 mile in 4:45. This brought the total 1 mile run to 9:53 (my best run time for a 1 mile run). I thought I had exerted all of my energy on this run. Mike and I walked for another 1/2 mile and I later realized what felt like fatigue wasn't really it. I was disappointed in myself when I later realized I could have ran more and should have pushed on. I am still learning to listen to my own body and understand the pains, the second/third winds and know my own pace. I thought I did good today, running without any pain, negative thoughts and completing the mile in my fastest time, but I could have done more and I should have. I will not make this mistake twice. From now on, no more mile runs. We will be doing 2 mile runs working up to 3 mile runs.
Oh, on a side note, I found out today that I have to do my ship test again. I guess mine didn't count because it has to be done within 30 days of shipping.:( So now, I'll probably be doing my ship test in the freezing cold December weather. Plus I have to go in for a weight/height test next week. I know I haven't gone crazy and gained massive weight, but I always hate going through this portion because I struggled so hard for 2 years to loose the weight to get into the Army. Oh well, I'll do what I have to, because I want to be in the ARMY!!!!
ARMY STRONG!!
November 6, 2006, Monday:
More training:
Today we did a mile run in 9:58. I kept a steady pace throughout the run and "opened it up" (sprinted) at the end. We sprinted the last 100 yards to the finish. It sucked, but I did it. The only thing I could do to get through the sprint was keeping saying "Pain for Pride" over and over in my head. This comes from a quote "Pain lasts for a moment, Pride lasts for a lifetime" or something like that. I don't know who said it. Anyway, I got through it.
Over the past couple of days I have been studying the Soldier Codes, General Orders, 7 Core Values, Army Structure Organization and the Army Song. The Army Song really gets me motivated. I was reciting some of the words while running today to motivate me. My favorite part is the 2nd Chorous: first lines: Valley Forge, Custer's ranks, San Juan Hill and Patton's tanks and the Army went rolling along. Anyway, I sing little bits of it every now and then and God love Mike that he tolerates me singing over a meal or while driving in the car or while he is playing his computer game. I hope we get to sing the song a lot in training. Mike said he doesn't remember them ever playing it.
I am so psyched and ready to go. I wish I was shipping now, but on the other hand I love knowing I have the time to get into better shape and studying my Army book on first aid, M16, News Interviews, etc. The book is cool, intimidating because it is so thick, but cool. Right now I am learning how to treat heat exhaustion, burn victims, etc. I've also been studying on my own the proper way to do "retreat" when you take the flag down at the end of the day and the way it is to be folded, who can salute from vehicles and how to salute when in civis (civilian clothes).
November 3, 2006, Friday:
2 Mile Run Day:
Today we got up and did our run. We were just planning on doing 1-1.5 miles today. However, Mike said after 1.5 miles to keep going so we did. We ran 2 miles in 21:46 (exactly 2:10 over what I need to be for my APFT). Mike was happy and told me that most likely by the 2nd week of BCT I'll be able to do my run time for my APFT. HOOAH!!!! I kept the same pace on the run today except a little bit on the end I sped up, but for doing a pretty even pace I did great. I can shave 2:10, look how far I've come in just basically 12 weeks. I still have about 7 weeks of more training before BCT and the first week of BCT is basically going to run me ragged so I'll be improving.
Today on the run though Mike kept yelling at me to pick up the pace and I kept telling him I was going for distance, not time. I finally just gave up telling him that and ignored him. Not to be mean, but I was really working on trying to change my mindset while running. Today's run I did awesome at it, considering that I never walked and I never almost gave up (slowed down). Running is seriously mental. Mike has told me I need to try and think of something else, but I have not been successful at that. Today I was. I kept saying out loud that this is great, I can do this, today is a good day, etc.
Mike springs when he runs (that boy is like Forest Gump:) ). He has calves that are huge and seriously strong and developed. I have to quit using him as a bar for me though because I will never be like his body type as I am female. I like running behind him and watching his huge calves flex, they are incredible. I feel sorry for anyone who gets kicked by him if he was angry, he'd probably kick them into the future they are so big and strong. Sorry to ramble they just truly amaze me. Anyway, today I started getting down on myself while running because he was just springing along running, but then I reminded myself that if he had to do the APFT he would have to complete it in less time than me so he should be running faster and harder (well maybe not harder, but faster at least). That fixed that negative thought. Then at another point I started getting down on myself and I said outloud, "this is great" and that changed that thought. I also started thinking of other things. I was thinking about some cadences I have read recently and that helped.
I am so grateful for Mike, I know I can be a pain, but thankfully he tolerates me. Maybe he is just thinking 2 more months and she is someone elses problem:) (j/k). No he is really great and I know he wants the best for me!!!
Anyway, my stomach started hurting, I think I need to be drinking more water. Supposedly at BCT they do formation hydration, where in formation everyone fills up their canteens and you drink it until it is gone and hold it upside down over your head showing you are done. We will be doing this like 5 times or more a day, not including our own drinks. Anyway, my stomach was hurting on the left and right side under my rib cage, but I kept saying I don't feel it. The left side did go away, but the right side started spreading down to my hip. I kept pushing through and saying the pain doesn't exist. This worked as well!
Now for those push-ups. Some days I am good at them and other days I struggle big time.
November 1, 2006, Wednesday:
Ship Test:
Today I had to do my ship test. The ship test is to make sure recruits are in somewhat good condition. I guess if you can't pass the ship test then they send you to a place called FTC (Fitness Training Camp - otherwise referred to as fat camp, which makes no sense because thin people aren't always physically fit). Anyway, for me being a female, age 26 (the top of my bracket if I was 27 I would get an extra minute on my run time:( ), I have to do 1 mile in 10:30 or less, 3 push-ups and 17 sit-ups. We met my recruiter at McDonalds and then went to the Lebanon High School to use their track (Thank you LHS). Anyway, I did my push-ups first (I did 5, but definetly had 3 good ones out of 5), then sit-ups (I did 21) and then the run. Mike was nice enough to run with me, because it helps when running to have a partner and I'll never run alone in the military. So we did the mile and we completed in 10:00 exactly!!!! Yeah, me. It was very windy and soooo cold. I couldn't talk after the run because my esophagus was so cold it felt like I had freezer burn. However, I did it, I did it, I did it!!!!! I am good to go to ship and no FTC for me:) My recruiter told me he was impressed with my run time and that I did awesome and kept a good even pace, but that I need to try to open it up (sprint) on the last 1/4 mile when finishing. He said it always looks better to sprint across the finish line. I am going to work on that. I gave my recruiter my shot records (to avoid going through all the shots at BCT (reception) I think now I'll only need the anthrax shot and maybe one other one, instead of the full 5-6 shots you get. Thank you again LHS for keeping those records. By the way, did you know they try to keep shot records for 75 years? I was shocked.
Anyway, afterwards we went to Bob Evans to eat lunch and I gulped down coffee to warm my throat. I was coughing like crazy from the run. This isn't typical after my runs, but I pushed hard and it was so cold. I think I prefer our runs in our neighborhood over the track. It psychologically screws me up to run 4 times around a track opposed to the 2 times around our circle (which we have measured and 2 times around is a mile).
October 30, 2006, Monday:
Practice Ship Test:
Today we ran a mile to make sure I am still staying under 10:30 for my ship test. We ran the mile in 9:54!!!! At the end of it I stopped almost dead in my tracks because my stomach was cramping so bad. It was hurting from the top right, under my rib all the way down to my hip. It was a pain that made me want to automatically curl up. Mike came up behind me and was trying to help me along, but I wasn't to accepting of his help and was pushing him away. He wanted me to keep moving (like I should have been), but my body said I was to just stop and curl up, I wanted to listen to my body not Mike:) I finally listened to Mike and kept walking. We walked a mile beyond what we ran. We also have been working on crunches and ooohhh how painful. I can do them, but I feel them.
October 19, 2006, Thursday:
The last bit of News:
Mike's sister came by tonight and we told her our news. She was very happy for us and even said she would be happy if we were in Germany because she would be visiting us a lot:) She said she would come no matter where we are, but that is good to know that if we did get stationed overseas we won't be forgotten:)
We also typed up letters and mailed them to family around the country to inform them of our news. We tried telling all of our immediate family personally, but distant friends and family we did by letter because we can't fly everywhere:)
October 18, 2006, Wednesday:
More News:
Today is run day! I still feel like I am struggling with the run. We did 2 miles in 23:36 (Mind you I have to complete my APFT 2 mile run in 19:36). I was happy with that run time for my first two mile run. I can push hard on the 1 mile run, but having to add an extra mile makes me slow down. I had to pace myself big time. I did walk about 10 steps at a fast pace so that slowed me down. I won't do that again. Mike went crazy on me for walking. Note to self drop dead before walking while exercising with Mike!!! ha,ha . . . (By the way, he doesn't yell to be mean, but to motivate and his yelling isn't like the DS's (Drill Sgts.) his is more motivational. Anyway, for the 2 mile run I thought I would die . . .sucking air big time:) Why can't the Army just base it off a mile run and say for instance I run a mile in 9:00, then they double that and say you would theoretically run 2 miles in 18:00? That would rock. Or maybe instead of running just have me do 200 jumping jacks for cardio (I prefer exercising in one place. Looking down a long road to run just seems never ending.) Oh well, this is what I must do, so I'll do it. I was happy that I did the run, but disappointed that I walked the 10 steps.
We then cleaned up (because I sweat horribly while exercising, of course Mike just glistens:) ) and then ate at Bob Evans and headed off to tell Mike's aunt about my enlistment. She was happy for us and was proud of us as well. We are so happy that everyone has been excited for us and believes in me and my ability to do this. I know some are scared of Iraq, but overall everyone's happiness makes me feel better about mine and Mike's decision.
We were going to tell Mike's sister tonight, but she just got back in town (from being out of state) and was tired so we said we would talk tomorrow night. We left Bob Evans (yes, we eat lunch and dinner there) and went home and watched Jericho (great show).
October 17, 2006, Tuesday:
Family News Continues:
Today we headed out to my Gpa & Gma M's. house to tell them about our news. They were happy for us and proud of us. I think they are sad that we are moving, but I think most of our family is. Although, it gives them an excuse to go on vacation and come see us:) ! We later went to Outback on Michigan Road, Indianapolis and told a server that works there that we have befriended. He was happy for us, but sad to hear we would be leaving. He was relieved to hear we weren't leaving within the month and I told him Mike would be here until almost June. Mom called to see how we were doing in our mission of telling family. I told her we had two more to go before everyone knew. She then told me that she told my sister about it and she was happy, but scared for me. Heck with everyone being scared for me I don't have to worry about myself:) (j/k). My sister asked my mom why no one tried to talk me out of enlisting and asked why Mike didn't try to talk me out of it. Mike supports my decision and no one knew, other than Mike and my family doctor, that I was enlisting so family didn't have a chance to talk me out of it:) She was happy for me though, which is really great! Tonight we watched Hereos!
October 16, 2006, Monday:
Family News Day:
Today we ran and exercised. It killed. I feel like I am going backwards in my training and my running ability. I should be improving, but I don't feel like I am. My stomach was cramping and my breathing was labored. Afterwards we ate at Bob Evans and headed out to my Dad's to tell him and my grandparents. We told them and Gpa and dad were so excited for me. Gpa said I'll look sharp in uniform and I'll do really good. Dad was happy as well, but he is worried about my chances of going to Iraq. But he is really happy for me and says I'll do good at it.
We then headed out to my brother and sister-in-laws house (Mike's brother) and told them. She was totally psyched about it and said I'll do good in the military.
October 13, 2006, Friday:
D-Day:
We got up and got ready and headed down to Keystone to meet Sgt. T. 8:00am. We drove to MEPS and I checked in and we sat and sat and sat . . .MEPS style. I finally got fingerprinted and started processing paperwork. We ate lunch and for the rest of the afternoon we spoke to a recruiter Sgt. S. He was really cool. Funny guy! He kept trying to tell me with my education and more I am selling myself short to be a cook:) I'll probably get this a lot:) So I finally get to sign my contract, paritally, I meet with a 2nd counslor, civillian, to make sure I understand my MOS, the IRR (Inactive Ready Reserve), etc. Then I am rushed into a room where they brief us on 3 UMCJ codes (desertion, falsfying info. and homosexuality). We go into the swear in room and are briefed on what to do. I am so nervous I feel like I am going to pass out. My heart rate has to be 150+. I bend my knees and try to breath calmly. All of hte family (Mike) and the recruiters come in. Lt. Col. S. is talking and I'm afraid I am gonig to pass out before he finishes. I don't hear most of what he says because I am trying to calm myself down. We finally raise our right hands and repeat the Oath. We go back into the briefing room and sign our contract and it is official. My hand is shaky so my signature looks a little bad.
Then Lt. Col. S takes all of our papers one by one and ask "Did you get the job you wanted?" - Yes, sir. - " What is it?" - Food Services, Sir. - "Good Luck". Thank you, sir. Almost everyone before me was infantry and I was afraid I'd slip up and say I was infantry from hearing it so much:) But I didn't.
I went back to the Army office, signed some more papers, Sgt. T (the other recruiter) came and did my temporary ID since my recruiter had a physical he had to do. Sgt. T did my welcome packet, etc. We finally left about 5:20pm (yep, we got there at 9:00am and are just now leaving), but it doesn't matter because I GOT IN!!!! I am officially PFC McMann!!!! YES!!!! YES!!!! I DID IT!!!!!
We went to Fazolis to celebrate and of course Mike told the cashier and she was congratulatiing me! We ate and then headed home. We started telling family tonight. Oh yeah, no one knew we were doing this. For almost two years we have been planning on this and we have not told anyone!!!! So now we have to spread the news. Tongight we told my mom and mother-in-law, as well as my brother. That took until 1:00am so we are saving the rest.
October 10, 2006, Tuesday:
New Recruiter Interviews:
Today Mike and I went and met with a new recruiter, Sgt. T. I refuse to enlist under Sgt. P. It took all evening, but they transferred all of my paperwork to Sgt. T. We were there from 4:00pm to 8:30pm, but everything is set for me to go to MEPS Friday, October 13, 2006. Sgt. T is really great and helpful. He wants me to get what I want and he is honest. A no pressure kind of guy, which makes me feel better. We ate dinner at Carrabba's and split the 3 way chicken. We stopped by Scrubs and Beyond and bought Mike some EMT pants because he has his ambulance ride along tomorrow and then we went home.
October 9, 2006, Monday:
Get my running on:
Today we had to run, we haven't ran for a while because I have been residing at the Hilton and MEPS. However, we ran 1.5 miles (even with me still being really sick). Yay me and Mike!
October 5, 2006, Thursday:
Military Free-Day:
I told Mike that today we do not discuss anything Military, we don't talk about it or to anyone else. I need a free-day.
October 4, 2006, Wednesday:
MEPS (my second home):
So you want to hear about today, huh? Well, I woke up at 4am after only 2.5 hours of sleep. I showered and packed my stuff up. Cheryl and I went downstairs and had breakfast. Oh yeah, in the shower I prayed to God to let everything work out for my enlistment. I am tired of being at MEPS. So I eat two bites of eggs and a piece of bacon and drink OJ and water. Cheryl is still struggling emotionally about leaving her kids so I stay by her to try and help her through. She is shipping today. I really like her. I wish I was going to BCT with her, we are so much alike. We both dread the panty hose and we have a lot in common. Anyway, we board the bus and go to MEPS. There are like 50 some people. I check in with ARMY and sit and sit and sit . . .from 6:15am to about 1:00pm.
Mike showed up around 9:30am and we hung out and low and behold . . .guess who walks in? That's right . . .my recruiter (I use the term loosely) Sgt. P. I have a more colorful vocabulary when referring to him, but I'll spare you the sailor side of my emotions (sometimes Mike probably wonders why I chose the Army over the Navy:) ha,ha). Mind you, my "recruiter" has not come any other time I have suffered through this hellhole, nor has even done anything beyond reaching for a tape measure for Mike to measure me to help me through this process. Anyway, He tells me there are no 92G (food services) MOS's available. But he, almighty OZ, can get me 30K for 14J or 14T. I told him in what I thought was plain English, since I only speak that language, that I want 92G, food services. I didn't care about the money. I wanted the skill of the job. If I decided not to re-enlist then I wanted to know I had civilian skills for the real world. If I did 14J or 14T do you think I can go to Eli Lillies and say I can operate a patriot launching station or I can work as an Air Defense Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence Tactical Operations Center Operator/Mainter. Is that the longest job title in history or what? I told Mike that if the recruit can remember the whole job title then they should bypass AIT and just be it. The title alone will take one week of AIT to remember:) ha,ha.
Anyway, not even 5 minutes later he comes over and starts trying to get me to go 14J or 14T (the above mentioned MOS's). Again, I say NO! in the only language I know, ENGLISH. He then switches to try and get me to do Hospital Food. Saying you get the added experience of doing special diets. Hello, I told you I wouldn't do anything medical because I loath being around sick people. Then he tries to tell me I'll never be around a sick person working in a hospital. I think he is on the brink of claiming he is the son of God just to get me to enlist with one of these MOS's. Now he is switching to try and get me to be a driver or petroleum specialist. Again, NO is all I say. He is to stupid to get it. So he said he asked Mst. Sgt. H if Mike could go back with me and Sgt. P said she said no. Not even 1 minute later she comes out and calls me back and asks if I want my husband to come back. Yeah, did you catch that Sgt. P lied to me, he never asked because his strategy was to get me the dumb female back there alone and pressure me into one of the above MOS's. He thinks Mike controls me and I am just a stupid marionettes and he (Mike) is my puppet master. Ha, shows how stupid he is. Ask Mike, I wear the same size pants as Mike in our relationship and NO ONE CONTROLS ME!
Unfortunately the bonus amount dropped drastically and we discovered more lies from my recruiter. Oh, and my recruiter came back with the counselor and I was told they were not suppose to be back there because they try to pressure people into things. He kept harrassing me, but I finally quit acknowledging him. Mike and I told Mst. Sgt. H. that we wanted to think about it and discuss it amongst ourselves. We go to the "safe zones" where recruiters are not allowed to talk. I show Mike a trick to get the change machine to take his dollar because it wouldn't. (Wet lightly the president's picture and sometimes reverse the way you put it in the slot). Anyway, we sit down to discuss things and Sgt. P. sits down next to us (in the safe zone) still going on about 14J and 14T and 30K for the MOS's. I know, you probably think I'm crazy for passing up 30K, but it isn't about the money. Plus it isn't really 30K, Sgt. P is lieing again about the bonus money. If you have the loan repayment program it knocks the bonus down drastically. Which Sgt. P said he didn't know I wanted the loan repayment program. Um, he reserved my MOS for me and he selected the LRP and told me to get my promissory notes together before shipping. LIAR!!! I told him "I am not signing today and I'll only do 92G - Final answer!!!" Exactly how I said it. He then says "I don't want to roll the dice and you loose out on something". I said "it's my dice and I'm rolling them. I'll take my chances since it is MY future".
I go back to Mst. Sgt. H., but she is with someone so I go and wait and Sgt. P says he is going to have me speak to his 1st Sgt. I remained in my seat, because he is not having me do anything. When he realizes I am not moving from my chair he asks if I will be willing to talk to 1st Sgt. J. I do and I sit on the phone for 32 minutes exactly with Sgt. J. He didn't convice me of anything, if anything he dug a bigger hole for the Army. This guy is worse than a woman on a phone. He didn't help matters because I hate, loath, deteste being on the phone and he kept me on for 32 minutes. Finally, Mst. Sgt. T (who is in charge) comes and gets me and takes me into his office (Mike comes to). Later, Sgt. P comes in and spews some more lies. Mst. Sgt. T understands and realizes that I WILL NOT enlist today and tells me to go home and think it over.
I keep noticing that people are staring at me today. Recruits are looking wide eyed at me and recruters are being very hush, hush around me. It feels eerie. Mike said because they realize something is going on with me and I am not just caving in to their desires and standing my ground because I have people running around trying to get me enlist. Mike then proceeds to tell me that he wishes he could see my file after my enlistment I asked why, he said because do you know who you were talking to in there? I said military personel, he said yes, but they were Mst. Sgt's. and high up people. I didn't really pay attention to rank I paid attention to my future and I was not settling.
So we leave and Sgt. P pushes us to commit to calling him Monday, which I know I will not do because I am done with him. I will only enlist under a real professional recruiter.
We did meet a nice recruit today. He is do the officer program, ex-marine and ex-navy (now going Army N.G.). He is a volunteer fireman at Wayne Township, a licensed Paramedic at Wishard (I think) and volunteers for the Indianapolis Police Dept. What a human, huh? I felt like a little person next to this person who not only works a hard job, but volunteers as much as he does.
We go to eat at Chili's and talk about the days events. I go home and go to bed as I am still really sick and today did not make things any better. I am sad, angry, disappointed and overall just feeling really blah. I keep switching from tears to silence, to anger to doubt. I feel horrible. Poor Mike, did he really sign up for all this? How does he tolerate my struggles with life? God love him for being the angel he is!!! God knows I do.
October 3, 2006, Tuesday:
HILTON (my third home):
I'll try and sum today up in a few paragraphs. Sgt. P called today and told Mike that my waivers came through for my leg and Tackycardia. Guess again . . .a waiver came through for my leg and Mike. Um, notice an issue? That's right I said Mike received a waiver. The doctor paid such close attention to everything that he provided a non-applicant a waiver to enlist in the US Army:) Makes you feel like your in good hands, huh? Just kidding. I know I am healthy so it didn't bother me, but it delays things because that waiver is useless I need one for my Tackycardia.
Also, Sgt. P is now saying 92G does not have quick ships any longer. Mind you, a couple of weeks ago I specifically asked do they always have quick ships? He said yes. I asked what is the latest time they will ship before Exodus (where recruits come home for 2 weeks over Christmas)? He said up until Exodus (I know this is BS because why would they fly you down there and then turn around and send you home within a day? Now you see my problem with my recruiter, huh? He is trying to get me to change MOS's. He wants me to be a driver or Patriot Missle blah, blah, blah! Mike basically told him to screw himself. He wanted us to drive all the way to C-ville to select one of the above jobs. Mike said NO! Mike is upset at him now.
I went to the doctor because I am still feeling really sick. I have a bad sore throat and he gave me a RX for amoxicilin and a decongestant. Mike dropped me off at home and then went to his Aunt's house to move some things for her. He came back and picked me up to go to Indianapolis, that's right the Hilton for me tonight. I have spent so much time at the Hilton recently that I feel like Paris' evil step-sister:)! I checked in at the Washington Suite and then Mike and I went to Max & Erma's. can you believe they dicontinued their pretzel appetizers? They were the best:) I still don't feel well, but anyway Mike takes me back to the hotel.
I go up to my room and read some mags Mike bought me and watch Oceans 12. My roommate came in. Her name is Cheryl, NG, 91W (medic), BCT Ft. Jackson, SC, AIT Ft. Sam, TX. She has 2 kids and is 33, but totally looks 19. I was blown away and couldn't get over how young she looks. Anyway, she is really cool. We have talked about our fears of basic and shared our limited knowledge. Her mom and kids came to see her off. We have talked a lot about BCT. I fell better about BCT. I called Mike to let him know I was feeling better about joining. iI think it made him feel better.
We were up until about 1:00 am talking. She was telling me cute stories of her little girl and her son. I didn't sleep much between talking and my throat killing me.
October 2, 2006, Monday:
MEPS again for me:
So I am trying to control my weakness, pass out feeling and I go through the detectors, baggage and instructions. I check in with ARMY and go sit in the Main Control Desk area with 3 other inspects (people who don't have to do the full physical). We wait about 45 minutes and go back to medical. I do a urine test and weight/tape test (weight: 162lbs. Neck: 16, Forearm: 9.75, Wrist: 6.25, hips: 42, waist: 30.5 and get this . . .I gained an inch in height 65" (5'5"). I MET WEIGHT! I did it, I lost the weight and inches in my waist and gained enough inches in my neck and forearm to make tape!!! NO SUCKY ARMS TEST FOR ME!!!!
Dr. R checks me for tatoos and I get dressed an am told to sit in the Main Control Desk area and wait to go do an ortho consult for my leg. At 6:50am I sit in the 1st chair in control desk area. At 9:55am Mike comes in and sits by me. I tell him everything about what I have done thus far today, I was so excited about making weight. He asks what I am doing now. I tell him I was told to sit here and wait for my ortho. consult. He asks how long I have been sitting here. I tell him since 6:50am. He asks if I have asked anyone about when my consult is. I told him no, I was told to sit in the chair and I have not left the chair. He tells me to go and check with the control desk about my appt. I finally got Mike to understand that I haven't received anything on my status because I was told to sit in this chair and I have not moved from this chair. By not moving I mean I have not stood, used the restroom or raised my butt off of this chair. He couldn't believe that. I told him I was just doing as I was told. He busted out laughing at me. It's okay, I have a feeling I am going to experience a lot of laughs on my behalf because of stupid things I do. They call back to medical and then tells me to go to medical. Civilian R. gives me my packet and directions and Mike drives me to my ortho consult with Dr. L. on North Meridian St.
Ortho Consult: This Dr. sucked. He cared more about the mechanics of my car accident that broke my leg rather than anything else (like how my recovery was, how I feel currently, what physical activity I do, etc.). Plus he asked if my husband was going to leave me for joining the Army. Nice, huh? A married man joins the Army and everyone supports it, including his spouse, but a married woman joins the Army and my husband must be divorcing me. You will not believe how many times people have asked me this about my husband.
Anyway, this Dr. constantly yelled at his employees and never clarified anything. He was careless in his practice. For instance my left leg is the leg that was broken. He told the X-Ray tech. (I was there) that it was my right leg. My husband even overheard it and corrected him. He didn't like being corrected, but my husband is a loving puppy until pushed, then the rabid dog comes out to play. Mike basically let this Dr. know what he thought of him. I spent a lot of time with the radiologist and tried to cheer him up. I was asking him about the technology they use and what they expect to use in the future and he was like a kid in a candy store talking about it:) I felt so sorry for the employees.
We then rushed back to MEPS and I met with Dr. F. and he signed off on my paperwork. But Army regulations say I have to have a waiver for a rod in my leg. So I am done for the day. No more processing, no enlistment. While waiting for my out processing paperwork Mst. Sgt. T comes back to get me (he is an enlistment counselor). However, since I'm on a waiver I can't meet with him. I get a water and talk with Mike, get my packet and leave.
We went to Fazolis for lunch. The food wasn't as good as I remember it. We stopped by Gma M's. house to pick up a family mirror. She has new glasses that look really, really good. She also has painted her paneling white and it looks really good. We went by my mother-in-laws house to move her china cabinet back and looked at her newly painted walls (very nice color scheme). Looks really good! Then we went home. I slept for about 3 hours (mind you I am sick today). We then went and had dinner, but I couldn't eat much (sick). We came home and Mike played computer games and I laid down. Later Mike fixed me toast and watched Hereos (great show).
October 1, 2006, Sunday:
The Hilton again for me:
Today I am feeling really sick. My throat kills. We hung out for a bit and then we headed down to The Hilton so I could go to MEPS tomorrow. I am still questioning myself. Mike keeps telling me if I am questioning myself then I should reconsider doing this. It isn't that I question whether I'll be good at the "military life" I know I can do that, it is BCT that I am scared to death about. I hate not knowing exactly what will happen.
I check in at the Washington Suite again and Mike and I have dinner at the Hilton and then I swim and Mike leaves afterwards. I have a roommate, Breanna, Army, Intelligence Analyst, BCT at Ft. Leonardwood, MO, AIT at Ft. Hutchuka, AZ. She is 17 and shipping tomorrow.
I showered after my swim and watched Everybody Loves Raymond. I called Mike, he was helping his mom move her china cabinet for the painter. I asked him if I was doing the right thing? He said 100% (that was exactly all the words that were exchanged between us). I hung up and went to bed.
My roommate was a tosser and tossed all night. I don't get it, she woke up all refreshed and wide eyed when she tossed every 5 minutes and yet I stay still, sleeping on one side and I never feel as well rested as she seemed to. Frustrating, it is. I had trouble sleeping because my throat hurt so bad. I laid in bed and stared out the window wondering what the rest of the world was doing. I finally woke up at 3:54 am and showered, dressed, went downstairs, had 3 bites of eggs and half a piece of bacon & OJ. I felt so sick. I felt bloated even though I did not eat much.
I got on the bus and waited. We went to MEPS and while I am in line getting instructions for the metal detectors (by the way this time we were told to make one big line) I fell queasy and feel like I am going to pass out.
September 30, 2006, Saturday:
Downrange:
Today was an eventful day. We went to our nephews football game. They smoked the other team like 48-0. Go WEBO! After the game, we ran home to get my ARMY packet for MEPS tomorrow/Sunday. Sgt. S was nice enough to drop it off at our house since my recruiter, Sgt. P does absolutely nothing to make this process any easier. We then headed out to my brother-in-laws where my husband, Mike, taught me how to shoot. I have never shot a pistol or a rifle before so I was really nervous. Which seemed to make Mike a little bit nervous, but what a trooper he still was willing to risk life and limb to teach me!
Mike first taught me safety and explained downrange/uprange. He said you never point your weapon uprange and NEVER FIRE UPRANGE! I first shot the 22 rifle and then shot a 9mm pistol. I thought I shot myself with the pistol. I stood behind Mike as he shot first and watched him. When he shot the pistol the casings went off to the right. When I fired my first shot the casing hit me in the forhead and I thought I shot myself. I know, go ahead and laugh it up and then read on:) Mike freaked out (not because I thought I shot myself, but because he thought I was going to drop the gun). I wasn't that bad. No matter what I kept the pistol pointed downrange and towards the ground, but turned my head to tell him I hate the pistol.
I LOVE the Rifle though, which is good because that is what I have to qualify on. I just feel unstable with the pistol and it is held away from your body while the rifle is held close to the body (the shoulder). Mike later said I was holding the pistol straight in front of me instead of off to the right a little and that is why the casings kept hitting me. It was a great experience and he said I am a great shot with the rifle. I was able to shoot appropriately with the breathing technique.
We went up to the house and talked with my brother and sister-in-law and then went and had dinner and watched the movie The Guardian (rockin' movie). However, I started freaking out about BCT and felt like I couldn't do it. Mike talked with me for hours about my fears. I was feeling really sick though. I finally calmed down and went to bed.
posted by Laura | 2:55 PM
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