How Quickly December Will Be Here
Sunday I got done with a long week and long days (5 AM to 9 PM) of training and paperwork to get me ready for deployment. It was only suppose to be Monday through Friday, but in typical Army fashion someone screwed up. Originally my orders were suppose to be till Friday so they just extended my orders till Sunday. Imagine my surprise when they told me this news. Monday through Thursday was SRP days (Solider Readiness Processing). During this time I get screened for my medical (started my HEP B shots), personnel, clothing issues, & briefings (not underwear briefings Jen). This is all in order to get me ready for SRC (Solider Readiness Check) which is about the same thing as an SRP but more in detail. Then Thursday through Sunday we were in the Field doing Warrior Task Training and Battle Drills. Oh lucky me on Wednesday I felt I was getting sick and sure enough Thursday it kicked in, I’m guessing I got it from one of the other 450 soldiers. Needless to say the last few days were miserable, exhausted, not being able to talk, sore throat…and out in 90 plus degree weather. I don’t mind being out in the field doing training, but being sick just makes everything worse.
So Saturday I was just beat from fighting this cold and my NCOIC (Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge) told me to get with the medic. So I went and saw the one of NCO Staff members who could contact the medic. I explained my situation to him. He asked me “You wouldn’t be doing this to get out of training would you? I’m just kidding, don’t take it the wrong way.” I chuckled and he chuckled. I knew he was kidding, but I said back “If I wanted to get out of training I would’ve done it on my wife’s birthday”. Anyway I eventually got with the medic, who was useless, told me I had a cold and I need to take some medicine. of course I already knew I had a cold and I was already taking medicine.
Even though the week had it downers it did have some good things. I met some of the people I will be deploying with as well as found out some information on what to expect over in Iraq. So December 1st is when I will be leaving for training and then in April I will be leaving for the Sandbox…Iraq. I can’t believe how quickly August will be over and how quickly December will be here. I will get to come home for Christmas and New Years, but I will be leaving again on January 2nd…yes my birthday. Happy Birthday Bobby you’re going to Mississippi. I’ve heard nothing but bad things about Mississippi. Jen has shared the story of her mom treating to leave her Dad if they did not move from Mississippi. Can’t wait!
Till Next Time.
In the Army Now
In the future there will be more and more post regarding my deployment and instead of talking about it in a cryptic way I figure I’ll just go head and say it. I found out last month at drill that I was being involuntary transferred to another unit being deployed. What that means is I am being transferred from the unit I am in now to another unit so they can meet their numbers…essentially I was resigned to another unit. Since I’ve told people of my deployment some have felt sorry for me. I ask please do not feel sorry for me. Jen and I knew of this when I re-enlisted and I’m excited to go. This is why I joined the Guard so I can serve. Before I was involuntary assigned to go I was in the middle of deciding if I should volunteer to go or just wait to see what happens. For those who signed up for free college they are in for a big surprise when they have to fulfill what they signed up for and I have no sympathy for those. If they do not want to defend their country that’s fine, but don’t expect a free ride to college.
Last weekend was a weekend full of cleaning weapons and working on my promotion packet at drill and I also found a bit more information on my deployment. I found out my school dates for my job reclassification and I also found out which unit I am going with. However, nobody knows for sure where this unit is. I have been given 5 or 6 different cities where this unit is. I also got my orders for my SRP (Solider Readiness Process), which is in three weeks. For those who do not know what an SRP is, it’s a week long 11+ hour days of doing paper work, getting shots, and equipment. We need to make sure we have our will’s and power of attorneys are in order, are pay in straight, and all other necessary paper work. Every solider who is going to deploy has to go through this lovely experience.
This morning I was doing research for things that I may need while deployed (items that the Army does not issue) and I realized that I will have no need to buy any regular clothes at least for a year. Plus I have all my stuff (tools, my mountain bike L, paintball gun) at home that won’t be used for over a year and I need to figure out what I’m going to do with it. By the way, for those who come across this if you’ve been deployed before your suggestions for things to bring to Iraq would be greatly appreciated.
Some other news, Friday night we got a dog and no I did nothing to persuade Jen into it. We’re not sure what he is and either does the adaptation agency. We think he has yellow lab and basenji, which is kinda like dingo. Looking at the picture he really does look like a dingo or basenji. He has really taken to Jen and as for me he’s scared. We believe that whoever owned him before that a man used to hit him, whenever I try to pet him he cowers. He’s about 2 years old and is very friendly not a mean bone in his body. The cats get along with him fine mainly because he’s afraid of them.
That’s all for now.
A Wrench in the Gears
It’s been awhile. Last week I was at my National Guard Armory for AT so I had limited access to a computer. This week I’m back to work sorta…the company I work for mans an AutoCAD help desk for IBM and one guy is out for vacation and I’m filling in for him. This is really the most boring part of my job because I sit around 95% of the time doing nothing.
No new news yet on my situation. Let me take a side-trail, I always hate it when people talk with words like situation or recent developments but don’t ever explain what the situation is. I hate when people do that and now I’m doing it, but if you want to know shoot me an e-mail and I might tell you. So back to my original thought, I was supposed to find out some news August 3rd, but that has been put off until the week of August 18th. We did get our tickets booked for the week of September 14th to go to Florida and Ohio.
I don’t think I’ve posted this bit of news on here, but Jen and I passed are motorcycle permit test. So we have motorcycle permits and as of the recent developments (see there it is again) I’m flip flopping on what I want to do with the truck. Originally I was going to sell the truck and buy a motorcycle, but now I don’t know what I’m going to do now. I do know that I really enjoy riding them. My neighbor let me take a ride on his motorcycle around the block a few times and Jen said I looked like a kid on Christmas morning. So if anyone has a motorcycle they want to lend me for a few weeks or a month let me know.
I just wanted to throw this up here, but if you’re a fan of Heroes here is the trailer for the new season. I was a bit skeptical of Heroes at first but after catching up last year I’m sold and can’t wait for season 3.
Moving Weekend
It’s been awhile since I’ve updated the blog. For the most part I am feeling better. I still have a small cough but nothing serious. Work has slowed down a little bit for the time, but will be picking up again soon. Sometime in April or May (dates have not been confirmed) I am supposed to be doing some traveling for work. We (my boss and I) will be training IBM in one of our software products and then I believe next year we will be doing some more traveling.
Last weekend was my first weekend back in drill (National Guard). There were some issues in whether I actually had slot/job there and I can’t say I am surprised. One, It is a brand new unit so they’re still getting their stuff together and second it’s the Army. Next month’s drill they’re supposed to have everything together in regards for a job for me. We shall see.
This week was my last week of my first 8 week classes. I’m guessing I’ll finish my Theology class with an A and my youth class with a B. This weekend is the big move out of the apartment and into the house. We were going to work a half day today and move the other half, but thanks to the rain we may have to postpone it until tomorrow. Which really stinks because we were hoping that Saturday afternoon we could be setting up the house and unpacking. Once we get setup in the new house I will get some pictures posted. Quick bio of the house: a 3/2.5 bath, brand new home, never lived in, two story house.
Besides that not a whole lot going on. I guess you could say that I live a pretty unexciting life.
Till next time folks…
Real Quick
Nothing real long here I’m really sick. Went to the doctor this evening and I have Type A Flu….oh joy. Just wanted to let you know that it is official. I’m no longer a member of the Army Reserves and I am now a member of the National Guard. I’ve attached a picture of me after being sworn in, sorry they do not allow cameras during the ceremony.
