Predeployment

So it's been awhile since I've posted, and for good reason.

Since returning from JRTC our brigade has shifted into deployment mode and we've been packing shit up, shipping shit out and getting ready for a 15 month vacation.

A lot of has changed with our unit since JRTC. Probably the largest change is the fact that we've turned in our motor pool. That's right. We trained as a Brigade on mechanized tactics and now we're going to ship to Iraq as a light unit. Whatever. Those Bradleys were ovens in Louisiana, I don't ever want to experience one in the heat of Iraq.

Another change, and probably my favorite, is that we've turned in all M16s for M4 Carbines. Woohoo! Too bad the third round I put through it at the zero range jammed. I'm hoping this won't become the norm in Iraq.

As of now I've also been shifted from my original dismount squad into the Weapons squad. On paper I'm listed as a M240B Assistant gunner but from what I've been told more than likely during patrols, missions or whatever I'll just be attached to my old squad as a standard Rifleman. Sounds good to me.

So right now I'm on predeployment block leave. Two weeks of home sweet home before sweet home Iraq. Strangly I'm looking forward to Iraq, mainly to get it over with. I've already ear marked my Iraq money toward an older Corvette. Awww yeah! Money management at its finest. People like me are the reason service men and women have to sit through hours of boring Finance classes every year. But as long as I get to drive a Corvette for a few weeks before I crash the hell out of it, it's all good.

All in all, things are coming along nicely in the Army. Yeah, PT is a bitch and I hate it but once its over with you dont have to do it again for another 23 hours. Yeah, being a Private sucks because you get put on shit details all the time but if it's an all day detail you usually get relieved within an hour or two so it's not that bad.

99% of the time I end the day with atleast a fake smile on my face but I'll admit it sucks having your life totally consumed by the Army. There are very few days during the week where I get off of work and am actually off of work. Weekends are scary because you want to go out and have a good time, but you don't want to be ''that guy'' who gets into shit and causes the CO to hold formation for an extra 15 minutes on Friday so he can lecture the company on staying out of trouble.

My weekends usually consist of the unmarried guys from my squad and a few other platoon members hitting up Outback or Texas Roadhouse and then coming back onto post to cause the maximum amount of trouble possible without getting the MPs called. Whatever it takes to get a week of bullshit off of your mind.

JRTC

The Joint Readiness Training Center. The name sounds like a very professional military center where one would go to...get ready. Get ready for what you may ask. Iraq is what. We leave tonight and have an 11 hour bus ride into the heart of Louisiana to a little place called Ft. Polk. I've heard nothing but bad things about this place. From Ft. Polk we ride even further into the wilderness until we are securely positioned in the middle of nowhere, where we will then begin our training.

The number one item I've had recommended to me so far is bug spray.

"But its the middle of winter, there can't be that many bugs."

"Dude, just bring bug spray."

Stellar. The extent of my unit level training has been "clearing" the stairwell of my barracks with my fireteam and going over Battle Drills which usually turns into my squad leader drawing pictures of hilarious sex positions on the white board. The laughs are good and all but I really wish I was getting more training before going to a place where a lack of training increases your chances of death.

I'm really hoping JRTC is more than just "20 days in a swamp" like everyone is saying it's going to be.

Mechanized Infantry

Uhhh, yeah. So here I am in Fort Hood Texas. I made it, I guess. And just in time to get deployed. Woohoo. We leave for JRTC in two weeks, come home for a month, and then deploy. Perfect timing. Way to go guy!

The real Army is strange. I would be lieing if I said I didn't miss basic training. There's too much, dare I say, freedom here. Too much room to fuck up. And coming home from work everynight to a TOTALLY empty room is one of the worst punishments I've had to endure. When you're at home, you take things like cups, plates, silverware and toilet paper for granted. Drinking water out of the faucet like a caveman has become the norm as has walking the half mile to the Food Court just to use the restroom there.

Maybe through some financial miracle I'll come across enough money to pay for a laptop, but until then, $20.00 to use the internet for two hours is whats happening now. I've been here for about a week and so far all I've gotten to fill my room up is TA-50. Otherwise known as all of the equipment we get issued. Canteens, body armor, ruck sacks, great stuff.

Not having a car sucks. I've been getting lots of practice for Iraq walking around in the Texas heat. Its the middle/end of winter and it's 70 degrees everyday compared to Ft. Bennings 30-40. I thought I was going to die my first day here.

I've been slotted as a Rifleman in our dismounted infantry squad. Cool I guess. I was kind of hoping to get to sit in the air conditioned Bradley while everyone else went out and did all the work, but oh well. I still havn't been issued my weapon and havn't gone for a ride in the Bradley yet either. That probably wont happen until JRTC.

Hopefully I'll be able to post more later. Until the next 20 dollar bill.

Here We Go Again...

Looks like the last post before I head out for the glorious Hill of Sand. Hopefully the next time I get to post will be as an actual Soldier and as an actual Infantryman. There is quite the shit-ton of pain heading my way and I suppose right now I'm just preparing to suck it up and love every minute of it. Haha, yeah right. Oh well, until next time.