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.