Freedom!!

Well I survived 11 weeks of basic training. I had the fortunate luck of being in the first cycle where they extended basic from 9 weeks to 11. It actually wasn’t too bad and we were able to get in a lot of really good training.

I can now fire and clean an M16A2, march 9 miles while carrying 40lbs on my back, run 2 miles in 14min 15 sec, do 55 push-ups in 2 min, 85 sit-ups in 2 min, throw a grenade, give someone an IV, do combat life saving, command a platoon size element, survive on very little sleep, eat just about anything whether it is hot or cold, sleep just about any where no matter the weather, and handle a lot more stress than I thought I could.

I met my goal of scoring a 300 on the PT test. My final score was a 310 on the extended scale. I did not get the highest score in my company, but I believe I may have been the second highest. The high score was by another female. Her’s was a 331! She had the second highest in the entire battalion. Our battalion had 1200 soldiers, which was divided into 6 companies of about 200 each, then each company was divided into 4 platoons of about 50 each. I had the only 300 PT score in my platoon.

I graduated basic with honors. Out of the 1200 soldiers only 24 of us got honors. I received the Soldier Leader of the Cycle award for my company. Each company had 4 soldiers who were honored: High PT, High BRM (basic rifle marksmanship), Soldier of the Cycle, and Soldier Leader of the Cycle. To win the Soldier of the Cycle or Soldier Leader of the Cycle each platoon chose someone to represent the platoon and go before a board. I was chosen for my platoon. I then had to go before the board and answer questions about everything we had learned during basic training. I was asked 3 questions from each of the following topics: BRM, PT, First Aid, NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical), Map Reading, Drill and Ceremony, Chain of Command, Recite the Soldier’s Creed. It was very nerve wracking and I was definitely nervous, but I guess I impressed the board.  

At graduation because there were 1200 graduating they did not read off everyone’s names. Each company just marched by, but those of us who were honored had our names called off and the Battalion Commander, LTC Heintzelmann and the Battalion CSM, CSM Skerritt awarded us with a certificate. After the ceremony was over the Comanding General of the Post, BG Schwitters gave us each a coin and congratulated us! It was really cool.

After graduation I was allowed to be released into my parent’s custody because they were driving me to my next station. I got to spend the night with them in a hotel. It was so wonderful. I got to take a hot bath without 50 other females in the latrine!! The next day my family drove me to where I am now stationed. I will be here for quite a while learning the skills needed for my MOS.

I am allowed to have my cell phone so those of you who have my number can give me a call. If I’m not allowed to answer I’ll have it turned off so just leave me a message and I’ll call you back as soon as allowed.

I hope everyone is having a great Easter! I’ll try to get online as often as I can to keep everyone updated.