The semester is over and I survived grad-week. This year's schedule gave us one morning to sleep in until 0630, an exciting change. Unfortunately, for all the cadre of Beast II (that means me) there was a 6 mile ruck march that morning. We stepped off at 0520. Joy. But the week wasn't all bad. My grades came back and I got about a 3.5 GPA. Decent. About what I was shooting for too. We'll see how that changes my class rank (or not if they don't get it out before I leave).
Graduation itself was quite disappointing. POTUS (President of the United States) was the graduation speaker and gave virtually the same speech he gave when he came before. It was just as boring this time too. What's more, he couldn't be bothered to show up on time. When I say that I don't mean he showed up 5 minutes after the ceremony started but still made it before his introduction. No. His motorcade showed up 5 minutes after his introduction and he didn't come out for 20-25 minutes after that. You know how awkward it is when you're riding in someone's car and the conversation just dies? Imagine that except that its a stadium filled to capacity with people. World's most awkward silence waiting for him to get out of his car. The announcer tried to talk to break up the silence, the band played a couple of songs, combined they both filled about 3 minutes. Dear Mr. President, I know you're not a fan of the military and it really is quite an honor for you to come speak to us but we do have lives and would appreciate not spending all of our time waiting for you (as we did this time and for 4 HOURS last time). Sincerely, Me.
I was invited to one bar-pinning ceremony that afternoon but was unable to attend. I learned afterword that it was a very formal event. LT GEN (3-star general) Franklin "Buster" Hagenbeck conducted and there was a formal meal before the actual ceremony. It would have been nice to be able to be there to give my friend a final farewell as we part ways. He will almost certainly be deployed before my next opportunity to see him (he branched infantry). Through the past couple of years he has been a strong support for me and a close friend. He'll make a wonderful officer.
My first duty for the summer is CTLT (Cadet Troop Leader Training) where we basically job shadow a lieutenant and see what we're supposed to do after we graduate. Getting here was interesting- nothing went to plan. Pretty much all I have to say about that.
Now I'm in beautiful South Carolina. FT Jackson (aka: Relaxin' Jackson) is a beautiful, thickly forested post but so hot and humid that working during the day is miserable. I got here and figured the next day was going to be a fairly relaxing one, ha! Once again while my peers slept I woke up early (0330) for a 10k (roughly, we went a bit further) ruck march. Thankfully basic training soldiers aren't in great shape. Despite my body screaming for sleep from the long night coming down here I was still able to not only complete the march but was doing laps from the front to the back of formation and then to the front again. The load was light and the pace mind numbingly slow, but somehow we still managed to almost lose half a platoon of new soldiers.
We did the night infiltration course that night. That's the one where you crawl out of a trench and across the field while drill sergeants are shooting live tracer rounds over your head. I crawled as a drill sergeant and was responsible for ensuring that nobody froze up and refused to move. Trying to get some of those privates to move out while the guns were firing was definitely a difficult experience. Imagine that, all these tough guys that aren't afraid of anything suddenly change their tune when you start shooting 7.62 rounds at them. All in all I was disappointed, not nearly as exciting as I was hoping for.
Last night I spent the night in the field with the soldiers. They have tents. And sleeping bags. So much softy gear...it could hardly be called a night in the field, more like a camping trip with an armed fire guard rather than a campfire. Still, it was good to get to know them and the drill sergeants a little better. Because they have to ensure that the privates get a certain amount of sleep every night they bedded them down at 2000 (8 pm) I went to bed at 2030-way too early. At 0230 my body was done sleeping. Ya know how much there is to do at o230? Absolutely nothing. It was a long morning.
Being called 'sir' by E-6 and E-7 drill sergeants who have been in the army for almost as long as I've been alive is quite humbling. In a staff meeting today CPT Grover (the company commander) told the cadre to give me all the courtesy and respect they would give himself or LT Holden (my sponsor). I couldn't help but wonder: Why? I'm a cadet. Someday an officer, yes, but not for a long time. Frankly, some of the more squared away privates in the company probably know as much about the army as I do. What qualifies me to be called 'sir' and have them salute? The answer is nothing, but they do it anyways. Quite unnerving really, I don't think I like it.
Now I'm just rambling like I always do when I need to get some sleep. That being said, one last topic. Memorial day is coming up. This is a very sacred day for many people. It is a very humbling experience to be here working closely with men and women who have watched their battle buddies pay the ultimate price. What's more, we're working to train those who are volunteering to lay down their lives. I would ask that regardless of your beliefs, regardless of how you feel about the war and the military, and regardless of your traditions on this day you please respect the veterans who are paying tribute to their fallen and missing comrades and pray for our soldiers both past and present. Just as a final note I want to end this with one of my favorite quotes. There are many versions of it floating around and all are good but I think the original is the most powerful:
"It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag
who allows the protester to burn the flag."
- Father Dennis Edward O'Brian, USMC
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag
who allows the protester to burn the flag."
- Father Dennis Edward O'Brian, USMC
Please remember to show respect for the flag and those who do serve and have served under it.
(Thanks for the pictures Josie)
(Thanks for the pictures Josie)
No problem. :)
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