Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Basic Training

I found this great video on Vimeo.  Just a really great job of shooting and editing.  Enjoy!


Army Basic Training - HD from MrGlory on Vimeo.

Friday, January 23, 2009

PT Test

Obviously, I want to get the best score possible.  Well, I've been running and doing pushups mostly.  Although the holidays caught me off guard and it got really cold but I still do what I can.  I do pushups at work and run the stairs when I don't have time to run before or after work.  Here are some unofficial PT tests I gave myself.

13Oct08
- 2 mile run = 18:00
- pushups = 27
- situps = 45

30Oct08
- 2 mile run = 17:23
- pushups = 37
- situps = 25

20Jan09
- 2 mile run = 16:12
- pushups = 55
- situps = 47

It's only 3 tests but you can see a difference for sure.  Also, I'm not sure what happened to the situps on the second test.  That's really weird.  My guess is that I was lax on the first one and let bad situps count. I know that after the first test I started to really make sure my form was good so I wouldn't waste reps.

As long as I keep it up I know I'll be very comfortable (relatively) in Basic.  What I really want to focus on is getting that run down!  I know I can do better.  We'll see.  

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Where did this interest come from?

First off, I feel that an interest has turned into a passion.  I've been dutifully thinking and praying and talking over the entire process of joining the Army.  Seemingly, out of the blue I started thinking about this.  But as I try and think back, little things along the way steered me towards this conclusion.  Let's take a journey back in time!  Ok, that was really cheesy but let me just brainstorm for a minute.

- In High School I was in JROTC, just for two years (I have a funny picture in my uniform, I'll have to dig it up).  
- I was in Royal Rangers for almost 10 years (it's like Christian Boy Scouts)
- Random things like video games and paintball interests (sorry if that's cheesy)
- A love for structure, organization, new skills, camaraderie, sense of honor, sense of accomplishment...

I also did some checking of my internet bookmarks (to see when I started doing research online) and I found that in July, I searched for info about the Army National Guard.  Then in October I searched for Active Army and possible jobs.

I don't know... I guess that's part of it but I know there's more.  

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Army Update

I decided to go the Enlisted route over Officer.  At least for the beginning.  For a reasons.  

- I don't feel that I have any "traditional" leadership traits
- Passing the AFPT for OCS would be difficult
- No signing bonus for OCS applicants
- Having no guaranteed job was a little unsettling with my wife and I

Benefits to Enlisted first?
 
- Get my feet wet; understand how the Army works
- Gain credibility 
- Enlistment bonuses
- Pick my MOS

So I told my recruiter and we started the work on swapping things around, not too hard.  I gave him my hospital records and security clearance info and luckily I won't have to go back to MEPS!

Stay tuned for more info.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

MEPS Notes

Well, I came back from MEPS unscathed.  I took some notes while I was there and I though I would share them with you.  I'm not really going to edit them and I just jotted them down in a bullet point format so I'll keep that the same too.  Enjoy.

MEPS Trip 1 Day 1 20081203

- Took the ASVAB in about 1:45
- Got a 71 total and a 114 on GT (needed 110 for OCS)
- Bunked up with Chad (Navy) - ASVAB = 78
- Ate dinner with Chad and Jillian (Army - ASVAB = 95)
- After the ASVAB and while waiting for the hotel shuttle we all sat for about 2 hours watching TV but I was so tired.
- Planned to go to bed around 8:30 or 9 but ended up 10pm.  I wanted to hang out but I was tired and it's just MEPS.
- Dinner was lame, Chicken looked great but was incredibly dry.  Mean lady, gross dining area: "Chesapeake Room."

MEPS Trip 1 Day 2 20081204

- Bed at 2200, roommate stayed up later.
- Decent sleep
- Woke up and dressed. Ready in a flash, dropped off keycard.
- Breakfast wasn't bad; eggs, bacon, sausage, toast.  I had doubles just so I wouldn't go hungry.
- Board bus at 4:45am
- Got through some tests super quick but then had to wait with a bunch of guys.
- Staff is fairly friendly and helpful but some are grumpy, probably because it's still super early.
- 2 guys in line for an exam with the Doc kept falling asleep.  One snored and the other kept dropping his folder.
- These lines are some of the most mind numbing waiting I have ever done.  Bored and tired.
- Done (almost, well, virtually).
- 1100. Hungry, perfect, free lunch.
- Met a "coastie" but he did NOTHING all day; recruiter didn't put him in the system properly.  Has to do it again later.
- Need to get hospital records and all set.
- 12 dudes in underwear tend to smell a little, though I took a shower, did they?
- Waiting to leave, met girl going to OCS.f
- You kinda see a difference in Enlisted route and Officer route candidates; clothing, attitude, speech...
- I was the only one with a clean shave, a high and tight (or even groomed hair), decently dressed, not sitting sloppy, mouth shut... you get the idea.
- Everyone I met got a higher ASVAB score than me!  Is that bad?!