My week at reception battalion

August 8, 2011 – August 14, 2011

Monday was a really long day.  We were up at 3:30 to head to the MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) in Sacramento, CA. for our final physicals, finalize paperwork and take the Army Oath.  Since there were so many people shipping out we had to stay another night in Sacramento, CA.  Staying the extra night meant when we got to Ft. Benning we would be able to start processing.  The down side was that I was up at 2:30 a.m. to get to the airport and when we arrived in GA we processed and drilled through the night.  We learned the Army Soldiers Creed, Cadence, Marching and started the long task of paperwork, so needless to say I have been up for around 45 hours right now and I was also lucky enough to get Fire Watch for part of the night.  I’m not sure how much sleep I will actually get but some is definitely better than none.

We are also starting to get our uniforms, PT (Physical Training) Clothes and other cool equipment.  The temperature has also been really hot and humid.  We have camel packs so we constantly have plenty of water. We haven’t even been running; I think a lot of people are going to be in for a rude awakening.  We get three meals a day.  The food is fine, not horrible; we only get 5 minutes to eat. We mainly just focus on hydration.

It is Sunday today not much has changed we are at a Heat Category 5 which is 90+ everyday and when you are wearing full ACU’s (Army Combat Uniforms) plus long socks and boots it is pretty damn hot.  The Company that I am placed with right now is Alpha Company.  We are all non-combat, prior service and OCS (Officer Candidate School).  The prior service and OCS guys are awesome but the non combat MOS guys to be polite are damn annoying.  They don’t shut up when the DS (Drill Sergeant) is speaking or when it is lights out.  These guys are going to get destroyed down range (DR means when we get down to basic).  Right now the DS’s are not supposed to get in the soldiers faces but that will soon change and I cannot wait!!! Cause some of these guys need a boot in the ass to get them motivated.  But none the less I am still doing well just trying to remember and memorize everything.  The OCS guys met with the Captain of Alpha Company yesterday and he really got us ready and motivated for both basic and OCS; I’m ready to get down range and get to work.

For those who are curious (dad) I received 5 shots this week and 1 TB test.  I also gave 5 vile of blood.  The only shot that hurt was the Penicillin shot in the butt.  Right after you get the shot they make you sit down on the linoleum floor for like a half an hour and just watch you squirm.

That is pretty much it for this week.  We also moved to a brand new building yesterday which was pretty damn nice, this building was just built.  We will be here till Tuesday and then head down range.  When we get down range they say we will run sand hill.  Sand Hill is when we have to run up a sand hill around a ½ to 1 mile while holding our packs with all of our gear over our heads; not sure how true al the rumors are but I will assume that they are quit exaggerated.

I still do not know my mailing address; I will find that out when I get down range on Tuesday.  About letters, I will love to get them but just know that everything will be scanned and looked at.  I just thought I would give you all a heads up on that. I’m not sure about receiving packages yet when I find out I will let you know if I need anything.  Right now everything is very regulated and we are only allowed certain things.  Right now my favorite things are mole skin and foot powder.

This is pretty much everything that has happened so far.  I miss you all very much and hope you are all doing well.  I will write again soon.