Drill and Ceremony Competition

Saturday we had the drill and ceremony competition. 2nd Platoon was the winner. We received a ribbon for our platoon flag and we have a week off from being duty platoon. The competition was really close. All of the platoons worked hard for the ceremony. A lot of hot hours training in the parking lot. Drill Sergeant had us "picking cherries." Our arms were worn out!!!!!

Here is a video of 3rd or 4th Platoon during part of the D and C competition. It was fun, everyone enjoyed the competition.

CH-BOLC CIMT Week 2

Another week is complete, just two more weeks of CIMT. This past week was a busy week and next week is supposed to be even busier. Last week the PT picked up in intensity. This is still a struggle for me but I am getting through it. It actually makes my body feel better, of course not while actually doing the PT but afterwards!

Monday was the Team Development Course. It was both fun and challenging. This course is designed to develop teamwork and leadership skills. Some of the task seem impossible to complete while others we simply ran out of time. The course was mentally and physically tough. We only completed 1 of 6. I am proud to say I was the team leader on the one we fully completed! We had a strong team though. Hooah! We went through the Chaplain Corps museum later that day. It was interesting to see the full history of the Chaplain Corps.








Tuesday we had Tactical Radio Communication class. Most of us had no clue what we were really saying but we sounded professional anyway. The cadre teaching the class had a lot of combat experience as medics. They had a lot of stories to tell and a lot of experience in Medevac situations. It was a good class, very well taught.

Wednesday was the day of days so far for CIMT, NBC training. Not NBC as in T.V. training, but Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical warfare training. GAS, GAS, GAS...we had 9 seconds to remove our mask from the holder, put on the mask, clear the mask, and seal the mask. After classroom training we were taken to the CBRN range. I have never seen so many grown men cry at one time! When the CS gets in your eyes, nose, and throat your body starts immediately trying to flush it out. Tears, mucus, slober, drool, and everything else is dripping from your eyes, nose, and mouth. Good times!

2nd Platoon after the Gas Chamber!

Thursday and Friday was First Aid training. It was good information to learn. Some of it was a little boring because of all the powerpoints but the instructors were really good.

CH-BOLC CIMT Week 1

Well, I made it through week one of CIMT at CH-BOLC. For those of you preparing to come to Fort Jackson let me tell you, it is hotttttt here!!!! It hasn't been too bad so far. We had a lot of class time this week getting inprocessed. Received a lot of gear (TA 50) this week. Spent some time outside working on drill and ceremony. The asphalt gets really hot about lunch time. I spent my birthday here on Wednesday. A friend I have here that I met during AT with the 81st back in April took me out for my birthday. That was a good time. It is rough being away from Natasha and the boys, especially on my birthday. I am going to miss our churches 45th anniversary this Sunday, Happy Birthday Calvary! I am going to miss Father's Day and the baby dedication ceremony at church. I told Colin since he was the oldest son he would have to stand in there for me. I got him squared away with a new suit, he told me he wanted a bowtie but I didn't want him looking like Ducky on NCIS. I will miss the 4th of July holiday but hopefully Natasha and the boys will get to come down here to visit. I am missing out on a lot but I keep in mind those soldiers who are overseas. They will miss out on at least a year of their families lives. Before you go to sleep tonight ask God to bless those that serve our nation. They sacrifice so much and ask for so little. At least we can pray for them and their families.

Being my birthday week, I received some mail from home. Thank you all for the push ups!!! Just kidding, thank you to all who sent me a card. It was good to get mail from home. Only problem was CH Hart and SFC Rankins makes you drop and do push ups or mountain climbers before giving you your mail. It was worth it though! The class actually gave those of us who celebrated our birthdays this week a card for our birthday. I think it was about 5 of us this past week with birthdays. CH Hart asked me how old I was, I should have told him 4, I had to do 35 push ups in front of the class.

I have met some really good guys here this week. Had some good times and some rough times. I expect things to really pick up next week. We start a more hectic schedule and regular PT sessions. Hopefully it will make the time go by faster being busier. When I get weak and tired I look to God for strength and He is there for me. It won't be easy getting through class but I press forward remembering that all I do is for the glory of God.