So Much the Better

Down to Earth

2007-02-05T19:34:00.000-05:00

03 more jumps to go! First two were fun. I'm ready to descend a few more times, and then get out of Ft. Benning. I want to take my place with my Great Uncle Bud (82nd in WW II,) Grandfather and his brother, Father Bill (Vietnam,) and my Dad (80's Small wars.) There is a picture of me as a child, literally days old, holding a big cloth patch of novice Jump Wings. It's cool to know that I will get my wings soon enough!

Airborne School

2007-01-28T15:15:00.000-05:00

So, after far too much sitting around in limbo, I've completed my first week of Airborne School. The training is interesting, but there is a lot of standing around. I suppose I can't judge too much as this is my first "real," Army school. The free time concept is still new and strange, but I like it. The class is huge, so he school feels very impersonal, but that seems to be the way this cookie crumbles.

Other than the fact that I am terrible, well, was terrible at executing a PLF, training is pretty good. I fell more than my fair share of times off of the Lateral Drift Simulator, so I was a little sore, but I'm fine now. I'm off to use my next 24 minutes on this computer at the library doing some other stuff, but I hope everyone is well, and staying safe. Bragg in 02 weeks, it's all coming together.

Stuck in the middle

2007-01-13T10:56:00.000-05:00

I suppose Exodus was actually rather splendid. Although I spent a week sick in bed, I did enjoy being home and one way or the other, I did see all of my friends and family. All was well, and it was spectacular to have my dog by my side.

However, as soon as I tried to come back to Ft. Benning, everything went pretty bad. My journey back to Benning began with what teetered on a riot in the Delta terminal I was leaving from. As a result, I, as well as many other passengers, missed their flights. I got on the "next available," flight and began making phone calls to find an earlier flight. My Dad did some calling and found a better flight, so my luggage was on one flight, I was on another. I get to Benning, and I have none of my bags.

After Exodus, everyone from my company who was going to airborne was supposed to report back to our Basic Training company. That wasn't terrible. However, a few days after, all my buddies from my platoon went up to airborne to begin, and since I didn't have my uniforms, I was stuck at my company. A few of us were still kicking around to go to Airborne though.

This past Wednesday those of us remaining went to Airborne Hold, the Airborne Hold on Sand Hill. Honestly, it's purgatory, and I truly dislike the place. I don't know when I leave, but it really must occur soon. Airborne Hold is terribly depressing, and I want to actually train; get on with the rest of my training after airborne. There are guys who have been there since November. I don't know if I could do that.

And, since it's a 04 day weekend, and the Drill Sergeants who work there don't want to be there, they locked the bay and told us to find other lodgings until Monday night. It's been a strange week, and I just want to get this show on the road.

Delusions of Grandeur

2006-12-20T15:00:00.000-05:00

I guess this is a continuation of the last post. My question was answered by the ex. After all the anticipation, missing me, even going so far as to use the Internet to broadcast that we were in a "complicated relationship" (I still don't know what that means, nor do I know what it's about,) I get the best let down known to man. She barely speaks to me, and when we do, she doesn't seem very interested in actually talking to me. Although, she did clarify that she "Loves," me but doesn't "want to be with," me. Something else I don't understand. She's still away at school for a few more days. Maybe I'll see her when she gets home. Maybe I won't. She's done so much to confuse me that I don't know where to begin. She spent three months telling my best friend how much she missed me, and needed me. I suppose this "hero's reception," from her is fitting.

Oh, and when she did call me the other night, and I wasn't able to say much because I am not feeling well, she became sarcastic during a lull in conversation and said "Great conversation we're having." Got to love the caring. Really, she wasn't like this in the past.

Millions of fish in the sea, and I don't even know where to troll.

Hello, how are you?

2006-12-17T11:31:00.000-05:00

I'm not going to lie, this is going to be a quick vent about my perception of the world.

In short, I know it's me who changed. I'm well aware that everyone I know is still the same. They've been doing whatever it is that they do. I am the one who made the life altering decision, and I could not be happier with that decision. I needed to enlist. Although I "know," what I'd be doing right now if I did not enlist, to be honest, I don't know how I'd be pulling off such drudgery. I went to school, I worked, and I came home. Occassionally I spent time with friends, and that sort of thing. I spent a lot of time working out and reading.

Don't get me wrong, that's not a terrible lifestyle, but at twenty years old, you want more out of life. I now have that lifestyle, and that's very good.

However, here's the rub: I come back home on leave, and it's weird. I can't just do the same old things I did. I can't peruse the information I missed on websites I frequented before enlisting, I can't really sit there and watch tv for too long. About all I can pull off is reading or talking to people. But, it's hard to explain to people what I've done for the last few months because they have no baseline to judge or understand what I'm saying.

Then, there's the ex-girlfriend who makes the situation hazy. I have yet to see her because she's still away at school for a few days, but how does that work? She missed me so much while I was down at Benning, and now she barely speaks to me. Am I an image, or some kind of icon to be loved and cared for while I'm an element who writes back, and not a human being who exists and can make phone calls and be there. I realize my friends had to go on with their lives, and I understand that I'm the one just moseying back in to their routines. I don't expect the world just to drop for me, but in some ways, I feel really left out and left behind. I suppose it's only temporary. I'll be back to doing cool things in a few weeks, but for now, I'm confused, and sad to say, a little hurt by the whole situation. I hate to whine, but I figure if I write this down, I'll go back, read it, and perhaps see the whole affair from a different angle.

Boom boom boom

2006-12-14T20:09:00.000-05:00

Whew, back from OSUT already. Home for Exodous, and a little r&r, er extra pt. So, this is all I have to say about my time in the ITB: Platoon Honor Graduate. Maybe I'll post a little more, but right now I am slowly reintroducing myself to the Internet. Happy holidays and thanks for messages of support while I was away.

It All Went Black

2006-09-06T01:07:00.000-04:00

I'm leaving for MEPS later today. Finally time to get to OSUT. I'd like to thank everyone who added me to their blogroll. I'd also like to thank everyone who commented on here. I appologize if I did not comment back, but I've been a little bit busy. I'll be back in a few months with tall tales and a new perspective on life. I wish everyone the best of luck, and health. I'll try to blog regularly when I'm back.

From the Battery to the top of Manhattan

2006-09-03T17:14:00.000-04:00

This past Thursday I visited my home away from home: New York City. One of my best friends lives in the City, so I came down for a last hurrah before leaving. As usual, another friend was down there already, and had been for a week. However, I was surprised when Zac, a friend who moved back East this week showed up. Because Zac is a married man (and his wife was with him,) the usual antics that go on while in NYC sadly did not occur. There was no running to the subway at 05 AM in a downpour to get pizza downtown. No stops at Midnight Express, the greasy diner up the street from my friend's apartment, and sadly no time to meet some of the City's lovely ladies. But, I enjoyed going to the comedy club, and climbing rocks in Central Park. Oh well. I really wanted to go to Amy Ruth's for some chicken and waffles one last time, but no such luck.

I thoroughly enjoy NYC, and before I decided to enlist, I was considering changing schools, and living with my friend. Although I can not predict the future (and I'm not planning things that far out,) after the military, I'd like to join the NYPD. Actually, I'd like to further investigate my options in regards to law enforcement. Many of my family members are or have been police officers, so I know enough about local departments. However, I do not know much about State or Federal level law enforcement agencies. None of that is here or there, though. For now, all I'm worried about is becoming the best Infantryman I can be.

What I'm Reading

2006-08-29T17:42:00.000-04:00

This first addition of "What I'm Reading," will not be the one that showcases my love for well written prose, or high level thinking. Instead, it will display some of the quick reading selections I've completed in the last few days.

Street Justice - Chuck Zito:
Mr. Zito is an all around tough guy, as well as a prominent member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. His story is interesting, and the book is enthralling. Mr. Zito discusses his life, and career as a stuntman, bodyguard, and member, as well as officer of the Hells Angels. I reccomend the book to anyone who has some interest in the Hells Angels as a jumping off point. Also, anyone interested in a quick read about a rough, and tumble gentelman will enjoy the book. As a side note, I met Mr. Zito's niece in 2000 or 2001, and she was a very kind, and corteous woman who had nothing but good to say about her uncle.

Under and Alone - William Queen:
Special Agent Queen is a member of the ATFE who went deep undercover to penetrate the Mongols Motorcycle club. Agent Queen not only became a full patch member, but the financial officer for his chapter of the Mongols. This book offers a counterpoint to the books by Chuck Zito, Sonny Barger, and even Hunter Thompson. Another fast book by a rough and ready gentelman who details the vagaries and hardships of undercover work. Agent Queen recounts his encounters with the destructive bikers, and how his relationship with his family disintegrates as his undercover persona takes precedence over his actual life. The first time I read the book I was in awe of the action to realize how little Agent Queen actually tells of his experience. I believe that his time was much more hairy than the "sanitized," book. I thoroughly recommend this book.

Blue Blood - Edward Conlon:

This book diverges from the above quick, easy reads. Detective Conlon's book is an expansive view of his career, his family, and their history in law enforcement, along with a bit of history about the New York Police Department. Conlon begins his career in the NYPD in the Housing Bureau in Bronx (Which polices public housing,) and eventually his time with his precinct's Street Narcotic Enforcement Unit. Conlon explains in detail some of the idiosyncrasies of the NYPD. In time, Conlon works towards the Gold Shield of a detective, but 9/11 occurs, and curtails his progression for some time. Detective Conlon is a Harvard educated writer, and he spins a great tale. The book is extremely long, and in some cases kind of dry, but I found the great number of topics covered by Detective Conlon to be fascinating.

Oh, and the most important "book," I am currently reading is my Grandfather's journal of his time in the Army. He began the journal while at Airborne School, and he skimps over details of the Q Course at the time, but he picks up when he is sent to Vietnam. Although my Grandfather has been gone for some time, I feel as if I am learning more about him than I could have expected. His quality as a human, and his character comes through clear. I've never been more intrigued by a "book." and I don't expect that I'll find anything as important as his journal.

Politics as usual

2006-08-28T16:48:00.000-04:00

I'd rather not use this blog to discuss politics. In general, I distaste politics, though I stay informed about political going-ons throughout the world. But, politics is a dirty game of deceit and double crossing. However, I want to vent about a few local occurances that involve politics.

First: A small liquor store in town has become the talk of the town for this cartoon, which states "Out of Work? Undereducated? No Health Plan? Join the Army and see Iraq." The cartoon is displayed in the store's window. The proprieter of the store, a Navy veteran feels that he is in no way ridiculing, defaming, or otherwise doing a disservice to any members of the military. In an interview, the owner proclaims that he loves the troops and wants them all home as soon as possible.

I understand social satire, and I "get," his angle, but to care about the troops by ridiculing them is not only poor form, but plain stupid. I've never insulted the people I love in an attempt to make a statement about how much I care about them. Furthermore, I found the blog of someone proclaiming him/herself to be a Vietnam vet from the left coast. Instead of providing an intelligent response about why he agrees with the sentiment of the cartoon, he calls the local VFW the "Fascists of America," and tells them to bone up on the Constitution, specifically the First Amendment. The local VFW chapter was boycotting the store at the time. Well, the self proclaimed "Pissed off," vet needs to learn that the First Amendment works both ways. The owner has every right to display the cartoon, and the VFW can boycott as much as they like. I have a problem when people forget about the two way street that is the First Amendment.

Second: This past Friday, a young Corporal from my town was killed in Iraq. I didn't know him, but I feel for his family. Now, most people would see this as a time to do some good and perhaps reflect on the young man's life. Instead, some protest group that "loves," (See a pattern here?) the troops held a protest on the town Green in the dead Marine's name. I also hate when groups co-opt tragedy to fuel their agenda. I don't care which end of the spectrum you identify with, but it seems rather insidious to use the death of someone as an excuse to protest. Not only is it insensitive (Ohh, a popular word in certain camps,) but it's demeaning to the dead and their family.

I promise not to get back on the political soap box anytime soon.

Anxious

2006-08-23T13:25:00.000-04:00

I'm getting awful anxious because I'm about two weeks out from OSUT. Sure, I'm a little nervous, but I'm mostly excited. For now. I'm sure when I get to Ft. Benning I'll have a different story, but that's to be expected. I'm sure my Drill Sergeants will take care of any excitement at first, but I think in time I'll enjoy the process.

In other news, I came back from upstate New York recently. I was at my Grandfather's house for a week with my Dad and brother. We fished (No luck because Trout are finicky at this time of year,) we played chess, we played computer games (Deer Hunter, Solitaire and Pinball,) and we had fun. We didn't see the bear, but I guess the bear came crashing on to my Grandfather's deck a few days after we left. He knocked down a hummingbird feeder, and broke part of the deck. I still have not seen the bear, and I guess I won't.

Introduction

2006-08-19T16:06:00.000-04:00

This is the obligatory blog welcome mat. I'm a Future Soldier who is enlisting in the Army on the seventh of September. I don't have a lot of time to establish this blog before OSUT, but I want to lay down a foundation before I leave, and then pick up after my initial training. The purpose of this blog is to share my life with friends and family. I figure I'll probably write about random events, and the occassional rant.

Also, this is not my first blog. Prior to this, I blogged at "Excuse me, I'm with Store Security...", a look at retail loss prevention. I enjoyed writing about loss prevention, but I needed a new blog to detail a new part of my life. "Excuse me..." was very specific, and I want this to be much more general.

With all of that said, I think it's time to end this post.