Getting To Basic (cont.)

A few of us just ate lunch, Italian pizza & cheese bread. We'll be
meeting up at 1:00 & leaving at 1:30. My backpack was coming apart at
the seams at the top where the straps connect. A lady at the gift
shop had a sewing kit under the counter & let me have a needle & some
thread & I was able to make repairs to last the rest of this trip.
That was such a blessing!
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We're gtting started at 12:45 now. I'm going to study some things we
need to know now...

Getting To Basic

Our flight was delayed almost 2 hours last night so we got put up in a
hotel instead of getting on a bus to Ft. Leonard Wood. We had to be
back to the USO at the airport by 11:00 but we won't be briefed on
when we leave for Basic intil 3 or 4:00. So far so good. We're all
nervous but ready to get the show on the road!

Training Dates Update #3

The dates aren't off, my understanding of them was. The extra 4 days
goes with Basic, not OCS. Makes more sense now.

Training Dates Correction

I'm sitting at the airport in Shreveport, waiting to fly to Dallas,
then St. Louis. Then we'll bus to Ft. Leonard Wood. We should arrive
around midnight. Better get lots of sleep on the trip, don't know how
much I'll get there!
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I made a mistake on the # of days for training:
Basic is 9 weeks, 4 days
OCS is 12 weeks
So the dates I posted are a little off.
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Roomed with a really cool girl last night, 25 yrs old, & am travelling
to Basic with a 27 yr old Christian guy. The guy who briefed us on
everything today at MEPS said he was gonna miss me & I seemed like a
good person. That was pretty cool. (I've been there so much they've
know me now).
Things are going really well so far. God is so good!

Army Training Dates

Basic Training:  

Leave home 4/13/09, ship out 4/14, process through 4/19.  Basic Training starts 4/20.  

9 weeks.

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Officer Candidate School:

Report 6/28/09, start 6/29. 

12 weeks 4 days.

I have not been given end dates, but found something online that gave the following info (has not been verified):

Basic: 4/20 - 6/26

OCS: 6/29 - 9/17

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FYI, the contract I signed is for 3 years, 4/14/2009 - 4/13/2012.  I'll post graduation dates when I find out.  Fun fun!!!  =D

Preparing to Leave

Well it's the night before I leave for boot camp and I'm oddly at peace.  Dana, a friend of my sister's, stopped by and prayed for me tonight.  That blessed me so much!  I got to spend the day with family for Easter; what a wonderful way to spend my last day at home, it was wonderful.

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I have everything together except for some clothes that are drying.  I still need to determine what paperwork to bring.  In the end I'll probably opt to only take what's necessary and leave the rest in a box to sort through when I come back home.

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Tomorrow afternoon the Army will drive me to Shreveport, LA; I'll stay the night at a hotel and wake up early the next morning to go to MEPS.  At some point they'll take me to the airport where I'll fly to Dallas, then to St. Louis (?), then take a 2-3 hours bus ride to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.

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I have a list of about 30 people I want to write.  It sounds excessive, but when I go over it, each and every person is special to me.  I don't know how much writing time I'll have so we'll see how this goes.  I plan to prepare address envelopes and give them to my sister before leaving, so she can make labels and put my return address on them when we have it.  That will be less for me to tote on the plane.  But the clock is ticking and I'm getting sleepy; I will try to get it done.  Either way, I will see if I can get the address posted on here.

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I guess this is goodbye for now...  I am actually super excited about going!  Nervous? YES, of course! But I know that God's hand is upon me always and He's directing my steps.  There are so many people praying for me that I just know I will be lifted up even in the most dire of circumstances.  I am such a blessed woman and I step out in faith into the great unknown that is this journey, giving it my best effort, turning everything over to the Lord, and trusting the results to Him.  Thank you for your support and encouragement, it means the world to me!  

Posting via email

I plan to bring my phone to Basic. It has internet access so I may be able to sneak in a short post (by email) every now and again when we're allowed to make phone calls, if time allows. We'll see! :)

2nd PFT Test

Here are the results of my 2nd Physical Fitness Test
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Sit-ups (2 minutes): 76 count = 100 pts
Push-ups (2 minutes): 39 count = 92 pts
2-mile run: 16:07 mins = 98 pts
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Official PFT Score: 290 points (180 min required, 210 needed, 240 preferred, 300 max possible)
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I sure don't feel this in-shape, but hey, the numbers look good =P

Still Here

Hey y'all, I'm still here! Been busy doing what seems like a whole lot of nothing, spinning my wheels, but making progress nonetheless. I've been working on getting my affairs in order, taking care of belongings and financial responsibilities, and exercising of course. I don't feel ready to leave but the day is going to come whether I'm ready or not and everything will work out in the end.
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Dad is here and is moving into his new house on April 1st. My cat and I will be moving there also, and Squeaky will stay with him while I'm away. He brought his cat, which is my cat's son, so that's kind of cool. They tolerate one another. lol

Ship Date Clarification

I am shipping on April 14th, not March, so there is still a month. I'll be going to Oklahoma City on April 13th, and "shipping out" on the 14th.

Preparing to Leave

My computer died recently so I've not been online very much to post. I'm in the process of taking care of everything before I leave, going to Oklahoma City on April 13th, shipping off to boot camp on the 14th. Now's when I start getting really nervous... =D
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It is such a relief to be done, contract signed and all! 5 months... what a process! :)

~~~ I'm In!!!!!! ~~~

I leave for Ft. Leonard Wood, MO on April 14th for Basic Training! Then directly to OCS in Ft. Benning, GA immediately after graduation. WooHoo we did it!!! This was in every way a group effort! =D

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(Still working on posting pics. Remember, patience is a virtue...)

OCS Board Results

I passed the Board!!! It was a huge deal and I was very nervous, but I made it through. The next step is to go to MEPS in Shreveport on Tuesday to swear in and sign a contract. I hope to ship out in about 4 weeks; we will see!

OCS Board Date

The only thing left is to interview with the Officer Candidate Selection Board in Oklahoma City. It will last 30-45 minutes; they will evaluate me in many areas, most pertaining to leadership potential. I will need to tell of situations when such and such happened and how I handled each situation. I'll need to display decisiveness, confidence, and the ability to think on my feet. I know I will do well but these are areas that I can use work in. I guess as long as I exhibit potential, all should go well, and I do have that potential.
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I had planned on going in the first week of March, but the next March board is on the 19th, a month away! There is one more in February, on the 26th, two days after I leave work, what timing. So I will jump in head first and go for it! We will leave early in the morning on the 25th, as there are other things that need to happen before I see the board the next day. There is very little preparation time between now and then so any prayers and words of encouragement are greatly appreciated. Thanks! and good night, it's very late... ;)

Leaving Monk Custom Homes

Tuesday February 24th will be my last day at Monk Custom Homes, working for Michael and Shannon Monk. Today they treated me and the gang to an amazing feast at Cibo Vino. I had to skip dinner and run 2 miles just to work off the appetizer! ;-)
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It has been such a pleasure working with them; I will miss the job and all of the people I've come to know and love in the 2 1/2 years since I started. Wow, how time flies! I may be leaving but I will forever be a part of that office. Having helped with the renovation and startup, it's really quite odd to be leaving. But there is a bright future ahead of me and I finally get to use the degree I've worked so hard to earn. I may be leaving the office, but the friendships that have been formed are forever, and I am tearing up so I will end this post now. I love you all and you better write me in boot camp! hehe (ask Michael for my address) *hugs*

Dad is Here!

My dad arrived in Texas on Tuesday! After years of consideration and then well over a year of preparation, he's finally here! The house in Washington has been turned over to an agency that will find and manage tenants, and dad will get a check every month. He has already purchased a house in Mt. Pleasant which currently has a renter in it. He will be staying here at Ryan and Susan's with us until the end of March, and then moving into his new home. I should be off to boot camp by that time. Until then we are one big happy family!
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It's so easy to lose touch with those you love, and although living under the same roof can seem too close for comfort at times, the good far outweighs the bad. I cherish this time with my family and it will remain a special time that I will look back on fondly. Especially being here while Taylor and Lexi are growing up, you just can't replace time spent with a child; they grow up so fast!
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Also, I have to say that everything's been really great! We are getting along so well and knowing that the time is short, are taking advantage of it by really appreciating one another, treasuring the time we have.

Age Waiver Approved - Really!

Yesterday evening my recruiter called and said the age waiver came back approved. He wanted to make double sure after he got the email so he called the company headquarters and verified it. YAY, finally!!! Next is the OCS Board. Should be within 2 weeks!

Posting Comments

If you ever have trouble posting a comment on here, just try again, it'll work after a time or two. I've gotten into the habit of copying what I typed before submitting, just in case I have to try a couple times before it works. Not sure why this blog utility does that.

Age Waiver Update #2

The age waiver request statement was completed and turned in last night. I should be hearing back shortly. Then we can schedule a board date, the big day!

Army Stand Down

"Jump In Suicides Spurs Army Stand Down" / "Army Recruiter Suicide Crisis"

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/13/eveningnews/main4802000.shtml?source=search_story

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"the Army is ordering every soldier to stop what she or he is doing and undergo training in suicide prevention."

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"A stand-down of the Army’s entire recruiting force, ordered by Army Secretary Pete Geren, will take place Friday."

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/02/army_recruiterstanddown_021209w/

"A separate stand-down, for all soldiers, will take place over a 30-day period beginning Feb. 15."

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I can testify first-hand that the recruiters I've been in contact with work from morning until late in the evening/night, often six days a week. They're spouses miss them very much and have a difficult time coping with their constant absence and inability to keep regular hours or come home at a decent time no matter how hard they try. One recruiter recently told me that he sees his children for a little while every morning, but they're already sleeping by the time he gets home at night. He's been in the position for a year and has two years to go before getting reassigned elsewhere.

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If a soldier signed up for it that would be one thing, but so far, every recruiter I've met was assigned to recruiting duty. No regard was given to the soldier's desire to be a recruiter, or lack thereof. They all make the best of it they can, but it is very demanding and extremely difficult on the home life. This is not to mention the pressures that come inherent with the job itself.

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Age Waiver Update

The waiver getting approved so fast really was too good to be true. As it turns out, it is still working its way through the process. They are now requesting that I provide an age waiver request statement; a couple paragraphs. I will meet with my recruiter tomorrow evening (they are closed today for President's Day) and we will compose and submit the statement.

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I am learning to accept that the Army (or perhaps government) has so many regulations, processes, and procedures, and that very few of them are going to be logical, but must be followed. I can choose to get upset and frustrated, or to simply expect the worst and laugh at it. I'm working at keeping gratitude and joy in my heart as everything steadily progresses forward...... :)

College Loan Repayment

In the beginning I thought that my college loans would be paid off in full upon graduation from OCS, but they will actually be paid off over three years. Also, the payments the Army makes are taxable as income. They apparently only pay on the principal and not the interest, but I don't see anywhere where it is broken down, so we will see.
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In any case, even if half of my college loan debt were taken care of, it would be more than worth it and I am grateful! :)

What's Next?

As of yesterday all of the required paperwork has been completed and submitted, including my actual high school and college diplomas, official transcripts, birth certificate, and social security card. All that's left is the OCS Board interview in Oklahoma City, after which I will swear in and sign a contract. At that point I will find out when I "ship out", likely 2-4 weeks later. The interview should be in early March; I will post the date as soon as I know.
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I will be working for two more weeks, through February 20th, and then will get all of my affairs in order, in preparation to leave. After the interview I plan to visit Washington if time allows.
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Basic Training is 9 weeks long, Officer Candidate School is 14 weeks. At that point I will be an Officer and attend an additional school. The duration depends on the Army Branch I am assigned to. After all of this I will serve for three years to fulfill my contract.
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I am very excited and hope to enjoy Army life, as I plan to make a career of it. As always I'm trusting that God is guiding me in the way I should go, opening and closing doors as needed. I will continue to walk through the open doors, giving my best effort to what is put before me. When doors close I will turn to the Lord for patience, understanding, and strength to go in the new direction He has for me, that perhaps was not in "my" plans.

Age Waiver

APPROVED!!!

We submitted the age waiver request last night at about 8:00. It was approved by 9:30 this morning! We knew it would be expedited but WOW! :)

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I will post more soon about what happens now.

Medical Waiver

The medical waiver (for my eye surgery) has officially been approved! YAY!!! It has been two long months and I am SO excited to be moving forward again. =D

My PFT Scores!

The Army scores the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) using a points scale, according to age and gender. To graduate Basic Training an enlisted member must achieve at least 50 points in each of three categories. An OCS applicant must achieve 60 pts upon application (for me this means prior to Basic). However, the Battallion Commander requested that I get 80 pts, although 70 would be acceptable. I have been working very hard to meet these requirements and finally tested on Saturday.

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Results:

Sit-ups (2 minutes): 60 count = 81 pts

Push-ups (2 minutes): 40 count = 93 pts

2-mile run: 16:37 mins = 94 pts

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Official PFT Score: 268 points (180 min required, 210 needed, 240 preferred, 300 max possible)

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(For the run: We used a 1/2 mile track at a park. Whether it's actually 1/2 mile is questionable, but who am I to argue when being given an advantage. In any case, I ran well and am amazed at the progress I've made in just a few short months. My brother-in-law stepped in as my trainer and has motivated and taught me so much! Thank you Ryan!)

Med Waiver Progress

My recruiter called this morning. The eye surgery file has been reviewed and all the information the doctors need is there. It is getting sent on and they will let me know when a decision is made. He was unable to give me a time frame. I’m guessing a week or two.

This has taken much more time than expected, but has given me the opportunity to better prepare, both mentally and physically, so I am grateful for it. I truly believe the Lord is in control and I’m excited to follow His lead! It’s quite a journey I’m about to embark on…