Going for the Gold

I rucked 25 kilometers (15.6 miles or so) with a 25lb rucksack this morning. 3 full camelbaks were consumed in this endeavor. Me and my buddies walked it together, chatting and motivating each other. We completed the march in 247 minutes, 3 minutes under the standard. Now I need to find a place to crawl into and take a nap since this thing woke me up at 0230!

We are going for the Gold!

Team work, I haz it!

Week 10 of SBOLC III

Entering into the homestretch. Just 3 weeks and change before I can, as we reservists joke, head home to Ft. Living Room.

This week we broke up from the "flows" (man, that name sticks in my mouth... it's a seriously unmilitary name) into our Tracks (now we are talking! this sounds much more military!). About 45% of the class moved into the S6 Track (since their follow on job is more of a staff job that focuses on radio's, Blue Force Tracker, and that sort of stuff... they are also not normally headed into Platoon Leader jobs), 35% into the Division Track (this is mine. The focus is on the latest Army platoon/company level (which supports a battalion) structure, using a system called JNN-N (Joint Network Node-Network)/WIN-T (just a follow on/latest and greatest version of JNN... it even has the new holy grail, wireless access to the network on the move for the command post). Students in this track will most likely be Platoon Leaders in this new force structure), and the remaining 20% into the Network Operations Track (these guys are mainly in the fixed installation that the Army has that supports the field operations).

The splitting up the flows is good since we were completely on a different schedule from the other 26 students in the other flow and now everything has been stirred up. It means getting to see and talk with some new people!

Most of the week was powerpoint slides on how this new system works. We did have an exercise at the end where we had to put together (as a team) a presentation on a theoritical scenario where we had to specify how things would be deployed to support that scenario. It was actually kind of fun taking the task and building the end product and eventually giving the presentation to the instructor.

This week brought me closer to my GPB goal, as we had a First Aid Test (10 questions based on the Army FM that we had to get 8 right on... no retakes.). Tomorrow will be the Ruck March. 25k... We have to be there at 0300.....

Every vote counts?

This is embarrassing. America's best and bravest have problems getting their votes in so that their voice may be heard as is their right, and all that is heard from the other side of aisle is crickets chirping, a resounding (and damning) silence.

Rep. Roy Blunt, the House Republican whip, on July 8 introduced a resolution demanding that the Defense Department better enable U.S. military personnel overseas to vote in the November elections. That act was followed by silence. Democrats normally leap on an opportunity to find fault with the Bush Pentagon. But not a single Democrat joined Blunt as a co-sponsor, and an all-Republican proposal cannot pass in the Democratic-controlled House.

Analysis by the federal Election Assistance Commission, rejecting inflated Defense Department voting claims, estimated overseas and absentee military voting for the 2006 midterm elections at a disgracefully low 5.5 percent. The quality of voting statistics is so poor that there is no way to tell how many of the slightly over 330,000 votes actually were sent in by the absentee military voters and their dependents and how many by civilian Americans living abroad -- 6 million all total.

Nobody who has studied the question objectively sees any improvement since 2006, and that is a scandal. Retired U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Charles Henry wrote in the July issue of the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings: "While virtually everyone involved ... seems to agree that military people deserve at least equal opportunity when it comes to having their votes counted, indications are that in November 2008, many thousands of service members who try to vote will do so in vain."

I freely admit to being biased on this issues, as I am a Soldier (though unlike my Active Duty comrades I can go cast my vote at my polling place). But for these Soldiers (and those other service members) to not have their vote counted as is their right is embarrassing. Yes, the majority of these votes are probably going to be Republican but every member of Congress (and not just the Republicans) should be falling over themselves to support this bill (and any other that gives full representation to this most prestigious class of voters, those who have risen above most people and volunteered to place their lives on the line to defend this great country). To have their voices silenced over partisan politics is sickening. Shame, Shame on every Democrat Congressperson for this....

The Soldier Voting Scandal
The Military Voting Scandal Continues

Week 9 of SBOLC III

Radios, Radios, Radios.. That was the theme of the week. We spent the past week first on antenna's (like this OE-254 Antenna that we are erecting here)

Then it was on to the actual radios. Pretty good instruction since I really did not have much experience with them before. We covered the most common radio, the SIGNARs, MBITR, and the FBCB2 (Blue Force Tracker). Actually was some of the most useful training so far given my lack of experience in this area.

In other news we started the paperwork for outprocessing on Thursday, less than 5 weeks (33 days from today) left.

I also got to shoot again and got 6 out of 6 so I can try for the Gold on the GPB.

Going to have to settle for Silver

I shot today for my German Proficiency badge. 5 out of 6 (2 from prone, 2 kneeling and 2 standing) with my 9mm. Qualifying me for the Silver assuming I pass the other events. I can't even blame the gun since I (unlike almost everyone else) was shooting my own pistol, my P95 Ruger (which I let a few other people borrow). I guess I will be "only" walking 20km for the Ruck March as opposed to the 30km for the Gold.... Oh wait, did I win or did I lose?

And on another note (and the more liberal readers may want to stop here).... I just bought an M4!!! I had bid on it at Gunbroker.com and it arrived at the gun store today (which I picked up before my test). So looking forward to getting this out on the range!! In particular since BOLC II really made me realize I need the extra gun time (and if it makes the liberals reading this happy, at least salve your concious that I am a Soldier and this is the weapon type I will most likely be taking overseas... and the once a year qualification is just not enough gun time).

Maps? I am in the Army, I don't need no stinking maps..

Oh wait, I am a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army, and as the saying goes, you can't get lost without LT.

So I am really missing my super-cool car that (STILL) remains in the shop... with my 2nd favorite feature (the first being the wonderful mileage that my Prius gets) being the built in GPS system. Which would have been bloody useful today as I wandered around Atlanta, in search of the Coca-Cola Museum (I was fine, I had directions and everything... until repaving of I85 caused that exit to not be available, nor any of the other ones for 3 miles... which is a lot in a major city like Atlanta). After much wandering I finally found some of the roads that matched what was on my directions and I was finally able to find the place.

Then of course I dead-reckoned a course that would take me straight to I-20 and went through some of the neighborhoods that had me VERY intent on not stopping (I got there eventually but I felt extremely concerned (and I know enough to be concerned about certain neighborhoods, this wasn't some suburb boy driving through an urban area, this section was Sketchy based on my extensive visits and living in urban areas))... Though that is a risk that a GPS would not have saved me from, it comes up with some VERY (read, not the safest) interesting routes at time.

BTW, Love you Coca-Cola! Free admission for Military! Y'all are awesome!!!! So I got to taste the drinks of the world, wander around a place dedicated to one of my favorite non-alcoholic beverages (trust me, based on the amount of Coke products I consume its like Mecca for me) and even got a nice little souvenier when I left (little coke bottle).

Geeky week

First I discover "The Middleman" TV show. I know, at first I discarded it... after all, it is on the ABC Family channel. But then I watch it. And its GOOD! Very much in the off sense of humor, much along with things like "The, Tick", Mystery Men and others of its ilk.

This week also premiered "Dr Horrible's Sing Along Blog". Joss Whedon is the man. I just finished it and it was awesome.

The "The Dark Night" came out and I watched it today. Also awesome.

Just such a good week for geekdom.

Week 8 of SBOLC III

Yah! 2 days where I could sleep in (and the promise that from now on there will be no more morning PT on Thursdays)! It felt really good to sleep in.

We went over Signaling fundamentals this week. Basically we went over the major communication systems that we, the Signal Corp, use to support Army operations in the field. It was kind of annoying that most of the material was on a system that is going to be completely gone from the entire force (including us National Guard folks) in a little over 2 years or so. We also learned that we were the last class to have this emphasis and that they were switching more to the new system for the following classes. I actually studied for this test, since a lot of the equipment was new to me though the overall fundamentals were familiar.

I have hated those Che shirts for years

Since, y'know, I actually have some grasp on history.
This guy's article pretty much sums it up.
T-shirt depicts 'pathetic and brutal legacy'

What T-shirt should you wear when you need to blend in with terrorists? Incredibly, we have an answer to that question.

Wearing this shit shows how woefully uneducated this country can be. I know some people explain it's not the person but the idea that it represents (some sort of misguided revolution), but it really comes down to the actual image, that of a murder (and a woefully incompetent revolutionary.. if you want someone to embody revolution).

Fun weekend or "Why I should check the weather before heading to the Amusement Park"

A nice relaxing weekend. Took it easy on Friday night, had a few beers, some pizza and went to see Wall-E. Cure little movie, I can see why it, like almost every Pixar movie, did so well, it plays at a lot of levels.

Saturday morning I did something I hate, waking up early, to be with some of my classmates for a 6K Cross Country run. It was a lot of fun, a very challenging course, all dirt and all up or down it seemed, and I finished in 38 flat. Killed some time, bought some beer for a party (Leinenkugel... love that beer. I got both the regular and the Berry Weiss (probably like the original more but it was still really good and popular) and joined a bunch of my classmates for a cookout. Lots of fun was to be had that afternoon and that evening.

A later start than I planned on Sunday, but it was all for the best. Driving west to Atlanta I ran into some dreadful downpours that made me glad that I wasn't heading there as early as I planned. After pulling over and confirming that the front had passed I went on Six Flags Over Georgia. Everything was reopening when I got there and I had the pleasure of just being able to walk onto most of the rides. I rode most of the coasters (skipped the wooden ones, I just don't find them as entertaining anymore) and really enjoyed 2 of them, Superman (anything where you are hanging like that is cool) and Goliath (TONS of fun, the negative g's were so cool, it was like you were floating off before plunging again). Another front did come through and shut things down for a bit (I just found a dry spot and sat and read this new John Ringo novel, Yellow Eyes (a Posleen/Aldentia war novel) and waited it out). I had a funel cake before leaving and was quite satisfied with the day.

Week 7 of SBOLC III

Wow, its been 7 weeks.. now if only I can FFWD this a bit more and its almost time to go home.
This week we wrapped up our time at the School for Information Technology (SIT) here at Gordon. We completed our last test there and have now transitioned back to the building we started in 6 weeks ago.
Still doing PT 5 days a week at the 0530 time (whee....). This week we completed the first 2 German Proficiency Badge events, the 200m Swim (7 minutes for my age group, I did it in 5:15) and the 3000 Meter (1.85 mile) Run (standard was a blazing 14:30 (7:50 mile pace... still better than the under 30 set who have to do it in 13 minutes)) which I completed in 14:24 (yep, by a scant 6 seconds. I felt like I was going to die after I finished). The run really had me concerned and I really considered it the most like to kill my GPB goal, I feel that the rest are attainable and challanging. Next up we will be shooting (yah! I like this one) 9mm handguns at targets later next week. Then sometime soon we have a "field day", with 100M sprints, long/high jump, shotput throw,(the latter 2 actually sound like fun, as far as I can recall I have never done these) then finally a ruckmarch and test of first aid.

My hotel room hates me

I just can't figure out whether it is trying to trap me or keep me out. As it stands in the past 3 weeks I have had the following problems:

• Getting locked in the bathroom. Yep.. Nothing like being trapped right after a shower by a door where if you turn the handle it just spins. And of course the door opens inward (yes, I was contemplating my "Fox Mulder door kicking skills" as I reached the point of frustration/"don't even want to think about telling this story when explaining why I missed formation". After about 6 or 7 minutes of vigoriously yanking on the door it finally popped open.
• Power circuits have blown twice so far, driving me to leave to seek AC and entertainment options.
• My front door stopped working. And even though I knew it was a door problem I had to tromp back to the front desk (driving a mile, parking, waiting in line) to get a new key issued that of course did not work. Then wait another 50 minutes for the guy to come and verify that, yep, the door is broken. Have him remove the lock and wait another hour for him to come back with a new lock.

So right now its 2 (or 3) to one that the hotel room doesn't want me in there.

Happy Fourth!

I know that I am happy to be back in DC, at least for the weekend (not looking forward to the drive back to GA on Sunday). To see my family, roommates and well, home. Hope everyone had a safe and fun 4th.

Zonk

I learned a new word today. Zonk. Somehow its an Army thing that once in a blue moon the commander of a formation will call "Zonk" and the activity will be cancelled. Today it happened at a Battalion level run that we were supposed to have this morning. (had to wake up 50 minutes early so that I could be there for accountability, stretching, etc)
Come 0530, the BN Commander (a LT COL) called Zonk and it was mass chaos as everyone raced for their cars.. it was awesome. Like a good soldier I went back to my room and went back to sleep, I have a long drive later today to bring me back to DC.

Movie Roundup

Since I had a nice slack weekend and of course I was bored (though here at BOLC III I have way more toys available) I hit the movies (and watched a few from Netflix).

• Get Smart - I actually really enjoyed this movie. The casting seemed right and it had just the right level of campiness.
• Wanted - Pretty pictures. Yeah, thats the best compliment that I will give it. Plot could have been better and it was fairly entertaining as long as you completely shut off your brain and just rolled with it.
• There Will be Blood - Bleh. Long. Boring. Not really sure what people saw in this movie.
• No Country for Old Men - Long. Good. Definitely reminds you of the extremes that people will go through for money.

I have also been downloading Doctor Who (god, I really enjoy this show... still can't believe that I am saying that (I always thought that the fans of Doctor Who were the way too dorky, and this is coming from me so that says a lot)) and have started rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer.... It's finally been long enough that I can watch the show and not have perfect memory of how the episode went.

4 ugly words

I don't normally post much on politics, but hey, I am a native Washingtonian and it's in my blood so here are 2 things that have been bouncing around my brain.
As one of my favorite comedians of all time would say, "Now, I don't want to go off on a rant here"

1. "He's not MY President". I remember starting to see/hear these words early in the Bush Presidency (or even the more delusional, "Jeb Bartlett is my President"... way to separate fiction from reality there y'all). I know that you may have voted for the other candidate but here is the harsh reality, (the very necessary reality for the continuation of American democracy). That person is YOUR President. Unless you change citizenship to another country just because you voted for the other guy does not, I repeat, not, make the duly elected leader of your country not your President. That is the beauty of the system, if you don't like the person that was elected in accordance with the laws of the country then be even more active (and vote) for the who you think will do a better job. It burns the very core of the system to understand that while you may not have voted for that person, the majority (or otherwise given our peculiar Electoral College system (and BTW, its the law of the land... want to change it? Elect people who will)) of your fellow citizens have chosen to be OUR leader for the next 4 years. Make fun of him, question his policies, and downright disagree with him all you want (Freedom of Speech, wonderful thing about this country), but you undermine the entire system when you pretend like he isn't your President (it's embarrassing, for you, when you act like a petulant baby). And as a note, if that other guy wins? You are going to find out how whining/babyish it sounds when the Republicans start using it (though this Libertarian will never let those childish-antidemocratic words ever pass his lips).

2. Stop this Impeachment shit (and I am talking to both parties). Both sides in the past 16 years need to fracking grow up. Being President means making decisions. Sometimes they are wrong, sometimes they are right. But if you really can believe that people are so callous with decisions that have such wide-reaching impact then you have never really had Responsibility for much more than a paperclip, let alone the lives of others.

Rant mode off.

Tired

I know that I haven't written much lately on my Army training. I would write if something really interesting were happening, but so much of what I have done here for the past 5 weeks has been the norm for me. i.e., lots of computer stuff that I have already done or that is so trivial at the level that it is taught that I pay attention enough to pass the tests, quizzes, and hands on exams handily but in reality my brain is stuck in low gear and not engaged. I will quickly say that I understand why the Army and the Signal Corp put together this plan of instruction, that for the uninitiated this is an excellent grounding in fundamentals that will prevent those new to the field to not be completely overwhelmed. But for about a 1/3 of the class this is not the case, many of them are in the same mode as I am in. Some of us are able to help the newbies but sometimes our help can be a hindrance, since we are so accustomed to working in this field and on problems of higher organization/complexity that we can make things too complicated. For a bunch of these people this is the first time that they have had a command line interface, dealing with a computer based on memorization and logic as opposed to clicking on the GUI (graphical user interface) that is old hand to a lot of us (I have been dealing with computers and programming them since I was in elementary school, which makes it over 20-25 years).
So instead we listen, maybe try to get a tidbit that we don't know and engage in the longest running game in the Army, trying to stay awake in class (this being a techie school it might as well be sponsored by Red Bull and Monster). I finally understand how the Infantry folks felt during BOLC II, feeling that they were paying penance and just checking another box. I do remain hopeful that the last 3-4 weeks plus the field exercise provide some mental stimulation since they cover material that is not really encountered in the civilian world.

Of course I am finding it a bit easier to stay awake now that I am on post finally. The extra 20 minutes of sleep in the morning, the overall more relaxed morning and afternoons (and even the occasional noon nap) are making this a little more tolerable. It has helped me recover from NO, which took quite a while given that my poor body was not used that, both the staying up late (4AM EST) and the drinking (oh the drinking... boy can my family put it back).

To give an idea how ready I am for the 4th holiday (they give us the 3rd as well) I just paid someone $150 to take my CQ (charge quarters) shift on the 4th (its a full day shift on a holiday, but well worth the cost). He was already going to be here and I desperately didn't want to be here in GA, now that is capitalism at its finest. I am so ready to go home, see the improvements to my Condo and just relax away from the Army a bit.

And as a side note... $7000 in damages to my poor Prius. Hopefully I will have her back in another 3 weeks so that I can ditch this dreadful Dodge PT Cruiser. I miss my GPS, cruise control and a vehicle that doesn't turn like a beast.

New Orleans

Hurricanes. Hand Grenades. And a slew of other drinks and miscellanious shots. Walking along the mighty Mississippi while eating a Beniate from Cafe du Monde. Hitting the poker room at Harrah's (did well when I was sober. not so well when I wasn't). Strolling down Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. Staying up too late and sleeping in. Family. Seeing my cousin marry a great girl. So many great highlights to an awesome visit to the Big Easy.
It was too short and I didn't want to leave, in particular when I had to return to Georgia.

Crash

It happened in an instant. Just long enough for me to glance to the left, see the car and exclaim, "You are not about to do this." Then a crash. The damn Private was cited for failure to merge by the MP's (military world is wierd (at least to a reservist like me). Nothing like the police saluting you before begining the investigation), USAA found him at fault and I now have a rental. A quick trip to the ER since my neck was twinging found nothing wrong in t
I hate this town and all the driving around. 9 weeks til I can go home to DC where I drive 3-4 times a week and mostly for short trips, not the 40 some odd miles I have been doing daily lately here in Augusta.

I hope they can fix the damage, I love my Prius.

4 weeks here and a carcrash and witnessing a stabbing. God I hope this trend ends.

Violence

It's funny. I have lived in/near big cities my whole life (DC, Boston, NYC, Houston, SF) and serve in the National Guard but I have never really encountered any violence in my life. Until Saturday night. I decided to get out of my room and check out downtown Augusta. Set up in a bar, listened to music and observed the crowd.

This one group caused me to notice them, as some of their members were admitted to the bar and some were denied. They drifted away.

About half an hour a group (3 or so guys) of that party returned and continued to argue with the bouncer. In a blink the bouncer gets jumped, with them smashing a bottle on him and then shoving him down and were kicking/punching him. In a flash (as I turned to let the bartender know that their security was getting attacked) the Bouncer then stabs one of the assailants. Assailants run away (saw the ambulance down the street as they arrested the bouncer). I am the only witness to the events leading up to the event(it happened so fast I barely had time to notify the bartender).

I am so on the bouncers side... with the original assault and the odds he was completely justified in response. In a poor situation, not defensible nor with anything resembling good odds (and support quite a bit away).

A very odd end to a Saturday night.