In The Army Now!

[Apollo Gnomon]

I've been talking about it for six months, and now it's official. I signed-and-swore today, for a "try 1" enlistment in the National Guard for (my state).

I had to go the "try 1" route, because I want the student loan repayment plan, and I have to do one year and re-up to qualify for it. I have a LOT of student loan debt.

I'll be a chaplain's assistant. Yes, little ol' Agnostic me gets to ride shotgun for a man of God. The job description, basically, is to be an armed secretary that can "set the table" for mass (or whatever, denomination dependent). Chaplains are unarmed, so the assistant is his (or her) bodyguard. Assistans also have to provide services for mass burials, I was reading on line yesterday. Ew.

I know most of you guys would rather argue about "squibs" and tire tracks, but I'll mention my progress from time to time anyway. I won't be leaving for training until after New Years.

This is the culmination of a long meditative process. I didn't jump into it, but neither did I make it a committee decision with my family. This one is MY choice.

[gillianren]

Hey, as long as you know why you're doing it, have at. My dad was career Air Force, and of course Graham's in Iraq right now. Just because I don't happen to agree with the current war doesn't mean I don't understand the point of the military.

[lionking]

good luck. Always update us on your progress

I want to suggest to LO putting a section for reporting on daily work in this forum, since I saw this in a Kwaiti forum, and liked the idea.

[Apollo Gnomon]

I leave for Warrior Transition Course on Wednesday. So now's my chance to earn a 30 day suspension for flaming or trolling, I guess.

LO - can I be suspended now, and get "credit for time served" later? Just kidding.

Gillian -
I don't agree with the current war, either. But I think we're gonna see the fruits of our president's misguided (in many sense of the word) foreign policy ripen in the next few years. I don't think that 9/11 was the only time the American Empire will be attacked on it's own soil in my lifetime. I would rather have a weapon, orders and a clue when it happens than be one of the clueless many joining the river of screaming meat attempting to leave the Area of Operations with their children, pets, and furniture. Watching Katrina freaked me out.

I didn't chose to be born in the United States, at least that I remember. But I'm here. I enjoy the benefits we have - peaceful cities, wide paved roads, and potable water on tap, just for a start. I'm willing to work to defend it, if the need comes up in the next few years.

I'm sorry your boyfriend is in Iraq. It seems like a sh!thole filled with angry people addicted to their sense of resentment. I hope he comes back healthy and whole. I've met a few Iraq veterans in my Guard unit. I've seen some deep psychic scars already, in just a few months with the Army. It's an ugly war in an ugly place, and the Iraqis don't seem to care about the real-world future enough.

Give him your unconditional love when he comes back. He'll need it, no matter how deep or shallow his scars are. He'll have them.

There are no emoticons for a post like this one.

[echnaton]

Thank you, and all those who have joined the military, for your service. After reading your process in coming to this decision I am sure you will do well in your position. Regardless of your conviction about God or the conviction of those you "minister" to, the soldiers will benefit from your help. Do update us from time to time on your experiences.

[gillianren]

gnomon said:

I'm sorry your boyfriend is in Iraq. It seems like a sh!thole filled with angry people addicted to their sense of resentment. I hope he comes back healthy and whole. I've met a few Iraq veterans in my Guard unit. I've seen some deep psychic scars already, in just a few months with the Army. It's an ugly war in an ugly place, and the Iraqis don't seem to care about the real-world future enough.

He's mostly okay, though he won't tell me where he is. He's on desk work, so he's mostly safe. But that's never stopped me from worrying, and well he knows it.

Give him your unconditional love when he comes back. He'll need it, no matter how deep or shallow his scars are. He'll have them.

He's always had it. I'm not easy to handle myself, and he's put up with me for just over four years (our anniversary was Sunday). I miss him more every day, and there's very little that would make me happier than having him back.

There are no emoticons for a post like this one.

Just as well, really. It would cheapen the emotions, I think.

[Obviousman]

Apollo,

Can I offer you some advice?

Now, bear in mind I have never served in the US forces, am not Army, and am a Direct Entry Officer (i.e. did not come up through the ranks) but I'd say three things:

1. They'll push you hard - very hard.
2. You'll change - although to you it will seem like everyone else has changed.
3. Military service is not for everyone, and if not, does not reflect adversely on them.

Basic will be very tough - both mentally and physically. Sometimes what they do will seem pointless to you - but it is generally designed to push you to your limits... and then beyond, to a limit you didn't know you had. You'll be placed under stress - purposely. That's so your instructors can determine your strengths and weaknesses, and so that YOU can discover your own strengths and weaknesses. You've probably read about this, but at some point you'll find you go over the 'hump'. The tasks won't be a problem anymore; they'll be challenging and tiresome, but you'll take them in your stride.

You'll probably have a different outlook on "civilian" life. You'll wonder how people can be so undisciplined, why people act the way they do. They haven't changed - you have. Accept it. Your way is your way, their way is theirs.

You'll develop a special bond with your coursemates (or at least most of them), what we Aussies call mateship. It'll be something that will last a lifetime. You won't see a bloke for 10 years, but you'll resume a conversation you had with him like you just stepped out to the head for a minute. You'll be glad to finish, but in years to come, you'll recall the time with great fondness.

Lastly, if it turns out the life is not for you - don't sweat it. Don't treat any such decision lightly, but if you make your mind up, don't feel like you have failed in some way. Just take what you have gained from your time, re-evaluate your options, and set forth on a new path without regrets. Not everyone is suited to military service - and that's what it is: service.

But beware - you might find yourself actually liking it, and decide upon a military career!

[Grand Lunar]

I know the toughness of military life myself, though it was navy, not army that I served in.

Looking back, I know I could've done better than what I did. But no sense in worrying about the past.
Besides, got the GI Bill out of it.

Will you get that benifit too, AG?

[gillianren]

Graham's GI Bill benefits are extremely limited because he's Reserves, regardless of his active duty service. (I looked into it a few years ago.)

In good news, though, he was originally scheduled to come home in November. Apparently, this is because he was supposed to do [military thingy I can't remember the name of] in Wisconsin. However, those two months will instead be spent at Fort Lewis. He'll probably have to live on base for those two months, but since Fort Lewis is about 20 miles away, we'll be able to see each other; if he gets weekend leave, he might be able to come home!

[Apollo Gnomon]

Hey, y'all. I'm back. But I'm about to leave again (1 June, until 14 July) for the rest of my training.

Actually, I've been back since the 10th of May, been lurking in and out here and at other sites I read since then.

After spending a month in uniform contemplating the probabilty that I'll eventually end up in Iraq, debating with HB's seems like a complete waste of time.

The second half of my training was at White Sands Missile Range. They have a great museum there. Rode past it on the bus going out to firing ranges many times, and couldn't wait to take my kids there. They loved it. Then we went to Alamagordo, New Mexico to visit the Space Museum. Again, the kids loved it. They won model rockets in a drawing. Bought my wife a pair of space shuttle ear-rings. She wore them to work the other day. Yes, she's a geek. Software testing.

I spent 4 and half weeks with 265 people ranging in age from not-old-enough-to-drink (and yet, prior service) all the way to 49. Yes, 49, and there were two, a man and a woman. The man is headed to Cav Scout school (hard core stuff) and the woman is a jet mechanic. I was humbled by their dedication and physical condition.