So after finishing up in processing it was time for me to go meet my commander and get into my unit. Problem was I didn't know where 6-9 Cav was. The NCO's at brigade made the usual lost LT jokes, but called the unit S-1 and got me directions. So I pull up at about 1445 on a Thursday. Didn't know at that point that Thursdays, Ft Hood releases most soldiers at 1500. So as I'm walking to the front door, a Captain walks out of the building. He stares at me an says "Are you lost LT?"...(sidebar, I know they wont end anytime soon but the LT jokes get annoying sometimes haha). I said no and that I had just been assigned to the unit. The look he gave me was priceless. He looked puzzled and said "Really? Oh, well, I guess I'm your commander". I knew from that reaction that this would be interesting. So Capt B (Which is how I'll refer to him in my blogs, gave me a quick tour of the building and introduced me to a few of the NCO's, including SSG B, SSG Do and SSG Da. After a few minutes he told me since it was early release day to come back the next morning for PT.
The next morning at PT formation, I stood in the back with Capt B and waited for 1SG to lead PT. Turns out my unit is the rear detachment since most of the unit is in the Sinai in Egypt, and since were a Rear D, a lot of the soldiers left behind have medical profiles and/or are in the process of getting out of the Army. At the end of formation when the 1SG called out for the profiles to fall out of formation, we went from having about 30 soldiers to about 5. I was a little surprised but just went with the flow and went on a 4 mile run. Didn't feel awesome but I did alright. After PT, which ends at around 730, I had till 9 till I had to be back at work. So much nicer than BOLC's PT schedule.
When I came back at 9, I was told by Capt B that I would be the Rear D Executive Officer (XO). Basically I'm the second in command. I also found out that Capt B and I are the only officers in the detachment, and that there were only about 45-50 soldiers in the detachment. I was a little overwhelmed at the idea of being the XO. I'd expected to just be the unit Chemo. But I'm excited for the challenge.
As the days went on I started to settle into the role of the XO. Capt B and I get along well. He seems very laid back and eager to help me learn as much as possible. I also met our Maintenance Chief, Chief M. He's awesome, thick southern accent, very knowledgeable and definitely seems to have my back. Especially when he and I have our weekly maintenance/vehicle meetings at 3rd Brigade HQ.
Speaking of these meetings they are once a week and where every battalion reports to the brigade on equipment issues and vehicles that are deadlined (have something wron with/broken on them). Usually led by the Brigade Xo, whose in the process of being replaced. The first meeting lasted an hour and a half, during which I only had to speak for about 20 seconds and everything being discussed sounded like Chinese to me. By the time the second meeting rolled around I understood what was going on a little better but still didn't have to say much at the meetings since we don't use vehicles a lot while Rear D.
One of the officers I've interacted a lot whose not a part of 6-9 is the S-3 and now XO of 2-82 Field Artillery, Maj. L. Maj. L is a huge, FIT, Ranger tabbed officer who helps support my unit until they get back from Egypt. He is very witty and funny as well as, shockingly, pretty good at making me feel awkward as the new LT. But he is also very knowledgeable and helpful. He always puts me at ease if I have to ask him for help. I look forward to working with him.
At the end of my second week with the unit I was told by Capt B I would be taking the ECO course for Ft Hood. The ECO is the Environmental Compliance officer. I was told the course would last all of the next week so I'd only do PT with the unit then I'd be in training. But that's a story for the next post.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
1st attempt Feb 7th-Mar 5th 2014
Stole the idea to do this from my fellow 2LT Deej Jimerson. Hoping it'll be a good way for me to spend some time reflecting and letting my family and friends know what I'm doing day to day in the Army. I wish I'd started this back when I was first commissioned so I could have captured LDAC and BOLC memories/vents. But such is life. So I guess I'll start With the day I left BOLC.
As excited as I was to graduate BOLC, the main reason I was excited for it was I go to see my Mom again. I'll freely admit I'm a mommas boy so it was great that she was able to fly in and watch me graduate. I knew she was excited to see me, well at least she was until she had to help me speed pack my car. I definitely didn't inherit her patience. After I finally got off the graduation stage and said my goodbyes to my friends, mom and I got on the road to drive down to Fort Hood.....I love my mom to death but its a good thing our trip was only two days because we probably would have killed each other. She has the uncanny ability to see car wrecks before they happen and brake lights from over 10 miles away. When we finally got to Hood, we stayed with my Mom's friend, Angie, which was awesome. So nice to have home cooked food again. She took us to San Antonio too which was great.
After a few days there, my mom and I found an apartment for me. Just a little one bed one bath. But I got it for a great price in a good neighborhood and only like 5 minutes from post. So I was really happy. Got all the furniture and a nice new flat screen TV which I love. Enough about the apartment though. After a few days of helping me get stuff settled I had to drop my mom off at the airport. It sucked having to say goodbye to her, especially since I probably wont be home until Thanksgiving. I'm sure work will keep me busy though, so hopefully it'll fly by.
After dropping my mom off I finally started exploring base. Good god I cannot get over how huge this place is. The road that has all the motor pools on it is over 7 miles long. After spending 8 months between North Ft. Lewis and Fort Leonard Wood, plus living at Ft. Drum for 11+ years, I thought I was used to military base sizes and traffic. But holy hell Fort Hood is insanely huge and busy. I'd been warned but nothing prepares you for it if you haven't seen it yourself. As the days went on I got a little more used to the traffic and figured out what roads to avoid and when. It'll still take more time to find this traffic normal but not a bad thing.
When I finally started in processing it was surprisingly easy. As an officer I didn't have to go to any formations or organized PT. I just had 2-3 hit times that I was required to go to, the rest of them I got done on my own time in about 3 days even though I was given 8 days to do it.
At the Commanding General's Brief, I got to meet my Brigade Commander and Sergeant Major. They only talked to the LT's coming to their brigade for about 5 minutes, but they did tell me what unit I would be going to. Turned out to be 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry, the Armored Reconnaissance Battalion for 3rd Brigade Combat Team. I was intimidated but excited. I was even more intimidated/excited when I went home that night and researched the unit and found out they were in the Sinai, Egypt. So there was a possibility I could be deployed once I was done in processing.
One of the last things I had do for in processing was Suicide Prevention training, which the Army calls Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, or A.S.I.S.T. I thought it would be stupid or irrelevant, but I was beyond wrong. It was very engaging and informative, and I learned a lot. It was upsetting watching senior officers, especially a Major on his way to a Lt Colonel slot being dismissive and annoyed to even be at the training. Hopefully none of subordinates ever have suicidal thoughts because he will not be a help to them.
Well I think that covers the first few weeks well. I hope to start posting these on a weekly basis of what I do/what happens at work. Hopefully it'll be a good way to decompress from work and keep people updated on how I'm doing.
As excited as I was to graduate BOLC, the main reason I was excited for it was I go to see my Mom again. I'll freely admit I'm a mommas boy so it was great that she was able to fly in and watch me graduate. I knew she was excited to see me, well at least she was until she had to help me speed pack my car. I definitely didn't inherit her patience. After I finally got off the graduation stage and said my goodbyes to my friends, mom and I got on the road to drive down to Fort Hood.....I love my mom to death but its a good thing our trip was only two days because we probably would have killed each other. She has the uncanny ability to see car wrecks before they happen and brake lights from over 10 miles away. When we finally got to Hood, we stayed with my Mom's friend, Angie, which was awesome. So nice to have home cooked food again. She took us to San Antonio too which was great.
After a few days there, my mom and I found an apartment for me. Just a little one bed one bath. But I got it for a great price in a good neighborhood and only like 5 minutes from post. So I was really happy. Got all the furniture and a nice new flat screen TV which I love. Enough about the apartment though. After a few days of helping me get stuff settled I had to drop my mom off at the airport. It sucked having to say goodbye to her, especially since I probably wont be home until Thanksgiving. I'm sure work will keep me busy though, so hopefully it'll fly by.
After dropping my mom off I finally started exploring base. Good god I cannot get over how huge this place is. The road that has all the motor pools on it is over 7 miles long. After spending 8 months between North Ft. Lewis and Fort Leonard Wood, plus living at Ft. Drum for 11+ years, I thought I was used to military base sizes and traffic. But holy hell Fort Hood is insanely huge and busy. I'd been warned but nothing prepares you for it if you haven't seen it yourself. As the days went on I got a little more used to the traffic and figured out what roads to avoid and when. It'll still take more time to find this traffic normal but not a bad thing.
When I finally started in processing it was surprisingly easy. As an officer I didn't have to go to any formations or organized PT. I just had 2-3 hit times that I was required to go to, the rest of them I got done on my own time in about 3 days even though I was given 8 days to do it.
At the Commanding General's Brief, I got to meet my Brigade Commander and Sergeant Major. They only talked to the LT's coming to their brigade for about 5 minutes, but they did tell me what unit I would be going to. Turned out to be 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry, the Armored Reconnaissance Battalion for 3rd Brigade Combat Team. I was intimidated but excited. I was even more intimidated/excited when I went home that night and researched the unit and found out they were in the Sinai, Egypt. So there was a possibility I could be deployed once I was done in processing.
One of the last things I had do for in processing was Suicide Prevention training, which the Army calls Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, or A.S.I.S.T. I thought it would be stupid or irrelevant, but I was beyond wrong. It was very engaging and informative, and I learned a lot. It was upsetting watching senior officers, especially a Major on his way to a Lt Colonel slot being dismissive and annoyed to even be at the training. Hopefully none of subordinates ever have suicidal thoughts because he will not be a help to them.
Well I think that covers the first few weeks well. I hope to start posting these on a weekly basis of what I do/what happens at work. Hopefully it'll be a good way to decompress from work and keep people updated on how I'm doing.
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