[ReCap] Book Of Blood: Episode II

"No matter what people think, everyone has a weakness... wether it's been found, or waiting to find them."

Part II: Idolism

It had been atleast two weeks since Part I, and honestly I was starting to get the hang of the random smoke sessions, the unfair treatment, and most of the bullshit the Drill Sergeants were feeding us as a way to "thicken our skin". Now today was an interesting day, specifically the most interesting Tuesday that I'd seen since I left home. Why? because I'd caught a glimpse of that one DS, you know, the ghost that was supposed to be our Senior Drill Sergeant? Yeah, well I'd seen him around the company area, so I figured he was on his way back, and with our other cadre telling us some stories about him, I couldn't wait to see what he had to bring to the table. Later on, after standing in formation in the hellish sun for at least an hour with the rest of the company for no real reason, he, which I will refer to as DS BlackOps showed up, calling us into the barracks for a more in depth introduction. So we passed the torch after he gave his intro, introducing ourselves to him possibly giving everyone a more easy feeling about him, but not taking too much away from it seeing as he still had his DS hat sitting right beside him, and the DoD emblem on the front of it attracted more attention than he himself did. There he proceeded to tell us stories about the group before us, adding details which called most to gawk in awe and amazement at the kind of stuff he does, but only causing me to aim to out-do him. I'm not sure why I felt this way, but the more he spoke of, the more I felt I had to find something to do better.

There was still a high percentage of civilians in the company of basic trainees that plagued Alpha 3-34 for at least two and a half weeks now, but they were more hardened, though still looking to the drill sergeant for everything, only two days after this ghost of a Drill Sergeant showed up. Suddenly, the DS' bring up the idea of a “PG”, or "Platoon Guide" (One responsible for taking the place of the acting platoon sergeant/drill sergeant as a student rank), drawing question marks to the entire 1^st platoon, which I’d been previously assigned and sure I could get the job. Sadly, I had one thing standing in my way of being “all I could be”, and it’s name is to be known as Ms. Applesauce. The one E4 with enough skill at kissing ass to make three people feel it at once, she easily became the one female that stood above the rest, and the one soldier to stand above the platoon in DS BlackOps' eyes.

This female in particular, aside from the rest, had the inept habit of nit-picking with anyone she could about whatever they could possibly be doing wrong, or out of her own standard, and ran to the Cadre about it, this of course causing a multitude of issues with the rest of A 3-34. Not only was her persuasive methods working on the Drill Sergeants, apparently they were working on some of the civilians-now-turned-military, me personally giving their little clan the title of "Ms. Applesauce, and the Fuzzy Patch Brigade" simply because of their need to be "Fuzzy Patch E5s" and above (PV1s who try to act far above their ranks). It only took probably three days before she was all over the PNN, (Only those who went through BCT know what the PNN is) and being appointed PG, due to an incident she alerted higher about, which accumulated with all the useless stuff she'd been transmitting from the barracks to the CQ office where they made their stead, among other places. Next thing I knew, she was appointed as our PG, the day we got smoked nearly to death for something I can't even remember, simply because she held up longer than two of the people nearby her...

Anyway, it led to more complicated days, and less un-eventful nights when girls started trying to do very dangerous things to themselves and each other because they couldn't take listening to her, and weren't being allowed to do anything about it.

Sayonara, until next time.

~Sayin

[ReCap] Book Of Blood: Episode II: Crawl Before You Walk

"Since the beginning of time, there has been only two things you
can trust-- your own two feet. You will need to get far in this world, and
damnit you'll need them to do it."

Part I: A Drill Sergeant, By Any Other Name...

It had been nearly a week of no sleep as we went from one thing to another, as per our inprocessing sequence, and frankly, I was tired as hell. I was mad at the fact that no matter what we did, there was always one of us who screwed something up, causing us to get in trouble, and with our temporary drill sergeant being a female, she kept a case of the ass all the time, and ruthlessly smoked us for anything done that wasn't directly by her standards (No, she did not inform us of these ...invisable standards, but yes she got us for not being within them), we easilly lost morale, causing us to sometimes even cause ourselves collectively to be smoked, and laxly doing the corrective training, or not sounding off in general, as if it just didn't matter anymore. Personally, I didn't really loose my morale or nerve, I just enjoyed watching the morale of our platoon change so fast as the soon-to-be soldiers began to realize what they now thought to be what they signed up for, which was apparently something they really didn't want. Anyway, today, we were standing in formation after an interesting day of sparce smoke sessions in the gravel road to and from the DFAC which sat on, not a hill but a slope, we stood at the company area, at attention, extremely quiet (For the first time since we got to BCT), so quiet, we actually looked like we knew what we were doing. Then out of no where (yes, everyone's facing front, so noone could see around them, and since none of us were even worrying about peripheral vision, as we'd been standing there for atleast twenty minutes prior, and was pretty sure nothing would change, noone bothered to do anything but look at the grass in front of the concrete drill pad) walks a drill sergeant hat, the first one we'd seen in alittle while, drawing people's attention (after seeing DS' for every minute of the day for the last week and change, it was abit odd to go more than ten minutes without one), this hat sat on top of a lankey man which stood every bit of five foot, eight inches... my height, but thinner, wearing ACUs that practically swallowed him. He had, not the classic stiff, "I am the shit" walk that most of the other DS' mantained, but more of a chillaxed stride, similar to my own as a civilian. This immediately caught my eye, almost giving me nothing to make of him, I wasn't sure wether to under-estimate him or to cower in fear at the fact that he'd be one of those seemingly-calm people that randomly bursted out into anger and utter hatred for the army and the rest of the world, including it's inhabitants. So he strides up to post infront of the platoon, and introduced himself as the senior DS of our platoon, but that he'd also been in a class for most of the time we'd been inpro, so he couldn't be here for the introduction, and that he wouldn't be here for another week or two. The calmest voice we've heard in nine days, it almost put us at ease, right before he called "Half-right, ...Face!". After days of playing around with our temporary DS, we already knew what was about to take place, but what we didn't know was that he was slightly different from the rest of the DS', more ...creative.

"Front-leanin' rest position, ...Move!" and with the command of execution, we tirelessly moved into the pushup position. as we did, he'd began talking... more like egging us on... "Ohh, so you don't wanna get down when I tell you to? you wanna do it on your own time huh? okay, that's okay, ...we can square that away... no big deal at all, just do it whenever you want..." even though he was all calm and stuff, and he kept saying that, we all knew he was being a synical little prick, and therefore attempted to motivate the rest of our platoon to move quicker, but he wasn't trying to see that, he would've rathered do it his way. "Position of attention, ...move!" at this point, I'd actually thought he wasn't going to make us push, then he called us into the pushup position again, and back and forth between attention and the pushup position untill we'd all decided within ourselves that it was enough arm, shoulder, thigh, and foot work for the day... but as if it wasn't, he'd got us down, and then made us push... diamond pushups. Then afew staggered pushups, which noone knew what they were untill that little session which tired us out abit. Oddly he didn't exactly smoke us, but more like poked us abit, then called us back to attention and told us that he doesn't take shit. Then, just as calmly and collectively as he walked up to post, he called a half-left, putting us back at our original position, and walked away... it was so questionable, that people was still wondering what they did wrong that time, and I'd already figured it was supposedly the classic DS introduction, a premable to more DS' on our asses.

...But this one was different.

Guess we'll see what happens, till next time;
-Sayin

[ReCap] Book Of Blood: Episode I

"When it's your time to die, it's your time to die. Unless the
batteries in god's watch have died, then you may have afew minutes more while he
does a quick changeover"

"Rock Force"

[From the beginning of the "Book of Fire", on to the "AIT Dictionary" are all previous entries, being ammounted up to today. Most of these will not have dates on them because it was kinda hard
to think about writing dates on these entries when we spent most of our
time in the pushup position, or prone, firing a weapon, so please bare with me.
-Sayin]

"Welcome to Fort Jackson!" was the welcoming most of the civilians now wearing ACUs which I had come to know as my battle buddies not even three weeks before we were shipped off on this bus to tank hill from the 1-20th reception battalion which we'd all recived our medical records, shots, permenantly-issued TA50, and of course, our sets of ACUs. Although we had been more rudely welcomed to our reception battalion, people still didn't expect what was about to happen.

The welcome sounded more like "Get off my damn bus!, move, move, move!" among other loud comments sounding halfway like the movie-specific NCOs and Drill Sergeants we'd all come to know so well in movies like Saving Private Ryan, and other steriotypical movies of privates in basic training. After being hearded off the large white busses we'd come to know later as "Shuttles" with all of our stuff crammed into a green duffle bag, as well as one or two of our own personal bags (Bags we'd come from our hotels to 1-20th), we were "Instructed" (forced) to "off load" (rushingly dump) our bags in seperate piles by platoon number, then rush, rush, rush to a platoon-by-platoon formation (four column formations lined up beside each other, each formation representing the respective platoon, forming the later more familiar company formation.) There we stood while our drill sergeants gave their introductions, they sounded off with the seven Army Values, and the soldier's creed, then separating back to their respective platoons to commence to instructing us on a platoon level. At that time, the leadership was chosen based on prior experience with any training (JROTC, ROTC, playing army in your backyard, .ect). Due to the fact that I was one of three people who'd raised their hands when the drill sergeant asked who'd had any type of ROTC or JROTC before, I was given the role of 3 squad's squad leader.

From there, we were rushed out to get our bags out of the enormous cluster within the time limit of two minutes. Of course, it probably took longer than that, but they never told us, and to prevent getting smoked, we never asked. We all got put back in our neat little company formation, and told to drop our stuff where we stood. I stood between an interesting little chinese girl, and a black girl who looked more like she could give two shits about what was goin on at the moment, but was willing to follow along none the less. So we get something called a shakedown, more commonly known as dump-your-shit-so-we-can-make-sure-you-got-what-we-want-you-to-have-not-like-you'll-use-most-of-it-anyway. So, out of this formation, now turned dis-organized gaggle, we were re-situated with all our gear, with the exception of about fourty percent of us who were just as lost as shaggy and scooby before a commercial break, the shakedown not helping due to the fact that now certain things are missing because they got mixed in with someone else's stuff. Yet and still, we pressed on. We got familiar with our barracks, got assigned our bunks, the more fun part of the day because we actually sat down for more than two minutes, spending about fifteen there, talking to our senior drill sergeant, him showing us how to make and stockade our bunks, and re-hearding us outside for more introductions.

Everyone from the senior drill sergeants to the Lieutenant Colonel introduced themselves that day, and we got no sleep in between, so there wasn't one person who did not fall asleep during these onslaughts of instruction. Although, the most fun part about the introductions was when the CSM started ragging the drill sergeants, making most of us laugh the "I'm so fuckin tired, I could sleep on a bed of hot coals, oh and you're not funny" laugh, and start talking to us like he was a civilian, talking to civilians. Don't get me wrong, we were still civilians, ...kinda... but still, him being nice after hours of the drill sergeants ...it felt too wierd. Things easilly got back under control when we found ourselves back out on the drill pad, getting instructions on what to do next. We recived our linen, made our bunks, and then...

...went outside for more damn instructions. Here, they explained to us the phases, and why we may not make it out of red phase in the next three weeks like we were supposed to, which this, of course, we didn't take into accord untill the end of white phase, but that's another story.

So, by night, we were all too exhausted to even sleep, but tried anyway, getting ready for the next morning, where we'd wake up at about 03:45 in the moring to start all over again.

Till next time,
Sayin

Episode I: Before The Storm (Part V-II: The Last Day)

"If a life is torn from it's frame, no matter how the barbs in that
frame hurt, that life may one day long for that frame once again."

Today's my last day at home. I'll be (once again) saying goodbye to this miniature peice of heaven I call home. I'm not sure just how big the "leave" is going to be, but I do know this-- I already miss this place. There's a hotel waiting for me in about 2 hours, but I almost don't care... wierd, huh?

Anyway, I've been packing up, and putting away for the last hour or three, and nothing much has crossed my mind, I just figured I should put something of an update in for the readers. After this, my posts may be restricted, and in wider intervals, atleast for awhile.

I still say... this'll be interesting.

A home doesn't just have to be a house, and any house cannot just be a home.

~Yours Truely.

Episode I: Before The Storm (Part V: The Test, The Result, and The True Beginning)

"If you look past what everyone wants you to see, you may just see what you really want you to see. But if you only look at what you want you to see, it could conflict with what you need to see, and therefore could vastly distort what you will actually see."

Apparently, all of that studying paid off-- I passed the rank test with above a 92% score, promoting me to PV2, giving me an actual rank insignia to wear (The small chevron that is placed on a soldier's battle uniform, and dress uniform which designates their rank), and some room to breathe, therefore causing me to cheer for myself a bit. When I found out that I passed (This is the 3rd time I've taken the test, regardless of how long I'd been in A-JROTC), and frankly, it felt really good to know that I am actually making good progress. So far as the ship date goes (The date I have been setup to, for when I am moved to the base which I will start my basic training at), I have a solid one-- the coming Tuesday, giving me little, but some time to warm up to prep the family and friends.

So, I know you're dying to know what happened at the station as far as the other guys there, right? so here goes something for you (Yes, I always have at least one thing, simply because I like these guys-- and girl... sorry, Kbree).

Earlier today (Of course, I got in early, as always), the SGTs (Sergeants, called by the short version of their general ranks-- Sergeant, also could be used with Staff Sergeants, Sergeant First Classes, Master Sergeants, First Sergeants, Command Sergeant Majors, and Sergeant Majors of the Army) were passing jokes around as usual, giving boring day some meaning, when the phone rings. Now, being a REC station (Recruiting Station), the phones ring off the hook all day, just about every day, making it no big deal... but this time, something different happened. First, Mr. Nice Guy answered the phone, and began talking to the future soldier on the other line when a woman passes the front of the Station, somehow totally drawing his attention. This somehow was a bit different for me, as far as the way he usually acts. Now, for someone like our neighborhood insane recruiter; the aptly-named SSG Computer Expert, due to a certain incident which insisted that I taunt him about his ability to properly-operate his laptop. At any rate, on to the phone conversation, since I do love to get on and off-topic every now and then... it went something like this;

Phone Rings... Mr. NG Answers.

NG: Army Strong[tm], **********************, speaking. How may I help you?

Future Soldier: Asks a question about something moderately-important.

NG and he converse for awhile, regarding said important subject until the closing words.

NG: Okay, so that is great, and-- Oh wait, there's one beautiful blonde!

Me: What the hell...

Future Soldier: Apparently questioning his cut-off response

NG: She was... but yeah, that was multitasking, there

The conversation continues, somewhat as planned.

Now, I don't usually bother questioning the insanity that goes on at the station, because it's usually something regular, but that was something I'd never seen him do, and it almost surprised me (Which mind you, not to toot my own horn, but just doesn't happen). Also, I'd caught the shuttle (A bus transport that moves between the stations and basses to provide a general means of transport for soldiers) to the MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station). When I got there, I went to have a little talk with the Liaison about my RENO (Military Contract Re-negotiation, which gives you a chance to change something about your contract, depending on the circumstance, as well as other, anonymous factors), which would allow me to leave soon, ultimately, finally getting us out of Episode I. When I talked to him, he'd run my numbers and things, and inputted my information, but realized that he'd taken it upon himself to put the information in before he checked wether or not it was already inputted by my recruiter, issuing us all an expression equivalent to a level-2 shin-ku hadouken to the forehead, as well as tossing my departure from the MEPS another 10 minutes. Once it was finished, he'd also taken it upon himself to play a little joke on one of the ladies in the office... just so happened, he used me to do it.

Liaison: (With a bare hint of normal giddy-ness in his voice, but still partially stern) Okay, it's all set. Go in there, and tell the Sergeant you're ready to RENO.

Me: Umm... (thinking Aren't you supposed to take care of that? but being obedient) Sure...

I walk into her office, and tell her that he'd told me to tell her I was ready to RENO.

Sergeant: (Scoffs some, giving off a bare snicker, catching my attention) ....Was he serious? I mean did he tell you to tell me that, or did he say "Go say this to her just to mess with her"?

Me: Goddamn it. Yes, he was apparently serious.

Sergeant: (After laughing abit) Okay, tell him I said this; "Go ahead and do it, then."

Me: Okay, sure.

I go back to his desk, sit down, and do as instructed.

Liaison: (Laughing) I just like to mess with her like that, don't worry about it, that's just how far back we go.

Me: Whoop-tee fucking doo~ Oh, alright (Laughing it off)

Sergeant: (Passing by) If he doesn't pay you, I give you the right to go crazy, I'm leaving in a minute or two!
Me: You bitch.

Now, ordinarily, I would go "Duke Nukem", and start harming people, simply because I hate being used... for anything, I hate being used... I can stand being tricked every now and then, and I can tolerate (with a very small tolerance) lying outright, but I above all, hate being used. Although this, somehow I saw as something I could just look past, mainly because I had something more important to do than sit there and bother to get irate with these two, but also because that liaison was the very same guy who had my contract currently in front of him, and had the power to change basically anything he wanted to, at almost any given moment. Knowing such, I quickly weighed my choices, and decided ultimately that the best route would be to leave them be, plus I was pretty sure it was all out of good fun, anyway.

So, I catch the shuttle back to the station and chill out there, while watching the business die down as the evening rode in like Texas Ranger on NOS, did menial tasks, and basically just waited around, talking with the SGTs about nothing, that is until Byrdman came in, who decided to be the one to take me home, seeing as we apparently live around the same area. So I get home, and notice the place is locked down... I do a quick assessment of the situation, and realize that they had to have all left while I was gone (I'd returned much later than usual, this time hanging out with them a lot longer than I usually do), so I used the other entrance, and called them to verify my assumption-- comes to find out I was right, and not only was I, but they were returning, and just now pulling into the driveway, at that. So I explain to them that I will be leaving this coming Tuesday, and all of the smaller details of my enlistment, as well as any updated things.

Now, with me, just hours away from my 18th birthday, and prepared to ship next week, We can finally say goodbye to this episode.

~I hope.

Don't forget your past, because if you do, you will loose your future.

Episode I: Before The Storm (Part IV-II: The Preparation)

"Humans are among the most logical known creatures this universe has see, as far as anyone knows. Being so, they are also the most unanimously-illogical beings across the span of the entire universe."

Okay, so for once, I am doing absolutely nothing but enjoying my day at home, eating. No PT, no forms to fill out, nothing.

Just how I thought I liked it.

Recently, since I'd really been getting into this "Joining The Military" thing, I'd been getting used to being more active-- waking up at 0350 hours (3:50 am, civilian time) every day, going out and doing a 1.2 mile run around my neighborhood, coming back maybe sometime later and doing 35+ push-ups, and 40+ sit-ups, then running through my Rank Structure (Study booklet for the Structure of ranks, Private, Private 1st Class, .etc). So, now that I am in chill-mode, I have way too much energy to sit still, and I'm also too used to being busy to consider doing something as miniscule as walking around the house idly, therefore I decide to pick up my study book, and do something, once again, that I don't normally do;

--Study.

This time, I re-taught myself the 8 Army Values;

Leadership, Duty, Respect, Self-less Service, Honour (Yes, I do spell it with a "U", simply out of habit), Integrity, & Personal Courage.

As well as brush up on my general orders, which I can't be too sure I can post, therefore I won't.

At any rate, with luck, I should have these things perfectly memorized by the end of today, and get myself better-acquainted with the "Warrior Ethos", a sort of code which the army lives by, not so simple as the army values. Study hard, and stay strong! If command gives you trouble, then like Az would say;

~Ganbare!

Well, with Thursday, fast approaching (It'll only be here in afew days), I can only hope that I will be prepared for ..."The Test" (Back to the test which was going to promote me to Private E-2, meaning a little more money added to my bi-weekly pay ...yay~)

Well, until next time;

You are what you eat, as long as you're a cannibal.

~Yours, Truely.