Leaving for BCT and OCS!

This will be my last post for a while, as on Monday I will be leaving for BCT and OCS at Fort Benning for the next 23 weeks. In an unexpected display of kindness, the staff at my weekend drill let all of the men shipping on Monday go home early today in order to spend some last minutes with friends and family. I am taking this time to eat fried chicken (my favorite), update this blog and relax with my girlfriend, my mom and my dog.

Things have been moving very fast to this point. Last weekend I had a going away party which was incredible. The outpouring of support and affection was tremendous, and I thank all of my friends who came out and wished me luck on this new adventure. Words cannot begin to describe how much all of you all mean to me.

I'll keep this short and sign off for now. Take care and be safe. And don't worry about me while I am away; just image the grin on my face as I learn how to lay down suppressive fire with an M2 .50 caliber machine gun, and know that all is right with the world.

Update on Schedule

I just wanted to post some dates and information out there for anyone who is interested in what I will be doing:

BCT

I will be leaving for BCT on July 15. It will be held at Ft. Benning (Official Website) and I will be graduating (hopefully on time) around September 22nd.

OCS

OCS will be held at Ft. Benning as well (Official Website) and will start the first couple days of October. I am unsure at the moment if I will actually be granted any form of leave between the two schools. I should be graduating from OCS around January 5, 2012.

Ship Date!

After many hours of poking, prodding, testing and questioning, I am cleared to ship for BCT and OCS on July 16th.

It was a very long day, about 13 hours overall. There were a lot of little moments for me throughout the day in which I had a chance to question and reinforce my belief in taking this step.

For anyone who has ever sworn in, that oath seems to weigh a couple tons when you take the time to think through the words. As of today, my life is no longer entirely my own, and I will be asked to endanger it in order to protect the lives of others. I feel immense pride knowing that I made this decision and still have the physical ability to act on it.

Testing

So I got my control number and went for testing and physical today. Physical didn't happen because of another hang up with the control number. Should have that ironed out early next week. The good news with that is by vigilantly working out and watching my diet in anticipation for the physical (which has been about a month), I've dropped 15lbs and can run 2 miles uphill in about 17 minutes.

Testing went well, I scored in the top 96%, which means something upstairs is still working. I was told that my scores would allow me to do anything I want as far as jobs go. I have a sneaking suspicion that I will be 11B regardless of the mental tour de force I unleashed today. Although Infantry isn't my first choice, it beats the shit out of a desk job.

Waiting...

Still waiting on my control number from the Federal government.

Yesterday it was announced that Osama bin Laden was killed by American troops. I'm extremely thankful for all the men and women who have worked over these last 10 years to bring about his demise. And I am very proud to be joining their ranks as an officer. Eventually...

In the meantime, boredom has led to the decision to learn to play harmonica. I ordered a mouth harp and "how to" book from Amazon. I'm in desperate need of a hobby, and I remember my grandfather, who fought in WWII with the 506th PIR, 101st Screaming Eagles, telling me about playing the harmonica during those days. Seems fitting.

Physical and Testing

Are officially scheduled for Thursday (test) and Friday (physical). I will get my ship date on Friday and share with everyone as soon as possible. I'm looking for mid-June, however I am at the mercy of the Army's schedule.

I did have a scare on Monday as two tickets from 1999 popped up as unpaid on the background check for my security clearance. I actually drove over to Statesboro and personally collected the proof that both tickets were indeed paid in full / found not guilt back in 1999. Seems someone checked the wrong box.

OCS Board Down

Today I had my OCS interview. I believe I nailed it as the interview team was visibly impressed with my answers. The captain that lead the interview asked me if I knew what I was getting in to. Apparently the Federal Officer Candidate School is 14 weeks by itself, with BCT being another 10 before that. Looks like that will take care of my plans for most of 2011. My ship date for all of this will be given to me next Thursday.

Thanks to everyone who sent any extra thoughts and prayers my way, it was a good day to be me.

Step 1

In 2003 I was well on my way to graduating college and joining the Army as an Officer. I had breezed through processing and the ASVAB, all that was left was to get my OCS board interview. It never happened.

I moved on and did quite well in the private sector. In 2007 I looked into joining again, and at that point my fat

her, a veteran himself (1st Air Calvary), told me that the timing was not right and to wait. He passed away unexpectedly that August. My new priority became taking care of my family.

In 2010 I joined the Georgia State Defense Force in order to satisfy my deep seated need to serve in a military capacity. I was inspired by this experience to do more and I decided in December 0f 2010 to serve with the National Guard as an Officer.

My applications are complete, I'm in passable shape for MEPS and as of today, I'm unemployed (my job parted ways with me due to my announcement that I would be leaving for around 6 months of training). Step 1 is Thursday, 21 April when I interview for my OCS board and then on 27 and 28 April when I process for the Guard and get my ship date.

I have set up this blog as a way for you, my friends and family, to follow me along this journey.