How it all got started: My introduction to the military and it’s inner workings:

My introduction to the military and it’s inner workings.

In order to get to the end of my military story, we must start at the beginning. Otherwise, it all means nothing. At the age of 32, I entered Army basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. I was extremely out of shape and not nearly as young as my other battle buddies. There I was at the 43rd AG reception battalion, just like all the new recruits, except my days there were limited. While most people spend a week to two in reception, I spent a mere three to four days. This was due to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) issue.

While I was at MEPS getting ready to ship off to basic training, the computer system was down, nothing new right? We’re all aware of the systems and how they’re frequently not working. So I and a few other Army applicants spent 3 nights and days between the MEPS hotel and MEPS itself, awaiting the computer system to start working. I began to wonder how they ever enlisted anyone before computers. I asked them to push the paperwork through the “old school way”, yet nobody really knew how to do that.

It was then that I started wondering what I’d gotten myself into.

Finally, after three days of playing pool in the day room at MEPS, and trying not to fall asleep waiting (the Army’s least favorite thing for you to do when you have nothing better to do), the computer system was back up.

I was ready to raise my right hand and officially swear in.

I want everyone to know that I do not, nor will I ever regret taking the oath of enlistment. This gave my life a larger meaning than it had ever had before and I truly felt that I was meant for something great – maybe I was naive, or maybe I was meant to go through that so I could get here and help others?

Enlisted vs. Officer

With a bachelor’s degree, I could’ve been an officer. But I felt that if I was to do my 20 years, I could at least have the respect of the enlisted side before becoming an officer or warrant officer. Little did I know, I would remain a specialist and never become any more or any less. Also, I later realized that my recruiter could’ve put me in a direct succession position with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID). Apparently, the recruiter didn’t know either.

Let’s all take a minute to thank our recruiters! (Yes, that was sarcasm.)

Back at reception, where new soldiers are processed into the Army and stay while awaiting placement to training companies. We were fed three meals a day, given equipment, and eventually assigned companies and platoons. This is where it began to feel most real, the scariest it ever was – the fact that I was in and there was no backing out.

I was assigned to the company Alpha 795. 2nd platoon, Chaos as we were known to 1st and 3rd platoon.

Stepping off the cattle truck at the barracks was insane!

We were rushed to the barracks, which was, of course, uphill. Once finally there, we were yelled at and told to hold over our heads all the items we brought plus all the items they made us buy with our clothing allowance. The entire time, drill sergeants screamed at anyone they felt needed extra attention.

For me, getting those large bags to the barracks was one of the toughest challenges I had to pass during my entire basic training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT). I was so out of shape it was difficult for me to even walk long distances, so to run and carry a lot of weight was extreme. But, fear not followers, it was only a few weeks until I was keeping up with the young ones during Physical Training (PT) and group runs.

Looking back I remember having it so much easier than everyone else.

I wasn’t young and undisciplined, therefore, I didn’t need the extra attention that the other soldiers needed. Instead, I was the same age (if not older) than most of my drill sergeants. This led to many funny events, conversations, and stories for another post. In all honesty, basic training and AIT was the most simplistic of times and the easiest. I wish I could go back. Even though we were punished as a group for one person’s mess up(s), it was so much easier than being at home, paying bills, and taking care of my stepchildren.

It wasn’t long before the others were calling me “Mom” and making fun of my mom jokes!

In fact, it would be one of the things my battle buddies (battles) missed about me the most, even to this day.

I was paired with the youngest and tallest person in my platoon for a battle buddy. Here I was the shortest and oldest, and I would have to get to know my physical opposite of the platoon. It worked out great though – she could shut the curtains during fireguard as I couldn’t reach. This was one of her first experiences away from everything she knew, while I was a seasoned traveler. We would end up getting to know one another pretty well, and still remain friends.

So there you have it, my beginning.

For Part 2 of this series discussing basic training and where that lead, click HERE