Back from the Field

I got back to quarters a little after midnight. The last few days were spent in a tent with 40 other guys. The temperature was in the high nineties with very high humidity. You cannot begin to imagine the smell after three days. I've spent a lot of time camping and backpacking. I grew up on a farm. I've spent countless hours in all forms of locker rooms, but nothing smells worse than the past three days. I took a thirty minute shower when I got back. For those who have no way of knowing, my average shower is 4-5 minutes. We did land navigation (using a compass) in both the day and night. We practiced moving through a combat area using cover and the protection of a soldier actually carrying a weapon. WE also practiced crawling through the live fire range. This is not nearly as exciting or traumatic as people tell you. We also did a copule of other obstacle courses.

Overall, we've slept very little. We've sat and walked in the heat a great deal, normally wearing body armor. We've had short periods of excitement. That's been my week. I've taken some pictures and will be getting some others over the next couple of days, but I'm too tired to do that this afternoon.

I did want to answer a few questions one of my nephews asked on a previous entry.

1. My "battle buddy" is the odd looking guy with glasses you see in one of the previous posts. Another guy from our platoon is pretending to kiss him or something. I'm not sure. His name is Chaplain Shirky (last name).

2. The US Army has 1.4-1.5 million people on active duty. I had to look this one up Nathan. I didn't actually know how many people are in the army. There are about the same number in the National Guard and Inactive Army Reserves.

3. There are about 120 people currently training with me. Some of them will leave in a couple of weeks when we finish the first couple of phases of training. They'll have to complete it another time. Some more will be coming in to finish the training at that time.

Quiet Few Days

Its been a few days since I posted, and I may not get another chance to post until the end of this week. This past Thursday and Friday, we were given some first aid training. We mainly looked at first aid in a battlefield situation. Let me give you the brief summary of first aid if bullets are in the air...keep your head down (a second casualty does not help a wounded soldier) and stop the bleeding if you can do so without getting shot. There were some other things we were taught for situations where you aren't getting shot at.

Either tomorrow night or Tuesday, we will be going into the field for a few days. There are a few people being pulled out to go out on Monday night. Everyone else will be marching out on Tuesday morning. We're supposed to learn day and night land navigation and a few other things that I'm not entirely clear on. The march out will not be pleasant. We'll have to wear body armor and kevlar (helmet) as we road march out. The march is only 3-5 miles, but our ruck sacks are crammed full and the armor vest doesn't allow for much of a breeze.

I found one picture

How many people can say that their ears stick out far enough to be seen with a gas mask on?

Survived

This morning was the CB gas buildling. Basically, we marched. For a couple of hours, we were lectured on chemical warfare and how to use a gas mask. We were taught to put one on and seal it in nine seconds with our eyes closed. Having your eyes closed becomes very important if gas is in the air. We were then marched into a building in groups of fifty. We already had our gas masks on. We were required to break the seal on our mask and give our name, rank, and number. We were then to reseal the mask and clear it of gas. If you do this properly, you don't suck in the gas. I did that part successfully. Before you left the building, you were required to take your mask completely off and the cadre (instructors) made sure you talk or were held inside until you opened your eyes and breathed gas in. I got two very large breathes full of gas. The best description I can give is that for thirty seconds, I was unable to breath, desperately trying to throw up (Thankfully, I had been warned to skip breakfast), and blinded. We were then told to walk out the door. Since we couldn't see, running would have been a bad idea. The picture to the left shows people coming out. We were told to flap our arms to get the gas our of our clothes. I didn't get a picture of sinus' draining, which was a result for most of us. On the bright side, after the gas cleared my sinuses, this afternoon, I've breathed better than I have for months.

Sorry I don't have any pictures of me coming out. I'll see if I can find any sometime soon.

Home, Sweet Home!

It's not often I (Emily) post on the blog, but since I'm the one with pictures of our new home, this time I get the honors. The top picture is taken from in front of our neighbors' house. Yes, lots are somewhat cramped in Killeen, as with any city. Next, Justin's mother and I are standing on our back porch, where Justin and I will do a good bit of grilling. In this picture, you can also see the wooden fence which goes all the way around our back yard, making a nice place for Ox and Isaac to play. The third picture is of our master bath. If you look in the mirror above the double vanity, you can see the separate shower and jacuzzi tub behind me. In the fourth picture, I'm leaning on our kitchen bar. The tiled room behind me to my left is our breakfast nook. The carpeted room in front of me is our living room/den. The formal dining room is on the other side of the breakfast nook, to your left when you come in the front door. To your right when you come in the front door is the sitting room, which you can't see. The last picture is a shot of our pantry and gives you an idea of what our kitchen looks like. I'm really excited about the quartz countertops, dark cabinets, and stainless-steel appliances. I do not have pictures of our guest bathroom or three extra bedrooms, though the bedrooms all look the same. One will be an office, one the nursery, and one a guest room. We can't wait to move in and make it our home!

The Pain has begun

I'd not really intended to post anything tonight, but I actually got ahead on some of my assignments yesterday. PT (Physical Training) is finally kicking off full spead ahead. This morning's festivities kicked of at 0515. At least, I think it was 515. All times before 6 am are basically the same to me at this point. Today's PT focused on building strength. We did a massive variety of pushups and situps. This is after a brief PT session last night.

Tonight, I'm exhausted. Tomorrow is a march with body armor in our rucksack. I have heard that we will do the obstacle course (confidence course, team-buildling course, or whatever it is called) once we arrive wherever the destination. I don't know and this may very well be incorrect. One of the funny things I'm learning about the military is the vast number of rumors that float around. This division will be deployed. This person did get promoted because of something. Its really kind of funny.

What I do know is that on Wednesday we will get tear gassed. I'll try to make sure I have some disgusting pictures of the results.

For those who wanted to see...

OK, so here's what I look like in a uniform, minus the patrol cap. It is what Cole refers to as that "ugly camo." I think that may be the technical term.

Today was Victory Tower, which is repelling, crossing ropes and the like. All in all, a great way to spend a morning. I got paid to do a pretty good ropes course basically. This afternoon, not such a great thing. I was on a detail that had to set up tents for our class to sleep in when we are in the field. We managed to make this a much more difficult job than it had to be. We didn't get back to quarters until after 3. We should have been back before 1.
Regardless, I've had a good dinner. I'm in quarters early, with intentions of going to bed early. Not a bad day.

For those who are curious, Emily has found a house to rent in TX. She has put in an application, and she'll find out Monday if we get the house. She mentioned putting some pictures on this blog so people (including myself) could see where we were going to be living, but I don't think that will happen until she has actually signed a lease. (You never know.)

I should be ashamed, but I'm not...

Yes, my shameless ploy to get cookies from Jayne (see my June 7 post) worked. The tubs you see in the pictures arrived today. I got a really odd look from the Sgt when I laughed at the package. If you can read the notes, you'll see why I'll always miss the Christmas Party and Kentucky Derby party.

Anyway, a few of you knew that I had my Physical Training assessment today. This is the pushup, situp, and running test the army uses. This test doesn't go on my record, but the instructors use it to assign extra PT, determine your running group, etc. I'll have to pass an official version before finishing up here. I passed everything on todays "diagnostic test". I was slower running than I wanted, but did better on pushups and situps than expected.

Keep Em in your prayers. She leaves tomorrow to look at rentals in TX.

As a side note, I received a letter and package today. Neither of which came from my wife or any member of my family. (I get much braver when I am out of Emily's reach, don't I?) I have talked to Emily plenty this week, just so no one actually feels sorry for me.

Just a little different

OK, here's been the last couple of days...waiting in line. Moving to another line...waiting in that line. At least I had been warned to expect this. I've taken drug tests, had my teeth checked, received vaccinations, been issued equipment, listened to briefings, and filled out a large tree worth of paperwork.

For the most part, my chaplain class is looking forward to getting out of the classroom. I'm sure by this time next week, we'll want to be back in the air conditioning.

For the last two years, I've kept a cell phone, Bible, business card, with me. My supplies for ministry look a little different now. In addition to the gas mask, there's a kevlar helmet and body armor. I've had some friends in the pastorate that might have needed all of the above for deacons meetings in their churches.

Early Start

This morning started early. We were waiting in formation at 4:50 am. The formation looked amazingly poor by army standards. We loaded buses (sorry for those of you hoping I'd have to walk everywhere), and we were taken to have blood drawn. Afterwards, we spent several hours doing the most important work of the week (filling out financial paperwork so I begin getting paid). After a couple of lectures about nutrition and hydration, we were taken to buy our uniforms, which hurt. I didn't get my class A or Dress Blue uniforms.

Formation tomorrow is at 0450, so I better get my uniforms put away and get ready for bed.

Mailing Address

A couple of people have asked how to reach me. The usual email and cell phone numbers apply. My mailing address for the summer is below. There is an unnamed individual that owes me some cookies. This my last post today. I promise.


U.S. Army Chaplain Center & School
CHBOLC Class 08-002
Chaplain (1LT) Justin Pickering
10100 Lee Road
Fort Jackson, SC 29207

Ft Jackson

I arrived at Ft Jackson late this afternoon. The pictures you see is my room. I've got a small kitchen. The coffee maker only makes four cups. I may very well have to remedy that. As you can see, I have cable. Obviously I have internet or I wouldn't be posting pictures. The accomodations are pretty good.

I spent this evening getting settled. I ran over to the commisary and picked up quick food. Milk, popcorn, frozen meals, Blue Bell ice cream...you know the basic staples. I went through the PX. It was kind of hectic.

I've met several other guys here for CHBOLC. They seem decent guys. I can't recall names. I better get a few other things done before getting to bed.

A busy week

I'm writing this from Ft Jackson, SC. This post is going to give you a brief update over the last few days. I'll try to post some about the Ft in another post. Last Friday, we left Kentucky at noon. Friday night and Saturday were spent with my extended family (my grandparents' children, g-children, etc.). This is the largest gathering we've had since my grandmother's funeral. On Sunday, the church I grew up in had a commissioning service. As part of the service, I took my oath to enter the Army. The retired Navy captain that administered the oath had taken his 52 years ago to the day. He was my neighbor growing up.

Monday was spent showing Emily the state capital and my alma mater. Tuesday, we spent visiting a good friend of mine from MC. I played quite possibly the ugliest round of golf in history that day. The next day, I played golf with Stan. Thursday, we packed and had dinner with Robert & Julie. On Friday, Em and I stayed in Birmingham with some friends. Today, we went our separate directions. She went to TN to visit family. I came to Ft. Jackson. I spent the first 30 minutes of the trip crying. I honestly have no idea when I last cried.

There are pictures from my comissionign service in my photo albums.