EVENTS THAT LEAD TO A GRADUATION

I had just enlisted into the US Army after my 21^st birthday.  I had decided to join the US Army to do something with my life.  My life was not going anywhere after High School, and I realized that without any college under my belt, I had to do something with my life, if I wanted to be someone in this life.  So, joining the US Army seemed to be the thing to do. 

I had the greatest experiences of my life during OSUT (One Site Unit Training) in Anniston, Alabama.   I enlisted as a 95B at that time, which was MP (Military Police).   I, a girl, fresh out of High School, that rarely wanted to take orders even from my STEP-Mother, was now going to enter into the world of the US Army, and be told what to do, from the time I woke up in the morning, to the time I went to bed.  Oh, and even while I slept, the US Army told me what to do.   What an adventure, I thought.  

My adventure began, that one cold day in January 1991, when I was told to “GET off the BUS”.  Basic Training was the greatest time.  I met a lot of nice people from all over the country.  All these people were coming to the same place to learn and experience the same things that I was about to experience.  Learning the ins and outs of the US Army was exciting, and demanding at the same time.   If we put our minds to something that we want bad enough, we can experience the WORLD.  

Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) Training

Graduation day was coming, and I knew my family was going to come down to see me all dressed up and see me at my best.   We as a group had just been through a lot in the last weeks leading up to Graduation.  There were classes to pass, and things to do to prepare our uniform for the “Big Day”.    The “Big Day” finally arrived, and I think I was just as nervous to Graduate, as I was to start training on that first day.

All of us MP’s were now a group of individuals that had grown together, and had experienced things in our lives that we never thought that we would to make it to this Graduation Day.   As we entered the open Bay of our platform where we were to line up and to dress right dress, just as we all had for the past few months, there was a sign of relief.   We are all graduating, and our families are here and are very proud.   We were all proud as well.  

As we walked passed all of the families that were there to show their support, and show off their offspring, the cheers of the crowd were unbelievable.  To walk across a stage full of higher ups, that had been there to help us get to this point was even more exciting.   

I will never forget the feelings I had, as I accepted a Certificate/Diploma that I earned, and was proud to carry.   (LB)

Sports in the Army

Most people think that as a Soldier you are in uniform 24/7. Even though you live the Army Values 24/7 not all your time will be spent as a Soldier in the Army. You actually have time off to relax and do whatever you like to do such as, go off post to eat, watch movies, hang out with your friends and play sports. The Army has intramural leagues on post for various sports such as volleyball, softball, soccer, boxing and flag football in which you can participate. These are some of the most common. If you are good enough you have the opportunity to compete and try out for the post team. Playing for the post team is actually a lot of fun if you love sports, since you will be playing more often, and if you like to travel. If you make the team you get to play against other Military Installations at a more competitive level. If you are good enough you may even make the All Army Team which is very competitive and a milestone in your Army career. 

While I was enlisted in the Army for my 4 year career, one of the things I enjoyed the most was being able to play volleyball, soccer and softball. Living in the barracks was awesome because you know most of the Soldiers and it makes it easier to gather people to play. Most of the time we played for fun; however, you find out some Soldiers in the Army are very skillful. Some of them are good enough to play at a competitive level. 

All-Army Staff Sgt. Lee Diaz of Fort Meade, Md., drives the ball into the outfield during the 2007 U.S. Armed Forces Men’s Softball Championships at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The tournament was a round-robin with a total of nine games played Sept. 12-14 at Foster Stadium. The All-Army team won the gold medal and the All-Marine Corps squad took the silver. Three-time defending champion All-Air Force finished third. U.S. Air Force photo.

From 2001 to 2005, I was stationed in Ft. Knox, KY. I had the opportunity to play Volleyball and Softball for my troop HHT 1/16 Calvary Regiment. Volleyball was a lot of fun and the league turned out to be great. My troop won most of our games; if I remember correctly we only lost 2 games before heading to the tournament. We made it to the finals, but sadly we lost the final to Charlie Troop.  My Commander even gave us half a day off for placing second in the Volleyball tournament. 

My softball team was opposite of volleyball. Unfortunately, we lost more than half of our games. Probably the only reason we did not lose all was because of Master Sergeant Crisp who before coming to our troop was on the All Army Softball. Every time he went to bat we knew it was either going to be a home run or a long 3 base hit; that is how hard he hit the ball - he was awesome! Sad but true, the Marines team was very competitive and they placed second in the tournament to the MP’s. Playing the Marines felt like a big rivalry, kind of like a big High School rivalry or a pro Football rivalry game such as the Cowboys vs Redskins. If you lost to the Marines, you would hear from other Army units, even though it was all in good fun because we understood we are all part of the same team.

Check out this cool Video for information on the Army Combatives Tournament! 

These are only a few Sports available to you through your Military career. The Army offers many other sports in which you can participate. If you think you have what it takes to be in the All Army Team you can talk to your unit about the possibility of becoming part of the team.  Comment with your favorite sport (or sports) and if you would like to play for the Army in the future.  Feel free to ask any questions about sports you are interested in. (lm)

Typical Day as a Mechanic in the Army

Not all 91B’s will have the same duties day to day. It is based on what kind of Unit you are assigned, where your duty station is, what mission your Unit has going on etc. A typical day as a mechanic:

0600 Wake up:  (Please don’t forget to brush your teeth before PT! Don’t be “THAT” person.

0630-0730 PT: You will usually have formation at your Unit area (unless you have a Battalion or Brigade run.) Your 1SG usually decides if you are going to do Company PT or do PT at squad level. 

0730-0900 Personal time: You will use this time to go back to your barracks/house to shower, change into your uniform and head to the chow hall for breakfast. (Or eat at the house if you are married and live off post.)

0900-1130 Work-Call: Most days you will show up 

at the motor pool at 0900. Some Sergeants will require 

you have a 0900 formation in the motor pool but most 

show up for work call. 

The Sergeant in charge will then give you your duties for the day.

(If it is Monday, you will do Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services, also known as (PMCS). 

This is where you take the TM (Technical Manual) for the vehicle you are in charge of or assigned to and do a bumper to bumper check.

You will check all fluids, signals, wheels, engine, under the 

vehicle and much more. This will usually last until lunch time.

   

1130-1300 Lunch:  You are free to do as you wish during this break.

1300-1700: You will come back to the motor pool and resume what you were doing before you went to lunch. 

1700-1800: Free time!  Although this is allotted “free time” remember you are a Soldier 24-7! Please behave responsibly. If you find yourself in a bind, call the next person in your Chain of Command.  

(JA)

Leaving My Family for Basic Training: A Soldier’s Perspective

Home on Leave :)

Waiting for my ship date to leave for Basic Training in 

Ft. Sill was very aggravating. From my enlistment until 

ship date I was ready and anxious to leave for BCT; 

however, as my ship date came closer I realized I was

going to be leaving my family behind. These were 

people I was used to seeing on a daily basis. 

It was not as hard for me as it was for my mother, especially since she, at first, did not agree with my enlistment into the Army. My mother was really scared and the fact that I am her only child did not help at all. I never thought about having brothers or sisters until that point when I realized how much easier it could have been if I had a sibling to stay with her. Not knowing exactly how to deal with it, I told my mother what the Army would do for me. I talked to her about all the good the Army would do for me, like providing educational opportunities, learning responsibility and the discipline and leadership the Army offered. Telling my mother and family I would be able to write and call through training seemed to help as well.  

Basic Training road march, awesome! Drills will pop CS gas so be ready. 

I was able to call the second day I arrived at the reception battalion to let my family know I was ok. While I was in basic training I was able to call after completion of red phase, which was about the 4^th week of training. Most of the time when I was able to call I spoke with my mother, who became my biggest support. 

Since I was not able to call often, I had to write most of the time. Being able to call and write through One Station Unit Training (OSUT/ Basic and AIT) made me feel at ease because I could keep up with what my mother and family were doing, and I was able to tell them how I was doing and how training was. I always made sure I included my OSUT graduation date on the letters to make sure they knew when I was graduating so that they could attend my graduation.  I did that not only because I wanted them to attend, but because I knew that it put a smile on my mother’s face when I told her about the Honor I felt to be graduating soon and the importance of having her present at my graduation.