Prep to Ship

This is just a little something to help Future Soldiers get ready for their basic training experience and their career in the Army.  First of all, let me start by saying joining the Army is a great thing; not only do you get to serve your country, but you will also gain experience in every aspect of life to include leadership and discipline.

Most Future Soldiers don’t realize this, but you should be in contact with your recruiter at least once a week - especially after you have gone to MEPS.  This way you can keep him or her informed of everything that is going on with you.  You will stay informed on current information from your recruiter this way as well.

If you are going in as an E1 or E2, the FSTS/Basic Training Task List will allow you to be promoted one grade before you ship out to training.  There are 11 training modules for you to complete; things like your General Orders, Military Time, rank structure and the Phonetic Alphabet.  Once you pass all of that, take your completion certificate to your recruiter so he or she can get you promoted.

Even if you are not overweight, you should always work to make sure your weight remains within the requirements.  If you are close to your weight limit, make sure you work on your PT to get your weight down.  You don’t want to go through your entire Army career needing to be taped. 

Get with your recruiter to see if he or she has Future Soldier PT.  If they have it, participate in it as often as your schedule allows, it will only make you better.  If they don’t do Future Soldier PT, ask them to make you a PT plan that will allow you to get in better shape so you can pass the 1-1-1 PT test with no sweat. 

If you have any medical issues (anything that caused you to go see a doctor or go to the emergency room) that has happened between the time you have gone to MEPS and now, make sure your recruiter is aware of them.  Some things that may seem minor may turn out to be something that will prevent you from shipping. 

Just like medical issues, law violations are just as serious.  Anything where you had to talk to a police officer, a lawyer, or if you had to go to court, needs to be brought to the attention of your recruiter as soon as possible.  Make sure your recruiter is aware of ANY ticket that is unpaid.

If you do not have a bank account, now is a good time to get one.  Make sure it is a bank that has branches nationwide and NOT just a local bank.  You will need to access your money no matter where you are stationed and a local bank may not have that capability.  Your recruiter will give you the form to get direct deposit set up at your bank; this will allow your check to go straight to your bank account and be automatically deposited without hassle.

Make sure you have the addresses and phone numbers for all your friends and family members.  Once you get to training, you will need to write them so they will know you made it there safely.  While you are in reception, you will probably be able to use the phones, but as soon as your Drill Sergeant comes to pick you and the rest of your platoon up, phone usage will be very limited and your primary means of communication will be the U.S. Postal Service.

As with anything else that you will do in life, you need to have a positive mental attitude about what you are doing in the Army.  If you have a bad mental attitude, you will have a very hard time in the Army.  If you have a positive mental attitude, you will have great experiences throughout your entire career in the Army.

(Ret.) Drill Sergeant Jones

Where Is Your Heart?: by Future Soldier Spouse Shayna Hamm

 

Where Is Your Heart ? By : Shayna Hamm

Ask me where my heart is, I’ll tell you not with me.
Maybe in the country, most likely overseas.
Ask me where my heart is, I’ll tell you all I know.
He’s with all the other men sporting black and gold.
Ask me where my heart is, I’ll tell you I’m not sure.
Somewhere out there making sure our future is secure.
Ask me where my heart is, I’ll tell you all around.
His pictures, letters, clothes, keep me safe and sound.
Ask me where my heart is, I’ll tell you what I can.
He’s somewhere out there, in an unknown place, fighting for our land.
Ask me where my heart is, I’ll tell you with a man.
A man who serves his country, and does the best he can.
Ask me where my heart is, I’ll tell you coming home.
One day he’ll be back, and I won’t be so alone.
Ask me where my heart is, I’ll tell you standing tall.
With my Ranger, fighting strong, never will he fall.
Ask me where my heart is, I’ll tell you not with me.
But when he’s home, and we’re alone, I will be complete.

A Salute to the Army.

Happy Birthday Army!!!  You are turning 236 years young today.  Well, I would just like to say that it is an honor to be in the Army today.  When I think about the Army turning 236 I think about how many patriotic men and women got to serve their country.  People like me that get to do a great service to our country and protect our freedoms over the years.  The Army has brought so much to our country and our local communities as well. 

The Army has always been something that I wanted to do ever since I was a young boy.  I looked up to Soldiers, they were the real super-men and women.  My dad was in the Army, and he was, and still is, my idol today.  So ever since then I knew that is what I wanted to be, an Army Soldier. 

Watching my dad when I was younger, putting on his uniform, lacing up his boots, and watching how proud he was to be wearing the uniform - I couldn’t wait to join and be a Soldier, and wear the uniform as proud as my dad did.  Then when I was old enough, I joined, and it has been full of great life experiences ever since.

The camaraderie that you will find in the Army is something that you will not find anywhere else.   In my Army career I have met some of my best friends, who have always been there for me.  I have had great NCO’s, and leadership that have made me the Soldier and NCO that I am today. 

It doesn’t matter if you joined the Army when it was “Be All That You Can Be,”  “Army of one,” or “Army Strong.”  It doesn’t matter if you joined when they had “pickle suits,” or ACU’s, we are still one family that will work together and accomplish the mission whatever it may be.  So, Army, I guess what I am trying to say is thank you and it has been an honor being part of your family.

SGT Lunger

Motorcycle Safety: Getting a Grip on Riding

Safety should always be on your mind when you get on your bike.  Always perform a check of your bike using the T-CLOCS system.

T- Tires and Wheels-check tire pressure and wear on tires, look for any cracks, cuts and embedded objects in the tire as this is your only source of traction between you and the road.

C- Controls- Look at all the levers, controls, and hoses.  You will be looking for any wear on any of the controlling units to include belts.

L- Lights and Electrics- Make sure that the head lights are working on high and low beams.  Look at all wires for fraying or kinks.  Look at chains to ensure no broken sprockets or bad chains.

O- Oils & Other Fluids- Always check all fluids and engine coolant for levels.  Check all coolant hoses for cracks and leaks. 

C- Chassis and Chain- Look at front fork and make sure that there isn’t play in steering.  Check rear tire and swing arm for any play.  Make sure shocks are working properly.

S- Inspect your kickstand and make sure it is OK and check to make sure engine will not start while in gear or kickstand is down.

Once you do your check you will now be ready to ride.  Get your (PPE) Personal Protective Equipment on and get ready to take off.  Your PPE should consist of a Helmet, Eye Protection, Footwear, Ear Protection and Gloves.

Always make sure your bike has a full tank of gas before you ride.  

When riding with others you have a formation you should ride in.  This is called a staggered formation.   This formation will be where you will have one bike leading on the left side of the lane the next bike will be one second behind making your bike in the right part of the lane and so on.  The bikes that are in the same side of the lane should be at least two seconds apart.

When you come to an intersection you should pull closer together. Always proceed with caution and don’t assume anything.  Just because the bike in front of you goes through the intersection, doesn’t mean that it is safe for you to go through.  Always pull up and look both ways. Try to stay up with your group as much as possible, and REMEMBER safety always COMES first.   It is OK if you get separated.  The group in front can always pullover and wait if needed.

Never mix alcohol with motorcycles.  Having any alcohol in your system increases your chance of an accident by up to five times.  If you have just one drink with .05% alcohol it can increase the chances of an accident by 40 times.

When riding long distances, you will have to pull over at least every two hours to stretch your legs and walk around.  Most riders do not ride over six hours in a day.

While you are out riding, always take into account the road and weather conditions.  Always watch out for uneven pavement, slippery roads when they are wet, and don’t forget those obstacles in the road.

Be safe and keep the SHINY SIDE always up!! Check out the website below for safety course information!

https://safety.army.mil/mmp