Future Soldier Kristen Gardenhire

Gardenhire, Kristen a photo by Official Army Future Soldier Center on Flickr.

My name is Kristen Gardenhire my MOS is 68E. I have wanted to join since I was little. I would always hear my grandpa talk about it and it sounded so cool. When he passed I made a promise to myself that I would join and make him proud. I am nervous about not being able to perform as well as they want me to and I am excited to climb the confidence tower! I am ready to go! HOOAH!

Future Soldier Matthew Wysor

Wysor, Matthew a photo by Official Army Future Soldier Center on Flickr.

Ever since I was a freshman in high school, I've always wanted to do more. More than simply bettering MYSELF, though there was always that aspect in my decisions I know it's not why I was put on this Earth. I knew I had to help others, and there was no better way to serve than to join the United States Army. I come from a military family, my Grandfather was awarded the bronze star in WWII and my father served in Vietnam. It's been a dream for me since I was a kid, the sense of duty, pride, and most importantly the feeling of being able to sleep soundly at night knowing you've done something to not only make yourself a better person, but to make this world a better and safer place. Well I reckon there is nothing in the whole wide world that can beat it. What makes ME Army strong is my determination and will. I lost 26 pounds to join the U.S. Army and have set myself to continuing my weight loss. I want it and I WILL achieve it.
Army Strong
Hooah!

Option 40

To be in the elite 75^th Ranger Bn you have to be mentally and physically tough.  This is the Army’s premiere raid unit.  The Rangers can be called upon to deploy and operate behind enemy lines.  These soldiers are some of the most mature, competent, highly disciplined, and lethal force to ensure the precise application of combat power in politically sensitive environments. 

The training that you will go to is your basic training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT).  Then you will attend Airborne School and learn how to jump out airplanes.  Then after that you will go attend Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP) and will be put through some of your toughest training you will go through.

Here are some of the requirements to successfully complete RASP:

• Minimum score of 240 on the APFT (80 percent in each event) and ability to complete 6 chin-ups.
• Must complete 5-mile run in 40 minutes or less.
• Must complete 12-mile ruck march in 3 hours or less with a 35lb rucksack.
• Must successfully complete the Ranger Swim Ability Evaluation (RSAE) while displaying confidence in the water.
• Must conduct full psychological screening with no major psychological profiles identified by the Regimental Psychologist.
• RASP 1 candidates must pass security screening with the ability to be able to receive a SECRET clearance.
• Must pass the Commander's Board. For RASP 1 candidates this event is for select individuals based on peer evaluations, cadre assessment, and overall performance..
• RASP 1 candidates must successfully complete the RASP 1 Program of Instruction (POI) in order to serve in the 75th Ranger Regiment.

RASP is a 8 week selection where you will be tested mentally and physically.  Phase one of RASP focuses more on the critical events and skill level 1 tasks that you will learn at basic so pay attention.  Phase 2 focuses more on training in Marksmanship, Breaching, Mobility, and Physical Fitness.  You will have to be able to successfully complete both phases of this course to be selected for 75^th Ranger Bn.

Once you have been completed RASP you will then don the tan beret and wear the 75^th Ranger Regiment scroll.  You will be part of an elite Special Operations unit and will some of America’s greatest assets.

RL

Special Forces and Special Forces Support

To be a Green Beret and wear the Special Forces tab you have to go to through selection and pass the Q course.  Then you will be able to wear the beret and the tab.  But in Special Forces they have support roles too. 

To be a Special Forces Soldier you have to go through Selection.  Selection varies in times between 2 weeks to 3 weeks, either way the Special Forces Candidates will be pushing themselves hard to get selected.  After that they will have to pass: Airborne, SUT (Small Unit Tactics), Language, SERE (Survival, Evasion, Reconnaissance, and Escape), the MOS portion, then Robin Sage (final training exercise).  Special Forces Soldiers are some of the most professional soldiers.

In Special Forces units they need support as well.  They have all types of MOS’s there.  You can be intelligence, cook, finance, ext.  There are a few MOS’s that they do not have but they do have a lot of them.  I am a 35P Cryptologic Linguist, in a Special Forces unit.  You do have to be Airborne to support Special Forces units.  Also dependant on your MOS you will get to go to some other advanced MOS courses, advanced shooting courses, driving courses, ext.

They want you to have good training and to be a mature Soldier.  You will be supporting professional Soldiers, and representing the Special Forces and Special Operations community.  Whichever you decide to do, we are all in the fight together.

RL

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