Saturday, June 25, 2005

Gas chamber

From journal entry:

Today saw a couple of the big landmarks of BCT: the "Fit to Win" obstacle course and the gas chamber. Fit To Win was long, but it was done as a squad so at least I wasn't alone.

But the gas chamber was exhilarating! The first half of the day was spent learning NBC (nuclear biological chemical) procedures and repairing our masks. For lunch, everybody got a double helping of chili-mac and we had to eat every last bite of what was on our plates.

Then we took a walk down "The Green Mile," masked up and stood on Death Row. When it was our turn in Old Smokey, I could immediately smell the CS and feel it on the back of my neck. I had to unseal the mask and state my name and SSN, then reseal it. After that, we lined up, took our masks off, opened our eyes and stumbled out the back door onto Chili Mac Road with snot pouring out of our noses, coughing up a storm.

It was fun when it was over with, and I learned two important things: trust in my mask, and a memory of the smell of CS.

boot camp

Letter from Chris to sister Jean:

Chris writes, Thanks for all the letters, "it really brightens up my day"

"Basic is as good as ever. We're starting into some hardcore training, like the bayonet assault course, the endurance obstacle course and today was the gas chamber! That was intense... I really appreciate how well those masks work"

Here is some useful news: Family Day is August 11th, Graduation is the 12th.

Chris says he is fatigued but spirits are still high. His motto is
"Today is going to be a good day"

Friday, June 24, 2005

Bayonet Assault Course

From journal entry:

This was another BCT highlight: pugil sticks and Bayonet Assault Course. Everyone was excited about pugil sticks because it's our second big chance to beat the hell out of each other. Only this time, it's with giant Q-tips representing a beyonetted weapon. I was able to get one good hit on my sparring partner before they clocked me.

The Bayonet Assault Course was long, so they put us in ability groups. I was huffing and puffing at the end, but I made it.

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Teamwork Development Course

From journal entry:

Today we navigated the Teamwork Development Course, TDC. It's a series of 6 obstacles mostly involving 2x4s suspended on beams. It's challenging, but fun. I learned this: a team needs one competent leader. Too many people throwing ideas together mid-operation doesn't work.

Today was my first chance working with some of the other platoons and drill sergeants. In particular, DS Hale was a bit interesting. Yes, he's a hard-ass, but he's also able to crack jokes and give calm criticism.

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Unarmed Combat

From journal entry:

Another BCT favorite, Unarmed Combat (UAC) is mostly grappling moves. The attraction is the fact that we're allowed to beat the crap out of each other and get away with it. Some rivalries are already apparent. The one guy everyone wants to beat, Pvt. Kemper, is conveniently on sick call. Oh well, we'll get another chance in a few days.

Monday, June 20, 2005

Victory Tower

From journal entry:

Today felt like the first big day of BCT with Victory Tower. First, we had to tie a Swiss seat harness to standard. We climbed up a 50-foot ladder then rappelled down a sheer wall. It's a test of intestinal fortitude, and I did well enough to surprise myself. My bunkmate, Pvt. Kelley, is scared shitless of heights, but he still made it down. The next challenge was the rope bridges. First was the 3-rope bridge, which was easy by all accounts. The 1-rope head first commando crawl is harder to balance, and probably 50% actually made that. I wasn't part of the 50%. Last up was the 2-rope, which was fine. The last part of the course was climbing down a cargo net. Too easy.

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Week 1

Letter from Chris to sister Jean:

It's been a tough first week of Basic. This makes reception look like a luxury vacation! You don't blink unless the drill sergeant says to. Every little mistake by individuals will drop the entire 60 people in our platoon. We'll go entire days without technically being able to talk, but the last few days have been a little better. We have been figuring out how to stand still, how to clean the bay in time for wakeup, and how to remember gear. The drill sergeants have been slightly more personable, cracking the occasional joke. And we got the rest of our field gear and our M16's! We don't fire them for another week , but we carry them everywhere. We've been through unarmed combat, tactical movement, and Monday we go to Victory Tower to face our fear of heights.

I'm really missing home, the people, the foods, the relaxation time. I think I can handle this for a while longer.

And oh yeah- my mailing address is:
PVT Chris Keller
E Co 1-28 Inf Regt
5482 Jackson Blvd
4th Plt Terminators
Ft Jackson, SC 29207

(Sorry guys, this is jean updating this and it took me a while to figure out his password to log in. Write to Chris, I'm sure he would love the inspiration. I'm writing to him too - don't worry! Take care everyone)

Thursday, June 16, 2005

BCT Beginning

From journal entry:

We started in Red Phase, which means we are absolute beginning soldiers. Any mistake is scrutinized, and group punishment is the standard. If our battle buddy is not squared away, we're not squared away. We're only as strong as our weakest link.

I'm in Echo Company of the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment. I'm assigned to the 4th platoon "Terminators" under Drill Sergeants Goode, Latta and Poppell. DS Goode is the platoon sergeant, a small but fierce black woman with absolute command over us. DS Latta is a crusty older former infantryman and also authoritative. DS Poppell is no pushover, but he's a Reservist and is only with us for his 2 weeks annual training, and less prone to jumping down our throats.

At first, BCT is a lot like Reception BN except more restrictive. The first few mornings were very abrupt wakeups when DS Goode walked in on a dirty bay. One of us finally figured out that we should start rolling each other out of bed early to clean before she arrived. We were issued TA50, including LCE belt and suspenders, rucksacks and shelter halves. After that, we were issued our M-16 rifles and shown how to disassemble, clean and reassemble them. The first two weeks were mostly classroom briefings. In addition to strictly procedural stuff, we got a rather graphic briefing on IEDs from DS McDaniel who was deployed to Iraq. IEDs account for over 70% of US casualties there.

I'm a little apprehensive about my decision to join, but even if I wanted to get out now, it wouldn't be easy. They're not letting anyone go just for asking; there's a war going on, after all.

Wednesday, June 8, 2005

End of Reception

Reception battalion has been a long, hard learning process. we're really getting a taste of Basic right here. You wake up when they tell you, sleep when they tell you, and everything in between is done in as much of a rush as possible. A hundred guys on my floor have 30 minutes to take care of personal hygiene with 16 showers and sinks.

That said, we did a lot of stuff. The most exciting part was getting our BDU's, our camouflage uniforms. They look so pretty, with my name embroidered on the nametape. They're hot as hell, but they are sharp!

We're supposed to ship tomorrow. I'm not sure if I really want to, because it'd be nice to catch my breath for a bit. But the treat of being home for Christmas is factoring in. We'll see.

More from journal entry:

Reception battalion has been a blur of military life shock, never-ending lines and DFAC food. Between the 2nd and the 9th, we processed paperwork, medical records including the Moment Of Truth (MOT), financials, and BDUs. We were introduced to fire guard duty, smokings (PT as punishment), and shakedowns. I've been in the center bay, so I get to hear a lot of gossip. My buddies have been Pvt. Frank and Pvt. Lujan.

Friday, June 3, 2005

Hell Begins

Started travelling to Ft. Jackson yesterday. Got to Denver MEPS at 5 AM, so it was an early morning. They drove us to DIA, and we took a plane to Philadelphia, then to Columbia. They bussed an entire busload of us into Ft. Jackson, and to the reception station. That was about 11 PM, but they started processing immediately. We turned in packets, got sorted into platoons, got exercise uniforms to wear for the entire week, and finally at about 11 AM they gave us about 2 hours of sleep. This afternoon we did some medical stuff, and now its finally time for some real sleep.