My lord, this weekend sucked. The week was pretty decent in LAN class, and I was looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend, maybe get some business done at the PX. But just my stupid luck, we were duty company, duty platoon, and I'm a lowly Phase 4. So Saturday rolled around, and I got put on DFAC (dining facility) detail. Basically, the DFAC closest to our barracks has been under renovation for asbestoses or something, and is now ready for operation. Only thing is, all of the equipment was at a DFAC across base. So we got to unload trucks containing every piece of equipment that's used in a cafeteria, including the pots, pans, serving trays, plates, silverware, cleaning supplies, and all of the food in bulk packaging. Then just for fun, we did it again and moved more equipment from yet another DFAC into the one we emptied. Don't ask me what sense that makes, I could not tell you. We worked from 0730 in the morning to about 1530 (3:30pm), and we worked hard.
But it gets better. Instead of getting the day off today, I got put on Batallion Cleanup detail, so I raked BN headquarters from 0830 to 1400 (2pm). At least I had a little time for laundry today. We have an EOC (end of cycle) PT test Thursday, and if I'm not Phase 5 and relaxing next weekend, I'm going to be severely pissed off.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Ripping apart 80's dinosaurs
It's been a good week, in general. We had PC Maintenance class with Sgt. Pippin and Sgt. Zimmer. The class material was easy enough, since ripping apart computers is a pastime for me. I should've tested out of the class, but I really have no reason to try testing out. If I finish the schoolhouse portion early I still don't get to come home, I'll just end up cleaning around the barracks all day. Anyway, Sgt. Pippin describes himself as "the most motivated instructor in the schoolhouse." I believe that entirely. He usually has 2-3 pots of coffee in the morning before he gets to class. Not glasses, but pots. He has to hold his arms in front of him to keep them from shaking with all of his excess energy. He's a crazy mofo, I'm telling you. I wish I could video tape him to show you all at home, because he is great to see in action.
Other than that, life is pretty much settling in to AIT mode. I've been a little bit sick with a cold or flu or something, but it's been getting slowly better this week. Hope to post again soon!
Other than that, life is pretty much settling in to AIT mode. I've been a little bit sick with a cold or flu or something, but it's been getting slowly better this week. Hope to post again soon!
Friday, September 9, 2005
Life After Basic (or why Sgt. Harr says "mothertrucker please")
Life is so much better here at AIT. Yeah, it still has it's annoying points, but it's not lockdown, thank you God! The drill sergeants here are human, they complain about having to pull duty and admit it when they make mistakes. We have a set schedule that we usually know about ahead of time. We have free time to move about as we please. We can walk to the PX and the on-post Burger King as long as we have a "battle buddy." And we get cell phones after the duty day! It's so nice to be able to call people! I probably mentioned most of that in the last post, but I'm finally feeling some of this freedom. It's frickin' great!
Class is our main deal being here, and so far so good. We've been thru a week in Basic Electronics, two days in Information Security, and just finished two weeks in Windows XP. For Security and Windows, we've had Sgt. Harr instructing us. He's a real laugh when he wants to be, and he likes to keep his classroom environment light. I really appreciate that, as it makes it easier to learn. Like Einstein said, "Don't let school get in the way of your education."
On free time though, I've found a way to unwind. I finally got my laptop from Mike, and when I get a chance I can bring it to the IET Rec Center. It's got an arcade, concession shop, phone card computers, and best of all a wireless hot spot. I can sit back and check out some of my internet business on my own computer. It's a little slice of home, only slower access and less fooling around with Ashley in between.
I'm already looking forward to my next set of privileges in Phase 5. We still have phases like Basic, and here at AIT everyone starts as a Phase 4. Phase 5 is going to have some definite perks, like civilian clothes and off-post privileges.That's right, I've been in some sort of uniform and on-base for the past 3 months. It's hard to believe, even for me. That said, I may not get my phase badge for a little bit longer than the rest of my class, since I failed my physical fitness PT test. There's another test coming up, so wish me luck pushing it out.
Class is our main deal being here, and so far so good. We've been thru a week in Basic Electronics, two days in Information Security, and just finished two weeks in Windows XP. For Security and Windows, we've had Sgt. Harr instructing us. He's a real laugh when he wants to be, and he likes to keep his classroom environment light. I really appreciate that, as it makes it easier to learn. Like Einstein said, "Don't let school get in the way of your education."
On free time though, I've found a way to unwind. I finally got my laptop from Mike, and when I get a chance I can bring it to the IET Rec Center. It's got an arcade, concession shop, phone card computers, and best of all a wireless hot spot. I can sit back and check out some of my internet business on my own computer. It's a little slice of home, only slower access and less fooling around with Ashley in between.
I'm already looking forward to my next set of privileges in Phase 5. We still have phases like Basic, and here at AIT everyone starts as a Phase 4. Phase 5 is going to have some definite perks, like civilian clothes and off-post privileges.That's right, I've been in some sort of uniform and on-base for the past 3 months. It's hard to believe, even for me. That said, I may not get my phase badge for a little bit longer than the rest of my class, since I failed my physical fitness PT test. There's another test coming up, so wish me luck pushing it out.
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