Do you think in OCS they teach you how to curve the bullet?
Who knows. That might be a useful skill though. Although, I'm not sure if that can be done easily with an M16.
The weekend is almost over. I have to report in tomorrow at about 1. After that, it's on to another week of wine and roses. At the first opportunity yesterday, I picked up the book "Once An Eagle" by Anton Myrer. This is the book that is required reading for our platoon. The book report on it will be due on January 5th. I was quite shocked to find that the book is 1228 pages. Not exactly a lot of time available to read this sucker. I spent a few hours last night and a few hours this morning reading the huge novel. Let me tell you, it's no easy read. It's overloaded with over descriptive prose and a non-linear yet overly simple story. I bet if you used traditional linear prose, this book would be about 100 pages long. I have already read 200 pages in it and it has gone absolutely nowhere. The author (God rest his soul, Anton Myrer is known to be a renowned military writer) spends a great deal of time (and pages) describing irrelevant objects and scenery. For example, in one scene, the main character is sitting on a porch with a girl overlooking a meadow. The conversation they are having revolves around what he sees his future to be. The conversation, essential to the story, takes only a few pages. However, the author spends pages and pages describing the meadow, the porch, the front yard, and even the house. It's infuriating to read and it's not the type of book I would ever read on my own. Finishing it and forcing myself to read it has already been painful. Funny thing is, I'm a huge reader. I read all the time, but this book has not interested me at all. I may murder it in my book report. It is also full of these little preachy elements about the duty and honor of an Army officer. It kind of reads like the Bible in some ways. Just passages about how to be good. Either way, I think this is just another OCS game of how much we really want that LT bar and I will go through the motions.
I have mixed feelings about going back tomorrow. I have enjoyed the freedom and the relaxation very much. Not only that, I've been able to talk to Susie every day for long periods of time and I've been able to navigate my own schedule. Returning to prison will not be pleasant. On the other hand, the sooner I get back there, the sooner this whole thing will tick by to the end. At the conclusion of week 5, I will grab a plane back to Killeen and spend Christmas with my two favorite ladies. Anywho, this is me signing off for now. Not sure when I'll be able to write again.
-BOC Sharp
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!
So, it's Thanksgiving. This four day weekend will be one of a number of holidays that will interrupt our stay here in the lovely Ft. Benning, GA. As per Army tradition, the entire company filed into the dining facility to receive turkey, stuffing, ham, and lots of other stuff from their chain of command dressed in Army blues. It's actually one of the Army traditions I like. Who doesn't like receiving grub from those who make your life miserable? I know, Monday things will be different. As student XO, there was a certain rapport with the cadre. They didn't yell at us, they guided us. They answered our questions in an even tone. We even had laid back meetings with them without having to worry about locking up at attention and making boxing movements to leave their offices. It could have something to do with the fact that we did an excellent job. It wasn't hard. We had a student first sergeant who was a first sergeant in real life. The student CO was an MI guy who had been in for 6 years just like me. And then there was me. Three prior Army service guys in leadership positions when we are all accustomed to leadership positions made the student leadership procedures seem easy. We rock. I handed off my XO duties today after briefing my successor. He should be fine. I made up the DEFAC schedule for him, set up his detail schedule, and even emailed all of my electronic documents I created to organize the job. He should have it a lot easier than I had it. After all, he doesn't have to write the SOP.
After handing off my XO duties, I left post bound for the Fairfield Marriot. I will stay here for the weekend, but I have a whole weekend planned with some of my classmates. Tonight, I will head off to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch some football and drink adult beverages with some of my fellow candidates. This is the time to unwind, because next week's schedule looks as crazy as this week's schedule. I am very happy I am no longer XO.
-Basic Officer Candidate Sharp
After handing off my XO duties, I left post bound for the Fairfield Marriot. I will stay here for the weekend, but I have a whole weekend planned with some of my classmates. Tonight, I will head off to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch some football and drink adult beverages with some of my fellow candidates. This is the time to unwind, because next week's schedule looks as crazy as this week's schedule. I am very happy I am no longer XO.
-Basic Officer Candidate Sharp
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The Game - Must play the Game
Well, what did we do this week. We had a class on Call for Fire, which is basically the message format and methodology used to direct artillery to a target. Most people took it for granted, but my experience has shown me that this method should be learned. In MI, we are one of the few support elements that can actually call for fire. So I learned it. I don't know what I got on the test, but I'm pretty sure it was high. I found it easy. The rest of our daytimes were spent doing Warrior Tasks and Drills training. I find this type of training tedious and boring. It's written for a monkey and we did like 20 hours of it this week. Being in for 6 years and having this training all the freakin time make it a little difficult to endure as well. But, like a trooper, I got through it.
Today was also the first 5 mile road march. It went well. I have also been XO this week and hand that duty over tomorrow (thank God.) It was demanding and we had to improve on the room SOP submitted by the previous leadership from last week. I sat up under my covers with the laptop until midnight every night getting it done. The final product though is quite impressive, even if I do say so myself. I foresee the commander approving the SOP. In addition to the SOP, my XO duties required me to coordinate chow, coordinate equipment and classes going to the WTBD course, make sure MRE's were available for training, making sure safety points were set, and basically making my CO look good. I think I did a great job.
So, to my surprise they are giving us this weekend off starting at about 1 PM tomorrow. We have to endure the Army tradition of your chain of command serving you food. It's ok, I can't check into my hotel room until about 3 anyway. Yep, that's right, I'm going to chill in a hotel this weekend doing some swimming, watching some movies, and basically just chilling out. I do have a date with some of my fellow officer candidates to see some Thanksgiving football at Buffalo Wild Wings tomorrow night. But, if you can't tell, I plan to vent this weekend. I also need a nice place where I can try and nurse my muscle wounds and maybe try and combat this darn cold. I have marriot points that will allow me to stay three nights free, so it shouldn't be a financial burden. Then again, I may choose to pay for it anyway and use even more points later. I'm all about saving.
Today was also the first 5 mile road march. It went well. I have also been XO this week and hand that duty over tomorrow (thank God.) It was demanding and we had to improve on the room SOP submitted by the previous leadership from last week. I sat up under my covers with the laptop until midnight every night getting it done. The final product though is quite impressive, even if I do say so myself. I foresee the commander approving the SOP. In addition to the SOP, my XO duties required me to coordinate chow, coordinate equipment and classes going to the WTBD course, make sure MRE's were available for training, making sure safety points were set, and basically making my CO look good. I think I did a great job.
So, to my surprise they are giving us this weekend off starting at about 1 PM tomorrow. We have to endure the Army tradition of your chain of command serving you food. It's ok, I can't check into my hotel room until about 3 anyway. Yep, that's right, I'm going to chill in a hotel this weekend doing some swimming, watching some movies, and basically just chilling out. I do have a date with some of my fellow officer candidates to see some Thanksgiving football at Buffalo Wild Wings tomorrow night. But, if you can't tell, I plan to vent this weekend. I also need a nice place where I can try and nurse my muscle wounds and maybe try and combat this darn cold. I have marriot points that will allow me to stay three nights free, so it shouldn't be a financial burden. Then again, I may choose to pay for it anyway and use even more points later. I'm all about saving.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
One Week Down - Eleven to go. Kill me.
In the Army, it's amazing what we volunteer for. We really do volunteer to have our rights and freedoms stripped away from us in favor of a military life with military benefits. I was looking oh so forward to OCS and oh so forward to what it will get me. After this week, it feels a million miles away.
It's hard to believe it's only been a week. I swear it feels like a month. The first week was like any phase 4 in the military with a few horrible changes. Yes, you have to everywhere with your camel back. Yes, you have to run everywhere you go if not in a group of 3 or more. (And if you're in a group of 3 or more, you march.) Unfortunately, the schedule is so tight, that you end up running everywhere anyway. A few times this week has even seen company formation runs in ACUs and boots!!! It's like Airborne school. Both times, people fell out hurting. The result of those times was a nice long yell from the First Sergeant. All right, here's how my week went down.
Sunday: Signed in. It was very laid back all day until the recall formation at 1500. Until then, we were allowed to roam free and we all were thinking that this OCS thing would be a walk in the park. We did have to complete some additions to the packing list that took the whole day. Then we reported to the recall formation and we in processed until midnight. Usually that's fine, but wake up on Monday was 0400. Got maybe 3 hours of sleep if that. The cadre take their jobs very seriously here. They told us on this night that the class was overbooked by 20. The PT test on Tuesday would determine if we made the cut. Prior service with ATTRS confirmation need only pass the PT test. College option (people who went to college and then joined the Army to become an officer) had to compete. They might be able to only cut 8, because they might be able to field 172. So, they put us to bed and got us up after our "nap."
Monday: Weigh and tape. They weighed me and, alas, I was 5 pounds over. I was happy because just a few weeks before I was 10 pounds over. I got chewed for being overweight, but I easily made tape at 19 percent. Apparently in the infantry school, being overweight but not over fat is a crime. Still meets the Army standard though. Then we learned at breakfast the procedures for getting through the chow line in order for all 180 people in the company to eat. Basically, each candidate only eats for 5 minutes. Right after meals, you have to run to get to the next formation. Indigestion has already started combined with fantastic Army DEFAC food. Cadre picked the student leadership for the week which include student First Sergeant, CO, XO, Platoon Leaders, Platoon Sergeants, Squad Leaders, and Team Leaders. I am a team leader in charge of 5 soldiers. I was put in 3rd platoon. Today I learn that Delta company is what is known as the "lock down" company. It used to be the candy company, but the CO is fairly new and came in with a new sheriff in town attitude. We got our OCS SOP's today, which is a book on how to act and perform here. We have to always have it on us and have our faces in it while standing in line or just standing. It's very cold here right now, about 40 or so during the day and 20 at night.
Tuesday: PT test. It was 19 degrees outside and I knew it would be a hard one. I didn't do too well at all and the Captain who graded me seemed to think that 79 sit ups equals 69. He put the wrong number on my PT card. It's still passing, but whatever. My run stunk. I had trouble breathing through the cold wind. About 20 people failed the test. The Cadre decided they would keep the basic training PT standard of 50 50 50 and drop those who were below that. We are down to 172. Our class is now fielded. More in processing stuff today and a lot more fun from the Cadre, especially "Captain America" who seems to think that the American Special Forces were created to fight the Japanese in WWII. We learned today that all College OPs compete for their favored branch. If they want to branch something they want, they have to get a high standing in the course. Glad I'm direct select and my branch is locked in. We moved rooms today since we have "classed up." I had to be roomed with a college op who is a different race than me. I got a really nice guy though, so no regrets.
Wednesday: More BS in processing stuff and doctrine. I'm already tired of sprinting everywhere. There is no free time and we have only 1 hour per day to do laundry and only 6 working machines in the entire company for 172 people. Math doesn't work. Indigestion is bad. Catching a cold from the damn college ops who just came from basic.
Thursday: Obstacle course. More of a confidence course, really, although all I got from hanging upside down in a contorted position seeing only 30 feet of air between me and the ground was a desperate desire to quit and go back to be a staff sergeant. But I endured and it was the most difficult physical experience of my life. I still can't climb a rope and lack of coordination caused me to fail another obstacle. I have bruises on both arms, both legs, and no muscle strength left. One guy broke his femur and he's out of the course. One girl went on emergency leave and she's out. 170 left. Oh, and guess what, there's a Battalion run tomorrow. Falling out of it would be very bad, I hear.
Friday: 4 mile battalion run went ok, but I hurt quite a bit. Had a ceremony that officially opened the class and many people (not including myself) showed up with the same dirty uniform used for yesterday's obstacle course. First Sergeant believes in mass punishment - we all have to write a 1000 word essay on "pride and discipline" by Sunday. We also had combat water survival today. Basically, you have to jump into a pool with all of your battle gear and swim. Then they knock you off of a diving board blindfolded and expect you to maintain control over all of your equipment including your weapon. They they throw you in deep water and you have to remove all of the equipment strapped to your body under water. I had no problem, easy task. Wish the obstacle course was easier. Indigestion is getting bad. Cold is really bad. Pretty sure I am running a slight fever. Just learned that I am the new student XO - the one job I really, really didn't want.
Saturday: First official day as XO. It is a demanding and busy job. Previous leadership did not do the barracks SOP up to the new CO's standards, so I have to personally redo it. I have to put in work orders for the barracks. I have to coordinate logistics for a WTBD site on Tuesday, have to supervise three separate details daily. Really, according to the last XO, I have to get chewed out at least three times a day. However, it is a good position of exposure and so far I have done it ok and people have said really good things. I may eek a good eval out of this one. Today we spent the day waxing floors, cutting grass, painting lines on a street, raking acorns, and basically anything not fun that didn't involve free time.
Sunday: I miss my wife and daughter a ton. Got to text my wife throughout the day. Cadre gave us 0830 to 1400 away from the AO to take care of business. We have a lot of business and that time was nowhere near sufficient especially with 170 people at the PX at the same time trying to do the same things and stand in the same lines. It was interesting in that it was just nice to drive around today. Supposedly, this will be a short week since the Battalion commander will give us thanksgiving weekend as a pass. However, I already know I have at least CQ on Thanksgiving day and maybe Staff duty sometime that weekend. It won't be very restful.
Anyway, that's week 1 of OCS. I'm not enjoying it very much, but it is getting better and the people here are really nice. The Cadre seem to care a great deal and they're actually very professional, so that could lead to good things down the line as well. From everyone I've talked to, getting through two weeks is the key. After that, it's just routine. So, I'll continue playing the game in the hopes of acquiring that coveted LT bar. Talk soon.
It's hard to believe it's only been a week. I swear it feels like a month. The first week was like any phase 4 in the military with a few horrible changes. Yes, you have to everywhere with your camel back. Yes, you have to run everywhere you go if not in a group of 3 or more. (And if you're in a group of 3 or more, you march.) Unfortunately, the schedule is so tight, that you end up running everywhere anyway. A few times this week has even seen company formation runs in ACUs and boots!!! It's like Airborne school. Both times, people fell out hurting. The result of those times was a nice long yell from the First Sergeant. All right, here's how my week went down.
Sunday: Signed in. It was very laid back all day until the recall formation at 1500. Until then, we were allowed to roam free and we all were thinking that this OCS thing would be a walk in the park. We did have to complete some additions to the packing list that took the whole day. Then we reported to the recall formation and we in processed until midnight. Usually that's fine, but wake up on Monday was 0400. Got maybe 3 hours of sleep if that. The cadre take their jobs very seriously here. They told us on this night that the class was overbooked by 20. The PT test on Tuesday would determine if we made the cut. Prior service with ATTRS confirmation need only pass the PT test. College option (people who went to college and then joined the Army to become an officer) had to compete. They might be able to only cut 8, because they might be able to field 172. So, they put us to bed and got us up after our "nap."
Monday: Weigh and tape. They weighed me and, alas, I was 5 pounds over. I was happy because just a few weeks before I was 10 pounds over. I got chewed for being overweight, but I easily made tape at 19 percent. Apparently in the infantry school, being overweight but not over fat is a crime. Still meets the Army standard though. Then we learned at breakfast the procedures for getting through the chow line in order for all 180 people in the company to eat. Basically, each candidate only eats for 5 minutes. Right after meals, you have to run to get to the next formation. Indigestion has already started combined with fantastic Army DEFAC food. Cadre picked the student leadership for the week which include student First Sergeant, CO, XO, Platoon Leaders, Platoon Sergeants, Squad Leaders, and Team Leaders. I am a team leader in charge of 5 soldiers. I was put in 3rd platoon. Today I learn that Delta company is what is known as the "lock down" company. It used to be the candy company, but the CO is fairly new and came in with a new sheriff in town attitude. We got our OCS SOP's today, which is a book on how to act and perform here. We have to always have it on us and have our faces in it while standing in line or just standing. It's very cold here right now, about 40 or so during the day and 20 at night.
Tuesday: PT test. It was 19 degrees outside and I knew it would be a hard one. I didn't do too well at all and the Captain who graded me seemed to think that 79 sit ups equals 69. He put the wrong number on my PT card. It's still passing, but whatever. My run stunk. I had trouble breathing through the cold wind. About 20 people failed the test. The Cadre decided they would keep the basic training PT standard of 50 50 50 and drop those who were below that. We are down to 172. Our class is now fielded. More in processing stuff today and a lot more fun from the Cadre, especially "Captain America" who seems to think that the American Special Forces were created to fight the Japanese in WWII. We learned today that all College OPs compete for their favored branch. If they want to branch something they want, they have to get a high standing in the course. Glad I'm direct select and my branch is locked in. We moved rooms today since we have "classed up." I had to be roomed with a college op who is a different race than me. I got a really nice guy though, so no regrets.
Wednesday: More BS in processing stuff and doctrine. I'm already tired of sprinting everywhere. There is no free time and we have only 1 hour per day to do laundry and only 6 working machines in the entire company for 172 people. Math doesn't work. Indigestion is bad. Catching a cold from the damn college ops who just came from basic.
Thursday: Obstacle course. More of a confidence course, really, although all I got from hanging upside down in a contorted position seeing only 30 feet of air between me and the ground was a desperate desire to quit and go back to be a staff sergeant. But I endured and it was the most difficult physical experience of my life. I still can't climb a rope and lack of coordination caused me to fail another obstacle. I have bruises on both arms, both legs, and no muscle strength left. One guy broke his femur and he's out of the course. One girl went on emergency leave and she's out. 170 left. Oh, and guess what, there's a Battalion run tomorrow. Falling out of it would be very bad, I hear.
Friday: 4 mile battalion run went ok, but I hurt quite a bit. Had a ceremony that officially opened the class and many people (not including myself) showed up with the same dirty uniform used for yesterday's obstacle course. First Sergeant believes in mass punishment - we all have to write a 1000 word essay on "pride and discipline" by Sunday. We also had combat water survival today. Basically, you have to jump into a pool with all of your battle gear and swim. Then they knock you off of a diving board blindfolded and expect you to maintain control over all of your equipment including your weapon. They they throw you in deep water and you have to remove all of the equipment strapped to your body under water. I had no problem, easy task. Wish the obstacle course was easier. Indigestion is getting bad. Cold is really bad. Pretty sure I am running a slight fever. Just learned that I am the new student XO - the one job I really, really didn't want.
Saturday: First official day as XO. It is a demanding and busy job. Previous leadership did not do the barracks SOP up to the new CO's standards, so I have to personally redo it. I have to put in work orders for the barracks. I have to coordinate logistics for a WTBD site on Tuesday, have to supervise three separate details daily. Really, according to the last XO, I have to get chewed out at least three times a day. However, it is a good position of exposure and so far I have done it ok and people have said really good things. I may eek a good eval out of this one. Today we spent the day waxing floors, cutting grass, painting lines on a street, raking acorns, and basically anything not fun that didn't involve free time.
Sunday: I miss my wife and daughter a ton. Got to text my wife throughout the day. Cadre gave us 0830 to 1400 away from the AO to take care of business. We have a lot of business and that time was nowhere near sufficient especially with 170 people at the PX at the same time trying to do the same things and stand in the same lines. It was interesting in that it was just nice to drive around today. Supposedly, this will be a short week since the Battalion commander will give us thanksgiving weekend as a pass. However, I already know I have at least CQ on Thanksgiving day and maybe Staff duty sometime that weekend. It won't be very restful.
Anyway, that's week 1 of OCS. I'm not enjoying it very much, but it is getting better and the people here are really nice. The Cadre seem to care a great deal and they're actually very professional, so that could lead to good things down the line as well. From everyone I've talked to, getting through two weeks is the key. After that, it's just routine. So, I'll continue playing the game in the hopes of acquiring that coveted LT bar. Talk soon.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Pre OCS - Arrival into Columbus
So, I have arrived into Columbus, Georgia.
The idea at this point is to chill out for 48 hours before I finally sign into Fort Benning. My plans for the next 48 hours are pretty simple, really. I have to go to Ft. Benning Clothing and Sales to obtain the following:
1) More "Follow Me" Class A patches
2) A Ft. Benning road guard vest properly marked with my name
3) OCS Class A insignia
4) OCS officer's handbook
5) Some OCS rank
Anyway, if you are reading this, then you likely got a link to it either through me or someone I sent the link to. I figure it might be therapeutic to record some of the OCS "highlights" as I experience them. I won't lie that I feel very apprehensive about signing into the US Army infantry school for 12 weeks. It will be an environment much like that I experienced in Phases 1-4 of basic training. I fully expect a confining experience. If there is less confinement than I thought, then I will be pleasantly surprised.
Ok, so where to start. I left home Thursday really sad. I just had a baby about two weeks ago and I was just really beginning to enjoy her company. Then there's my fantastic and beautiful wife, who I haven't really been apart from more than about two weeks at a time. 12 weeks will be a really long time, and then after that we only have a few weeks together before I drive back to Benning once again. If I'm lucky, I might get Christmas exodus - that two week period when units go to half days and all units in training have the option to take that time off. OCS is a TRADOC (i.e. training) unit and should have the 20th of December through the 2nd of January off. However, another OCS blog of a guy who went during a class last Christmas mentioned that in Basic Phase, his platoon came up on CQ (a type of guard duty) during the two week exodus period. They got stuck in town. So, if I'm lucky, I get to come home for Christmas. Meanwhile, I will deeply miss my wife and child. I've been told that my baby won't miss me as much as I miss her, but still. I guess this is a good warm up for the future when deployments will take me away from home for a year or more. I love them both so much and I will miss them deeply.
Tonight I'm chillin at the Marriott Fairfield just north of post. Columbus, the town outside of Benning, is a lot like Killeen. The difference seems to be that the infrastructure here is a lot more maintained. In Killeen, you can go a couple of blocks from a good place and find buildings falling down, debris in the streets, etc. Here, there's none of that. It also seems to share Killeen's love for chain restaurants. I did find a Steak n' Shake here. That's a plus. There are a lot of trees here and quite a few hilly areas as well. I expected it to be flat. Due to a freak monsoon when I arrived in town about 5 PM local (1700) I didn't feel it was a good idea to try and explore the post. Plus 1700 in a military town is not a good time to wander the streets.
I've also noticed a complete lack of soldiers in uniform here. In Killeen, you can't go into an establishment without running into someone in uniform. Then I realized why. 90 percent of the personnel at Fort Benning are in Basic Training, Infantry school, AIT, etc. All of those include confinement on post during most of the training. Anyone you see wandering around outside of it would be post Cadre, who represent a much smaller segment of the population.
So, I think I'm done rambling. I think I'm doing it because I'm bored. As mentioned before, my plans for tomorrow are to wander onto post, go to clothing and sales, and maybe catch "Quantum of Solace." I tried to find a theater tonight, but I kinda failed. So, until tomorrow, I will cease my ramblings. Peace.
The idea at this point is to chill out for 48 hours before I finally sign into Fort Benning. My plans for the next 48 hours are pretty simple, really. I have to go to Ft. Benning Clothing and Sales to obtain the following:
1) More "Follow Me" Class A patches
2) A Ft. Benning road guard vest properly marked with my name
3) OCS Class A insignia
4) OCS officer's handbook
5) Some OCS rank
Anyway, if you are reading this, then you likely got a link to it either through me or someone I sent the link to. I figure it might be therapeutic to record some of the OCS "highlights" as I experience them. I won't lie that I feel very apprehensive about signing into the US Army infantry school for 12 weeks. It will be an environment much like that I experienced in Phases 1-4 of basic training. I fully expect a confining experience. If there is less confinement than I thought, then I will be pleasantly surprised.
Ok, so where to start. I left home Thursday really sad. I just had a baby about two weeks ago and I was just really beginning to enjoy her company. Then there's my fantastic and beautiful wife, who I haven't really been apart from more than about two weeks at a time. 12 weeks will be a really long time, and then after that we only have a few weeks together before I drive back to Benning once again. If I'm lucky, I might get Christmas exodus - that two week period when units go to half days and all units in training have the option to take that time off. OCS is a TRADOC (i.e. training) unit and should have the 20th of December through the 2nd of January off. However, another OCS blog of a guy who went during a class last Christmas mentioned that in Basic Phase, his platoon came up on CQ (a type of guard duty) during the two week exodus period. They got stuck in town. So, if I'm lucky, I get to come home for Christmas. Meanwhile, I will deeply miss my wife and child. I've been told that my baby won't miss me as much as I miss her, but still. I guess this is a good warm up for the future when deployments will take me away from home for a year or more. I love them both so much and I will miss them deeply.
Tonight I'm chillin at the Marriott Fairfield just north of post. Columbus, the town outside of Benning, is a lot like Killeen. The difference seems to be that the infrastructure here is a lot more maintained. In Killeen, you can go a couple of blocks from a good place and find buildings falling down, debris in the streets, etc. Here, there's none of that. It also seems to share Killeen's love for chain restaurants. I did find a Steak n' Shake here. That's a plus. There are a lot of trees here and quite a few hilly areas as well. I expected it to be flat. Due to a freak monsoon when I arrived in town about 5 PM local (1700) I didn't feel it was a good idea to try and explore the post. Plus 1700 in a military town is not a good time to wander the streets.
I've also noticed a complete lack of soldiers in uniform here. In Killeen, you can't go into an establishment without running into someone in uniform. Then I realized why. 90 percent of the personnel at Fort Benning are in Basic Training, Infantry school, AIT, etc. All of those include confinement on post during most of the training. Anyone you see wandering around outside of it would be post Cadre, who represent a much smaller segment of the population.
So, I think I'm done rambling. I think I'm doing it because I'm bored. As mentioned before, my plans for tomorrow are to wander onto post, go to clothing and sales, and maybe catch "Quantum of Solace." I tried to find a theater tonight, but I kinda failed. So, until tomorrow, I will cease my ramblings. Peace.
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