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.