New from Army Goddess 29 Nov

0:17

Today started on a frustrating note, but quickly got better. Two of the girls on fireguard last night made a deal to split their shift and sleep for half of it, and the CQ DS's came by for a surprise inspection. DSH told our PG [Platoon Guide] that those two were to be on the FG roster for the same shift every night until he said differently, which was great. The PG then told him that we'd been having trouble with other peole falling asleep or not pulling their weight on the chores that are supposed to be split, so he said we'd pull 4 people for each shift, which means that we'll have twice as many shifts to serve and they'll hit us more often. And damn, the CQ DS's just pulled another drive-by -- we have drawers on our bunks that are supposed to be locked, and they weren't checked, so any that weren't locked had all their stuff thrown on the floor. The DS even tossed the wall lockers of the FG's, one of whom was sitting right beside her locker.

We had our Fit-to-Wiin competition first thing this morning. Our guys came out all fired up, with plans on how to (legally) help the smaller, slower, weaker membewrs through the course, and splitting themselves between leaders in the front of each course and motivators bringing up the rear. I was blown away - they were fabulous, positive and full of encouragement and enthusiasm. It would have been easier for them if the fastest just sped along and left others behind. We went nuts when they announced that we'd won in 16:10. After, maybe 2/3 of the course I was hacking and wheezing, and our guys were so awesome, cheering me on, hanging with me, helping me find that last drop of energy to get up the last hill. We absolutely kicked ass. When it really counts, we're proving ourselves on teamwork. Two girls who were at each others' throats last night were working together to win this morning.

After Fit-to-Win, we marched to the gas chamber, spent the morning in class going over the procedures, then hit it. Someone said the gas was made of the same ingredient that makes jalepenos hot, and I got quite calm. The actual experience wasn't much worse than the time I used that insanely hot sauce on Sandy's chili ...
We were told that we'd have 9 seconds to get our masks out of their carrier and secured on our heads ... We lined up along the wall inside the chamber, and took turns lifting our masks, reciting our rank, full name, SSN, and "Drill Sergeant." Some people panicked and forgot to take a deep breath before they lifted their masks, or didn't clear the masks properly when they put them back on.

08:48

The worst part of the gas was my eyes. ... I got some nice prescription eye inserts that I couldn't use, because they didn't work with our masks. I wonder how much the Army paid for them. I pulled them out of my pocket and held them up in front of my mask to see inside the chamber. ... The girls on either side of me grabbed my hands, and one of them told me she couldn't have done it without me, because I was so calm.

We ended the night with PT - lots of sprinting. It was hard, but felt good. We started this morning with PT, lots of upper body and Ab work. We did the official phase change ceremony this morning, so we're in white phase. We're at the range right now - half the platoon is inside a building with simulators, practicing their grouping (getting multiple shots w/in one cm). I'm looking forward to this, but nervous about it. I did well more than 20 years ago in JROTC, but his is way different: bigger weapons, heavier, bulkier gear. We marched to this range in formation, which is much more demanding than the road march formation, carrying our rucksack, flak jackets, LCE (load carrying equip) belts, and holding our rifles up at Port Arms. I'm pretty sore.

We did get to buy 1 small bag of cough drops at the PX yesterday, and some people are out of money and couldn't get any. Those 30 are not going to be enough to last until the next PX trip, unless I get better soon, and I just don't see that happening. My sinuses are infected and my throat hurts like hell. My cough is pathetic - but everybody is in this kind of shape. Would you post an appeal on the Mail Call blog for everybody to send cough drops for the whole platoon? It's ridiculous that we can't have tylenol without going to sick call, and we can't go to sick call without losing a whole damn day of training. We were told the gas chamber would clear up all our congestion, but my nose barely ran. It's stupid and iefficient that they don't have sick call on Sundays, when we're not doing much.

12:27
Well, I grouped my shots in my first two rounds, so they made me get up and stop shooting. I'm pleased that I did well enough to qualify, but I'd have liked to have them tighter.

30 Nov. 04:07

Going to sick call today -- can't swallow and lymph glands swollen. Not happy about not being able to tough this out.

Sam