Mail Call

Update on Army Goddess

2007-07-11T23:25:00.000-05:00

She arrived in Germany on Friday morning, July 6. However, after everyone else had been processed, they were unable to get anyone in Heidelberg on the phone to confirm her assignment. So she spent the weekend in a transition housing place in Hanau.

On Monday morning, she was told she was being reassigned to Wiesbaden. She was transported there and during "inprocessing" someone noticed her job on the orders and told her that wouldn't work there. All their mental health services are contracted to civilians. It turns out they were looking for a 68W (combat medic) rather than a 68X (mental health specialist). So back to Hanau.

A day later, she called me today from her new home in Landstuhl, Germany. She got moved this morning and has already been assigned a room, a company, and a sponsor (a soldier who has been there a while and becomes a kind of guide for new people). Tomorrow she will continue "inprocessing."

She will be working for the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center -- the largest Army medical center in the world (outside the US). This is the first stop for all wounded combat personnel from Iraq and Afghanistan. She is very excited about her new job. She will be in orientation 2-3 weeks which will include tours of the city and learning to eat in local restaurants (sounds like hell doesn't it?!)

Landstuhl is a relatively small German city but the installation is a part of the Kaiserslautern Military Community (shortened to K-town by infidel Americans) which includes the air base at Ramstein and multiple other posts/bases in the area to form the largest American community in the world outside the US. But it is still Germany (4 hour drive to Paris; 4.5 hrs to Amsterdam; 3 hrs. to Switzerland; 6 hrs to Italy).

Gradjiashun

2007-06-18T17:14:00.000-05:00

Well, Sammie baby graduates tomorrow from the program in San Antonio. I know she's going to miss being the top of her class, but we're all going to be happy to have her home for a couple weeks.

Then, it's off to GERMANY. No kiddin', folks. She has to report to duty on July 13 ... one week before our 20 year high school reunion in Alabama. :( We'll miss her at the reunion, but you know I'll be talkin' about how frickin' awesome she is the entire time!

I know that she and Don were hoping to have a European assignment, but I have to admit I was sad when I found out they'd be so far away. I was quickly set straight by another friend who pointed out to me that Germany's a nice place to be stationed. So I'm happy for Sam to be going somewhere cool. I just want her to be safe FUR-EVER!

Soldier of the Month - Ft. Sam Houston

2007-05-23T21:56:00.001-05:00

She was put up for soldier of the month in April but withdrew because she didn't think she was ready. Tonight, after a board of Drill Sargeants named her soldier of the month for May, she said that she "sucked." Maybe she has higher standards than most.

As if that is a surprise.

She's Like An Ostrich ...

2007-04-01T10:12:00.000-05:00

20 March

2007-03-20T18:14:00.000-05:00

I just got home after a long weekend (Thurs - Tues) in San Antonio to visit the Army Goddess. Things got off to a rough start last Tuesday when she learned that her unit had a Field Training Exercise (camping) for Friday and Saturday of this week. This was after we had planned this trip and she had had two straight weekends of boredom because they had nothing to do. However, we decided to try it anyway and take whatever the Army was willing to give.

It was worth it. Although things started off rough on Friday when I went to meet her for lunch and learned (1) that she had only about 30 minutes (compared to the 90 minutes she usually had) and (2) I could not eat with her in the dining facility. However, she just got take out and we sat together at the outside tables. That afternoon she was told by the sargeant that she could do desk duty (answer phones at the base) and leave earlier Saturday if she wanted to spend more time with me. She told him that she needed to be with her squad (remember she is a squad leader) even if it meant coming in at 8:00 instead of 4:00. BUT, she did get an overnight pass Saturday so she got to stay with me from about 8:00pm Saturday to about the same time Sunday (with a 30 minute check in with formation Sunday at 5:00pm). Plus, I got to see her for lunch and dinner (with dessert) Monday.

Overall, she continues to do well. She and another squad leader are competing on every test for the highest grade. Not only for grades but she challenged him to "combatives" last Thursday. He won but he found himself in a tougher fight than he imagined. At one point she had the "dominant" position by lying under him with her legs wrapped around his waist. For some reason, he tried to get out of that position rather than enjoying it.

She will soon begin going into "the field" for "clinicals" where they will wear civilian clothes and actually (under supervision) do clinical interviews and write reports. Everyone I met was highly complementary of her (which wasn't really surprising) including a special forces sargeant who is in the class because he is reclassified due to a parachute failure injury (I guess people really do sometimes survive those). He talks to her a lot and gives advice.

Her gemini nature was displayed in a recent group email when she talked about crying over the field exercise that changed our plans and, at the same time, about learning how to tear out a guy's trachea in hand to hand combat. She clearly is exactly where she was meant to be and I am so proud of her.

Phone call today

2007-03-03T16:41:00.000-06:00

I was graced this afternoon with a phone call from Our Blessed Lady of Camouflage. It was unfortunately brief, thanks to a prior commitment on my part, but I talked to her as long as possible, right up until I had to walk in the door.

I told her about selling our house, and she says she just wants to know in what state her next house will be! LOL

She sounds great, and is extremely happy with her decision to enlist. She loves her classes, and says they are throwing so much material at them it's like "trying to drink from a fire hose." She did not score the highest in her class on one test this past week, but says that she'll "fix that" with a test she has coming up on Tuesday. We spoke for a while about the need for better mental health services for the armed forces, about the current push in Congress to no longer treat PTSD at our V.A. hospitals, and about how someone like her could go from counseling G.I.s and their families to making policy on a system-wide level.

Her commanding officer has told her that he'll be taking orders from her some day, and he is probably right. It sounds like our Sammie has found the place where she belongs.

Update --Feb. 27

2007-02-27T20:58:00.000-06:00

Samantha joined most of her unit in "phasing" on Friday, Feb. 23. That means somewhat more freedom in that they are able, once dismissed after class on Friday each week, to: (1) wear civilian clothes, (2) leave the base during the day. The worst thing at this point for Sam is that she cannot go ANYWHERE outside the barracks without a "battle buddy." So if she wants to go to the library, doctor, bar, etc., she must first find someone else willing to walk there as well.

She is still hopeful that she will be able to get leave for her sister's wedding in April. But there is no way of knowing what the decision of the Commander will be. She does continue to make the highest grade in class on her tests (although she shares the honor with others at times). It truly galls her that she doesn't make a perfect grade on every test.

Samantha is also looking forward to softball season.

Weekly Update - Feb. 18

2007-02-18T22:47:00.000-06:00

This week Sam actually got to spend time in class studying psychological issues. She is in class about 8 hrs. a day which works out to the same as a college student taking about 40 hrs. a semester ... except her semester lasts 19 weeks instead of 16 weeks. They expect 25% of the students in the class to fail.

This weekend was a 4 day holiday for instructors. So what did the students do ... they spent 8 hrs. a day scraping all the old wax off the floors in order to put a new layer of wax on. She texted me that she was doing this because she is "an American Soldier. Hooah!"

In about two weeks she will be eligible to "phase" to phase 5 which will give her the opportunity to leave the base on weekends (although not overnight). I'm looking forward to finding a way to take advantage of that).

Update on Army Goddess

2007-02-11T20:55:00.000-06:00

Since she has more access to her phone and too many other things going on, the Army Goddess doesn't write as much as at basic training. So I will update based on phone calls.

Her drill sergeants made her 4th platoon leader from the beginning. This week they also nominated her for "soldier of the month" for the company. She will go before a board sometime toward the end of the month to determine who the winner will be. Want to take bets on that?

This past week she had her first tests: both PT (physical) and a written test. She improved her PT score from basic by cutting a minute from her two mile run and made the highest grade in the class on the written test (100%). Shall we summarize by saying she is adjusting OK?

When I last talked to her (tonight) she was using Magic Eraser to remove scruff marks on the wall in her room. No, I'm sure she's not obsessive (OK, I gagged a little when I typed that).

She still loves to have mail that she can read on her own time. So please keep writing.

Army Goddess AIT Update

2007-02-04T08:55:00.000-06:00

Army Goddess has been at AIT for a week now. She is in a room with 1 roommate and has cell phone access almost every night. The first week of classes was spent primarily on medical stuff (taking blood pressures, IV sticks, general first aid). She was also proud that she was chosen to make the women's basketball team in her unit (I'm sure height had a little to do with that).

A major change from Basic Training (besides the two person rooms) is that on her free time she is able (with a "battle buddy") to go anywhere on the base. So she has access to the PX, recreation facilities, and going to meals without marching in formation (except at breakfast).

Yesterday (Feb. 3), they spent the afternoon at the Equestrian Center at a soldier appreciation day put on by a civilian group. Bands played for them; children asked for their autographs; they were treated to "chuckwagon" style food; rode horses and, generally, just had a great time. Practically every adult and child there shook hands with each soldier and told them how much they appreciated what they were doing for the country. That just added to Sam's pride at being a soldier.

From the Graduation Program

2007-01-30T11:12:00.000-06:00

I Promised Pictures ....

2007-01-29T22:51:00.000-06:00

Sam's Platoon

The award group in front of the three Companies.

Sam's award group. Can you pick her out?

The Post Commander, Brig. Gen. James H. Schwitters, addressing the awards group in the tent following the ceremony -- shortly before Isaac gave him a hug.

"Victory Tower" -- it had to be conquered.

PFC Sampson-Jackson with her coins of excellence.

New Address (Revised)

2007-01-28T11:10:00.000-06:00

PFC Sampson-Jackson, Samantha A.
B Company 187th Medical Battalion
68X Class 02-07
2051 Harney Rd.
Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234

Army Goddess (Her edit) Kicks Ass -- the Details

2007-01-27T20:09:00.000-06:00

I will add details to the news already broken by bisquit. Sam was voted by the platoons and a panel of drill sergeants as the best soldier in the company (Company C -- approximately 240 soldiers). She had to be elected by the platoons (4 in Company C) and then face a panel of Drill sergeants. One of the Drill sergeants -- not one of hers -- was overheard to remark that they asked her about the levels of protection possessed by a soldier. He said that she gave the standard answer (from the "Smart" book), added the information supplied on the sign outside the drill, and, finally, that she asked if they would like her to elaborate on each level. They said, "No, that's not necessary" and then just shook their heads.

So, out of approximately 720 soldiers and additional drill sergeants, she was among a small group to be honored and to meet in the awards tent with the "brass". That included the post commander, a "general", the post command sergeant major, the brigade commander, and the battalion commander. Each of them gave her a coveted "coin of excellence" and talk to her and us (her family). The drill sergeants were noticeably nervous at being in the presence of a general but Isaac gave him a hug. Some are not at all intimidated.

The Post Sergeant Major spent about 10 minutes talking to her about the importance of her job as a Mental Health Specialist. When she told her own drill sergeant about it later, he was impressed. He said the the Sergeant Major is a legend going back to his service in Delta Force during the Iranian hostage crisis and in every conflict since then.

I will add that the Battalion Commander said that he remembered me from the Holiday leave. He wanted to know where my overalls were. I guess I did make some impression.

I will add pictures when my computer allows. But it was a great graduation. Now she is in San Antonio at Ft. Sam Houston.

Post from Sam -- Reply to Sue

2007-01-19T12:17:00.000-06:00

It has only been the reconnection my Gang O' Goddesses that has truly made me feel -- usually, almost but not quite always -- safe with my beauty. Only 4 years ago I hated going into the field because I'd get hit on. Don's love, of course, does wonderful things for me. Always has. Being surrounded by strong women who celebrate and love and support me, who aren't jealous or the least bit intimidated by me, who only want the best for me -- that's done a great deal to truly make me feel safe in my own skin, and not guilty for attracting attention. I'm prosaic enough to know that being attractive is a benefit in my field, and will both (usually) help and sometimes hinder therapeutic relationships. I do still struggle with being on the receiving end of jealousy here though. People bitch that I don't get yelled at the way they do -- at least that jealousy is behavior based, and certainly not about my outward appearance. It's unfair, but I don't feel as guilty about it as I do about other jealousies.

"I Am The Army Goddess" 10 January

2007-01-16T16:49:00.000-06:00

We qualified on hand grenades today. I didn't do so good in the first rounds of practice. "CW" stands for "close to wall," but the nickname is "chicken wing." Well, we "chicken wings" got extra practice yesterday, and I just kept going. The DS told me I could stop once I got a couple of practice throws over the line, but I stayed on the practice line until the end, because I wanted to be sure I could consistently throw past the line. It paid off -- I didn't get a "CW" on my helmet today! One of the other DS's -- the Chaplain's Assistant -- asked me if I was nervous when we were lined up and almost ready to throw the live stuff -- I told him, "No, DS, I love this shit!" He blinked a few times .... maybe I shouldn't have cussed at that particular one. He seemed okay with me, though.

Tomorrow is huge. We're going to practice moving as a buddy team, providing cover with live fire while we take turns moving down range. It's going to be fun ...

Soldier Goddess ...

2007-01-13T15:17:00.000-06:00

Got a super-sweet card today. I won't go into the details, but it almost made me cry.

Anyway, here's what's goin' on ...

"We did our 2 mile run Tuesday morning instead of Monday, because it was raining. We did all our exercises inside on Monday, which surprised me. Anyhoo, my mondo blister is healing okay, and I managed to jog the whole, entire way (about 25-28 minutes) without stopping. A bunch of females fell out - there are a lot who will not pass their PT tests this Friday. They'll get chances to take it again almost every day until graduation.

I told our 4'11" soldier about you picking me up, and she said, "Oh, I can do that," and threw me over her shoulder and spun me around. I told her, "No, she picked me up like a baby," so she did - briefly. I didn't have the heart to tell her you held me up long enough for photos - send me more, please, btw. Did you get pix of me w/ Macha, my knife?

I hope everybody is well on the outside world. Only a few more weeks until I get to keep up with you guys and dolls w/out this snail-mail delay."

Well, I didn't get any pix of Sam w/ her knife, so if anybody else did, could you mail them to her? Also, she'd love to get pix in general, so send them her way if you've got 'em.
-Kel

Goddess Letter 07 Jan.

2007-01-11T11:20:00.000-06:00

One female went AWOL from our platoon. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised that she could be so stupid. Oh well. Everybody has to learn at their own pace.

You know everybody asks how your vacation went when they first see you. I got a little choked up when DSB ask me -- he backed up and said, "Well, i know you had the death in the family, but was the rest of it good?" I told him that was one of those "Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?" kind of questions. He got a kick out of that -- it was a new one for him. ...

Okay .. Friday! 10k road march! While we were packing, I pulled out my ointment and larger bandaids, then decided to streamline. Since I never had a blister problem, I decided to leave them at the bay. Of course, that means I had to get a blister on my heel in the first hour of a 3 hour march, about one inch by 1 1/2 inches. The march was fine, otherwise. It was warm enough for us to be pouring sweat while we marched, and the rain held off during the day. We built little "hooches" with our ponchos and bungee cords -- a few people put 2 or 3 ponchos together and built Taj Mahooches with 2 & 3 levels. We were supposed to dig our "hasties" to sleep in, holes big enough for us to lie in, 18 inches deep at the feet, plus enough room for our 2 rucks to fit behind us. We ended up not doing that, because they didn't want us to drown. We spent the day practicing the real soldier stuff, like clearing buildings, moving in squads through the woods and searching for (or accidentally setting off) IEDs, operating checkpoints and searching people. The DS who was the enemy driver had a good time giving us a hard time, too, fighting back and showing people exactly why they had to stand back with their weapons if they were guarding.

It started raining on us when we were doing "Nick at Night" (Night Infiltration Course). That was way cool, crawling under barbed wire while they shot over our heads, even in the pouring rain. There was a little thunder and lightning before it rained, but more during the downpour. When we went to our hooches to get our clothes, the skies absolutely opened up, and we had to slog through ponds to get back to the Lightning Protection Area where we slept on a concrete pad under cover. We stayed half-way dry, almost. I almost slept a bit, too, between shivering and trying not to pee in my sleeping bag.

Saturday was more training. They used all kinds of cool stuff -- smoke canisters, simulated artillery rounds that whistle like incoming fire and then go bang, and just loud booms. Our platoon got gassed, but I never did -- that was almost a let-down, because I really wanted to see how we all did. I'm sure we'll get our share during Victory Forge. We did get to shoot blanks -- that was fun!

For Victory Forge, we'll use gear like laser tag with our blanks, so we'll really know if we take somebody out ... or get killed ourselves.

I love you, my Darling. Less than 3 weeks until I see you again!!!
Your best wife.

Why Does She Do It?

2007-01-09T18:21:00.000-06:00

I thought a lot (almost five minutes) before attempting to answer this question that so many ask (even if not out loud). I read many military support sites (like the yahoo group for "New Military Wives") and they often mention the difficulty of maintaining relationships with "civilian friends." One thing I note is that they don't have the kind of friends Sam does -- friends who stand by each other even if they believe the friend to be making incredibly stupid decisions.

Still, why would someone who is far from conservative in her politics join the Army at a time of war created by a President for whom she never voted and whose policies she despises? Perhaps for my own benefit, I'm going to try to answer the question. I will, however, skip over the rhetoric about patriotism and freedom (although they do come into consideration). Let's keep it personal.

Those of you who knew Sam from high school knew of her interest in JROTC. It was not just to hang out with the cool kids in fatigues. She enjoyed the discipline and focus. It is an interest bred in her. Her father and grandfather had military backgrounds. But, of course, that also meant that she was exposed to the feelings (often negative) of the spouses of absent military members.

Sam takes great pride in tracing her family heritage to the pilgrim days. During the Revolutionary War, her ancestress Deborah Sampson became an American hero by fighting while disquised as a man. Love for this country and for the military that gained its freedom and defends it is an integral part of her character.

In addition, Sam has also been drawn to the "caring professions." She has always wanted to major in psychology, understand better about human motivations and actions, and help people with their problems. Having benefited from counseling herself, she wants to be a helper for others. In both volunteer work and jobs, she has worked with children, teenagers, and elderly adults. In the last few years, she learned that she really doesn't like doing it with the elderly (stop giggling, I'm serious here). She has more interest in teenagers and young adults. Ultimately, she would like to become a psychologist and work with them. The Army makes it possible for her to do both at the same time.

Moving to more psychological motives (that she might even deny), I think it is important to Sam to prove herself in a world that doesn't base success on outward appearance. As many beautiful women do, Sam has often found her beauty to be a hindrance to her intelligence. She hates for people primarily to speak of her looks when they remember her. In the Army, she is in uniform (even if she does make that uniform really look great). She is part of a unit that must work together and looks have nothing to do with their success.

To combine these motives, in the Army, Sam is able to live the disciplined military life that she desires while helping people. Her commitment is to the soldiers serving in that military. There are over 140,000 soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are on the frontline in a war of cultures and ideologies that, I believe, will ultimately lead to a greater war. She is not interested in only collecting a paycheck (she could certainly do better elsewhere) or staying behind the scenes to allow others to do the harder, more dangerous work. She is proud to be a soldier and willing to serve wherever her talents are needed. She has given her children and me, the 20 years since she left high school. Now, we are in a position for her to give her life and talents to serve a greater good -- that of the U.S. Army soldiers. And that is what gives me pride to be able to support her in fulfilling that dream.

Sam's Graduation Information

2007-01-08T16:50:00.000-06:00

Dear Family and Friends of Soldiers assigned to A Company, B Company, C Company, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regeiment (3-34 Inf Regt) [How's that for a personal greeting!]

You and your guests are invited to attend the graduation events at Fort Jackson, South Carolina on January 25th and January 26th, 2007. ... The Family Day Welcome Ceremony will occur on Thursday, January 25, 2007. ... Beginning at 8:30 am, there will be an information meeting in the SAC for married Soldiers and their spouses assigned to A/B/C companies. ... Your soldier will be authorized an on post pass this day, allowing you to spend the day with your Soldier while experiencing the amenities and military life on the installation [Oh Goody!].

The Graduation Ceremony will take place on Friday, January 26, 2007 at 10:00 am on Hilton Field. ... We expect to graduate about 650 Soldiers from this Battalion. Soldiers accompanied by immediate family may again be granted a pass to visit the surrounding Columbia area. (Note: While on pass, your Soldier must remain in uniform and is not allowed to drive vehicles, drink any form of alcohol or use any tobacco products. Soldiers must return to the barracks no later than 8:00 PM).

For Biscuit --- How to do the Hair Bun

2007-01-05T18:37:00.000-06:00

The Army Has Her Again

2007-01-04T19:12:00.000-06:00

Got Samantha back to Ft. Jackson about 11:00AM on Thursday. What a leave visit!!!! But we survived and things are back to normal. I commented to her how it seemed so "normal" while she was at home but I realized that, at least for the next six months, that normal is what we are now experiencing. The kids and I got back home about 6:30 pm tonight. I feel like I have lived in the car over the last week. I have never been so glad to have the holidays over (even thought it meant Sam going away).

But, on the other hand, we had some great times with old friends. Thanks to all of you for making it so special.

Got Soldier Girl Home

2006-12-17T23:20:00.000-06:00

A Stocking for Soldier Sam

2006-12-14T16:28:00.000-06:00

What BESIDES a buttload of cough drops and pantiliners would you give our beloved Warrior Goddess for Christmas? (I already got dibs on the cough drops and pantiliners)

Xmas Stocking

leave a gift for mailfromsam

get your stocking

12 Dec

2006-12-12T20:27:00.000-06:00

Talked to Sam tonight -- god, did I need that. She's still hoarse but that's her only symptom. She is in good spirits and looking forward to coming home Sunday. While she was talking she received a package from drugstore.com (thanks Siren). Mostly (is that really an acceptable word outside the south), she wanted to know about us. Rhiannon was in my lap feeling very sad about her mother being gone when Sam called. It was good timing for her to hear her mother's voice. What was most difficult was when she told me that her mother going into the Army was not her (Rhiannon's) choice. We knew that but I hoped the kids wouldn't recognize it for a while. This time next week she will be home.

Sorry Cuz, but she had only 11 minutes to talk and I didn't think about the motto thing.

Our Greeting from the Army Goddess

2006-12-10T14:11:00.000-06:00

Heya Cuz!

I hope your heart is okay and the shock of a letter doesn't push you over the edge. :) I sure wish I could call you- we need help coming up with a platoon motto. We've had a few tries, but can't come up with anything that excties anybody. It's supposed to be a little chant or something that we sound off with when we're called to attention, lasting 15-30 seconds. Apparently we don't have any poetic souls in our group. The Drill Sergeants are pissed that we haven't settled on anything.

We did make them proud by winning half of the unarmed combat competition (male) and half of the pugil stick (female) and the fit-to-win obstacle course. Two platoons have no streamers on their phase banner and one platoon split the UAC and pugil championship with us, so they have two. One DS told us we were just in the minor leagues though, because the most important streamers are for marksmanship and physical fitness scores. I'm psyched because my PT scores are already at graduation standards. We're sitting outside on bleachers, a literal pain in the ass, 11:12 - Correction - we (our half of the platoon) just went in to practice grouping on these really cool simulators. I got two groups (3 shots w/in 4cm) on my first two tries, so they made me stop. Damnit. I want them to be perfect. Oh well. We're sitting outside on concrete, finishin up our MRE's. I told Dad I bet our MRE's are way cooler than what he had to deal with in Nam.

Have y'all been reading the mail call blog? It sucks to be so completely out of touch, but I can see why it's necessary and helps force us to ineract more with each other and form a team. I spent all my free time in a corner writting letter the first few days, but now I make myself sit with various groups and hang out. Some of the converstaion are, ahem . . . illuminating. My PB said she'd like to party with me in the ral world, and thinks I'm some kind of wild woman. That's funny because I've actually kept a pretty tame profile.

*****
Well John came up with a few choices for Sam to present. Don - we're sending these to Sam, but if she happens to call, please pass these on to her. Thanks

"Third Platoon is strong and proud
Never hesitate or doubt
Training hard and training tough
To protect the land love"

or

"Rough Riders are brave and true
Kicken' butt with Third Platoon
Bein' all that we can be
To ensure our liberty.

John also came up with a couple of mottos for Sam: Positive energy only: Negative emanations not allowed, and, Go my way or get out of it.

"Hey there" from Sam

2006-12-09T21:16:00.000-06:00

Here's the latest (only slightly edited) letter from Soldier Sammie. Unfortunately I can't share the floral staionery or the off-kilter yet perfectly-legible slanted handwriting. Enjoy!
---

Thanks so very much for suffering through the longhand just for lil' ole me! I feel super duper special! D'ya miss me, hunh, hunh, do ya?

We got the flu mist up the nose with all our vaccinations - guh-ross - worse than all the other shots put together. Everybody is sick with colds and URIs - cough drops are like crack here. Don sent 2 big bags, and they're almost gone. I still haven't gotten the ones Jen sent. Mail delivery here is indifferent or sporadic. They apparently aren't very diligent with outflow either, as Don and other husbands have received several letters on one day that were sent out on multiple days, but post-marked the same. Just one of the many trifling annoyances to suffer through for the privilege of serving my country.

Tomorrow we have a 5 mile march to the range for our last day of practice. We start trying to qualify on Thursday. I did not do well at all today - my reaction time is too slow for the pop-up targets. My eyes are also backwards - I'm right-handed, but my left eye is very dominant. I have to open both to scan the whole range, and then everything shifts when I close it to fire.

I'm sure I'll get the hang of it. I have to, to get out of here. I'm enjoying the training, and the overall experience for the most part, but certainly not enough to hang around for an extra cycle.

I'm almost over my bronchitis. The sinus infection cleared up quickly, but my voice is still barely there and sometimes fades out completely. (I went from Wednesday to Monday AM with nothing more than whispers.) My strength & stamina are coming back. We'll find out for sure on the road march tomorrow. They made us pack extra boots & clothes in our rucks to be sure they were extra big & heavy.

I'm beat - I'm on Fireguard right now or I'd be out. 0400 will be here all-too-soon.

I love you bunches & bookoodles!

Big hugs & smooches,
Sammie

4 Dec

2006-12-08T12:41:00.000-06:00

08:40

I got my laundry caught up and squared away, and everything unpacked from my Sick Call bag and Ruck Sack. I had my ruck packed for the FTX [camping trip] when I went to Sick Call on Thursday -- and DSB looked at me on my way out and said I was going to med qtrs. He could tell I wouldn't be back for a while.

My voice is starting to come back. When I got back, DSB said he was glad that I didn't die on them. I must've looked pretty rough. So many people are sick though. I divvied up the cough drops I had. Some of the assholes are using them like candy, but almost everybody really needs them. Even the females are spitting wads all over the ground -- you know how I love that!

My shooting was awesome on Saturday at 75m, but pathetic on 175 & 300m.... I was worried about being behind, but I accomplished in 6 shots what took some people more than 2 days -- grouping (6 shots 2/in a 4 cm circle) and zeroing the sights. I am hoping that my weakness and shakiness was the reason I was so bad at the far targets.

21:01

Well, I already told you how I did on the simulators [in a phone call]. I'm a decent shot when I settle down and don't overthink it.

I really am loving all this Hooah shit, and I'm glad we chose this life for our family. I'm very proud when I strap on all my gear and lace up my combat boots. I'm over the roof when our platoon gets it all together and clicks.

New from Army Goddess 29 Nov

2006-12-06T11:18:00.000-06:00

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

My latest from Sam

2006-12-03T13:08:00.000-06:00

I'll skip the personal stuff...I know you just want the Sam stuff!

24 Nov 2006

Can you find out what percentage of Active Duty soldiers have been deployed? We hear all the time that, regardless of MOS, 95% of us will spend some time in the sandbox. That may just be a scare tactic to make us focus on training. Regardless, I know Don and I are mentally prepared for most eventualities. Some of these kids are all gung ho to get over there and start kicking ass. Others are quite convinced that they won't ever see any more action that an electronic stapler. Our Platoon Guide is a full-time police officer, and she's astonished at the difference in the attitudes and cameraderie between here and the Police Academy. One big difference is how hard it is to get accepted in the police academy. Another is that anybody who screws around or is disrespectful during training is thrown out on their ear. Their are several here with major issues, who would not have passed the most rudimentary psych screening to get in.

I'm delighted that Rob is behind you on your career change. I'm astonished when people ask what Don thinks about my joining the Army, like there was any way I could handle all this without his full support and cooperation. We do have some getting Dear Jane letters.

Yes, anyone can come to graduation and Family Day. You can read more about those on the Fort Jackson website. Graduation should be outside, in the cold, however, unless it's raining, so you'll have to pack your warmest panties. I'll be home for Exodus on the evening of 17th Dec. and have to be back here on 3 Jan. It would rock for us both if you could visit HSV over the holidays.

Sometimes I'm astonished that I've already been in BCT for 2 whole weeks. Other times, I'm blown away by how much there is left to learn. I'm afraid this ole' bod would not cut Airborne training - I'm really pushing myself to keep up. During PT, or when we're getting smoked, they don't sort us by age groups and cut the old people any slack, even if our PT test requirements are lower than the youngsters.

Would you do me a huge favor? I would love you forever if you would send me a shoe box full of cough drops (Walmart brand, plain or cherry, nothing fancy). I don't know what incentive to offer that you couldn't already have the the asking. We're supposed to be able to buy those at the PX, but they're always out. I don't know why they don't stock enough of the stuff we are told to buy plenty of, like bungee cords, pantiliners and I can't remember what else. We're not allowed loose in the big PX, just some little mini troop stores. They did take back my defective flashlight, even though one DS tried to tell me that I couldn't exchange it after I'd written my name on it.

How's Boss Os doing? Anything else interesting happening in the world of Chickenshack or GHS Alumni?

My Fireguard shift is almost over. My insomnia patterns have really helped me cope with Fireguard every 3rd night.

If you have time, could you send me some pix of your brood and the Goddesses?

Letter from Goddess Sam

2006-12-02T13:14:00.000-06:00

Nov. 23, 2006

I got this letter a couple of days ago.

There are so many people here who only care about what they want or need, and to hell with the rest of the platoon. It's very slowly getting better though. We pull together ok when there are big challeneges to face, and there will be more and more of those.

I hear so many of these young females complain about having to spend time with other females. They brag that all their friends are guys, and they don't like or trust their own kind.

Oh, if only they knew huh?

I tried to tell them how much they would come to rely on girlfriends for companionship and support, and how valuable women shuld be to them, but they are all caught up in being cool and male-oriented. They are simply too.... simple, I guess. They lack wisdom. I guess they'll have to suffer more before they learn. The idea of a Gathering of Goddesses is way beyond their ken! BTW, could you ask the goddesses to send me some group pictures of us all together, if they have time? I hope we get a chance to do a girlie lunch over Christmas Exodus- I know everybody's schedules are insane during the holidays.

You heard her ladies she wants some pics.

New from Army Goddess (I like that)

2006-11-30T17:02:00.000-06:00

23 NOV

On Tuesday we practiced land navigation. They took us out to the woods and give us a list of six spots that we had to use our maps, compasses and protractors to find. Our team found every spot that we had to find. The guys went to two wrong spots before they would listen to me, but I finally got them to pay attention, and then we made a really good team. It was snowing and sleeting while we did this. We had our wet weather tops on, and that kept up half dry, but our legs were soaked. We ate lunch on the ground in the freezing rain.

We took a long march yesterday, maybe 3 miles. We had to carry our heavy rucksacks and wear our helmets and carry our guns. Of the four platoons in our company, ours was the only one that didn't have anybody who couldn't make the whole march. Every other platoon had people fall way back into the other one behind it, or even have to ride the truck for a while.

We're in a class to check our gas masks for defects and how to use it. This shit is scary.

I'm doing okay as a squad leader. They don't listen to me all the time, but I think they're (mostly) understanding that I just want the best for everybody. I think they're also noticing the extra stuff we have to do, like account for everybody in our squad, make sure everybody is squared away with all their gear, etc.

We have 3 DS's - DS Hulsey is THE platoon Sergeant, and Dickerson & Barstow are under him. DSH is the toughest, and some of the girls call him Major Payne. They say DSB look & talks like Vin Diesel, and DSD doesn't have a nickname. ... I lead the right side of the road march, and did fine keeping up with the pace. About halfway through it yesterday, he told me that "junior would be proud of me." I made sure to show him Lane's pictures, and he took the time to ask what company Lane was in here, and what his MOS was. Usually the DS's don't discuss anything personal. I have to admit that I got choked up when he said what he did on the road march, thinking about Lane graduating that day.

25 Nov

We moved to UAC (now MAC) - Unarmed or Modern Army Combatives -- wrestling. We practied each move in buddy teams -- we took a lunch break, then went back out for more. About mid-afternoon, we started the real stuff, wrestling each other to get 2 champions per platoon. DSB started by asking if anybody in the platoon didn't like anybody. A few of us raised our hands, including me, and he called me first, and told me to name the person. Oh, crap, I didn't expect to have to make a full show of it in front of the whole platoon. The girls know who doesn't get along, of course, but I didn't see any reason to air it out in front of the guys too. I'd just figured he'd make a short speech about, "this is the time to get it out, yada yada," but I put myself in the center of the ring and point to the girl who was the mouthiest and most disrespectful and resentful. She talked all night about how she was going to whip half the platoon's ass today, and she's a big, strong girl. I full expected her to rub me into the ground. She ended up tapping out because she got so winded that she couldn't breathe, and DS wouldn't let me give her a break so she could catch her breath.

When we got back to the bay, she made a point of announcing that I'd earned her respect, both by being willing to be up-front and call her out, and by out-lasting her.

The combat was marred a few rounds later, though, when a boy broke his leg. All of their moves were almost text-book, but he planted wrong and both boys went back on his one leg. I don't think he even noticed it at first, he had so much adreneline going. He asked the DS if his bone was sticking out -- the DS said, "Do you really want to know?" Yes, it was. The CPT called the ambulance, and they made us move our circle to another spot and keep going. Some fo the girls were upset -- they didn't think we should keep going, both because it was "too dangerous" and because they thought it was disrepectful to the injured boy. I told them that some of these kids would have to see their buddies shot or blown up and be able to complete the mission, so carrying on was exactly what they had to do.

We hear a lot of "but this is only training, we shouldn't have to do this in the sleet/full force/ sleep deprived, etc. There's also a lot of, "the only danger I'll ever be in is from a paper cut. I won't need this for my MOS." That's a very disappointing view of life in general.

We're not supposed to use "girl" or "boy." We are all soldiers, and, if necessary, "male" and "female." I enjoy being a "girl" though -- one of the girls, your girl, way-to-go-girl. I'm enjoying the hell out of being a soldier, too. Maybe I won't need the combat-oriented training (the reality is, of course, that I may), but in my job esp., I'll need to understand all soldiers' frame of reference and what they have to face, and how they have to perform.

A lot of females are regretting their decision. There's so much focus on Exodus [the term for the Christmas break], wanting to go home for break, how many days until we leave. I'm glad that I'll get to be with you guys before 9 weeks is over, but I really think the break in training is detrimental to morale. People aren't focused on graduation and Victory Forge, just getting away for that two week break. I miss you terriby, but I know that this separation is of our own choosing, and we are working towards goals that you and I set together. I'm focused on doing the best I can in this short time here, and succeeding, not all that I'm missing at home.

....

Tell Tony I sure do have balls, and they're getting tougher and bolder every day. In class one day, DSH asked for a volunteer to read the screen in a loud voice. I had my hand up before he embellished, "a deep, loud voice." He cocked his head and rolled his eyes at me, and I stuck my hand up further, so he told me to get up -- I rang out, loud and clear, everybody heard me. I'm definitely holding my own.

Army Goddess News

2006-11-29T21:28:00.000-06:00

Got this one yesterday -

We have a log book to keep when serving as Fireguard, that has one sheet filled out as an example of how to record common events like missing soldiers: i.e., PVT Jones in med quarters. It also handles routine missing weapons. The woman coming on after me (she's not even a teenager) said, "Oh, this is messed up, we have no weapons here (they are locked up because we've spending half a day tomorrow handling our reservations for COMING HOME), what are we supposed to say?" Some of the Drill Sergeants always remind soldiers of "situational awareness" - look around you at all times, and see what the hell is going on. I don't think our educational system is doing a good job of teaching our children how to notice the world around them.

We're sitting in the barracks, pretty wet, waiting for buses to come take us to the travel agency to get tickets for Christmas break, AKA Block Leave, AKA Exodus. I'm so excited that Don is coming ot get me.

(We've bussed to the ticket agency now.)

I'm in a better place than I was the last time I wrote to you. There are still assholes, and there's still not a damn thing I can do about them. The training is interesting now, though, so it's not like I have to spend all day sitting or standing in line listening to idiots and being frustrated. My most severe frustrations now are different altogether. Of course, there's the obvious. ;) There's also the frustration of not being fast enough, not being strong enough - I want to master it ALL already. I do feel like I get a little bit better everyday, one baby step at a time. I'm getting the hang of the rapid pace. We can't change in our bay because the drill sergeants come through all the time - their office is on our side. We can't take our weapons into the latrine/shower area, so we have to change in shifts - one "battle buddy" babysits weapons while others change. I'm almost used to everything I need to get dressed; but if I start changing and realize I forgot a t-shirt, I have to get dressed again and go get it. I can't run out in ACU bottoms and a PT top, because that's "out of uniform." We have to keep out boots and shoes on top of our wall lockers, neatly laced and tied, which means that we have to retie them after they come off, and untie and loosen them before we can put them back on. It seems to take me for-freakin-ever to get my damn boots on with trousers tucked. I'm lucky, though - my boots are a perfect fit, and I haven't had the first blister. Yet. I'm sure there will be some after the long marches. I'm covered in bruises from crawling in the dirt yesterday, and it was soft and sandy. Go figure. I think I finally got all the dirt out of my teeth.

Request from Sam

2006-11-27T18:27:00.000-06:00

When I talked to Sam she still had the hoarse, sore throat and said that practically everyone in the unit had it. On top of that, the PX has been out of cough drops. She asks if you would send her cough drops she would share them with the unit.

Otherwise, she still sounds good. They get to go camping Thursday (see insisted its more than that and called it going FTX). They got extra time on the phone today because a female in their unit won the pugil stick contest. They also do the gas chamber exercise this week. At her PT test on Sat. she ran the 2 miles in just over 21 mins (she has to run it in 24 to graduate) and did 12 push-ups and 53 sit-ups (compared to 9 and 40 in her initial tests at basic). Sounds like she's really getting into shape.

Letter from Sam

2006-11-27T09:14:00.000-06:00

Mailed on November 16th.

Dear Baby Blister,

Would you send me pictures of you guys (crossed out) gals and my other sisters?

We marched 2 (round trip--one mile each way) today in our rucksacks, "Mitch" ?I think? helmets, load bearing belts and a gallon of water, carrying our weapons. It was really more of a walk than a march--we didn't have to stay lined up with the guy at the right or stay in step. As a matter of fact, we stayed 10 meters back from the guy in front of us, staggered every 5 meters with the guy on our side. that formation is to limit casualties--is a grenade goes off, it would only get a few, as opposed to wiping out the whole platoon. There are a lot of little reminders here that this shit is for real. All of our drill sergeants have been to Iraq or Afghanistan.

I don't know how Lane did this in June or July--we were covered in sweat on the way back on a November afternoon. I haven't lost any weight yet; becasue we did no exercise my first week here, but my muscles are tighter already. Lots of push-ups, or what's even more of a bitch, having to stay in the "Front Leader Rest" (up part of a push-up) position without sagging our backs or raising our butts.

During our class today, the DS mentioned guards noticing if the person trying to enter a post "looked American." I pointed out that there is no "American" face, (it was funny, because she's very Hispanic) because we are African and Irish and Slavic and Asian and mutts of all breeds and races. There is so much diversity in the Army--people in just are [sic] company are here from Romania, Brazil, Phillipines, Portugal, Africa, Cambodia, and some I forgot. I'm proud to be a part of this, and proud to be an American.

My firegaurd shift is over. This shift sucks, because I usually can't go back to sleep from 3-4:30. I'm going to try.

I love you,
Sammie

Phone Call From Sam

2006-11-26T22:52:00.000-06:00

Talked to Sam Today.

Her voice was very hoarse -- she said it came on her this afternoon. She said things were going very well. The last couple of days was spent doing bayonet and unarmed combat. The DS had the women raise their hands if they had any problems with anyone else in the unit. Sam raised her hand as did some others. She thought it would be a time to have everyone work things out and emphasize the unity of the group. Instead (as I knew while she was telling me), they had them fight each other. The girl same called out had to fight her. Sam beat her and she said that it made all the difference with the girl's attitude. When they got back to the barracks, the girl made it a point to announce to everyone that she respected Sam because she was willing to call her out and then beat her. It really is like high school (at least what boys experience in high school).

My Latest from Sam

2006-11-24T13:37:00.000-06:00

15 Nov.
19:59

I am covered in bruises -- we did the low crawl and the high crawl ("high" still has the abdomen on the ground) for 60-70 meters. We were crawling in loamy sand, I don't know how my elbos got so banged up. We practiced traveling in a squad wedge formation, learned how to dig a "hasty" which is what they use instead of fox holes, very quickly reviewed radio procedure, learned how to set up 360 degree and triangular perimeters, identifying IED's, squad flanking movements after "contact" (IE - they're shooting at us), how to guard the entry of a Forward Operating Base and wha to do to the driver if there's anything suspicious, how to clear a room (the Army's acceptable casualty rate for clearing a room is 75% -- DS said if 4 people go in and 3 people get shot, the Army will say "good job") and the crawling.

16 Nov
11:10

Tell my first-born, please, that I am going to beat the hell out of him for lying to me about having to use those chin-up bars. There are 3 different exercises that we do - we start with shrugs, which are okay, then we go to full pull-ups (I mean it, I'm going to kick his cute little ass, he's got the training to patch himself back up now), and then we hang sideways and do bent leg lifts. Oh. My. Gawd. How could that little brat not warn his own dear mother?!? The guys, bless their heart, are absolutely great during this -- they get behind the weak ones and hold our feet, so we can use our legs, and they do half of the lifting. They have to do it for some of the guys, too, so I don't feel too badly about it.

We got to march to and from chow in a decent rain (I missed watching the moon while we did PT this morning). We've been sitting in an auditorium all morning while people made their travel arrangements. My ass hurts, my back hurts ... my whole upper body hurts. I actually feel very good after PT, but this sitting for 3 hours is killing me.

They fed us our first night in reception. They had plastic-wrapped trays with cans of pork & beans, vienna sausages, crackers & potted meat, juice ...

We saw footage of convoys driving through IED's - nothing graphic, just superficial damage like windshields cracking. I'm certainly not going to complain about my helmet again. It was sobering to see the soldiers moving with their weapons at low ready, like they are training us to do. I wonder how many of these 240 will survive the next 5 years.

20:52
Well, we spent the evening practicing the Swiss Seat belt tie, which is exactly what Walter taught me. I helped a few of the females out when it came time for everybody to practice - and some of the guys, too, I guess. At the end of all that, the DS made me a squad leader. The ones we'd been using were the ones who just happened to be in the spot on the first day that we lines up. Now's he's going by leadership. He held a meeting with his new "leadership" and told us he'd be utilizing the chain of command, so our squad comes to us, we go to the PG's, and they go to the DS. If we have any trouble, like anybody refusing to listen to us, then we take it to the DS and they'll discipline. I've been having trouble with a couple in particular who somehow always manage to end up next to me and have gone out of their way to let me know that they don't give a rat's ass if they get the whole platoon smoked, they will talk as much as they want. I simply cannot fathom that level of selfishness.

After I did the Swiss seat, I sat down and told our PG that was the most action my crotch had seen in 2 weeks. She lost it. Then she got onto me, because she said she hadn't been thinking about that and now she'd probably be thinking about it all night....

19 Nov
13:30

We've gone through our first locker inspection. Woo hoo. Some of the peole are getting together to creat a Platoon motto. The PG & APG had to work hard to find 3 males and 3 females who could work together without wanting to hump each other, that's why I'm left out of the group. JUST KIDDING!

19:15

I left some girls in shock and awe again. A guy suggested this for a platoon motto: "First we stop, then we gonna roll, then we gonna cock, let it go, let it go, 3rds gonna give it to ya." I said I didn't want to be sounding off about cock when I wasn't getting any. As I walked away, I heard, "Well, yeah, but I didn't expect that from her." I just giggled to myself, and remembered how much I thought I knew about love and sex at that age.

Call From Sam

2006-11-19T14:54:00.000-06:00

I just had a 15 min. conversation with Sam. They let the platoon use their cellphones for calls today. She mostly wanted to catch up with what was going on with me and the kids because she still hasn't received any letters from us.

But what I did learn from her is that she is now squad leader (because she knew how to make the swiss seat for repelling and helped others do it --- thanks Walter). From Lane's experience we know that they appoint squad leaders and then fire them regularly. I guess they want everyone to have the experience.

She feels good about the way things are going. She hasn't lost any weight, she says, because they keep emphasizing for them to eat plenty. The DSs say they will take care of the weight. She is also in much better physical condition from all the conditioning things they are doing. She has moved up from D group to C group because she is running so well.

She is having no problem with her hair (a concerned she had had). She puts it up in a bun and it is staying there.

Overall, she sounded good from her voice in addition to what she was saying. 4 weeks from today I will pick her up for the Christmas holiday.

Sam's Latest

2006-11-18T16:31:00.000-06:00

14 Nov 21:39

We did our first long run today - I'm in D group, no surprise there, but I managed to hang in there and ended up in the middle of the group. I started in the rear, but people fell back and I had to move into their place. A good portion of it was really at a fast walk, not even a jog - more like hard-core mall walkers. I'll get better.

We were briefed by a pair of 68x's [Sam's job choice] today -- It was way cool to see someone of my MOS. The first one rev'd Appropriate Beh., A& D treatment, values, etc. The second one gave more info about the kind of stuff he's done -- his topic was Rape and Sexual Assault. ... He's done counseling for victims, then turned around and spent 2 years working w/sex offenders at Ft. Leavenworth -- he had plenty of stories from that. He's been deployed to Korea, went to Egypt 3 days after 9-11, and is waiting on orders to go to Iraq in Feb. As a staff sgt, he said he'd be in charge of a Platoon and would stay in the rear, while people like me would go into the field to handle Critical Instance Debriefings (for deaths in units) or deal w/battle fatigue in the field hospitals. It sounds like I'll eventually really get to work doing what I want to do, and not just administrative paperwork and taking vitals, which I was afraid of being stuck with.

Samantha

Today from Sam

2006-11-17T11:13:00.000-06:00

13 Nov. 21:49

Wow, the pace is insane. We still spend time waiting -- waiting for 240 people to file in to the classroom, waiting for 60 people to fall into formation (4 rows of 15, we did it in HS, what's so freakin' difficult?) and waiting for everybody to get issued more gear (flak jacket and gas masks today) ... but all our waiting time is now spent at Attention, Parade Rest or clapping and chanting cadences. We get brief bathroom breaks - the way we get through them is to unbutton, untie & unbuckle while we're waiting for an open stall, and then tuck, button, tie & buckle after we get out of the stall. The schedule is just as tough on the Drill Sergeants -- they're responsible for keeping the whole company flowing from one spot to another with no spare time for the 8 million questions, 6.3 million of which were already answered in briefings that were missed because so many people don't pay attention.

PT is killer. I lost count of how many times we switched from push-ups to sit-ups, so I have no idea how many I actually completed. Getting smoked on asphalt & gravel mixed is no fun at all -- my hands are still red. Our DS ordered us (females) to get 10 extra push-ups and 25 more sit-ups in before bedtime. One woman here, who is Kelly's height, can place her ankles on the bunkbed, about 3 feet high, and do push-ups that way. Wow. My PT partner this morning told me she could not do a single sit-up but I coaxed her to keep trying, and she got 5 out, then one or 2 more here and there as we switched -- she ended up with probably more than 10, and thanked me for helping her. That felt good.

One female waved to one of our DS's as he was leaving tonight and said, "Bye, see you tomorrow." He told her that he was not her buddy or her pal, and to get on the floor. She looked at him and said, "Are you kidding me?" He then screamed for her to get on the fucking floor and exercise. And this post is known as "Relaxin Jackson."

Samantha

My letter from Sam

2006-11-16T18:19:00.000-06:00

Sorry I'm a bit late posting this. I received this Saturday and transcribed it on my 'puter on Sunday, which my dear munchkin turned off before I could save it. Only today have I had the time to sit down and do it again.

Here's the news!

07 Nov 06

I have died and returned to High School for my wickedness. Oh. My. Gawd. We had to do little windmills with our arms, then 100 overhead claps, then hold our arms out to the sides, then 100 military presses (like "raising the roof"), and then more itty bitty arm circles- and all the time, people are still whispering. AND THEN, we got into more trouble in yet another line for still more talking, and had to stay in the up position for push-ups for a few minutes- and people were STILL stalking. I wish you could mail me a paddle and several rolls of duct tape!

"Did ou hear what she said?" "Did you see what she did?" "Oooh, you better hold me back." And they want to fight as much as any group of adolescent males. I asked one female how old she was and she just looked at a girl from her platoon and they giggled at me. Holy shit, you know full well I didn't play those games when I was a freshman. "Shhh." "Don't you tell me to shush." "Damn, would you listen to those girls up there run their mouths? They're gonna get us in trouble, blah blah blah." Usually, the ones complaining about the talkers are making as much, or more, noise than the talkers.

Sometimes a lot of us really click, though, and, it's awesome then. There are a lot of women in our platoon who pull their weight when it comes time to clean.

Many women have been homesick, and everybody pulls together to cheer them up. The black girls have braided most of the white girls hair, and they look adorable.

I got teased for wearing my sweatpants around my waist. Most of them don't think I'm as old as I am, and when they found out, the started in about the pants. Apparently, us old people have our belly buttons in an unnatural position, because that's where my waistline is. I told them they could tease me all they wanted because the men of my generation and older knew how to wear nice-fitting pants to show off their tushies! :)

I'm wearing PT shorts, ACU pants- and of course, we may never be without our sexy white cotton granny panties. Every time I go to the latrine*, I have to tuck, tie, pull, tie, button and buckle. It's never been so hard to get into my pants in my life.

*One girl asked if she could use the bathroom- she was told they didn't have any bathrooms. she started to go back to her place, crestfallen. We had to remind her to ask for the latrine. There's a fine line between fighting too much and giving up too easy. So far, I'm straddling it okay. I miss you all.

I love you oodles!

Smooches,
Sammie Baby

Latest from Sam

2006-11-16T16:29:00.000-06:00

9 Nov
Our DS's have been great so far - they talk to us with a degree of respect, which is more than I can say for some of the ones I've heard. My old bunkmate was crying in the lunchroom today -- her DS called her out in front of the DS table to show them all that she "already had one crying," then made her sit at our table without a tray (I think, maybe, that she couldn't find where she'd left her food -- we have to set our food down, then go get our drink, and walk across to our seat with our widdle hands over the top of our widdle glasses, so we won't spill.). It's one thing to yell at somebody and chew them out, it's another altogether to degrade and humiliate them.

We're not being woken up until 05:00. That feels decadent.

Part of our briefings was a clip on how to talk to Drill Sergeants from Forest Gump. "What are you supposed to do, Gump?" "Do everything you tell me to do, Drill Sergeant." "You're a fucking genious, Gump!"

We got to put our duffle bags on a truck to get here [The Basic Training Barracks], and we rode buses, but we had to carry full laundry bags and our personal bags into and off of the buses. We had to run with all our gear ... and, oh my gawd, did we ever get more gear. 2 sleeping bags and a tarp in one bag, a matt rolled up, and a heavy rucksack full of wet weather gear, knee & elbow pads, a blank adapter (wtf?), more canteens, slings, helmet, etc.

We get weapons on Saturday!

11 Nov. 3am
We did PT, then the "Fit to Win" course that the DS told us was a "Confidence Building" course ... It did build a lot of confidence ... We climbed over a 20 foot high rope net platform -- 2 females fell, one almost from the top, and were hauled away by ambulance. Their confidence was probably not boosted. I loved it -- and did fine on everything but the Monkey Bars (Pam will be disappointed). I had to do 10 pushups for falling off the Monkey Bars.

16:07
I did 9 (54%) push-ups (he didn't like my 10th), 40 (72%) sit-ups, and ran my mile in 10:49. Lots of people, including drill sergeants, are pretty astonished at my age, and I enjoy bragging about my son graduating from here.

We're sitting in the sand, signing our weapons cards. I was psyched about getting the weapon, but then I found out we have to carry it everywhere. How did I forget that? I'm trying to think up a name [for it]. I wish I could look up Goddess Warrior names ... all I can think of is Nike = Victory, but I can't remember exactly what the other goddesses covered. Could you print me a lish of goddess names that are associated w/Warriors, Hunt, Victory & Motherhood? Leave Hera out -- whe was a jealous bitch, not that Zeus didn't give her plenty of reason, but she's not poly-friendly. ... I'll call her Moxie for now, until I get a permanent name.

20:09
That M16A2 isn't heavy yet -- I'm sure it will be after the first mile hiked. ... My left calf was killing me after the PT test - both legs cramped up while I did sit-ups and I was seriously worried that I had strained a muscle - but lots of marching and stretching later, it feels okay.

Tell Sue's Tim we march to the Tank Hill PX tomorrow. Graduation is on 26 January.

Sam's Address

2006-11-15T19:22:00.000-06:00

PFC Samantha Alice Sampson-Jackson
3rd Platoon Rough-Riders
C Co. 3-34 IN
Fort Jackson, SC 29207

Gypsy Mail

2006-11-15T18:04:00.000-06:00

Got a letter yesterday ...

"We ship out tomorrow. Today is chilly and misty. It was warmer at 04:30, when we formed up for breakfast so we only have t-shirts under our uniforms. We are sitting in the breezeway under the barracks, and it seems like all the wind is pulled under the building. We get to sit here until 21:00, when it's lights out, except for chow and latrines (there are no bathrooms here), because the captain caught a couple dozen people screwing around in the barracks when they were supposed to be outside. We've been yelled at by Sergeants, Drill Sergeants, First Sergeants, and the Captain herself, and darned if people aren't still talking."

"I need reinforcements. I need the Goddess squad to come straighten these infants out."

"I really, really, really need a KelChellapalooza when I get home ... gather the Goddesses for me, as many as can, please?"

"p.s. Day-umm, all these young girls must have intestines lined with rose petals and sunshine, because it is a major event if anybody farts or if their poop stinks, with lots of screaming and hollering about the smell. Digestion must have changed in the last 20 years. I knew you'd appreciate that little nugget."

Cards from Sam

2006-11-15T12:03:00.000-06:00

I received another note from Sam. Here are some excerpts:
November 7-8
I was a naughty, disobedient soldier today. We have been ordered to sit on our duffel bags outside all day because the Co. Comdr caught a bunch of fools messing around inside, when they were not supposed to be. It was balmy at 04:30 when we formed up for breakfast, so all we wore under our ACU's were t-shirts. It's gotten colder since then, so....When I went to the latrine, I snuck to my locker and put on my poly-pro shirt. Can you believe how bad I am? I'm getting the hang of putting Chapstick on without a mirror. I'm just full of new tricks! I'm not looking at many mirrors, except when I'm doing my hair. My BCG's are more feminine than Lane's were...but they are still pretty hideous. :<
I've been pretty down today. It's downright tiresome to be yelled at constantly for other people's misbehaviors....Sigh. I wonder if there will be more consistency in BCT. On the positive side, my boots fit perfectly! Ooh - the sun just came out. The warmth is delicious. I'm afraid my letters must be boring because my days are full of waiting in lines.
Sorry this is so sloppy. I'm scratching this out on my lap, using my soft little smart book as a writing surface. I've read half of it so far - especially enjoying the part dealing with disposal of human waste in the field. I'm ready to go camping! Yummy....Hey, we just got the lab reports where they actually tested our blood to make sure they don't over-immunize us, so I won't get so many shots. Yay. Gotta go get stabbled now....
5 shots, plus flu mist. The flu mist was worse than ALL FIVE SHOTS put together. GAG!!

Note: One of the cards Sam sent had this on the front cover: Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant. (Maya Angelou)

Here's A Funny

2006-11-14T08:08:00.000-06:00

Someone who saw my post about the card from Sam, that had a little message from Kelly as well, got confused and thought that Kelly had joined up, too. I laughed so hard. The image of Kelly and Sam together at basic almost made me pee my pants. It pretty much instantly changed to an image of Kelly and Sam together behind bars.

Uh...not that y'all wouldn't whip the snot out of those little girls, but it's probably against the rules to pour chocolate syrup on a member of your platoon. Just sayin'.

Nov. 8

2006-11-13T17:42:00.000-06:00

Things are moving now, and I'm feeling better. My duffle bag full of military stuff is lined up with Alpha Company's. As annoyed as I get with this group, part of me does not like shipping with another company. Alpha does seem to be more disciplined ... the privates were sitting in neat, quiet lines, and the DS was speaking clearly, calmly and quietly ... and the Privates were listening. What a concept!

Several batches of new kids come in yesterday and today. There was a group doing a shakedown outside while we were sitting. I feel like an old pro.

We had an awesome night. Everything (but tomorrow's clothes) is all packed away. We spent the afternoon sitting on our bags, popping up to "attention" or "at ease" whenever an officer or Sergeant came by, so my legs have had quite a workout. The DS let us go back into the barracks after dinner, though, and we had a helluva time. Remember the woman I had the fight with on my first night? The group decided to nickname her "Mama," and I became "Grandma" when they found out how much older I was. We sat around swapping stories about kids and playing around, and laughing our asses off. ...

[Tonight the following conversation took place]
"Please shut up, I'm trying to sleep."
"Hey Mc Donald, I'll help you go to sleep forever."
"No, you may not smother McDonald."
"OK, McDonald, you're safe for now but just 'cause Grandma asked me not to kill you."

"Some of our toughest, Airborne-bound little girls were crying today when it really hit that BCT starts tomorrow. My bunkmate is in great physical shape, except for having been a smoker (but she can still run a 9 minute mile), and she's scared about the push-ups, getting smoked [the term for disciplining], and running. Truth be told, I'm scared too. I'm so glad I got the repelling down, because that takes away so much fear. Now I can concentrate on the gas chamber."

Just Talked to Sam

2006-11-10T16:20:00.000-06:00

I just had another 2 min. conversation with Sam. Her primary interest was in the results of Isaac's eeg. Then she did get to tell me that she is now REALLY training and in her assigned training unit. She said that she "kicked ass" on the obstacle course today. That doesn't surprise me at all -- and I'm not even sure she meant it figuratively.

Don

Help

2006-11-10T15:58:00.000-06:00

I need some help here... I don't know who CherieAmi, Witchy mom, and hotchihuahua are. Give me some clues.

Gypsy Snippets ...

2006-11-10T14:42:00.000-06:00

I got a couple letters from Sammie baby this week. Here are some excerpts:

There's a 40 year old woman here. I'm kinda disappointed not to be the oldest. I'm not the least physically fit, either. We're not doing any kind of PT in formation, so many of the girls started working out in the barracks on Saturday. My head was pounding, so I spent most of the afternoon on the floor between my locker and bunk, writing and napping. I felt better on Sunday, and jogged for ten minutes in laps around the bay, did a set of push-ups and started on sit-ups. Yay me.

It's Monday now. We were in formation by the light of the moon at 4:50. Hooah. You'll be up in a few hours. We are going to get our hot little uniforms today, start on shots, and do more personnel paperwork.

Overheard: "I never swore a day in my life. Two days here and I'm 'fucking' everything." And then somebody asked me if I'd ever cussed before I cam here. The general consensus is that I don't look like that kind of girl.

I'll pause while you wipe up whatever you just blew out of your nose. ;) A 29 year old woman has declared herself "Mama," I'm "Grandma" and the 40 year old is "Great-Grandma." They're real big into trying to tag everybody with a nickname. Our half of the bay played that Girl Scout/Youth Group ice breaker game, "I'm so and so, and I'm on a slow boat to China, and I'm taking with me a cheeseburger; she's what's her face, and she's taking marshmallows; and so on." Most of these crazy women "packed" food, cigarettes, or a pillow. I didn't play because of my headache, but I did ask why nobody packed a MAN (okay, okay, or a woman)! People are starting to get randy now, comparing notes on who's the sexier drill sergeant, and how nice the guys smell after they've showered.

Our laundry room is on the 2nd floor, and some of the girls could not control themselves and keep from flirting with the guys. NO I WAS NOT ONE OF THEM!!! Sheesh! I told the fools they could lose any rank they had,and was one of those guys really worth a couple hundred $ a month? The drill sergeant caught them, and smoked all the guys and the obnoxious 21st female platoon. We've only been smoked once, with the whole company, for talking too much in the cafeteria. The day is young, though.

P.S. I got another hot shower last night, two days in a row! I even shaved my legs - woo hoo, it was almost like being on vacion. :) Except not being allowed to sit on my bed. And standing in line. And getting yelled at. And not having anybody to kiss or hold ...

First Days in the Barracks

2006-11-09T14:01:00.000-06:00

We received a couple of letters from Sam, so I'm posting them so everyone can enjoy.

Nov. 4

The woman on fireguard duty with me (*crying mommy) keeps staring dully, as if she's waiting for me to tell her to move. You know how loathe I am to boss anybody around. :) Actually, I am in this case. I want everybody to listen and follow the damn instructions like they're supposed to, and not to argue about it. Some woman is ranting and raving about me to the others on fireguard right now because I was "getting smart with her" when she was just trying to be "reasonable" and "use common sense." She doesn't think they are supposed to sweep and mop the bays where people are sleeping, and I was "all up in her face" because I kept reading the written instructions: "Sweep and mop ALL bay floors in your area," not "Sweep and mop any EMPTY bays in y our area." She told me she was 27 and I didn't need to read to her, she was right and the instructions weren't mean to be followed. I'm sure great things are in her future in the army. :<

I'm looking forward to my next 3-1/2 hours of sleep. We were put to bed sometime close to 1AM on our first night, but two or three groups came in after us, so the lights would come back on and lots of commotion left us w/o much sleep. I was dozing on my feel all day.

"Crying mommy" told us that she was forced to enlist by her mother, and she's here against her will. She's 24 and a mother herself. I'm trying to hold my tongue. I'm actually trying very hard to bite my tongue.

I'm not loving being in the barracks with all the women. I wish we'd be housed by platoon. There are always gonna be assholes, but they'd be easier to put up with if they were part of my unit. I'll be sure to fill out a suggestion card....

Nov. 5

I had my first hot shower since Wednesday last night. Mmmm. We have to wear shorts, T's and socks to sleep in. To add injury to insult, the shorts have a nylon panty built-in - gross! I'm so looking forward to nekkidness for Christmas. Hmmm - nude cookie baking? Talk about "Baked with Love" + "from our kitchen to your lips... "

Oh Lovely, now they've decided to hold an impromptu church service at the foot of my bunk. At least only one female is talking now, instead of all the yelling and whooping and hollering that usually goes on. On our first night a DS went through our records and called out everybody's stated religious preferences to be corrected. There are several who admitted to "none" or "Atheist". As a matter of fact, the CPT who administered our oath of enlistment told us that we didn't have to repeat the "So help me God" line at the end.

I had the chance to sleep from 21:00-05:30 last night. I didn't, of course. I noticed that the moon is waxing to nearly full. I'm going to try and track that and see if there's a correlation.

Tee hee, the praying is over and the cussing, bitching and threatening has resumed. "Blah blah fucking blah."...

Today is cleaning and marching to and from the chow hall. Some people sleep on top of their bunks so they don't have to remake their beds. Its too damn cold in here for me to be tempted for that. I could do hospital corners as a child. I don't know why it's so hard to make a bed!

Friday and yesterday, I kept hearing phantom "ploinks" from my cell phone. I miss being in touch with everybody. I hope you are all well and taking excellent care of each other. Hugs and kisses all around.

Much, much love,
Samantha

Because I promised

2006-11-08T21:22:00.001-06:00

Sammie made me promise I would post my law firm profile when it hit the website. So here ya go, darlin'.

Got Mail

2006-11-08T12:31:00.000-06:00

The kids and I got notes from Sam today. Here are some excerpts:

Nov. 4
"You might laugh if you could see me now. Mommy has to stand in lines and eat in a cafeteria, off a tray, just like you. We don't get yelled at a whole lot, but we have been in a little trouble. Not everybody follows the rules and that really annoys me.... I have to carry a canteen and a 'smart book' at all times, plus I have a hat and gloves stuffed in my pockets. Right now, the only uniform I have is a PT uniform -- shorts, t-shirts, sweat pants, sweatshirts.... Here are some of our 'cheers:'
Drill sergeant comes in, and we yell, "At east." DS: 'Carry on". Us: 'Warriors from the start, Drill Sergeant!' DS: 'Warriors never quit.' US: 'I am an American Soldier! Hooah!' And when the DS orders us 'At ease,' We yell, 'Ah, too smooth.'
PS: Tell Lane that not all the Sergeants are afraid to cuss in front of females!"

Nov. 3
"During personal time tonight there was barely enough time to take a shower. I relaxed and started labeling my clothes while everybody else stood in line, not rushing because I knew how much time we had - I didn't think about hot water capacity, so I had an icy shower. I'm barely to the point where I need it too (i.e. cold shower). ...
One girl had the temerity to ask if we could get our cellphones for use when we were in formation. She's a Kerry girl -- I was surprised she didn't have to do push ups. ...
I set one girl's watch for her, then everybody wanted me to fix theirs. So I made them all stand together and read them the same damn instructions I used to set mine."

Nov. 5
"Oh, the stories. There are women here bragging over assault charges and appearances in front of the judge.... Hey! One rumor I heard from a 26 yo who grew up as a military brat is that it is easy to get your first posting overseas, as most people don't want to go ... She spent 6 years in Italy and calls it home and wants to go back...
I've so enjoyed all this time to write, but I don't expect it to last. Tomorrow we should get a lot done: shots, full uniforms, ID cards ... hmmm, maybe that doesn't sound like much, but there are about 240 of us to process. The is SO MUCH BITCHING about how 'our' time is being wasted, and they should be processing us over the weekend. They don't quite grasp that we don't have any more time -- the next how-ever-many weeks are the Army's time, and we are merely itt bitty inconsequential parts of a very big machine. I do have to admit that I'm surprised that we're not getting any kind of PT. I'm really going to pay for myt inactivity in BCT -- but there are women here who can't do 1 push-up, or run a complete mile. My recruiting station is SO much more on the ball than most, if even half of the stories are true."

Samantha

What's Kickin' Chicken?

2006-11-08T08:03:00.000-06:00

Well, Mizz PFC Top Goddess, I miss reading your thoughts. I think of you all the time, and aside from thinking that I miss you, I think about how easy my life is compared to yours right now. I feel like I should sleep only a few hours a night, eat lunch in the school cafeteria every day, and run around the block a few hundred times while someone yells random insults at me periodically. And that would be the easy part.

If you're allowed to receive care packages, let us know what you want and what is allowed. I hope you feel our love every moment of the day.

A picture of you in your BCG's would be most appreciated ;)

*mwah!*

Talked to Sam

2006-11-04T14:33:00.000-06:00

04 November 2006
Talked to Sam

Yesterday, I went out for about 15 mins. and left my cell phone on the charger. During that time, Sam tried to call me. Her voice sounded awful on the message she left. She had no way of knowing when she could call again and her 5 mins. was up. The frustration of missing that call hit me harder than anything else this week.

This morning, however, my phone woke me up ringing. I couldn't find it and was afraid that I was going to miss another call. I got it just before it went to voice mail and it was Sam. She sounded MUCH better. She said she had been going well until she couldn't get through to me on the phone and that really hit her hard as well. They only have their PT uniforms (tee shirt and exercise shorts) so she has been a little cold. Also, the first night they didn't get into bed until after 1:00 and had to be up at 5:00. The next night she had to do 2 hours of "fire duty" in the middle of the night. So she hasn't gotten much sleep. But the good news is that she protected the barracks. They did not burn down the whole night.

She is anxious to get out of "reception" and into her training unit. That is scheduled to take place next Thursday if everything continues to go well.

She told me Thursday about two girls at MEPS who were drinking large amounts of water to try to meet the MINIMUM weight standard to enlist. She didn't have a lot of sympathy for them. Sam is going to do well. Can you imagine her sparring with one of those waifs?

More news as I have it.
Don

2006-11-03T07:24:00.000-06:00

I miss her already. I talked to her last night on her way down to basic ... I cried like a baby when we got off the phone. I know everything will be okay, I know it's only temporary, I know this. BUT ... I talk to her pretty much every single day while I drive to and from school. So now instead of talking to her I'll just miss her. I feel like I'm being stupid and babyish and selfish. Ugh.

Open Letter

2006-10-31T06:45:00.000-06:00

Dear Sam -

One more day and you're off to Basic. After that, to who-knows-where. I probably speak for a lot of people when I tell you how grateful I am for the past couple of years of being able to be close with you again. I only knew something was missing in my life - I had no idea it was you, or that you had really been there all along. Thank you for being one of my very best friends, and know that no matter how far apart we are I'm going to be right there with you.

The Army will change you. Physically, mentally, emotionally. I expect to not quite recognize you when they're done with you. But don't let them change you too much. Don't let them take away your sense of humor and your sense of play. Don't let them touch your perfect heart.

I love you. I will miss you horribly. And above all, I am so very proud of you.

-S.

Logos

2006-10-30T03:04:00.000-06:00