Short of LT Sandys using it again for his reflection, this may be the last time the 182d JAOBC tag is used for a while, so I will strive to make this post a meaningful one.

Yesterday, the various members of the 182d who moved on to Fort Benning for DCC, as well as our classmates from other JAOBCs and other branches completed our training and graduated.  For the 182d in particular, the symbolism of having begun our training on Independence Day and ending it on Veterans Day does not escape me (more on that a little further down).

DCC, for those of you who haven't been following LT Sandys, is a 6 week course designed to teach Direct Commissionees (mostly Judge Advocates, but also some reservists in other branches and new officers transferring to the Army from another service) the basics of being a soldier. This means first aid, basic rifle marksmanship, land navigation, patrolling and other skills. The course is very physical and the days can be long.

Unfortunately, I was sidelined for some of the more fun events (like the obstacle course) due to a nagging ankle injury at first, and then some form of a mutant upper respiratory infection that did not respond to medication immediately. However, that didn't stop me from completing all my requirements and graduating.

The one piece of advice I have for any JA taking that course or something similar in the future is this: Learn it, live it. Why? Because while you're in your office or in court, combat arms soldiers are out there doing exactly what you're learning every day. And while for you this may be 6 weeks of rolling around in the dirt, for them this is life and death, and knowing those skills will help you understand your clients better.

The one piece of advice I have for non-JA Direct Commissionees going to this course: YOU JUST JOINED THE UNITED STATES ARMY, and you are an officer, so ACT LIKE ONE. Many a times we ran into the situation where some of the 2LTs just didn't "get it" and did things that were borderline unacceptable (not going to get into it here, but it goes from as basic as talking in formation to as egregious as screaming over the class leadership for people to be quiet, telling a cadre member to "sound off" or deciding that their lunch was more important than joining the rest of their squad in a patrolling exercise). You joined the Army and you are surrounded by people who have more experience than you. Look to them for how to behave, ask them questions and listen to what they tell you, it could save you the embarassment sure to come when you act like you run the show in front of a Sergeant Major.

Enough of that, back to Veterans Day.

The 182d had the honor (no other word to describe it) of being sworn in on Independence Day and being sent out into the big Army on Veterans Day. For most of us, and I do think I speak for the rest of my class on this, the symbolism of the dates only underscores the responsibility that has been entrusted to us. In choosing to serve, a lot of us are following in the footsteps of other soldiers in our family. In my case those are SPC Jaime Ramirez (1st Cavalry Division, Gulf War) and LTC Jose F. Camuñas (65th Infantry Regiment, Korean War). These two men, my uncles, aren't with us anymore. However, it was their service that inspired me to serve. It's their encouragement that pushed me for years to do better so that I could join the JAG Corps once my education was complete. I owe both these men a great debt of gratitude, and even though they're not here today for me to personally thank, I strive every day to wear my uniform in a way that would make them proud. I feel honored to have the opportunity to report to my first duty station today while thinking of them and everything they did for our country.