http://armystrongstories.com/tell-your-story/Holy cow!  These past three days have been awesome.  I have met some incredibly interesting and motivated Americans!  The Cadre are VERY helpful and so knowledgeable.

We started Friday morning at 04:30 with an outdoor intro to proper push-ups and sit-ups.  Did I mention it was outdoors and about 40 degrees.  Only the prior military folks were smart enough to wear fleece.  The rest of us new kids only had our ACUs on.  After meeting with our Master Sergeant, we marched to the DFAC  for a hot meal.  During the march, most of us began to differentiate the left foot from right.   Lots of informational lectures welcoming us to the Army.  In the afternoon, we all went out the CIF and were issued all of our gear.  Amazing how much more comfortable my kevlar (helmet) feels when you put it on facing the in the right direction.  Afterwards, back to the informational meetings and we finished with choosing Platoon leaders, and First Sergeant for our platoons.  I was honored to assume platoon leader of my 2nd Platoon. 

This morning we practiced formation and report.  I think it went really well.  All accounted for!  After formation, you guessed it, more lectures on METT-TC, OPORDS, etc.  The meat and potatoes of the Army.  After dinner, we all tried fitting all our gear into one duffel bag and assault pack for our ftx all next week at Camp Bullis.  I can't believe I got all that gear, clothes, toiletries, etc. into one bag.  Have to leave the 50" plasma at Fort Sam.  Just couldn't squeeze it in.

More lectures tomorrow and then its off to FTX.  I can't wait!

Oh yeah, did I mention I had my first hand grenade explosion?  My deodorant exploded in my bag on the flight down here.  All my clothes smell really fresh!

LTC Dore J. Gilbert, M.D.