Earl Wilson

Wow! Phase 1 of my JAOBC training has come to an end and alot of things about the past 12 days stand out to me. First and foremost I am almost certain that 20 years from now (LORD willing Im still here) when I look back what I'll remember most is that Ft. Lee was cold as hades!! Despite the weather, Ft. Lee was an enjoyable experience. We spent three cold days in the field learning basic warrior tasks such as, first aid, requesting medevac (medical evacution), how to effectively apply camouflage to oneself and equipment, map reading/land nav, how to identify and classify UXO's (unexploded ordinance such as IED's), how to effectively use the M9 9mm pistol, and last but certainly not least how to properly use our gas masks when threatened with a chemical agent such as CS gas. (This part was terrible although it also has a suprising fun factor to it as well. I guess nothing bonds a class together better than getting gassesd collective as a group....NAME....DOB....and SOCIAL....HOOAH!). I've already began to build relationships with classmates that I think we stretch beyond our Army years/careers.  We've also gotten a real taste of PT in the army is like and I will take this opportunity to suggest to those in the 182nd JAOBC and beyond to run, run, run, and maybe more importantly "learn" how to run the proper way, especially when it comes to breathing. During phase 1 we've gotten the chance to know our cadre and I will say this...They are hard but fair...they expect alot out of us and rightfully so because as officers our soldiers will expect the most out of us. They have made it clear that they are here to help us but more importantly make sure we have a clear idea of what officership is and the duties/obligations that go along with the insignia we wear.  We arrived in C'Ville Friday afternoon (19 Feb 2010) and in-processed/checked into our rooms. We were given the weekend off and informed that on Monday (tomorrow) we will hit the ground running...literally (@0540)....Then class from about 0830 to 1730...I must admit when a LTC from JARO briefed us and exclaimed in the Army you'll get do more before 0930 than most people manage to get done in a day. You weren't lying m'am! Hooah! So now that I've settled into my home for the next 3 months I look forward to getting in great shape, learning the military side of the law, and getting to see the beautiful VA countryside. I miss my family (fiancee', mom, sister, brothers, nephews and niece [thats you mya]), my pit bull Rock Lee, my PS3 [I mean alot], joking with Wood and Kell, bothering/disagreeing with QB, and all my LB's and chapter bruhz from the Xi Beta and Rho Beta Beta chapter of Omega Psi Phi Franterinity, Inc.

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What's up peeps?! I've been here at Ft. Lee (Prince George, VA) for about two days and it has been full go from day one! We have been filling out a ton of paperwork and (for those of us with no prior service) trying to learn Army courtesies and customs on the fly. I'm meeting alot of my classmates and it seems we are a very diverse group. Dont hold me to this number but its about 110 of us from all over the country and from all practice areas.  The weather is grea....horrible! lol. It's C-O-L-D cold out here in Virginia but we are getting through it. I find myself inspired by some of my older classmates because they are with us in the cold every minute so if they can endure it then this 26 yr old southern boy can too...Hooah! Before I go any further, I have one question? How Bout Dem SAINTS!? Hooah DAT?! Apparently no one in the NFL, we are world champions. I definitely am beginning to feel that group cooperation/group effort vibe I was anticipating. Its great to be in this enviroment again. I havent felt like this since my college football days. In fact so far it feels like "2-A-Days." We have a set schedule (that is subject to change) and are always on the go. Seems like we only have time to eat and fraternize here and there.  As one of our Cadre said, "As direct commissionees we have a steep learning curve," so its critical that we remain focus. We are learning how to line up in formation and a little bit of DnC (drill and ceremony), and I have never felt so uncoordinated but its cool to be out of my element and forced to learn something totally foreign. In fact, I had some counting problems this morning that one of our Cadre comically pointed out to me. lol! Ft. Lee, VA is beautiful, although it could be because of the snow, and the locals are nice. Im considering on competing for an Airborne slot...We were told that they're only 10 slots available and it seems that 40 of us may be going after those slots. For some strange reason Im drawn to this "I dare you to try" vibe that the cadre are exuding, plus I know I could use the extra PT and although it'll probably hurt, in the long run it can only help, right? Hooah! I've got PT in the morning@0620 so I'm going to try to get some R&R in early tonight. I'd like to thank my partners at my firm, my line brothers/chapter brothers (Xi Beta/Rho Beta Beta/Omega Psi Phi), and especially Aliya and my family for your prayers and support. Also I'd like to thank SFC Castro and the officers, NCO's, and enlisted from Houston's Team 4 of the 1ST LSO for all their words of wisdom and pointers regarding IMT and OBC. I plan to post pics in the near future....gotta get some rest now...GEAUX SAINTS....HOOAH-DAT!? 1LT Wilson...out!

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Hello to all! I am 1LT (First Lieutenant) Earl Wilson, III. I am originally from New Orleans, La. (Geaux Saints!) and I am presently gearing up to leave my comfortable home and job in Houston, Texas in pursuit of the "road less traveled":THE UNITED STATES ARMY! Hooah! I was fortunate enough to receive a comission as an officer in The Judge Advocate General's Corps., so I figure I am about to get the best of both worlds: priceless experience in my professional discipline (MOS) and the gung ho challenge of being a member of the world's best fighting force. I enjoy private practice and I'd like to wish my partners well and thank them for their support of this unconventional endeavor...Oh and Im excited about my return guys.

Why the Army JAG Corps (Reserve Component)? As a former college football player (GO REDDIES!), I have been desparately missing the comradery of a team enviroment. There is nothing like the feeling you get when group cooperation and group effort comes together to create group success! Forgive me, because I know that sounded so cliche' but its true and honestly since my football days are long but not that long behind me I figured why not try to play for the ultimate team, the US ARMY. So thats when I started a fact finding process that eventually became an application process. This application process brought me in contact with two great officers whom I admire, CPT Ian Chin and LTC Hall. LTC Hall is the field screening officer who intereviewed me and CPT Chin is "the guy" who made my application process run as smooth as possible. I'd like to pause here and say that as you continue to read you'll see that in my short time in the Army (not even a month) I have been blessed to come in contact with great soldiers, NCO's and officers. Back to CPT Chin now, CPT Chin has definitely made an impact on me and my career during the short time that I have known him. I know there is no perfect anything, but I think CPT Chin is a good example of officership in the United States Army. Moving along, I got the great news of my acceptance into the JAGC in August and have been excited about it ever since.

In early November I took the initiative to attempt to prepare myself for Army PT (physical training) by seeking out a recruiting station and training with an NCO there. Enter SFC Castro. First off, I can not thank SFC Castro enough for working with me and helping me get where I need to be and although I am not there yet I can only imagine how unprepared I would be for 181st Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course (JAOBC). During my training with SFC Castro I have already began to build relationships that I hope last beyond my career (and with the distances the good SGT has us running I think the bond will be pretty well cemented. Hooah!). This past weekend I had my first Battle Assembly (BA) with the 1st Legal Support Organization's (LSO) Houston Team. I had a great time woking with my colleagues. My superior officers (LTC Fluke, CPT's Lindsey, Johnson, and Mendoza) were very cool yet professional. There isn't enough I can say about the enlisted and NCO's in our office so I'll just say they are great!! Big shout out to SGT's Maki, Caszco, Kohn, Brazelton, Maule and PFC Pena!! HOOAH! They taught me about "Hooah's" multi-faceted capabilities. (LOL) They also gave me an intro to "Land Nav" course, great job on making something so intimidating seem very doable.  So this is where I'm at right now ,on 11 Jan 2010: fresh out of my first BA and eagerly anticipating my report date of 7 Feb 2010 at Fort Lee, VA. It is my sincerest hopes that I can regularly update this blog so that I can keep all of my family, friends, colleagues and future soldiers how I am doing at JAOBC/DCC but as I attempt to travel through unchartered waters only time will tell. One last thing before I close, there are many reasons why I decided to participate in "amry strong stories," but the most compelling one is because during my "fact finding" stage a new JA in the 179th was telling her army strong story and I followed it and even emailed her with a question or two. To my suprise she responded and the advice she gave proved to be very useful. This soldier's name is 1LT J. Rachel Robinson. 1LT Robinson unkonwingly made my decision make process easier by chronicling her story and giving me and most likely others insight we couldnt find on goarmy.com so I figure the best way to repay 1LT Robinson is by "paying it forward" so Im about to give it the ol'college try....HOOOAH!
 

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