What I wish I could say is, "Suck it, Trebek." Alas, I'm not the great Mr. Connery and also hold the lowly rank of a butter bar. The logic of the Army, or lack thereof, never ceases to amaze me. Yes, you can have a four day BUT you must work the next weekend. Oh wait, we also think you need to come up with a 30 page presentation to brief that morning but are only going to give you an hour and a half to work on it. AND when you do brief it, we are going to rip you to shreds...read more

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MI BOLC is not making me very joyful and full of glee these days. Therefore, I stare at these and think happy thoughts. http://mingmakescupcakes.yolasite.com/ Why can't COIN be as smile inducing?

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Sometimes I think we take for granted the bravery of our military. The wounded are assumed to be healed. The fallen quickly honored. Life moves on. There are moments though when all seems to stand still. The knowledge that a fellow soldier and 2LT has fallen to the atrocities of war made my mouth go dry and my eyes water this morning. 2LT Mark Noziska was killed in action in Afghanistan. I only knew him in passing. He went to a rival high school and received his commission from...read more

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I had my first make it or break it test yesterday, my big Mission Analysis Brief. Here's how my instructors motivate my class: "Thirteen people failed this last time." Way to motivate, instructors. Clearly none of you were involved in such activities as cheerleading (guilty), show choir a la Glee (guilty), or had Disney character filled dreams as a child (guilty again). After what felt like dozens of meltdowns and nightmares where I wake up standing next to my overlays...read more

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What I have learned today: 1) Guys actually watch shows like "Say Yes to the Dress" and "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" 2) 80% of everything I'm told is deemed "notional" 3) INA stand for "Is Not Assessed" NOT "Iowa Newspaper Association" 4) Power Point is the bane of my existence along with I-45 from The Woodlands to my house in downtown Houston. I hate them both. 5) AKO is pointless and I'm giving up...read more

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I smile a lot. "Smiling's my favorite!" That's the kind of person I am. I laugh at pretty much any dirty joke or sly comment. I can't help it. So it really took me by surprise when this happened... Here's what I got told today by an instructor: "Why are you smiling? Cut it out and take this seriously! I mean it, stop smiling, stop laughing, and act like your life depends on this." He said this with his "I am Man. Speak from Diaphragm." voice....read more

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IPB is officially sucking the life blood out of me. The good news is that I only have two more weeks left before moving on to MOD C! YES!!!! Until then though, let me continue to come up with enemy COAs...

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IPB (Intelligence Planning of the Battlefield) makes me want to give up on life. Two weeks solid of IPB can do that to a person. Fortunately for me, I am trying to rely on some of my knowledge from AIT to help me out because the "Adult Learning Method" (Let's have a discussion, class!) is not the best way for me to learn. Basically, I've tabbed every FM issued to me in hopes that I can memorize where to look for this or that. Yes, I am whiney today. And I...read more

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I sat through two long days learning all about Critical Thinking. When this subject was over I rejoiced! Whoo hoo! Then my Mod B chief comes in and slams us with about 100 pages of reading, homework questions, and a Power Point to make. Welcome to MIBOLC, for real this time. During PT this morning at the MI Mile obstacle course, I was told by a fellow classmate that I do everything with a smile and have my heart in doing my best but also making sure others are taken care of as well. That...read more

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Back from the field with 16 new bruises, two blisters on my heels, and one halfway ripped off fingernail but had such a great time! I'll write a much longer post to give y'all an idea of MIBOLC Mod A (aka the Army's answer to getting rid of BOLC II), but for now I wanted to share the highlights: - I heart land nav. Always have and always will. I could care less that this was the cause of my now beaten body because I enjoy the challenge of it all (minus falling down ravines...read more

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