Well... I am sorry that it has taken me so long to write again. This site has been having some technical difficulties, and they apparently continue. I have actually already written this entry, but when I tried to post it, the entire entry was erased and now I'm starting all over again. So, if it appears that I am cutting some corners in the re-telling of past events, please understand that it is because I'm frustrated. If you are interested in learning more about something I gloss over, please feel free to ask me about it, and I'll make sure to cover it more thoroughly in the next blog entry.

So, I left off on the Wednesday the 18th... Morning PT was all about Run Group 1 again, and now that my group has been freed to conduct our own PT, our leader "The Ranger," created a killer interval set (sprints) for us. Being the biggest guy in the fastest group has its certain and distinct disadvantages, which become only more apparent when it comes to sprinting (the whole gazelle and wildebeest analogy again). I was able to survive, which is quite an accomplishment in my own mind, and it was off to class. Wednesday's "classes" were a continuation of Advocacy Week, and this morning it was my turn to be the advocate in our Guilty Plea. My partner, 1LT Ponsati, and I were pretty well prepared, and I think we did an excellent job. 1LT Ponsati deserves an additional shout out because this was his first trial advocacy experience, and he did very very well with only a little help from me.

Wednesday night, a whole group of us got together and ordered pizza to watch a Discovery Channel show that looks at the various special forces training schools in the US Military. We actually have a classmate that should be featured as an instructor in one of the episodes, but it wasn't this one. Instead, this episode focused on the Ranger training course, which is super intense. We have a couple classmates who have a Ranger Tab, and though I certain respected them for that accomplishment, it wasn't until now that I really understand what that means, and they deserve all the respect imaginable.

Thursday morning was squad PT, but this time it was led by an NCO who is at the school training as well. My PT instructor took us on a slow jog around UVA. At first I was not pleased to hear that we were going to run, particularly since I was extremely sore from the morning before, but the run ended up being a good "flushing" run that helped with the soreness in my legs.

Thursday was a short day of classes as we met in small groups with our "senior attorneys" to start preparing for our trials that begin tomorrow morning. The class was only three hours long, and once it was done, we were free to go. We had the rest of the day to prepare sketches of our various responsibilities for our trial that would be critiqued Friday morning. Though I'd like to say that I spent the entire afternoon working on these examinations and closing argument, that would be a lie. Instead, I had to coach and play in the Faculty v. Student softball game. I'd also like to say that we kick butt, but that too would be lie. We lost 6-1 and the faculty was darn good, including the Commanding General, who, in my opinion, was the MVP of the faculty team (and I'm not just being a brown noser, he's really very good). After the loss, I was pretty angry, so I channeled that energy into my closing statement.

Friday morning PT was "long run" time, and The Ranger had us circumnavigating O Hill once again. The run went well, everyone made it without falling out of formation and to be honest, it felt pretty good. Friday's class was only two hours long, and then we were released for the afternoon to prepare our uniforms for the Blues Reception that evening. And I did exactly that, by heading down to the Residence Inn pool with a buddy and soaking my sore legs in the jacuzzi. I spent the afternoon at the pool getting some sun, relaxing, and having a couple beers with a number of my classmates.

That evening, I returned to the school, put the final finishing touches on my jacket ornamentation before heading down to the receiving line and the Blue Reception. It was a really fun evening, in which the Commanding General and the Dean of the School host an open bar reception on the top floor of the school. Light appetizers are also supplied, but the real attraction is the chance to get to know our faculty and superior officers over a beer. Significant others are also invited, and the JAG school actually sets up child-care for those with young kids so that wives and husbands can join for the event. It was a great event, that was continued (after changing out of our uniforms) at the Downtown Mall. I love this class, so much fun..

Saturday morning started sluggishly, but the pace quickened rapidly. I actually got a short (very short) workout in with my Battle Buddy LT Boggs, before getting a quick breakfast. Once we were finished there, a group of 20 of us embarked on a day of wine tasting, set up by none other then LT Boggs (well done Battle Buddy!!!). It was a great afternoon to get away from UVA (it was move in day). We hit three wineries, and one brewery, and the group was just awesome. Battle Buddy LT Boggs, then had the great idea to get dinner on The Corner, which turned into a visit to 80's night at Bar No. 3, and yet another night out (which definitely was NOT the plan that morning). It was an awesome time.

Today started even more sluggishly then yesterday, but having nothing to do but prepare for my trial, I took the extra time to relax and recover from the weekend. I did meet with my new co-counsel and I think we're going to be very well prepared for our trial tomorrow afternoon, which of course, I'm looking forward to. Now, all I have left is to get a good night sleep.

Lastly, to answer a question from the last blog regarding SLRP availability for Reservists and National Guards. I'm pretty sure SLRP is NOT available for those two groups because there were no Reservists or Guards in our briefing.

I hope everyone enjoyed, please keep reading and asking any questions you might have... Thank you