I can hardly move this morning after a super long run yesterday and then a second workout, P90X style with my Battle Buddy LT Boggs, so what better thing is there to do then sit down and write a blog entry?

I left on Tuesday evening, thus I'll begin with Wednesday morning. This was our second official ruck march with our lovely ALICE packs. You had to have a minimum of 20lbs in the pack, but you could add more if you wanted to. The march was only 2-miles long, but when you have a company of roughly 115 soldiers, it takes a while to get everyone moving. It is also pretty funny to see this line of ACU wearing, backpack clad soldiers marching around Charlottesville as if we're heading out to war.

After our ruck march we had a full days of class. The morning session consisted of Evidence where we focused on character evidence and impeachment. There are not a lot of difference between the civilian rules and those employed in the Army, so most people were pretty comfortable with it. Next we had a large block on the 6th Amendment and the Confrontation Clause focusing mostly on the Crawford case and the newest ruling, Melendez-Diaz, which is going to make our Urinalysis cases much more difficult to prosecute. Last before lunch we had trial techniques which is always a fun practical class.

For lunch I decided to head to my room, grab a quick bite to eat and take a nap. I know I've been raving about the Darden Business Schools cafeteria, but every afternoon I am struggling to keep my eyes open. After my lunch time nap I couldn't have felt better, and so I think that is going to become my new MO.

After lunch we had a lengthy seminar that focused on the 6th Amendment through hypothetical scenarios that are specific to the Army and provided us a great chance to discuss what issues were lingering from the lecture. The day finished with a briefing from the PP&TO people regarding our financial incentives, namely the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) and the pros and cons of accepting the money. This could potentially be a lengthy discussion, so if anyone is interested let me know and I'll dedicate a different blog to discussing the SLRP program and other incentives that you may have questions about.

Thursday morning was again squad PT, and this time it was my turn to lead the workout. I had a whole program worked out and it was approved by 1SG. My squad essentially did a cross-fit style circuit training, where we repeated a set of exercises for a set period of time. I personally am not a fan of the straight up standard Army workout so I thought we'd mix it up. I was complimented by the Chief Warrant Officer attached to my squad, and I think my fellow squad members enjoyed what I threw out there.

Thursdays classes started with a lengthy brief on Voir Dire and the process of selecting a Court-martial panel. Next we had another professional responsibility lecture, which focuses mostly on our relationship with the client (either the Army or an individual soldier). This block also focused on how we, as JAGs rarely have an actual client, and we were instructed that the Army as a whole is our client. This can some times causes problems because the Commanders we support and advise will often believe that we are they're attorneys. It was the first actual practical PR class I've ever had, so it was interesting.

After that block we were given a longer lunch and I was met by my friend from college Laura and we used every minute of that extended period. When I got back we had a small seminar period before we were released for an ASU inspection. Since our Blues Reception is on Friday the 20th, the Cadre wanted to make sure that everyone had their ASU's set up properly, so we all met as a single group and were individually inspected by the Cadre. I was told, and I quote, "your uniform looks PERFECT," which was a rare comment and I thought I rub it in. When we were finally released by the Cadre, Laura came and picked me up and we celebrated her birthday, before I was in bed by 2200 fearing the next mornings workout.

And I had a right to be afraid. Before reporting to PT, I went and got re-weighed and taped. I have lost 6lbs in 10 days, and 4 inches from around my waist, but some how I still missed the taping by 1%. It isn't a huge deal, I'll have it under control by next week for sure.

Run Group 1 was again taken over by a particular Lieutenant Colonel who decided he was going to run us into the the ground. So, for the second time in a week we were taken up O Hill. However, this time we actually ran past the base of the hill and then approached the mountain from a different angle which actually increases the length and incline of the hill and correspondingly made it significantly more difficult. It wasn't until we reached the bottom of the hill and started heading back to school that I began to have problems. I was exhausted, and slightly dehydrated from trying to make the tape, so I started seeing stars and losing my balance. I was ultimately able to persevere, but I had to fall out of formation and slow my pace down. I was embarrassed to be honest, but my group didn't seem to care, and they were all remarkably supportive when I joined them for stretching, though I still feel like a softy.

Class was rough that morning, we had a lecture on Trial Parameters, then an objection exercise, followed by a long briefing regarding Findings and Sentencing. For lunch I had my obligatory nap, before returning for classes on Post-Trial Procedures and an Exam Review. The exam review was hilarious, it basically consisted of the professors telling us exactly what to study for in preparation for our exam on Monday morning. I guess that makes sense, because in the last two weeks we have been absolute inundated with knowledge and without a little direction we would be totally lost. This exam is not an open book test, so that makes some people nervous, but with this exam review everyone should be just fine.

The day finished with another travel voucher briefing and a short, and I mean SHORT, safety briefing from our Commander. Feeling better after recovering from the run, I accepted an invite to workout with my Battle Buddy LT Boggs and she kicked my butt!! So being thoroughly beat up, I joined Laura and her mom for dinner at an AMAZING restaurant out in the middle of no where. This place literally sits on the side of some road with nothing around it but green fields, and it is phenomenal. Duners is officially my new favorite restaurant and I'm hoping I can convince my fellow classmates to join me there again sometime soon. The even finished with a meeting of many JAGs at the South Street Brewery, before calling it a night because everyone was pretty beat from the days workout.

The rest of this weekend is all about studying and getting my security clearance paperwork filled out.

As for the question regarding getting paid. You don't get paid until your paperwork is processed, however, you can get an advance while you are Ft. Lee. You need to prepare to spend about 2000 of your own money (which will be reimbursed, for the most part) before you get your first pay check or reimbursement (which includes per diem, and travel expenses). My classmate and I did not received our first paycheck until a full month had passed, so essentially ALL of July was on your own tab, and you need to be prepared for that, so start saving up now.

As for the USAA account, I really have no information on that at all. I do intend to get a USAA account but I haven't looked into what I need to do, I have too much else to do. So I can't answer that question for you, but I would assume that the first time you can sign up for it is when you're commissioned on that first day of OBC.

Thanks for reading and asking questions, keep them coming...