I have to start this entry out with an apology, an apology for failing to update my blog in a timely manner after 0-Day, but I don't think my mind was in the right place at any time yesterday to even attempt to describe the experience. However, before I get into specifics, I need to keep the chronology going, so that necessitates that I begin with the events of Friday.

Friday was actually a day off from scholastic classes, and one where we focused on  elements of our new job that may get forgotten in our academic studies. These lectures/briefings included the "Lore of the Core" (the JAG Corps that is, and yes, I realize that I have often spelled "Corps" wrong in prior blogs. My bad...) and then we had a lecture put on by two International Students who are participating in the 182nd JAOBC to better learn our structure of law within the military. After an "authentic" lunch that was intended to mimic the cuisine of these visiting students' countries, we had a lecture on the Leadership Role of Officers in the Military. Evening with the looming pain of 0-Day in the back of my mind, these briefings were interesting. Having three weeks of experience in the military, hearing a brief history of the JAG Corps was a fascinating two hours. It turns out we've been pretty involved in all of the U.S.'s major conflicts, it made me proud of my Corps. The briefings from our international students were on two countries that I knew very little about, so I always enjoy learning something totally new. And the Leadership lecture created a mixture of anxiety and excitement as, once again, we were told of the GREAT responsibilities we officers now carry on our shoulders, and that can be daunting for someone with only three weeks of military experience.

Once "classes" were completed for the day, we were released. Those who did not have 0-Day went out to celebrate their first entire week of class. The rest of us, tried to get some work done and relax, as we were ordered to report at 0500 in our ACU's (sterile, no patches), boots on, Kevlar (Vietnam era helmet), and one canteen full of water. It was admittedly hard to focus on much, as far as school work was concerned. However, as always, I was able to muster enough energy to set up a dinner reservation at a little Italian place down the street that was recommended by my De Facto tour guide in San Francisco, Ms. Mosca (there's your shout out Laura ;)). A small group of us went out for a carbo load dinner and that is exactly what we got.

I returned to my room around 1945 and literally got right into bed, and miraculously fell asleep. At some point in the middle of the night I was awakened by the voice of a classmate who I knew was doing 0-Day with me that morning. Hearing his voice startled me, and shot from my bed thinking that if he was already in the hall way, I must have slept through my alarm because he was on his way to 0-Day. I took a cursory look at my phone clock, and all I remember seeing was xx:48 PM. I began to panic. At that moment I had figured out why I had slept through my alarm... My clock was 12-hours ahead and in fact it was 4:48 AM. I went into full freak-out mode because if you were one minute late to 0-Day you would be turned around and sent home. I shaved, put my contacts in and began to get dressed. I went back and checked the clock on my phone again, and this time took an extra moment to get the entire time: 10:48 PM. Well, you might imagine the feeling of stupidity when I realized my mistake. It turns out I had just been asleep for a couple hours, and that for some weird reason that 0-Day Classmate of mine was still up at that time. For the next couple minutes I laughed out loud at myself, and debated whether I would relate this story on the blog. Finally, I got undressed and back into bed and again feel asleep.

I awoke naturally at 410, ten minutes before my first alarm, and I began to prepare myself for the coming pain,  the moment had finally come. I made the long walk down the hill to the "killing ground" with a couple other classmates, and along with the humidity and heat in the air, our nervousness was tangible. When I arrived at the appointed location, the group was quiet as one might expect, with the occasional nervous laugh or attempt to make a joke that was and will never be funny in that situation, but would crack you up anywhere else.

At 0459 the student leadership took charge. I should mention, that with the exception of our XO, who was trying out for an Airborne slot, the rest of our Student Leadership showed up and participated in 0-Day with us, even though they ALL had completed Airborne and Air Assault training in their prior experience. It was amazing to me that they would show up for the "smoke session" just to support those of us crazy enough to try out. To the Captain I wrote specifically too in my last blog, this is why these classes need experienced members of the military like yourself, for the Leadership. Though none of us expected these individuals to show up, their last minute words of support and advice were crucial to the experience. Essentially, as the Chief and 1SG were approaching in the distance, we were told that we can handle anything they throw at us, and though our bodies may fail us, remain mentally tough, don't quit, let them tell you to leave (which they would only do if you reach total muscle failure and could not continue.)

Before we knew it, 0-Day had commenced. We started with 130, in cadence, over head arm claps ( so 260 total), straight into push-ups, back up for 100 double-shoulder taps, straight back to push-ups, then a sprint up a very steep incline and back down, straight back to over-head arm claps, to push-ups, then another sprint, followed by another sprint. Then 1SG handed us over to Chief, and we went straight into flutter kicks, to jack-knifes, back to flutter kicks, to knee-benders, into a sprint, back to our water bottles for 10 seconds of a water break, then lunges across the field to the incline, lunges up the incline, to squat jumps at the top of the incline. Though this is not an exact replication (we did more and I'm forgetting much of it) the "smoking" continued like this for 30+ minutes before we were told to grab a "gun" made of plastic, weighing about 4-8 lbs (there is some debate). However, there weren't enough guns to go around, so some of us, (myself included) ended up with an unwieldy 12lb medicine ball instead. We then started military presses (with gun/medicine ball), followed by sprints up the hill, then lunges, back to slow push-ups, to over-head arm claps, to sprinting with the ball. It was about the 50 minute mark or so that I started seeing stars in front of me, and began to lose my balance running up and down the hill, however, I was not going to quit.

It was about this time that 1SG stopped us and congratulated us.... for making it to THE WATER BREAK. We were allowed to finish our canteens, and refill them. We then were turned back over to Chief for more sprints, squats, knee-benders, and squat jumps, and sprints again (with the ball remember). Personally, I knew with that last sprint it was the beginning of the end. When we got back, 1SG took over again, and we went straight into a set of over-head arm claps, and push-ups. Each time I stood up from the push-ups, I was light-headed, and it took me a couple seconds to orient myself. I could no longer lift my arms over my head in cadence with the 1SG's calls. Each time I hit the ground for push-ups, my arms would quiver so hard it took all the focus (I didn't have) just to get up to the up position, and like the over-head arm claps I could not keep the cadence. However, I was not going to quit, but the inevitable was coming, and before long I felt the tap on my shoulder, the curt condolence from the 1SG, and I was told to leave. I knew he was right, and I could now return to some semblance of a real world. After take a moment to orient myself again, I stood up and thanked the 1SG and Chief for just letting me have the chance to try-out. If you remember from my last blog, I wasn't supposed to be allowed to even try because of my APFT score, but since I could run so well, I was given the shot, and I took it.

Many people have asked me how I felt, and to be honest, I'm proud of my attempt and the fact that I did not give in, but instead my body failed and there was no chance but to end my attempt. Of course I am frustrated with the fact that I could no longer will myself to continue to move, but I am sure I will get over it (in fact, I pretty much have). I have to give a huge shout out to the women that came out for 0-Day, the vast majority of them finished, and they TOTALLY DOMINATED the men. It was impressive, more times then not, the women were the first to return from any sprint, and they weren't missing a single exercise, you know who you are, and each of you should be so proud.

The rest of the day was one giant recovery. We all went to the hotel that many of our classmates were staying in, and we took control of the pool. A large group of us went to a large lunch at the Mellow Mushroom (a great Pizza place, best crust I've ever had), and then returned to the pool. The always lovely Lt. Boggs set up a big dinner for anyone interested at a fantastic restaurant, Orzo. After that I was spent, I could hardly stay awake at dinner. Before long, the horrors of the morning were forgotten, and in their place was seemingly fond memories of the experience. Those of us who didn't make it were supported by those who did and told to hold our heads high, because we had the courage, fortitude, and strength to try (thanks Captain Horne).

It is now Sunday morning, and I slept in to 1030 which I never do. Lt. Rosen has set up a slow float down the James River as the last element in our recovery. This will be fun, and then its back to class and our first PT in our new Run Groups. With a 13:32 two-mile, I was placed in RUN GROUP 1, the fastest group, so this should be interesting, my "six-pack" should prepare to show itself, its time!!!

To quickly answer the question regarding choosing between Airborne and Air Assault. You do have to choose one or the other, but you don't have to finalize that decision until AFTER 0-Day, so for now, just focus on getting into shape for that experience, and worry about your decision for later. Thanks for reading, and as always, keep the questions coming...