Soldier Blog Post

The Beginning...

December 4, 2009

Tags:  

osut   basic   1299th   cav   ft-knox  

As you can tell from my profile, I am a relatively recent graduate from OSUT at Ft. Knox, KY.  My MOS is 19D--Cavalry Scout.  I am a member of B Troop, 1/299th CAV, Hawaii Army National Guard.  

Let me begin by expressing my gratitude for those soldiers that have gone before me.  In March 2009, I was on leave after graduating from the basic training portion of OSUT.  My parents had traveled to Ft. Knox to see me graduate.  We decided to stop by the Patton Museum on base after the ceremony.  While there, a couple of gentlemen wearing Vietnam Vet caps and t-shirts came up to me and thanked me for my service.  As a 39-year-old PFC, it did not escape me the pain and sacrifice that these men faced in country and upon their return to the U.S.

I felt my emotions well up in me as I looked them in the eye and told them how grateful I was for their service and that I had yet to make any sacrifices that came close to theirs.  They responded that just taking the oath was enough.  While I appreciate their kindness and welcome their acceptance of me into the brotherhood of being a U.S. soldier, I still have yet to do much more than take the oath.

In contrast, a lot of the soldiers that I went through OSUT with are now deployed.  My thoughts and prayers are with them.  They, along with all of those currently serving or have already served, are my heroes.  

I think that in the next few posts I will recount my experiences as a National Guardsman and the constant struggle I go through trying to decide if I want to go active duty or not.  Also, I hope to have a pic up by my next post.  Until then, take care and God bless you.

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Comments

  • MAJ Mary Constantino

    Dec 4, 2009 8:53 AM

    Make no mistake; you are a hero as well. You wear the unitform and serve our great country; all should be greatful for your willingness to answer the call.


    Reply

  • Melinda Patrick

    Jan 28, 2010 1:54 PM

    Glad to have found your post. My youngest son just started OSUT at Ft Knox and is in A Troup 5-15 Cav. I appreciate your window into what he's going through. I'm not a new Army mom, however. His older brother was recently discharged from Infantry and served in Iraq. He trained at Ft Benning.

    I am grateful for your service and your blog and may you stay safe.


    Reply

  • James

    Mar 18, 2010 1:37 AM

    39 year old new PFC?

    Well buddy, you just inspired me, a 30 year old with 8 years prior service, to get back in the saddle.


    Reply

  • OC Shane Seggar

    Mar 23, 2010 5:28 PM

    James: First, thank you for your prior service. I am always inspired by soldiers, like you, who have already served and want to serve again. Best of luck and please let me know how it goes. What is your MOS?

    Melinda: It's been a while since you posted your comment, but I wanted to thank you for the service and sacrifice of your sons and your family. Cavalry has a proud tradition and I am sure that your son will honor it. If his troop is anything like mine, he will have good friends for life.


    Reply

  • Matthew

    Mar 25, 2010 4:47 PM

    OC Seggar!

    My man, I too used to be enlisted and entered HI state OCS as a PFC. You are right about HI State OCS, even though the TAC's rode me hard and at times I felt as if I could do no right, the TAC's at the combined Phase III with nearly 400 candidates were very impressed with my ability plan, organize, and execute missions in addition to writing extremely thorough OPORDS in the blink of an eye. Your TAC's will not fail you, you're more competent than you realize at the moment and your age and maturity are enablers, trust me.

    I too know how rough it was drinking through a firehose as my classmates were all SGT's and SSG's and could easily prioritize taskings while I would be overwhelmed and take too much time in deciding on the 'best' decision. That skill will come with time, and of course learning from bad judgment. Your positive attitude is a boon and undoubtedly well received from TAC's and peers alike. Keep it up, and congrats on your achievements so far, they aren't trivial. I was fortunate enough to come into OCS as a triathlete so smoke sessions were more or less abbreviated warm-ups ;) Just remember, you are a team, don't air your teams dirty laundry, you all have differing strengths/weakness and as a leader you need to learn to pull from the strengths to compensate from the 'areas of improvement'. It is "You vs. the TAC's", make no mistake, so try to think 6 steps ahead of them every step of the way. And above all else, never violate your integrity nor tolerate those who do. Keep it up my man, you're already on the right track! Aloha


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