Army Reserve - Army Strong Stories

Run a Little, Run a Little, Run Me Some More, Hey!

Kayley Nammari — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:37:00 GMT

By: Kayley Nammari
This past weekend, the Hubs and I ran in the Texas Half in Dallas. Y'all, it was so incredibly fun! Sure, the wind was out of the north at 20 mph and it was frigid but I really and truly enjoyed every minute. My goal was to not stop and rest at all and I did it! Around mile 8, I looked around and thought, "I totally get why this is so addictive. It's fun!" Sure, that last mile into the wind uphill hurt like hell but crossing the finish...read more

No Excuses, Play Like a Champion

Kayley Nammari — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:38:00 GMT

By: Kayley Nammari
These past few weeks, I've received emails and a blog comment asking about what is my work out routine and how do I accomplish scoring high on the APFT. Thanks to C Riggs (shout out, girl!), I wanted to dedicate an entire post to this topic. I hear it all the time that guys complain that the female standards on the APFT are too weak. I kind of want to call BS. The female body is made completely different! I have an extra layer of fat, breasts, and hips (well, I...read more

I'm 25, Now What?

Kayley Nammari — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:20:00 GMT

By: Kayley Nammari
This article sums up my life: http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/01/to_find_happiness_forget_about.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#.Txlb9xzLOtY.facebook I was talking to my dearest mother last weekend and told her how I applied to Teach For America. "Funny you say that, Kayley Rae," she said, "your dad and I were just talking about how you don't seem very happy and content. That you're happiest in an academic setting." Spot on....read more

SOPA, PIPA, and My Internet

Kayley Nammari — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:29:00 GMT

By: Kayley Nammari
I don't usually voice my political leanings on here (as this is an Army blog and not a Kayley-on-her-soapbox blog) but I had to share this because it's important and could directly affect you. Writing for this blog is a privilege for me, and it's rather great to read the comments of those that read whatever cray (shout out to the new Jay Z and Kanye West album) stories us bloggers have to tell. With this in mind, I'm sure y'all have heard of this little thing in...read more

Getting Fit

Kayley Nammari — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:58:00 GMT

By: Kayley Nammari
The new year means a new slew of resolutions to lose weight. I even heard it from the guys at my unit. "I'll lose this spare tire!" This is great, don't get me wrong. America is not exactly known around the world for its trim physique but there are healthy and unhealthy ways to go about it. A coworker of mine complains about her weight but then eats a bag of Doritos for breakfast. Friends of mine post workout on Pinterest and then follow it up with a...read more

I Am a Beast...in the best sense of the word.

Kayley Nammari — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:28:00 GMT

By: Kayley Nammari
Random Thursday Thoughts 1) My SGM told me I was a beast. Since my ankle has fully recovered from it's latest put-me-back-on-crutches injury, I took a PT test to stop my commander from glaring at me. Somehow folks doubted me. They thought I would barely pass. Say what?! I know, right! To prove all those guys wrong, I busted my you-know-what last Sunday morning. Result: 57 push ups, 92 sit ups, 15:40 run. That run time could have been...read more

How to Avoid Getting in Trouble at Basic Training

Michael Volkin — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:37:00 GMT

By: Michael Volkin
How to Avoid Getting in Trouble at Basic Training Don’t go to basic training unprepared. The small amount of preparation you can do before basic training will save you hundreds of sit-ups and push-ups in front of a drill sergeant. During basic training you will be dealing with Drill Sergeants who love to yell at you and hang on your every word. One of the best compliments I received at basic training was from a drill sergeant on my graduation day. The...read more

A Look at LT Life: BOLC Style

Kayley Nammari — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:37:00 GMT

By: Kayley Nammari
A friend from BOLC tagged me in a bunch of photos on Facebook from our time spent at Fort Wegotcha. If you're headed out that way, take a look! The Hubs came to visit for a weekend and it was my class' turn to host a social for the newest class of LTs. It was 80 themed. With karaoke. Really, it was epic. So many LTs! This was while waiting for instructions about a range during a very early Saturday morning training. Rehearsing my part for...read more

Rewarding Career Path

Jaison Bloom — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:03:00 GMT

By: Jaison Bloom
After 5 years as Army broadcaster in the reserves and Maryland National Guard, I was commissioned on active-duty as an Infantry officer in 2002. My military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Public Affairs Officer Qualification Course and the United States Army Airborne and Ranger Schools. Other than, being a Platoon Leader, working as a Recruiting Officer for ROTC has been a very reward job. The ability to encourage youth to pursue future goals,...read more

Receiving Mail at Basic Training

Michael Volkin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:00:00 GMT

By: Michael Volkin
For a lot of recruits, Air Force Basic Training is the first time they receive and write letters to friends and family. With e-mails, texting and instant messaging, there isn’t much reason to write letters to friends and family anymore. Being unable to send abbreviated messages every other minute to your boyfriend or girlfriend is just one of the harsh realities of being in a basic training environment. Without these modes of communication, letter seems to be your only viable option...read more

Tis the Season

Kayley Nammari — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:42:00 GMT

By: Kayley Nammari
This past weekend the Hubs and I ran in the Jingle Bell Run here in Houston. It was 5 miles, which is no sweat because I've been running my bum off in preparation for the half marathon I'm running the Big D next month. But it would have been wise to not eat that peppermint whoopie pie beforehand (I was celebrating my ability to fit into a dress I bought 3 years ago and the abs that have come out of hibernation). And my shoelace snapped in two during mile 3 which led to...read more

A Little Less Talk and A Lot More Action

Kayley Nammari — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:08:00 GMT

By: Kayley Nammari
My civilian job coworkers think I'm a badazz (no cussing, I'm trying to turn a new leaf) because I'm in the Army. Therefore, I was sent to a career fair for veterans with recruiter because 1) I speak in acronyms, 2) I could make a plant talk back to me if I really tried hard enough, and 3) since I'm in the Army I should know what skills folks have, right? What I saw and heard broke my heart. There were thousands of people, veterans mind you, that showed up for...read more

The Best Day of My Life

Dore Gilbert — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:11:00 GMT

By: Dore Gilbert
There are no words to adequately describe my past week in Afghanistan. I received an email from Kevin’s Company Commander giving me the go ahead to go down to Camp Leatherneck and see my son. Kevin is a Corporal and a squad leader in 1/5 Marines and has been doing daily foot patrols in the Sangin Valley of the Helmand Province in Afghanistan for the past 7 months. This is the most dangerous part of the country resulting in the highest number of casualties. It is...read more

Thankful during this Thanksgiving Season

Ryan Marcum — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 03:10:00 GMT

By: Ryan Marcum
During this Thanksgiving season, I am reminded that very few get to do this career that I find myself in, again. I have been on the enlisted side of the Army, 1996-1999, and went to college and started a family. I was out of the Army for roughly ten years and decided to try and join again. Needless to say, I signed my oath of office in August 2010 and am now on my way to serving as long as Uncle Sam allows me to. I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve my country and to...read more

Thankful

Kayley Nammari — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:44:00 GMT

By: Kayley Nammari
The past two weeks have been, well, they have not been ideal. Between being involved in a three car pile up on scary I-45, having whiplash for the second time in a month, a minor melt down at Saks Fifth Avenue on my day off (don't ask, just know that Depression is a pain to deal with and leads to embarrassing moments), a very sick Beagle, it's all just made me want to throw in the towel and head for the hills. In an effort to combat this and to enjoy the approaching Thanksgiving...read more

SITTING IN JALALABAD

Cole Calloway — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:32:00 GMT

By: Cole Calloway
Well, came in from the small COP, which is out in the middle of nowhere and a few miles from the Pakistan border, to Jalalabad Airfield for some Finance classes for Pay Agent and FOO. Since we are in a transitional phase my job parameters are starting to shift slightly. But, either way, I'm eager to continue our mission and stay focused until the End Of Mission for myself and the company....read more

A Play-By-Play: Battle Assembly Weekend Parte Dos

Kayley Nammari — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:04:00 GMT

By: Kayley Nammari
The joy continues... Sunday 0400: Alarm goes off. Hurry up and get dressed and put my hair back in a bun. Perhaps the gate guard will confuse me with a man again (it happened, I reamed him for it and his lack of attention to detail; plus, what man drives a Prius while listening to the Christian music station?). By 0430 I am out the door. 0545ish: Arrive at Ellington Field and have a quick debate in my head about if I want to run by Starbucks for a delectable Caramel Apple...read more

Say Thank You Today

Kayley Nammari — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:42:00 GMT

By: Kayley Nammari
As much as the Army frustrates me, I love it. To be more accurate, I love the people in it. In honor of Veteran's Day this year, I'm going to take the time to thank some of the Soldiers in my life. I encourage you to do the same. Thank you do my dad, The Sarg, for showing me from such an early age what it means choose the hard right over the easy wrong, to live a life of integrity and to take pride in what you accomplish. Thank you for showing Taylor...read more

Let's do this!

Ryan Marcum — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:27:00 GMT

By: Ryan Marcum
This is my first of many future posts following my Army career. I have enjoyed reading other stories and like what I have seen. I joined the Army, the first time, in 1995 through the early enlistment program and served for three years. I was an enlisted soldier with the MOS of 19D, Scouts Outs! I honorably discharged in 1999 and to headed to college, long story short, I married my beautiful wife and started a family. I recently decided to continue my Army career through the chaplain...read more

Keeping up with a little motivation

Eduardo Montano — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:55:00 GMT

By: Eduardo Montano
Apologize for the delay once again, It's been a very eye-opening experience these past weeks and well, I guess you could say everyday is filled with new eye-opening things happening. I have seen different soldiers come in with different views on why we are here? they question this while eating chow, chatting it up on a patrol, or just sitting around with nothing else to do but talk about "why the F*** are we here" I try real hard not to trouble myself with these...read more