Jessica Berggren - Army Strong Stories

LDAC nerves

Jessica Berggren — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:09:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
As my departure time gets closer for LDAC my nerves are on edge. Especially with stories coming back of cadets not doing well on an event or failing something. Although I have spent my last three years preparing for this month long training camp, I am feeling the pressure these last few weeks. The moment is getting closer and there are more attentive ears in the review classes. Everyone is trying to fine tune their skills and ensure there is nothing they are lost in the suce about. Personally...read more

NEW HEADGEAR REGULATIONS

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:27:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
It was recently put out that the headgear would no longer be the beret, but is now back to patrol caps. The change came because soldiers all across the U.S. were complaining they didn't like the berets. The special forces and airborne berets will continue to be worn to seperate and recognize them. However, it was also stated that the cost would be cheaper as soldiers will only be issued one beret for formal wear. This information can all be found on the uniform regulations website, as...read more

sunscreen and bug spray

Jessica Berggren — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:43:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
During the summer time there are warnings about keeping hydrated and drinking water. However, it is also important to use bug spray and sunscreen. Bug spray is important when out in the woods, especially, but not limited to than. Some people can have reactions to bites and to prevent annoying itchy red spots load up on the bugspray. Also sunscreen is important because it prevents burn. Being burnt can inhibit activities one can do. If you are burnt you should stay out of the sun. Also not...read more

writing a resume

Jessica Berggren — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 21:46:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
It is never too early to start writing out your resume. In fact it would be beneficial to start one sooner than later. All of your past jobs, volunteer work, activities, and leadership positions can be put into it. The longer you wait the harder it will be to remember all of the things you have done over the years. Upon graduation all college students will need to have one made. By starting it now or as a freshman you can put down as much as you have and add to it later. It will be less...read more

asking for help

Jessica Berggren — Wed, 25 May 2011 20:41:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
Everyone has a weakness. In ROTC your peers will be the first ones to pick up on it. Instead of trying to hide your weakness or something you're not the best at, ask for help. Find someone that is the best at it. Whatever that weakness may be: running,a c;ass, speed, rucking, pushup, muscle strength, motivation, etc. There is always going to be someone willing to help you reach a higher level of success. If you are uncomfortable asking for help talk with your mentor. If you don't...read more

summer school

Jessica Berggren — Sun, 15 May 2011 22:32:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
While everyone is out having fun in the sun I am sitting inside on my computer trying to focus on my studies. While I am writing papers and discussion boards everyone else is carefree and living life. Thats how my thinking started this morning. Than I realized my poor attitude would not help get my school work done any faster and would not help me enjoy the things I was learning. So I began to reanalyze the situation. I thought of how much the summer classes I am taking will help me with my...read more

marine corp half marathon

Jessica Berggren — Sun, 15 May 2011 22:28:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
I began training for the half marathon months out, however I unfortunately went through a back injury where I was unable to run for several weeks. After I recovered I only had three weeks to get myself back in condition for the race. Needless to say I didn't reach my goal mileage pre race day. However. I knew that I could push myself through it and truly test my limits. The entire race I kept repeating something my old PSG had taught us "motivated, motivated down right...read more

commisioning

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 03 May 2011 18:13:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
The Seniors are graduating and the ones in ROTC are commissioning. It is such an important day for MS 4s. There is a lot of work that goes into planning the event to make it special for these seniors. Their family and friends all join together to celebrate and congratulate these cadets. Once they reach this point they can applaude themselves for all their hard work and dedication to the program. Once they commission it opens the door to the next step, one step closer to being part of a unit...read more

new recruits

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:05:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
I always love when I get to meet potential ROTC cadets. Whether they're just deciding between schools or whether its ROTC they're deciding on. It reminds me of when I was going through the same process as a highschool senior. These recruits are going from the top of the highschool foodchain to the bottom of the college foodchain. It is so important to encourage them and be genuine with them on your experiences. If they do decide to join your school and your ROTC program, help make...read more

joint ceremonies

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 22:23:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
This week we are having a joint PT session and awrds ceremony with Air Force ROTC. I think that it is really important to have these events and we should even consider more. I don't think all of our events should be done together, because we have different goals set up through our programs. The coming together of Air Force and Army is important because it helps use work on events together, despite our different areas of focus. Once we graduate there may be opportunities for us as Army...read more

semester close out

Jessica Berggren — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:58:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
The year is drawing to a close here at East Carolina University. Students are trying to make last minute meetings with teachers to beg for just one more point or extra credit oppurtunity. Grades will soon be posted and summer in full session. Most people will lounge on the bouch or in bed watching movies relaxing, enjoying the ability to be lazy and care free. For all MS 3s nationwide this is not the case. We all will be either heading to Ft. Lewis immediately or soon after. The lazy...read more

being an attentive safety

Jessica Berggren — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:56:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
Our battalion recently went to Ft. Bragg for our Joint FTX with N.C. State. It was an overall good learning experience and demonstrated our abilities. One of the areas that really bothered me was the safety factor at the FLRC. The FLRC is supposed to be a mental task to figure out how to cross a obstacle. On one particular obstacle there was two injuries. The first injury occured because there was no safety. The second injury occured because the safeties were not paying attention. Both could...read more

hydration

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:15:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
In class today we discussed forced hydration and heat casualities. I thought it was important to identify for everyone the key highlights. Although staying hydrated does include drinking lots of water, there is a limit on how much you should have. If you go over 12 quarts a day you are increasing your risk for water intoxication. Besides just water everyone needs to be eating as well. The body needs sodium, now an excess of sodium isn't good either. Everything revolves around balance. The...read more

take a sick day

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 07:43:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
Everyone gets sick, no one has an impenetrable immune system. Some poeple are less prone to get sick, maybe only every year. Others get sick every cople months. Yhe important thing to rememeber is if you get sick take a sick day! No one wants your sick germs being spread to them. First because it is gross, second because now they have to miss class for a sick day. Also it is important to save your sick days for a sick day. Don't try to fake sick just to get out of something. It ruins sick...read more

PT changes

Jessica Berggren — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 05:23:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
As the Army develops a new way of doing PT ROTC is slowly adapting those changes as well. This semester began the first semester we led the prep drill 1 and recovery stretches. In the past there was a different set of stretches beginning and end of PT. There has also been a new emphasis on using the PT manual more and more for workout exercises. Previously there were long runs being implemented, now there's more interval training and sprints. There has been a shift in focus in the ROTC...read more

motivating on a ruck march

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 06:36:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
I am platoon SGT of alpha 1 in our ROTC program. Although I have been PSG for two months now, this weekend I really felt like we came together. The final event of our spring FTX was the ruck march. They extended it from 2.7 to 4.4 miles of rocky up and down road. There are all different skill levels and strengths in ruck marching. Our weaker ruckers pushed themselves to their limit. When they could no longer keep pace other cadets stepped in. The other cadets helped motivate them by dragging...read more

take advantage

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:25:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
There is a PT standard for being part of the pirate battalion. There is a seperate standard for the MS 3 class, those getting ready for LDAC. If you do not meet those PT baseline you are required to attend extra PT tues/thurs. Everyone should already be working out and PTing on their own without being told. If you are in the military you should want to be physically fit so you're body is able to handle anything. However for those that lack the motivation or knowledge of training this...read more

PCI/PCC

Jessica Berggren — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 22:58:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
The ECU pirate battalion has their FTX PCI today. There are rucks and gear everywhere, although slightly chaotic, it is necessary. It is important to ensure everyone is ready for anything. There was an incident 2 years ago where they FTX got horribly rained on. Not everyone took their rain proofing tactics and bringing their wet weather equipment seriously. There were a lot of unhappy, wet, and cold cadets. It is also essential to check that gear is properly packed. On day three there is a...read more

connecting

Jessica Berggren — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 04:25:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
ROTC is a great way to make friends. There are lots of people all around and sharing the same experiences as you. In basic training you are assigned a battle buddy. In ROTC you're not assigned one but most people find someone they call their battle buddy. It makes going through the rough patches much easier when you have someone to rely on and someone that you know will understand. For example if you were really sick and needed to go to the ER your battle buddy would be there for you to...read more

nutritionist

Jessica Berggren — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 02:46:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
I found out today there is a nutritionist on campus. Although this does not have entirely much to do with ROTC it is helpful. There are some that find the height and weight standards a little ridiculous. Some people go in to get taped because they have too much muscle and it causes them to tip the scale. There are some though, that do need to drop a few pounds to meet army regulation. Our campus has a free nutritionist that will work with you to figure out a diet plan that works best for you....read more

climbing a rope

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:27:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
Today we practiced climbing a rope. Although we climbed a physical rope today, we mentally are climbing a rope every day in life. Our physical challenge of climbing the rope was practice for LDAC recondo standards. Some people have the upper body strength enough to do it without any of the fancy leg/ foot hooks. However, for most, including myself, those leg hooks are key. Similarly in ROTC there are tricks and tips to help you get to the top. Our class leader positioned himself near...read more

timeliness

Jessica Berggren — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 20:24:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
This morning I learned the hard way the importance of being on time. Although arguably not my fault I arrived late to a PT formation for a ruck march. My battle buddy lost their PT hat and caused us to be late. However, since you never leave your battle buddy I give myself some credit there for not abandoning her. Our punishment- extra Pt a nice smoke session to ensure we were awake this morning. Although it was tough, it was motivational. I learned a valuable lesson that if your battle buddy...read more

fresh start

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:11:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
With each new year comes new resolutions that by the end of january begin to fade out. If they make it that long even! If you focus on making a change at your own time than you will probably be more successful. Maybe there are multiple factors at play that aren't allowing you to succeed in the month of January. And if it is December 1st, don't feel you need to wait a month to make a change. Make it when it is right for you. Although most cadets are not trying to loose weight; that...read more

Battalion Run

Jessica Berggren — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 07:34:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
The last PT of every semester we do a batallion run. Normally for PT we break of into monday- ability groups; wednesday- squads; friday- MS class. The final PT of the semester is a highly motivated cohesion run. The objective is for no one to fall out and everyone to build together as a team and as a batallion. One of the benefits(or negatives as some see it) is as an MS 3 doing a cadence. As it is most people's first time leading a cadence there are always a few that accidentally...read more

crunch time

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:46:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
As the end of the semester draws near stress levels are high. Everyone is trying to bring up grades and do last minute assignments. There is studying for finals and writing semester papers. Although we do have tests and a final in ROTC it is much less stressful than other classes. The material on the ROTC final should be already things you know. We build upon our foundation in ROTC so every class is a slight review and a little extra. Another great thing ROTC helps you de-stress by getting...read more

thankful for...

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:51:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
I am thankful for my family. My birth family and my military family. The cadre are like a father. They are stern, strict, and disciplanry when necessary. But they do it all in the goal to commission an officer, so in a way it is out of caring not just to be mean. The secretaries are like a mother. They nag you sometimes to get things done, but in the end they get you your money and help keep you keep organized. The fellow cadets are all the brothers and sisters. There are the older ones you...read more

veteran's day

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:02:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
Veteran's Day is on November 11th, although this was five days ago it's not to late to thank a Veteran. Service member or non service member we should all be thankful for the men and women that have served. Many restaurants within the week surronding Veteran's Day gave out free meals to service members past or present. If they can give out a free meal, I think giving out a thank you is easy enough. Even if you don't know an old veteran, start with your local soldiers. Or write...read more

representation out of uniform

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:26:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
There is a great feeling when one puts on their Army uniform. A sense of pride, honor, and respect are a few that immediately flow through me. When that uniform comes off, those feelings and the responsibilities that come with it do not disappear. A U.S. soldier is not a day job, once you leave the office there is no taking off that role. A U.S. soldier is held to a higher standard whether on or off duty. We are to be a role model for not only our soldiers, but the rest of the world that...read more

how to optimize your workout and avoid injury

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:48:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
There have been lots of studies done saying the new way to stretch is not to. Our chain of command even sent down an article as required reading that explained why one researcher agreed and his thoughts. The mass email of this article encouraged squad leaders to follow and minimize amount of time stretching to optimize time for running and other activities. However, I feel that it is better to stretch. I agree your muscles should be warmed up before stretching, but that entails jumping jacks,...read more

The shortest ten miles you'll ever run

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 05:18:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
30,000 people signed up to race/ fun run ten miles this past weekend in Washington D.C. Personally, it was my second year in a row running the Army Ten Miler. I am proud to say I beat my last year's time. For those that have not ran it yet I highly encourage everyone. It sounds like a lot, but you can go any pace ( as long as your first five miles are before 930, 8am start). The atmosphere is uplifting and motivational, there are bands, crowds cheering, and people surronding you on the...read more

PT test

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:48:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
Our monthly PT test is upon the Pirate Battalion. Despite all the training we have all gone through, between mon,wed, fri PT sessions and late night iron pumping at the gym, you can feel the nervousness all around. The PT test is used as a guide for what your portrayed physical fitness level is. A lot is riding on how well you perform. Passing is not enough in the Pirate Battalion you need to go above and beyond the minimum. As an MS III we are expected to make a bare minimum of a 270....read more

FTX Weekend

Jessica Berggren — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 19:46:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
This past weekend I was able to spend my fall break out at camp butner, while my classmates enjoyed their fall break. Like any college student I was slightly upseet that i was going to be out in the field instead of visiting my family, but it was worht it in the end. The raining we received out there was educational and helpful. We strarted with shooting at the range using M16s. It was such a different feeling firing at the range vs. EST. It was such a great feeling being able to qualify and...read more

scholarship = money

Jessica Berggren — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:52:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
Whether you are looking to go out of state or in state school can be expensive. I decided early on that unless I had a scholarship I would be stuck going to community college and living at home. However since I applied for an Army scholarship I was able to go to a university and out of state. There are many great benefits, besides the tuition or room and board payments. It forces you to be involved with ROTC and learn how to be an officer and the tools to be a successive leader. The monthly...read more

Hello, I am...

Jessica Berggren — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 00:35:00 GMT

By: Jessica Berggren
I am cadet SGT Berggren, however most people call me nurse berggren. I am a junior at ECU and studying to be a nurse. NURSE CORP LEADS THE WAY!!! Although I still have some time before I graduate i feel like I have already learned so much through my nursing and military training through ROTC. I play volleyball currently, but also flag football and softball in the spring. I like to go running and will doing the Army Ten Miler in D.C. for my second year in a row. So if you happen...read more