National Guard - Army Strong Stories

Step 12: Reflect (Part 1)

Jerrod Griebel — Tue, 22 May 2012 06:06:00 GMT

By: Jerrod Griebel
We’ve been in Afghanistan for over a month now, and I’ve found that at times, I’m usually reflecting: life back home, who I want to be, where I am right now, where I’ve been, etc. Therefore, it seems all too fitting that the next step in this big “how to survive a deployment” blog is to reflect. So here are a few of my recent (somewhat random) reflections. On Slovenia: Slovenia is a beautiful country. I would love to go back...read more

A Night With The Stars

Robert Delk — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:53:00 GMT

By: Robert Delk
Hello, Im with the Rocket Battalion ROTC program and we recently had a FTX in which we conducted a night land navigation course. The course was set up with the regular 5 points and to pass you had to get 3/5. When the event started it was kind of still light out, but as it progressed darkness spread and you could see so many stars including Orion's belt, The big dipper, and Taurus. Im from Cleveland so seeing stars isn't a norm for me,...read more

Step 11: Be Grateful for What You Have

Jerrod Griebel — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:22:00 GMT

By: Jerrod Griebel
As we prepare to head into Afghanistan soon, I am forced to realize how much I’m grateful for in my life. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about the next six months. But I still feel that this mission is worthwhile, and my dad instilled a strong “do not quit what you’ve started” mentality in my siblings and me, so it’s about time to dig the boot heels and drive on with full force. In doing so, I’ve created a list of things...read more

BOLC Complete!

Michael Gilbert — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 05:39:00 GMT

By: Michael Gilbert
The time has come. The 4th and final week. The week started with a Monday morning drive to the FOB. The first day was occupied with weapons draw and then getting down to business. The platoons were split up and we started the final phase of training. The last week was to focus on the different levels of military care. Primarily Level 1,2 and 3. Level one being the care provided by docs and PAs at the front lines. Level two is the next level back...read more

AMEDD OBLC Week 3

Michael Gilbert — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:16:00 GMT

By: Michael Gilbert
Well week three is over. Just completed a wet, cold and soggy week at the FOB in Camp Bullis. All started as expected with an early ride to the Camp from the Hotel on Monday morning 0500. The plan was to head straight to the 9mm pistol range to get certified there and then on to the FOB. As luck would have it the range control would not let us start the firing range due to fog and rain so we had concurrent training that included litter carry technique and...read more

AMEDD OBLC Week 2

Michael Gilbert — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 03:04:00 GMT

By: Michael Gilbert
Week two is complete! As you know Monday was a holiday so no Army Training. I figured the Army would train everyday but the Cadre is made up of civilians who are retired Army and they had the day off. Good for us. Tuesday began 0400 and off to Ft. Sam we went. We arived and drew our wepons from the armory at 0530 and marched to the on post field training area and were taught to assemble and dissassemble our M16. Pretty easy stuff. MRE (meal ready to...read more

Career Transition

Marcus Huggins — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:22:00 GMT

By: Marcus Huggins
I sit here watching news of potential changes to the Army based upon funding and retention and wondering just how it will impact me. I have a rudimentary plan of submitting a packet to attend Physician's Assistant School once I return to the States. I also have horrible days that lead me to believe that 6 years is more than enough and perhaps I should call it quits. Decisions, Decisions.............he with the most knowledge wins. I will be patient and continue to...read more

Made it to Monday

Michael Gilbert — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:42:00 GMT

By: Michael Gilbert
Well The first 4 days went well. Left Kentucky at 6 Am Thursday and arrived in San Antonio at around noon. Good flight. Found two other military lookalikes at the bagage carrosel and we shared a cab to Ft. Sam. We were all starting the first class together. After inprocessing for housing we made a quick switch in clothing from civilian to Army PT uniform. At that point we met at a predetermined location for inprocessing. Lots of paperwork and Hight...read more

Step 10: Look Around

Jerrod Griebel — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:48:00 GMT

By: Jerrod Griebel
We’ve been in Slovenia for about two weeks now, and it’s been an interesting ride so far. Slovenia, nestled to the north-east of Italy, is a small beautiful country that sits in the southern Alps. Ever since the bus ride here, the main lesson I’ve learned is forcing myself to look around. On the bus ride across Austria, I looked to see mountains comparable to the Rocky Mountains, but these seemed to reflect the sun differently. Everything looked...read more

Let the adventure begin!

Michael Gilbert — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 01:26:00 GMT

By: Michael Gilbert
I'm starting this post to keep my friends and family updated on my experiences as a newly minted army First Lietenant. I will be going to Ft. Sam in February to begin my officer basic training as a 65D, Army Physician Assistant. This has ben a life long dream to join the Army and I got in just under the wire(age limit). I look forward to serving my country and am proud to don the uniform of the US Army....read more

Step 9: Remember What You’ve Learned

Jerrod Griebel — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:55:00 GMT

By: Jerrod Griebel
We have one week left here at Ft. Polk. And I, for one, couldn’t be happier. I have decided the following about Louisiana: I will never choose to live down here. Don’t get me wrong – there are good people, fun fried food, and nice scenery. But the way that water interacts with the land here is just atrocious at times. And I’m here in the winter; I hear that the summers are unbearably painful. The last OMLT ahead of us was here...read more

Step 8: Learn to See

Jerrod Griebel — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:19:00 GMT

By: Jerrod Griebel
I realize that it’s been a while since I last posted anything, but we’ve been busy with training in both the days and the evenings, and the internet at the MWR was down for about four days, so this is the first time I’ve been able to take the time to write anything. My apologies. We’ve been doing a lot of training lately that requires visual focus and mental understanding. Before Thanksgiving, we went through driver’s training on the MATV, which...read more

Week 6 at DCC and Final Thoughts

Gary Owen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:42:00 GMT

By: Gary Owen
Last week was the end of what seems like a long journey. “Graduation week” was a relatively uneventful period. Monday started off with PT for most folks. I say most folks because there were two-dozen class members who went to the Medical Clinic to have their injuries evaluated and recorded. As two-thirds of the class is from the Reserve Component, any injury sustained during active service must be documented as a “line of duty” injury or the...read more

Step 7: Appreciate Other Cultures

Jerrod Griebel — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:02:00 GMT

By: Jerrod Griebel
Salam alaykum! Man Zabett Griebel astom. Culture is an interesting thing. And it's cool to be able to observe other cultures in order to learn more about your own. Recently, we've begun working on our Dari language training. Written above, it basically says, "May God's peace be with you. I am sergeant Griebel." Learning the language hasn't been too bad. Having a masters degree in English definitely helps me understand...read more

Step 6: Understand "Family"

Jerrod Griebel — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:02:00 GMT

By: Jerrod Griebel
To the left is a picture of my immediate family and me from our Departure Ceremony, which was held at Joint Force Headquarters shortly before we left Colorado for Ft. Polk. Even though we are a rather crazy bunch at times, I do love my family and am greatly appreciate of their support and encouragement. And, as I write this, I am praying for my brother and his wife – that they may get pregnant soon because I am wholeheartedly convinced that they will be outstanding, loving...read more

Step 5: Don't Fear the Needles

Jerrod Griebel — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:52:00 GMT

By: Jerrod Griebel
Déjà vu is funny. Some smart brainy people claim that it doesn’t exist. They say that it’s actually just the brain observing, thinking, and processing things faster than reality allows. They say that it seems you’ve already experienced it because your brain knows what is and will happen before it happens milliseconds later. I disagree. I’ve been through enough experiences that I’ve either 1) dreamed about, or 2) already...read more

Week 5 at DCC

Gary Owen — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:46:00 GMT

By: Gary Owen
This week was “Patrolling Week”. It is the one chance we get to truly taste the life of an infantryman. Monday started with PT for those that had already been through the convoy simulator. For those that had not, we made our way over to complete the simulation. The simulator was an interesting experience. Basically, 20 people mounted 5 Humvees and conducted a four truck route clearing mission. A driver, truck commander, two dismounts and a gunner...read more

Week 4 at DCC

Gary Owen — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 03:53:00 GMT

By: Gary Owen
This week was Land Navigation week at DCC. The goal is a “go” on the examination. The journey began Monday with PT. The remainder of the day was spent receiving classroom instruction on the way to read a military map. Contour lines, azimuths, back-azimuths, man-made structures, roads, bodies of water; we learned it all. Tuesday was spent in the field. We took a bus ride out for 45 minutes to Red Diamond Range and spent the morning in fire teams...read more

Army Lineage: Where the National Guard Always Wins

Jonathan Bratten — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:13:00 GMT

By: Jonathan Bratten
I believe most military personnel would agree when I say that competition is at the heart of the American military. We love it. Just look at the Army-Navy football game every year and you get a slight taste of it. Each arm of the services tries to outdo the other. Every branch of the Army competes vigorously for bragging rights. When I was in the Infantry, I was told that the pecking order went Special Forces, Rangers, Infantry, and then...read more

Week 3 at DCC

Gary Owen — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 23:06:00 GMT

By: Gary Owen
Class 01-12 at DCC threw approximately 30K rounds down range this week. When the firing had stopped, 100% of the class was qualified with the M4 and Close Combat Optic. What a week! Monday started with PT and the remainder of the day was spent at the EST2000 – a weapons simulator. The day went well, though it did start with an issue. The buses that took us to the simulator building dropped us at the wrong facility. So, in true Army style, the class...read more