When the Smoke Clears

Here’s what I miss from the resort I was just at:
* daily motivational runs
* a sense of tidiness
* my battle buddy
* some really great people even if most of them were from foreign places like Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Dakotas and Illinois.
* All you can eat (within 7 minutes) and knowing you’ll work it off [...]

One thing I did not realize I would miss was the spiders.
Sure, many people get freaked out by spiders, and when we were in the woods, there were plenty spiders around, though none in the barracks. But the cabin has a number of spiders and these breeds are more familiar to me. I’ve been [...]

While I was away, I had a student staying at the cabin, watching after things, being a general caretaker. No, he didn’t stain the deck like I keep telling people I would like to have done, but still, while his room was a complete wreck, the rest of the house was maintained. He even cleaned [...]

Rush. Rush. That’s all my days off for relaxation have been.
But in a good way. It keeps me from dwelling on too many things. And I still owe emails to a number of people. Really, you all were incredibly supportive. It was only Basic Training, but it was an interesting endurance race for an [...]

Perhaps by this weekend when things settle down a bit, I’ll be able to start describing some of the fun I had while away. Right now I only leave little nuggets.
But the days since coming back have been a combination of many things as I try to readjust to my world which is now [...]

I’m a writer, whether I like it or not.
A couple of my drill sergeants figured that out and used it on occasion.
One of my favorite DSs was a good-ole Airborne soldier with a great sense of humor. Even when he was “Caping” (they couldn’t say “smoking” for punishment exercise anymore) he managed to [...]

I was talking with my cousin last night about some of my Basic experiences. She thought it a little unusual. She is a Major in the National Guard and for years was in charge of shipping people off to various Initial Entry Training (Basic) courses.
She said that when she found out I had been [...]

Basic didn’t exactly tear me down mentally, though there was some of that… but physically… holy crap.
My knees survived. Dare I say it I think they are now better than ever. In fact, my time on my final Physical Fitness Test for the two mile was 13:03. Not bad at all for an old [...]

I spoke briefly with RSM yesterday.
He was in the confines of a car, on his way HOME….
Done with bootcamp.
Officially, Government property, when they need him.

There will be many posts coming. I’m not sure which approach to take, but I have made a few decisions, one of which is that I will not be posting about everything just yet. There are other plans.
I could start off writing about the revelations from all the time I spent away and [...]

when I get back, you and I are going to have to have a serious conversation. Firing alone is not enough to express my dissatisfaction with this vacation package for which you had me sign up.
First off, I’m not so sure this corporate retreat was really a corporate retreat. Most of the other conference [...]

RSM is graduating from basic today.
As an Honor Grad.
We are proud of you.

Graduating tomorrow… posting will resume soon afterwards. Many stories to come…
Update: The Battalion’s mascot is a Dragoon. I was awarded the honor of being named the “Dragoon Soldier.”

Please remember those who were murdered on this day 6 years ago. 
Also remember those who are defending freedom all over the World. 
 The best comprehensive post of the day

I did get a short note from RSM yesterday. It was brief, indeed.
Seems as though frustration was a prevalent emotion, which I can relate to. Heck most of us can. I get frustrated with people quickly. I think I have talked several times at my own blog, about how I am [...]