Hello,
I am a 2nd LT in the Us Army. I have spent the past 2 years or so getting an Army education. I attended Basic Training at Fort Knox. I then went on to OCS at Fort benning. I spent several months snowbirding ( Waiting for my next school date) at Fort Leonard Wood. I then went back to Fort Benning and Atteneded BOLC II. I then Went back to Fort Leonard Wood and attened EOBC ( Engineer Officer Basic Course ). All the while I have also been working on my masters degree. It has been a very interesting 2 years of my life.
I recently got to my first unit and was assigned to my first company. We are going to be deploying soon and to be honest I am looking forward too it. During EBOC I traded assignments with another 2nd LT. This Person did not want to deploy and for some reason did not really want to be in the Army I think. This Person took my inital assignment which was a staff job with no possability for deployment and I took this Persons job which was almost certain to deploy and give me my first PLT. I do not want to sound Hooah but I joined the Army with thoughts of leading men, getting my hands dirty and fighting the good fight. The People in the military who are in staff postions do wonderful things, but I have done more than my share of paperwork and officer work prior to joining.
My new CO is a great guy and is going to be a great mentor. He is very knowledgeable, funny, smart and is squared away. The Battalion CO and I spoke briefly and he too seems like someone who is intersted in helping me, getting to know me and getting me where I need to be.
The next couple months prior to deployment are going to go very fast. I am going to attend a ton of classes and training so I can do my job effectively. I have an interesting and very important postion and will be rotating into a PLT leader spot very soon. All I want to do is learn as much as possiable and use what I have learned the past 2 years to be an effective leader.
This being my 1st Deployment I am often left wondering what types of non military things I should be doing.
1. Money Matters
2. Gear Matters
a. What SHould I bring with me - (pillow, Sheets, GUM, Books, DVD, Mags, etc)
b. Buy the Expensive high speed gloves and Oakley Glasses - I am doing it
C. Get a new Lap- Top
D. What pubs/FMs/Training manual to bring
E. What personal Items to Bring
F. I am a PT Guy I need to workout and eat healthy - ( I feel weird if I do not do something
active every day )
FA. Will we have a gym
FB. Can I bring protein powder
FC. What is the food like
G. What do I do on my Block Leave
GA. I am going to see all of my family and make sure they know how much I love them
GB. Try one last time to rekindle a long lost love interest? (Not Likely )
I will post more info on the pre-deployment process as things progress. I have to finish one more grad class before we leave then I am putting my degree on hold while I am over Seas.
