Day 4 of training is done and I have already had so many new experiences and thoughts that I don't know where to begin. I guess I will start by giving you an idea of my new and temporary existence.
Location: I am at Ft Jackson, SC at the farthest, most isolated end of it actually. Now, truth be told, it's probably only 35 minutes from decent civilization but it really does feel "middle of nowhere" South Carolina. As I drove in Saturday, I got off the Interstate near Columbia and knew I was close to the base. About 20 minutes later, sure enough I saw the edge of Ft Jackson. I could see the surrounding fence line and I just knew I was really close! Then I drove, and drove, and drove a bit more. In fact I drove so much I thought I had passed the base entirely but no, I again saw fenceline and knew I was still on the right track. The entire time, I saw only trees and double-wides along the street. So I continued to drive and after what felt like a century, I finally arrived at my destination.
Ambience: The part of the base I am on is deceivingly cute when you first arrive. It reminds of a frontier town..except 150 years later. As you look around the compound, there are a lot of trees and buildings in a perfect row. The architecture even looks like it was designed in the 180'0s West and built with today's materials. Everything is centered around and facing a courtyard of sorts. That's where we muster (show up for work for you civillians) in the mornings. The surrounding buildings serve as our classrooms and barracks. There's a chapel on base and even a shoppette. It would be cute if I didn't have to live here. I live with 39 other women in one big room and have one locker for all my items. In this large room, we have exactly 3 working showers, 4 toilets, 2 washers and 2 dryers. It's just like summer camp but not.
Food: It's not good and we'll leave it at that.
Daily Routine: We actually don't have to be up as early as I anticipated. Most of our musters so far have been between 0745 and 0800. However, reveille (wake up time) is at 0600 and that's when all the lights come on so sleeping in isn't really an option. That's actually a good thing thought because putting every morning I have to put on 8 pieces of uniform, fill up my camelbak (backpack water cooler again for the civillians) and load up my weapons. Then I have to head to chow at the dining facility. Eating only takes about 10 minutes but getting in and through the lines takes about 30. First there's the line at the clearing barrels where everyone has to clear their rifle and pistol (I can't explain it to the civillians so Google it if you are curious). Second, there's a line to sign into the dining facility and finally there's a line to actually get the food. So, even though I live, eat and work all in the same place it does take almost two hours to get to work. Then we do our activity for the day whether that be gear issue, classroom training, range time anything else they have planned for us. We have a lunch break, sometimes at the galley and sometimes it's an MRE. We work until 1800 or so, then back to the dining facility before it closes for the day and then it's about our evening business. There's a lot of coking and joking, a lot of laundry, unpacking, repacking and for me, time spent writing this blog. Taps (lights out) is at 2200 and that's when I get on the computer. I usually call it a night about midnight even when I am dead tired. It takes that long for the snorers to get into their deep sleep of silence anyways.
Well guys, that's it for now. Stay tuned for next time. I hope life is good in your neck of the woods...
Simply sleep and Earplugs are your friend
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