#141 - 3+ weeks to go!

I am happy to report that the end of my training is only about 3 weeks away. Other than 2 short trips home, I will have been away for BCT and AIT for seven months. I'm ready to get on with the rest of my (civilian) life, and to become integrated into my Reserve unit back home.

In a few weeks I will begin the task of posting my basic training journal to the blog. I managed to find time to write home every day during basic. The letters ranged from a simple postcard to ramblings many pages in length, and covered every facet imaginable. These entries will begin to be posted on this blog at the end of August.

I did not record my AIT experience in the same way for several reasons. AIT wasn't the same kind of experience as BCT. Most of my daily routine consisted of waking up, PT, and attending classes all day - not exactly the most riveting thing to read about. However, I did write about several subjects while at AIT... everything from how Drill Sergeants at AIT compare to those in BCT, what my experience was like in the FOB (forward operating base) training, to life in the barracks. These will begin to also be posted in a few weeks... stay tuned.

A few notes... The Drill Sergeants like to move us around in the barracks from time to time. I was just starting to get comfortable in my room, but we had to move all the way down the hall into another one. Those of us who are in Phase V+ status have been finally been allowed to have civilian linen. Not having to make your bed with hospital corners in the morning is a plus when time is at a premium!



Unfortunately my foot has still be bothering me, and I ended up being on profile again for the last few weeks of AIT. I hate this... I hate being injured, and feeling like some kind of sick call ranger. I really need to have my foot looked at by a civilian doctor when I go home. At one point, my foot was feeling better, and I even volunteered to participate in a 10k (~6 mile) race on post. Here is a photo of a few of us from our company after the run:



I never thought I would be able to run for 6 miles. Before I shipped for basic training, I could barely run a block without being winded. I suppose this is why it has been frustrating to have injured my foot. I feel like I'm going to lose all of the progress I've made in running over the past several months.... Oh well.