You will inevitably meet folk of higher rank who are drunk beyond return on their own--what I call--"self-rankteousness". No regard for respect of the human being in the uniform, what a person has done, nor the soldier's effort to do good have worth nor meaning. Cold hard obedience is all that matters, even if what is demanded of you bares no coherence in reality, and sacrifices the subordinate soldier at the altar of power tripping or in some cases, genuine hate. If you run into the self-rankteous soldier described above, escape if you can. If you run into a soldier who constantly beats their chest and declares, "I don't give and fuck" then by all means run in a direction opposite him/her!! That is probably a red flag. Otherwise, as much it depends upon you, be at peace with him/her.

In the extremely short time that I've been enlisted, I have run into many of the end result of what some "drill privates" aspire to and eventually become: self-rankteous douchebags! The endless mind-games, and abuse of one's rank and authority to satisfy...whatever it is that fuels their strange sense of "respect". Usually a grossly diminished sense of integrity.

Finally, you don't have to like nor inwardly respect who is over you, but they will demand respect for that little piece on their chest. It's okay, give it to them outwardly. Let their ego and insults go, though it be difficult and acquiesce is all I can say. But never kiss ass for nobody. Even if you are thrown in the front leaning rest, use your hate for their wrong as fuel to push and stand your ground within.

It is beyond naïveté to think that all soldiers have good intentions, and vice versa. Apply the board of education to the seat of knowledge seasoned with wisdom, patience, charity and the sheer will to persevere. Shun the self-rankteous douchebag!

It is time I get back to this blog. I have obviously been away because of my training which is very demanding of my time and energy, not to mention every electronic device was taken away from me.

I am presently in my third week at AIT (Advanced Individual Training) at Fort Lee, Virginia. My platoon of 88N (Transportation Management Coordinators) have been getting quite a bit of attention here because we are the first transportation class of 88N to train here. The transportation school used to be at Fort Eustis and was recently transferred here.

Thus far we've had a lot of class (death by PowerPoint) and we spent four days in the field doing drills, time at the firing range and convoy live firing. Since returning from FTX and with only three weeks left, we are senior class. My experience here has been fun on some occasions and tough at other times. There have been plenty of days where I'd ask myself what the heck was I thinking to join the Army.

Finally, I am very happy that Posterous.com has creates an iPhone app through which I can blog here more easily, versus having to always whip out one of my laptops--which isn't always convenient. So anyway, expect to see and/or hear more from me. Tracking?

Hooah!

After quite a bit of paperwork I'm scheduled or will be scheduled for a visit to MEPS on this coming Thursday.  My recruiter explained that I will be staying in a hotel the night before and will be spending most of the following day getting physically tested and qualified and then enlist.  My hope is that there won't be any complications or a need for a waiver.  In other words, I am hoping that I qualify and can move forward.

Oh while I'm at it I'll share with you that I took my first trip to MEPS yesterday evening to take the ASVAB for the first time.  There was some waiting of roughly 30 minutes and then I went in, registered or what not and took the exam.

It wasn't bad.  I was nervous at first because the last time I took an exam similar to it was the CLAST test in college, and sucked at the math portion.  But alas, I rocked the ASVAB.  I earned a 92 AFQT percentile score and my GT score was 126.  I'm really happy about it,but it's not over yet. 

My recruiter still has to get back to me about scheduling my second trip to get physically qualified.  In all honesty, I am VERY nervous about this because from what I've heard and read, the docs there practically LOOK for stuff to disqualify you.  So this alleged fact plus my laziness in going to get regular check-ups with my own doctor in say, a decade has me nervous.  I don't know of any non-symptomatic conditions I might have that can disqualify me.  I say that because to my knowledge I don't think I have any serious conditions, outside of really needing to be more physically active.  I live a somewhat sedentary lifestyle.  BUT THIS WILL CHANGE, ARMY OR NO ARMY!  I am getting older and I don't want to feel like i'm 37 instead of 27 (my actual age). 

I am praying to God, no really, I am PRAYING that I qualify and pass this physical next week!  My cousin Ashley at West Point is really proud that I've come this far.   Love her!