Wake up was at 0430 and I couldn't believe that it was already time to get up! I guess I didn't sleep as well as I thought because of all the excitement of the day. We didn't even have time for our eyes to adjust to the light, and since I was on top-bunk, it was much brighter. I had decided the night before that I was not going to sleep under my covers . It takes too long to tuck and pull the sheets and since we have to be down and in formation 20 minutes after wake-up, I want extra time to wash my face. Our bedding consists of a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, pillow & pillow case, and two olive-drab blankets. One blanket goes on the bunk and the other is folded to fit over the pillow. Formation is at 0500, but the DS wants us downstairs 10 minutes early. With 30 or so females trying to get up and get around in the morning and use the latrine (never call it a bathroom), those extra few seconds pay off. We all ran downstairs for formation with our platoons. Something was wrong. Was my platoon this small or what? DS Thrine was getting upset and the rest of us were just standing there at parade rest waiting and waiting--for the rest of the stragglers to show up. "Front leaning rest position..MOVE!"

We hit the pavement. "Knock out ten." We knocked out ten push-ups. "Up, Privates. Y'all are going to learn that when I say be down here by 0450...that is what I mean. Not one second afterwards. Platoon....ATTENTION!" We all snapped to attention. Gosh, I knew right then and there that my arms were going to get one heck of a workout. PT (Physical Training) was for a good hour or so. "More PT Drill Sergeant! More PT! We like it! We love it! We want more of it! Make it hurt Drill Sergeant! Make it hurt! Hooah!!" PT was exhilarating! Definitely a way to wake up! Today we did push-ups and sit-ups, along with a few other exercises. Tomorrow we will run...alternating days. Breakfast will be at 0700 every morning and after a workout like that, it doesn't get here any quicker! I was starved! Oh, we have been told by our Drill Sergeants that the word "Yes" is no longer in our vocabulary. We have to say, "40 Rounds, Drill Sergeant!" Cool.

We are in the RED PHASE and classes have begun. Classes, classes, and more classes! Gosh, this alone tires you out. We are supposed to be taking notes in class. I fell asleep in class for the first time. I dropped my pen..."thud"..and then I saw these nicely shined boots. There is only one person going to have boots that look like that. I looked up to see DS Thrine standing there, motioning with his hands to push. So, I got up and headed to the back of the room, knocked out ten, and then returned to my seat. That woke me up. We have to take all these classes...Sexual Harrassment, Rape, Benefits of Service, Fraternization, and of course the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice). Most of these classes are very boring, but required. I found out the hard way about talking in class. Not only was I talking, but I was talking to a male soldier. Wow! DS Thurmond (from 3rd platoon) chewed me up and spit me out! Won't make that mistake again. We march everywhere and do lots of D & C. Hmm...it seems that my platoon always ends up pulling KP. I guess it isn't that bad, but I oh so dislike being a server! Ugh...my first PT test was a no-go. Lovely! I have to work on my run time.

Victory Tower was pretty cool, but I found out I was not overly fond of heights. We had to climb up and down rope bridges, down a cargo net, up a knotted rope, and the only way down was to repel! OHHHH! It was soo high! My heart was beating so fast I was sure it was going to pop right out of my chest! I chose to walk down the side instead, but was stopped when I felt my rope tighten. I looked down (not a good idea) and there stood 1st Sergeant Ruff holding my belay rope. "Newcomer--you are not about to walk down my wall! Repel!" was all he said. Needless to say it took me five long minutes to make it down. *LOL* It was fun though. Did you happen to see the movie Renaissance Man with Danny Divito? Well, that movie was actually filmed here at Fort Jackson. They just changed the names! We had classes on Communication and Land Navigation. Learning to read military maps and use a lensatic compass was cool. The radios were neat too! We had to learn how to set them up and use them. "D81D, this is Z94D (priority) Over." It should sound like this over the radio: "DELL TAH AIT WUN DELL TAH--THIS IS ZOO LOO NIN ER FOW ER DELL TAH--PRIORITY OVER."

Our M16A2 rifles were assigned to us and we had to learn the serial numbers. We learned how to execute the manual of arms with our weapons. It isn't very hard for one person. Trying to do it as a team and altogether--now that can get difficult. You should hear how many bolts slide forward when the command "Port" is given. The same with the trigger. I love D & C! Marching is great and it is completely different when marching in a platoon than only a squad of five (like back at our home unit). When all of us are in step together, it looks really good. Since we now had our weapons, it was time for bayonet training. The bayonet is attached to the barrel of the M16. Training with the bayonet was exciting. "What makes the green grass grow?" yelled the DS. "Blood! Blood! Blood makes the green grass grow, Drill Sergeant!", we all shouted back. We didn't do much hand to hand combat, but what we did do was fun. The Bayonet Assault Course was neat. I got to leap over log walls, use the thrust, butt-stroke, and parry skills I had learned on tire dummies, move through trenches, and scoot under barbed wire using the low crawl (on the back). I had missed our first obstacle course--TDC (Team Development Course) because of KP.

Bivouac was too cool. We got to "camp" out and eat in the field. The MREs are not that bad, but I bet they would taste better hot! Our Drill Sergeants took all of our little heaters away from us. Oh, and they are absolutely right when they say keep your weapon with you at all times. This means don't go anywhere without it, not even to the latrine. Have your buddy watch it. And at night...sleep with the sling wrapped around your arm. You never know when someone might sneak up and try to take your weapon! As we were getting ready to march back to the barricks, the Drill Sergeants wanted to hear us sound off with our platoon mottos. Each platoon had a motto they were supposed to be working on. Not us. Not 1st Platoon. We couldn't have said our motto if our lives depended on it. "Front leaning rest position...MOVE!" We hit the ground. My platoon marched back to the company in shame, our guidon foiled (rolled up) as we marched. I couldn't wait to hit the showers and get some sleep in a bunk. Fireguard duty again? How many times does this make? And to make matters worse...I got the worse shift...0100-0300! There is nothing worse than getting to bed, having to get up and get dressed (BDUs for fireguard or CQ), staying alert for two hours, then going back to bed for only an hour and a half after changing back into PTs. The days are passing by fast!

We went through the Gas Chamber today for NBC training. It sure was hot standing outside in the sun with our protective masks on, waiting for our turn. Not to mention, it was raining off and on, so we had our wet weather gear on as well. Once inside you automatically start watching everyone else. Who did not seal their mask properly? You could always tell. Thankfully mine was sealed! We watched the DS throw something into a coffee can and the chamber started filling up. "Break the seal of your mask and lift up." I broke the seal (only after taking a deep breath) and lifted my mask. The DS asked us how we were doing with a big smile. "Just great, Drill Sergeant!" we yelled. I tried not to breathe...but that is impossible. The smell and taste are awful. We had to say our names and our social security numbers loud enough. "Okay, clear and re-seal your masks. You will move in a single file line out the door. Go!" Ahh...fresh air!!! I am sure we all looked hilarious as we returned outside. Arms flapping like the wing of a bird...mask in one hand, kevlar in the other. Snot running down your face. Eyes watering like crazy and bouts of coughing. A word of advice: Eat very light, or not at all. I chose the latter.

We had another road march this morning and all I can say is--Thank you Lord for no fireguard duty or CQ!! The march was exhausting with all of our TA-50 on and carrying our weapon. Three miles maybe? Doesn't sound like much, but still exhausting. One of the males in my platoon kept falling out having to use the latrine. I think he used every single latrine that we passed. The Drill Sergeants were not happy. Finally we arrived at our destination...and chow! Good 'ol MREs! I got some kind of chicken one that tasted pretty good. Afterwards we had a Pugil Bout. We put on a mask and some protective gear and went at it with these huge padded sticks. My buddy was Jokala and boy...did she give me a few good whacks! It was motivating watching everyone and we were all clapping and yelling.