My platoon made it to BLUE PHASE --Hooah!! Wake up was at 0430 (the usual) and we were all down in formation by 0450. We started drawing weapons at 0515. The road march to the range was not bad. It was actually pretty cool this morning, with a slight breeze. We marched in tactical formation. Breakfast was okay, but I wish I could taste it. I guess I hadn't mentioned the concept of 'slide and eat'. We get our food and carry our trays to this long table like structure. Then we eat and slide our trays down the length. You are supposed to be done by the time you reach the end and dispose of your trash. Nope, you don't get to taste your food. We got to fire several weapons today. First, we got to set up the M18 Claymore mine (dummies of course). It wasn't too hard, but you had to keep your wires from getting tangled. After we were done we had to yell, "Claymore, Claymore, Claymore!" Then we got to fire the M60. Wow! That thing fires round so fast it will make your head spin. Not to mention, it is so hard to control. Ugh! The M203 Grenade launcher was pretty cool, but I enjoyed firing dummy rounds out of the AT4. Now that was cool! After we were all done with that, we got to see some live firing of the claymore. The march back was pretty exhausting and I rubbed a blister on my left heel. Ouch! I had fireguard with Penrose tonight. They might as well make this my permanent duty! I always have fireguard!

We didn't march to the range today...we took a bus. Yeah!! My feet got a rest! Today we tossed live grenades. First we went to the practice bay. We had to wear flak jackets under our LCE. We stood behind a small wall with the range NCO and first had to squat and stand up, then the grenade was put into our hand without the thumb clip. "Proper grip--twist--pull pin!", I said. I threw it and squatted down quickly. "Too easy, Drill Sergeant!". I threw a couple of grenades, then moved on to practice emergency procedures. Next we got to throw two live grenades. I threw them as far as I could and did pretty well. We also did some tactical maneuvers. We did a short obstacle course with our buddy where we we ran from log to log and dropped for cover--called the 3-minute rush. My buddy would say, "Buddy set" and I would say "Buddy moving" as we ran and dropped (vice-versa). It was okay, but my qaudricep was killing me by the time it was over with. The low and high crawl were not bad, except when I was on my back. That pulls on the muscles. We did some firing also and we had to fire 10 rounds with our protective masks on. That was hot! . When it got dark, we got to fire a clip of regular ammo and tracers. It looked really wicked in the dark. We got back to the company around 2100 and most of us just dropped on our bunks. I did end up getting a cold shower though.

We did our last Confidence Course and I must say I made it through almost everything. I fell off a few logs, but only because I turned to quickly. We were split up into several groups of six to complete the obstacles. My group did pretty well. I enjoy training with the guys. The males in our platoon are very supportive and try to help the females. Teamwork is how we get through. It was cool and I was so excited! Now if only I can pass my last PT test. Victory Forge and FTX are coming up too. I thought I would enjoy Saturday and Sunday. Laundry was piled high and my boots needed an extra shining. So, my platoon was down in the company area Sunday evening chatting about all that we had accomplished. Not one of us noticed the DS that walked into the area--until it was too late. Evidently DS Miller was not in a good mood. He told us to get in formation right then and there. He drilled us a new butt! And in front of the other platoons. "Front leaning rest position--MOVE!" We dropped. "Up!" We stood up. Then he began giving us commands for facing movements. "Left face! Right face! About face! Drop! Up!" We jumped up. "The next time a DS walks into your presence, privates, someone better be paying attention. Now get upstairs and change into uniform. Be back down here in 5 minutes! Go!" We ran. My whole platoon ran upstairs to our bays to change from our PT uniform into our BDUs (with black socks). I had never run so fast in my life and I thought I was going to die! Believe it or not, we all made it back down to formation. DS Miller was pleased. Then he began the facing movements again and we got dropped again. This went on for about two minutes. Then we stood back up. "Now, I want you all to get upstairs and change back into your PT uniforms. You have 5 minutes. Go!" We moved and we all got changed again and we were back down in formation on time. The pushups and facing movements continued. Then he told us to get back upstairs and change into our BDUs again. We were stunned. This went on for almost an hour--PTs to BDUs and back. I was so tired. A couple of males from 2nd platoon snickered and DS Miller told them to shut up or they would be joining us. From this day on, we all had a new respect for DS Miller.

Superbowl was pretty easy. We had trained and trained for this day. I passed everything with flying colors. We had a test over everything that we covered in the weeks here. Land Navigation--Communications--First Aid--NBC (nuclear, bilogical, chemical)--Weapons--you name it, we did it. This has really been one experience I am not likely to forget. Today is Sports Day and 4th Platoon has been chosen to represent our company in the Drill and Ceremony Competition. Go Mel! Her platoon is pretty good. We got to wear our PT uniforms and the day was pretty much ours. It was not overly hot, but the sun was shining. I didn't really care to play any sports, so I just watched. Mel was in the competition and it was great. They did a really good job. The day seemed to last forever and then it finally ended. I was exhausted and after Hydration Formation, I hit the showers and went straight to bed. I slept all night and woke up the next morning feeling like complete hell. I thought I was going to pass out. My platoon had KP that morning, so we had to be in formation by 0430. We marched to the chow hall and started getting things prepared for breakfast. I was feeling horrible still and I was trying to drink water. It was not really making me feel any better. DS Miller was concerned. He asked me if I needed to go to TMC. I said no, that I would be fine. By 1000, my head was spinning. By 1200 hours, I went to DS Miller. He had my sick call slip filled out and I sent me on my way with Serna (my bunkmate). I didn't have to wait long at TMC. They took my temperature and sent Serna back to the company to inform my DS that I would be admitted to the hospital. My temperature was over 101* and you get admitted if your temp is 99.9*. They took me in the back to a room and gave me two IVs and a throat culture. I was dehydrated. DS Thrine was not thrilled. Serna packed some of my things and DS Miller brought them to me at the infirmary, where I was sent afterwards. I was here for two days and I missed my final PT test. Now I would have to make it up. There was another female in my room who was in for sunburn. She was at AIT and had gone to Myrtle Beach for the day. When the doctor thought I was okay enough to leave, I called my DS and told him I was ready. DS Miller arrived with McConner and Malicoat to get me. I was happy to be leaving, as I do not care for hospitals.

I finally got to make up my final PT test today and it was a doozy! I passed my push-ups and sit-ups with no problem. The run almost killed me, or at least I thought it would. I had to run seven laps around the field. I just kept thinking of graduation and AIT. I was on my last lap when I began to fall behind. DS Miller saw me and came to my rescue. He ran with me that last lap telling me that I was going to make it and just to keep on going. He even called cadence for me. I made it to the end and almost fell over with relief when my time was called out--17:45!! I passed!!! I was so happy...I wanted to cry. I would be on that graduation field this time.

A few days later, I get called into the DS office with my buddy. I was to report back to TMC for meds because I had tested postitive for Strep Throat. I couldn't believe it. So, while the company was packing up for the march to Valley Forge, I had to go to the clinic. They put me on profile for a week and said I would not be going on FTX (Omaha Beach). I was crushed. I watched my platoon move out with the rest of the company. McConner ended up staying behind with me, and a few others from the other platoons. McConner had some horrible blisters on her feet and could not wear boots. So, fireguard and CQ was split between all of us for the next four days--day shifts and nights shifts. But we got to sleep an hour later in the mornings. It wasn't too bad. This was the first time that I had pulled CQ and it was fun. We had to answer the phones during the day and clean the offices at night. I missed being with my platoon though. When they got back they were completely exhausted from the long march back to the company. Their uniforms were covered with orange sand and their weapons would need one heck of a cleaning. We had one last inspection to pass and then we would be graduating in a little over a week! My platoon finally learned our platoon motto--Hooah!

I have noticed that a few in my platoon have been giving me the cold shoulder. I guess they are a little ticked because I missed FTX and the last confidence course. I wanted to go, but my Drill Sergeants refused to let me go to the field with strep throat. I shouldn't care, but it still kind of stings. Today was bad. It seems that a wallet has turned up missing from our bay. The DS told us that we had two choices...go through our latrine, and either drop it in the toliet if we had it, or write a note if we knew the person who did. No wallet turned up and our bay was searched thoroughly. The males got the same treatment and the DS found soda cans above the tiles in the ceiling and a can of snuff was found. They got one heck of a smoke session for that! Still no wallet. CPT Fagget called a Company formation and we were told that if the wallet was found on one of us that we would be taken by the MPs (Military Police). Whoa! If the wallet was found, I never heard had it.

Hooah!! We passed our last inspection. But thanks to our male counterparts, we all ended up having to clean our weapons because they failed to have their rifles spotless during inspection. What a long day! We didn't get back up to the bay until after 2200 and I couldn't wait to sleep...but time to start packing!