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dennispro · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 1:53 pm Post subject:

Mateo, you ROCK! (as my kids would say)

The best of luck to you! I started out as an O5C (that's dating me a bit), training at Ft Gordon. Keep your nose clean and PAY ATTENTION! That's the only fatherly advice that I can give you... just like I've given my own son who is in the NAVY (Arrrggg....) as a field medic with the Marines (Another Arrrgggg....) currently stationed in Fallujah.

Thank you for giving us the priviledge of calling you a brother in arms....

Dennis
_________________
Dennis Prochazka
CPT, USArmy (ret.)

Essayons

Just lookin' for the truth... wherever that might take me.

GM Strong · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 3:20 pm Post subject: Basic at Benning

It will be a bit different than it was in 1967, don't know if Sand Hill and Harmony Church are still there. Airborne School and OCS probably are. After a few days you start get in shape and into the routine and before you know it, you're finished and you are feeling good. You didn't think you good live through it at times (at least in August) . Lots of pushups and running. Beer gut?? Goodbye. iIght see it again in 20 years maybe. Good luck and Thanks from one who went through there. We are all behind you, so remember that and if anyone is having a tough time while you are there, remind them. They will build a team with you guys and you will never forget it. Duty, Honor, Country. God Bless America and it's citizen Soldiers all.
_________________
8th Army Korea 68-69

Padma · Seaman Recruit Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 16

Mateo, thank you for your service.

I went through Army Basic back in 1973. It was easier then than it is now, though. Still, work your butt off, try to stay beneath the MTI's "radar", and you should do fine. If you are overweight, you'll shed pounds in a hurry. If underweight, they'll build you up. (I gained 20 lbs in Basic! Shocked

) The chow is actually pretty good, but you will be too busy just "refueling" to notice. Wink

You are joining one of the greatest fraternities in the world: the brotherhood that is the US Military. You will meet people, go places, and do things that you would never have dreamed of if you had stayed home. And when all is said and done, you will share a common bond with your brothers (and sisters) in arms that will always be there. I have had to take my 26-yr-old son to task for making fun of one of the bowlers on my Friday night league. Yes, he is a grossly overweight, loud-mouthed boor. But, dammit! He was a Marine! That, alone, deserves his respect. Anyone who is willing to "step up to the plate" earns that respect. Whether you're an Eleven-Bravo, boots-on-the-ground infantryman, or a computer geek keeping the infrastructure running, you're serving on the same team.

So I'll pull on my old uniform, and render a crisp salute to one of our newest acquisitions.

Hooaah!
_________________
Master Sergeant, USAF (Retired)

FranieD · Seaman Recruit Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 1

I just medically Retired from the Army. I did Boot Camp at Ft Jackson MS in 1993 and went on to Ft Gordon Ga for AIT. 10yrs 10mos as a 31F (Network Switching Systems Operator). The Signal Corp is a good but small. Never burn any bridges because you will be seeing and serving with the same people again.
You haven't missed out on Airborne Training yet. Tell the DI (Drill Instructors) as soon as you get to AIT that you want to go Airborne. They will help you fill out a 4187 requesting it. In 1993 they came to Ft Gordon Recruiting Signal Soldiers into Airborne Assignments. You will probable go from Ft Gordon to Ft Benning for Jump School and then to Ft Bragg N.C. for your first duty station.
Don't let anyone scare you. Basic was a blast and AIT was even more fun. Good Luck, God Speed, Hooha!!!!

gocars · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 7:15 pm Post subject:

Good luck and thanks on behalf of all veterans of this Great Country of ours. I didn't know that the Army had reinstituted BCT at Benning but it's not that bad of a place. Just make sure you do as instructed and you won't get to meet "Iron Mike" firsthand. Hope you signed on to go Airborne and Ranger!

gocars
101st Airborne
'Nam 67-70
U.S. Army Rangers Lead the Way!

Hondo · LCDR Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 423 Location: USA

Best of luck, mateo.

You are about to do something every citizen should do: repay the nation for the freedom it has given you. Defending the nation is a time-honored way of doing that. I personally can think of no better way to pay that bill.

You will make it. Your training will be tough at times. Rest assured, the harshness is necessary. It will seem BS at times - but will prove its worth if and when you are sent in harm's way.

When it gets tough, either in training or afterwards, I can offer this. I didn't come up with it; a truely great man - Sir Winston Churchill - is the source:

lthrneck · Lieutenant Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Posts: 214

Hey, it's not to late, run down to the Marine recruiter and he will correct your soon to be mistake. Shocked

_________________
"Old Breed, New Breed, There's not a DAMM bit of
difference so long as it's the MARINE Breed"
- Lt. Gen Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller

Semper fi
uuurah
Carry On!!

gocars · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 9:48 pm Post subject: cc: lthrneck

Hey lthrneck......"Uuurah"? Isn't that written and pronounced "Hooahh"? I think you've been watching too much of R. Lee Ermey's Mail Call - now drop and give me 25!

Mateo-

One thing you'll find out in a hurry is that there is a great deal of friendly rivalry between the USMC and the Army!

gocars
101st Airborne
'Nam 67-70
"Sua Sponte"
U.S. Army Rangers Always Lead the Way!

Navy_Navy_Navy · Admin Joined: 07 May 2004 Posts: 5777

USMC- OOOORAH!!!!

USA - HOOOOOAH!!!!!

Both are pronounced nearly as one syllable.

Most Navy people cannot manage either without sounding as if they are coughing up a hairball.

Wink

(oops, I had to edit that first part as I had the dang things exactly bass-ackwards - my Marine Brother in Law will disown me! Wink

)
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

lthrneck · Lieutenant Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Posts: 214

ahhh listen up Army Navy, you should not try and correct a Marine on how to properly say uuurah.... Ours unlike the Army is made up of two syllables. The Army isn't quite ready for that big step yet. And the Navy I think just sort of toots or something. The Air Force just whistles off we go into the wild blue yonder da da da da.

But I'm serious kid, the Marine recruiter can help you see the light.
_________________
"Old Breed, New Breed, There's not a DAMM bit of
difference so long as it's the MARINE Breed"
- Lt. Gen Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller

Semper fi
uuurah
Carry On!!

gocars · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 10:25 pm Post subject:

Geeeze.......!

gocars
101st Airborne
'Nam 67-70
U.S. Army Rangers really do Lead the Way!

rb325th · Admiral Joined: 21 Aug 2004 Posts: 1334

C-130 Rolling down the Strip,
Airborne daddy on a one way trip,
mission unspoken destination unkown.
Don't give a damn if we ever come home
Stand up hook up shuffle to the door
Jump right out and count to four
If I die in the Combat Zone,
Box me up and ship me home,
Pin my Medals upon my chest
Tell my baby I did my best
If I die on the Russian front
Bury me in a Russian.... (OOPS PC Army now)

"I'm the 82d Airborne, and this is as far as the bastards are going!!"
Airborne All The Way, Let's Go!!
_________________
U.S. Army 1983-1995, 11C1P/11H2P NBTDT

docford · Lt.Jg. Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 149

Okay all you grunts, greenie weenies, coasties and airedales (the last two who have not yet contributed to the Uuuurah vs. Hoorah controversy):

I, and my fellow Squids, do not toot aside from when we eat Navy Beans. We have enough trouble trying to march in time and stay in line. We sometimes hum a sea shanty or yell "aaargh shiver me timbers"
_________________
Doc Ford
HMC (SW) USN

dhendy · Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 12:31 am Post subject:

Man do I remember Benning. July 69 and it was really hot. You should have much better weather. Training is tough no matter what condition. I was all of 130lbs. going in and in 8 weeks jumped up to 170. Many many many potatoes. The least amount of complaining = least amount of notice as previously stated.

You'll have a new nickname in no time and will not know anyone by their given names.

We thank you for your service. These days geeks are very important to the success of the mission. My son in law is in the AF doing the same.

God be withyou and your family.
_________________
1st Cav. 70,71 Radio Operator

USAFE5 · PO2 Joined: 23 Aug 2004 Posts: 362 Location: Reno Nevada

Mateo,

My daughter will be following you shortly. She ships to Ft Jackson for basic 4 Oct and then on to AIT at Ft Gordon as well. She will doing a signals job I don't recall the MOS.
We have an extensive military family and they have been ribbing her for choosing the Army but it will be good for her.
She will be voting absentee as well and her greatest fear is having a CinC that would as Zell said "arm them with spitballs".

Good luck and keep your head down
_________________
"The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I’m here to help." Ronald Reagan