EOBC 1 week down
Getting used to a new life
02 FEB 2002
Well, 1 week down! 16 weeks to go. This week was mainly
in-processing. It seems like we got a 1-hr "initial welcome
brief" from EVERYONE!
Cadre brief, Company commander's brief, Battalion commander,
Brigade commander, Assistant commandant, Commandant, Deputy
commander, School commander, Reserve liaison.... The list goes
on and on! Everyone said pretty much the same thing:
"Keep your nose in the books, stay out of trouble, don't drink
and drive, don't mess around with trainees, don't mess around
with enlisted, and don't mess around with married people
(apparently there was an incident with the last class), and
don't plagiarize. Have fun. Good luck!"
Hard to stay awake through all of that. Then we filled out a
MOUNTAIN of paperwork. Got ID cards, got our shots, eyes checked,
dental panogram, took a diagnostic math exam (more on that later),
got issued our field gear and our text books -- there was 100 lbs
of textbooks! No kidding. 48 books/manuals some of them 2in
thick!
Then we had a drug test (urinalysis) and familiarized with the
M16.
WHEW! We've had morning formations ranging from 04:15 to 05:30.
Did I forget to mention that I am NOT much of a morning person?
I have been so dead-dog tired! Today was my first day to sleep
in. Boy did that feel good.
The "math" test wasn't really much of a math test. It was mainly
a THINKING test which uses some basic algebra. One of the common
questions that was missed was: "Concrete is made up of sand,
cement, and crushed rocks in a ratio of 1:2:3 In 198 lbs of
concrete, how many pounds of sand is used?" Then there are 4
multiple guess answers.
Hard to believe, but 1/4 of the class FAILED that exam. Ouch. I
did pretty well. I tied for 3rd highest score. Should have got
100% though.
I got a checkride from the guy that owns the ONLY rental aircraft
within 2 hours of here. A two-seater Cessna 150. Luckily, the
plane is here on base. I couldn't believe it, they actually
allow general aviation (and commercial flights) to fly on to post.
Works out great for me. Many of my classmates asked me to take
them up for a flight.
The class is actually pretty old with the average age being 26.
It's fun though. Keeps me from getting old.
I have been practicing my sit-ups when ever I have had the chance.
We will take a record PT test on Friday. I am PRAYING that I
pass. If I don't, I will be on the remedial PT squad and have
to get up an extra 1/2 hr early to do extra PT. Bad bad bad.
We are restricted to traveling within a 200 mile radius and
exceptions are hard to come by. So it looks like I'll be stuck
here most weekends.
I know that I have lost weight already. I don't know how much,
but I know I have lost. I should be slim by the time I get
back to civilization. That'll be nice.
Well, enough babbling.
Hope all is well,
Kliewer, Nicholas C
2LT EN, USAR
06 FEB 2002
Just a little update before I send this out. Today we held
a memorial service for 2LT Robert S Taibi Jr. Who apparently
hung himself -- we don't know why. They had a 21 gun salute
and played taps on the bugle and amazing grace on the bagpipe.
Although I really didn't know him. He was a fellow EOBC
classmember in my company.
Nothing much more to tell. Have been sitting through classes
downing a lot of coffee to stay awake. We are getting up at
04:30 for PT at 05:15. At least I am starting to feel my belt
loosen! I should be in pretty good shape when I get back home
from here. I figured that I'll be in the best shape that I will
be in for a long time, so I am planning on running the White
Rock marathon in December!
It is snowing here now. Which makes running in the morning
pretty interesting. Actually, it's cool (literally) to
have the snow melt on your steamy forehead after a few miles.
Please feel free to write (email) or I LOVE real mail. It's
a bit lonely here.
All my best,
-Nick