Breaking the News

Luckily I have an amazing mother who has told almost everyone for me (I think she just enjoys bragging about her daughter, but I don't mind)!! Note that I said almost, I still have to tell the dads.

I'm freaking out and scared as heck to tell them! Anyone have any advice?

Excited and No Buyers Remorse

I must have gotten it out of my system before I enlisted because ever since I enlisted I have been getting a plan set-up and have been super excited about everything. I'm ready for this journey to start and for a new chapter in my life to begin!!! I feel great about my life; I have a purpose, a mission, a goal, I'm happy, the desire, and I have the tools I need to succeed. I have met some amazing people in the military world that unfortunately I won't be able to stay in contact with but everything is great and I feel the best about my life that I ever have!!!

My Sergeant warned me that I would probably have buyers remorse but so far I haven't and I have a feeling that it may stay that way!

Almost everyone tells me they are proud of me but I haven't done anything.

Lets get this journey started!!!

Meeting With Recruiter

Today I had my follow-up meeting with Sergeant Carroll. We arranged to meet at 11:00am but ten minutes till he called and said he needed to move it to 12:00pm. I got there early like I always manage to do and so I sat and talked to some of the other recruiters. They gave me crap because it seems like I have been there everyday since I first showed up last Tuesday night! When my recruiter showed up (he was on time, I was early) we chatted a little and then got to business. He went over the rules again and I filled out more and more paperwork. He told me about the future soldiers program and my responsibilities that go along with being a future soldier. He tried to set-up my account but it was being retarded and didn't work. The meeting was short and quick but we had fun. He wants me to run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and do push-ups, sit-ups, and ab workouts on Tuesday and Thursday. I said I would try but I really have no desire so he said he would help me get motivated if I needed it. He called me about an hour later and told me that my account was set-up but I have gone on it several times to try and take courses and it is being completely and utterly stupid and frustrating and not letting me do anything so I'm going have to go and talk to him tomorrow to figure it out!!!

Other than that not much Army happenings. I have my first future soldier meeting on Saturday at 9:00am and I will make sure and let everyone know what goes on.

REMINDER:

Hey Everyone,

I want to send out a reminder that if you don't have anything positive to say than don't say it at all!!!! I would greatly appreciate if you followed this one rule on responding to posts!! This has been noted in previous posts and is to the left of the blog (in the blog regulations section)!

Thanks,
Heather

MEPS!!

MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) is a giant mumble jumble of activities that one has to go through to become a future soldier! They enlist every single branch into the military and everyone goes there before heading to basic combat training; there is about 200 people there everyday. I got to experience this myself on Monday and Tuesday!!!
On Monday morning at 8:48am I met my recruiter at his office. I had packed an overnight bag the night before and wish I would have packed less things considering I had to haul the thing around for two days!!! When I got there, there was more paperwork to fill out (the paperwork is never ending) and I had to take a drug test. My mom dropped me off and shortly after she left my recruiter left to try and work things out with school. The shuttle arrived about 10:30am and all of us heading to either enlist or ship to basic got aboard to head to Kansas City, Missouri. We made a couple stops along the way to pick-up lunch and pick-up a couple other people that were heading to enlist (one in Blue Springs, MO, and one in Warrensburg, MO). We (there were nine of us total) arrived at the station around 3:30pm. Upon arrival we got checked in and then got aboard another shuttle to head to the five star Sheraton hotel. When we got to the hotel (which has four floors reserved for just military personal) we went into a little room, got briefed about the rules, got our room key, and meal vouchers. We also got assigned roommates, I was lucky and got one of the girls that I rode up to Kansas City with. I'm sure I annoyed her several different times because I drilled her with questions; she too is going for a combat medic, was heading to basic, and her husband is already in the Army. She knew a lot of information and was really helpful! I called my mom and Brandon to let them know that I arrived safely and my roommate called her husband, kids, and other family members. At 5:00pm dinner was served and I was starving so my roommate and I headed to dinner. It was really yummy, but I think anything would have been good at that point, I ordered a salad, cheeseburger, fries, cake, and a Dr Pepper. We ate with two other girls that were there (one was heading to basic for the Air Force and the other was enlisting in the Army). After dinner we headed to our room, I took a shower because we had to wake-up at 4:30am, and laid in bed being lazy and watching TV!!! I fell asleep sometime before 8:00pm (pathetic I know) and because of it I woke-up at 3:00am. I had a really hard time falling back to sleep but eventually did just to get woken-up by the alarm clock at 4:15am; it freaked me out because the alarm was a bunch of Spanish people talking and I was disoriented. I laid in bed for about five minutes and then got up to get ready. Our wake-up call was at 4:30am but both my roommate and me were already up and going!! Check-out was at 4:50am. We headed to the lobby and I was amazed by how many people were actually there. We got briefed about breakfast and everything getting checked-out of the room. Breakfast was served at 5:00am, it was good but I wasn't really hungry since I wasn't even completely awake yet (it was still dark outside). We had eggs, cereal, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit, hash browns, water, orange juice, and milk. I ate a little bit of everything knowing that I wouldn't get lunch for quite a while. It was probably close to 6:30am when we all got onto the huge buses (there were two and they were both completely full). The driver turned out the lights and it was still dark outside so it was very tempting to fall asleep, I wouldn't have had time anyway because the station was less than a mile from the hotel. Instead of falling asleep I called Sergeant and I could tell that I woke him up but he deserved it! When we got to the station we all got briefed on all the rules and everything that was going to occur that day. It was kind of funny because someone behind me said something and as soon as I turned the marine got on to me; it really didn't bother me I found it more funny than anything. After the briefing I reported to that Army station got my medical file and got in line for the physical. The physical lasted almost all day (well from 7:00am till 1:00pm), but luckily I was the first one to finish and get in line so I didn't have to wait behind the hundred or so people!! We all got into a room and got told the consequences of fraudulent enlistment, and I soon learned the military principle of "hurry up and wait." After waiting all the girls got into a room and we sat, filled out more paperwork, and waited. We each had to take a breathalyzer, then get our blood pressure and heart rate taken, then we each had an individual meeting with a doctor where he checked out our ears, nose, mouth, throat, and asked a few questions. After the meeting with the doctor we waited some more! Eventually we had our eye exam (which I barely passed the far vision) then a hearing test. From there we waited some more before having our drug test, pregnancy test, and blood test. The laboratory guy hit on me a little by saying that he enjoys starting his day off with a pretty lady that is doing something with her life and is easy to draw blood from!! That cheered me up a little from being with a bunch of girls all day! After the laboratory tests we all got into the girls room and got weighed and height measured (I was below my weight but she bumped me up so that it wouldn't disqualify me; I'm excited because it means that I get to pig out on food before basic starts). After that we had undie olympics (we girls had to get down in our undies and do a bunch of stretching and flexibility exercises, ie. the duck walk). After undie olympics we had another doctor appointment. This time he checked out heart, lungs, abdomen, and all the other important body parts. After that we were finally done!! The put all of us girls in one giant room and it was boring so while sitting and waiting for all the medical parts we talked and talked and laughed and talked a little more, we got in trouble four or five times because of it. They should of known the consequences of putting us all in the same room!!! It was time for lunch and by that time I was starving. Lunch was planet sub, sub sandwiches. I had no appetite even though I was hungry and wasn't able to eat anything (I was anxious about signing my contract). After lunch I reported back to the Army office. I began to panic at this time, I filled out some forms and disclosures and then he had to call the big dogs to get my job and get airborne. I was on the brink of tears at this time so I headed to the bathroom called Sergeant Carroll and my mom to calm me down. It succeeded but by that time my exhaustion and nerves caught up to me and I was super emotion the rest of the contract signing period! I went back to the office and he was still on hold waiting to hear anything, finally he got through and he my job 68whiskey/healthcare specialist/combat medic and somehow someway he was able to get me airborne (airborne is a huge honor and really hard to get so everyone was surprised and really proud that I was able to get it). After getting my job he went over the rules, talked more about fraudulent enlistment, and asked about my criminal background, he then went over my contract with me and got it saved in the system (you don't actually sign it until after being sworn in). I had to go get another physical for the airborne portion, so I headed back to the medical department and waited. I got an eye exam (had to depict colors from far away like I was above a runway), got my ears checked (while popped), and got asked some more questions. I passed so after that was over I headed to security clearance to get questioned some more about my past, get a beneficiary assigning and more information in case something were to happen to me and then I got fingerprinted. The fingerprinting machine was being stupid and didn't really want to work so it took a couple of times but eventually it went through! All through the process staff kept telling me how proud they were of me for getting combat medic and airborne (two honors that are extremely hard to get). After everything was said and down it was time to wait to get sworn in. Swear in was at 3:00pm (I was done with everything by 2:40pm). They asked us if we were sure we knew what we were getting into, asked if we were here by our own free will, and taught us how to stand at attention and at ease. I got laughed at by everyone in the room (there was nine of us) because I took a big breath and everyone heard me)!!! The guy that was swearing us in came in and started; it flew by so quickly and felt amazing!!! After being sworn in we went into a little room to sign our contract, we all talked and were all pretty in awe of everything!! I headed back to the Army office to turn in part of the paperwork, I got a future soldier id card, t-shirt, backpack, bumper stickers, magazine, and book for family. I called my Sergeant Carroll and my mom to tell them that everything was done. I got a congrats from Sergeant but my mom freaked out. I called back a little but later to check and make sure she was okay. Brandon called me after and I told him about everything. After all was said and done I sat and waited for the others that were heading back with me to finish!! It was around 4:30pm when everyone was done and I was one of the two that actually got sworn in (there was six of us heading back). The drive took forever (we went through Sedelia to drop people off) and we finally made it home around 8:15pm. Upon arriving at the office Sergeant Carroll told me congratulations and had to get copies of all my paperwork, he also told me to come on Thursday at 11:00am to have orientation into the Future Soldiers of America program. I was starving since all the nerves were gone and excitement was in the air so I ate and I pigged out on some Sonic!!! I went to bed early (around 9:00pm) and slept all night long and until 12:00pm the next day (waking-up at 4:00am is tiring but I better get used to it since I have to do it everyday at Basic). I'm still excited and can't wait to start the journey, I've been told by a lot of people that they are proud of me which makes me feel really good and I really don't feel like I've done anything to deserve proudness. Basic will be starting before I know it and I can't wait for the journey to begin, I will make sure and update everyone!!

Brandon Supports Me 134.999 and 2/3%

I sat down and I told Brandon that I was going to join the Army, I had mentioned it before and he said he would support me but he didn't know all the little but pretty big details. He knew I had brought it up before but never really thought anything about it! I had been wanting to tell him for a little while but was never able due to the fact that our schedules wouldn't line up. I finally sat him down after a date and said look I need to talk to you about this Army thing, he said ok and told me to talk away. I went on and told him about all the details. When I finished I asked him if he would support me. He said he would 134.999 and 2/3%. I asked him if he was sure and he said yes. He said he wasn't going to let me back out because he knew that I would regret it if I didn't! I really appreciate him for saying that because I know in the long run that he is definitely right!!! We talked a little about getting married so that Sally and him could also get all my benefits but we are going to wait it out for a little while.

It is a huge relief to have it off my shoulders but there is still a ton of other people that I have to break the news to.

Family Support

Hey Everyone!!

Well...most of my family knows about the decision to join the United States Army. We had a family dinner last night and talked to my Aunt and Uncle, Cousins, and Grandma and Grandpa about my decision!! They had a lot of questions which was to be expected but for the most part they took everything pretty well.

Notice how I said for the most part in the last paragraph?! It got brought up that I am now thinking of going active (even though I have already decided) and lets just say the reactions were not supportive. I got "Oh My God," and several other responses (they weren't good responses either) from the family. I also got into an argument with my Grandma, she was trying to tell me that I didn't know what I was talking about and that I was wrong and blah, blah, blah so I went off on her. I felt bad afterwards but I'm the one that has talked to a recruiter for the last nine months and just because my Grandpa went through it a long time ago doesn't mean they know everything!!!

The night had its good moments and its bad. I still have to break the news to my dads and their families (that is what I am dreading the most).

I will write more soon,
Heather.

Nervous!!!

Hey Everyone!!

On Thursday I was able to get the job I wanted and I'm sooooooo very excited about it!!! I was told to make a list of ten jobs that I really wanted and was told to be open about it, well, I tried to be open but all but two of the jobs were medical related!! He couldn't find any of the jobs so he called the big dogs to request a job for me. Luckily, it worked out!!! I was able to get the 68W (Healthcare Specialist/Combat Medic), I was really lucky because it was the number one on my list!!!

Almost instantly (well as soon as leaving the recruiters office) I began to have a panic attack. All of a sudden I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to do this and the reality it me smack dab in the face!!! As soon as my mom got home I made her drive me to the recruiters office and we talked and I got calmed down. Well later on Thursday night and into yesterday I really didn't think that joining was what I wanted to do! I didn't think that I wanted to join for the right reasons, I didn't think that I could handle it, and I got really upset because it means missing some of the most important dates to me (Brandon's and I one year anniversary is four days after I leave for basic, Sally's second birthday and my mom's fiftieth birthday are in October, and Brandon's twenty-first birthday is in February, Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years, my twenty-third birthday, and others all dates that I will still be in training). I really didn't think that I wanted to do this; I mean family is important to me and I have goals that I really want to achieve and I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to handle it all. Well I talked to my recruiter this morning about how I didn't think that I was going to join after all, he had me come into his office and I sat down and I talked to him and his boss and I got everything worked out. I remembered why I wanted to do this, all the doors that were going to be opened up, and all the benefits; I realized my motives were right and I was just scared about the whole experience they calmed me down and reassured me, and answered all the questions I had!!! I'm so thankful for having an amazing recruiter who helps me out and has really formed a personal relationship with me!!

Now for all the dates!!! On Monday I leave to go for MEPS (Military Entrance Processing), I don't get to do anything on Monday but lay around a hotel room but Tuesday starts bright and early at 4:30am. On Tuesday I get my physical, go through a ton of paperwork, sign my contract, and finally get sworn in before heading home. I then go to BCT (Basic Combat Training) on July 13th (it starts on July 24th but processing is the week prior) it lasts for nine weeks (technically ten with the processing week) then I get to graduate and a couple hours after graduation I head to AIT (Advanced Individual Training) for the Medic training for nineteen weeks, after that I get to go to Airborne training (which is jumping out of airplanes) for three weeks and then I get stationed at my base!!! I really can't believe how fast everything is going to be!!

My job is going to be a 68Whiskey or Combat Medic, I added the airborne onto it, and sometime during my enlistment I plan on adding the M6 which is the Licensed Practical Nurse certification.

Although none of my family is happy about it except for Brandon I decided to go Active duty. The benefits are a million times better and I feel as though it is the right thing for me!!! My mom is really afraid that I'm not going to like it and there is a possibility that I won't but I have every intention of staying a soldier for twenty plus years and retiring at forty-two. The term is shorter than if I went reserves (four vs. six). My term is four four years active and then four years inactive. I'm going in as an E-3 which is a promotion. I also got the Montgomery GI Bill which gives me a little over $70,000 for school. I know I'm taking a big risk by going active but I hope that I can get the support of my family and friends!!

On Tuesday I will officially become a future soldier of America, and although I'm nervous I'm still really excited!!

Please pray that I am making the right decision and that my nerves stay calm, also please pray for my family to give them peace during this stressful time!
Heather.

Grandma and Grandpa Know

Hey,

My mom decided to tell my grandma a little less than a week ago and my grandpa found out yesterday about my decision to join the army.

My grandma reacted the same way my mom did. She had a ton of questions, and questioned if I was going to be able to do it!

My grandpa was very proud and excited! He is a veteran himself (although he never went overseas or fought war). He took it really well.

I'm really excited to have my grandpa's support, and I know that if he supports me then so will everyone else (with time).

Ok, I really need to go look at jobs I will write soon!

Heather

No Jobs..UGH..Frustrated!

Hey Everyone,

I have bad news (well bad news for me anyways). I just stopped by my recruiters office to try and look at jobs and there is none!!! Well, there is two and they are both mechanics jobs!!! They say its a mess-up in the database that there should be jobs especially after how well I did on my test!

I'm not the only one frustrated! My recruiter and the entire recruiting station is also frustrated!!! I guess I am one of the only people to score as high as I did and they all got excited because the job possibilities are very good with my score (I can get any position I want)! They went on the database and there was NOTHING!!! I guess they all got bummed out.

I was suppose to have an appointment to look at the jobs at 2:00pm and was there less than ten minutes before I got the bad news and left. He told me to look at all the jobs online and keep my mind open to the possibilities and he is going to try and swing something (he's going to call talk to the people at headquarters, tell them my score, and that I have 31 credit hours in college, that I'm going through the future soldiers program and see if they can get me a job that I really want)! I hope it works!

Please pray for all the people working on my case, pray that I make the right decision, and that I will be able to get a job that I really want!

I got to go search but I will update as soon as I know something!

Heather

Test Score

HEY!

Thanks for all the good luck wishes, good vibes, and prayers because I aced the test!!! I got a 70 which is really high (average is 42 and passing is 31) and the highest is 99. I go at 1400 (2:00pm) to talk to my recruiter to find me a job and put a hold on it so that no one else can take it away from me!!! I won't lie, I'm really nervous: 1. because I really want a medical job and I hope I qualify for them and that they are available; and 2. because one I have the reserve on the job it means that I agree to enlist, I want to enlist and I am going to enlist but its just scary that today it will almost be official!

I'll let you know what I pick and what all happens!! Give me prayers!!

Heather

Other Things Happening

Hey Again,

I wouldn't say I got his support or blessing, probably because I surprised him! I talked to Brandon last night and I didn't get his support but I didn't get his non-support! I would say that it overall went well, I need to work on him a little bit more but before long I will be his army wife!! He's just worried about me finding a hot soldier and breaking up with him, me getting killed, and he doesn't want me to leave him. I reassured him a thousand million times and I'm 99% sure he's beginning to be okay with it. I'm glad I finally got that out of the way, it was a big burden!

The biggest news of the moment is that I'm thinking of going active instead of reserves! My mom isn't real happy about it and I know Brandon wouldn't be either. BUT the benefits are a million times nicer and better than that of reserves. Plus, I almost think that the full-time structure would be better for me rather then the part-time structure!

I have to run to class, but I will write more later!

Heather

ASVAB

Hey Everyone,

I wasn't comfortable with the recruiter I have been working with so I switched!! I called the other recruiting station in town, made an appointment, and sat down with my mom and talked to them for a couple hours! The settled some of her nerves, we got all of our answers, I got better advice and customer service, they really wanted to get to know me on a personal level instead of just a number. They gave me a ton of advice and help, offered a lot of things that the otehr recruiter didn't! While talking to them we were talking about jobs and I mentioned that I was interested in the medical field; they told me that medical fields are hard to come by but we will work and see. They said that tomorrow (which is now today) they are giving the ASVAB(Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test, and after I take the test and get results that we can look at jobs and reserve the one I want as long as I am positive I want to join! Trust me I am positive!

So, to summarize all that! I'm taking the ASVAB test today at 3:30pm. After that I will get to choose my job and hold it so that no one else will be able to take it!! I'm really nervous, and I have test anxiety really bad so I'm worried about doing horribly!!! I scored a 54 on the practice test and they said if I did that then I didn't need to worry because I've already done perfectly...I guess we will see! Give me your prayers, good vibes, and good luck wishes!!

I will update after the test.
Heather

Frustrated!!!

***Warning*** This post is a vent!

I got the support from my mom and kind of from my grandma, but I'm getting really frustrated! Every time I bring up my joining people question if I will be able to accomplish this goal! My mom keeps questioning me about why I'm joining; which I realize she's just settling her nerves but it sometimes feels as though she is trying to talk me out of joining (she reassures me that she's not, that she just needs reassurance and I believe her). I'm just frustrated because I need peoples support not their questioning me 24/7. I know I can do it and so should they, I have gone through harder things in my life and come out on top and I will do that same thing this time!!! I have to run to class but I needed to vent my frustrations!

Heather

I Got My Mommy's Blessing and Support 110%

Hi,

Two days ago I decided to be brave and bring up the subject of joining with my mommy! Nine months ago when I brought it up I wasn't completely sold on the idea of joining, I was scared and my mom was able to talk me out of it (just like she did every other time I brought up joining) well this time I went in full force. I have decided to join and I'm not going to let anyone talk me out of it or stop me from achieving this goal! I hinted around it for a few minutes until she guessed what I wanted to talk about from there on I went into facts and my reasons why. I think finally she got tired of hearing me talking about it and trying to prove to her why and she said enough! She told me that she supports me 110% and that she gives me her blessing! She said that she would be the proudest mother ever and that if this is something I really want to do then she will help me with the next step! I told her that I have already talked to my recruiter again and that I plan on going to MEPS on May 1-2. She requested that I set-up an appointment with her to talk to my recruiter because she would like to hear the facts first hand! I went by the recruiting office my recruiter wasn't there but I plan on calling her this afternoon to set-up an appointment! I was very scared about bringing up the joining topic but I must say that is went very well!

I got my mom's blessing but it wasn't the same story when it came to Brandon's. I tried mentioning it the same day that I had talked to my recruiter, he couldn't understand why I would want to join and he decided to drop the subject. Lets just say that I wasn't able to get his support. As hard as it is to say, this is a dream of mine and I hope that he supports me in this dream but if he doesn't then this relationship isn't meant to be!

I will update after my mom and I talk to my recruiter!

Heather.

I Talked to a Recruiter

Family and Friends,

I've decided to join the Army; its something that I have thought about doing for a long long time (since high school). I need some changes in my life but most importantly I want and need to fulfill my dream of becoming a US Soldier! I brought the topic up once again nine months ago with my mom before I met my amazing fiance, she asked me that I think about it for six months and if I still wanted to join then she would support me 110%. Well...during that six month period I met Brandon and put everything on hold. Although me joining was on hold that thoughts of joining and the desire to join still existed; no matter how hard I tried and no matter how much I may have wanted to at times blocked the thought out of my mind I wanted to join! I still have to break the news to my mom and tell Brandon this is what I'm going to do (I've already mentioned it to him and he tried to brush it off), I have every intention of joining!!Yes I'm scared, no I am not sure that I will be able to achieve it, but yes no matter what I will become and be shaped into a soldier!! Will it be hard? Absolutely. Will it stink at times? Absolutely. Am I willing to stick through it no matter what? Yes. Do I need everyones support? YES! Will I become a soldier? I sure hope so! I go for MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Systems) on May 1 - 2. That will be when I have all the required things done to become a soldier; I will have a physical, fill out paperwork, choose my job, sign a contract, and take the oath! Sometime this summer I will go through basic training and from there AIT (job training). The military will help me learn morals, pay off debt, pay of school, and become an overall better person! I'm going to do everything I can to keep up with this blog through everything! I will write after I break the news!

Heather