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.