First Week Overview: hurry up and wait.

Ah the joys of waiting. Most of my first week was spent standing or sitting in line, or riding to a new destination.

We knocked out medical first, and this was the spot many people laid down their case for being sent home. Everything from head pain to aching knee joints was looked over and for the most part everyone has been told they'll be sticking around. Interestingly enough some people are being sent home simply because they need so much dental work that the army isn't willing to do it. In addition to these people, I'd guess over half the IRR soldiers here were given dental work anywhere from a simple filling to having all of their wisdom teeth pulled. I was amazed to find out that only novocaine was used, and motrin prescribed for the pain for the pulling of wisdom teeth. If I'm not mistaken people are usually knocked out and then given prescription drugs but most everyone was resilient and I heard minimal complaints. Me, I'm healthy (Other than this damn head cold I wish would fly away.) and made it through the shots, probing and screenings quickly.

After that we went to various stations to take care of financial and legal concerns as well as general briefings. If I can give any advice to someone in this same position it's to bring all the paper work they requested including any lease you have so you can get money for your housing allowance. The Army's standard $250,000 life insurance in hand I was nearly finished the initial part of our processing.

From there I went to clothing issue and received all new BDU's and PT uniforms. Another set of advice for those headed this way, don't bother bringing any gear they reissue everything to you again. Save the space for something else, like an extra bag.

Following this we jumped on a charter bus with a strange old driver who was wearing what looked like a comercial airline pilot uniform. Out of nowhere he turns on the TV and starts blasting this horrible Ray Stevens entertainment show at ear bleeding decibel levels. While we made a stop to pick up more soldiers, he began to dance up and down the aisle and was singing to the show which he undoubtably has played numerous times for an equally confused audience. To top off the performance he grabbed his microphone (which made the audio of the show go silent) and made what sounded like grunting noises for a few seconds. Everyone looked around thinking it was the bus making the noise, and then we all put on a confused look when we realized it was the driver. It was a surreal experience.

Other than the processing I've been fortunate enough to be placed with a good bunch of people. A few from the Chicago area, some from New York, and the rest scattered from California to Alabama. Everyone has a great sense of humor so far, and it has helped to pass the time and keep all of our minds off of the numerous questions we have about where we're going and what we have to do.

Next week we'll be starting the actual training segement. Qualifying with the M-16, going through the tear gas chamber again, and other skills the Army thinks are important. From what they've told us so far I should be here for about 17 days and then off to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for two weeks of training, and then shipped somewhere else to be attached to an activated reserve or national guard unit.