Bad Singers (AIT - Fort Gordon) Day 28

This morning we had formation at 4:45, but we had to be in ACUs and have our IDs with us. We were not told why, but there was no PT. We then got in alphabetical order and marched to a building about 50 meters away. When we got there we filed in and went to a table where we verified our name and social security number on a sheet of paper, then initialed it. When we were done we went back to our barracks. Not sure what it was for or anything...and of course we were not told.

We were in the room for about 15 minutes and then everyone was called out to yet another formation. I guess the sergeants didn't like us doing nothing in our rooms. So instead we stood in formation for a half hour until we were finally released for breakfast. Sergeant Cujo had to give some threats and crap about us marching and sounding off. (yesterday he didn't like the way we were sounding off, so he said we were not allowed to sound off at all yesterday….oh darn)

Since mandatory study hall started, our personal time has been cut very short. With the other duties and cleaning that we have to do, we hardly have any time left in the day. I spend a lot less time chatting with my wife and kids. I also have no time for homework, so I have to make sure to get it all completed during the study hall. I have to admit though that going to the study hall sure helps with all the interruptions and duties that we end up doing while in barracks. It does what it is meant to do and gives us time to get our homework done.

There has been a lot of new restrictions placed and enforced. Almost daily we'll here of new things that we have to do, or of some policies that were not enforced before that will be enforced now. It seems like there is so many things to remember. Last night PFC Metal went down to get his laundry downstairs (because all of the washers on our floor are broken) after 2100 and a sergeant saw him and made him clean the laundry room because he was downstairs after 2100. We've never heard of such a thing, but they mentioned it today as an existing policy that is now being enforced. The other new one mentioned today is that we also have to make sure to turn in weekend pass requests a week early. I guess people have been turning them in a day before and such.

Class was interesting today, we were singing the Signal Corps March again and sounding horrible as usual. A sergeant was walking by and came in pissed off because we sounded so bad. He made everyone get down in the "front leaning rest" (the push-up position) and start doing push-ups. This included the MOS-T sergeants that are in our class. Needless to say we have had to practice a number of times throughout the day. LOL

Overheard Quote: "Someone has colon cancer!" (a random sergeant after coming out of the bathroom at school complaining about how bad it smelled in there)

The Signal Corps Song (AIT - Fort Gordon) Day 12

These entries have been sent via email from Brandon. (Yay!)

Today started off and I was finally able to do PT again...no duty to get in my way. I feel like I've been doing nothing since I've been here. The PT here at AIT is very similar to basic when we do the normal session like today. There is a lot of stretching and aerobic type workouts. Barely enough to break a sweat. At the end we did push-up and sit-up drills, one minute of each and then 45 seconds of each switching with a partner.

I woke up in a better mood today. Yesterday I was just pissed off at the world it seemed. Everyone was making me mad. Usually I let everything just roll off my shoulders, but not yesterday.

We headed out to school formation and were questioned on the way out by a sergeant making sure we didn't have any electronic devices. There has been a problem lately with people breaking the rules and taking their phones and such to the school building. I don't know why they would because we don't actually have any time to use them. It wasn't an actual search like yesterday, just an integrity check.

As with everyday in class we start off by saying The Soldier's Creed, The Army Song, and then The Signal Corps Song. Everyone knows the first two, but the last one has been an interesting learning process. Our class is so bad at singing it, we have actually had NCOs walking by stop and poke their head in our class while we're singing it with a look of shock. In case you're wondering it sounds like a song from a Disney movie or maybe a carnival. Here are the lyrics:

The Signal Song

From flag and torch in the civil war,

To signal satellites afar.

We give our Army the voice to give command

On battlefield or global span.

In combat we're always in the fight,

We speed the message day or night.

Technicians too, ever skillful, ever watchful,

We're the Army Signal Corps

Class was done by another instructor today and was a bit more hands on. We took apart a computer and identified the parts. Pretty basic stuff. We then went over binary, hexadecimal, and decimal conversions. Kind of a peep into what we'll be doing in our next class, Cisco's CCNA 1. We were also given time to catch up on all our quizzes, so I don't have any A+ homework tonight. I just have to see if I can get started on our SkillPoint learning (which is an online learning site with a number of things we have to finish before week 12. It includes a lot of the security + information)

I don't like that we are not allowed in our (barracks) rooms from the start of school until the night formation at 18:00. It's freakin' hot here, so I plan my lunch and dinner accordingly and take my sweet time. I eat in the air conditioned DFAC and always make sure to get ice cream too. One of the small things that make me happy here.

After night formation I asked the sergeant how I would go about getting another green blanket. When I walked up to him he said "What's up pops?" LOL One of the private leaders happened to be there and he said he would help me out. We had to have the girls get one for me because they keep them all on their side of the barracks. Problem solved, I now have the blanket I need. I think I may keep sleeping in my winter PTs on top of my bed though. That was a comfortable night's sleep and I don't have to make the bed when I get up!

Going to study a little and then video chat with my wife tonight. Life is better now.

Overheard Quote: "You can't wear those tight jeans with your fat rolls hanging out" (The sergeant going over the dress code for soldiers when they get to wear civilian clothes)

The Wife
 

I just heard how The Signal Song is sung from You Tube. You're right, love, it's very disney like. I can only imagine how bad it you all sound... LOL.
 

Friday, July 2, 2010 - 06:54 PM