Update from Fort Lewis

Our Warrior left in the wee hours of the morning for the final phase of his Warrior Forge/LDAC training, the FTX.

They will spend the next 10 days and nine nights deployed in the field.
The purpose is to learn platoon and company level basic combat skills.
Even though most of them won't be in 11 Bravo, (Infantry) every soldier is a rifleman, in theory at least.
Remember what happened to the transportation unit that got lost and captured by the Iraqi Republican Guard unit early in the invasion.
Reports were that several of the soldiers never got a shot off, their training was so poor.

He is thriving so far, and making friends in his squad (10 males and two very tough and respected females).
Some of them will no doubt be friends throughout their careers.

Being an extemely intelligent lad, he has decided not to choose infantry as his MOS
"I'm not real fond of Ruck Marches, Dad" he told me a couple of days ago.

A Ruck march is marching and walking from point A to B, wearing a minimum of 80# of gear.
More if you are a heavy weapons, communications or medical unit member.

Sometimes that also includes wearing a MOP suit to protect against biological or chemical weapons.

We are thrilled, to say the least that he as changed his opinion!

Armor, Military Intelligence and Air Defense Artillery are now his top three choices.

If you are planning on dropping him a line, mail it no later than next Tuesday the 29th, or he probably won't get it before leaving for Platoon Leader training at Ft Bragg on 5 August.

July 3rd, O-Dark -Hundred

Into the terminal, and off to the first experience of adulthood.

Our son the soldier left on Thursday the 3rd for Ft Lewis WA, for LDAC.
"Leadership Development Assesment Course" is the final evaluation of over 4,500 MS-3 (rising Senior) ROTC Cadets each summer.

The criteria includes GPA, PT scores, swimming, shooting, and a final 10 day FTX where all take turns as platoon leaders in the field.
The Cadre consists of ROTC officers and Senior NCO's from all over the country.
They are looking for leadership potential, particularly under stressful conditions.
And not only how the cadets act when it is their turn to lead, but how they support their fellow cadets when following their lead.

He has been preparing all year. Serious weight lifting, running in the NC heat in a weighted vest, and studying all of the material he will be responsible for at LDAC.

The upper echelon will have a choice of picking two out of three critical areas.
Branch of Service/M.O.S., location of post, or fully paid and salaried Grad School.

He will choose Branch and location at Ft Bragg, just an hour and a half from home.
Although Grad School is tempting, it can wait.

Few of us are as fortunate to have a definite demarc between our childhood and school years and full adulthood.

When his proud parents watched him walk into the terminal, we knew he was leaving his school boy years behind him.
He will fly straight to Ft Bragg after LDAC grad for three weeks training with an active unit, then straight to fall semester of his senior year.
His primary task will be to help prepare this years MS3 cadets for their LDAC next year.
After graduation and commissioning next Spring, he's off for his initial branch training and his full time Army career.

We will see him at Christmas and during semester breaks, but this summer was most likely the last long term time at home for him.

God Speed, soldier, our prayers go with you!

You've always made us proud, but neve more so than now.

One thing's for certain, he looks a lot better at 05:30 than his old man!














After several days of frantic activity and study, everything did fit into those two duffel bags!




























04:30 and off to RDU Airport














Csonk surprises Dad with a smooch on top of his old gray head, much to Ariel's amusement.

How will all of this stuff fit into two duffels?