In and out again

[Scary]

Hey all,

Again, it's been a long time since I've been around. I graduated from Armor OBC, was diverted from Korea to 4th BDE, 3ID at Ft. Stewart, GA. Within 4 days of arriving to my unit, we started a 20 day FTX. So, I'll give you more of an update and try to be around more when I get back. Anyway, I'm starting to settle down a bit more. I'm am the platoon leader for 2PLT, D CO, 4-64 AR. I've got tankers under me, but because they want to operate in mixed company/teams, I also have an infantry platoon that I lead from time to time since they're without an LT. Take care and I'll keep people posted.


E.S.

[Batgirl]

Good to see you again Scary and congrats on your graduation! It sounds like you're gaining valuable and varied experience in your current role. Hope the FTX goes well and we'll look forward to your update and seeing you on the board more regularly.

[AmericanGirl]

Wow, how is it possible that so much time has gone past and you are a 2nd LT now! Congrats on your commission and good luck with whatever it is you get to do for the next 3 weeks. (you can so tell I am civilian, cant you lol) keep in touch.

[Covertness]

Stay out of Heinsville. If you must go into town, go to Savannah!

[ClutterbusterNY]

Great to see you 2nd Lt. Scary. Congratulations and all good wishes for
continued success.
HOOAH!

[Grimmy]

Congrats on your commission! Getting a combined arms team for your first duty assigment should hold you in good stead for the rest of your career. You're gonna learn much more about leadership this way, rather than if you were either infantry or armor alone.

[Scary]

OK, so now that I have a bit more time, I'll kind of break down what's been going on.

Because the brigade FTX was coming up, I wasn't allowed to go on permissive TDY. It didn't really matter that much anyway because all of my household goods are in Montana (actually on the way down now), so I still have an empty apartment. Covert - I live in the Georgetown area of Savannah, just FYI. I heard enough bad stuff about Heinsville prior to my arrival, so I just said whatever and took a half day out of inprocessing to find this apartment. Unfortunately, I am not living here for very long, so I haven't really set it up the way I'd like to. I'm currently borrowing mobile web from a neighbor, have no TV or phone, and have one chair and an air mattress for furniture. It's really a new way of living for me.

The FTX went well, as we are focusing on our COIN ops for our eventual trip overseas. For many of my soldiers, this will be their 3rd deployment. It's really interesting to hear the differences in their experiences overseas and actually talk to the people I watched on TV for the first months of OIF 1. On top of that, it's hard to believe that I have been in the Army for 9 months. I thought everything would slow down a bit after all these schools, but the 3ID express slows down for no one.

Anyway, I'll try to stick around the board more. It should be easier now that I don't have much to amuze myself with here in my apartment.


E.S.

[Batgirl]

That's great your FTX went well. I too found it interesting during my familiarisation attachment hearing the different experiences of the Soldiers in my troop. Like your guys, many of them had already experienced two tours of Iraq.

Curious that you live off base. Is that common for junior officers in the US Army or is it something your prefer? The norm over here for unmarried junior officers is to live in the mess as it provides a good social network plus it's significantly cheaper than private accommodation and meals are subsidised.

[Scary]

Ft. Stewart does not do the "BOQ" or Bachelor Officer's Quarters thing. Yes, it is significantly cheaper to live on base and all that, but because they don't offer it to junior officers (or more correctly single officers) they pay me to live off base. I have about a 30 min drive one way, but I use it to clear my head going to/from work. Many single officers live around me, so at this post it is the norm to live close to Savannah. I think it has something to do with all the college girls.

When do you finish your training? I have met a few British officers lately, and they all seem really interesting. The two I got to meet a little more both had great personalities and very different insights into how the US Army works. I imagine they're not all the same way, but I do know that they hold their profession in the same light we do here in the US. Good luck to you as well.


E.S.

[Batgirl]

Thanks for explaining how it works at your current location. It's great you've had the opportunity to meet a few of our officers and interesting what you said about them having different insights into your Army. I would think that while there are some differences, our overall outlook is very similar and the ethos is the same across both our Armies. To date, I've only been fortunate to have met one American officer (very briefly) who is here on a UK/US Exchange Officer Program as a senior instructor. He was introduced at a mess function and came across as a pleasant chap who was rather bemused by some of our customs!

I have another two months of special to arm training to complete where I'm currently based and then I'll receive my first formal posting. It's been an interesting and challenging journey since passing out and I'm looking forward to finally putting the training into practice. You take care and best of luck to you too.

[Scary]

What branch did you get? I'm not sure if that's what you call it there, or if that's how it works. I guess more accurately what job are you training to do (i.e. Armor, Infantry, Intelligence, Signal, etc)?


E.S.