Posted on Aug 11, 2015
In Basic Training/Boot Camp, did you enjoy being out in the Field?
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Basic Training
Basic Training
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When I was in Basic Training, I had to iron and polish until my tail feathers fell off.
Then, towards the end of Basic Training, all of us Trainees got to go out into the field. I LOVED that experience. It was like summer camp to me.
Then, towards the end of Basic Training, all of us Trainees got to go out into the field. I LOVED that experience. It was like summer camp to me.
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SSG Warren Swan
Don't forget the lovley buffer and cheap wax the Army provides expecting to get a mirror shine out of it.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
We had cement floors at Ft. McClellan, Alabama; SSG Warren Swan. Even lovelier. ;)
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MAJ Carlos Valenzuela-Durr
I went through Marine Boot Camp so the order was someone different. We were in the field twice. In the middle and close to the end.
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It ROTC camp, I thought the field part would be more difficult than garrison, but it seemed easier because in garrison they were more rigid and the cadre put more pressure on the appointed leaders of the day. I think the field generated more teambuilding. Also holds true when your in a unit. Field may be more physically challenging but the soldiers work better as a team there.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
I believe that what you are saying, LTC (Join to see), is right on the money...absolutely correct.
In basic training, we ladies had to rapidly pull ourselves together, if we were ever to find our way back to the bay; and out of that gorgeous green jungle. That lush, green jungle was quite tempting to this lady; a nature lover from the start.
In basic training, we ladies had to rapidly pull ourselves together, if we were ever to find our way back to the bay; and out of that gorgeous green jungle. That lush, green jungle was quite tempting to this lady; a nature lover from the start.
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Absolutely. When it's your first experience in a training environment, it's great. When it's for real and you don't know when it will end, a little less so.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
I have never seen combat; LCDR (Join to see). But I am sure that what you are saying is all too true. HOW I Pray for you; Sir. May GOD eternally bless you; protect you, and shine His grace upon you.
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LCDR (Join to see)
SPC Margaret Higgins just to be clear that I am not taking credit for something I haven't done, my operational field time was not in a combat zone. But thank you!
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MAJ Carlos Valenzuela-Durr
Yes. The difference is that you are most likely not' to die in training. In training most things as expected. When is for real you have less control and you do not know if you are going to shot when going out of the wire.
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Ft Leonard Wood, MO in the summer. No, I did not enjoy my time out in the field during Basic Training.
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MSG (Join to see)
SPC Margaret Higgins - That was one of the hottest and muggiest summers I have ever experienced up to that point.............then I went to San Antonio the following summer. Ooofda that was worse.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
I love it! "Ooofda"! MSG (Join to see) Very ingenuous of you; Staff Sergeant. Man, it was even WORSE in San Antonio! I don't know how you could take it. Any air conditioners anywhere?
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MSG (Join to see)
SPC Margaret Higgins - Oh, there was air conditioning there. But, when you are out in the field, it don't rightly matter where the AC is, cuz it isnt with you.
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MAJ Carlos Valenzuela-Durr
I had no problem going to the field in Camp Pendleton close to beginning of Summer.
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Nope. Not even going to lie. Alabama at Pellham range in the summer with that hard, red, clay? Nope not one bit. Ohh and I forgot the chiggers!! Came out with loads of them hooked into me.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
Happy for you; SSG Warren Swan. And, might I add, what a good attitude you have.
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SSG Warren Swan
SPC Margaret Higgins - For all the ups and the downs, I know in my heart I wouldn't change much of anything. It was fun, and no matter how much it sucked, it was still fun. Not many jobs out there like that.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
No, certainly not. SSG Warren Swan. GOOD FOR YOU FOR YOU FOR STILL THINKING IT WAS FUN; STAFF SERGEANT! I am VERY PROUD of you; for that.
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I didn't exactly enjoy the "field" in Basic much (key the laughs because I was Air Force!), mostly because San Antonio in July-August was horribly hot and humid, and I attracted every mosquito within five miles. The humidity and lack of shower water pressure made keeping my hair in regs almost impossible, and I attracted way too much attention from all the wrong people. I won't say I hated it, but I wouldn't volunteer to go back under the same circumstances.
I did absolutely love my time on the mountain at Fairchild AFB during additional training, though! The 20 lbs I lost hiking around the mountains definitely helped make it even more enjoyable! :)
I did absolutely love my time on the mountain at Fairchild AFB during additional training, though! The 20 lbs I lost hiking around the mountains definitely helped make it even more enjoyable! :)
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That was the best part.
Second best was hearing the band marching to a calypso beat and playing "We Gotta Get Outta This Place" during wedge inspections every Saturday morning.
I am easily pleased, it would seem.
Second best was hearing the band marching to a calypso beat and playing "We Gotta Get Outta This Place" during wedge inspections every Saturday morning.
I am easily pleased, it would seem.
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Capt Seid Waddell
SPC Margaret Higgins, the wedge inspections were named for the steel wedges in the inspectors' heels that clicked in unison as they quick-stepped down the hall. It sounds like storm troopers coming to get you.
When they pick your room they slam their fist on your open door and a half-dozen inspectors explode into your room looking for any minor infraction; drawers not opened exactly 1", 2", 3", etc.; drawer contents not "grounded" in precise authorized location; key on shoe polish can not exactly aligned with the word "Kiwi" at the bottom of the Kiwi's feet; dust ANYWHERE; beds not tight enough to bounce a quarter, etc. They even checked the head for dust on the water any toilet, or water spots anywhere, or trash in ANY trash can. God forbid they find a dust bunny or hair anywhere; they made it sound as if the offending OT had raped a Nun.
The flights were all graded and the two flights with the most gigs had to do remedial work and stand another inspection. As upper classmen, the two flights with the best inspections got liberty Saturday night.
When they pick your room they slam their fist on your open door and a half-dozen inspectors explode into your room looking for any minor infraction; drawers not opened exactly 1", 2", 3", etc.; drawer contents not "grounded" in precise authorized location; key on shoe polish can not exactly aligned with the word "Kiwi" at the bottom of the Kiwi's feet; dust ANYWHERE; beds not tight enough to bounce a quarter, etc. They even checked the head for dust on the water any toilet, or water spots anywhere, or trash in ANY trash can. God forbid they find a dust bunny or hair anywhere; they made it sound as if the offending OT had raped a Nun.
The flights were all graded and the two flights with the most gigs had to do remedial work and stand another inspection. As upper classmen, the two flights with the best inspections got liberty Saturday night.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
THAT is what it takes in OCS; Capt Seid Waddell?!? I always wanted to go to OCS; but I could not Stand all of That stuff.
I guess I could, because I wanted to be a Commissioned Officer; so badly. My CO told me I couldn't go because all of my friends were going; and he said that he thought that I wanted to go because they were.
My friends were going; but that Decidedly was not why I wanted to go. I had graduated-granted-with only a BA; however, I was certainly qualified to go- I thought.
I guess I could, because I wanted to be a Commissioned Officer; so badly. My CO told me I couldn't go because all of my friends were going; and he said that he thought that I wanted to go because they were.
My friends were going; but that Decidedly was not why I wanted to go. I had graduated-granted-with only a BA; however, I was certainly qualified to go- I thought.
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Capt Seid Waddell
SPC Margaret Higgins, "all of that stuff" seems like more than it really was. It started out very doable, and then new loads were added every day; it wasn't as if we were hit with it all at once.
I will admit that a lot of sounded like they were putting the new guy on and I watched closely to see if they were really kidding me - but they were serious. I think the tactic was to give us more to accomplish than was possible, and then to watch us to see if we used good judgment.
We were given more reading than we had time to do, so we divided the assignments up amongst the flight to study and then we would each brief the flight on the material in the morning. It showed us that we needed teamwork to succeed - nobody could make it alone. And everybody worked not to let the flight down. You learn to get by on a couple of hours of sleep a night for months on end - and still give it your maximum effort.
The physical part was the easiest - you just push through the pain and don't give up; it's not like you have to think or anything. And you're all in it together.
You can make it if you put your mind to it.
I will admit that a lot of sounded like they were putting the new guy on and I watched closely to see if they were really kidding me - but they were serious. I think the tactic was to give us more to accomplish than was possible, and then to watch us to see if we used good judgment.
We were given more reading than we had time to do, so we divided the assignments up amongst the flight to study and then we would each brief the flight on the material in the morning. It showed us that we needed teamwork to succeed - nobody could make it alone. And everybody worked not to let the flight down. You learn to get by on a couple of hours of sleep a night for months on end - and still give it your maximum effort.
The physical part was the easiest - you just push through the pain and don't give up; it's not like you have to think or anything. And you're all in it together.
You can make it if you put your mind to it.
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In basic training not so much. A lot of chaos and confusion with a bunch of privates running around. LOL! Afterward in my career, the field was good to go!
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