Where were you during 9/11? What has changed in 20 years?

We had just moved from the reception barracks to our basic training barracks under the guidance of some Army Reserve component drill sergeants. My BCT cycle officially started September 12, 2001. It was kind of weird that they wouldn't let the cooks on post, so my first MRE was for breakfast on my first day of basic training.

I was at Fort Leonard Wood, just got done with a 12k ruck. Just arrived at the range and we were all changing our socks, of course sitting in a formation on our rucks. I had to utilize the latrine( porter potty). As I was walking back from unloading. I couldn't help to notice my D SGT listening to a radio. I stooped behind his HUMVEE, I haven't heard music or an outside source of news in a cpl months. He saw me in his mirror and chased me off with the appropriate language. I caught a few words like attacked, casualties, & airplanes. I didn't know what to make of it but I knew something wasn't right. I didn't tell my battles. Just as I got back to my squad I see a dust cloud turning onto the range. Chaplain, First SGT, & commander. Rare to see all of them together. Def know something is up know. We were ordered to get into the bleachers. That's when First SGT hit us with it. Privates the United States of America has been attacked. That's it? No details! Chaplain prayed w us. Back in garrison we were allowed 5 mins of tv time to get caught up with the facts. It was crazy. I was on suicide watch (guard) for the duration of my time there. Many soon to be soldiers snapped. They didn't want to go to war. Me I couldn't want it more than anything. 8 months after AIT graduation I am deployed. I even ran across my Drill Sgt in the middle of the desert. He said I told you so. Ran into him at my third mob sight in 08. He couldn't believe the National Guard is deploying that much.

I was at Fort Leonard Wood, just got done with a 12k ruck. Just arrived at the range and we were all changing our socks, of course sitting in a formation on our rucks. I had to utilize the latrine( porter potty). As I was walking back from unloading. I couldn't help to notice my D SGT listening to a radio. I stooped behind his HUMVEE, I haven't heard music or an outside source of news in a cpl months. He saw me in his mirror and chased me off with the appropriate language. I caught a few words like attacked, casualties, & airplanes. I didn't know what to make of it but I knew something wasn't right. I didn't tell my battles. Just as I got back to my squad I see a dust cloud turning onto the range. Chaplain, First SGT, & commander. Rare to see all of them together. Def know something is up know. We were ordered to get into the bleachers. That's when First SGT hit us with it. Privates the United States of America has been attacked. That's it? No details! Chaplain prayed w us. Back in garrison we were allowed 5 mins of tv time to get caught up with the facts. It was crazy. I was on suicide watch (guard) for the duration of my time there. Many soon to be soldiers snapped. They didn't want to go to war. Me I couldn't want it more than anything. 8 months after AIT graduation I am deployed. I even ran across my Drill Sgt in the middle of the desert. He said I told you so. Ran into him at my third mob sight in 08. He couldn't believe the National Guard is deploying that much.

I was the Command Group NCOIC for the 2ND BDE, 3ID.  I remember everyone getting real quiet and then getting really pissed.  I remember the look that COL Weber got on his face, they immediately started planning a mechanized package to deploy iso the 10th Mountain.  It was amazing how fast the base locked down and how quickly the we were mounting a response.  First time I has ever seen Machine guns mounted on top of buildings on a stateside base ready to fire on a threat.

I was a SSG stationed a Ft. Eustis as an AIT instructor. I was on leave on that day getting ready for my first date with the woman who is now my wife.

I was a SSG stationed a Ft. Eustis as an AIT instructor. I was on leave on that day getting ready for my first date with the woman who is now my wife.

I was stationed at Fort Polk, LA. I was on my way to the office, where I was a training NCO. I heard it all on the radio. When I walked in, I told the 1SG and CO, they flipped on the TV. Myself and the other NCO's in the room stood up and started walking out. The CO hollered at us to come back. She asked where we were going. 

I was stationed at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. I had just returned from leave and had not even signed back in yet. What a day to return to work.

Just got my dinner. I was in korea

Standing in line for a Company urinalysis!  Saw it on the news at the Staff Duty desk.