Can you say Sugar Bowl?

I'm sitting here watching the latest BCS rankings come in on ESPN, and I see my Hogs at number 7 after the ass kicking we doled out to the Kitty Ca...errrr, Tigers on Saturday.  It causes me to reflect on the past 4 days, where I saw family, friends, and all of our animals.  What a great Thanksgiving weekend.  I don't think I could have asked for a more action packed visit to Little Rock.  I got home late Wednesday night, and woke up only to get ready for Thanksgiving festivities.  I got to hang with my cousins and aunts/uncles for the day, and had a nice time watching the Cowboys lose to the Saints (Who Dat?).  Any day that the Cowboys drop a game is a very good day.  After the game, I took my boys with their grandfather to see the new Harry Potter flick, which was excellent! 

Friday started early with a trip to the grocery store to buy gumbo fixins for a wedding shower we were throwing that evening for Tom and Betsy.  Their wedding is on January 1st, and this seemed to be the only weekend between now and then that we could squeeze in a party.  After spending a couple of hours on the roux, we had the gumbo bubbling in the pot, so we turned on the Auburn/Alabama game.  Awesome game, as the Hogs needed for Auburn to win so that we kept our BCS hopes alive with a win over LSU. 

After the Auburn win, we got ready and headed to my mom's for Tom and Betsy's shower.  Great evening, and fun was had by everyone, but alas, we had to cut it fairly short so we could all rest up for the big day on Saturday. 

Up at 5am on Saturday to get ready for the Arkansas/LSU tailgate at War Memorial Golf Course.  I'll have to say that this tailgate was probably the best one we have put together in the last 10 years. 

Thanks guys, for making it a blast.  Great food, great people, and the Hogs playing in Little Rock.  A difficult combination to beat.  I took Will to the game, and we stayed until half so that we could come back and finish watching with everyone at the tailgate.  The Hogs kicked the hell out of the little kitties......virtually assuring us a spot in the Sugar Bowl, so long as Auburn takes care of business against South Carolina next week. 

Got up Sunday and helped put the Christmas Tree up with the family, only to realize that the time had come to head back west to where the wind comes sweeping o'er the plain.  Hello Fort Sill! 

We leave tomorrow morning at 0530 for FOB (Forward Operating Base) week.  We will be conducting weapons grouping, zeroing, and qualification with the M4 rifle.  We are staying in the field all week, so the only way I will be able to update my blog is through my phone.  Expect very short entries, if any at all.  I will catch everyone up next weekend when I return. 

Until then......I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Weekend! 

And Porter, sorry I missed the party Saturday night.  By the time I left from cleaning up the tailgate, I didn't have time to get home to change, and Helen vetoed the idea of me coming in my jeans and hoodie!  Happy Birthday, regardless! 

Paulson out....

Good God we get up early!

So wake-up this beautiful Monday morning was 0200 in order to make the 0250 formation and head back to Rabbit Hill and our Land Navigation Test.  The standard was to find 5 out of 8 points in 5 hours, 2 and a half of which were in the dark, although we did have great illumination from the full moon.  Weather conditions were a perfect 57 degrees....not too hot, and not too cold. 

I set off for my first point, which was fairly easy because it was positioned by a small pond directly north of the main road that runs through the course.  It was about 1800 meters to that point, and after I reached it, I headed for my next, which was about 400m to the northeast.  I had some trouble finding this one because dead reckoning, or relying strictly on your compass azimuth, was a little tough because of the small mountain in my way.  Now the problem with land navigation is that you generally find your pace count, which is a method of keeping track of how far you have walked by walking 100m and counting every time your left (or right) foot hits the ground in that 100m, in the best of conditions.  Finding said pace count in perfect conditions does not allow you to remain accurate over more than around 250m when walking through fields where the grass is up to your hips or higher.  This tends to lengthen your stride, throwing off your accuracy.  There are a couple of ways to counter this.  One is to extend your pace count by a couple of steps, and the other is to make damned sure that your azimuth (direction to target) is accurate so that you will run into the target at or about the correct distance.  If your azimuth is off, and it is dark, you will never find your point.  These points are about chest high, and are red in color, with non reflective lettering indicating the number of the point.  NOT REAL CONDUCIVE TO SEEING IN THE DARK!  You can be within 10 meters of your point and still not be able to see it if it happens to be on the wrong side of a bush or other terrain feature, but I digress.....  I had issues with the second point, a lot of which stemmed from thinking it was in a swamp, and wandering around in said swamp for about 20 minutes looking.

I decided to leave the swamp point for a daylight look, since I was fairly confident I could find my next three points.  I found the next three, and went back to swamp point, only to pass within 10 feet of the point off of the road leading to the swamp.  It kinda pissed me off, but at least I found it. 

My final points were on the complete opposite end of the course, so I double-timed over to them (around 2000m to the first one), and found my final two points in short order.  I made it to the start point with about 20 minutes to spare, and was awarded a GO on the land navigation examination. 

We had hot chow in the field, and when we got back to garrison, the NCOs informed us that, instead of going to our rooms to get cleaned up and reporting back after lunch, they wanted to conduct our short class right away so that we could have the lunch hour to square our Army Service Uniforms (dress blues) away and have a 1:30 inspection.  We finished the inspection at around 3:00 and were released for the day. 

I am sitting in my room putting a PT plan together, as I get to conduct it in the morning.  Two more days until I get to see the family!

Paulson out......

We get to play video games?!?!

So Friday of week 2 was better than a weekend of Call of Duty!  We were trained on the VBS2 (Virtual Battlespace) Army simulator.  It is a computer program in which they train soldiers for any battlefield scenario and allow us to run specific scenarios in order to build our knowledge and confidence before the real thing.  The program is based upon real-world scenarios such as IED attacks, ambushes, as well as numerous other situations.  We trained specifically on Convoy Operations.  Convoys are one of the most dangerous events a soldier can encounter during wartime.  There are many variables in a convoy which can lead to disaster, and based on this fact, the Army has begun utilizing this computer simulator to allow soldiers to prepare for these missions without the negative results. 

Our homework on Thursday night called for each Lieutenant to put together a convoy mission, or movement brief, stating the route we would take, our mission directive, potential obstacles such as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), riotous crowds, or potential ambush sites.  We then briefed our movement plan back to the platoon, and proceeded to simulate the mission on laptops with the VBS2 program installed.  Each vehicle had a driver (he even had a steering wheel and gas/brake pedals), a gunner, and a TC, or Tank Commander.  We moved from our starting points, making sure to hit the appropriate checkpoints on the route, while reacting to any hindrance we encountered.  It was pretty hooah** shit!  We encountered all of the above obstacles, and disposed of them each in good measure, although we did take some casualties because the guys running the simulators had all of the power! 

After finishing up with VBS, we had a 1700 formation to inspect our field gear and to make sure everything was in its proper place.  We then received our safety briefing for the weekend, and were released.  Gonna be a good weekend of relaxation, although I am not looking forward to wake-up at 0200 Monday morning to go take our Land Navigation test.  Ugh.....



Hooah:  1. A word slang for any acknowledgement or for showing excitement or an accomplishment. Of military origins.  2. Army slang used as a generic response to any question that would otherwise require a yes or no, or used in place of profanity when being given bullshit orders or receiving an ass chewing.  3. Heard understood acknowledged 4. I don't know what you said but I want you to think I was paying attention.  5. I disagree but i'll do it anyway.  6. I want you to think I care.  7.  I want to show you I can act motivated.  8. hardcore, tough.

Paulson out....

Land Nav, Hooah!

Wake-up at 0330 for 0430 formation, and then load up the LMTVs (troop carriers) for a nice little jaunt to Rabbit Hill, where the land navigation course is located.  Once on the ground, we formed up and received our map points.  The land navigation course is in an area that is a couple of miles east to west and maybe a mile north to south.  Not huge, but the terrain can get pretty hairy in some places.  We were required to find 3 out of 4 points on the course today for our practical exercise, but will be required to hit 5 out of 8 on Monday when we conduct our actual test.  This is made infinitely more difficult due to the fact that we begin at 0415 on Monday, so the first two hours of navigation will be in the dark. 

We received briefings on Convoy Operations as well as CIED (Counter Improvised Explosive Devices) class this afternoon.  Gotta know the proper countermeasures when we come across those damned things!  Tough to stay awake after the early wake-up, and even tougher to complete our homework assignment this evening, which consists of putting together a convoy ops plan to present tomorrow during our VBS2 (virtual convoy program) class.  We get to be the convoy commander in a computer simulated program.  Think Call of Duty meets Nascar 2011 on the Playstation 3.  Should be fun. 

Sorry this blog entry is so scatterbrained, but I am running on fumes.  Just wanted to keep my followers happy, since I know you guys are on the edge of your seats awaiting my pearls!

Paulson Out....

Week 1.....briefings, briefings, and more

After a relaxing weekend watching football and napping, the first real week of BOLC-B begins.  This is our Common Core tasks, such as Land Navigation, Marksmanship, Convoy Operations, and some other things thrown in.   I believe we were supposed to do Combatives during this 3 week period, but rumor has it we are doing these during the last couple of weeks because of all of the holidays coming up. 

Monday PT was pretty easy.  It was designed to introduce us to Army Physical Readiness Training, which is the new way of doing PT.  Think P90X, but not quite as high impact.  It's kind of a combination of core body training mixed in with some footwork and aerobic exercises.  Monday day was more briefings.  Center for Army Lessons Learned, Ethics, etc.  These continued through Tuesday, but we had a nice surprise Tuesday evening in the form of a Urinalysis.  I hope everyone passed.....

Today, Wednesday, we had a nice little morning jog of about 6.5 miles.  I happened to have a brand new pair of running shoes on, which left the beginnings of a nice blister on one foot.  That's what moleskin is for, so it hasn't bothered me today.  Wednesday afternoon was spent learning the basics of Land Navigation, which we have all had in one form or another or we wouldn't have gotten commissioned as a 2LT.  It is pretty basic stuff, and if you use common sense, you won't get lost in the woods.....theoretically.  Unfortunately, the word lieutenant does not always go hand in hand with the concept of common sense.  We will see on Monday who gets it and who does not. 

Tomorrow morning, we will have formation at 0430 to get ready to move to the Land Navigation course for a practice run.  We will do our first few points in the dark in order to prepare for the night portion of our land navigation test, and finish out after daylight.  Should be a fun time, especially since we get to leave the classroom environment for the first time. 

I've gotta go get my FLC (Fighting Load Carrier) ready for tomorrow, so I am going to say goodbye.  I will update again either Friday or Saturday. 

Paulson Out....

Day 2....

Friday morning came early.  0250 wakeup to make sure I wasn't late for 0350 formation.  We were to begin our Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) at 0415.  Once again, the efficiency of this big green machine didn't fail to impress.  Instructions for the PT test began at 0405, and the test began at 0415 exactly.  This test entails three things:  number of push-ups in two minutes, number of sit-ups in two minutes, and a timed two mile run, all performed to the Army's rigid standards, of course.  The Army decides how many of repititions of each exercise that one must complete based on age, so of course my number isn't as high as the young bucks coming straight out of college ROTC or Officer Candidate School.  My minimum number of push-ups to complete is 34, sit-ups are 38, and the two mile run is 18:18.  Minimums are 60% of the max score, and in order to qualify for any honor graduate position at the end of the course, you must maintain a 75% in each category.  I was above 75% in each, so I'm still in the running, although we won't get into the academic portion of the course for another 3 weeks! 

After the test, we had to pass height/weight standards, which in the Army are ridiculous, but nonetheless.....I passed.  Then off to shower, shave, and breakfast.  Our next formation wast to be at 0820 for some mandatory briefings for the rest of the morning.  Since I hadn't eaten much in a week in order to pass the height/weight standards, I had a breakfast consisting of biscuits and gravy, sausage, eggs, and hash browns.  It was absolutely delicious!  I feel with the amount of PT in my future, I can afford to consume a few extra calories. 


When we formed up at 0820 for our briefings, it was a very beautiful 70 degrees here in Lawton, OK.  During the briefings, I kept hearing distant booms, which I took for a 105 Howitzer flexing its muscles downrange.  Was I wrong...  We opened the doors on the way out to finish up our medical requirements (more shots, more immunizations, optical, dental, and hearing tests), and it was 50 degrees and thunderstorming with a 15 mph wind.  Holy hell it was cold! 


Needless to say, we had to stand out in the cold under an awning to receive our medical briefing, and to make it worse, we had a civilian dress day, where you pay $5 to dress in civilian clothes in order to benefit the BDE Family Readiness Group, and most of us were wearing jeans and t-shirts.  Note to self....always keep a jacket in your backpack at Ft. Sill. 


I completed the medical requirements quickly since my Guard unit had me squared away with all of my documentation (thank you 39th), and got some lunch.  We then had a little down time until a 1550 briefing on filling out Leave/Pass forms, and then our weekend Commander's Safety Briefing.  After being released, I noticed that my front tire on my car was low, so I spent an hour looking for a place to fix it.  I ended up buying a plug kit for the tiny little screw poking out of my tire.  



I spent Friday night in my room playing Call of Duty: Black Ops and drinking an Dos Equis to go with my Mexican themed dinner.....two beef and bean Patio burritos.  All of this because for the second day, we were let out of class too late to make it to the Dining Facility. 


It's Saturday morning, and time to settle in for some ESPN College Gameday......right after I go plug my tire on my truck. 

BOLC Beginnings

View from my room, 5th Floor, Allin Hall

I drove from Little Rock to Lawton, OK on Tuesday morning, arriving around 1345 to the Ft. Sill Welcome center.  I had apparently forgotten about the efficiency of the United States Army when it comes to in-processing a soldier into Active Duty status!  I immediately used the kiosk to generate a number, and waited for 15 minutes to reach my first station, which was actually called In-Processing.  They made sure I was assigned to Active Duty, and then changed my unit affiliation to B-Battery, 1-30th FA.  A few more stations to make sure my ID Card was updated, my vehicle was registered, and my finances were in order, and I was out of there in just under 2 hours.  Now to move in to my new home!  I checked into Allin Hall and situated my belonging, and went to bed.  

Day 2 was fairly uneventful, with most of it occupied by updating medical and dental records, receiving vaccines, and listening to in-briefs from various departments, to include the Battalion Commander.  Class leadership told us to enjoy our day off on Thursday, and that our next time hack was to be 0330 Friday morning for our Diagnostic Army Physical Fitness Test.  Ugh......

I now sit here on this cloudy Veteran's Day in my room, thinking about the sacrifices that have been made by the men and women of our Armed Forces.  God Bless them.  I am off to get the lay of the land, on and off post, since I won't have much time over the next few weeks, as we begin our Common Core phase of training (first 16 days), consisting of Marksmanship, Land Navigation, Convoy Operations, and Combatives training.  I don't expect to get much sleep.  

Again....Happy Veteran's Day to all who have served and will serve in the future.  

Paulson, Out.