I had my first final today Computer Science....I think I did pretty well.  But we'll see.     40 questions, each worth one point, and a 20 point program to write.  :)  

 

After that, I went to the gym and did some pull-up related exercises.  I think I will need the extra bulk.   I have an interesting reputation with the other cadets...on the one hand, they say I spend all day at the computer (instead of talking with them.   Of course, why would I want to talk with them about beer, girls, sex, etc. when I can talk about politics, theology, etc. with my other friends?  :D ) but also very agressive.     I have sorta challenged the new Ranger Challenge team captain to a fight (they will bring boxing gloves and all) next semester....so I need to start working out.  :D

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Wow, yesterday was a very interesting day. 

 

So, I realize on Friday night that I need to do laundry.   Being that it is late (early? ), I decide to just get up earlier.  So, I get up Saturday at 7:20 and start laundry.   Most of it is done on time, and so I am able to dress for the day.  I don't have time for breakfast, so I just head down to the bus stop and arrive there 3 minutes early.    The bus takes me most of the way to the theater, where I am supposed to meet for the Generation Joshua club [For those of you who don't know, the Generation Joshua clubs are supposed to get teens involved in local elections].   Of course, I had told everyone to get there on time (10:30).   I gave myself 30 minutes to walk/run the 2.3 miles to the theater from where the bus dropped me off.  

 

So I start walking....I then read a sign (on an exit) that says "no pedestrians," so I turn around, and, after some deliberation, decide to take a roundabout route that will land me at the theater.  This route is about 4 miles long, and the time is 10:18.   So I start running.  After about 2.5 miles, I take a side road that should allow me to get to the theater slightly faster.   After a very long time, I wind up back near where the bus dropped me off.     It is 11:00.   I decide to just take the route I had originally planned on, since the "no pedestrians" sign must have been referring to the exit and the highway connected to it.    So, I follow that route and arrive at the theater, 1 hour late.  So much for being on time!     The one good thing...I can run 9-10 miles in 90 minutes!  :D 

 

We went to a nearby restaurant and had some food.  (I ordered two bottles of water.  )   Over the meal, we discussed the plan for the GenJ club.   :)   We then went into the theater to see Narnia.   The film was very well done, although a few minor parts were changed (nothing affecting the plot).     After the film, we talked for a bit, and then ate out at a Chinese restaurant (I was treated by one of the families  ).    I was then driven back by that same family.    Then I went to the house church. 

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Someone sent me these pictures: 

 

 

And...

 

 

I want one! :D

 

Tomorrow, I will be meeting a few local GenJers for an "informal" GenJ club meeting.  :)    We will then go out to see Narnia.  :)  There are no classes next week, just a couple finals (Wednesday and Thursday).  

 

In other news, I have a "first" to announce.  :D  I spoke with a friend on the phone yesterday...for about FOUR HOURS!!!   (2.5 hours and then 1.5 hours after he had dinner.)    I don't know if that is something I shuold be happy about or not....but we had a most enjoyable conversation(s)! :)   (And I do not like talking on the phone! :D )

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The PT test today was...interesting.     I passed everthing...  I only did 54 pushups (down from 61, min 42), 66 situps (up from 60, min 53), and 2 miles in 13:something.  The two miler was kinda funny....in reality, I did it in less than 12:50, but the Sgt forgot to count a lap, so I ended up with 14-something....so he took a minute off.     Oh well.  At least they count your highest score for the semester.      We ran the two miles outside...we were going to run it inside, because of the snow, but the track was clear today, so we ran outside.  (They marked off the ice spots with cones.)   As we were preparing to run, the top MS IV (one of the graders) deviated from the normal "the running event will measure your endurance..." to "the ice-skating event will measure your endurance...."

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I just got back from the Dining In ceremony.  Dining In is a semi-formal event held by ROTC units to prepare cadets for formal events.  It has gotten to be a tradition.   The Dining In started with about 45 minutes of socializing (you are supposed to shake hands with all the other cadets).   Then we filed into the dining room and took our seats.  We then rose for the invocation and presentation of the colors.  After that, the grog was filled.   Various ingredients were added to a punch bowl.   The result was a very nasty-looking and tasting concoction.  People who were "called up" to be made fun or for something were forced to drinkn from the grog.  People were called up for maybe an hour, for everything from a dance they could do to reading a poem in Russian.  The cdets performed skits, with the best skit and the worst skit winning awards.  [Someone just walked in and gave me a Krispy Kreme doughnut!  :D ]   It was a lot of fun...I drank from the grog a couple time (because all the Ranger Challenge people went up when the leader went up)...it wasn't THAT bad.     Cadets socializing.  Lt. Colonel Overbye talking.  MS III cadets performing the flutter kick for the 11 uniform infractions found among them. SFC Jennings (the PT sergeant - 3rd in the picture) about to be awarded a medal for his career in Armor.  MS Is performing our skit...I am the last person seated (on the far right).    Finally, me in my Class A uniform (with white shirt and bowtie).

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My apologies for the length of time that has elapsed. 

OK, I was tagged like...a month ago to post 10 memories.  So that shall be my update.  :D 

 

10)  I remember having to figure out a way to get the 16 miles between Dulles Airport and GMU when the buses were out of service, and being thankful that a friend let me spend the night at his house and drove me there so that I didn't have to walk over/spend the night in the airport.

 

9)   I remember landing in NY and calling my parents from the airport, intending to tell then that I was still in VA and had slept in and missed my flight.    No one was home, though.    

 

8)  I remember having people over for Thanksgiving and spending some time in worship...felt really good. 

 

7)   I remember my friend who came over and surprised me.   We played Airsoft out in the snow.  Lots of fun.   

 

6)   I remember spending virtually all day Sunday flying/riding/waiting to get back. 

 

5)   I remember being told that I look like a "white supremacist" by another cadet, because of the very short haircut I got while home.  (Have you ever heard of a Quaker white supremacist?  )   [Quaker is the name the cadets gave me. :D ] 

 

4)  I remember getting an email address today that ends with .us.army.mil   

 

3)  I remember dressing up in my Class A uniform today for inspection.  

 

2)  I remember registering for selective service online today. 

 

1)  I remember that, whatever happens in life, Jesus is still on the throne and He controls everthing according to His perfect plan. 

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I wanted to see how many push-ups I could do in a day.  So, I started doing sets of push-ups yesterday.   Total 650+.     [EDIT:  Just so everyone understands, I did NOT do them all at once!  :D   But between 11 am and 11 pm, I did 650+.    And, no, I am not very sore today.   ] 

Today there was an FTX which I was really looking foward to.   However, there were only 4 cadets who had volunteered to help out at a football game (collecting tickets and such) and more were needed, so I volunteered for that.   Four of us showed up, and found out that we would actually be participating in the game (chain crew and ball boy/girl).   It's probably a good thing that I didn't know I would be doing that....otherwise, I probably wouldn't have volunteered.      The game took forever.    The fact that I hadn't eaten anything all day (still haven't as of now) probably didn't help any.    (I was able to buy a Coke at halftime, though.)   Oh, and Mason won, 21-20 (we entered halftime 21-0 in our favor).   

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What a smoking.     Run a little over 1/4 mile to a fence and back, then do 50 push-ups and 50 sit-ups.  Do that 3 times.    At lab yesterday, the cadets practiced battle drills with paintball guns.  :D  It was a lot of fun.     We were divided up into 5 squads of about 10-12.  Each squad had two fire teams, I was part of fire team Bravo, which was responsible for aid and litter (first aid stuff).   We were sent against 2-4 MS IVs and Ranger Challenge people who played OPFOR (OPposing FORces).   Both times, my squad won (well, not really...the enemy inflicted heavy casualties on us during the first engagement and, in the second engagement, was killed by one of the evaluators - because we were taking too long  ).   But it was fun.  :)    A foretaste of this Saturday....

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Today, I got up early to go to the Fairfax County Republican Committee's 16th Annual PepRally Breakfast.   Karl Rove was scheduled to speak, but there was a last-minute change in plans, and so the main speaker was Ken Mehlman, RNC Chairman.   We also heard from VA Governor candidate Jerry Kilgore, as well as some other officials.

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Well, as it turned out, there weren't that many at the protest - estimates ranged from 20-50 at the max.  :)

 

Monday

 

We left campus at around 9, and arrived at the Washington Convention Center at 10.   However, we discovered that the exhibits did not open until noon, so we waited around 'till 12.   Then we dashed in and stopped by as many booths as we could in 8 minutes, before heading back upstairs for an ROTC luncheon. 

At the luncheon, I learned something about myself - I eat faster than everyone else at the table.  People were making comments about how I had finished my salad when they were only half-way through.   

We listened to a speech given the the General in charge of EUCOM (European Command), as well as a Captain who had served in Iraq.   Then some awards were presented to different cadets and schools.  One of the cadets who received a reward was homeschooled his entire life.   

Lunch ended at 2:30, and we were given 1 hour to look around.  We quickly went from table to table, stuffing our bags with free stuff.   We only hit maybe 70% of the booths - there was so much stuff!   I had really wanted to talk with some of the people there about my research project on Future Combat Systems, so I asked Captain Wingate if I could stay longer and take the Metro back.   He replied in the affirmative, so I stayed for another 2 hours.   

Here are a few pictures of some of the things that were there.....sorry about the quality.   

 

One of the (ahem S!) many robotic vehicles at the conference. 

A model of an armed Predator!  You can't see it very well, but, in addition to 8 Hellfires, it has a couple AIM-9 Sidewinders and another missile which I didn't look at close enough to identify.  

 

A Stryker MGS (Mobile Gun System)! 

 

The Class IV UAV for FCS - pretty much finished.

MP5s at the HK booth!

 

Of course, what would be an Army conference without an Abrams?  (How on earth did they get that - and the dozen other vehicles - into the basement of the conference center?!)

I stuffed my bag with lots of goodies - pens, brochures, magazines, etc.   Probably 30-40 pounds of stuff.  :) 

I also joined AUSA, so I was able to wear the "AUSA Member" badge thingy during part of the conference.  :D

 

Wedesday/Thursday

 

Well...I did regular PT yesterday morning.  Sgt. Jennings - the 300-lb-all-muscle-former-drill-sergeant  - lead it.  He's a really nice guy, but he really knows how to get you in shape!  :D 

Classes have been going better....BTW, I got a "B" on that paper I wrote in 1 hour (the only reason I didn't get a higher mark is because I didn't have an intro on the essay).  So I'm happy about that.   

Yesterday, I spent a little bit of time helping to get the ROTC building ready for the high-ranking General who stopped by this morning.   One of the MS IIIs in my squad thanked me for coming out and asked if I was interested in going for Cadet of the Month, since he would be willing to sponsor me.  :)   (I told him that I wasn't ready yet.) 

One of the MS IVs let me ride along with him to part of Fairfax where I was able to drop off my uniform to have the patches sewn on (I tried it on my own, and it did NOT look good. :D ).  We also stopped by a surplus store, where I bought a lighter (yes, I will be using it - to burn off threads from my uniform (it's fire-resistant, so burning is actually better than snipping).  ). 

 

Today, I learned that, as of the end of this month, the monthly stipend will be increased to $300!        

 

BTW, I got 102 on my first ROTC test.   Although Captian Wingate (who branched Aviation) took off 100 points when I mentioned that Infantry is the best branch.  I plan to appeal that to the Colonel.

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Swim test went pretty well.  I joined the weak swimmers group and didn't do so badly.    I found out that this test, along with the Combat Water Survival Test, are more to gauge where we are at than to actually qualify us.  :)  

 

Well, today I got up before 5 to prepare for the FTX.  I arrived at the assembly area at 0525, and we got into formation before heading out to Ft. A. P. Hill.  There, the MS IIIs went off to qualify with the M16, while the MS Is and IIs went rapelling and did an obstacle course.   Rapelling was pretty easy; we were only 30 feet off the ground when we went down, and I don't think anyone fell.  :)    The obstacle course also wasn't that difficult (if you were in moderate physical shape).  A lot of it focused on mental ability and teamwork.   We also learned different ways to carry a wounded comrade. 

I ate 2 MREs today, along with another government-issued breakfast.  No comment on the food.     (Except the MREs aren't nearly as bad as they are said to be.... :D ) 

After the Is and IIs finished the obstacle course and rapelling, we were able to do a little shooting with the M16.  I was aiming too high most of the time, and I only managed to get 11 of the 40 targets.  :)  

 

Quick prayer request: 

Last Thursday, an anti-war guy was arrested for trespassing (he didn't have a permit to protest) next to a Marine recruting booth.   Now, the ACLU is upset, and is staging a major anti-war demonstration on campus at 12 tomorrow (along with 9 other liberal, homosexual, anti-war, etc. groups).   The Colonel has said that, if any cadets get into a fight, they will lose their scholarships and get kicked out of ROTC.   We have been strongly encouraged to not wear anything Army-ish.  I will be away tomorrow from 9-3, but I would appreciate prayer for the other cadets, that they don't do anything they would regret.   Right now, with their attitudes, they would make a battle-hardened Marine Drill Sergeant proud, but that isn't exactly good PR.  :D  

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I have some sad news.   Yesterday, as you pretty much all know, we did the Combat Water Survival Test.   Now the test has four parts, I told you about part one.  Well, as it turns out, we did all parts except for that part.  :D  

We divided up into groups.  My group did the basic swim (to the other side and back).  I really noticed how bad I was at swimming (not having done it in about 2 years).  Then we had to use a special hold to drag a buddy and swim to the other side.  I didn't get very far.    

At our next station, we put on our LCEs and took an M16 (it was fake, but it weighed about the same as a real one).  We stood on the edge of the pool with our backs to the water, and closed our eyes.   Then we were pushed in.  We had to keep the rifle above the water and swim as far as possible.  I wasn't able to keep the rifle up there, so I think I failed that one as well.   

The last station was similiar, except, instead of swimming, we had to drop the rifle and take off our LCEs while remaining underwater.  I made several attempts at that, but didn't make it.     After my first attempt, one of the MS IVs manning the station told me that I was bleeding on my forehead.  Sergeant Jennings (the PT instructor; he is a HUGE black man, probably 300 lbs, all muscle) took me to the men's restroom and put a towel against my forehead to stop the bleeding.  Another cadet was there, and asked Sgt. Jennings if he had punched me.  Sgt. Jennings replied that he had, but that I had begun laughing, whereas most people are unconscious for 3 days.  (The cadet testified that he had been out for a week after being hit by the Sgt.)   

After that, we went over to another pool where we were shown how to inflate our BDUs and use them as a life jacket. 

Today, we took the APFT (Army Physical Fittness Test).   I did really poorly on the push-ups (only 40, the minimum for passing is 42; last time I got 59).   But I did 56 (or so) sit-ups (53 is passing, last time I did 54).  Then we did the 2-mile run.  As soon as I started running, I could feel the affects of the swimming in my legs.  I was concerned that I would experience a drop in time.  But instead, I ran faster than before!   12:20 was my finish time (last time I did 13:16; minimum is 15:54 for men).   

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Right now, I am working on my Honors research project (Future Combat Systems); I just returned from the library.   Something terrible happened there - I found the military section.  I wish I could pause all my classes for a month and just sit and read.  THEY HAVE SO MANY BOOKS THERE!!!!       Oh well.....  :)  

 

Tomorrow, I shall be taking the Combat Water Survival Test, in which I (wearing BDUs and LCE gear with rifle) mount a diving board (blindfolded), step off into the water, remove the blindfold, and swim to the edge of the pool with my gear, keeping the rifle above water.  Please pray that I do well. 

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So we went to Ft. A. P. Hill for the Land Nav FTX (Field Training Exercise).    I was paired up with Jankovich, my RA, and we spent five hours out in the woods, finding only one point (out of eight).    I also had my first MRE - I had heard so many horror stories from the other cadets thatthe MRE actually exceeded my expectations.    When we returned from the first phase, there was a BBQ prepared by the Sergeants on staff here.     We then went out to do some night land nav....we had 2 hours to find two points.   Unfortunately, we didn't get either.      But we had fun!      We got back to GMU at 0010, and I went out to eat something with some of the other cadets.  I am now going to sleep in late this morning.   

*****

Well, as I was typing this, the fire alarm went off, so we all left the building and waited (a while) for the fire department to arrive.   I'm back now and everything is safe. 

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Praise God!   I finished the essays!  :)   One of them, I ended up writing one hour before class (and it was worth 15% of the total class grade).  But I got it done satisfactorally.  :) 

Wednesday, the Ranger Challenge people went on a ruck march (2 miles? with a 30+ lb ruck) along a highway; several vehicles honked at us.   Today, we went for a "light" jog, did a ton of pull-ups, quite a few push-ups, and practiced securing a live EPW (Enemy Prisoner of War).   It's pretty cool.  :)   However, I told cadet Daly that I would be leaving RC because of academics.   He was cool about it.  :)   I will need the extra 6 net hours that it will give me.  :) 

I will post more later.... :) 

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My apologies for the lack of updates.  I walked into the ambush of homework and am fighting my way out.   

 

On Monday, the Ranger Challenge team did a 5-mile run, and then we practiced some small-unit infantry tactics.  I talked with Daly and he gave me a leave of absense for Tuesday (today), so I didn't go to RC this morning (I needed the extra time to work on homework).   However, I heard that Daly smiled again, as the RCers did the rope bridge in 4:14 (the goal being 4:15).   :)     Today, in ROTC Lab, we went out into the woods and did some Land Nav ( = orienteering).   This Saturday, there is a Land Nav FTX at Ft. A. P. Hill.   I need to go back to doing schoolwork now.  :)   I have a report to write on the NMAI, and I am less than half-way through.      I would appreciate your prayers. 

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Friday morning, I slept in 'till 0615.    Then I got up and went to regular ROTC PT.   My ROTC level has the option of doing sports, so we played basketball.  After that, I linked up with my Honors group and we went on a field trip to the Nation Museum of the American Indian (NMAI).   It was really good for a modern museum; they laid things out from the perspective of Native Americans, but encouraged debate.   One of my favorite exhibits was called: "The Storm:  Guns, Bibles, and Government."   (When I first saw the title, I was thinking, "Oh, great....")    There was a movie comparing the settlers to a storm; it builds and destroys.  The narrator then went on to talk about how guns were used to oppress the Indians, but how they were also used by the Indians.  "What is more Indian than a Winchester, except for a horse?"  He asked.   Turning to Bibles, he said, "Jesus has been a part of our heritage.  We have known Jesus for a long time."   He then went on to tell how Christianity brought "oppression, hardship, social justice, salvation, and eternal life."   I was surprised!  :)   

When I finished, I asked how long it took to get from NMAI (in DC) to GMU.   The guide answered anywhere from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.   He suggested I leave within the next half hour if I wanted to get back to GMU by four (I had to leave campus at 4 for something else in DC ).   I traveled back to towards GMU, but, realizing I wouldn't make it in time, I called Captain Wingate, who would be driving me to the Spirit of America performance (I was originally going to usher, but, since my uniform wasn't going to be ready on time, it was decided that I just go as a civilian).    He said that he would bring along a ticket for me, so I rode the metro back to DC, and waited for about an hour for Captain Wingate to arrive.  (During that time, a man saw my "George Mason University College Republicans" t-shirt, and called me aside.  He then told me that he was the representative of GMU's CR in the 1980s.  :)  )   He pulled up and I got in the van.   There were nine other cadets, eight of them in uniform.   We went inside the building, and I found out I would be helping to usher.   The cadets in uniform did most of it, with myself and the other cadet who didn't have a uniform resupplying them and giving handouts to anyone the uniformed cadets missed.    The show started at 7:30, and we went in at 8.   It was really good!  :)   (BTW, I saw another homeschooling family there.  )   They basically did some historic reenactments, and had some performaces by the US Army Band and the US Army Drill Team - and one at the end by the US Army Mantainance Broom Team (who basically tried to copy the drill team, using brooms instead of guns - they were hilarious!). 

 

At the end, all of the ushers were thanked by the Major General in charge of the Washington Military District.  He gave us each a commemerative coin and had a group photo taken with us. 

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