National Guard - Tumblr Posts
Kent State University
AT - Annual Training
I'm in the military (hence the name), and more specifically, the National Guard here in Virginia. So every month we go and train for 3 or 4 days, but we also have a two week long training event called Annual Training (or AT for short), and I'm heading out in a few hours. I'm trying to schedule some things to post in the future, but I've never done it before and I'm not sure if it will work. I've saved a few of the photos for the photo challenge for this so that I would have something to post. Hope you all enjoy the posts, and I'll see ya in two weeks!
I forgot to post this before. During Annual Training this year I earned the Army Achievement Medal as a gunner. I was a little surprised by it, and it actually made me kind of happy. There is actually a small video my Platoon Sergeant took of me that he said showed why I earned it, but I don't know if I'll post it since it's a little embarrassing.
RIC to SFO
My trip here from Richmond to San Francisco went ok. I wade it safely from one coast to the other at least. My first flight went well - landed a few minutes early, although it was a rough landing. My second flight was delayed (by almost 3 hours), then we sat in the plane for an hour while they tried to figure out what was wrong with it. We had to switch over into another airplane and then wait another hour to move. This was a rougher flight, but we eventually made it (with another poor landing), I called the place I was supposed to rent a car from, asking if it was ok to pick up, only to be told that they cancelled the rental on me two days ago. I was pretty annoyed, so rather than head out and find a hotel for a few hours, I just ended up going to the USO - it's like a lounge in the airport for former/current military. It was really nice. They had a lot of couches and recliners to sleep in, as well as blankets, pillows, and cots in case they ran out of places to sleep. I got up in the morning, cleaned up, and then talked with some other men and a few women who were military. The staff gave me a few maps, and ideas of stuff I could check out while I'm in the area after I asked them. I'll definitely be checking the other USOs out when I'm returning home.
One of the most interesting things that I’ve gotten to learn about my paw paw is that he used to be in the National Guard and he helped escort the Little Rock Nine into Little Rock Central High School. I found this out back junior high (intermediate when I went) when I had to do an interview of one of my grandparents who lived through the 50’s for my history class.
My Official Military Christmas.
First and for most. Happy holidays to all of those who reads this and who practice a difference faith than I do. I also have to say I'm not a Christian but! A Santero and spiritualist.
In these spaces I occupy, I have to take whats familiar to me. And well Christmas is witchy in nature. With all that being said. I have to say that my experience with this group of men are so different from what I am use to. That leadership does make a whole difference as to how you live in these environments and grow as a soldier.
The idea of putting up of the Christmas tree was one of the Air men's idea. Which I thought was pretty cool and very sweet. It did build moral as he knew that it would. When I saw it, It made me think of the pleasant times I had with my own family and the joys associated with Christmas.
It's ghetto as it'll ever be! But I have to say that I really do like it's creative nature. Since I work in the kitchen someone asked me to save the disposable table clothes. They're going to cut them up and make ribbons or bow ties out of them and add it to the tree dressed with Ripit energy drinks.
Now, myself, I don’t drink these. But the other guys do, and a lot. And they love them. I'll stick to my NewyoRican ways of drinking coffee and dying of dehydration because that's all I'll choose to put into my body. lol And yes, I'm joking!!!!!! Here I cannot do that. I think I would literally die! It's sooo dame hot here! I know Africa is suppose to be hot. But! I have to say, the thought of something. being in your head. Vers the experience is something else and actually doing it. man! I have to say I need to live a lot more than I have.
I'm just happy to see the tree. people are doing secret santa. my platoon isn’t doing it. and I'm not too sure how we can anyway.I mean were here! and we don't go any where and there are no stores. I'm just happy because well my family home will be happy. I also now that I'm not missing anything. We video chat quite often. I'm going to do my best to get the most out of this deployment. But the tree has definitely sparked some feelings in me I thought I have forgotten about. Which I have to say is a very good thing. I like when these good feelings and memories come back. Flooding my heart and head.
Over all, I know I made the decision thats best for me. I questioned myself about being a soldier. about being a military member. These question arise because my contract is coming to an end. And it's about that time to renew it. Or! Leave. I have thought bout leaving. Because of the horrendous leadership. People who are out for themselves and do not care about the people who follow them. But! thats another Blog post to be made.
However, I have to say that I titled this my first official Christmas because. The fist time I had one. The world around me way dying. It was 2020 and Covid was at an all time high. Christmas was jot on my mind although it was on everyone else’s. This year I’m I’m good spirits and have another ancestors to add to my alter. My first deployment was my uncle billy and now it’s my aunt Carolyn. I’m using this moral booster to cover up my pain. I’m not ready to be this exposed. Especially with a good group that I’m with.