Civilian to Soldier: Michael Mulder

I recently got the smart idea to feature other soldiers that I have spoken to and befriended on godavidstrong.com and hopefully on video on the Go David Strong YouTube channel as well (video interviews coming soon).  So to kick things off I started simple by doing a written interview with soldiers that recently completed Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT).  I ask all of the soldiers the same set of questions to start because I have a feeling that the answers will be unique and yet informative.  As time goes on I'll most likely begin to add more personalized questions in addition to these below.  

My goal here is to share the experiences of other new soldiers, so that Future Soldiers can get greater insight about the Army's Initial Entry Training process than I can actually manage to deliver based solely on my one-time experience in basic training back in Fall 2010.  The Army is constantly changing, and yet some things do stay the same, but I wouldn't know becase I am too far removed from the process now.  I've moved on to greater things in my personal career, and yet I still feel a desire to help Future Soldiers because literally hundreds have asked me countless questions.  So...

If you are a recent graduate from BCT and AIT and are interested in being interviewed to further this effort, please email me with you interest at godavidstrong@gmail.com. Enjoy!

PFC Mulder, 92Y - Unit Supply Specialist from Aberdeen, South Dakota

Why did you join the US Army (Active Duty; US Army Reserve; Army National Guard)?

I chose to join the National Guard because it gives me the opportunity to serve and go to college at the same time. I am able to go to drills and be in the Army without it affecting my normal college schedule. I also joined because I thought everything about the Army was just awesome. I am able to fight for the country I love and I get paid to do it so it doesn’t get much better than that. I am proud to wear the uniform and love being a part of this huge team. 

What are your goals or what do you hope to get out of your time in the Army?

I have a few primary goals that come to mind right now when I think about my whole career in the service. First off I want to learn to become a great leader/NCO (noncommissioned officer) that young privates such as me can look up to. I want to go to as many Army schools as I can such as Airborne, Air Assault, and maybe eventually someday even R.A.S.P. I want to be the best 92 Yankee that I can be while always maintaining the seven army values. I want to deploy at least once so I can see what it actually means to fight for my country. 

What was Basic Combat Training like for you?

Basic Combat Training for me was a lot harder mentally than it was physically. As long as you are consistently working out before basic training you should be just fine physically but there wasn’t much to prepare me for the mental aspect of how a drill sergeant is towards you. For example the first few days they would give us one minute shower drills and wake us up unexpectedly which would completely throw me off. After a while though you get used to the treatment and it becomes the normal behavior. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the field exercises that we did at BCT. Hand grenades, us weapons, land navigation, the gas chamber, and Treadwell Tower were all amazing experiences and are things you can’t necessarily do in the civilian world. I definitely look back on it as a positive experience and now that I’m finished it seems like it was nothing at all. 

If it were up to you, what would you add or take away from your basic combat training to make it better?

I definitely wouldn’t have taken anything away from basic training. I am unsure of what they actually would add but I think any extra training would be good training. A new soldier can never get to be too good at field exercises and things of that nature. They say repetition is the father of learning, so if I were to add something it would be more repetition of field exercises to instill muscle memory. 

Now that you're a full soldier with BCT and AIT well behind you, is the Army what you thought it would be or totally different from the picture you had in your mind before you became a soldier?

The Army is definitely different than what I thought it would be. You have to remember that you're not always going to get along with everybody in the Army, but you will still have to work with them to achieve a goal. I didn’t realize that there were people in the that joined for selfish reasons and selfish reasons alone. I also had to open my mind to a whole new spectrum of prerogatives, being that there were soldiers from all over the nation. I could never have prepared my mind for exactly how it was going to be, its just something you have to experience for yourself to know. 

Do you have any regrets or positives about your decision? If so, what would you do differently or keep the same?

I have no regrets on my decision to join the Army. If I had to I would do it all over again because in the end you know in your heart that it’s worth it. All the struggle and things you go through are definitely for a worthy cause. You just can’t forget what you are struggling for and stay on the right path.

What is your best advice for others that are waiting and preparing to ship to basic training?

My best advice for those waiting to ship would first off to be making sure your putting in your PT time. Pushups and sit ups till failure with multiple repetitions at least 4 times a week. Also, I noticed from personal experience that running could really make or break a person. Usually you will run about 2 miles for your workouts and the best way to get better at your 2 mile is by running 3 or 4 miles at a time. I can’t stress being physically ready enough, if you are in shape basic will be tremendously easier for you and you will notice it as well. As far as the mental aspect is concerned, know your basic Army knowledge. The soldier’s creed, Army values, phonetic alphabet, military time, and General Orders are all great things to know before even arriving. Also once you get there be studying and know the information that they give you because it will all help out in the long run. One thing you can’t forget is that it is the drill sergeants job to treat you the way they do. Remember that and realize that it isn’t anything personal towards you. Also remember that its only basic training, thousands have done it before you and thousands will continue to do it after you. 

Is there anything else you'd like to say or share?

The last thing I'd like to say is just stay motivated at all times. Basic training and AIT is as long as you make it. If you are unmotivated and unhappy to be there, your time will drag on and on. Keep a positive attitude and you’ll be amazed at how quickly the time actually goes. You're doing a great service to your country and yourself, so be proud of that. Take pride in what you do and always give it one-hundred percent.

"Why do you want to be an Army officer?" (Commissioned Officer)

In this picture above I hid 2nd Lieutenant rank on my ACU as a symbol and a reminder of my goal, how I should carry myself and guide my thinking.  Yes, I know it is entirely out of Army regulation, but just read and I think it will be made clear as to why I secretly wear this passion.

Two days ago while on duty I had a bit of down time, so I decided to recall all of the questions that were asked of me in the first Officer Direct Commission board that I attended.  (If you recall, I wrote a post explaining in great detail how that board played out here.)  After jotting down the questions I looked over them carefully and made mental notes of the ones that required the most crucial answer.  The questions were as follows:

• Tell us what you do or tell us about yourself.
• Who is your mentor or guide at your unit?
• How do you plan to make up for the training you've missed in OCS and ROTC?
• What other leadership roles have you had besides teaching?
• What do you see yourself doing in the Army in the next 3 to 7 years?
• Why didn't you do ROTC in college?
• Why are you trying to become an officer now?

These questions were critical and very probing.  I stumbled to put it very bluntly.  However, I  basically concluded in my blog post about my first ODC board attempt that my trouble stemmed from not having a clear answer to the most important question that wasn't asked in the first interview:  

Why do you want to be an Army Officer?

So, after jotting down these questions and thinking over them, I then resorted to answering this critical question above.

I have natural passion for leading and teaching people.

I desire to be greater than I am by expanding my abilities through knowledge, trial and error, while continuing to press forward.

I believe my purpose lies within the realm of military leadership and decision-making to help serve and protect people of the United States and it's Constitution.

I know that my civilian education, teaching experience and skills will uniquely aid me in developing the additional technical and tactical proficiences and qualities needed to be an Army officer, once coupled with officer training.

Overall I believe that by serving as an Army Reserve commissioned officer, I will be a better leader than I am, allow me to further myself in higher education, and ultimately open doors for a civilian occupation with a major US governmental agency.

I wrote my answer to this question in a creed-like fashion because it makes my thoughts and intentions very clear to anyone that reads it.  I know what I am after and I will not give up!  I stumbled on the first try, but this second time I believe I will do exceedingly better to earn the boards recommendation for direct commission.

My mission is to become a U.S. Army Reserve Commissioned Officer.

Warrior Ethos:  I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat.  I will never quit.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are mostly frequently asked questions with a few additional lesser questions I feel should be answered and shared.  If you don't see a question that you think should have been added here please comment on this post and I will review your request.  Thanks!

UPDATE!  I just added a FAQ page above where more questions have been added.

What is your MOS?  

I am an 88N (spoken "eighty-eight november") -Transportation Management Coordinator.

Where did you go for AIT (Advanced Individual Training)?  

I went to Fort Lee, Virginia for AIT where my MOS required 6 weeks of training.

Is basic training hard?

Hell to the yeah!  ...with one caveat however.  Basic training used to be much harder in a number of aspects, but has since been changed (some would argue this by saying it was "watered down").  What should be realized is that the vast majority of new soldiers in the Army are very young and are apart of the generation that grew up with cell phones, internet, personal computers and video games (at present I had none of these conveniences for half my life and I'm only 29 years of age).  What does this mean?  This means that the many new soldiers are viewed as weak, lazy, fat, crazy, and hyper-sexually active couch potatoes COMPARED to all of the generations of soldiers before them.  And when it comes down to Modern Army Combatives Instruction, a lot of young Americans have hardly been punched in the face, let along slapped. And yet when future soldiers arrive to basic training they experience culture shock.  I know I did.

Why didn't you join the Navy or the Air Force?

The other military branches didn't have an appeal to me.  I don't really get a kick out of heights and flying, nor do I like nor want to swim (obviously this rules out being a Marine).  I have nothing against the other branches, but like all preferential things in life it's a prerogative.

Are you afraid you'll be deployed to Afghanistan?

Yes and no.  Yes, because safety is always a concern no matter what your job is overseas in a combat zone.  No.  I feel somewhat indifferent right now.  I am however, looking forward to saving a lot of money during my deployment. ;)

What is basic training like?

I get this question all the time and frankly, it's so broad and open-ended a question that it would literally fill a book if I even attempted to answer it.  The short and simpler answer is, it was one of the most exciting, scary, shocking and physically grueling experiences of my life.  And as a person who came from a poor physical lifestyle as a public school teacher to running several miles and firing weapons meant to kill other human beings (albeit the enemy), it goes without saying that basic training was life changing for me.

Are you happy that you joined the Army?

Absolutely!  The one major setback I am faced with, however, is the demanding time requirement, and as an Army Reserve soldier, this is saying a lot!  I couldn't have imagined the amount of additional time and travel that would be required beyond one drill per month and two weeks active duty out of the year.

What kind of camera do you use?

When I first started making videos for my YouTube channel, I was using my Canon Vixia HF10.  Lately, I've been shooting my videos using my Canon 5D Mark II (DSLR camera).

When are you going to make another video?

Simply put, when my job, the Army and family permit me to make another.  There is not set schedule.  I make one when I have the time and energy.  That's the honest truth.

Basic Combat Training: Reception - GDS Episode 006

Disclaimer:  These are educated guesses as to how things may go for you based upon my experience at Fort Jackson Reception and how they operated.

Here are some topics I didn't cover in episode 006.

Packet

You will probably receive your Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills Book, Initial Entry Training book (aka "Smart Book") and hand sanitizer.  The smart book and sanitizer may end up being an inspectable item you will need to keep on you throughout your entire stay in Basic Combat Training.  (The sanitizer is provided because you will not always have the luxury of washing your hands with soap and water).

Amnesty Brief

If I recall correctly, the amnesty brief is basically a brief on what you are allowed and not allowed to have with you during the remainder of your time at reception battalion (and even at your BCT company for the most part).

Post Exchange (PX)

You will have an opportunity to go to the post exchange to purchase some basic, but necessary items just prior to shipping to your actual BCT company.  Here are two links to two (downloadeable/printalbe) tables that Fort Jackson provides on their website in accordance with Army Regulation (AR) 612-201.  

• "What to bring list" - Items Future Soldiers shoudl wear or bring to Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) on ship day.
• "What to buy list" - Items to purchased at Reception Post Exchange (PX).

Moment of Truth

The moment of truth is where the future soldiers are asked as a whole if there is anything that you lied about, "failed" to share or admit during the enlistment process or what have you.  You aren't expected to admit these things in front of others, but it' s just a final chance for you to come clean privately before attempting to move forward with training.

Phone Call

As far as I know and from what I've read, you are strongly encouraged to bring your mobile phone with you when you ship as it will be your secondary means of communication with family (apart from writing letters--the primary means of communication).  Bring it with you and use it as much as possible if allowed while you're at reception!  Drill sergeants will most likely return you mobile phone to you once each phase to make a super-short phone call to family.

That is all for now.  If I come across further informationt that needs to be added here, or if have a topic that you feel should be addressed for BCT Reception, please email me at godavidstrong@gmail.com.

Deployment Update: Afghanistan

As I'm sure all of you know by now, I am an Army Reserve Soldier, and so I attended drill earlier this month at the end of which I received my permanent orders.  It appears that it is safe to say I am being deployed to Afghanistan indefinitely.  Obviously, to observe Operations Security (OPSEC) regulation, I clearly cannot reveal further information.  However, I just wanted confirm what has already been shared via my YouTube videos and basically provide my thoughts on the matter.

In a small way, I have experienced a considerably consistent time away from home, work and of course, family.  I have spent the vast majority of this year dotting the United States attending schools for training and Army competitions, in all of which I have done quite well.  However, I have already begun to face estrangement from my friends, who also happen to be my colleagues at my civilian workplace, as well as my 1,000+ elementary aged students (FYI: I'm a public school teacher if you didn't arleady know).  In terms of the former, it's been a great year, but as for the latter, this year has sucked.  I've said all this to help shape my ultimate point:  a year of deployment and the time I'll have to be away from work to prepare for it means another year of becoming a stranger.  It's an odd feeling and it was palpable throughout the 2010-2011 school year.  I'm hoping that I can work this out, as my job situation in regards to this deployment is a unique one.  That's all I have to say about this for now.

On a positive note, I do look forward to the experience of being deployed, all the while praying for my safety (lol).  There is a HUGE financial benefit as well as learning more about what my MOS (Military Occupational Specialty aka "army job") will be like in a combat environment.  Honestly, I don't know what to expect but I know for sure I will have a lot to share as I go along or afterward.  In short, I am both excited, afraid but encouraged to do my best as my unit prepares and once we deploy.

Stay tuned!

"Civilian to Soldier: Enlistment - Chapter 1" Short Film

This is a short film on my first 12 months since I enlisted on February 5th, 2010.  While I have been enlisted for just little bit over a year, I've only been a soldier for two months of that time.  A lot has happened--more than I was able nor wanting to share in Chapter 1 of this film.  Chapter 2 may cover more of what I left out.  For now this is the first part of my story and the goal is to continue this film project until the end of my enlistment in 2018.  The vlogs and episodes that I make time to create will provide supplemental insight into what being a soldier has brought me.  

So far this process of sharing my experiences online has been extremely rewarding in terms of the community that has begun to surround it and the feedback.  All of you who have followed my journey and have even chosen to take up a similar journey, be it in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corp are amazing.  I am inspired and I hope to inspire more to take up the cause for a country--although not perfect-- that remains a great light in a very dark world.  America is my home and it is my country.  Who will defend it, it's people and it's Constitution if no one volunteers to do the hard work?  Many are called but few will answer.

Go David Strong featured on myarmyreserve.com! ...sorta

Thanks for the mention My Army Reserve

Jonathan P. Vickery

Here is a comment posted on my Facebook page today.

David, I stumbled upon your videos on Youtube.com and I would like to say you are an inspiration for me man, you have great advice and it seems like a great out-look on life. I'm in the process of joining the U.S Navy and just wanted to say your videos have prepped me for what is to come and I thank you for that. Go David Strong!

I'm very flattered.  You're welcome John and all the best!

GDS Episode 004: Technical Difficulties

Please bare with me on the delay and I'll get this episode up as soon as possible. ... Hopefully some time today. :/

7 New Episodes, one each week starting January 24th

So look for an episode to be up starting next week on Monday January 24th, and six more Mondays thereafter.  As for what will come on the eighth week, I really don't know.  If you have suggestions or pressing topics you'd like for me to cover, just shoot me an email to godavidstrong@gmail.com or leave your suggestion/idea/recommendation in the comments on this post.

I really and truly appreciate all of you guys and hope that your Army careers are off to a good start--mine definitely is!  I really want to be of help to you all so that others aren't as in the dark as I sorta felt when I first started toying with the idea of enlisting.  It truly is scary in the beginning and sometimes hard to float the idea of joining the military to your parents, no matter how old you are!  

Before I end this post I have some things that have been on my heart for a while.  These are matters that have begun to bother me and I feel strongly about.  I want to take some time to address various comments, and archaic ideologies, beliefs and/or perspectives that have been thrown at me since I joined the military from civilians--even my friends (no offense to them).  

Let's start with when people learn of your plans to enlist or that have enlisted.  This is directed at people who are informed about a close friend or relative's choice to join the military.  Personally, the response has been, "that's crazy" or "you're crazy"--even "they're all crazy"--"they" being the military service members.  When you get someone who reacts that way--excluding parents, as their reaction is understandable--but anyone else it is insensitive, to say the least, and a slap in the face to any person who has served America since the military became all voluntary.  The statement, "that's crazy" to a person who heard the call and felt conviction to become a soldier, marine, airmen or seaman smacks of ignorance, somewhat selfish and highly ungrateful.  It is ignorant and ungrateful because the American way of life is, believe it or not, sustained by a large degree of military might even in peacetime.  Our freedom to have chill lives with our Caramel Machiattos, tapping our iPads isn't held together by "Kumbaya" circles and free hugs.  That's just reality.   It's somewhat selfish because in the guise of concern, their is a failure to see the decision from the military volunteer's point of view--not what you would do, or wouldn't do in this case.  Stop projecting.  Listen to him or her explain why going the route of the military has become important.  Don't give opinions where it wasn't asked.  This has happened to me on many occasions before and after I enlisted.  I was very offended, but I said nothing in return.  I probably should have spoken up.  

The Army (don't know about the other branches) has really changed, and the civilian perspective or view of the Army is both sorely outdated and quite morbidly wrong in a lot of ways, excluding families of service members.  I mean no offense but there are civilians who will try give you unsolicited "insight" (doing the quoty fingers lol) into what they know, or think they know about how horrific and deranged the military can make you.  And they say it as if you actually asked and want to know.  And despite their best intent, it can sometimes become offensive (but personally in keeping with my temperament, I swallow it and let it slide).

They will, if you let them, scare the hell out of you and further sensationalize what truths do exist in their ignorant misguided and half-truthful "advice" or "info"--no matter how well-intentioned they may be.  Sometimes this will be your friends who will do this.  The conversation usually starts with "My *insert family member/friend here* was/is in the military...." blah blah blah psycho mind-freaking (euphemism).  Don't listen to them!  Find someone who is currently in the Army and has been in for at least 8 to 10 years to see the change that has happened up to now.  Yes, the dangers of war are very real for each and every soldier, but NO ONE joins ignorant of this fact.  So when conversations like this start among your civilians friends or family, it's probably worth tuning out for your own sake or be up front (I should do this myself) and say, "Hey, I appreciate (thinking: not really) what you're trying to say, but I honestly prefer we not talk about that."   Something to that affect.  Or cut them off and change the subject to subtly, but emphatically convey your discomfort.   ...or maybe that's just me. lol idk

Let me dispel any belief, if it still exists, that the Army is anything like "Full Metal Jacket".  For one, the film follows civilians who become marines (let's state the obvious up front LOL).  Secondly, drill sergeants are NOT to speak nor hit a private as depicted in that film...well some bend the rules to the breaking point but not like the film referred to here.  OH and that is all Hollywood too.  This is not the 1960s, 70s or earlier.  We are in a time of modern warfare and abuse and degradation are not the methods espoused in Army training.  Tracking?  My drill sergeants broke me down and built me back up without all of that abusive nonsense.

Finally, No matter who you are, in the Army we are all green and called by our rank and last name.  In other words, regardless of your race, color, creed, or who you love, you will be surprisingly shocked at how close-knit the Army can be.  We are Army Strong. Yes, you will inevitably run into the bigots and hypocrites  in uniform, but the Army's core values and regulations have changed and improved such that many and varying people can serve their country without fear of malicious reprisal--both from peers, superior ranking officers and non-commissioned officers.  More to the point, you'll find the the majority of today's soldiers live by the Army values and regulations with a strong sense of moral character and pride.  Again lot has changed and I, for one, am very proud to be an American Soldier in today's Army.

Anyway, enough rambling!  See you guys on YouTube January 24th!

Hooah!!