To change things up I decided to take my smaller camera with me to training for the first time and keep a video log. I would strongly encourage any soldier, marine, airman, or sailor to keep a written and/or video account of their time in the military. It provides a way to reflect and release. It's good stuff! :)
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.
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!!
About two weeks ago Ilka Luna posted a great video with some helpful Army tips and suggestions from her experiences so far and I find her to be very motivating. It's for this reason that I chose to share my story in video and blog too. Also, below her video is Jonathan Cruz who has some great knowledge to share with other future Airman wanting to join or are waiting to ship to Air Force BMT. Check'em out!
This video below is a direct video reply by ssghooty on YouTube to my 6th vlog in my previous blog post "Drill Weekend, Job Cut, Switched to Active Duty - GDS Vlog 006"
I am very grateful for his input! As I said in my reply to him in so many words, I feel very reassured. :)
"This is a reply video to godavidstrong. David vlogged about life in general while attached to the USAR. I felt as though this soldier needed some guidance. Best of luck to you David."
Below is a video of a Future Soldier, who found my videos on YouTube and felt the desire to share his excitement for becoming a US Soldier. He recently posted this video and in response to it I had the following to say to him (below the player).
Look Timothy, in your mind you're already a soldier and that's the way you should look at it. You're proud of your choice, and hold onto it! As for ideas, perhaps you can look into the long list of Future Soldier Training that you can be learning and vlog about your "pre-soldier" experience. I view vlogging as visual journaling and art. It's mostly for yourself, and hopefully for others to follow your journey. Remember that! :) Be real, be authentic. More importantly, be yourself. -David
I hope he takes what I said to heart. He's young and he'll figure it all out. :)
Just thought I'd share.
Oh and while I'm at it, there are more like him that either I subscribed to on YouTube or vice versa--ranging from folk joining or in the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force. Great people we have in this country!
Been a bit busy these past few days, when I fully intended to make a second video about my MEPS experience. I know I already blogged about it, but some people might not want to read that long post. So, I am going to try to spread the word via video. Give 'til Monday the 1st to get the video done and uploaded to YouTube. So suffice it to say, watch for it soon, even though it's late.
Later :)
Hi! I'm David Moore and I am an American Soldier. On February 5, 2010 I enlisted into the United States Army Reserve, and completed Initial Entry Training (IET) in December of 2010. I've been sharing my experiences since the day I enlisted and will into the future. Present goal: Army Officer Read more...
Common Acronyms used in posts:
APFT = Army Physical Fitness Test
BCT = Basic Combat Training
AIT = Advanced Individual Training
IET = Initial Entry Training
BWC = Best Warrior Competition
UA = Unit Administrator
OPSEC = Operations Security
MOS = Military Occupational Specialty
PT = Physical Training
D&C = Drill & Ceremony
MEPS = Military Entrance Processing Station
OCS = Officer Candidate School
MP = Military Police
NCO = Non-Commissioned Officer
CO = Commanding Officer
AT = Annual Training
