Today started with a 3 a.m. wake up call from Christina. I told her I was nervous about oversleeping my alarm when I first came here and now she calls me each morning to make sure I'm awake. What a sweet lady! (I've figured out the alarm clock now so hopefully she'll be able to get some sleep.)
The PT test was a crazy experience. The good news is that I passed on push ups and the 2 mile run with no problem. Sadly I came up 6 sit ups short when I was terminated for putting my shoulders on the mat for more than a quick second. I was not a happy camper when the test was terminated. I was really struggling but had one minute left in my test to get six more....GRRRRR!
RIGHT AFTER THE PT TEST
Thankfully this first test is a diagnostic test so the drill sergeants can see where to push us in the weeks ahead. I ran the 2 mile run in a personal best of 15:38 and logged 57 push ups and 39 sit ups. I have a hunch that with a few weeks of training I'll be ready for the test during Phase 1, which will be for record. I had hoped to avoid extra PT but maybe it's the Lord's will that I work even harder this summer. It was an amazing and stressful experience to be on that track with so many units testing for the Army. "Thank you Lord for your protection on my back over these last six months!" The training for the run and push ups over the last several months really helped today.
My battle buddy Sam Rico is one of the most fit guys in the school (logging a sub 12 min. time in the 2 mile run and 78 push ups) yet he too failed to log enough sit ups during his test so I feel much better knowing how many of us need to work on certain areas. The important thing is to pass the test by next summer before I accession to Chaplain in the U.S. Army!
PICTURE OF SAM RICO (ON LEFT) AND WESLEY, FELLOW STUDENT
The rest of the day we spent learning how to march. We spent 7 hours in some of the most brutal heat I've ever experienced. People have warned me about it down here but I guess I was a little overconfident that it wouldn't be that bad. Oh my...we had two soldiers drop out today because of heat exhaustion. Unbelievable! If nothing else I'll have lost a lot of water weight in the weeks ahead right?
We finished the day by having a platoon marching competition. Our platoon did fine but we didn't win. I was just thankful that I picked up on the different steps and commands well enough not to stick out. One platoon had a guy take a wrong turn and he just kept on marching away. It was so funny! I felt bad but I had to chuckle! (I'm a terrible dancer but I've got rhythm so that really helps for what we do here.)
Well tomorrow is a big day because we get to march to Victory Tower where I think we learn to overcome the fear of being high above the ground. (If you know what I mean!) I'll keep you posted...
Thanks again for all your encouraging e-mails, letters, packages and prayer support! (People are starting to get to know me, if for no other reason than all of the mail I get! I have gotten more mail than anyone else. It means a lot. Thanks!)
The chaplaincy is such an amazing ministry and the need is so great for pastors...(I think that is why I feel so torn being here away from my sweet family...ouch!)
Give me strength Lord Jesus! All for your glory! (Whenever we are called to attention we yell "TO GOD THE GLORY!" You should hear this place echo with that sound. I'm so honored...
Dave
3 comments:
I continue to be so proud of you.... Please keep drinking lots of water and I will keep praying for you daily. Love, Dad
I had to chuckle at your comment about the fellow that marched the wrong way and kept on marching. I was a platoon leader in basic and I ordered my whole platoon left instead of right...like the other platoons were going! The whole platoon obeyed very well, getting a great deal of pleasure at my expense. By the time that I recovered from my mistake, we had marched much farther than I wanted to accept. I finally gained composure and reverse marched them, double timed it and caught back up with the rest of the platoons. You better believe that I heard plenty about it later.
Dave, I reread your day 5 blog and I am realy sorry that I took so lightly today's events. You have done very well and I shouldn't have made light of it. You have done very well todate and I know you will pass all the tests.
In basic I was in way over my head, can you imagine what I would do to a platoon today!
Love, Your dad Jim
Dave, I have many great memories of when we were boys and we would wrestle until we broke something or until mom would make us stop. Remember the "Bingham" move. OUCH!
Now that we are men I have watched as you has wrestled with some very difficult choices. You always seemed to find a way to come out on top back then...and you are doing a fine job of coming out on top right now.
I love you and if anyone tries to give you a hard time...just send them my way and I will take care of them for you.
-Jon
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