Back from drill

[Harrison]

I had a blast. I didn't think I'd have fun, but I did.

I was made 1st Squad Leader almost immediately getting off the bus. Everyone was standing around like retards so I took the initiative to stand them at attention at least. (I didn't know much more than that, but that was enough) I then got the entire weekend to tell retards what to do with authority. Give me shit and the Drill Sergeant had your ass. Loved it.

We have the very first Drill Sergeant in the National Guard, ever. So we have it a lot rougher than people who go to drills under other NCOs. He's an awesome guy though, just doesn't take any shit as you'd expect.

[Sithos]

Understand you are being "graded" on everything you do. If you are given responsibility (which you have) and do well then they will heap more and more on you and will come down hard if they feel you have failed. Also if they think you have failed in this present responsibility they will come down even harder on you to set an example.

Now having said that do NOT shy away from any responsibility. You will most likely screw up in some way shape or form and get shit upon. But if they see you jump right back on the horse that says alot about your character. Also one last word of advice under no circumstance should you make anything personal. No matter how much of a thudfuck someone in your unit is,no matter how bad they do if you aren't the course Squad Leader keep quiet. Personality conflicts will hurt you. They will wash out on their own in the end. Also if someone in authority is screaming and yelling at you let it go in one ear and out the other. have a "Yes sir,No sir,3 bags full sir' attitude and you will do well

I spent the last 3 years of my military life teaching both recruit and leadership courses and even though you and I don't see eye to eye I do wish you the best and hope this little bit of info can help.

[Harrison]

I know how it works. I'm not stupid lol

There were a few people there who took everything personally. They'll get the point sooner or later. A few of the NCOs even went out of their way to try and address that very thing.

They're just retarded ghetto trash who don't understand simple concepts such as that. They're the type of people who are going to make me want to stab them in Basic.

Oh, and you never call a drill sergeant Sir, or any NCO for that matter. Drill Sergeants are addressed as "Drill Sergeant" and Sergeants as "Sergeant".

[Darcler]

Wait wha?
I thought you went to Basic in like, half a year or something mildly retarded. I read wrong?


Oh and hi again yall. It's that time of the year where I pop in for a week or so and poof again

[Harrison]

Yeah, I don't leave for Basic until May. I go to my drills until then though.

Unlike the other branches I am enlisted the moment I swear in. I have a military I.D. and all. I can be promoted up to PFC(2 promotions) before I even get to basic.

This is all time off of my contract as well. I will have 6 months or so off my contract before I even get to basic.

[Darcler]

Why do I feel Gid was cheated lol

[brinstar]

Wait wha?
I thought you went to Basic in like, half a year or something mildly retarded. I read wrong?


Oh and hi again yall. It's that time of the year where I pop in for a week or so and poof again

[Darcler]

Gosh Brin, how I've missed you.

[brinstar]

a.k.a. hi darcler how are you

[Darcler]

I'm good and yourself?

[KaiineTN]

Just fyi Harrison, you aren't legally sworn in yet. You are free to quit any time up until you swear in (probably for the second time) the day you leave for basic, without any repercussions. They don't want you to know that, though. Not saying I think you'll quit, but if shit happens and things change, don't let them make you think you're stuck.

[Darcler]

My friend was sworn in, on his way to the bus, veered to the left as he was in line and never got in. No problem. Saw someone do that when Gid got on the bus too.

[Harrison]

No, I am sworn in entirely, trust me.

It is different from the other branches. If I miss a drill it counts as being AWOL 4 times, and I will be arrested.

[brinstar]

I'm good and yourself?

GR8 thanks

i am writing crazy shit, both literarily and musically, and i have blistahs on me fingahs

[Darcler]

I'll have to read your fic thread I saw.

[Sithos]

I know how it works. I'm not stupid lol

There were a few people there who took everything personally. They'll get the point sooner or later. A few of the NCOs even went out of their way to try and address that very thing.

They're just retarded ghetto trash who don't understand simple concepts such as that. They're the type of people who are going to make me want to stab them in Basic.

Oh, and you never call a drill sergeant Sir, or any NCO for that matter. Drill Sergeants are addressed as "Drill Sergeant" and Sergeants as "Sergeant".

I know I know, was just tossing out info, trying to help, believe it or not I do want to see you do well. I helped train a course at Grand Forks as part of a joint Canadian/American training program and was one of the senior NCO's that you don't call sir :P Think it was E-7? Been a few years but I remember the JR's calling me Master Sergeant for the time I was there.

But hey, best of luck with it. It's an experience you will never regret. You will get to do some fantastic stuff that many folks only dream about

[Harrison]

You only call 2nd Lieutenant and upwards Sir or Ma'am. Sometimes not even then, there's a lot of stipulations for when and shit.

But yes, any NCO is addressed by their rank.

The reason NCOs despise being called sir is that they respect officers' rank, and most officers are 10-15 years younger than they are. The officers just out of OCS have no experience yet make the decisions. It's sort of silly when you think about it.

Sometimes an officer was an NCO first, but this isn't always the case. I've been told these are the better officers in the armed forces and should be more common but aren't. It's usually some 22 year-old who just went to college a few years and got to head to OCS despite being a complete and utter retard.

[Maeya]

I don't know Sithos very well, but I am getting the impression he was in the Military for a number of years, vs. one weekend of drills. Why are you correcting/lecturing him?

Just thank him for his advice/well wishes and move on.

[Harrison]

He's not in the U.S. Military.

[Naethyn]

My brother was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the marines a few weekends ago. Rank O5.

Big time 4 star general (2nd guy in charge for the entire marines) came in town etc to promote him.

[Harrison]

That's insane. He must make some serious fucking bank.

[Iccarra]

Luckily, some in the military make enough not to qualify for public assistance.

[Maeya]

He's not in the U.S. Military.

Oh that makes some more sense then. I couldn't figure out why you were answering him the way you were.

Carry on then ~

[Foutty]

MIlitary pay isnt that bad at all. In fact, most do pretty well.

[Harrison]

Hell, even I get paid almost $1600 a month. Will be more by the time I leave for basic with two promotions under my belt.

That's not counting all of my bonuses, for nailing the ASVAB, critical job need, etc. etc.

I don't see how it could be difficult to live on, even with a family. (you get paid even more with a family!)