When one wants to join the Army, or any Military branch for that matter, one has to go to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) to do pretty much everything. In the last few months I've been quite a few times in order for me to take the ASVAB and physical, sign a ton of papers, talk with people, and probably sign more papers. Today I went in again, but this time it was to sign my contract.
The Military puts us up in a nice hotel, sends us to bed with a decent dinner, and blasts us awake at 3:30AM. I can't eat breakfast that early, but I know if I don't, I'll be starving come 930. So I forced some toast and fruit down, and against my better judgment, avoided the coffee. We arrived at MEPS around 5:00 and then most of us proceeded to wait for a long while. Oh how the coffee would have been wonderful around 8:30.
Finally, my name was called somewhere around 10:30 and I got to review my entire application with Sergent Jullette. He was a wonderful man full of great stories, and a good heart. Due to computer issues I got to spend a good two hours with him. A little while later, he got on the phone and read my social security number to someone and then looked at me and said, "You're leaving February 17th. Fort Sill, Oklahoma." Just like that.
Sergent Jullette finished my paperwork, I went to review and pick up my contract, was fingerprinted and then sat and waited some more. I had lunch with a girl I'd been talking to throughout the entire day. She's also going OCS, but had just been waiting all day long. I'm eager to find out when her ship date is and if we'll be in the same school.
I know this is a rather dry read, but really, it was a rather dry day: a lot of waiting with a few little bits of interest mixed in there. And then around 1:30 they called for those ready to take the Oath of Enlistment.
We were taken to a rather small, but formal room with beautiful wooden walls, plush red carpet, a podium, the flag from each branch of the Military and the American flag. We were instructed on how to stand before the Lieutenant came in and how to stand once he came in and how to stand while taking the oath. Lieutenant Berringer came through the door and the six of us stood at attention: heels together and feet at a 45-degree angle, arms at our sides with closed fists, thumbs facing out and at the seam of our pants.
The Lieutenant spoke of how few people choose this path and how it is a path to be proud of. He spoke of other things but I was to focused on trying not to cry to really hear what he said. I am still a girl! He asked us to raise our right hands and repeat after him:
"I, Gretchen Gaskins, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
As I spoke this aloud, again trying not to cry, I knew that this is what I am meant to do at this time. It was an incredible moment.
With that spoken, I became a soldier in the United States Army.
I leave February 17th for Basic Training. On May 3rd I start Officer's Candidate School. And God willing, I'll be a 2nd Lieutenant a year from now. The adventure has begun and I can't wait to see where it takes me!!!!!
The Military puts us up in a nice hotel, sends us to bed with a decent dinner, and blasts us awake at 3:30AM. I can't eat breakfast that early, but I know if I don't, I'll be starving come 930. So I forced some toast and fruit down, and against my better judgment, avoided the coffee. We arrived at MEPS around 5:00 and then most of us proceeded to wait for a long while. Oh how the coffee would have been wonderful around 8:30.
Finally, my name was called somewhere around 10:30 and I got to review my entire application with Sergent Jullette. He was a wonderful man full of great stories, and a good heart. Due to computer issues I got to spend a good two hours with him. A little while later, he got on the phone and read my social security number to someone and then looked at me and said, "You're leaving February 17th. Fort Sill, Oklahoma." Just like that.
Sergent Jullette finished my paperwork, I went to review and pick up my contract, was fingerprinted and then sat and waited some more. I had lunch with a girl I'd been talking to throughout the entire day. She's also going OCS, but had just been waiting all day long. I'm eager to find out when her ship date is and if we'll be in the same school.
I know this is a rather dry read, but really, it was a rather dry day: a lot of waiting with a few little bits of interest mixed in there. And then around 1:30 they called for those ready to take the Oath of Enlistment.
We were taken to a rather small, but formal room with beautiful wooden walls, plush red carpet, a podium, the flag from each branch of the Military and the American flag. We were instructed on how to stand before the Lieutenant came in and how to stand once he came in and how to stand while taking the oath. Lieutenant Berringer came through the door and the six of us stood at attention: heels together and feet at a 45-degree angle, arms at our sides with closed fists, thumbs facing out and at the seam of our pants.
The Lieutenant spoke of how few people choose this path and how it is a path to be proud of. He spoke of other things but I was to focused on trying not to cry to really hear what he said. I am still a girl! He asked us to raise our right hands and repeat after him:
"I, Gretchen Gaskins, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
As I spoke this aloud, again trying not to cry, I knew that this is what I am meant to do at this time. It was an incredible moment.
With that spoken, I became a soldier in the United States Army.
I leave February 17th for Basic Training. On May 3rd I start Officer's Candidate School. And God willing, I'll be a 2nd Lieutenant a year from now. The adventure has begun and I can't wait to see where it takes me!!!!!
4 comments:
SO proud. i love you lots. let's hang out more before you leave, yes?
what an adventure!
Hello dudes, it's Ibai from Italy I'm fond of Electronics and Computers. I work for a game translation company. Contact me if you wanna know more
pretty good post. I lawful stumbled upon your blog and wanted to command that I get really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any condition I’ ll be subscribing to your maintain and I hope you despatch again soon christian louboutin fur boots.
Post a Comment