votemcconkey.com

I’ll be leaving for Basic Training this Sunday and since I have so much to do before then, this will be my last post for about two months.  I won’t have access to a computer until I get to Ft. Benning for Officer Candidate School in October.

I created this blog so I can track my progress as I go through Officer Candidate School and so my friends and family can follow me as I go through it.  It has also turned into a resource for other people who are joining the Army (which is great, I used blogs to find most of the information I was looking for).  Most of the visitors to this site are people searching for answers to common questions about joining the Army and going to OCS.

I hope people will still use this site while I’m gone and that more people will visit when I’m done with Basic Training.  To make sure you don’t miss any of my posts when I’m done with Basic, here are some ways you can be reminded of them:

Subscribe to my RSS feed or receive my RSS feed via email.


If you have a Twitter account, follow me.  I’ll share all my posts on here.


If you’re on FriendFeed, become my friend.


Subscribe to my blog on Facebook.


Join Milblogging and favorite my blog.


While I’m Gone, Check Out These Videos of Things I’m Looking Forward To
Gas Chamber
American Gladiators
Grenades
Falling Down a Big Wall

Wish me luck.

Basic Training, Blog Update Basic Training, Blog Update

Over the past few months I’ve spent quite a bit of time trying to get into better shape.  While I’m not in the best shape ever, I’m much more physically fit than I was a few months ago and feel much more prepared for Basic Training. 

The Army takes physical fitness very seriously.  The one piece of advise I got from the OCS board was to get as physically fit as possible.  This will help me be more competitive in Officer Candidate School as well as help me with promotions later on in my career.  For both enlisted and commissioned officers, the Army physical fitness test, or APFT, is an important part of getting promoted.  Officers set an example, so it is very important to be in the best shape possible.

I mentioned the APFT briefly in Applying to Army OCS - Part 1.   It consists of three main areas, two mintues of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups and a two minute run.  Each area has a max score of 100, making the max score of the APFT 300.  To find out the scores for your age group, check out this chart http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/apa/rc/apft.htm.

To pass Basic Training, you must score at least 50 on each test.  To get into OCS you must score at least 60 on each test.

The Georgetown University ROTC program created videos showing the proper way to do push-ups and sit-ups.

Push-Ups

As long as you don’t lift your hands off the ground, you can change the position of them. This will change the muscles that are being used. Do as many as you can in one position, rest and then do as many as you can with your hands in a different position.  Repeat this until your two minutes are up.

Sit-Ups

Adjust your legs and your feet when you start getting tired. This will adjust what muscles are being used and will make it possible for you to do more in two minutes.

After doing several sets of push-ups and sit-ups a day, I’ve been able to go from barely being able to do any to scoring over 60 in both areas in just a few weeks.

To prepare for the running, I have been running intervals.  More information about running intervals can be found here, http://www.sportslog.com/running-log/running-speed-work.htm.  I’ve also been swimming and cycling, which has been a nice way to spice up my workouts.

For more information on the APFT and tips on how to max out your score, check out this article http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/14245/how_to_max_the_us_army_physical_fitness.html.

Basic Training Basic Training, workout

Ok, so the future soldier manager still hasn’t gotten back to me about what to bring to Basic Training.  Luckily I have the internet or I’d be panicking. Here are some links I found with some helpful information.

Ft. Jackson’s Official Site

• One set of casual, comfortable clothing *No halter tops or ragged shorts
• Three sets of underwear (White)
• One pair of white, calf-length athletic socks *No color bands, designs or logos
• One pair of comfortable athletic shoes
• Eyeglasses *No faddish/stylish eyewear
• Athletic supporter (males only)
• Luggage should be limited to one small suitcase or gym bag
• Two locks (combination or padlock with 2 keys)
• Disposable / safety razor with blades
• Shaving cream (optional for women)
• Toothbrush with clear carrying case
• Hairbrush or 6″ black comb
• Shampoo
• Two washcloths and one brown towel
• Non-aerosol antiperspirant
• Black shower shoes
• Toothpaste
• Dental Floss
• Soap with clear carrying case
• Nail clippers
• A minimum $10.00  - but No More Than $50.00 in Cash
• Traveler’s Checks or Money Orders
• ATM Card or Personal Checks

There’s also some other helpful information about what to expect during Basic Training on the Ft. Jackson site.

FutureSoldiers.com

CLOTHING
Wear casual, comfortable clothing:

• Shirt or blouse (no obscene graphics)(no halter tops or cut-off T-shirts)
• Slacks or Jeans (no shorts or cut-offs)
• Complete underwear (You’ll get a mini-physical on ship day, no thongs)
• Pair of comfortable, casual shoes suitable for walking and extended standing  (no high heels) and socks
• Coat or Jacket (seasonal)

Bring change of underwear: (male- briefs, female – briefs and bras) white, black or neutral, no thongs
Bring Feminine Sanitary Items - As needed
MINIMAL PERSONAL HYGIENE ARTICLES:  (All Travel Sized items)

• Shampoo and conditioner (1 oz) As needed As needed
• Soap (1 bar soap or 1oz liquid soap)
• Anti-perspirant / deodorant (non-aerosol only)
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Disposable/safety shaving razor (non-electric)
• Shaving cream (non-aerosol)
• Comb, brush, hair accessories (black or matching hair color)

EYEGLASSES   (if prescribed, no faddish/stylish eyewear w/ prescription if available)
ALL IMPORTANT PERSONAL DOCUMENTS (check with Recruiter) Including:

• Childhood and adolescent immunization records if available
• Government-issued photo ID card
• Marriage certificate, family birth certificates, and their SSN (if married or legally supporting)
• Required prescription medications (in original pharmacy container) and/or a doctor’s prescription.

FINANCE

• Not to exceed $50.00 in cash, Traveler’s Checks, or Money Orders
• Checkbook and/or ATM card with access to direct deposit account for military pay

NOTES:
 All items must fit into the Army FSP Bag or small airline approved “carry on” suitcase or gym bag

UPDATE July 17th, 2008: I talked with the future soldier manager last night. He confirmed these lists were correct. He said to bring two changes of clothes instead of one.

Basic Training Basic Training

The future soldier manager didn’t have time to see me, so I’ll have to wait until the day I leave to sign the papers I was supposed to go over yesterday. I also didn’t get the checklist of things to bring to basic training. He’s supposed to email it to me, I’ll post it as soon as I get it.

The Cubs game was good. They won and I purchased a Cubs t-shirt as proof that I lived there. So the trip to Chicago wasn’t a complete waste.

Basic Training future soldier

Tomorrow I’ll be going back to Chicago to visit with the future soldier manager for the first time (and to go to a Cubs game).  I’m supposed to see him once a week, but since I live 270 miles away I call once a week instead.  I’ll hopefully be getting a few things while I’m there including an email address and a checklist of things to bring to basic training.  I’m not too sure what I’m going to do there, but hopefully I’ll get a few questions answered.  I received a phone call yesterday from someone in the future soldier program and I didn’t know anything they were talking about.

Details about my visit will be posted as soon as I find internet access.

Only two more weeks left.

Basic Training

The New York Times is reporting that the military death toll in Afghanistan is on the rise.

“More American and coalition troops died in Afghanistan last month than during any other month since the American-led invasion began in 2001…”

According to the article, this is the second straight month that the death toll has been higher in Afghanistan than Iraq. This is despite the increase of U.S. forces in the country.

“The violence has spiked even as the number of foreign troops in Afghanistan approaches its highest level since 2001. Roughly 32,000 American troops are deployed inside the country, up from 25,000 in 2005. The Pentagon is now considering sending an additional 7,000 troops to help tamp down the worsening violence.”

Afghanistan Afghanistan, death toll, war