SRP

I survived the nine and a half hour ordeal known as SRP. Other than having optical inserts for my gas mask and Army-issued earplugs, I'm golden. I even did my country proud and proved that I'm not pregnant. Seeing how last weekend I was drug tested, I am beginning to believe that having fun is illegal in the Army.

Such is life.

SRP isn't really anything exciting. Like everything else in the Army, it's a hurry up and wait thing. Get in a line that is hours long and wait, doing the chair shuffle every few minutes. Boring, to say the least. Very good for getting to know the people around you. Very good for recreational reading. Not so good for studying, but that's okay. (I couldn't get anyone to volunteer to do my homework for me, unfortunately.)

The people on The List did SRP with our New Unit. We're not officially attached to them yet, but, we will be. It was interesting, spending the day with them. I will have to stay on my toes for inappropriate behavior. A private was trying to get to know me in the not-so-good way. "Hey, since we're going to be deployed together how about we go out for drinks tonight?" He did not quite get my subtle hints of "I have to study". Later, I saw his first sergeant talking to him. The very same first sergeant that knows all about the foreign boyfriend and my cancelled trip. Nice try, buddy. Next time remember that I outrank you.

I will note that I was one out of two people that had all of the required gear at the site. Do I get a cookie? (Or a coffee?) The very nice warrant officer gave me a few tips and reminders about gear and accountability. Basically, don't cut anything, make sure that someone does the paperwork for a mass turn-in, and get signatures and copies. Sounds stupid, but it's very important. The gear that I signed for at the showdown was valued at around $1200. And that's just a fraction of what I'm signed for. I can't exactly afford to replace all or part of that.

Legal, medical, dental, finance, personnel... all good. And went very smoothly. Well, except dental. That was the longest line of the day. Of course.

Next week: off to reclass school.

Here we go

My story is a little long, and I have to leave out some details. In fact, a lot of details will be missing. I apologize.

First things first, I suppose. I'm in my early 20s. Single, but with a foreign boyfriend who does not live in the States. I'm a college student studying Computer Science and French. I work in a planetarium as the resident computer geek. But that's not what's bringing me to write this.

I'm a National Guardsmen and I'm being deployed overseas.

Stop.

Breathe.

It's okay. I volunteered. And like I've told friends and family and coworkers and everyone else: it's a lot of money (tax-free!), my benefits go up, and I get veteran status.

I need a year to get myself back into shape and get my life together.

A year to save money for my grand dream: a year studying French in Paris.