not exactly basic training

I'm imagining that many held the impression that I was off to typical basic training. Far from it.

Not sure if I've gotten into this yet, but as things stand right now, this is more like college than basic. My day typically begins with waking up at 4:45 to prepare for the days first activity: Physical Training from 6-7AM. M-W-F are running days; Tu-Th are muscle failure days (endless pushups and situps). After that we can go back to our rooms to shower and report back to the classroom by 8:30. From 8:30 to 11 we have classes. From 11- 11:45 we have preaching lab. I already did both of my sermons so I can just sit back and observe for the rest of the time. Lunch (back to my room) from 12-1, and then more classes from 1-4. Usually there is some info and mail call at 4, so we end up finishing at like 4:30. Than we're done for the day. Of course, theres lots of homework.

Sometimes we do different stuff like Victory Tower or the obstacle course, this Tuesday we're going to Fort Sumter....but the usual day is what I describe above. Weekends are free unless your're loaded with homework, which is normal.

It's busy, but nothing like Basic training. No barracks, no drill seargants, no Army food. Actually, I've only eaten in an Army mess hall once. Other than that, it is "make your own". My room is more like a hotel room...with internet, cable, continental b'fast, and a little kitchenette. Today I invited the rest of my platoon over to grill some food and maybe play volleyball. I have a ribeye sitting in my fridge.

And for the most part, we're treated like professionals. But at the same time, we are expected to act like them and when we don't, we're put in our place. Doesn't happen a lot.

Tomorrow we will be going over how to do a RAMP service. That's the service when caskets of dead soldiers are loaded onto an aircraft to be flown home. Sobering, but certainly something I'll end up having to do.

OK, time to get ready for church.......

grace & blessings