Saturday

Although I checked several times last night about a formation and was reassured there was none, there was a knock at my door at 645 this morning. Mind you, I stayed up reading and then my new roommate got in at about 1 am. Of course we stayed up talking, mostly because both of us were so happy to see another female here that was going to OCS. When I answered the door this morning and was told there was a formation needless to say I was irritated. I don’t like looking like I’m not squared away. I asked when it was….five minutes. Samantha (my new battle) and I rushed around and got dressed and made it out there just in time for them to tell us that there was now a new formation at seven thirty. Ahhhh! This is what I really missed about the Army. Lol
We made it to that formation in time for them to tell us there was another formation at nine. YAY. We came out at nine and were told that we had to look busy, picking up leaves and branches around the area. I was grumpy but went ahead. I wasn’t going to be a party pooper. At around eleven am, a 1SG came up and greeted us. He asked us what we were doing in ACUs (Army Combat Uniform) on a Saturday. (He was the duty 1SG) When we told him what we were doing he said that he was about to change that and off he went. Another formation, chow (delicious rice and unrecognizable sauce) and then another formation at 1300 (that’s 1 pm).
The 1SG brought us into the auditorium, (all 70 something of us) and told us that he had made a deal with our 1SG and he was giving us back our freedom…with some limitations. He said that SSG Skiles (yes, that’s me) had talked to him and informed him of our situation. By the way, I did not tell him! I just happened to be standing next to the guy who told him but I guess 1SG thought he was being funny. My face was beet red. Like I don’t stand out enough here.
So we got to go to the main PX (Post Exchange) and everything else that Fort Benning has to offer. I was excited cause that meant I could buy all the additional items for school.

When the 1SG got up to leave we all went to parade rest and he goes “SSG Skiles, I need to see you outside.” Here’s the thing with being called out. Even if you haven’t done anything wrong, you start to panic wondering what you did. He sits me down outside the auditorium and says he just to bs with me a little bit. Haha So he asked me how everything is going, if they are treating us right, where I’m from, where I’m going, etc. Of course everyone was coming up to me after to ask what he had and looking at me all curious. Oh well.
My battle and I went to the PX then and got our gear. While we were there getting our stuff all the OCS candidates in school that were shopping there thought they would enlighten us on all the horrors that were upcoming for us. My stomach was in knots and I suddenly was super nervous about going….all I could picture was failure. I really had to step back and realize that I am going to be fine and I will do the best I can and that’s it. So I’m back on track!

Funny story from today also occurred when I was on my way back from the chow hall. Remember how I mentioned earlier that the privates keep scaring my by yelling out “AT EASE!” every time an NCO walks by? As I walk out of the door, this huge platoon sounds off with a massive “AT EASE!” I maintained my cool until I realized they had called it for me. Yes, I am now in ACUs with my rank on it and I immediately forgot what in the world I was supposed to do. The other prior service guy in front of me froze on the steps, snapped to parade rest and I was about to do the same. I completely blanked that I had to say “Carry On” and just hustled myself up the stairs. I told the prior service guy to hurry up and move out with me. In hindsight I remembered what to do, but dang it; I’ve been a civilian for two years! I told Briz (my brother) and he couldn’t stop laughing at me.
Finally, I told my buddies Matt and Dave that would be included in my blog tonight as they drunk dialed me at midnight and interrupted my blogging. So a shout out to Dave and Matthew