OBLC- Week 3

Time is flying by here in San Antonio! I can't believe the 3rd week of training is already over!! Week 3 was more didactic training in the classrooms. We learned about a variety of topics that we will put into practical application out in the field. Basic Army skills mixed in with issues relevant to the current world situation rounded out the questions included on our mid-term exam on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, another 100+ reserve soldiers were integrated into our company to take part in the field exercises. Just like the folks that have been here for 3 weeks now, this group of reservists represent all of the medical corps you see depicted in this picture of the wall from one of our lecture auditoriums. The emblem with the "S" superimposed over the caduceus (medical emblem) represents the Medical Specialist Corp, the Corp under which I fall as a Dietitian.

A lot has changed in the military since my first go round. The integration of reservists into the active duty component's training is a huge one. Having all the paperwork online is another one. Seeing all-civilian staff at the galley, oops I mean DFAC (Dining Facility) is another strange sight to me. Funny, the food hasn't changed much though! Thankfully, a lot is still the same though and feels quite familiar. The black & white regulations and always having a resource to reference for information suits my personality well.

With the mid-term behind us and lots of new knowledge in our brains to turn into practical application, most of us are pretty excited to trade in the classroom environment for the "field" tomorrow. My roommate Alex is packing up her gear in this picture so that we can do the bag-drag tonight. We'll be out at Camp Bullis for the next three weeks learning to shoot, land navigation and other fun stuff. I'm hoping that my map & compass skills have miraculously improved from the miserable attempts of my past!

Although I'm thrilled to finally get to do some of the field stuff that I felt like I missed out on during my previous service stints, I'm a little disappointed that training stops during the weekends! With so many people stressing out about not being able to shower for 5 days (actually only 4 since we can shower before we leave on Monday and when we get back on Friday), I have to wonder if anyone in America actually goes camping anymore. . .

Until next weekend, send me a good sense of direction for those of you who have it and some of your good sense of humor for those of you who don't!!!