A TRUE STORY

Might be a little long...but it's a good one :)

Shortly after graduating HS I enlisted in the US Army. The training period is for 9 weeks. I was there for way over the normal period due to some behavioral issues (bad attitude, hard headed, stubborn, wouldn't stand in formation the right way etc) and that was in the first two weeks. I knew what I was getting into when I enlisted, but I still was not mentally prepared for what was to come. I could talk about my whole time there, but I won't. But, I will talk about a major portion of the basic training period. And that is BRM (Basic Rifle Marksmanship). This section of training is three weeks long and is spent learning about and taking care of your weapon (never a gun).


The training was in the field with the M16. We would get a grade of “Go” or “No Go” once we accomplished each exercise. When you fire, the kick is so bad it feels like it’s breaking the whole side of your face. The shooting position is on the ground with your cheek pressed hard against the steel. Needless to say, I was not feeling that one bit. As the days and soon weeks went by, I was determined to get that GO on my field exercise. I spent two and a half weeks of my biyatch of a Drill Sergeant ridiculing me, yelling at me, smoking me (push ups until she got tired of counting). I never qualified during the whole time so I spent more time on the field than others. All I wanted was to get a GO, to make my DS stop being a B to me. I felt like Gomer Pile in Full Metal Jacket. I hated her. Her evilness gave me that boost that I needed in the training.



When qualification day came, I was nervous. This would be the day when you get a Marksman, Sharpshooter or Hawkeye ranking. There were some people in my training that I knew would knock it out the box on qualification day because they had Go's all during the training. They were feeling themselves; hell I was even feeling them. I wanted to be them. When it was my turn, my hands were clammy, throat was dry but for whatever reason I felt freer. I resolved that this was it. Do or Die. I got into position. I was ready. I didn't know what to expect, I just knew that this course was different from training. First target nailed it, then they kept popping up and I got them shot by shot. With controlled breaths and a steady cheek, I saw each target and aimed. Then it was over. I stood up. When all was accounted for, I nearly jumped for joy. Pvt ____ certified Marks(wo)man. First time GO. Hell yes. I was overjoyed. I even went up to my DS and told her the news (she didn't know yet) and for a second it looked like she had a half a smile...more like a smirk. When we got back to the base and had our "free time" I called my mom and my homeboy's mom (I graduated with her son and he enlisted also). I was too excited. During my three weeks of training, I called them with my grunts and groans so it felt good to finally call with some good news. They knew how hard I worked and how much I wanted to qualify the first round. It was a wonderful feeling.

**I failed to mention that the people that I envied that qualified at the ranges leading up to the big day, DID NOT qualify the first day. Needless to say that made my pot even sweeter.**

Though there were many things that I accomplished during Basic Training, this segment was most memorable. I felt defeated during the whole three weeks of BRM. I felt like I wouldn't master it, but I didn't give up. I wanted to, lord knows I did. I even wanted to turn the rifle on my DS because she was such a B (yea sounds dramatic, I know it's all mental, but her ass was EVIL, she treated me the WORSE). In retrospect, I'd like to think that maybe she saw a bit of me in her (not the evil part but the determined by all means part). Whatever it was that I endured on those days definitely made me stronger. I'm one of those people that won't listen if someone says "You can't do it" or "You'll fail" etc. My thoughts to that are "Oh really, well watch me." Call it NY cockiness or whatever. I might've cried and cursed but that's something I can't help, I'm an emotional temperamental Cancer and that's just how I roll.

To sum it all up, BT was no easy feat. It brought a lot out of me. A lot! But when I look back I don't regret going. Besides it’s always a fun story to tell. When I think about how I’m struggling and want to give up, I think back to those days and say, “This is nothing.”


Today's Army is definitely DIFFERENT. When I was in, there NO pictures let alone videos being taken while in training. But take a look at what these soldiers went through wheich is what most if not all training soldiers go through.

This was my LEAST FAVORITE part of Basic Training
The Gas Chamber. The temptation to run out is REAL!



This was on of my FAVORITE parts of Basic Training
Blue Phase NIT - Night Infiltration Course