Mobilization

So it's been awhile since I posted...my intent for this blog is to help the family and friends stay in touch, so expect a update every few weeks or so....more if I'm on top of things.

I currently write from gray and rainy Ft. Lewis, WA. We are staying in a training area originally built to house WWII troops. Yes it is 50 some odd years later...and we are still using the same billets. It's fantastic.

In all seriousness, I am very comfortable and well accommodated for this training cycle. Below is a picture of my room. I found myself in the fortunate position to be one of the first soldiers to check in to an unoccupied billet, and thus had the pick of the bunks. Score, my own room with a door and two windows. Most just have their bunk and a footlocker.

A normal day for us up here consists of a regular cycle of early mornings, Physical Training, chow, morning training meeting, afternoon staff meetings, and work in between. PT is broken down into Company, Section, and Buddy PT days. The gym, which is the best eqipped army facility I've ever seen, is a quick mile's jog away.

My role as the Bn S2 consists of everything security: managing our access badging system, advising our guard force, publishing our access rosters, and managing soldiers' security clearances. I also serve a number of other assorted staff functions that often change with the wind...comes with being the most junior staff officer, but I don't mind, just learning and adapting to new situations.

I have three very capable soldiers working for me, and I'm thankful for each and every one of them. Sergeant First Class (SFC) Jennings is my Non-Comissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC) for the S2. Everything I accomplish, he is integral in executing. Very often our interaction goes like this:

Me: "Oh, hey, Sergeant Jennings, we need to go [fill in the blank]" (LT begins spinning his mental wheels trying how to figure out how to do two things at once)
Jennings: "Don't worry about it sir, I've got it"

Needless to say, I'm a fan. He's got 23 years in service and has an MP and Medic background. I'm lucky to have him. He keeps me grounded.

Specialist (SPC) Almendarez is our S2 backbone as we like to call him. He is a short bald hispanic soldier from San Antonio, and has a Admin Clerk and Mechanic background, as well as being a former Marine. He has a great attitude and learns quickly, and his ever smiling face keeps things light around the office.

Sergeant (SGT) Sanchez is our S6. The S6 is responsible for all concerns technical, signal, and computational. He's a busy guy, as you may imagine. He and SFC Jennings deployed together in the past, so they are inseparable when he's not running around fixing things that are broken. Another capable and skilled soldier.

We all work in a combined staff office with our Battalion Operations Section (S3). My boss, MAJ George, plans and coordinates for all operations in our Battalion, which comprises the entire Division Headquarters operations and training. Needless to say, we stay busy. MAJ George is an experienced Staff Officer with a Calvary and Military Intelligence background, so he keeps me on my toes, which is good. I'll introduce the S3 shop soldier later. They're a fun bunch.

All in all, I am well, fully engaged in the staff decision making and training support process, and am loving it and learning alot.

Miss that fine lady and our little wiggle body of a son at home though. Give them my love if you see them. 41 days until I see their beaming faces again.

I have excellent internet access, and the ability to skype when I'm not engaged in work related activities. My skype handle is jacobschreyer.

That's it for now. Thanks for the warm sendoff y'all, you are a blessing. S2 out.Picturesque Mt. Rainer, to the East of our training site.