Early impressions

OK! Started!

Day 0 - meet a bunch of prior service at 1400 (subtract 12 from the first two digits, add "pm") near check-in. Lots of laughter and moaning about how frustrating or boring the next 9 weeks will be. Head over to check in. In a group or individually, we got yelled at intermittently at for about half an hour. Then they ask for some documents, which in a classic move, I had forgotten in my car. After returning, I passed by an earlier seen Sergeant who decides this time to ask if I had driven there in my own car. Answering yes, he tells me to drive two other cadets to the barber and get a cut there myself. Fast forward, fresh cut, and not many hours of day light left. Our watches are instructed to be removed and stowed away, later I get questioned on a duration of time that's elapsed. After estimating the minutes I get reamed for inherent inaccuracy by someone that, a day or two later, I discover is a Lieutenant Colonel and the most scathing officer on base. Good move USAF. Dinner rolls around, MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) on the concrete courtyard with everyone else in silence. Rather shaken up, I find 10,000 year old pork sausage in cream sauce (or almost anything else) unapatizing. More yelling, then a meeting I think, and I meet my two roommates (prior enlisted guys going to be CSOs) and off to bed.

Day 1 - up at 0430, breakfast in the dark. Urine/drug test, blood test, medical record submission, and a couple lectures. Later, basic drill movements, lots of yelling and maybe some more things I don't remember. More drill after dinner then a dorm/class meeting: room inspections tomorrow, everything you have has to be put somewhere very precise.

Day 2 - lighting and thunder all morning. Damp breakfast in the dining facility. Some rooms were inspected after, but I don't think many (definitely not mine). The rain starts clearing, I go shopping and buy the rest of my OTS (Officer Training School) supplies at the BX (Base eXchange). Lots of yelling right before lunch, then intermediate drill maneuvers after. Probably got a bit burned (despite it being January and wearing sunscreen... Damn ginger-ness!). Dinner, and now I'm writing the last chunk of this!

I never know what's going to happen, nor when (still not allowed watches), that's a weird feeling. Also, my two prior enlisted roommates enjoy complaining much more than I anticipated.

Love you all,