Thrilling, humbling and a little sweaty are the words I would choose to best describe my feelings about the B Company, 1/133 Infantry Send-Off Ceremony on Aug. 3 at City High. I probably also would say it already seems like a long time ago. The Send-Off Ceremony went off without a hitch, and I know I speak for all the B Company soldiers, otherwise self-nicknamed the Barbarians, when I thank all of our families, friends, fellow soldiers and the Iowa City and Coralville communities. A special thanks to the staff at City High, the Iowa City Police, Iowa City Fire Department and members of the Freedom Riders who sent us off in a very special way. Most soldiers don't like public ceremonies. For a ceremony, a soldier stands at attention and listens to people who they can't see because they have to keep their heads and eyes still. It usually is hot or uncomfortable in some way and no matter what you are feeling, you are trained to be rigid and not show emotion. You focus on your movements and synchronizing together so everything looks good. I always tell soldiers ceremonies are not for them. Ceremonies are to bring dignity to an event, represent the Army in some way or they are for the people who have come to honor you, or in this case, send you on your way. However, this ceremony will be one they remember for a long time because it was amazing. They left Iowa City knowing they had the support of a community who wishes us well and wants to see us again soon. Again, thanks to everyone who attended and made us proud to be soldiers. We now are two weeks into our training, and it has been a whirlwind of activity, not to mention the heat and humidity of southern Mississippi. I thought with three deployments to Middle Eastern countries, I had seen all the heat the Earth could put out, but I was wrong. I have never been hotter in my life because the humidity has been nearly unbearable. I think it says something when I am looking forward to us going to the National Training Center in California's Death Valley so it will get a little cooler.
Soldiers already have gone through in-processing, including medical, dental and health checks. They have conducted Counter Improvised Explosive Device Training and weapons gunnery. Additionally, we have focused on physical fitness because the altitude we are going to in Afghanistan will take some getting used to.
A typical day for soldiers is to start at 5 a.m. There is Physical Training, personal hygiene and breakfast. Then the training day begins. If there is night training, the day can last 16 to 18 hours long. If there isn't night training, there will be another session of PT. The most significant event in many folks' eyes is we are the first Brigade Combat Team to be issued the new multi-cam uniforms so we are literally being issued the most up to date and modern equipment in the world. The Sergeant Major of the Army, Kenneth Preston, came to inspect the process and see the new equipment. He also took the opportunity to speak to all the senior NCOs in the Brigade. He spoke about issues the Army is dealing with and told all of us how proud he is of our dedication. It is a rare thing when Guardsmen get the opportunity to meet with the SMA, and I had the opportunity to see him twice in three weeks. I also had the chance to see him speak while I attended the Sergeants Major Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas, before the deployment. Personally, my wife has been through this three times, but I don't think it gets any easier for her. I am pretty sure she is missing me quite a bit, though I am sure many would question her sanity. I am missing my family, too, but I have been so busy as we get going here that I haven't had much time to think about it. She did reward herself with a new SUV, and although a lot of my fellow soldiers tend to give me their sympathy when I tell them, I know she deserves it and Iam happy she did it. In fact, I suggested it. I don't think I am going to get home in time to enjoy the new car smell, though.
