1.) What was worst about R-Day?
-Honestly, having to lug that huge flight bag around all morning. When everyone says R-Day is a blur, it really is. The other thing that was rough on me was seeing my parents in the stands when we marched out onto the plain, knowing that was the last time I'd see them for weeks was hard. R-Day was not as bad as I thought it would be.
A big tip is stay under the radar. I did a pretty good job. Of course we all get yelled at but don't look around. DO NOT. There is nothing worth looking at that you won't be able to see another day. Just listen and follow instructions and you'll be fine.
2.)Did I prepare well enough and how should you prepare?
-NO. If I could go back I would have worked SO much harder to get in shape. I payed the price and made it a lot harder on myself by not coming in prepared.
-I suggest running a whole lot and focusing on push-ups and sit-ups. Pull ups and dips would be good too for MSE. Also. BREAK YOUR BOOTS IN. And make sure they fit properly. I decided to try my issued boots for the first 3 mile ruck. Do not do that. And don't wear athletic socks under your boot socks. My blisters are still healing from that first ruck. I have been on soft shoe profile since 7/29. So yeah...avoid blisters haha
3.) What were some things I did that I never thought I could accomplish?
-Roam the wilderness (by myself) and be able to locate points using a protractor, map, and compass, then find my way back. I'm directionally challenged so that was an accomplishment for me. Also completing the 12 mile marchback. If you told me a year ago I'd be doing that, I'd tell you that you were crazy. That is something that no one can take away from me.
4.) The coolest thing I did:
-Yeah FTLF was pretty awesome. And I trusted my teammates enough not to worry about them shooting me. It was so much fun. Firing the heavy weapons...like the M240B, the M249 SAW, the grenade launchers, the AT-4...that stuff was intense. Honestly, looking back on it, I had fun at the House of Tears. My squad was so crazy...we all asked our squad leader to take us through again, with no masks. Then a third time haha By that time though the gas wasn't nearly as strong. Also the chinook ride after the Neel Challenge. Prolly the highlight of my beast...my mouth was open the whole time
5.) Rappelling...
-Ok so I'm terrified of heights. Watching the swimmers jump off the highest platform made my stomach turn. So we get to the rappelling site and I'm freaking out. We rappell down the 25 foot cliff...no problem. Then I get to the edge of the 75 footer, and guess what? I'm not scared at all. I didn't even get butterflies. It was so so amazing. Then you get to climb back up the 75 foot cliff using only your hands and feet. Of course you're still in your stylish swiss seat
Don't worry!!!! It's really not bad at all.
Look forward to being out in the field. Spending the nights suck. We got rained on almost every night. And it was so cold!!! But 2nd detail is a lot more relaxed. You have so much more fun in the field because the cadre kind of chillax. (And they're not allowed to smoke you!!) But you will have to write ridiculously funny letters if you mess up.
Beast was by far not an easy feat for me to conquer. It was tough physically and emotionally. I for one took it incredibly hard when I found out the news about New Cadet Bower. I didn't know him, but being here for only a few weeks already gives you that intense feeling that we are one. We are family. God bless his loved ones. When times would get hard for me after that I would tell myself ok...you're doing this for Jacob. Do not quit. I made it through and I have faith that all of you coming in next year will too. If you have any more questions please feel free to contact me on here. Good luck with the process. It's a long and tedious one. Your fun is just beginning