It Is Only Tuesday

29 Sep 0600 Hrs Tue

It is only Tuesday but I feel like I have been here a week. This is the 5th day so I guess that it has been a week. Huh?

I woke up again at 4:45 am to get ready for 6 am Formation. We have two or more formations per day. A Formation is when a group gathers and forms into lines (ranks) for a briefing and to walk somewhere - either up the hill or on the bus.

The CRC is processing over 300 people this week.

Today the bus took us to Medical Screening. The Army validated our medical records. All of us had physicals weeks ago. The Army double checked our paper work. They ok’d our dental forms, checked our vision, fitted our gas masks with optical inserts from our prescriptions, as needed, verified 3 months supply of drugs (meds), gave us more shots including Anthrax and Influenza.

At 1000 hours I wait for transport to another building that looks like a large warehouse on the inside. This is the “hardware store” where I will pick up my equipment. The equipment consists of helmet, gas mask, body armor, and a duffel bag to put it in - about 50 pounds. Not equipment that you would find in your neighborhood hardwood store.

In the briefing the instructor said all the stuff would fit into one duffel bag, but I tried and tried outside on the parking lot in the hot south Georgia sun with about 200 other contractors. Finally it was all in. I think I had my workout for today.

They told me 50 pounds but it feels like the max of 70. I packed all my stuff in one duffel bag but I will have to take it all out, assemble the 14 pieces and put it on to ensure it is correct. Then I will to repack the duffel bag for the third time.

At 1300 I finished checking out and packing my equipment. I missed lunch at the dinning hall so I picked up a MRE. (Military Ready to Eat meal). It is not bad if you are really, really hungry. I was not that hungry.

At 1700 the Army reps (the cadre) reviewed me in my body amour with all 14 pieces. I passed so I was done for the day.


Army Security and Safety

Security and safety are very important and highly emphasized by the US Army.

They want all personnel - solders, DOD civilians and contractors to be safe. The training the includes information about worse case scenarios. There are briefings on topics like what to do if you are taken hostage, how to assemble and wear body amour and protective gear, legal advise on wills and power of attorney. There is more training about explosive devices (IEDs and bombs), combat fist aid for chest wounds, abdominal wounds, head wounds, instructions for medical evacuation, how to take care of a fallen teammate under fire from the enemy, and booby traps we could encounter.

On my last assignment in Iowa, I worked on an Employee On Boarding system for state government. We did not need to include immunization vaccines, security clearances, how to be a hostage, how wear body amour, how to make a last will and testament nor instruction on combat first aid. However, the training this week does remind me of safety training at Union Pacific Railroad where workers in the field can be in life threatening situation if they do to not work safely.

I have to remember that the Army briefings are for the worst possible situations. As an computer/network systems contractor I could be in harms way but that is unlikely. For the most part I will be supporting the vital communications need by those who are in harms way every day.

Considering all the requirements and the need process 300 - 500 people during a week, the process is efficient and the people are courteous, helpful and proficient.