Ramblings

The last time I wrote was July, and now it's September already! I really do mean to keep up with everything, but time just flies when you're having fun! I can't honestly say that I am having fun, but I'm still alive and kicking so that's good enough for me.

One of the main reasons I like to write in this blog during the "off season" as I like to call it, is because I'm able to keep up with the writing skills; it's true that if you do not use it, you lose it. So, as with anything, we have to keep the skills sharp. This is true for many things in the army too, such as shooting, physical training, etc.

The training season has been in effect for quite some time now. We've had several aerial gunneries and two JRTC training rotations to Louisiana. Upcoming events include high altitude training in Colorado and a joint service exercise in Nevada. While it would be impossible and exhausting to attend every event, I assure you that the wealth is well spread among all members of our beloved unit.

I am currently in Fort Eustis, Virginia for a Non Commissioned Officer leaders' course. It is also sort of a job refresher that advanced maintainers attend. It's supposed to prepare me for a job that I already do (technical inspector) but my skills are so finely tuned that I didn't need the course to become one ha! It's weird to come back here, as I was here in 2005 for advanced individual training after basic training. This is where the new soldiers come to learn about the AH-64D Apache and the job that will carry them through their time in the Army.

I must admit, it is nice to come back here as an NCO rather than a new army soldier, although this place has changed considerably since my last visit. The lack of discipline amongst the new soldiers is astounding; they've recently done away with drill sergeants in AIT to create an atmosphere that is supposedly more like the "real Army." All I feel is that these new privates are going to have a rude awakening when they reach their first assigned units. No worries though; there are plenty of good NCOs in the 101st that will be more than willing to get these privates ready for the upcoming deployment, myself included. This is my last HOORAH and I'll be damned if it goes bad because of some young buck.

We've been doing some physical training regimens here that put the PT program at Fort Campbell to shame. My body has been sore every day this week; the never ending pull ups and lap after lap in the meter pool is whipping me back into the kind of shape I was in after basic training. After the body has healed I'll feel like a renewed man. I must admit though, I am required to exert a considerably increased amount of effort to keep up with 23 year old Specialist Gratsch of four years ago! Getting older is not fun, but I am getting better looking by the day!

I've been here since August 20, and we get to leave September 23; time is slowly creeping. I am ready to see my girlfriend and get back to Fort Campbell. Unfortunately, 12 days after I get back I have to pack my bags again for a three week stint in Colorado. Lovely. I can't wait until this training season is over! I've been really thinking about Afghanistan a lot lately. I don't know if it's because I just want to get the whole thing started again or if I have a sense of anxiety about it. There's definitely a lot better things to write about, as I feel these posts are quite boring for readers. Dreams have even started to creep their way back in; nothing bad, just dreams about being over there and experiencing some of the things. OK, I guess rocket attacks are bad, but only if they hit something. If they don't it's simply a fireworks display. I guess I'm just ready to start the whole process over. At times, I can't help but feel I just got back. Then, there's a short pause, take a breath, and it's time to go back again!

That's about all I have for now. I remember in my old Afghanistan posts talking about how I wanted to be Sergeant Gratsch. Well, now Sergeant Gratsch wants to be Staff Sergeant Gratsch. Staff SGT is the highest an enlisted person can go in a six year army career, and that is now my new goal. I have already achieved a promotable status when I went to the promotion board in June, so now I just have to wait for the promotion points level to come down to the number of points I currently have. Luckily, upon completion of the course I'm currently in I'll earn more promotion points. Staff Sergeant lingers on the horizon.

On a more serious side note, I want to mention the anniversary of 9/11 that came and went during my stay in Virginia. It's hard to believe that it's already been eight years since that day, and what I am doing now in 2009 is a direct result of those terrible events. I am glad that I'm actually carrying out what I vowed to do that day; I'll never go back on anything that I plan to do. The guys and I were discussing what we were doing on that day, and it's very reminiscent of the attack on pearl harbor. The older generation can remember exactly what they were doing that day, and it's the same for myself and several others for the fall of the towers. People seem to only be concerned about it on the anniversary though; on that day we want to be charitable and honorable and have memorials. What about every other day of the year? This isn't a novelty. We should always remember these events, every day, and make it a goal to be good to each other and help and realize how awesome life can be. It's like the people who only go to church on Easter and Christmas. God is important on more than just those two days if you are truly committed.

All of this talk could go on to several more ramblings about our country and the government and everything else in the world, but in reality all we need to do is remember the past, learn from mistakes, and drive on. We might be down, but we are not out. I miss my family, my friends, and my lovely girlfriend. I want to go home; but we have to do what we have to do. America demands it. And we answer!

Cheers,

-J