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[personal profile] piplover
Well, today was actually quite and interesting day. It began with a 3 am wake-up call, letting me know that formation had been moved from 630 to 400 and that I had better be there 10 minutes prior. I just came from Korea, where this happens all the time, so I just jumped in the shower, dressed, ate, and got there about 20 minutes early, just to be on the safe side. And the gate to the motor pool was locked.
We sat around talking and being silly, and then had formation at aproximately the right time. 430.
Then we sat around some more, moved some vehicles from one spot to another, and then sat. Then the convoy started. At 730.
By now, you might think I would be grumpy, but I was actually having a good time. Like I said, I like convoys, even if you have to put up with a lot of b.s. to get them moving.
The first serial started out, then my serial about 15 minutes later. And this was the funny part. I don't think we managed to get above 30mph until about 20 miles down the highway. Where the speed limit was 65. The poor civilians driving past us must have hated us!
So, at 50 miles later, we go to our turn-around spot and a giant semi hauling cars pulls right out in front of us, running a stopsign and everything.
And then he stopped. Right in the middle of our convoy. With about seven of our vehicles still in the middle of the highway!
I think I started laughing at that point.
Then we finally got back to the motor pool, and I was sent to drive in the third serial.
Let it be known that at this point, almost all of the drivers have fallen asleep at the wheel on the highway. Me included. Something about the CO2 level in the vehicles and the hum of the motors, and vibrations, just makes a person sleepy. That and most of us only got about 3 hours of sleep.
The third serial went even slower than the first! Lucky for us we only went about 60 miles. Then had to wait 10 minutes for fuel when we got back. Then had to move to a different fuel spot. Then were told that we couldn't get fuel there. Then put all the vehicles, without fuel, back on line.
For those of you who stuck this account out, sorry it was so long, but today was just one of those days where you have to laugh. Like I said, it was amusing, and all in all showed me just how much we have to learn before we get deployed. That is NOT and amusing thought.
But 30? On the highway?

Date: 2004-06-10 09:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rabidsamfan.livejournal.com
http://www.tradoc.army.mil/BeSafe/besafehomepage.htm

Read it. Point it out to your sergeants. Hell, point it out to your lieutenants if any of them can pour piss out their boots without instructions printed on the heel. There may be a medal in it for you.

Date: 2004-06-10 09:22 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] piplover.livejournal.com
I think they showed us that last safety day! But like I said, it's already been addressed, and he shot everyone down. All we can do is try and point it out again, and send in the lowest ranking of us to bitch at the Sgt Major. Then he can bitch at the Col, and then maybe something will get done. I say send in the lowest ranking because whoever goes in there will probably be busted down to private.

Date: 2004-06-10 09:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rabidsamfan.livejournal.com
Maybe you can get a print copy of the pamphlet and shove it under his door. Or someplace else dark...

*I'd forgotten I even knew some of the words I've been using tonight!*

Date: 2004-06-10 09:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] piplover.livejournal.com
Lol! The Army tends to have that effect on people.

Date: 2004-06-10 09:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rabidsamfan.livejournal.com
*chuckle*

Go get some sleep while you can. And I'd better do the same. It's pushing 1 a.m. on this coast!

Date: 2004-06-10 09:45 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] piplover.livejournal.com
Ick! Sleep, sleep! I've had insomnia for the past three weeks or so, so I'll probably be up for a while. But you need to rest!
Sweet dreams!

Date: 2004-06-11 05:09 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rabidsamfan.livejournal.com
No caffeine for five hours before bedtime, no food for three. (water is okay.)

It helps, when I remember to do it anyway.

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