Final Training Day: 16k Ruck

20 August 2011
Day 63

Today was probably the best day thus far in my short military career (63 days actually)! We finished Basic Combat Training this morning and what a great feeling it was! Surreal almost and in many ways gratifying!

The company woke up at 01:30 and geared up to start our journey back to the barracks at 02:10. After the first hour, we stopped for a 15 min break. Our next stop was at the 8k mark. Then our last stop was at the barracks, where we arrived around 06:30. The staff had placed tiki torches along the walk ways for us. The drill sergeants were throwing smoke grenades as we were entering the CTA (Covered Training Area). When we got to the CTA, a DVD slideshow was playing with all of the pictures that had been taken throughout the cycle, with all types of music! Very touching! I won't lie, a few tears came to my eyes. Not because I made it, but because a few guys in my platoon and company made it and I hadn't given them a chance from day one! I only hope they were as proud of themselves and everyone else was! They company then participated in a ceremony where a "punch" was made with different types of juices, representing things such as, blood, sweat, tears, integrity, etc. Everything that goes into making a professional solider. I want the recipe because it was really good! After the punch was made everyone got a cup and the drill sergeants toasted the following: The United States of America, The US Army, our company (Bravo 2-46), and lastly the fallen soldiers who gave their lives for our country! What an awesome ceremony!

Breakfast chow at 0800 and pretty much the rest of the day was relaxing (cleaning rifles, straighten up lockers, etc). At 14:00 the senior drill sergeant come and got Colavito and myself and told us to ride to Marietta with him to pick up the AWOL guys! Yep, the Army tracked them down and had them bused back to Georgia to return to Ft. Benning. Those guys have no idea what they are about to go through! Both are only 18 years old.

We got back to the barracks around 19:00, ate our left over chow and lights out at 20:00 for some much needed rest! Good night all!

Matthew