it is complicated.

a question that I have been getting frequently is this:

"Why the Army? Why now? What made you decide to do this?"

and it honestly renders me speechless every single time. 

I don't know how to explain why I decided to take this massive step. I know that it is 100% right for me, but I do not know how to express it. 

But the question still remains.

So here is my scattered way of explaining all of it, and I hope that it all makes sense. 

1). I was tired of people around me complaining about every little thing that happens in the world around them. If you are so upset and out of sorts, why don't you fight to make a difference, or to change it? Do something that is going to be the change you want to see in the world. I guess one reason is that I want to learn about issues and be the change that no one else stands for. 

2). I know that after working hard and going to school I might be able to make a difference in a handful of people's lives. Think of the amount of people I will be able to touch and help in the Army. If you don't understand this point alone, then I'm sorry for you. I wish you understood the  joy that comes from helping people in need, whether that is a large need or a small one. Unfortunately, there is a limit to what you can do in Des Moines, Iowa. 

3). If you know me at all, or even just a little... maybe a smudge... you know how passionate I am about solving problems. I love to piece things together to make a bigger pictures and solve a huge problem. Hence, an Intelligence Analyst. It is honestly the dream job for me. I love to watch NCIS, and McGee's job is so interesting...I cannot believe that is going to be me. 

4). Being a hero.

5). Being a part of something that not a lot of people have the guts to do. Being part of the United States Army. Being a part of something so much bigger than myself. 

I guess that is a handful of things that pops into my head.

I really am still my normal goofy self...

just with a cooler job. 

fondness

nothing new has developed in my army life recently, although I did get some new garb that had me quite excited! 

I got my very own Army backpack. It's huge. And super cool. Inside, even more treasures! 
I got some National Guard pencils, a binder for school, a couple clips, two t-shirts, and a lanyard. How cool am I? I am actually pretty fond of my new shirts. They make me feel rather intimidating..

yeah don't answer that.

I guess all of this new stuff just gets me more excited for the future. My first drill weekend will be beyond scary, but at least I have a pretty spiffy new backpack to lug all my stuff in. 

thirty-five fox

For all of you who have been asking and asking what my job title for the Army is, here you go. It's off of the National Guard website, so if you have any more concerns visit there.

 www.nationalguard.com

Again, my title is a 35F Intelligence Analyst. If you hear me say 35 Fox, this is exactly what I'm referring to! 

I hope this helps get a little understanding of what I'm doing. Any more questions? Just ask.

"Having the correct information about enemy forces and potential battle areas is absolutely necessary to plan for our national defense. Intelligence Analysts work with other intelligence specialists to gather and study aerial photographs, electronic monitoring and human observation. Intelligence Analysts are primarily responsible for analysis, processing and distribution of strategic and battlefield-related intelligence needed by Army personnel to design defense plans and tactics."

so all in all, I am basically going to be McGee from NCIS, aka my favorite show, aka my life, aka fate. :)

Starting Line

Can we all just take a moment to breathe please?

sigh.

thanks.

As you know, I have spent the last week trying to get into the Army National Guard. 

I went in, passed all my tests, and the system to enlist people literally crashed. What? Naturally that would happen to me right? I worked my butt of to get to that point, and my congratulatory moment was sitting in a federal building for 5 days. Yippee. 

Let me rewind a couple days to explain all that went on in those days. 

DAY ONE: The first day I went to MEPS (Military Enlistment Processing Station) was absolutely terrifying. They are not mean at all, they do this all the time.. so their humor is dry and they don't put up with any sort of nonsense. I walked through the doors at exactly 6:10AM and began my looooong day. After being processed I got to go to a testing room to take my ASVAB and DLAB test. The DLAB is the hardest Military test you can take, and they constantly remind you of that. In order to be in the intelligence field I needed at least an 85. SPOILER ALERT: I did pretty good on my DLAB and passed it. :) I finished up my day at around 12:45, knowing I had to come back that next Tuesday for my physical. 

DAY TWO: The physical. Need I say more? I got to MEPS again at 6:10AM, but instead of going into testing, I got to go straight to Medical. Let me just tell you how fun that is. (warning: dripping with sarcasm) It only takes about two hours, but is hands down the most uncomfortable two hours of you life. In most cases after you pass Medical, which I did, you would go to your liaison and go over your contract, swear in, receive your uniform and go home. BUT I was informed that the system that they use to get soldiers training seats was down. I sat around and enjoyed Criminal Minds until 4:00 when I got to go home. 

DAY THREE-FOUR: I really don't have a lot to say for these days. I came to MEPS at 9:00AM and sat around watching TV and eating cold sandwiches till 4. Being a huge waste of space. The one good thing was the kindness from the workers. I had such a great time getting to know them. We all loved cursing the computer system that was STILL down.

DAY FIVE: WOOOOO! I'm sorry but that is all I have for today. I got through the rest of my processing, signed my contract, and got sworn in as a 35F Intelligence Analyst for the Army National Guard. I even got my uniform today. Exciting is not even enough to explain how I feel. I'm so thankful for all the MEPS workers, my amazing recruiter, and the couple people who helped me trudge through the hard days to get here.