Tuesday, November 27, 2007

A Note from Beau

Most of you already know about this, but I thought I'd go ahead and post it just in case.

A Note from Beau...

When I lost my job at the Burn Unit 18 months ago, Shellie and I had considered going into the military then, but it just didn't feel right. This time around, things have changed.

I will report to Fort Jackson (the same as my younger brother Elliot) for Basic Training in the Army Reserves. I will be reporting on January 3rd(also the same as Elliot). We are going to have to work hard to stay out of trouble together. Elliot is an E4 and I am an E3 .

In the third week of March, after Elliot and I graduate from Basic, I will be reporting to Fort Bragg for AIT (where my older brother Jason is stationed, and his family stays). My MOS is 38B, Civil Affairs Specialist. In a nutshell, Civil Affairs is the "good will ambassador" of the Army. We organize humanitarian efforts all over the world (like building schools in war torn Iraq and Afghanistan) For more click on the link http://www.soc.mil/usacapoc/capoc_default.htm

After 13 weeks in Fayetteville, NC, I will go home for a week, then it's off to Airborne school for three weeks at Fort Benning in Columbus, GA.

I was disappointed that I didn't get my choice of Combat Medic, but things work the way they do for a reason. If I did get that MOS I would be going to Basic at Fort Leonard Wood, Misery, I meant Missouri. (in the dead of winter) and AIT would be in Texas (too far for Shellie or I to drive when I get weekends off). Plus my training officer already mentioned the likelihood of sending me to medic school in the future so I can support our unit in that capacity as well.

The end all goal of this is to use the Army Reserves to a) pay off my student loans, b) pay me (rather well) to go to school and finish my bachelors degree. While in school I am going to attend the Reserve Officer Training Course (yes, I'll be an ROTC geek) and when I graduate from college, I'll take a commission in the (become an officer, no longer an enlisted man)

Feel free to call or write with any support or questions.

1 comment:

Patrick and Leigh said...

Beau & Shellie, this is very exciting news...welcome to military life! The military paid for Pat's dental school and saved our family a lot of financial debt & stress...and we get to join ranks with brave & noble military heroes. Welcome aboard!

Beau, good luck in training-and Shellie, I know you have a lot of family around, but call me any time. I know what it feels like to have a husband who is gone a lot!

Leigh