At the prime age of 34 with 2 kids and a great job, I took the big step of enlisting in the national guard. I was offered a unique opportunity to join the guard band (I’m a music teacher). I passed meps as a geriatric recruit in good shape. Next up basic training at Ft. Leonard wood this summer. While initially considering the idea, of all people my wife encouraged me the most. She knows my desire to serve after having pinned on my badge as a reserve police officer. Now I begin a phase of service to my country as a military Bandsman. Following in the footsteps of my father and grandfather both army vets (ww2 and Vietnam). “Heroes are ordinary men that do extraordinary things”

All the best,

Mk25

Cheers. What is your instrument?

I played the trombone when I was in school.

Congratulations!

You're going to Ft Leonard Wood in the summer?

As a graduate of Ft. Leonard Wood I have two things to say: Thank you in advance for your service and you poor bastard.

02L, saxophone. It’s a multiple woodwinds position (saxophone and clarinet). After meps, seeing the skinny young kids the age that I teach I’ll definitely be the old man. But wise old man. And one that can lift more than 50lb. They might be young but they have zero muscle mass, and while I’ll be struggling as a senior citizen, they will be struggling with bulking up. I’m hoping my brain will keep my body from getting too abused. I can run 4 miles, to 60 push-ups unbroken, plank for 6 minutes so I think I’ll be ok…

Physically you'll be fine. It's the weather that makes them call it "Little Korea ". It's either very hot or very cold with little in between.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.9mm:
As a graduate of Ft. Leonard Wood I have two things to say: Thank you in advance for your service and you poor bastard.

Yeah, I was there in the winter time and it was not filled with pleasant memories.

quote:

...60 push-ups unbroken, plank for 6 minutes so I think I'll be ok.

Unless things have changed in the 35 years since...

Their job is to prove you're not "ok", and they were pretty good at it. 60 push-ups and planking for 6 minutes will get you through about six minutes of the first day of doing push-ups and front leaning rest position. For the rest of the day they were busy screaming "GET OFF YOUR DICK!" while you were trying not to puke.

Have fun!

Also a "graduate" of Fort Lost In The Woods here (January 1983). Best of luck to you!

Just keep working out...but lightly, you don't want an injury to screw things up.

Funny enough I thought I was going to be in the band when I joined at 18. My recruiter said, "no need to take your saxophone, they have plenty of them, they'll issue you a nice new one" I took my mouthpiece and my favorite two reeds. Weird that my instructor just kept laughing when I got there... I was the kid who also asked if we could bring our own guns. I was actually pretty disappointed about that one.

quote:

For the rest of the day they were busy screaming "GET OFF YOUR DICK!" while you were trying not to puke.

Have fun! Big Grin

Ah the memories... lol

Congrats and good luck

I am glad new meat is coming in because I am calling it quits.

The hard part about basic for older recruits is the BS and the retarded younger generation.

When i went to boot camp for the second time when I was 36, it was all power point. The first time i went through in 1992, it was all hands on. So I had a hard time just sitting around watching endless slides.


The PT is/was a joke so you will be fine.

IF I am not mistaken, basic training units are now doing the new PT test.

It is an experience and I think everyone should go through something like it.
I was stupid............ and went twice.. Each time was completely different.



Good Luck at Fort Lost in the woods.

Please let us know what changes the Army has made after you graduate.
I heard this new Army SGT Major has revamped reception and arrival to the basic training unit.
There is no more shark attack because he feels it does not allow soldiers to bond or form a friendship with their Drill SGTs.

(What a crock of shit)

It's interesting that a 34 year old can get through Basic these days because in the 60s, even guys who were in their late 20s had trouble getting through it.

Nonetheless, you're in for an experience.

AWESOME!BRAVO! I salute you sir. You have a terrific wife. Thank you for what you are about to do. Cheers.

Ft Leonard Wood Feb'68 - Fun time.
I can still remember WETSU - WETSH
We Eat this Shit Up.

Congrat's

awesome!

Congratulations!

Also a graduate of Ft Leonard Wood - Basic summer of '83, AIT summer of '84. I still hear cadence songs in my head


Not one of my favorite places to be in the summer, but I'm sure you'll do fine.


Expect to be out of contact with friends and family for the majority of time you're there.

Congratulations on your enlistment! Be fore warned that in time of crisis all Army musicians are gang pressed into service as physial security MP's.

You should've held out unless they sent you to Benning. That's where they make men from boys.

If you find yourself at JEBLC (aka Litttle Creek) home of band training for all the branches, hit me up. I’m stationed there (civilian) and live just a couple of miles off base.

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:
Just keep working out...but lightly, you don't want an injury to screw things up.

Funny enough I thought I was going to be in the band when I joined at 18. My recruiter said, "no need to take your saxophone, they have plenty of them, they'll issue you a nice new one" I took my mouthpiece and my favorite two reeds. Weird that my instructor just kept laughing when I got there... I was the kid who also asked if we could bring our own guns. I was actually pretty disappointed about that one.

That made me smile about you asking if you can bring your guns.

quote:

Originally posted by 226mk25:
At the prime age of 34 with 2 kids and a great job, I took the big step of enlisting in the national guard. I was offered a unique opportunity to join the guard band (I’m a music teacher). I passed meps as a geriatric recruit in good shape. Next up basic training at Ft. Leonard wood this summer. While initially considering the idea, of all people my wife encouraged me the most. She knows my desire to serve after having pinned on my badge as a reserve police officer. Now I begin a phase of service to my country as a military Bandsman. Following in the footsteps of my father and grandfather both army vets (ww2 and Vietnam). “Heroes are ordinary men that do extraordinary things”

All the best,

Mk25

Fort Leonard Wood sucks, you’ll get to experience multiple seasons over a week. That’s blistering heat, monsoon, winter and tornado. Literally over a week or two. And not that it matters to you but the town is nothing but a titty bar and a Walmart