Well, it's been a pretty massive week in the context of what I will be doing for the remainder of the year. When I initially signed up, I almost went 'Rifleman' but was advised to go ECN500 because I was unsure and this would allow me to pick my job during training. I chose my job, Dental Assistant, and was happy with my decision and had pretty much planned the rest of my year. I thought this was all good. Then, a few days after I don't all my paperwork, I was told my transfer to the job was not allowed, an dI had to choose between five jobs.
While being here, I have thought a lot about what I believe, what I want to do and what I won't do. Guess what - two of these five jobs are jobs I will not do. The other three are jobs I would do, but have no interest in, and feel I could achieve more from this year if I was home.
So what does this all mean? It means I'll be home a lot earlier than I intended to be. For the last few days, I've been in a weird state. I didn't want to stay and I still don't want to leave. I've thought it all through and have put in all the paperwork for my ROR/delistment. I'm disappointed I won't be completing the year as I said and intended, but I'm also very excited about what the rest of the year now holds. Still feeling a bit weird and annoyed about it all, but confident I've made the right decision.
Matt.
Posted on behalf of MJ Waters.
Tuesday 25 March 2008
Thursday 13 March 2008
06 March - Week 6
This week has been pretty good, the weekend especially so. On Friday, we had our first of two character building days with the Padres. This was put in place because it had been shown that soldiers with strong character and something to strive for or hold on to, react better and are more capable in adverse situations and during recovery after the fact.
During the day we discussed in small groups about what our beliefs, faith and attitudes are and how they correspond with and affect our values, and therefore, our behavriour. This was a nice change from the usual conversation subjects of girls, farts, gossip and sex.
Saturday was the 1st of March and the Army's Birthday. To celebrate this, there was an athletics carnival run. It was a spectacular event. Highlights were: the tug of war, seeing our platoon commander destroy the opposition in a race, the brawl that broke out between my company - Delta - and Alpha Company before the day had even really begun (we smashed them). I also managed to grab myself a medal in the 400m - I cam first. After the carnival we had local leave. We also had local leave after Chapel on Sunday.
Monday we went to the war memorial in Canberra. A great experience, but we only had a one hour tour and then one and a half hours to look around ourselves, which is nowhere near enough time. The rest of this week we have been doing first aid. A lot of time spent watching powerpoint presentations and taking notes, but the prac is good fun, and will be worthwhile knowing.
Another interesting fact is that we're past halfway. Today is day 45 since enlistment - not that I'm counting. We're on the home stretch.
I hope all's going well for everyone else.
Peace.
Posted on behalf of MJ Waters.
During the day we discussed in small groups about what our beliefs, faith and attitudes are and how they correspond with and affect our values, and therefore, our behavriour. This was a nice change from the usual conversation subjects of girls, farts, gossip and sex.
Saturday was the 1st of March and the Army's Birthday. To celebrate this, there was an athletics carnival run. It was a spectacular event. Highlights were: the tug of war, seeing our platoon commander destroy the opposition in a race, the brawl that broke out between my company - Delta - and Alpha Company before the day had even really begun (we smashed them). I also managed to grab myself a medal in the 400m - I cam first. After the carnival we had local leave. We also had local leave after Chapel on Sunday.
Monday we went to the war memorial in Canberra. A great experience, but we only had a one hour tour and then one and a half hours to look around ourselves, which is nowhere near enough time. The rest of this week we have been doing first aid. A lot of time spent watching powerpoint presentations and taking notes, but the prac is good fun, and will be worthwhile knowing.
Another interesting fact is that we're past halfway. Today is day 45 since enlistment - not that I'm counting. We're on the home stretch.
I hope all's going well for everyone else.
Peace.
Posted on behalf of MJ Waters.
Saturday 8 March 2008
27 February - Week 5
G'day Everyone,
Realised I haven't really covered the routine that goes on here. Every morning we wake up at 6:00am, yell, grab our bottom sheets and go stand in the hallway. This is followed by 15 minutes to shave, get dressed and make our beds; and 15 minutes to do our morning duties which is cleaning the laundry for me. Then usually 20-30 minutes to have breakfast and be back with our teeth brushed.
Lunch is at either 11:30 or 12:00, but before this we have 4 periods of stuff to do. This is either lecture on something, physical training, marching or shooting. Today we had a 5km pack march in the morning, then stretcher carry, and now I'm sitting around at hte range waiting for my turn to go fire my shooting test.
After lunch there are another 4 periods of stuff. Dinner is next at 5:30pm or 6:00pm. This is also sometimes followed by some periods of learning stuff - a lot of the time though we have admin & revision, which means we do our ironing, polishing of brass and general cleaning whilst having a chat to the guys in our rooms. By 9:30pm everyone is usually pretty stuffed and it's time for bed. Really, everyone's stuffed by 7:00pm and we have to wait around until 10:00pm to go to bed. So at 9:30pm we go have showers and get changed into our PJ's. Once we're all finished this, we get our mail, read that or do some reflection, then it's finally time for bed. Then BAM!, after another terrble night's sleep, it all starts over again.
There are some days that are a bit different, like Sundays when we get up at 7am and have some time up at the chapel from 9:00am till 10:45am. We'll usually come back and do some work in the afternoon. Saturdays we've started getting local leave now, which means we go into Wagga Wagga and buy stuff and hang around, doing what we want while dressed in our own clothes; jeans, belt, good shoes and a polo shirt - tucked in, of course. I'm starting to get into the swing of things here. Also, it's almost halfway. Yay!
Posted on behalf of MJ Waters.
Realised I haven't really covered the routine that goes on here. Every morning we wake up at 6:00am, yell, grab our bottom sheets and go stand in the hallway. This is followed by 15 minutes to shave, get dressed and make our beds; and 15 minutes to do our morning duties which is cleaning the laundry for me. Then usually 20-30 minutes to have breakfast and be back with our teeth brushed.
Lunch is at either 11:30 or 12:00, but before this we have 4 periods of stuff to do. This is either lecture on something, physical training, marching or shooting. Today we had a 5km pack march in the morning, then stretcher carry, and now I'm sitting around at hte range waiting for my turn to go fire my shooting test.
After lunch there are another 4 periods of stuff. Dinner is next at 5:30pm or 6:00pm. This is also sometimes followed by some periods of learning stuff - a lot of the time though we have admin & revision, which means we do our ironing, polishing of brass and general cleaning whilst having a chat to the guys in our rooms. By 9:30pm everyone is usually pretty stuffed and it's time for bed. Really, everyone's stuffed by 7:00pm and we have to wait around until 10:00pm to go to bed. So at 9:30pm we go have showers and get changed into our PJ's. Once we're all finished this, we get our mail, read that or do some reflection, then it's finally time for bed. Then BAM!, after another terrble night's sleep, it all starts over again.
There are some days that are a bit different, like Sundays when we get up at 7am and have some time up at the chapel from 9:00am till 10:45am. We'll usually come back and do some work in the afternoon. Saturdays we've started getting local leave now, which means we go into Wagga Wagga and buy stuff and hang around, doing what we want while dressed in our own clothes; jeans, belt, good shoes and a polo shirt - tucked in, of course. I'm starting to get into the swing of things here. Also, it's almost halfway. Yay!
Posted on behalf of MJ Waters.
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