I don't know why I'm sticking with this series.  David Weber needs a new editor, because as the latter books in the series have gotten thicker, they've gotten more self indulgent and tedious.  When they are good, they are REALLY good, in some of the characterization and space battles. Cracking good.  But often, the stuff about Honor's personal life, which is basically the latest thing she has obtained or accomplishment she is recognized, it 's like she's leveling up in a video game.  And unless there is a new wrinkle, do I really need another mathematical breakdown of the closing rate of two fleets and the missles they've just fired?  Do I need ANOTHER breakdown of Treecat sign language?

But still, when it's good...and the series has left the Royal Kingdom of Manticore and the Republic of Haven battered silly and at a stalemate, with trouble elsewhere.

So I will continue...


Lost Fleet-Relentless started off with a bang as the Fleet, dusting itself off from it's last engagement, pops into another system, defeats another major Syndic battlefleet and rescues some POWs.  However, their belief that the enemy has nothing left to stand between them and home, they find out another Syndic force is headed their way, a reserve fleet that the Syndics were using to guard against possible Alien incursion...well well...

Check it...
http://www.flynnlives.com/media/video/0xendgame.aspx

Yup, it's official.  Torn ACL AND MCL.  I'm going to have to have surgery.

Looks like Drill is DONE.

My current training has been stopped cold and I'm not going to Drill School after all.

Wait and see what happens next.

I saw a Drill Sergeant blessing his meal today.  I took it as an opportunity to approach him as a man of faith and to get his views on this place.  I see it as a place of, frankly, darkness and despair.  Mainly, it is generated by many of the Drills who seem to hate the Privates and seek to encourage such in others.  I feel it weighing upon me.  They see a big barrier between themselves and the privates and seemingly have forgotten they were once one.

I haven't.  My experience as junior enlisted is as fresh as yesterday.  It might as well be.  I can't hate these guys.  I see myself when I look at them. 

He said to resist such.  Don't baby them, but be approachable. 

Let me tell you, there is MUCH pressure here to just be an asshole.

But being here, interestingly, has strengthened my faith.  And meeting this Drill kicked it up a notch.

Also, I'm struggling in a course right now.  And I've been approached by a Drill in my company, big friendly Infantryman who is a former LA cop.  He's going to help me out.  The First Sergeant seems to see me as a special project right now and this Drill revealed he's glad I showed up.  Because he used to be the special project.

Heh.

One week, I go to Drill School.

I keep getting these badly worded, badly spelled emails from women who are looking for eternal love.  Got a gem recently, with this sentence...

"I am looking for a man I can use for to the rest of my life."

Hey, at least she's honest.

:D

My humble but beautiful gray girl, my personal wheels of freedom, at last, we reunite.  At last, I can leave Sand Hill when able.

You don't even know just how big a moral booster that is.

Seriously.

Add to that, there is a native Korean woman at the eatery here on Sand Hill who makes authentic kimchee, including a cucumber variety.

I led PT for the first time this morning.  There were some creaks, but overall, pretty good.

AND I get my personal goods tomorrow.

Life is good.

Oh, we just had a sensing session with the Battalion Sergeant Major.  His pet name for me right now is FNG (Fu**ing New Guy).  He was asking for everyone's observations this cycle.  I honestly don't know enough to think I have any to offer and told him so.  He seemed to acknowledge the answer was a good one.  But he added that I should be the permanent Master of Ceremonies for the Company/Battalion while I'm here, a job I'd be happy to take and I'm sure the other Drills would have no problem handing me.

It's what I do.

:)

Here's some videos to emphasize the point...


First, a shoutout to the Almighty, the latest from the Newsboys...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdQje_gJ0ko


Something cool for the Browncoats...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PlNJU7qBaU


Some classic Kansas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIr2klaU8X4


And my all time favorite Duran Duran song, cleverly composed with bits from a whole bunch of their videos, because they never made one of their own, dammit...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E9A-2Kkysw&feature=PlayList&p=70EF0761506C9F13&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=20

It's hard, y'all.  But it's getting better.

And the day finally came. The day I was the most worried about, as grasping the technicalities of Combatives Level 1 was proving difficult. Day one and two had me feeling most stupid and inept. And since I am neither, my morale flagged. And the NCOs weren't impressed.

But the Clinch Drill day brought me most of the way back. Today finished it as a worthy one in their eyes, and met another training requirement to becoming a Drill Sergeant.

Today, we were tested on our knowledge of seventeen different technique sets. I got tested on four of them (everyone else got three). Nailed 'em all. Again, the sentiment was, they weren't sure I'd make it. But now, they were, and as proud as I was.

On to level two, another requirement, under the same instructors.

I'm told it will be a beast.

But that will not stop me.

Never has.

Well, Cool, it's like this. I seem to get conflicting messages on how to be a Drill Sergeant. One side says we have to get to know each private as much as we can and adapt our leadership style accordingly. The other says we must be a relentless hardass across the board all the time. One side says that there is room for multiple leadership approaches. The other says that there isn't. And if you aren't up in their ass all the time, you are not doing it right.

This is confusing and saddening.

On the other hand, today was a better day. These modern day barbarians you can find in combat arms? They are in the Infantry and you especially can find them as Combatives instructors. They tend to find a guy like me, with my educated speech and my nuanced expressed thought processes on the "wimpy" side. And so it remains until you demonstrate something they rate as "manly". Today was that day.

Day four of Combatives, when we have the "Clinch Drills". We have been taught a few boxing defenses and they bring in a few power punchers for us to execute on. We can't hit them, but they can hit us. And it's suspected that they were told to really put the pressure on me. Also, I was worried about my newly LASIKed eyes.

The sergeant running the course repeatedly asked me if I wanted to do this. Considering that doing it would mean passing that mandatory requirement and completing the course, I just told him, "Yes, Sergeant."

And so, it was on. The first time I went in, I was tagged GOOD, bell rang. But as he kept raining blows on me, my ability to take punches was demonstrated and I remained standing, got my bearings, relocated my subject, put up my defenses, and went it. Got the clinch.

Did that three more times. Got a bit of a bloody nose and lip, but I got through it. It was pretty much agreed I got the worst mauling, but demonstrated exceptional fortitude taking it and continuing, completing the mission.

After that, the Sergeant in charge seemed to have a new regard for me. Not so much a badass in his eye, really, but definitely not a pushover. An Army Broadcaster who can hold his own when needed.

It was a good day.

And my appetite even partially came back, enjoying a good dinner of chicken wings and kimche, with good Southern sweet tea to wash it down.

On, on a related note, it looked like Mom's cancer was firing up?    Nope, everything is cool.