A Week in My Shoes

It's difficult to describe my job. As a Commander, almost everything falls under my purview: training, coordinating, counseling, planning, punishing, briefing, and almost anything else that requires a decision or a signature. This is a typical week:

 

Monday- 

0515: Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) which consists of as many push-ups and situps as you can do plus a timed 2-mile run. Fun!   

0800: Breakfast with my First Sergeant (1SG) to talk through the plan of the day and any Soldier issues. Even if we don't agree 100% we need to present a unified front to the company.

0930: Interview with a Soldier who wants to become an officer and needs a recommendation letter. 

1200: Lunch at the Aviation Dining Facility...it's Mexican Monday and the line is 20 minutes long! 

1300: Three hours of counseling sessions for Soldiers going on Rest & Recuperation Leave (i.e. don't drink & drive or do drugs).

1700: Prepare slides for another briefing. 

1900: Finally time to respond to the day's emails and taskings. 

2200: Done for the day.

2300: Bed   

 

Tuesday:

0630: Call Jocelyn, talk for at least 30 minutes before she goes to bed. This is the highlight of my day!

0900: Spent 3 hours inspecting containers full of equipment we are preparing to ship back early.

1300: Attend a promotion for one of my 2nd Lieutenants, present an award to a Sergeant.

1330: Another three hours of counseling, this time for retention (i.e. trying to convince my Soldiers to stay in the Army)

1800: Mongolian BBQ at the Dining Facility, my favorite meal of the week!

1900: Two hour meeting called 'Command & Staff' with all key players in the Battalion.

2100: Workout with another Captain at the gym.

 

Wednesday:

0630: Call Jocelyn of course, even though I'm tired, because I love her ;-]

0900: Can't remember, probably not very important.

1300: Company Training meeting, where I verbally define the focus for the week and task specific sections.

1800: Worship Team practice, but only myself (on the mandolin) and the piano player show up.

2000: DART rehearsal (Downed Aircraft Recovery Team...just in case a helicopter goes down).

 

Thursday:

0630: Ditto

0930: Weight Control Counseling for 2 hours. I put on my motivational speaker hat and tell them 'You can lose 20 pounds in 3 months!'...if not I could legally kick you out of the Army.

1500: I brief a room full of AF Colonels on the importance of our Motor Pool and why we need more space & cement. They are impressed by my green laser pointer and approve the project!

1630: Weekly Supply meeting, in which we review all of the military property I am signed and responsible for (to include satellites, 5-ton trucks, ATV's, and a deep fat fryer!)

1900: Commander's Huddle with my peers and our Boss to talk strategy. This week it's about a drug called 'Spice' we've been finding in Soldier's rooms.

2100: Personal time, either to read or study for the GMAT.

 

Friday:

0630: I forget to call Jocelyn, and she's worried about me. Oops.

0900: Motor Pool morning, when I put on my coveralls and pretend to be a mechanic for a couple hours.

1300: Taking care of Soldier issues, let's just leave it at that.

1800: Serve the Steak & Shrimp/Lobster at the Dining Facility to largely ungrateful and greedy customers.

2100: Workout and hit the hay (as my Dad would say).

 

Saturday:

0400: Woken up early to deliver a Red Cross message.

0900: Even more counseling. I feel like Dr. Phil except much better looking.

1300: Officer Professional Development with my Lieutenants. This is the most enjoyable meeting of the week because I get to dictate the agenda!

1500: Company Grade Article 15-- A Specialist is accused of insubordination and I am responsible to take her rank and/or pay away. Not fun.

 

Sunday: this is my b-weekly day off so I decide to sleep in!

1000: Spent two hours peeling potatoes in the Dining Facility to help understand why my cooks' morale is so low. Now I know.

1700: Worship setup and practice for the 'Unplugged' service. A Kiwi Huey pilot (link: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/central-north-island/454391) is the lead singer. Good group of guys.

 

So, I hope I didn't bore you to death. This doesn't include the secret stuff, but is indicative of an average week for me. Have a great week and enjoy the USA for me!