I have been extremely remiss in keeping up with this blog, especially in light of some of the more momentous events and fantastic training events that have occurred in my life since my last post. For those who were holding their breaths, I graduated ABOLC in the top 20% of my class, took Christmas off and returned to Benning for the Army Reconnaissance Course (ARC). This was a month long, extremely demanding course that challenged me physically and mentally. It aims to teach students how to be scout leaders in the Army, with techniques such as selecting and occupying observation posts to silent patrolling. It was by far the best course I’ve ever been through and my cadre was beyond superb… and I can now land navigate through thick vegetation with no map or compass for kilometers and lead a scout Stryker platoon! It was incredibly stressful and exhausting, but very rewarding and I was pleased to once again graduate in the top 20%.
From there I made the long journey south west to the heart of Texas. Fort Hood, Texas to be exact. Home to III Corps, who’s units include the storied 1st Cavalry Division and the 3rd Armored Combat Regiment, this is a MASSIVE post with over 50,000 soldiers stationed here. Let’s put it this way: there’s two full size commissaries and PXs. Enough said. Despite my initial horror at the frightshow that is Killeen, TX, I found a lovely little place in the next town and I’m now a proud home-renter in Harker Heights, TX. My two would be part time co-renters (who rather crucially made this place affordable) both found out they’re off to Kuwait in a couple weeks so I’m still working through that…
The big news, (despite all that) is that as of today, I am now a platoon leader for 2nd Platoon, Dragon Company, 3/8 Cavalry, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. When I put it that way, I realize just how low on the totem pole I am… And I didn’t even add all the commands above 1st Cav… When everything is reset following this units recent return from being the last combat unit out of Iraq I will be the proud leader of 15 soldiers and four M1A2 SEP Version 2 Main Battle Tanks. Pretty cool… I’ll be updating this periodically in the future I’m sure, but that’s the news. It’s good to be back!
Christopher Hawkins
2LT, AR
PL, 2/D/3-8 CAV
From there I made the long journey south west to the heart of Texas. Fort Hood, Texas to be exact. Home to III Corps, who’s units include the storied 1st Cavalry Division and the 3rd Armored Combat Regiment, this is a MASSIVE post with over 50,000 soldiers stationed here. Let’s put it this way: there’s two full size commissaries and PXs. Enough said. Despite my initial horror at the frightshow that is Killeen, TX, I found a lovely little place in the next town and I’m now a proud home-renter in Harker Heights, TX. My two would be part time co-renters (who rather crucially made this place affordable) both found out they’re off to Kuwait in a couple weeks so I’m still working through that…
The big news, (despite all that) is that as of today, I am now a platoon leader for 2nd Platoon, Dragon Company, 3/8 Cavalry, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. When I put it that way, I realize just how low on the totem pole I am… And I didn’t even add all the commands above 1st Cav… When everything is reset following this units recent return from being the last combat unit out of Iraq I will be the proud leader of 15 soldiers and four M1A2 SEP Version 2 Main Battle Tanks. Pretty cool… I’ll be updating this periodically in the future I’m sure, but that’s the news. It’s good to be back!
Christopher Hawkins
2LT, AR
PL, 2/D/3-8 CAV
posted by chawk @ 6:39 PM
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