A Reflection of a Soldier's Experiences in the Training Camp

This narrative presents the experiences of a soldier while in his training camp. The tale is presented in the first person perspective but the real identify of the soldier is hidden for confidentiality purposes. The tale is supposed to present the insights of what soldiers go through in the training camp.

It was in April 2016 when I succeed in joining the military after successful applications. On the first day, I was trained on using the parachute. Therefore, I went to the parachute training camp located in Texas, United States. This is several kilometers from Washington D.C. We were around 50 of us being trained on this area. Three majors were assigned to work with us. One of them was an oral surgeon while the other was a general doctor. The other one was quite humorous and used to crack jokes at all times. However, at times, he could be annoying due to his quire commands and requests such as having to run for too long. We arrived at the unit on a Sunday and we were requested to rest before we begin the official training the following day, a Monday.

On the following day, the sergeants assigned to work with us began bawling at us, some of us insulting and beating us. I received a very tough blow when I accidentally touched officer’s feet. I leant that he had intentionally put it on the way so that he can find reason to crack me. However, I saw this as quite unjust and unreasonable way of training. Generally, the sergeants were quite unfriendly to all of us. Only one of them, Ashtotle, proved to be humane enough. Although the others were not as such bad, I did not mind them as much since their behavior can only be described as disgraceful.

Away from the awful training and bad behavior of the sergeants, the food was not bad at all. However, almost half of the food that had been issued to us was taken by the officers who were with us. Despite this, the food was still enough for all of us. Among the varieties of food items that were with us include but not limited to caned biscuits, canned beans, waffles, gingerbread, and mayonnaise. The general quality of the food was not that bad. I noticed that if you have some money, you can still have extra food and other items at the camp. This is despite the fact that money is outlawed in this camp.

Now this is a typical training exercise at the Texas Camp. One is required to jump up and down. In other instances, trainees are required to throw themselves on the ground. Recruits are also required to know how to use machine guns and other weapons of war. Another requirement is a know-how on how to take positions especially during war or invasion, how to fire at enemies, working with colleagues and snipers, the use of automatic fires, and legal implications related to our work.

Sergeant Ashtole could draw a line of imaginary landscape which constitutes a steep hill, steep slope, a wadi and a valley that meanders through the area. This makes you to be in another imaginary world. The officer requires you to ponder or figure out that you are in an operation and that you have found yourself in the middle of your enemy. Then you have to ask yourself on what you are supposed to do in such contexts. In this case, the thinking is left on you and you are supposed to give the sergeant an answer on what you are supposed to do. In this case, I have to reexamine the map and landscape drawn by the officer with the seriousness it deserves. Then I inform the sergeant on what I can do in terms of scanning the environment, making combat, using the armory am provided with, liaising with my colleagues on how to attack the enemy and how to get through the melee. At some instances, the officer gets satisfied with my answer but in many other cases, he questions the logic behind my reasoning. At this point, I get discouraged on pursuing this job but I am motivated by the fact that my family members are hoping on me to complete this training, get employed and assist them financially. I am the only son in my home.

Right before the completion of the training, we were required to go for a one week mock mission. The venue was somewhere deep into the forest. At this time, our group was required to divide itself into them and then we become opposing sites. However, while at the deep of the forest, I happened to lose my wallet. It contained vital documents including the military identification, back details and other useful receipts which I could not ignore. In the process of looking for it, I got lost in the ticket. Fortunately, all my colleagues abandoned other missions in search of me and they were able to find me at the far end of the forest. The sergeant declared the mission accomplished.