What is Victory Forge?

Just found this info on the Army website about what Paul and the other soldiers have been going through this week at Victory Forge as they meet their final requirements before passing from a "soldier in training" to being a Soldier in the United States Army. (No, that's not Paul in the picture, although the haircut looks familiar!) It seems unique that this group would be accomplishing this on Memorial Day Weekend. May we give thanks for all who have gone before, and all who will come after.

Cyndi

Victory Forge is a 7-day field training exercise combining all previously taught basic combat training skills. It is the culmination of basic training.
Soldiers are continuously challenged on all the skills learned throughout the nine-week training cycle. Here is a general description each day during Victory Forge.

Day 1 - Pre-Combat Inspections (PCI), prepare and produce an operations order (OPORD)

Day 2 - 10-Kilometer foot march, quartering party procedures, occupy a position and establish a defensive perimeter, conduct tactical feeding, introduction to night operations and rest plans

Day 3 - Conduct "Stand-To", undergo Nuclear, Biological and Chemical training, issue a squad-level OPORD, defensive operations, conduct troop-leading-procedures, go through the Teamwork Reaction Course, conduct squad-sized tactical exercises and a night tactical exercise

Day 4 - Same as Day 3

Day 5 - Same as Day 4

Day 6 - Recover from the defense, conduct PCI/stretch, issue squad and platoon-level OPORD, move to and conduct the Night Infiltration Course, execute the
Live Fire Night Infiltration

Day 7 - Conduct PCI and ensure personnel and equipment accountability, 15-Kilometer foot march, participate in an After Action Review, and after-operations maintenance which culminates with the Rites of Passage Ceremony symbolizing the transition from Soldier-in-Training to Soldier in the United States Army.

Final Week

This is Victory Forge week... 7 days of field exercises. One detail I didn't need to know was that at night they do "Nick at Night", which is their Drill Sergeants firing live amo about 30' above them while they crawl on the ground. With all their training, I still can't imagine "my" son going into real combat, much less many of our soldiers facing real danger every day. It has really brought home to me the immense blessings we enjoy in this country, and the danger many face each day on our behalf. I know it's deepened my prayers and desire to do what I can to bring "peace on earth, good will toward all".
Boot Camp, for all it's hardship, has seemed to be a good experience for Paul. He'll have 8 weeks of training on computers before he assumes his responsibilities as Private First Class Paul Wheeler, Human Resource Information Technology Systems Management Specialist (I'd like to see them fit that on a name badge!!).
We're looking forward to seeing him at graduation, and hopefully a few days afterwards.... can't get any info out of the Army as to how much time he can spend with us... guess we'll just wait for our "orders" when we get there! :)
Next posting should have pictures of a leaner, buffer, tanner Paul! Thanks for your thoughts, prayers and letters. They have been such an encouragement to him the last 8 weeks!

The Phone Keeps Ringing

Well, this has been a great 3 days... we've heard from Paul 5 times! Amazing! With each conversation being only 10 minutes, we can't cover a lot of new subjects, but I thought I'd tell you the latest...
He had a few minutes yesterday to call and fill us in on their most recent physical fitness test. To pass they have to do 40 push ups, 50 sit ups and run 2 miles in less than 16 1/2 minutes. He was able to do 56 push ups, 57 sit ups and ran the 2 miles in 15 1/2 minutes! Our conversation kept getting interrupted because every time a drill sergeant passes by they have to stand at attention with their hands behind their back (hard to keep talking on the phone!) and stay quiet until the DS says, "Carry on", or something like that.
Time seems to be flying by now and soon we'll head to S.C. for graduation... I'm looking forward to having some new pictures to post. Have a blessed day and thanks for checking in.

Mother's Day

We heard from Paul 3 times today!! Guess the Drill Sergeant must have been talking on the phone to his own mom and lightened up on the soldiers for a day... in fact, he told them he didn't want to see their faces until 7 a.m.!!! That is unheard of, because usually they rise and shine at 4 a.m.!!! I guess drill sergeants get tired too!
Paul sounded great and counting the days until graduation (19 more!). They did a 3-day campout last week and operated out of a FOB (fixed operational base?) while doing all types of military scenarios. One of the funny stories he told us was one about marching down the road. Paul was near the back of the line and saw the drill sergeant drop something. Just as he was wondering what he dropped, BOOM! I guess they all wanted to have the right response, but weren't sure what to do, so they turned and asked the drill sergeant, "What should we do?". He screamed, THAT WAS A GRENADE!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU DO??? RUN! (so much to learn!)
This week is more practice with firing, climbing, and crawling on your stomach under enemy fire, and then they'll do a 7-day campout the last week of Boot Camp, and then graduation! Hard to believe 9 1/2 weeks are almost up.
We're looking forward to seeing the new "buff" Paul... he said he's lost about 15 pounds, but gained lots of muscle and strength. He'll do his training in computers at the same base, but will be moving to another barracks on the base for that, so remember to stop sending letters after the 15th until we get a new address for him.
Aaron and Masayo called this afternoon.... seems Paul called and woke them up this morning. I think it took Aaron a moment to realize who was calling! "Paul who??" Aaron said they were finally getting some nice "bike riding" weather in San Fran. and trying to decide what to do for the day. My neice (Aaron's cousin) Jennifer and her boyfriend are out in San Fran. and hopefully the 4 of them will get together this week for fun, food and sight seeing. They get the prize for being the first family member to visit! One funny thing... when A & M called, my caller-i.d. said "Wheeler, Aaron", so I answered the phone saying, "Hey, hey, hey, boo boo" (like the cartoon Yogi Bear... if you're as old as me, you'll know what I'm talking about). Anyway, this sweet voice on the other end of the phone says, "How did you know your boo boo was calling?" Turns out they were using Masayo's cell phone, (but the caller id says "Aaron Wheeler")... and it was Masayo on the other end.
It was great hearing from my boys and sweet daughter-in-law. I'm truly blessed!!
P.S. Harris gets special kudos (sp??) for letting me sleep in a little later this morning, cleaning up the dishes after brunch (he cooked the bacon!), letting me and my mom watch a "chick flick" and baking up a "mean" pizza for me for supper!! What more could a girl want??

Campouts & Tanks

Sunday Paul was able to call twice, for 10 minutes each time. It was great to hear his voice and he sounded like he was doing well and counting the days until graduation! They are in their third phase of Boot Camp and going on a 3-day campout this week to practice maneuvers from a FOB (forward operating base....guess I'm going to have to learn all the acronyms!). I know this is much more serious than Camp Cosby days or Boy Scout campouts, but being outdoors is right up his alley and if you have to learn army maneuvers, it might as well be outside for him! The only complaint he has is that his knees are still bothering him, but he was going to try and go to the doc again and see if they could either determine the source of his problems or give him something to ease the pain. He's determined to push through this as graduation is in sight now! We're proud of his attitude. Last week was every guy's dream... shoot a rocket launcher and destroy old tanks! I remember years ago that a Army recruiter called to talk to our older son, Aaron, but since he wasn't home, he talked with Paul. Paul had to be about 12 or 13, but the recruiter talked to him like he was a MAN and asked him if he'd ever considered the Army. Paul said, "No, but I always wanted to drive a tank!" Well, maybe his dream will come true one day, although I hope its on the showroom floor and not the battle field!!
PLEASE NOTE: Paul will be gettting a new address when he finishes Boot Camp at the end of May, so please stop using this current address by May 15th so that he'll be sure and receive the cards and letters you send. I'll post his new address in the sidebar once we know it. Thanks again for being such a wonderful encouragement to him.

My birthday celebration.

Well Friday was my 39th birthday....AGAIN....and it was a wonderful celebration. I got to talk with Aaron and Masayo... they are both back in San Fran. and sounded great. I'm really hoping that we'll be able to set plans to go visit them this summer! They are just too close to miss that opportunity! They've purchased a motorcycle (don't get me started!!), and are looking forward to being able to get around more often and see some of the many sites in their area. It was great to hear their voices and chat for a few minutes.
My mom started off the day by taking me and a friend to lunch at Bonefish, one of my favorites. Then Harris and I celebrated my birthday that afternoon by each using a gift certificate at a local SPA. I wish massages weren't so expensive, because they sure feel wonderful. Once I was totally relaxed, he took me to dinner at this restaurant that has a wonderful deck under a huge oak tree that must be 50 - 75 years old... the weather was great and the food delicious. Then we decided to go see a movie... I wanted to see The Soloist (too sentimental for him, even if it was MY birthday) and he wanted to see Wolverine (to much violence for me) , so we compromised and saw State of Play which was really good. Nice to end the day with everyone happy!!

Battle Rattle

It had been three weeks since we'd been able to talk by phone to Paul, but he was able to call last Sunday. Evidently they have 3 phones the soldiers can use and they have to stand in line (for over an hour) for their turn, which can be no longer than 10 minutes. Paul stood in line 3 times so we got to talk to him for 3 ten-minute sessions! It was great to hear his voice. You could hear the confidence in his voice, and for the most part he is enjoying Boot Camp, if that is possible! The part that drives him crazy is the "hurry up and wait", like when they wake them at 4 a.m. and give them an hour to get ready for breakfast, then they have to stand at attention for 45 minutes before being allowed to go in for breakfast! This current phase has been about shooting guns... not my favorite activity, but I'm sure appeals to most guys!. His best record is hitting 35 out of 40 attempts, which gave him the second-highest rank of "sharpshooter". If he gets 36/40 he'll get the highest rank...that's his goal. The memorable story in his letter this week was normally they have 3 guys on "firewatch" which I think entails 3 guys keeping watch during the night hours. One guy fell asleep on his watch, so the consequence was that 20 guys had to do the next firewatch in full Battle Rattle = wearing IBA (bullet proof vest), LBV (Green vest with canteens), Kevlar helmet and Ruck Sack (Backpack)...all together this weighs about 40 - 50 pounds! Hopefully that won't happen again! He's now past the half-way mark of boot camp and we're counting down to graduation...Thank you again for your encouragement for him and the prayers and letters you've sent his way!