6 April 2001

Journal Excerpt:

"Well, I did it!! I signed my name to a contract that officially enlisted me in the  United States Army. I've just committed 4 years of my life. I leave for Missouri in 11 days for basic training!!"

Even though I did not enter it anywhere in my journal, every time I read that entry I always think about the events surrounding that day and how stress I was feeling.The 4 months prior to that entry were the longest 4 months of my life. 75% of it was spent running. I ran 7 miles before breakfast, I ran  5 miles before lunch and 9 before dinner. In order to make sure I was running, either my dad or my step mother would take me to the track every Saturday morning to time my run. No improvement = no running in their eyes. I was accused of trying to look "cute" when I ran. I don't know how I managed that, but back then I was accused of a lot of things back then.

I REALLY hate running, but it is one the only ways I can stay in shape. One of the more ironic things in my life, but I would have run 30 miles or more in order to get in the service. I really needed my own life; fast.

When the recruiter picked me up to go to the MEPS Station in San Diego, I felt pretty confident about passing the height and weight requirements; I was more worried about taking the ASVAB. I bought a book from a Barnes and Nobles and studied in between work outs. The test was scheduled for 3 hours; but I was done in 45 minutes. I felt like a lot of it was fairly simple and  used the process of elimination. The Army requires a score if at least a 32.  I wouldn't know my score until after the physical the next morning (we stayed at the Ramada overnight).

With that hurdle behind me, I just had to go through the physical. Easy enough. I went through all the stations with no issues until I came to the weigh in. The staff member who was taping me calculated my measurements and told me that I was over by .25%!! I could not stop the tears that followed in addition to the word vomit that revealed the nature of my family "dynamics". The staff members at MEPS are trained to disqualify as many people as possible for the littlest things and weight was always a deal breaker.

As I wiped away my tears and tried to recompose myself to deal with having to come back in a month and TELL my parents; the staff member, for what ever divine reason, said " If you can promise me that you can lose at least 3 lbs in 2 days, I will pass you. Can you do that?" Dumbfounded and grateful,  I shook my head and squeaked out a yes and hugged her.

I kept my promise by running in a bag to increase my "sweating" which help me lose 5 pounds (added 2 for good measure). To make sure I didn't gain any weight, in my infinite wisdom, I decided to get some exlax to ensure that there was nothing sitting in my stomach. 3 problems with this genius idea; 1) I never used it before, 2) I really like chocolate and 3) I can be an impatient person at times. You figure that one out; but needless to say I did not get any sleep that night.

As expected, I passed my weigh in with flying colors. I wanted to find the staff member to thank her but I was not able to. When ever I read this entry, I always think about this stranger's kindness and how it could have changed the course of my life.