Crazy, thy name is Chesnoslova (or sometimes Tom).

Time for an update. A bit ago in a post titled "Chubba Bubba", I wrote about how I was 'mildly' overweight and was told by the Army in no uncertain terms to get in better shape. Well, despite the warning, I did not and my direct commission was denied.


This means that instead of having it handed to me I have to spend a gut wrenching 8 weeks in the summer in the Alabama heat while I am yelled at, ridiculed, belittled, and then built back up. Officer school makes basic training look like a cake walk. Since I haven't been to basic training type school in 10 years, it may be tough on me.

When I say tough, I mean that when you first arrive you're yelled at to, "Get off the f'n bus", "beat your face" [do push ups], and follow what may be the most asinine rules. For example, when running (not walking. There is no walking), from one place to another and you come within 6 paces of an officer I will have to say, "Sir, officer candidate Ashton. Good morning sir." This of course changes depending on the time of day, gender of the person and rank of the person. There is no simple, "Hello," or "How are you?"


So, ya. I pretty much screwed myself. And guess what else? After this, I have many months more training to do before I'm even deemed competant enough to perform my job. Oh, and I have/get to go to a school where I jump out of airplanes.


So, why did I include the word "crazy" in the title of this post. Because 1) I am crazy for knowing beforehand what awaits me and I still volunteer for it. And 2) my preparation for it. Northern Utah on the Idaho border in January is not the time or place for fun outdoor training. Running in the snow and ice is nearly a daily occurrance now. I got excited Sunday night because for the first time in 2 weeks all the snow had melted off of the roads and I would be running on dry roads the next day. When I woke up, another 6 inches of snow had fallen.


On the days when I'm not running, I am road marching. This is basically walking. Walking in full uniform with a 40 pound backpack. I will be required to do several in the school I am going to with the biggest being 10 miles, 40 pound pack, in 3 hours 3 minutes. This doesn't seem entirely tough to me right now as I have been doing 4+ miles a couple times each week in snow and ice. Plus, did I mention I do it in the morning? Last week those morning temperatures were Tuesday: -12(F), Thursday: -16.8(F), and Saturday: -something crazy(F).


So, that is where the crazy comes from. Temperatures, going from zero work outs to at least 7 per week, eating way less calories and fat grams and way more fruit, fibre, and vegetables, and best yet, losing 9.5 pounds in 2.5 weeks. Just 30 more to go!