1LT O'Neill at the Confidence Course

DCC

Once again I must apologize for my absence from this blog. I have great intentions and wonderful ideas for writing. What I am lacking is time! Well, that and internet access as our rooms at DCC were not equipped with much of anything. But, more on that later,

I left Charlottesville for Fort Benning with some mixed feelings. I was excited to leave TJAGLCS with a diploma in hand and a hard earned Airborne School slot! Plus, I knew that Charlottesville, for as challenging as it was, would be the easy part for me. I had gone to law school and knew how to be a lawyer, I just had to learn to be an Army lawyer. Now, I would be entering a school for which I had no prior exposure, a school that would teach me how to be a soldier.

I laugh to think how different the tone of this entry would be had a written it the first week I arrived. LTC Rogers at TJAGLCS told us on several occasions that "attitude" would be everything everything with regards to DCC/BOLC II. Even though I felt armed with appropriate attitude, I was very taken aback by the living conditions. I won't spoil the surprise for those of you attending the February course, but when you arrive, take a deep breath and accept it as a learning experience and a healthy dose of perspective! [ If you shed a tear or two first I won't hold it against you. ;) ]

I can tell you that should you consider yourself very fortunate if you are able to attend the DCC course with the cadre we had led by SFC Steinbach! They were very professional and did everything they could to teach us what they know. Plus, they made the 4 weeks we were together a lot of fun!

I was intimidated by Land Navigation because of all the difficultly I have heard people seem to have with it. But, with clear and concise teaching both in the classroom and in the field, I got it and the secret is...it isn't that hard! The difficult part was being alone in the Georgia wilderness in the dark for several hours. There are giant spiders, wild boars, a cougar, alligators, snakes and, according to LT O'Neill, a screaming female ghost! :D Nevertheless I understand how to do it and while I may not like it, I can do it.

Similar to my trepidation regarding Land Nav was my apprehension over qualifying with an M4. I wasn't afraid of the weapon necessarily, but I had no idea how to use it and I wasn't very good in the simulator. In fact I believe my squad leader even went to far as to tell me I sucked. :D With the help of SFC Duggan, who patiently gave me advice and helped me adjust my sights several times I was able to successfully zero my weapon. On the day of qualification I was nervous and nerves certainly don't help you out there. So my squad leader SSG Dennis talked me through it and I got in the first round!

The STX which consisted of battle drills and preparation for our three days in the field was...interesting. I can't say any of it was intuitive to me but, like everything else, I just did what I was told and it worked out. Being in the field had me concerned because of the 'camping' aspect! Again, GA wilderness, spiders, etc. But, I went into it with a good attitude and a trust in the cadre, and it all went fine. Better than fine, it was actually quite fun. It poured rain most of the day Tuesday which wasn't too bad with the wet weather gear we are issued but it did eventually fail and we got wet and quite cold! Finally we had the 8 mile ruck march back to the barracks. It was, like many other things in DCC, a squad competition. I rucked often with the Air Assault competitors in Charlottesville so I felt at least mentally prepared to do it. I didn't realize how physically difficult it would be the amount of weight we ended up carrying--well over the 35lb minimum! But, as I have said before, the body gives up before the mind. I got my mind right and was determined to push my body to the end. Our squad won! It was a great way to end the course.

Overall this course taught me so many things I anticipated, and many that I didn't. I feel as though this experience will make me a better Judge Advocate as I have a better understanding of what many soldiers go through. I also have much more confidence regarding my eventual deployment!


I could say so much more but, as is the theme recently, time doesn't allow. On to BOLC II. Attitude! :D


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