Another Sunday brought more divine hours to ALFA, and for the first time we were able to complete all our assignments and devote some time to studying, writing a letter home and practicing Manual of Arms. ALFA has been working hard to get our Required Knowledge down pat. Company Commander MK1 Bailey has us play a version of General Orders baseball. We all recite our General Orders one by one, and after 03 strikes we hold our manuals out at shoulder height and read them aloud. It takes about 08 minutes to make one complete round, as you can imagine we are all developing major shoulder muscles! On the upside we are learning them a lot more quickly. Unfortunately our parade was rained out today, but we spent a lot of time on uniform maintenance and Manual of Arms. Working together to allow us all to look good and learn new moves has hopefully flipped the switch in ALFA that turns us on and keeps us on. Tomorrow begins Week 04. We have midterms and pictures to take. We are almost halfway there. Can we walk the talk?

03 AUG 09

Today ALFA split into two groups, Port and Starboard, for our training schedule. Port spent the day at the range qualifying with the .40 cal., and the Starboard group spent the day in classes that Port will take tomorrow. Since ALFA is such a large company, splitting us was an interesting experiment in our development. Suddenly a large magnifying glass was balanced over us and we could easily distinguish problem points. Everything was made easier by simply reducing our volume- teamwork suddenly got better as people could no longer hide in rows of recruits. Each individual was important and vital to the mission, whether it was moving our formation around or cleaning the squad bay. We were sounding off and marching strong, and really honing in on our strengths and weaknesses. It will be equally interesting to see if ALFA will be twice as strong when we reunite as a company.

04 AUG 09

There's no way around it, ALFA has a very difficult day today. Our company was split again into range and classes, and everything seemed to come to a head. The timing was strange to say the least. We have also been getting our graduation portraits made. One would think that seeing ourselves in the dress Bravo uniforms and caps would have inspired us to step it up a notch, but unfortunately all it seemed to do was exacerbate our lack of self-discipline. We are sure that we're not the only company in history to take a nose-dive, but that does not make it acceptable. So much more of our morale than we think is wrapped up in how we appear to others on this regiment. Our demeanor and bearing in formation relays what kind of company we are. We seem to be in a hamster wheel of guided discussions, temporary improvement, then back down to the same old stuff. We are in Week 04. We will be requesting our duty stations this week. We are searching ourselves for the answer that will help us move forward.

05 AUG 09

ALFA had a physically challenging day today. Our physical fitness exam took place at the gym and track. Males and females had different requirements for push-ups, sit-ups, and the 1.5 mile run. In addition to our swim requirement, passing is required for graduation. ALFA made a good showing, with most of us passing the 3 part test, but most of those that didn't either came close of only had one area to work on. After our assessment, we went over to the obstacle course to learn how to climb the ropes. Later this evening we went for a long, difficult march that certainly made us tired, but a little proud too, for finishing. Some of us feel that eventually, we'll be too tired to keep getting into trouble. Tomorrow will tell. We have our Seamanship exam and our e-Resume classes, which will require our sharpest focus to succeed. Many of us also have ceremonial drills or other responsibilities to fulfill on top of our busy schedule. To help, Father Barrett offered us some encouraging words that will hopefully energize us for tomorrow.

06 AUG 09

ALFA had an exciting day today. We took our Helm Commands test today at Seamanship, and we all were nervous about filling out or Dream Sheets. There were pages and pages of stations to choose from - everything from small boat stations to the polar icebreakers. Many of us are read to see the world and selected out-conus locales, while about a third of us had a guaranteed district close to home. The class seemed to inspire us a little, especially since another company graduates tomorrow and we will become the senior company in Munro Hall. Another weekend will complete Week 04. Next week we will receive our first duty stations and being making arrangements. ALFA did their best to march tall and proud despite our recent downfalls, in anticipation of what's to come. Tomorrow is our mid-term exam and another stamp in the cook closer to our own big day. We still have a lot to learn, but at least we took a step in the right direction.

08 AUG 09

Saturday turned over a new leaf for ALFA today. Last night we were informed by our CC's that a "Fun March" was being planned for today and those who wanted to participate had 24 hours to prepare themselves for the 05 mile hike. All day today the choice was looming over all of us. As we stood outside Munro Hall practicing our Manual of Arms this morning it was in the back of our minds, which might account for some of us spacing on the different between our left and our right. By afternoon chow it was starting to creep close to the fore-front. We could hear our CC's planning it out that the Company Commander table amidst the indoctrination of a new forming company. The pugil stick introduction we received afterwards was a welcome respite, but by evening chow there was that 05 miles "Fun March" again, breathing down our necks. We were caught between hydrating ourselves and enjoying our "last meal". When we returned to the squad bays it finally happened, "Raise your hands it you are going to come along tonight" and instantly 70 some-odd hands shot into the air. We packed our rucksacks and slung them over our shoulders, grabbed our pieces, donned our covers and marched out the door where we were met by Zulu, Bravo and Charlie companies. Word had spread around the regiment that ALFA was marching and they had all come out to participate as well. So there was ALFA leading a column of over 200 recruits, setting the pace and holding our collective heads high. We have already been invited on another one next week, and ALFA might finally have something to sign its colors to on the base. We are ALFA-182, we are the new beginning!

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