Welcome to the Desk of c/Corporal Phayamouk

In a murder trial, the defense attorney was cross-examining the coroner:

Attorney: Before you signed the death certificate, had you taken the pulse?

Coroner: No.

Attorney: Did you listen to the heart?

Coroner: No.

Attorney: Did you check for breathing?

Coroner: No.

Attorney: So, when you signed the death certificate, you weren’t sure the man was dead, were you?

Coroner: Well, let me put it this way. The man’s brain was sitting in a jar on my desk. But I guess it’s possible he could be out there practicing law somewhere.

Today I signed away my platoon sergeant slot in Delta for reasons that I was too passive.

It all started two weeks ago when I was told I was too passive in running the company. If someone else could improve the tasks that I carried out, they would receive the position. This person would be under constant evaluation and was expected to perform better than I had done. That doesn't sound fair huh? If someone is told that they are being evaluated and will receive the job if they do better, then obviously they will put in the effort. Sounds like a crazy idea to me.
Apparently I was too passive to have started off the company since day one. It was the big and little things I emphasized for my platoon of upperclassmen that were not noticed. During this time I had written award recommendations, counseling statements, taken accountability, marched formations, put the door cards up, the list just goes on. And a big Delta community service project that I had been planning with the XO was still under progress.

And the community service project did go as planned, as highly expected of me. I thought the day after I got bank, I could get my job back and resume my position. And so I was verbally fired the day after my community service event in which I was expected to carry out. 23 Delta 2nd PLT and 10 Delta 1st PLT members went to the Vermont Food Bank. At the VFB, these cadets repackaged meat into boxes to be shipped to distributing centers for a total of 181.5 manpower hours. And when I requested the reason why I was asked to stand down: "You are too passive". I was too passive? Too passive to push people to go to formations? Too passive to tell upperclassmen to go to a food bank drive? Too passive to tell them to provide transportation to cadets and freshmen to conduct a community service obligation? bullshit. To passive to make people go to formations?


And so I did sign away my company today, an organization that I helped build and organize signed off to someone else. And I did it because I am ashamed of those who made this decision to relieve me of my position. That their decision was based on the idea that they wanted more of an "asshole" to run the company. The next day I asked why, and also the day after I also asked why with more reasons: "What did I do wrong sir?, "What did I do wrong again sir?". The answers were the same: "We need more of an asshole to run the platoon". How do I get replaced when I am doing my job properly, when Delta 1st PLT are doing what they are supposed to do? I do not feel that I was given a legitimate excuse as to why I had to stand down.

But I know what I did was right. I thought I could work so hard and prove myself to get my job back, even if I was in charge of fulfilling Delta's community service obligation at the Vermont Food Bank, where the XO and the new person taking charge of the company were not even present.

Well, I don't have to give a damn anymore. I'm going to let this pass. This is something I'm going to let go and that I didn't give up. I'll let the next sucker waste his time to running Delta 1st PLT. All I have to worry about are my 22 credits and contracting (this security package is huuugeeee)

I am glad that this has happened to me because I just realized how much time I've wasted.. Unfortunately, it all boils down to my conclusion that some people in this Corps of Cadets and the people who run it are in an assembly of favoritism. I got replaced only because my chain of command thought someone could do a better job than I did. Only in the Corps can you get fired for doing your job. Only in the Corps is where actions do not speak louder than words. I am, I was, a tool for Delta company to conduct community service obligations only to get spit in the face, get fired the next day after. Corps of Cadets, what a bunch of fucking morons. Please continue to play favorites because I am not that stupid.
There can be no second chance, therefore I say, fuck this corps and all that it stands for; ask me if I give a damn.

In short, on the evening after Delta accomplished it's community service obligation.
1: "P i'm firing you because you suck at your job and I like this particular person."
2: "You're really not suited for this job"
Me: "What did I do wrong?"
1: "Nothing, I just feel that your talents lie in doing community service and not being platoon sergeant"
Me: ..... (me in silent contemplation... "fuck you")


Because of this day, I lost my trust in my Corps of Cadets. I deserved a second chance but I never got one. Rather than explaining my strengths and weaknesses and letting me improve, their idea was to replace me. Complete disregard for the transportation that I got for these freshmen, my fucking organization is there, my planning, my interpersonal skills in getting these kids to go. How do I ask an upperclassmen to use their own POV to transport freshmen over the weekend? Instead I got spit in the face, and all I have to say is that this Corps is a fucking travesty. In the end it's all about respect, DDDIDS.

BooYeaH



New goal: Contracting is the Mission

"Why do you wear gloves before approaching a crime scene?"
stupid cops

9/12
For lead lab today, one lucky (unfortunate) person would become squad leader, and EVALUATED.
I had thought today's lead lab would be just like the many others I've had. These are lead labs that I absolutely did not care about and I was only there because I had to be. Each session, the necessary skills required to operate a squad for a mission are taught.

There I was in my ORP maintaining security in that circle, just like every mission I had done. Then the assigned squad leader (Coe) called my name, who will be called SQD LDR. I was going to be a recorder. As simple as the role of a recorder may sound, it is not what it's supposed to be. I assisted SQD LDR by taking notes upon receiving the OPORD. I'll just list a few things from the OPORD.

"1st SQD ATK OBJ Moose, 2nd SQD RIGHT, 3rd SQD REAR". "1st PLT leaves final assault NLT H+80.
PIR: Antenna types, captured EPWs, NBCs, Comm. Equip, cross LD, enemy attack, SITREP.

# combo- 3
challenge- Team Wolverine
Running: Stix

Upon receipt of the OPORD, i had myself setting up a sand table. A sand table, oh shit I thought. I had to recollect all the knowledge I had learned to use for this mission. I asked myself, "Do I really know how to set up a terrain model kit?". I emptied the contents and scattered pieces around. I could not embarass myself and ask the SQD LDR, who is in the middle of writing an OPORD, what several pieces meant. Some pieces were no brainers: LD (line of departure), OBJ(Objective), primary(primary rout), LOA (limit of advance), support and assault, RP, TRP, water, north and more. I've yet to know what OBST XXXXXXX and the stars with numbers are. Surely enough, I had successfully made the model with minimal guidance. I only asked "SQD LDR, is this how you want the mission outlined?". When time came for the OPORD brief, Coe, SQD LDR used the sand table, making no major adjustments to the model I had made. Of course it was meant to be arranged, it was what I expected. Support and Assault elements conducting battle drill one alpha over the OBJ were simulated by moving the pieces to their LOA. My performance as "recorder" was sufficient that I was chosen to also go on the recon (oh shit). The enemy was on high ground overlooking us. There was little cover because the parking lot was to our left and the hill to our right. But I was left there as a release point. The rest of the squad came, we carried out the rest of the mission in accordance with FM 7-8, and overall, a successful mission was carried out, and to my opinion, a satisfactory recommendation for Coe.

As a recorder, I felt confident that I knew what I was doing with the sand table kit. I acted and made the kit with notes of the opord by my side. I hadn't used one since last semester and I didn't do well on my last OPORD brief. This was a time when I had to be ready. What annoys me now, is when is it my turn to be squad leader? Will I be prepared?

I realize that I am no fancy writer. I write my entries in fragments and notes. My future doesn't involve playing around with words, writing(fck that) and being sophisticated. I'm planning on playing around with bad ass chemicals and/or assume the role of a geek in a lab coat.

I end this with a quote from Infanterie Angriffe because it has relevance to my part in Army ROTC and its practice. Rommel once said, "Training errors are recorded on paper. Tactical errors are etched in stone."

Excerpt from an admin action form that finally came in after 3 weeks at Norwich. I was an "acting PSG" for the past three weeks.
-----------
NUCC Administrative Action Form

"Change of Rank"
Promote to: SFC
Reduce to:

"Duty Assignment"
Current: Upperclassmen SQD LDR
New: Upperclassmen PLT SGT
-----------

Someone's got to do it and I somehow I was on campus at the right time.
But it's not a fun job. Trying to keep upperclassmen in line sucks. But this experience will be a test of my confidence and the lack thereof. So what if I got a 1st PLT SGT job. Sure I won't be allowed to interact with recruits. However my role is to put order into upperclassmen cadets which comprise of practically 2/3 of the Corps of Cadets. And I need to remember the fact that I am still in cadet land.
But I'll have the time to do my work with a courseload that is sheer madness. A biologist's worst nightmare is Organic Chemistry. Time to put all my ambitions on hold, I'm going to need to haul ass on my study.

I recorded PT tests this Saturday morning, on my well deserved day off. One thing non-army sophomores need to do, particularly those in the Marines Corps ROTC department need to learn how to do is....

.... a proper pushup!!!
"aLL the WaY DowN YoU!!"
"Break the plane!!"
"Move up as one UniT!"

.... and a proper sit-up
"KeeP YouR ASS on the GROuND!!"
"Get to 90 DEgREES!!"

That's pretty much it. I don't think it's hard to screw a up a run.

I'd just like to state an occuring problem with the school I go to. So I meet people back home and they ask me what school I go to. And every time it's this same response.

Person: What school do you go to?
Me: I go to Norwich
Person: Norwich, Connecticut?
Me: No, it's in a town called Northfield.
Person: Northfield, Illinois?
Me: No, it's in Northfield, VT. (No fuck YOU!!!)

(WHAT Teh FucK?)

What do I do? Is it better to say: "I go to the Military College of Vermont".
That would sound so cool, and scary.

i don't belong here.

The story of how Colonel Knoebel came to Norwich.
His father was stationed in Italy. Knoebel was a lifeguard on the Italian rivera. He was captain of his football team, VP of his class. One night his father sat down with him. Knoebel asked him "Is this about my grades" (not so good). No lets not talk about the grades. Maybe you should go see a recruiter. And then he went out one night to a bar, got drunk and talked to a man. Knoebel told this stranger he wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life. And then the stranger told him he heard about this school in central Vermont. It turned out the stranger was actually a Captain who graduated from Norwich.
And he ended with the moral of the story: "Never go to a bar when you don't know what you want to do with your life".

Dear Vickers,
Why the hell did I find a sand bag under my rack?

Fuck You dirt bag (There was fucking dirt bag under my rack),
Adam

In the Latrine

Orlan: "Is vickers in his room?"
Me: "No"
Orlan: "Good, because I'm going to borrow some shampoo".
Orlan:

[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<he [...] packed,>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

In the Latrine

Orlan: <ready to take a shower> "Is vickers in his room?"
Me: "No"
Orlan: "Good, because I'm going to borrow some shampoo". <He leaves for my room>
Orlan: <he comes back with nothing, because Vickers has already packed, including his soap and shampoo>
Me: "Did you find any shampoo or even any soap?"
Orlan: "No, I forgot he doesn't shower".

I'm study for micro, and damn my roommate smells.

I'm not your friend vickers, don't talk to me.
And please take a shower, for once in your life

... 64 on my micro exam. But 2 points are being debated, so I might get a 66. But Carney said I'll probably end up with a solid B.... Whew. I was on track for an A too. I had to have two badass exams on Monday. grrr

Borrowed Febreeze from CSM Titus. It says it can neutralize odors. Well it doesn't work in my room. I can't smell this shitbag. My nose burns. omg

Right now my roommate smells like my microbiology lab. That's pretty bad.
I like days like today. Cloudy, and the sun shining brightly. A grey morning rules.
If you try speaking to me today, I'll be completely out of it.

I finally reached the part in Rommel's book, Infanterie Angriff, where a famous quote is found: "In a man to man fight, the winner is he who has one more round in his magazine".
I shouldn't be doing free reading at this hour, I got so much to study for.
In WWI, Rommel was at Montblainville, up against five Frenchmen. He had flanked them with several recruits who were a little ways behind him, supressing the enemy. Rommel had fired his rounds, and took two of them out. He then ran out of ammunition and had three men left to face. He then initiated a bayonet attack, by himself against the three Frenchmen. Why? Because he believed in his rifle. He attacked and got shot in the upper left leg and fell to the ground. His men later took the woods and provided aid for Rommel. For this action, Rommel received the Iron Cross.


and wtf, someone upstairs is pissing out the window.
I yelled outside: "You're retarded"
And it stopped.

At 0122 in the morning I colored up the unit insignia that zito and slattery drew on their wipe-out boards, in permanent colors (hell yeah). I drew in the blue stripes for Zito because he's going into 3rd ID. And Slattery, red and blue for 82nd Airborne. I think I might keep it a secret (I don't want to end up cleaning their wipe-out board). I went upstairs to Irwin and tried to color in his beak and tongue.... other than that, the rest of the 101st patch is black and white. There's not much of it I can touch....

I did this because I got sick of studying physiology. And I think they'll be happy that their unit patches are bright and colorful when they see it in the AM. And now right after this post, I'm going back to study.


I can probably tell what my roommate is doing right now. He's sleeping away in a cot at the ambulance bay.
He called me a waste of life. How dare he?. He needs to shut his mouth and go to sleep.

I am here studying my ass off.
I am wired, bitches.

Current time is 0420. I am going to watch the sun rise to the musical glory of chemistry and microbio.

The wisdom of Dr. Carney
Carney: "They first started heart surgery when I was working at Yale"
Carney: "A thoracic surgeon had to come in and massage the heart"
Carney: "I've never seen anyone survive"


hahahaha



I got two new ribbons today. It appeared on my desk after I lifted up some books to go study.
One for NU101
and one for service to Battalion HQ.

I breached my 4th row of ribbons; I'm not going to wear them around anymore....


Today, Band members played a special concert on the steps of Jackman. I brought out my lawn chair and studied physiology outside and listened to them play. Their instructor, LTCOL James Bennett is retiring, and his last ovation was completed with the 1812 overture, with NIB firing pack howitzers. Hell yeah.

I maxed my PT test, with an overall score of 314.
78 pushup, 79 situp, 1224 run
For a strange reason, I was running normally right behind the runner who was in 2nd place. At about 3/4th of the 2 mile run, I started to fall behind bad.
I was like "woah am I really running this fast?", and then my body probably consumed the apple at last, and then I got tired.

but I maxed, and i've gone 48 hours with three hours of sleep. I felt extremely weak after the run.
I'll eat two apples next time.

All nighter. 0515 and I can see the blue sky. The sun hasn't risen yet.
I was starving so bad, and because I have a PT test in 45 minutes, I ate a green apple that I left in my drawer since Friday. It's all welted with bruises, but it was still good, and I almost ate it whole. I left around a 1cm diameter left of the apple. I removed the seeds and ate part of it.