Joining the service is always something Greg has had a desire to do and for as long as we have been together, it is something we as a couple have considered. Things have happened of late that have made us start considering this as an option...so we went and talked to a recruiter and have been pursuing this path.
Greg went down yesterday morning to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Command) in Sacramento. He had to go with a group from his recruiter station, as they are responsible for ensuring everyone is accounted for. I took the day off from work today to drive down and be there for this special day. I am not the type of wife that has no interest in being part of the important things that transpire in her husband's life...nor is Greg the type of husband to want that.
We knew I would need to head down early, so I could at least be there for his swearing in. He texted me at 4am and said I might want to leave even earlier, as there were only 20 or so people that were being processed that day. I will be honest...I freaked out a little as I was so worried I was not going to make it in time! I got up, got ready and headed out; it was still dark outside and I was extremely tired, but I was running on nerves and adrenaline and could have cared less at that point.
Starting my trip so very early!
A must for my early morning adventure!
(Don't worry, I didn't drink both...I gave one to my brother! :)
Silver and Catherine were such a blessing and let me borrow their Honda Accord...driving my beast down there would have been such an expensive venture. I made it down there by 9am and then commenced the infamous "hurry up and wait" game, which I had fully expected; ultimately I was just glad that I had made it in time. I spent the next hour or so Facebooking, texting, reading and taking photos in the lobby.
Nothing quite like the Red, White and Blue.
MEPS Reception Area
Around 10am, I heard a quiet "hey"...I looked up and saw my man walking down the hall towards me. We both had huge smiles on our faces and I could tell he was very pleased. We hugged and I asked him how he did...he said he passed everything. We were both super excited and so very thankful for the Lord's blessings so far! He got a 70 on his ASVAB (which is scored on a percentile scale and means he scored better than 70% of others who have taken it...which is a very good score!). The physical profile has 5 different aspects that the recruits are tested and rated on; the aspects are called PULHES...they stand for Physical capacity/stamina, Upper extremities, Lower extremities, Hearing, Eyes and Psychiatric. There are different tests they conduct to ensure that each recruit can perform to the standards that are required of them in general and in their specific job. The results for each factor are rated on a scale of 1 to 4; with 1 being the best score and 4 being the worst. Greg was extremely worried about failing all or some of the aspects, but I knew he would do great. He told me that he scored 1's straight across the board-which is an exceptional!!
When he went to talk to his guidance counselor about his MOS (Military Occupation Specialities/job), contract, ship dates, etc. I was allowed to go as well and be there for that step of the process. The guidance counselor was amazing...I think he was an angel, because he was so dedicated and so invested in us and really helped us to get the outcome that was going to be the best fit for us. I am sure that is just his job, but he really made us feel like we weren't just another number, but that he really cared about us and our future.
When Greg talked to the recruiter before going down to MEPS, he told Greg that he would need to choose a MOS from the available listings to insure he got a contractual agreement with a specific job listed, rather than just being thrown into whatever job was available. When the recruiter pulled the available jobs, there wasn't much available...infantry, tank refueler, cook, and a couple others...nothing that Greg really wanted to commit to for his whole contract. He chose infantry, as it was the closet to being "hands on", which is something that is a must for Greg. We were both a bit worried, as it wasn't really what he would want to do for a career, but we were also confidant that if he was to start this journey, that the Lord would open the doors and that he would get a good MOS. However, when we started talking to the guidance counselor, he looked at us and said to Greg "You scored this well on your ASVAB and physical and you want to go for infantry?" Greg told him "Well, no, but it was the only available job that sounded decent at the time I had to chose." The counselor went on to say that he was going to help Greg "get a real job." He pulled up the available list for Greg's ASVAB score and let us look at it. I was very impressed with the jobs that he qualified for: Special Forces, Interpreter, Engineer, Driver...but at the bottom of the list was the most important...an open position for 31B, Military Police. Greg asked the counselor "31B? Seriously? It's available? I qualified for it? I want it. I want 31B." The counselor said ok, and reserved it for him, but warned us we would have to go through some extra paperwork to get the secret security clearance. I was just laughing and smiling the whole time and the counselor was like "what is so funny?" I told him that I am not surprised at all that it is available and that we had prayed for the right doors to open if they were supposed to. The background and investigation for his secret security clearance went great and it was granted almost immediately!
After we were done with the guidance counselor we waited for a bit for Greg to sign his final contract and to officially swear-in. The swear-in was a really touching moment to witness...the commanding officer that preformed the swear-in had a really good little speech...saying things about how the decision that recruits have made to join the military and become soldiers is an admirable one...he said that they are joining at a time of conflict and not of peace, and that less than 2% of Americans actually serve in the military. He commended them on their decision and thanked them for their willing service.
I am so glad I went down to be a part of us an important day in mine and Greg's life. It was really awesome how accepting and encouraging the military personnel were of me being there. They never shut me out, they were completely welcoming to me being there and they even said that it was obvious that Greg and I were best of friends and were in this together...they said they love when they see spouses being involved and supportive, as it just makes the whole process that much easier. I can't imagine being a spouse that doesn't care or want to be involved or there for such important things...and I am so glad that Greg wants me there as much as I want to be there.
After the swear-in, we got in the car and headed home...and started calling our family and friends and posting it to Facebook...sufficed to say, everyone was pretty surprised, but were very proud of Greg!
The has Lord guided every step of this process and has really blessed us with such amazing things on this new journey! He has opened so many doors and has given us the confidence to know that this journey is being blessed by Him and we are walking in His plan. We are so excited to see what is next!
I am so very proud of Greg and his decision, and also his determination and drive to accomplish and pursue his goals and dreams.
And so our journey as an Army family has begun... :)
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