Keeping Perspective

Since the last time I posted, the 182nd JAOBC has run close to 100 miles, sat through about 200 hours of classroom instruction in four different subject matters, and lots of other stuff that I'm forgetting.

Not long after my last post, a Judge Advocate from the Iowa National Guard, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Clausen, was here at the JAG school for an advanced two week course. I can't tell you how great it was to see a familiar face. Aside from running into him in the school's hallways, we were able to go out to dinner a couple of times before he left. He really is a great officer/person and the perfect example of what makes the Army National Guard so special.



(above picture: LTC Chris Clausen and 1LT Ben Smith both of the Iowa Army National Guard)



(above picture: 34th Infantry Division Flag, Red Bulls)

I've been attending St. Thomas Aquinas, which is the Catholic Church in Charlottesville that serves the University of Virginia. The best part of St. Thomas Aquinas is its 5:15 p.m. Sunday Mass. :-) Mass yesterday was packed with students.





A few weeks ago, we had our "Blues Reception". Basically, it was a formal get-together for our class/cadre/instructors.







The five-day-a-week physical training has been a doubled edged sword; I am definitely in the best shape of my life, but it leaves little time to rest and heal all the minor bumps/bruises that go hand in hand with such a rigorous training regiment. It seems just as one blister begins healing, another one appears. It’s almost comical. In fact, my hotel room now doubles as an athletic training room (a very messy athletic training room) - ice bags in the freezer, moleskin packaging scattered about, and the delightful aroma of Ben Gay. On the other hand, like I said above, I am in awesome shape and, as one of our class leaders pointed out to me halfway through a fast-paced five mile run, "you are getting paid to exercise" and "you could be billing hours right now." I grew up listening to coaches discuss the power of a positive attitude. In fact, when visibly defeated, my Father would always say to me "the head goes up and down" ("yes I can"). I guess what I am getting at is with all we have going on (long hours in the classroom, early morning training, being away from our families, etc), it has been easy to lose perspective and focus on the negative. Keeping a positive mental attitude throughout has been challenging, but with the help of my classmates, I am winning that battle.

I don't want to discourage those reading this who are considering the Army JAG Corps (I know there is at least one). Much of what has made morning PT a challenge is my competitive run group and extra training for Airborne tryouts. Really, it seems with Army PT, you get out of it what you put into it.



(above picture: because rucking around Charlottesville, Virginia with a functional M4 Carbine is probably frowned upon).



(above picture: hmmmm..... I wonder what I should wear today).

The classroom instruction is much different than law school. Basically, our instructors feed us the information necessary to be minimally competent in all matters military law. An in-depth education of the same would extend the course by a matter of years. Our instructors, who are themselves Army JAG Officers, have provided terrific instruction, and have been very entertaining while doing such.



(above picture: typical day in class)



(above picture: me sporting my Military Issue Glasses, aka BCGs, which, for obvious reasons, is an acronym for Birth Control Glasses).

Last Saturday, a bunch of our class tailgated at and attended the University of Virginia Football home opener. We had great seats (see the below pictures).





Two bits of personal (other than JAG School) news: I was selected to be a Board member for Iowans for Life, which is Iowa's most active pro-life organization. It is an honor to be trusted with such a huge responsibility. I can't wait to get back and get started volunteering with them on a part-time basis. I definitely have some big plans which I hope to get started on soon. The second bit of news is the Smith house got a new family member (see below picture of "buddy" in action).





Thank you all for your continued support. I am sorry it has been so long since I last posted. I will try to do better in this last half of training. I miss you all and will see you soon! Please keep our men and women overseas in your prayers and thoughts.

The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School

We have been in Charlottesville for over two weeks. It feels like much less. Charlottesville is BEAUTIFUL! It’s like Sac County, Iowa, only with more hills and less corn. There is so much to do here. The only problem with that, however, is every minute of every day is filled with some activity or task. I guess that’s called structure. I am sure you’ve heard of instances where the Army provided structure and direction to a wayward youth. Well, the same can be said for a young attorney with a propensity to procrastinate (or doddle as my niece Sophia would call it). In the three months before I left Iowa to come to Virginia, I didn’t have much in the way of a schedule or a dress code for that matter; I did what I wanted when I wanted (“Whatever, I do what I want!”). I guess what I am trying to say is I have gone from one extreme to the other. However, I bought into the Army way of life right from the get go and I absolutely love it!



Below are pictures of the The Judge Advocate Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS):





Below is a picture of the front of TJAGLCS. The hotel rooms/dorms sit on top. Mine is actually visible in this picture to the upper right of the American Flag:



The American Flag below is the first thing I see when I look over my balcony:



Our typical day begins around 0550 (5:50 am) for physical training (PT), which, in the Army means 0540. Confused? I was too at first so don’t worry. You see, it seems, with the Army, if you are given a time to be some place, the general rule is you need to be there ten minutes early (Note: shaving and putting in my contacts while half-asleep are additional skills I’ve mastered since being here). After PT, we are dismissed to get ready for class, which begins at 0820.

We do most of our PT in the parking lot near the last photo in this series. The first three photos are from "The Park" which is the University of Virginia's intramural complex.









Most of us, including myself, live in Army Lodging, which are hotel type accommodations on the 3rd and 4th floors of the JAG School. I would say Army Lodging is about 80% hotel, 20% college dorm. Most of the 20% comes from that distinctive dormitory aroma (not a bad or good smell, just one that smells like my freshman year of college). I have my own bathroom, flat screen TV, and even a maid, who, by now, most likely dreads opening my door. Although officially titled “Army Lodging”, many of its residents affectionately refer to it as “The Jaguar” (Get it? JAGuar? If not, that’s ok, it had to be explained to me too). The rest of our class is spread out amongst a few hotels close to the JAG School. The Jaguar may not have continental breakfast or a pool, but it’s only an elevator ride and a short walk away from our classroom. Most of those living in the hotels brought their families to be with them for these two months of our training. Most of the guys I met and hung out with during the first two weeks fall into that category. So, I don’t get to see them as much as I did before we got to Charlottesville, but that has given me the chance to get to know the rest of our class better. I do miss hanging out more regularly with the guys who are now living in the hotel with their wives/children, but they are excited to have their wives and children here. Some days I can’t imagine being in their shoes; having to balance military training and family life. Other days, most days, I envy them and wish I had that kind of support waiting for me when the day was over.

Below is a picture of my classmate's baby. He's ADORABLE!:



Just because my accommodations do not include a pool, doesn't mean I don't know where it's at. The same goes for the fabulous continental breakfast :-) Below is a picture of us hanging out at the pool after "Zero Day", which is described just below in greater detail:



The weekend after our first full week in Charlottesville, we had the opportunity to participate in “Zero Day”, completion of which is a threshold to an eight-week competition for a slot in either the Army’s Airborne or Air Assault School. So, we competed for the chance to compete. The rules of “Zero Day” were simple; don’t quit. To make a long story short, I signed up, I showed up, I passed out, I passed, and I am currently participating in additional early morning PT for the chance to jump out of a perfect good airplane (Airborne School). Words can’t adequately describe what happened between my showing up and my passing out, but I will try. First, some context: Throughout the years I’ve endured, physically and athletically, pretty much everything and anything thrown at me. Also, I am not in the best shape of my life right now, but I am pretty damn close (end context). Imagine running the 400-meter hurdles. Now, imagine running that horrible, inhumane race in a hot and sweaty wrestling room while carrying a medicine ball. Now, further imagine doing that over and over until someone tells you to stop. “Zero Day” was worse than that. All right, maybe I am embellishing a bit, but not much. Regardless, “Zero Day” was beyond anything I have ever done or ever hope to ever experience again. I have to add that there were two classmates who have prior military service and who have already been through both Airborne and Air Assault School, who showed up and participated in “Zero Day” to help support the rest of us. That tells you all you need to know about our class, especially, our student leadership. Everyone wants everyone else to succeed. It really is a great atmosphere in which to be.

"Zero Day" involved a whole bunch of the hill in the picture below. It's deceptively steep:



We have a little over ten weeks to learn an entirely new legal system and a variety of complex, military subject matters. Because of this, our professors, who themselves are Army JAG Officers, have compared our classroom instruction to drinking from a fire hose. I agree with them. Our first hosing was Administrative Law, which concluded last Thursday morning with our first exam. After lunch, our Criminal Law block of instruction began. I really enjoy class, especially our instructors. Some of our current subject matter, Criminal Law, might even be relevant to a job in my civilian life I might be starting come January 1, 2011. ☺ The days do get long and the “Zzzzz monster”, as our Commander calls him/it, is always lurking around the classroom, especially in the afternoon after lunch.

I don't have any pictures of our classroom yet, but below are pictures of the University of Virginia School of Law. The TJAGLCS (our school) is adjacent to the University Virginia School of Law.





Last week our school celebrated the JAG Corp’s 235th Birthday. I am so proud to be part of an organization with so much history. Below are pictures from the event (the middle picture is our Commanding General cutting the Birthday Cake):







Also last week, the book “Ghost Soliders”/ moive “The Great Raid” was brought up in conversation. The book and movie noted above recount the true story of the 6th Army Ranger’s rescue of over 100 POWs during World War II. My Grandfather (Maynard Mitties) was in the 6th Army Rangers and took part in liberating those 100 plus POWs. I am usually pretty humble, but when either the book/movie is brought up, I don’t hesitate to brag about my Grandpa! Below is a picture of my Grandpa and I at my Army commissioning ceremony last November:



In a couple weeks we have our “Blues Reception”, which I understand to be a formal dinner event for our class. Yesterday, I took my Army Service Uniform, to get tailored. It’s a very sharp looking uniform. I can’t wait to see the finished product.

I need to get to bed, but I hope you enjoyed this post. I miss you and all and I think about you all the time. The 2nd Brigade of the 34th Infantry Division (Iowa National Guard) is leaving this week to begin their three months of training to prepare them for their yearlong tour in Afghanistan. Please keep them and all our military and their families in your thoughts and prayers

A Soldier First

We are one day from completing Phase 1 of our training here at Ft. Lee, Virginia. I feel our class has grown both closer and stronger in the days since my last post, and I absolutely believe that trend will continue. I guess I really didn't know what to expect before I got here, but I definitely didn't expect to meet so many great people. I am a not going to lie, I am fairly independent and rarely venture outside my comfort zone (you could maybe even say I'm a bit stubborn), but I find myself drawn to the personalities of this great group and have enjoyed a level of camaraderie not had since playing football in college. We are all focused on the big picture - becoming Army JAG Officers. Getting there will definitely require everyone to help everyone each and every step of the way there. So far, this selfless attitude couldn't describe our class any better - it is apparent and is most certainly genuine.

The Cadre are tough but fair, and have always been consummate professionals. Just when I think I am living and working within the Army's written and unwritten regulations, I am corrected (first time with calm patience, the second time on the same issue, not so much). What is an unwritten regulation you ask? Well, an example: there is no regulation prohibiting an officer from having a mustache, but we've been told by the Cadre that it's just not something that's done. Of course, after we were told this, one First Lieutenant in our class began growing one - absolutely hilarious! So, to summarize, a particular activity or manner/style of dress/appearance in the Army might be legal (within Army Regulations), but it might not be "street legal." Actually, there appears to be quite a few of these unwritten rules in the Army, which I personally find very cool.

I can't say enough great things about our Cadre and our Student Leadership, which, if you recall from my previous post, the latter are 182nd class members, but are serving as student leaders because of their prior military experience. Actually, two of them are former Army Special Forces (SF) members (although, I suppose, once a SF member, always a SF member) who have joined the JAG Corps. Both the Cadre and the Student Leadership are tough, but there is no doubt they are that way only because they want us to succeed as Soldiers/Officers in the U.S. Army. The Cadre stress the importance of doing EVERYTHING correctly, which is the philosophy by which I've tried to live my life; if you are going to do something, do it right! And not just with the big picture items, but also in the what may seem to be a minor detail. For example, the other day the First Sergeant approached me and in a respectful, yet firm manner, brought to my attention the fact that I had velcroed the Iowa National Guard insignia onto my Army Combat Uniform (ACU) a bit off center. He took it off my shoulder and reattached it with painstaking effort to be certain it was centered. Really, before that, I had never paid much attention to how centered the patch was or had given much effort to other details like it. The First Sergeant's corrective measure in that instance taught me more about the Army than any manual or powerpoint ever could.



(above picture is my Iowa Army National Guard Insignia Patch on the left shoulder of my ACU)

The Cadre continually remind us that we are Soliders First, Judge Advocates General Second. The last four days of training served to reinforce the "Soldier First" philosophy. In the past week, we experienced the gas chamber, the 9mm range, and took part in a day long series of "warrior tasks" battle drills and various field training exercises, i.e., a taste of what we will likely receive in large doses at Ft. Benning, Georgia, this October.

The Gas Chamber: Bonding over CS Gas with a newfound respect for rioters/unruly protestors.

Last Saturday, the Army taught us how to wear gas masks, paraded us into a gas filled gas chamber, made us do various exercises, then made us remove our masks and recite our names and hometowns before we were allowed to exit said chamber. In short, it sucked. I have to admit, before we entered the chamber I wasn't worried or nervous. In fact, I was alarmingly calm. I asked myself, "how much worse could the air in the chamber be compared to the secondhand smog in the bars of Emmetsburg on St. Patrick's Day?" Well, I got my answer; a million times worse. Really, though, the after effects, which included, but are not limited to, nausea, irritable skin, and stinging eyeballs, only lasted a few minutes. Regardless, I survived and gained confidence in my equipment (gas mask) and my ability to deploy the same in a stressful environment. The true takeaway from the Gas Chamber was not any individual task associated with the exercise itself, but the team building that took place as a result. Like I said, it sucked, but we all experienced the suck together. Our classmates with prior military/gas chamber experience helped calm the nerves of those who had none and were terrified; we cheered as each soldier took his or her turn entering and exiting the chamber; those who had minutes before exited and had somewhat recovered were helping those who had just exited and were struggling; and we laughed and talked about our experience all the way home and into the next day.



(above, 1LT Ben Smith, Pre Gas Chamber, pretty cocky)



(above, 1LT Ben Smith, Post Gas Chamber, not so cocky. Right now I'm thinking "why do my lungs and eyes feel like they are melting?")


The Firing Range: "If he's worthy of one, he's worthy of three."

Sunday our class went to the firing range and, armed with 9mm Berettas, took on an army of Gumbies (see below picture). I volunteered for "ammo detail", which basically amounted to me and a few others hand loading (with no speed loader) almost 8,000 9 mm rounds into magazines. The range was awesome! After getting the green light to fire from the range tower, Gumby looking characters popped up from behind bunkers and we let loose on them. Once a Gumby was hit, it would go down and wouldn't return until the next round of firing. I really enjoyed firing the 9mm Beretta. Not much to add to this discussion other than I wish I had one of these ranges in my backyard. The range was run by the Cadre and Student Leadership in an efficient and safe manner. Student Leader (and former SF and current JAOBC 182nd member) Captain Horne, was in charge of range safety. I was completely blown away with his enthusiastic professionalism and attention to all matters related to range safety.



(lots and lots and lots of ammo loaded into lots and lots of magazines, sore thumbs not shown)



(many 9mm Berettas)



(Gumby and his brothers)



(Captain Horne)



(Captain Horne's ACU)

Playing in the dirt:

Last Tuesday our class went through warrior training field exercises. I volunteered to teach the military intelligence (MI) course with a fellow classmate, First Lieutenant (1LT) Sandys. The MI subject we taught was reporting, in real-time, enemy activity using the SALUTE reporting format. SALUTE reporting is the Army's version of Who, What, When, Where, and Why and is, basically, forward observers painting a picture of enemy activity/battlefield conditions for the rear command. Phonetically, the acronym SALUTE is as follows: Sierra (Size, how many enemy personnel), Alpha (Activity, what is the enemy doing), Lima (Location, where the enemy is located), Uniform (Unit, what insignias, clothing, or other indicators present that suggests who the enemy are (what country they are from and what type of enemy they are, i.e., infantry, armor, cooks, etc.), Tango (Time, what time you are observing the enemy activity), Echo (Equipment, guns, knives, maps, PS3s, etc.). 1LT Sandys and I provided SAULTE reporting instructions to squads of ten soldiers. The soldiers were briefed on reported suspected enemy activity and were tasked to enter the tree line, move forward until they spotted the enemy activity (two dimensional cardboard cutouts stashed in the woods), and then radio back to the rear command using the SALUTE format. I tell you what, instead of reinventing the wheel, I am going to refer you to 1LT Sandys' Army Strong Stories Blog to provide description of our class (below link). I urge you to read it as it is very entertaining:

http://www.armystrongstories.com/blogger/patrick-sandys/day-ten-playing-in-the-dirt/


Below are some pictures from of our field training exercise.









(We start them young here at Ft. Lee)





(Don't ask, don't tell)



(1LT Ben Smith and Insurgent)



(1LT Ben Smith and two-dimensional bad guys)



(2nd Platoon, 3rd Squad - My Squad, THE TOP SQUAD!)



Leaving Ft. Lee tomorrow morning will be bitter-sweet. I know I am ready to be moving on to Charlottesville for the next 2.5 months of Phase 2 training, but I think I am going to miss Ft. Lee. After all, this is where the journey began; it's where I first met the 182nd JAOBC and its Cadre. On the other hand, I am very excited to get to Charlottesville! I have heard nothing but great things about Phase 2 - a few being Charlottesville's college town (University of Virginia) atmosphere and the Army JAG school experience in general. Below are pictures of the Army Logistics University at Ft. Lee, which is where our classroom schooling took place.





There are many things I miss about Iowa. Of those, I most miss meeting with the morning Mass "regulars", visiting my Grandma and her gal pals and the staff at the Blackhawk Life Care Center, hanging out with Erin McCullough and Karen at Erin's law office during the day and my family in the evenings. However, I am falling in love with the Army life. I'm even coming around to shaving at 0400 :-) Also, I realize my five months of training pales in comparison to the sacrifice made by our men and women in uniform overseas and their families back home. I think about and pray for them all the time, especially the Iowa Army National Guard soldiers who will soon be leaving for Afghanistan for a year. If you get the chance, say a little prayer for them.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the post and my pictures. Feel free to ask any questions. One question I received was why hotel rooms? Easy, the lodging on base at Ft. Lee is full. So, the Ft. Lee powers that be have the choice of housing either eighteen- year old boot campers or Army Officer/Attorneys in off-base hotels. No brainer.