Green to Gold UNC Pembroke

A glimpse into the world of Julieanna's training at UNC PEMBROKE. The above photo shows some of the instructors, with Julies main teacher; JOHN TORRE at the far right. The below photos show some of the training a Officer Cadet undergoes during the college program. The physical training aspect remains as grueling as when on Active Duty...... however its cut down to only two days a week, verses five!

The trainings can be dangerous, as they train as if they are in actual combat, as far as outdoor endurance, all night land navigation's, swimming in full combat gear, inside (the pool) as well as outdoors in lakes in the surrounding woods.

On one of these 'Land Navigation courses, a soldier was bit by a poisonous snake, and died! Julie also encountered one of these snakes on a night Land Nav course. I asked her what in the world is a Land Navigation Course? She explained that they have to find various "places" from compass coordinates. They have no radio or means of communication on them, and they have a time limit to find or arrive at these navigation points. What I found creepy about this course is, Julie had to walk around the woods, all night, Alone! All she had was her water and compass, and flashlight. I cant imagine encountering a poisonous snake in the middle of the woods, in the middle of the night, and all alone! Lucky for Julie, she found it before it found her.

The class is fairly small at this college, but the instructors are hard core. John Torre has been a drill Sergent, Ranger, 82nd Airborne, and who knows what else. I am sure the guys appreciate him, but, a girl? From what Julie tells me, he doesn't play favorites, and he trains the gals just as hard as the guys. He is very very tough, but she says he is fair. ~

There is class room time to the program as well. Besides attending UNC PEMBROKE as a full time student, Julie has to maintain the academic program for Officer Cadet as well. They teach these soldiers the 'school room aspects of becoming an officer. Its a full load physically and mentally, and its for the next three years!

Learning 'Teamwork..... no man left behind, especially in combat.

Soldiering skills for combat are kept sharp. That means drills with the guns, utilizing the "course"... ie:climbing high walls, low crawl with the gun, firing at the range, and "humping your ruck", which usually means anywhere from 5 to 12 mile treks up and down the terrain, carrying a 75 lb ruck on your back. You don't dare "fall out"............ its counted against you. As you feel the blisters beginning on your heels, toes, and balls of your feet, you just ignore the pain and 'soldier on. Julie is actually excited to have callouses building on her feet. She knows that will toughen them up, and make the next 'trek more endurable......

They continue with all combat skills including camouflage firing, surviving skills (two weeks in the woods, making your own shelters, honing all survival techniques).

No showers, no perfume, no fancy hairdos! Making your own hammock out of your shirts and coats..... digging latrines..... bandaging twisted ankles, and practicing Medic tricks, like giving each other IV's! Julies partner couldn't find her vein, and had to keep poking the needle in her arm over and over, and she came home with a bruise on her arm the size of a large grapefruit! Enduring endless invasions of mosquito's, ticks, and chiggers. Looking out for the numerous poisonous snakes and avoiding dehydration. Building fires out of 'wet and soggy stuff........

On and on......

Below is the infamous John Torre. Famous for just shouting...

"ITS TOOOO EASY!"

I guess that is suppose to inspire the troops to keep going when the going gets too tough.

All in all, Julieanna is facing the next three (2 1/2 now) years of this regime. It doesn't vary much except for the classes in college. She is shooting for a BA in Mass Communications, and will attend Officers Training at Fort Lewis Washington. She will graduate a Lieutenant Officer and will accept positions all over the world depending on her assignments and MOS at graduation. There is a possibility of a MOS in Military Intelligence.

Julie thus far is maintaining a 4.oo GPA, and has passed with excellence all Cadat Training exercises.

Julieanna is residing in Fayetteville, North Carolina and commuting to UNC Pembroke for class.