Post Night.

Earlier this year I wrote about Branch Night - the event in which the members of the class of 2009 were introduced to their respective branches of the Army.  Last week my classmates and I had a similar event: Post Night - an evening in which we pick (or for some, "are assigned") our first duty stations.  For many cadets this night is more exhilarating than Branch Night.  The evening's outcome determines where one will live for the next three to four years AND the type of unit that one will be serving with (i.e. Airborne, Mechanized, Stryker...I know most of you have no idea what I'm talking about - but just think of it as the type of job you'll have).  So as you can imagine, there is a lot riding on the decisions made that night. 

My fellow Field Artillerymen and I, nearly 150 people, sat in merit order inside the auditorium inside the Kimsey Athletic Center waiting for the clock to strike 1930 (that's 7:30 p.m. for you non-military folk).  When the long hand of the clock finally made the tick indicating 7:30 a Major immediately began giving instructions as to how the evening was to play out.  "You'll have twenty seconds to get off your butt and up to the front of the room.  Before the twenty seconds expires you'll select your post," he said.  Or else what, I thought to myself.  "Or else your pick will be skipped because you're stupid for not knowing where you want to post and we'll move on to the next person!" he finished.  Okay, got it, don't be stupid.

It is advised prior to the Post Night that each person rank order their choices.  There are only so many slots per each post.  When all the slots for your desired location are taken and you have not picked yet ... tough luck!  You now need to pick somewhere else.  For those ranked towards the top of the branch it is not necessary to rank order your choices because all the posts will be available when it is your turn to pick.  However, for those ranked lower in the branch it is not only advised to rank order your picks, but absolutely essential!  When you are sitting at 138 out of 141 people in the branch, as a friend of mine was, it is not likely that your first or second or third or fourth or fifth etc. choices will be available.  If you're lucky you may be able to get your 10th choice. 

The uniform for the evening was "Army Combat Uniform" (aka: fatigues).  However, some cadets took the liberty to be festive.  It was safe to say that the cadet that arrived in only a swimsuit, goggles and flippers was going to select Hawaii.  Sadly for him however, he wasn't in Hawaii quite yet.  He wore the snorkel gear to the event not knowing he needed to make the quarter mile walk back to his room - it was 12 degrees outside - brrrr!  Another Cadet arrived in a Cowboy hat and boots.  While this is not garb for a lot of cadets, as many are from the South, or "the Sowth" as it's said, it was a bit strange that this particular cadet was dressed this was as he was from Detroit.  "Texas here I come!" he exclaimed as he grabbed the First Cavalry patch off the board, "Fort Hood!" 

As for me, when my chance to pick approached it became clear that I was going to get my top choice.  I walked to the front of the auditorium while my classmates attentively watched.  I slowly grabbed the Tropic Lightning patch.  Ironically however, this Tropic Lightning patch was not sending me to sandy beaches, sunshine and coconuts as the "Tropic" may indicate.  Instead I selected to go to Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.  "Holy crap!  He picked Alaska," a cadet murmured behind me.  "I hear it's freaking freezing up there," another said.  For a quick instant I began to second guess myself.  Am I crazy?  Then, as if on cue, a friend of mine blurted out, "It's okay, he's a hockey player, he can handle it."  And that's when I knew I'd made the right decision.  I'm a hockey player.  I could handle it.     

Thanks for reading,

Go Army!

#7