Feeling Official

Not too much to report today! We started the day with more orientation stuff, mainly consisting of going over, in detail, what our schedule will be like for the next month of TLT (Team Leader Training). One thing I have learned is the Government loves their abbreviations. Almost everything is abbreviated so I will try to remember to specify! After that we had lunch and a about an hour and a half of free time! After unpacking last night I realized the one thing I forgot to bring is a towel! So, this morning after my shower, I had to dry off with a t-shirt!! I was extremely thankful for our hour and a half break because it gave time for me and my roommate, Amber, to walk across the street to the base exchange where I was able to buy a towel (tax free I might add)!!
There are a total of 26 TLs (Team Leaders) here going through TLT. After lunch we broke up into two groups. My group was the first to go get fitted for our uniform and boots! We received our red duffel bag that we will pack all of our stuff in when we go out on projects. We also received a small backpack that we will keep all of our documents and paperwork in to help us stay organized. Our uniform, while on campus, is black or khaki cargo pants and a green t-shirt or polo shirt along with a sweatshirt if its cold. Once we leave campus we will switch to the red FEMA t-shirt or polo shirt! We also received a hard hat (not sure yet why we will need that!), a safety vest that we have to wear during PT (Physical Training), a ball cap, a sock cap, a bandanna, and two jackets. We had to wear our uniforms for the rest of the day! Made us all feel official!!

After we received our uniforms, we had to go for medical screening. We had some forms to fill out and a drug test! Then we had to get a TB shot and a tetanus shot. If you know me at all, you will know that was my least favorite part of this so far! I hate needles!!
We then had a long meeting about expectations, uniform requirements, and safety procedures followed by dinner! After dinner we were done for the day so the rest of the night we are free to do whatever! There are a few people that did this last year, so they have been certified to drive the vans. One of  the girls volunteered to take a group to target! I rode a long because I wanted to get another blanket because it got a little chilly last night in my room!
Now there is a group of us sitting in the lounge area watching a movie! It is also the only place we can successfully connect to wifi!

 

I will probably be going to bed pretty soon because we have our baseline PT test at 6am tomorrow. This will consist of a 1.5 mile run, two minutes of push ups, two minutes of sit ups, a sit and reach test, and me praying that I don't die!! I'll let you know how that goes!!