Army Story
My Army Story begins in a small town in Elkins, WV. I graduated from Elkins High School and decided to follow my dream to become a soldier. I received a call from a US Army Recruiting NCO in last June and enlisted early July. I left everything behind me. Living in WV was a blessing. I had a lot of friends and family that I will never forget, but when it comes to opportunities for an 18 year old there are few. I really had the option to go to college and face the current economy crisis, become a coal miner, truck driver, or be a male nurse. All of which are respectable jobs, but not my cup of tea. I needed something that I could be proud of and make a solid life with. I shipped out to Basic Combat Training (BCT [boot camp]) on 18 August 2004, in Fort Sill Oklahoma, under E 1-79th FA BN. It was one of the proudest moments of my life. As I surpassed my peers in hand to hand combat, weapons qualifications, physical fitness, I realized this is where I was born to be. I had a natural ability to succeed. I attended my Advanced Individual Training in Fort Bliss, Texas to become a Bradley Linebacker Crewmember, Instead I trained to become a Patriot Enhanced Operator/Maintainer. This job entailed destroying Nuclear Missiles in flight to protect those on the ground. I chose this job out of the sheer idea of its importance. I was stationed in many places ranging from fort bliss, TX to Suwon South Korea. On 11 Nov 2005 I traveled to Korea to serve under 35th Brigade, 1-43rd BN. I stayed there bouncing around the peninsula throughout different clubs and locations enjoying life. I worked very hard but enjoyed my free time. I was sent back to the US on November 26th 2006. I was stationed in Ft Bliss for another year and a half until I was selected to be an ambassador for the Army in the recruiting command. I attended the Army Recruiting Course in Fort Jackson, South Carolina and continued to my current station in New York City. I have had a great career ranging from rapid promotions, to amazing experiences. For those of you who serve I would love to hear your Army story as well. My friend SFC Basyuk and comrade Mikhail Kuznetsov constructed this site for those who want to hear about the army, and for those who want to tell their tale. Feel free to post or email to tell us what the Army has done for you and your families. The Army is a positive environment and we would love to hear about it.
SSG Long, Eric
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tel: (347)524-1989
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While serving in the Army you are given the opportunity to advance in rank and pay grade faster than most other branches. To become an NCO, backbone of the Army, Sergeant or above, you must attend something called a promotion board. For those of you who are about to attend one for promotion or competition, I wish you luck. I also have a few different pointers I can give you. I have competed in competition boards for soldier of the year, NCO of the year, and Recruiter of the Year.
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Basic Combat Training (Boot Camp) |
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There are a lot of misconceptions and horror stories about Basic Combat Training (BCT)floating around so I decided to discuss what you can expect if you are preparing to or have thought about enlisting and attending this course. First off, if you enlist into the Army you WILL attend BCT. BCT consists of 3 phases. Red, White and Blue phase.
Red Phase- during Red phase you will be challenge physically mentally. This is, believed to be, the most difficult portion of BCT. During Red Phase, week 1-3, you are accompanied by your Drill Instructor, or Drill Sergeant, 100% of the day.
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I tried for many hours to think of what exactly I wanted to talk about in this area of the site. Suddenly it dawned on me. Instead of thinking about what to write; I’ll just write about what I think, Know and love to do. For those of you who are unfamiliar with whom I am; I am Staff Sergeant Eric B. Long, from the United States Army. I have served with many men and women from all over the world but the illustrations on this site are of the one in which I respect the most. Staff Sergeant Ilya Basyuk. He has given me the opportunity to take some of my knowledge and pass it on to those who feel the need, or want, to read this page. The Army is my life. I have served for 6 years now and I have seen just about all of it. Let’s take a step back. As we look into our early years; the realm of possibilities, where we honestly believed we could be anything in the world and pursued it, we remember the things that stood out. It may have been an individual person, group of people, organization, or occupation we wanted to be like or a part of. The Army was always mine. I don’t know how the idea came to be or why I wanted to become a soldier, but I have never regretted my decision. My grandfathers’ were both in WWII, but I barely knew them. No one in my immediate family served so I really cannot tell you why I wanted to be the one to begin change. Since my enlistment I have traveled to many places and have seen many things. I have met great people and experienced cultures you cannot even imagine. The money is good but the experience is amazing.
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SSG Long's corner
Russia
United States
Ukraine
Belarus
United Kingdom
Kazakhstan
Israel
Canada
Latvia
Moldova
Germany
Georgia
Estonia
Uzbekistan
Slovakia
France
Iraq