Monday, March 16, 2009

home again

We had a great time this past weekend surprising and visiting our friends in Rice and Corsicana.

On Friday we decided to surprise our students at Rice High School with a quick visit. It was great to catch up with some of the other teachers we used to worked with. We were able to hear the band play their UIL Contest program, they sounded great. I am so proud of their continued success. I do miss all those kids, but don't miss the teaching.

Then on Sunday we surprised our church family at Memorial. We had a great time catching up and telling them about our journey the past nine months.

It was great to go back to what was our "hometown" for six years. Now we began the next part of this adventure and began meeting new friends.

Friday, March 06, 2009

and now the adventure continues

Today I was awarded my MOS: 42R 09L.
I was also awarded the ASI: C1.
After 3 months @ BCT & 6 months @ AIT, the Army finally thinks I am ready.

Acronnym Legend:
BCT - Basic Combat Training
AIT - Avanced Individual Training
MOS - Military Occupational Specialty
42R - Army Band Member
09L - Army Band Saxophone Player
ASI - Additional Skill Indentifier (shows additional skills, training, and qualification a Soldier may possess, in addition to his/her MOS)
C 1 - MACOM band qualified (in the Army we call it a Charlie One)
MACOM - Major Army Command Band

The military is full of acronyms and even with a legend it is sometimes hard to understand so here is the basic translation.

I AM FINALLY DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A little further explanation about the ASI. Each music student who receives a score of 3.0 or higher on their final audition at the School of Music is awarded the ASI: C1. The "charlie one" qualifies musicicans to be placed in a MACOM band. There are only three MACOM bands in the Army and only musicians with this score are placed in these bands. I will not be going to one of the three MACOM bands yet, but now that I am C1 qualified it will open up more opportunities for us in the future.

We will soon began our travel to my first duty station where I will finally begin my new career.
So please continue to pray for us as we make these transitions and continue on this adventure!