The Newest Cavalry Scouts!

The next morning we started our journey to Fort Benning, GA for the first day of Mr. Bean's graduation celebrations.

The festivities started with a family dinner.  Shiloh had to pay $35 per plate for this dinner and we had high hopes of a steak or chicken cordon bleu or something equally delicious.  

What we got was a plate of spaghetti.  More later on how these young soldiers are gouged at every opportunity and get absolutely nothing free from the U.S. government.

A group photo of the new Cavalry scouts who survived the 22 weeks of grueling training.

The next day was family day.  We were told to be there at noon to pick them up and to have them returned by 1800 or 6:00 p.m.  It was closer to 1:30 when they were actually released so it was a short afternoon.  We spent it at the PX where Shiloh had to purchase some new uniforms.  No, they are not supplied free of charge to our soldiers.  At over $100 for the everyday uniform this is a big expense for our new soldiers who are paid very little.  He had to pay over $800 for his dress uniform.  I think it's an outrage that we can't supply them with their initial uniforms.

Shiloh requested Chinese for a late lunch and then we went over to the bowling alley to hang out until he had to be returned.

The rest of the group showed off some of their pool skills.  I grew up in a family where games weren't played so I'm not good at anything.  Here's Mary and her behind the back shot.

Then Shiloh showed off his skills.  Of course, Irv was the big winner of the day as he always is.  That's why I've given up even trying.

Then it was time for the big day!  The Fort Benning band came out and warmed up the crowd.  It was the first in-person graduation since the Covid lockdown.

Here are some of the new Cavalry Scouts in the gear they'll be wearing during training and combat.

Then the new soldiers marched onto the field.  Shiloh's platoon was the honor platoon meaning they won the most challenges so they were first to march in.

They were in their new dress uniforms without jackets because it was too warm.  Have you noticed that the Army has recently gone back to the dress uniforms worn during WWII?  They look sharp!

Here they come for a close up review.

There's PFC Brown.  Last row, second from the right.  Have you ever seen a better looking soldier (other than his pappy)?

Here's Pappy always volunteering a word of advice.

Here I am with my favorite grandson.  Look at that gorgeous smile!  He has so much to be proud of.  That training was not easy.  For some reason I have no pictures of him with his mom.  Sorry, Mary.

We got 10 minutes to spend with him before they loaded on buses to head to the Atlanta airport.

It was a wonderful day celebrating my grandson who has turned into a man the last six months.  I'm so proud he has committed to serving his country.

So here are my grievances: Shiloh had to buy his own plane ticket home and he wasn't told this until two days before graduation.  He had to buy a last minute one-way ticket.  Now if he were going home on leave it would be one thing, but he was required to go home to do hometown recruiting which meant he had to go into the recruiting office almost every day he was home and then go to schools and malls to try to find people interested in joining the Army.  He was told repeatedly that he will not be reimbursed for this expense.

Don't you think the U.S. government could have bought him a ticket to go home and do their work?

To add insult to injury, before getting on the bus they were informed it was going to cost each of them $50 to get a ride to the airport.

Some of these young soldiers are married with families to support.  How do they afford this?

Shameful!