Staff Writer
Cadets of
Their first day off came after their latest night yet.
Co. A participated in night land navigation practice Sunday, which kept them busy well into the morning hours of Monday. After standing by their equipment for 90 minutes during accountability, they arrived at the barracks around 2:15 a.m.
Just a few hours later, the Cadets fanned out across post to various locations, such as the bowling alley, library, post exchange and food court at the mini-mall.
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| Co. A 1/46th Inf. Cadets spend time calling friends and family back home. Each company has two days off during the 29-day Leader's Training Course. Photo by Michael Rivera |
“They gave us a few items when we got here: bug spray, sunscreen,” said Matthew Hammer, of Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. “I’ve got my laundry detergent already, so I just need to get some soap.”
“I wish they had a massage parlor,” said Cadet Darius Woods of Jackson, Miss.
Hammer had taken a nap after getting up in the morning. Though they were excused from physical training for the day because the company arrived back so late, Cadets still had to get up at 6 a.m.
Not far from the barracks on Monday, the chaplain’s office showed movies on a flat-screen television in the cool, air-conditioned basement of the Calvary Baptist Chapel. Cadets had an opportunity to grab a bit of junk food and see one of a handful of movies. Though there was a scheduled showing in the morning, there was no turnout.
“A lot of them are just walking around to enjoy the freedom,” said Sgt. 1st Class Scott Arnold, a chaplain’s assistant. One squad arrived for the second showing.
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| Cadets Matt Trotter of Georgia Tech and Ben Light of Illinois State enjoy a game of dominos on their day off. Photo by Michael Rivera |
“A lot of the guys got haircuts, which were much-needed,” said Badger, a Georgia Southern University junior.
They eventually caught a bus and, like most other Cadets, took a trip to the PX for food and souvenirs.
“Just ate sweets, walked around,” Badger said.
They eventually got back onto the bus and scored an opportunity to use a computer.“We went to the library, connected with the rest of the world for a little while,” Badger said.
It was a quiet mid-afternoon at the barracks. Several Cadets were asleep, though some called it a day early.
“Time went by faster than I expected,” said Matt Trotter, a Georgia Tech student who was playing a game of dominos with squad member Ben Light of Illinois State University.
Others were taking care of some housekeeping. Corey Langhammer of 4th Platoon was almost done for the day, at least until the recall formation, was finishing his laundry.
“I’m going to sleep as soon as I’m done with this,” he said.