It all started May 28th 2013, when I signed my papers to dedicate myself to the US Army for an eight year contract. On that Saturday morning, around eight o’clock I left my family, friends, and girlfriend for a LONG 10 weeks.

When I got to Ft Jackson, Columbia my heart dropped completely. I began missing my family. I had realized what I was doing was real life now and it hit me hard. But it was too late to back out. When he got on the bus he looked at us all with his brown brimmed hat and those piercing eyes and said in a calm voice……”Welcome to Ft. Jackson, My name is Drill Sergeant Bowe.” Then his whole attitude changed as he screamed……..”You all have 5 seconds to get off my F***ing bus before I throw every single one of you off.” Immediately I jumped out of the emergency exit and right as my feet hit the ground, I was surrounded by Drill Sergeants. They were millimeters from my face screaming at the top of their lungs. Saying every single cuss word known to man. This was it. Basic Training.

Right after my encounter with every Drill Sergeant on Fort Jackson, I was told to take my bag and dump it completely out on the ground. So that’s exactly what I did. I packed my stuff back into my bag and was escorted to the chow hall (where you eat). I got my food and sat down and began eating when out of nowhere I hear DS Bowe yelling we all have two minutes to eat our whole tray of food so I swallowed my food whole, and left. Lights went out at 8 o’clock. I asked the Drill Sergeant why we had to go to bed so early. Which is a question ill always regret asking. Right as the words left my lips I felt a closed fist go across my face. Knowing I couldn’t do anything and that I had a bad temper DS Bowe stood over me. As I clenched my fist together, saying every cuss word I knew trying my best to calm down so I didn’t do something and get kicked out. I heard Drill Sergeant Bowe yell “Go ahead Private McCoy, hit me!” I sat there thinking to myself why the hell I signed up for this. Then Drill Sergeant Bowe says it again, “Id unclench your fist private before you do something you’re a** will regret!” I stood up slowly and said, “yes Drill Sergeant” and went to bed. I then realized what I got myself into……Ten Weeks of Hell!

As a few weeks went by it all became a routine, to get up early, run six miles, get hit, and get cussed out. But it was close to over; I was actually enjoying it a little. Monday, the first day in week four we were qualifying with our weapons (M16A2). You had to shoot a 3 foot target while moving at 300 yards, you get 40 rounds and there are 40 targets. This is where it all counted, this is what id been waiting for this whole time. I shot 38 out of 40 targets which is expert marksman. I qualified to be a Scout Sniper. A few weeks later we got our first phone call home. I was really excited. And we were allowed to receive mail at this point too. It was amazing to finally hear my girlfriend’s voice and talk to her. And was able to tell my family that I loved them and that I was okay. Although the phone calls were only two minutes long it was worth it.

Week 8, were so close to being home, and finally graduating. The Drill Sergeants began to get nicer and support us more. We were all like brothers and sisters in arms ready to fight and serve side by side. About the 3rd day into week 8 we got a field operation. We had to sleep in the woods for ten days. We had to walk 12 miles with a 75 lbs ruck sack. And it was mandatory for graduation. No shower, no real food, and laying on the hard ground to sleep for a maximum of 4 hours a night. Everyone knew what they were trying to do. They were trying to make us quit, but we were all dedicated and we knew that we weren’t going to quit after coming this far.

Finally the field operation was over. We were marching back to the barracks to sleep in our beds, and in the air conditioner. We had three days until graduation. I started packing my stuff up and getting it ready to leave. August 8th 2013 at 6 am in the morning we all jumped up and threw uniforms on. We all marched to the graduation field. It didn’t start until 9 am so we hid in the woods with our camouflage on. The size of the field was massive. At least 3 football fields away from the woods were the stands where all our family would be. Around 8 am the first family walked up. Then it was like a domino effect. By 9 am the stands were full and people were standing beside them waiting. The best part was that no one knew where we were! I had a stomach full of butterflies. The commander made his speech and right when he stopped we all threw smoke grenades out of the woods and when the smoke rose we ran threw it full sprint. Screaming at the top of our lungs. Tears were coming to my eyes at just the thought of seeing my family. After ten long weeks.

At the end of it all, I wouldn’t trade one second of Basic Training for anything. Through everyday getting cussed at and hit. I’d do it in a heartbeat all over again. Some people ask if I regret joining the military. No I don’t because I’m part of the one percent of Americans who is willing to pay the ultimate price for freedom in America. I’m very proud to call myself Army Strong!