AMEDD BOLC Week 8

Week 8 

Day 1: began with a 0300 formation for our last transport to Bullis. The final week was about executing our training. We hit the ground running upon arrival, donning our full battle rattle with the gear for an overnight stay in the field. 

We rucked through the hills and reacted to contact, assaulted objectives, and performed convoy operations. We wrapped up the day with a ruck march to our sleeping site around 2000. Everyone was exhausted. I was surprised how quickly I fell asleep in austere conditions. 

Day 2: we woke at 0500, cleaned our patrol base, then rucked back to Bullis. We spent the day doing Role 1 ops, a forward medical mission closest to the fight. We ended the day around 1900 then called it a night.

Day 3: We conducted Role 2 ops. This was really the only time I had the opportunity to function as a Behavioral Health Officer. Upon completion, we returned to our rucks for the night.

Day 4: Was combatives training, cleaning up Bullis, then heading back to JBSH. Everyone was in high spirits as we were done with FTX training and prepping to graduate the following day. 

I also had the opportunity to pick up my family who came in town for my graduation, this would be my last chance to see them for a while as I wouldn’t be returning home to Utah likely until December.

Day 5: Today is BOLC graduation! We spent the day rehearsing for the event. After lunch, we held our Graduation Ceremony. It was a cool experience to finally be done with this level of training and begin my focus on my profession as a Social Worker. 

BOLC wouldn’t be completely over as we would be split into our professions for further training. The cohort of four Social Workers would be one of the smallest groups after splitting. I spent the weekend with my Family and enjoyed every moment of it. The hardest part about serving in the military is the constant joining and separation of families. Every time I say goodbye to family is as painful as the first, but I take solace in their pride in supporting a Soldier. 

I was PUMPED to roll into the behavioral health track phase, as it was focused entirely on my AOC.

Click here for the Behavioral Track Phase!