News from Greg

I got a quick phone call on Saturday. Greg said that BCT starts on Monday and he'll graduate on November 17. If you'd like to send him mail, his address is:


EDIT: Please note the correct address!!

SPC, Hunsucker, Randolph
4 PLT B Co 3/60th INF REGT 
BLDG #5482 Jackson Blvd
Fort Jackson, SC 29207

They've been posting updates on their Facebook page, so if you want to see what he's up to each day, check it out!

What is the National Guard?

Many people have asked me what the National Guard is and how it differs from the Army Reserves.

Simply put, the Army National Guard is a reserve component of the US Army that serves a state and federal mission. The National Guard can be called to active duty by the governor or the president. Here is a link to the National Guard's web site. As a member of the Army National Guard I serve part time as a soldier. I will be required to serve one weekend per month and two weeks per year unless I am called to active duty. We can be called to active duty to assist with natural disasters, such as hurricanes, on the state level or we can be called to active duty by the president to assist the armed forces over seas. During normal times I will continue to work at my regular job and Carrie and I will continue to live at our home in Gainesville. When I serve my one weekend a month or two week drill period I will go to where ever my unit is conducting training. This will mostly be at Camp Blanding in Starke, FL while I attend OCS.

The National Guard is comprised of the Air National Guard (a reserve component of the Air Force, abbreviated ANG) and the Army National Guard. I have joined the Army National Guard (ARNG). When referring to the National Guard one is referring to the National guard as a whole, both the ANG and the ARNG. There is a big difference between Air Guard and Army Guard. They serve a common mission, but go about achieving that mission in very different ways.

I hope this clears up some of the mystery surrounding the Army National Guard and it's mission. If you have further questions, let me know!

First Drill: RSP, Red Phase

I got back from my first official drill with the Florida Army National Guard yesterday. I was at Camp Blanding in Starke, FL for the first phase of the Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP). The National Guard created RSP to help new recruits learn about the military and the Army prior to shipping off to BCT. The program is a way to acclimate the new recruit to Army life.

This was my first drill weekend and I had to complete my first PT test to make sure that I am physically fit enough to be sent to BCT. I passed the test with out issue. (I've been studying quite a bit in the past few weeks.) The majority of the weekend consisted of class room instruction and more PT. We also did a lot of PT.

I learned a lot during the two days I was there and it was nice to be able to get a first hand look at Army customs and procedures. I had the opportunity to speak with several people who had recently returned from BCT. I asked a lot of questions and got a lot of good information on what will be in store for me in the weeks to come. I applaud the Guard's effort to create a program that allows new members to gain experience and knowledge prior to being shipped off to BCT. I do however feel that this program is more beneficial to younger people who lack certain life skills and life experience in general. I will have to attend one more drill period with the RSP company after BCT and I will say that I am glad to only have to return one more time.

New Beginnings, the Road to Success

As you know by now I have decided to join the US Army National Guard. I was sworn in July 22, 2011 in Jacksonville, FL. I will be shipping to Basic Combat Training at Ft. Jackson, SC.

Carrie (my wife) and I have thought long and hard about this decision and we are certain it is the right thing for ourselves and our family (future members withstanding). Joining the National Guard has allowed me the opportunity to fulfill a life long dream to serve our country and our great nation. Growing up in Pensacola, FL and seeing the military up close and personal instilled a deep desire in me to serve and to be a part of something far larger and greater than myself. I am thrilled to finally be able to start my own military career.

The road ahead of me will be a long and difficult one. I enlisted in the National Guard as a 09S, an Officer Candidate. After the successful completion of BCT (Basic Combat Training) I will go on to Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Camp Blanding in Starke, FL. OCS is an eighteen month long course designed to teach the candidate how to be a leader and realize their full potential as a soldier. Upon completion of the course I will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard. After commissioning I will go to branch training where I will learn to be an officer in my assigned job. The hope and plan is to fly helicopters for the Army in the Aviation branch. Time and the needs of the Army will be the determining factors as to how I branch and what job I will be assigned. (Fingers crossed for an aviation slot!)

I have created this blog to keep anyone who is interested informed and up to date on my progress through training and on into my military career. I have never kept a blog and I hope I will maintain it and keep it functional and useful. While I am away at BCT Carrie will be keeping everyone up to date by posting information from the letters that I will write to her. At BCT I will not have access to any form of communication other than conventional letter writing. (What ever that means. I think it is the old internet or something.) I will not be able to write everyone and this site should serve as a useful center point for all interested parties.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and check things out. Please feel free to leave me/us comments, questions, concerns, etc...