Newies camp

The newies are in camp already, they actually come every 3 months. This means that 25% of my military service has already gone by. Well, no time for quarterly evaluation, as i am out of camp for only 2 hours in a week (thought normally iwould be for an evening every 3). So i'll do that on a later posting, some other time. Why is time so short? Cos i am actually in charge of 31 newies under my superior (when i was a newie).

This means that i am in charge for their basic training and enrolling in the army. The past week has been rather tough as time has been restricted. Everything had to shine in the camp for the newies to come in, and after they came in on monday i have been constantly on the move, and sometimes with 2 hrs sleep per day. Apart from being with them all day, i had to stay awake for a few hours after they went to bed to guard the room, and wake up before they do in the morning (approx. 6 am).

My first impressions? They are cool :) People like you and me that had to go to the army. Actually they are kind of having fun with me as well (until my superior finds out). So far everything is working out and they are doing everything they are supposed to do right, but my management has been more of aiesec style and less of military style. I guess it was also out of their expectations as well, but hey! that's life. And that's why they are responding in a positive way. People in the room are aged 19 to 29, most of them with studies and working experience.

The downside of things is that i am missing a lot of sergeant training and time with my friends in camp as i spend all day an night with the newies. Also the fact that i dont get to be off camp at least for the 1st 10 days or so... It's also strange to lose touch with the outsinde world almost completely...But it's fun to see ppl adapting and taking it easy with the army.