24 Hours

I had a 24 hour shift the day before Thanksgiving. From 0900 to 0900 I sat in a little room with one other Soldier and was in charge of quarters (CQ). The job description is to answer the phone during the day, and to make sure no shenanigans go on in the single Soldier dorms during the night. Nothing happened. Of course nothing happened. Nothing ever happens. But, someone has to be there in the off chance someone decides to get crazy.

So I sat. And did nothing for 24 hours. There is no TV. We're forbidden to use our laptops or to play games on anything electronic. They'd take away our phones if they could just to keep us from doing anything entertaining. Sleep is not allowed. If you are caught sleeping there are serious consequences. It's suggested to read Army manuals... but sleep is not allowed, so I stay away from reading said manuals.

Sitting in a building for 24 hours with shady signs like the one pictured above accomplishes one thing only. It's pretty much in the bag that I'm going to get cancer. Respirators and protective clothing are not provided for me to work in. That is bullshit. And I won't even be able to sue the Army for slowing killing me by forcing me to work in condemned buildings. You win again, Army....