Camp Atterbury...we HAVE arrived.

So, here we are. This fine NCO's expression says it all really, but we'll get to that in a minute.

All soldiers were present for duty on the morning of March 3rd. The Winfield armory was full of friends and family, awaiting the departure of the 4 buses that sat idling. Chaplain Mitch Nethery gathered everyone and formed a ring around the unit's soldiers, holding hands, and prayed for our safe return. He then stood in the doorway to hug each person. "I love you," spoken for every one who walked into the sunshine and crisp air.

The ride was fairly uneventful, but it seemed more than long enough for all of us. We were anxious to step off of them to draw our linens, eat dinner, shower, and receive our initial marching orders. It was 7:15am when we left Alabama and roughly 5:30pm when we arrived in Indiana. We were all just a little stiff.

As is the nature of any situation such as ours, the execution of our first day was a little less than smooth. We've received 4 additional NCO's from the Individual Ready Reserve, who are sure to bring a great deal to an already incredible team. Adding to our 158, we were sitting at 162 soldiers on day 1. That many people adds a great deal of variables to any situation; however, today's outcome had little to do with the 166th Engineer Company and more to do with changing requirements placed upon the mob station.

We woke at 0400, showered, shaved, and walked toward Building 722 and the Mess Hall to begin the day. It was roughly 10 degrees outside, and buses weren't available to alleviate a 1-mile stroll and chills that followed. Breakfast was excellent, but we found that there was a miscommunication about a change in the schedule. Our in-brief wouldn't begin until 7am. Go figure.

At 1030, with eye-lids drooping, we walked out to begin the medical and dental in-processing. What's that? We can't begin until 1:00pm? Okay, back to the barracks! Lunch-time!!

There's a relatively strict process in place for this portion of mobilization, and we found it's slowed quite a bit when competing with the unplanned arrival of soldiers returning from deployment. They have priority - and rightly so. Nonetheless, it made for a confusing afternoon for us all. Add to that the requirement that 122 soldiers receive an additional hearing exam, and you find yourself far behind where you'd initially expected to be by the end of the day.

Regardless, it was a good exercise in patience for us all. In a way, it's probably best to have had a day like today at the outset. It can only get better! Bottom line, though: so far so good!! Tomorrow's another day.