Okay, here I am again trying to work through some dictation wondering in my speaking is different than my writing.  Today I sent my PT card in height and weight to the Lieutenant Colonel at HRC Alexandria. I completed a telephone interview with her on Monday.  On Wednesday, I received an enough from a requesting this information.  I'm a bit worried about it because my PT represented a profile.  Just before the tests I conducted a physical assessment and four the meniscus in my right knee.  I suppose it was my own fault.  I was showing off a bit with how much I could look to my legs.  I maxed out on the weights, but as a result, I couldn't run for the PT test. I did complete the push-ups and situps, which are reflected on the PT card I sent to the Lieutenant Colonel.  I spoke to Kim about it tonight and she said that I had nothing to worry about.  It sounds like I'm in, based upon the e-mail I received back when I sent the PT card.  However, I'm still a bit concerned since it is such a high profile position that they will make sure that everyone is able to pass the PT test and meet height and weight.

 

I spoke with one of my instructors about the telephone interview, and he provided some additional information regarding the position.  He said that he has served in in a similar position. The job is actually with the DA Secretariat and very few officers are chosen at a time.  He explained to me that career managers maintain three separate files, one for average officers that aren't going anywhere.  Another for officers who take top assignments and a third file for assignments that are not published but require the very best.  It's very flattering that I'm considered among the very best, but I keep reminding myself not to get a "big head."  I continually remind myself that I'm just an average guy who's been thoroughly blessed, because I have a wonderful wife and family to support me.  I can't imagine trying to do the jobs I do without having them behind me.  Kim still brings up sometimes, how when I was in Iraq I could not talk to her about classified operations. She never tries to make me say more.

 

This week in class we are doing the W199 exercise with Staff Group 12A.  In the class we are part of a joint planning group (JPG), preparing for phase 4 and phase 5 operations in Azerbaijan to restore the country after their military has been attritted to 50% while driving out an imaginary force called Ahuristan.  Ahuristan has invaded Azerbaijan in an attempt to secure portions of the Kura River Oil Basin.  Now they are back across the border with terrorist cells left in Azerbaijan.  The reason they were driven back across the border was largely because of US air power.  US Ground Forces are there now and will enforce a DMZ 30 miles on each side of the border. My role in the exercise is basically knowledge management, capturing all the work products such as mission analysis, course of action development, and decision briefings.  So far, the products that we produce on the battle command network are copied to the combined arms center intranet to allow students the opportunity to work on things at home after class. I think it's been fairly successful.  Tomorrow as part of this exercise and an earlier class, I have a media interview.  I must sit through a video recorded interview in which the instructors will grill me as a news reporter would.  I have the materials I need to prepare and I really should sit down and prepare potential questions and my responses.  I also need to prepare a written statement.  For example: I am  Major Gary Casey, a staff officer with CFLCC Joint planning group.  As you're well aware we are currently engaged in combat with Ahuristan forces in Azerbaijan, as it currently stands, these forces are retreating, or surrendering.  We estimate with the next 96 hours to determine the enemy back across the border to United States along with coalition partners are here at the request of the Azerbaijan government, via her steady leadership has ignored diplomacy and made the mistake of choosing a path of aggression against Azerbaijan.  The Azerbaijan government has a legitimate right to protect its sovereignty citizens and resources against aggression, security and infrastructure are critical to basic human needs.  Any remaining forces should surrender themselves and their equipment to the nearest coalition commander.  Coalition partners are here to enforce UN Security Council resolution number 4555.  At this time, I will take your questions.

 

Looking back at the text in this dictation practice, it would've been easier to just sit down and type.  I spent the last 30 minutes speaking and correcting words, but hopefully each time I correct a word.  The program will be able to properly recognize it the next time.