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Show MORGA HALL 1 R2009 even though you don t remember the details of training d you think that that part f your life the active training part, was helpful towards what you would be d ing in th future? MH: It was training through repetition. That's probably why I can t remember it is because it was internalized by the time that we were done with it that I didn't have to think about it. You knew that if someone said "get up and rush" you stood up and ran. You knew that when you heard the word, "down" you landed on your face. So physically, they pushed me pretty hard. Mentally it just became a routine. I was able to compartmentalize when I was on base and when I was off base. So when I was off base, I could focus on having a good time, but when I was on base in training, my mind kind of just shifted into a drive that was automatic. So we'll probably get to Iraq later, but I think it served quite well because it translated almost exactly from what the training was supposed to look like, increasing intensity, and your body still did exactly what it was supposed to do. JCW: You said a little bit earlier that the initial call, when you first got deployed to California, that it wasn't that big of a deal to you. But you said the second call, when you found out you were going to Iraq, was a big difference or a big deal. Talk to me about that whole process, from the end of your deployment to when you got that call. MH: Near the end of the deployment, we were supposed to get out in February and the college semester started in January. So they had this special, hey, if you 're a student you can leave early so you can register for college. I was part of that group. I just got back, got registered for school, started snowboarding again and I thought it was over. I got a call that said, hey, it's not over. I had to go through the five stages all over again. 19 |
