When you think of basic training in the military what do you think about? The typical movie scene of basic training showcases drill sergeants surrounding recruits in tipped hats, yelling and motivating the recruits. This movie scene is referred to as the “shark attack” within the Army.

The U.S. Army Infantry School has created a new program to use in lieu of the “shark attack.” Gone are the days when Drill Sergeants surround the new recruit and welcome them with in-your-face shouting. This generations old welcome to the Army is at its end and it’s a place a new program called “The First 100 Yards”.

The First 100 Yards was developed in early 2020 by the Infantry School and senior noncommissioned officers of the 198th Infantry Brigade, a unit that conducts Infantry One-Stations Unit Trainings. The First 100 Yards program uses training activities with the aim to instill the core warrior values, attitudes and pride of the Infantry community into the recruit. The ultimate goal with this exercise is to instill confidence in the recruits.

The reason for this change is a historical one. The “shark attack” was developed when the Army was a force made up of draftees. The “shark attack” exercise was used to determine who could stand up to the stresses the job as an infantryman would present. In response to training changes needed due to COVID-19, The First 100 Yards was developed for the all-volunteer military force.

The First 100 Yards program is a five-phase event that occurs the first day of the recruits’ 22-week infantry training. The phases include memorization of unit history and chains of command which will be used within the infantry training, conduction of a resupply mission, performing the new Army Combat Fitness Test and observing an infantry squad and weapons demonstration. The First 100 Yards ends when the drill sergeants march the new recruits to their platoon bays for two weeks of isolated training as part of the safety protocols that were developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Command Sgt. Major Robert Fortenberry, the Command Sergeant Major of the Infantry School at Fort Benning stated “this is not designed to be a hazing event but [to] promote attention to detail and urgency to execute a task in a timely manner.” Furthermore, he states that “this lays the foundation for the next 22 weeks of Infantry training.”

To learn more about The First 100 Yards, Fort Benning has released a video where Sgt. Maj. Robert Fortenberry presents the program in more detail.

Heather Walsh is a mom, Marine wife, Navy child, blogger, and lover of all things crafty and Disney. Professionally, she is a Physician Assistant and writer and has a passion for helping others to stay positive and supported. She has been writing since KidPix was on a floppy disk! She is one of three women who founded MilMomAdventures, sharing travel and lifestyle tips for the military family at www.milmomadventures.com . When she isn’t crafting with her kiddos, going on the next adventure, or writing for MilMomAdventures, she has contributed to NextGen MilSpouse, Daily Mom Military and Military Disney Tips while reheating her first cup of coffee for the tenth time.

Should You or Should You Not Get the Vaccine?

It is no secret that this year is a banner year for medical learning. A new respiratory illness has swept the world leaving medical providers and clinical researchers searching for answers.  With COVID-19 cases and precautions increased, preventing the flu will prevent flu cases and COVID cases from co-mingling in the Emergency Room.

Won’t Social Distancing Be Enough?

The key for social distancing measures to lower the spread of respiratory illnesses like the seasonal influenza is how strict the restrictions are kept. If a family wears masks when outside the family home for every outing, even if 6 feet of distance can be maintained outside the family members, this will truly lower the spread of respiratory illness. The key being wearing a mask around anyone except an immediate family member. For most families, this isn’t possible. If there are caregivers in the home, that is an extra person and you have to include the people that they do not wear masks around, like their family, as possible sources. Short answer: no social distancing won’t be enough.

Benefits of the Flu Vaccine

Per the CDC, the flu vaccine prevents illness with the flu, can reduce the risk of flu-associated complications like hospitalization, and protects those with chronic health conditions. While it is well-known that the flu shot does not always prevent getting influenza, a 2017 and 2018 study demonstrated that of those hospitalized with the flu, those who have the flu vaccine had a reduced severity of illness. Similar to social distancing measures, getting the flu vaccine protects the vulnerable populations who may have severe illnesses like babies, young children, the elderly and those with chronic health conditions like cancer, heart disease or underlying respiratory conditions.

When Not To Get the Flu Shot

• If you had a previous allergic reaction to the shot – talk to your provider about this if you have a concern
• If your medical provider has advised against getting the flu vaccine due to personal medical concerns
• Under 6 months old – The flu shot is not approved for babies under 6 months

There are egg-free flu vaccines available for those who cannot have the traditional flu vaccine. Call your clinic or pharmacy to find out if they carry the egg-free flu vaccine. Per the CDC, people with egg allergies can receive any age-appropriate flu vaccination and recommends that those with severe egg allergies be vaccinated in a supervised medical setting who can manage severe allergic reactions.

Where to Go for the Flu Shot

All Tricare beneficiaries are eligible for a free flu vaccination at their local Military Treatment Facility (MTF) where available. Historically, MTFs and military clinics get the seasonal flu vaccine later in the season, around October or November.  MTFs prioritize care to active duty service members and may not have enough flu vaccines to provide family members with the vaccine. Pharmacies typically offer the flu vaccination earlier, starting in August and September. Most pharmacies participate with Tricare insurance, except CVS currently, and participating pharmacies will provide the vaccine for free. The age of the dependent depends on the pharmacy so always call prior to going to see what age of children they will vaccinate. A Tricare-authorized provider can also provide the vaccine. Co-pays may be required, depending on your Tricare plan (Prime, Select, Remote, Retired, etc.).

Should I Give my Child acetaminophen or ibuprofen prior to Vaccination?

In an effort to alleviate pain from a vaccination, parents often provide the age-appropriate pain reliever of acetaminophen or ibuprofen prior to their vaccination. This has proven to decrease the vaccine reactogenicity, meaning that the vaccine doesn’t work as well if these medications are given prior to vaccination. Unless your child’s healthcare provider has advised to do so, it is not recommended to give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen prior to vaccination.  

Given the many unknowns about the current pandemic, any effort to limit respiratory illness will allow for the medical resources to treat the sickest. If you are physically able to get a flu shot, consider it.

*This article is intended for informational purposes only. Please consult your physician or child’s pediatrician for you and/or your child’s individual healthcare needs. This article is not intended as medical advice to treat yourself or others.

Heather Walsh is a mom, Marine wife, Navy child, blogger, and lover of all things crafty and Disney. Professionally, she is a Physician Assistant and writer and has a passion for helping others to stay positive and supported. She has been writing since KidPix was on a floppy disk! She is one of three women who founded MilMomAdventures, sharing travel and lifestyle tips for the military family at www.milmomadventures.com . When she isn’t crafting with her kiddos, going on the next adventure, or writing for MilMomAdventures, she has contributed to NextGen MilSpouse, Daily Mom Military and Military Disney Tips while reheating her first cup of coffee for the tenth time.

“There’s no such thing as a vote that doesn’t matter. It all matters.” – President Barack Obama

A gentle reminder: The general election is November 3^rd.

Military families, within the 48 contiguous states, Alaska and Hawaii and Overseas locations are faced with voting challenges in elections – voting absentee. It is a myth that absentee ballots are not counted. In fact, all ballots are counted for the final totals – so both absentee and in-person votes count. Even if you are no longer residing where you are registered to vote, Service members and their eligible family members voting rights are protected by The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) to vote absentee. The Federal Voting Assistance Program, FVAP, is a valuable resource for military families to enter their information to request absentee ballots, dates to postmark requests and absentee ballots by for counting, find your election office and check the status of your voted ballot.

According to vote.org, absentee voting is conducted by mail in ballot before the day of Election Day.

As a Service member, you can vote absentee while living away from your voting residence.

How to request an absentee ballot?

If you haven’t requested your absentee ballot, check your specific state to see if you have time to send in the Federal Post Card Application, or FPCA. The FPCA is the request card requesting an absentee ballot. This requires printing and mailing it in, which can add more time to the request. Some states have gone digital, so check your specific election office.

Each state has different rules and may have varying deadlines for requesting and submitting absentee ballots. Make sure to check what your state’s requirements and deadlines are for absentee ballot voting.

Can I check to see if I already requested an absentee ballot?

If you want to see if you have already requested your absentee ballot, check the election office  for where you are registered to vote. If you aren’t sure where you are registered to vote – check your Leave and Earning Statement – your voting residence is where you pay taxes. Military dependents voting residence typically coincides with where you claim residence. For dependents who turn 18 overseas, voting residence can be established by the last U.S. address held before moving overseas.  Once you know your voting residence, click your state on the guide map on FVAP to check on the status of your request for absentee.

The date to request an absentee ballot depends on the state and are typically in early October, so check now.

What to do after I request my absentee ballot?

Absentee Ballots should arrive by early October. If they do not arrive check the FVAP for what options you may have.  You can also check with your election office. Some states may have digital information available which can check the status of your request, and if your ballot has mailed.

Worst-case scenario, if you requested your absentee ballot but it will not arrive in time to send the ballot back by your state’s deadline, there is an emergency ballot called a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, or FWAB. FVAP has a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot that can be completed on a computer, printed, signed and mailed here. Remember to use this as a last resort.

While waiting for your absentee ballot to arrive, read and research the platforms of the candidates on the ballot. Learn and discern so you are prepared when you ballot arrives.

I received my ballot, now what?

Vote!

Follow the directions on the ballot in regards to how to fill-in the ballot, and where to sign as proof that it is you and completed by you.

Send it back in!

Each state has varying deadlines for sending an absentee ballot back, so make sure to know what your state’s deadlines are. These deadlines are to there to ensure your ballot makes it back in time to be counted for the election.

The general deadlines are:

October 5, 2020 if you are on a ship out at sea

October 13, 2020 if you are living OCONUS

October 27, 2020 if living within the U.S.

Have more questions?

A general guide for absentee ballot voting is available on the FVAP website. Each state varies on election board names

Heather Walsh is a mom, Marine wife, Navy child, blogger, and lover of all things crafty and Disney. Professionally, she is a Physician Assistant and writer and has a passion for helping others to stay positive and supported. She has been writing since KidPix was on a floppy disk! She is one of three women who founded MilMomAdventures, sharing travel and lifestyle tips for the military family at www.milmomadventures.com . When she isn’t crafting with her kiddos, going on the next adventure, or writing for MilMomAdventures, she has contributed to NextGen MilSpouse, Daily Mom Military and Military Disney Tips while reheating her first cup of coffee for the tenth time.