Infantryman PVT2 Austin Johnson

Austin's Graduation from Basic Training Sept 2010

It was a great few days in Georgia, as we attended Austin's Turning Blue Ceremony and his graduation from Infantry Basic Training. Here are a few pictures from Fort Benning that weekend.

Our Handsome PVT2 Austin Johnson

Two weeks ago, Austin completed Basic Training, at Fort Benning, Ga., where he made the prestigious SHARPSHOOTER in riflery! This is extremely hard to achieve, and very few get it. YAY Austin!!!. We are so very proud of him. You can see that he is still thin, but despite this, he carried full Battle Rattle, a 60 pound pack and a 20 pound Machine gun on his ruck march, 12 miles. OUCH! Now he is in Advanced Infantry Training. They have started intense field exercises this week. He has learned all of the advanced signals that you use, so you do not need to talk at all, and everything else he needs to go into combat ready mode. They are working with SAW, Grenade Launchers and other huge machine guns and ammo.(as a side note, he has told me, "Yes, Mom I am being careful." HAHA) On September 24, we will be going to his graduation and his Turning Blue Ceremony in Ga. On October 7th, Austin, reports to Washington D.C., where he has been chosen to be part of the 3rd Infantry, The Old Guard. This is the ceremonial guard in Washington D.C. You see these soldiers at Arlington cemetery, the White House, the Memorials in DC, color-guard, parades, horsemen, and in colonial uniforms at times. Austin does not know YET what he will be doing, but he will be stationed at Fort Meyer at the edge of Arlington, VA. We are very excited to see him in the uniform of the Old Guard. HOOAAH!!!