Induction and Anniston, AL

     I have officially been inducted into AmeriCorps NCCC!  However, for the new FEMA Corps, this does not mean we are done with training.  I arrived to Anniston, Alabama for two more weeks of training, and then we are able to go out into the field.  We are staying at a Center for Domestic Preparedness, which is a lot like a hotel.  The rooms are hotel style and there is housekeeping and a buffet for meals, it's really nice here and since there are 50 vegetarians out of 220 people they are now accommodating vegetarian meals. YAY! As of now, half of my team are vegetarian. It's pretty awesome.
     Here is what happened on Induction day: I woke up and got dressed in my new blue FEMA shirt, had breakfast, went to the photo shoot where they photo the entire Corps and Staff and then photo each unit.  I am in Ocean Unit, but there is also Summit and Bayou.  Then my teammate Casey and gave a tour to a few ladies from headquarters and a parent of a Corps member.  Then we lined up and marched in to the gym and started the Induction Ceremony, which consisted of a Color Guard and then I directed the National Anthem, there were speeches from staff and members, and then we recited the AmeriCorps pledge:

I will get things done for America -
to make our people safer,
smarter, and healthier.

I will bring Americans together
to strengthen our communities.

Faced with apathy,
I will take action.

Faced with conflict,
I will seek common ground.

Faced with adversity,
I will persevere.

I will carry this commitment
with me this year and beyond.

I am an AmeriCorps member,
and I will get things done.

After that we had a reception, and then finished packing. The next morning I was awoken at 5 am to have my room inspected by my Unit Leader named Justin.  I had breakfast and headed for the road.  

Lookin awesome in our new shirts.

All of my team! GO OCEAN 7!

What we have done in Anniston:  My team has been issued government laptops and Blackberry's, been taught how to use them (mostly), and has gotten our official FEMA badges that have a facial recognition program.  They are super serious about security around here, which is cool.  We did not do much today (except had an extremely early breakfast!) but the perk to that is that we got out PT done for tomorrow. Also, we got to do PT at 8 PM which is much better than 5:30 in the morning!   Well, I think that's all folks.  I'll be getting up for 5:15 breakfast tomorrow, wish me luck! 

P.S.- In a week or so the Induction Ceremony will be posted on FEMA's website. I'll let you know when that happens.  

I feel like Cadet Kelly here.  Living on a military base, and having room inspections and wearing uniform and going to PT. A friend named Rii is showing me circus tricks like baton twirling, just like Cadet Kelly. It's pretty schweet.