Written June 22, 2009. Received June 25, 2009.

Hey Daddy!

Whew - today has been a long one! We did our 5 mile run first thing this morning. Those hills were tough but I stuck it out and pushed up each without walking. A certain SSGT (who shall remain nameless to protect the guilty) cannot say the same

The we had chow, classes, chow, PT stretches, class, chow, gear prep, drill, square_away time. Tomorrow is going to be another tough day physically, okay, make that every day this week. Tomorrow is a 3mile run in boots and utilities as well as the muscular endurance circuit. Wednesday is the obstacle course, then moving out to the bivouac site for the night.

We will be doing the night land navigation practical application course that night, then get up Thursday for the 6 mile hump and SULE I (small unit leadership Exam). Like the LRC, except out in the field. On Friday we will get the Individual Movement Course to learn the proper techniques for the Combat Course beginning Saturday A,M.

Oh, and 3 test this week, too. I am going to be ready for LIBO again this weekend!! I am enclosing-some hotel info about the hotel I stayed at.

Hope all is well at home. I love you and miss you. Talk to you soon! Oh - and thanks for ALL the letters. I got 8 pieces of mail tonight -- WooHoo!

Semper Fi

All my love,

Bo

Written June 18, 2009. Received June 22, 2009.

Hey, Daddy!

Got your card and letter today. Mail is finally getting more regular. I have also gotten cards from Babe, Pat, Maxine, and others - the more the merrier.

This has been a tough week physically, but I have hung-in there and not fallen out of anything. Monday was a fartlek run (3 miles running and stopping periodically for different exercises). I swear it was uphill both ways! Then Tuesday we did the MEC run circuit (muscular endurance circuit). Drill, of course, and hauling it across "the bridge" to and from chow a couple of times a day.

Got test results, too. Made 91% on weapons safe-handling prac app using the rifle, 100% on the weapons written exam, and 94% on General Military Studies exam.

Yesterday (Wednesday), we set-out for our first time in the field. We had the big packs loaded and huffed it to the outdoor classroom for tactics classes. Slapped on some camo paint after dropping the packs and then headed to the compass course. Had to get our pace count (flat terrain and hilly) first. It has rained a lot here, so everything was a slippery, muddy mess. We were slipping and sliding all over the hills!

I remembered how to land navigate from last cycle, so the compass course didn't take me too long. Found all 4 of my boxes correctly. After the compass course, we snacked on an MRE, and then headed to the livouac site to set-up for the night in the field. Graceful as I am, I managed to slip in the mud and do another face plan with the big pack flying over my head. Not hurt, though, and not the only candidate to bite the mud either.;0

We only had to put up and take down and put the tends 4-5 times til the whole company (4 platoons) managed to get all tents up and aligned in under 8 minutes. We ate some more MRE then had opportunity to go to prayer and praise with the chaplain. Really nice interlude!

It rained some last night but had stopped before this morning's 4- miles "nature walk" - i.e. hump/hike/run - walk with the big packs. After the hump, we had field exercise practical application - practicing fire team formations, hand/arm signals, and buddy ruses with blanks.

After that, we headed back to the main OCS area for Leadership Reaction Course and some other classes (terrain models, 5 paragraph order, etc.). The LRC reminds me of those confidence building games - given situation, various objects, etc. figure-out how to accomplish mission, brief fire team, and set to it. The point isn't so much about finishing as it is an observation on the fire team leader's ability to correctly brief using 5 paragraph order and maintain a command presence and exercise leadership.

It started storming, so we huddled under a big tent on our campstools. That is until the wind blew the supports out and a candidate got wacked in the head. We had 6-7 people fall out of the hike this morning. I may not be fast, but I am like a mule - lead me down and send me on my way and I will do my utmost to bear the load until I reach the end. I managed to stay within the first couple of people at the head of our platoon. What stunk is that our platoon was the last one, so the males were controlling the pace with much longer legs/strides than the majority of Charlie 1.

We got 12 minutes to shower, get all the camo paint off our faces, get online and back in boots and utilities before chow. We didn't have to cross "the bridge", though. Chow line set-up on the quarter deck and we ate in the rear of the squadbay. Nice to have hot chow after eating MREs for 2 days!

Tomorrow we have chill twice, but are also going to the Marine Corps Museum, which I am really looking forward to. Then, liberty on Saturday afternoon (but who knows what time they will actually release us, right?). We have to be back by 1600 on Sunday. They shaved 3 hours off since October. Then, liberty didn't secure until 1900 on Sunday. Oh well, better than no liberty at all!

Glad to hear you are doing okay and having fun with little man. Sure do miss you guys! If you need more books, I have some USMC-oriented stuff in my bedroom. Nanny said she enjoyed the visit. Brent and Donnie still haven't put the new AC unit in, though. I love you, Daddy!!! Give Erica, Jason, and Ashton my love, too. I was going to write them tonight too but I am pooped and still need to get my uniform squared away for tomorrow.

All my love,
Bo

Phone Calls from Leigh

We were able to hear from Leigh for the first time since she reported. She sounded really tired but in good spirits. She is working hard and giving OCS all her efforts. She loves getting mail and requests that even if you just write a sentence or two, hearing from home truly lifts her spirits. I think they are holding her mail because I have sent a couple of cards and letters that she hasn't gotten yet and should have received days and days ago at the latest. If at all possible, please take the time to tell her that you are thinking about her. If you don't have her address, please e-mail me at etr2002@bellsouth.net and I will be sure to forward it to you.

Latest Letter to Dad

Written June 12, 2009. Received June 16, 2009.

Hey Everyone!

Aahh - Training Day 19 is winding down... We had our first inspection after chow this afternoon. Of course, all but 2-3 out of 44 Candidates failed. Apparently, the hanger in my wall locker were improperly spaced, I had Irish Pennants (stray threads) on my cammies, and fly aways from the bun. We had PT this morning and literally had just seconds to wagon-wheel under the showerheads for a "PT shower" before donning our uniforms again. So, we all looked pretty jacked up (with the candidate stench, to boot...)

There is a confirmed case of swine flu in my platoon. The eight of us closest to her rack were pulled out of inspection and sent to medical to be checked out and given preventive meds. So, I get to inhale this yuck-tasting stuff for the next five days, and it is supposed to make us feel kinds crappy - as if we weren't fatigued and achy enough already!

I am in my first billet right now. Until 0500 on Monday morning, I am 3rd squad leader for Charlie Co, 1st platoon. Basically, I am responsible for making sure my squad is squared away, leading them in formation, hurrying thru the chow line - good times and fun stuff.

We have our first written exam tomorrow morning on weapons, safe handling, etc. Looks like, weather holding, we will be drilling a lot the next couple days. I am going to hit the rack and catch some zzz's for now.

All my love,

Bo

Written June 9, 2009. Received June 12, 2009.

Ashton!

So you are going to finally be a big brother, huh? I got Mommy's card with Julianna's pictures today - she sure is cute! How did your t-ball tournament go on Saturday? Sure do wish I could have seen you play! Your BoBo loves you and misses you so much!

Tell me about this pet rabbit named Romeo - is he cute and fluffy? I look forward to getting your pictures. Be a good boy for Mommy and Daddy - okay?! Have you been swimming in PaPa's pool yet? BoBo went running in the rain and mud the other day - it was kind of fun. I was so dirty! I don't think your Mommy would have let me in the house!

I love you, Buddy!
BoBo

Written June 9, 2009. Received June 12, 2009.

Erica and Jason,

Got the card and pics of Julianna today! She is so tiny and so beautiful - I can't wait to meet her in person! My prayer/devotion group were so excited to hear the news, too! I a rejoicing, even if I can't be there to celebrate with you right now.

Our schedule has been hectic, but I am surviving. We have our first written exam (weapons) this week, and anther one on Monday, so I have ben studying at night. We have a fartlek run for PT tomorrow (run, stop to do x reps of an exercise, run more, stop for exercise...). We have been practicing drill a lot too, so maybe I will finally achieve some modicum of grace. Unlikely though, seeing as how I did a faceplant going over the mulch-dreaded bridge the other day. I survived though! Skint knees and hands, but no real damage ;)

Picking up lots of cases, Erica? Bet you ran out of Magistrate Siskin's courtroom Friday! Tell everyone at the office I said, "Hello". You can pass-on my address, too.

Jason - how is your back feeling? Hope you are recovering well! Not going too stir-crazy yet, I hope. Daddy told you to get a goat, huh?!? ;)

In blog updates, you can look at my letters to Daddy, too. I can't always remember who I have told what! Looking forward to talking to you in less than 2 weeks - Liberty, Baby! Going to hit the rack for now - PT early in the morning! Looking forward to hearing from you again soon - make sure you read Ashy his letter, too!

All my love,
Bo

Another Letter from Leigh

Written 06/05/2009. Received 06/10/09.

Hey, Daddy!

Do you miss me yet? ;) I sure miss you! Training Day 3 has come and gone. "Pick-up" wasn't as intense this go-around. Apparently there has been a bit of OCS program restructuring due to the high attrition rate of recent cycles. Still a lot of screaming and yelling and DI (drill instructor) "games," but more info and periods of instruction on how and why we do certain things.

We have been in our boots and utilities for most of the past 2 days except for PT. Yesterday (Thursday) we finally were issued our rifles. Guess what? No more M16A2 service rifles for OCS. We are the first cycle to get the M16A4. Needless to say, we have been drilling a lot (mostly in the squad bay, though, because it has rained so much here this week). Today was pretty eventful. Woke-up to a banana on every footlocker with instructions to eat quick - 3 miles platoon run for PT this morning. of course, it was still raining and I could barely see out of my glasses at that point. We had a decent pace, although a number of candidates fell-out of the run. Talk about slick though - tons of puddle and muddy hills in the wet wooded path.

To top it off, we had a fire drill at the chow hall today right after we got our trays. So, we all hurried out and got our counts before returning to our trays of no longer hot chow. ;)

Things are going well, though. Hopefully I have been helpful to my platoon with some of the insights I gained from the fall cycle. We are down to 46, though, from 52 female candidates in my company/platoon. how is life on the home front? Hope all is well. Keep praying!

Love you!

Bo

Written June 6, 2009. Received June 9, 2009.

Daddy,

Got your letter today - and Erica's!Your new granddaughter and my new niece is beautiful! Can't wait to see my whole family in person again, and with a new addition. Did you have a good visit with Nana-Bear and Uncle Raymond on Friday?

We have had some serious heat here, coupled with some nasty thunderstorms. Didn't even carry our rifles and go over the dreaded bridge for chow tonight. We went the easy route the light duties usually take. Still no fun though - double time against the wind with our day packs and trying to keep our covers on.

That bridge may be the death of me yet. My rackmate was at sick call on Monday (or Sunday?), so I had carry her day pack and rifle as well as my own. We were route stepping over the bridge, and I took a header where the metal part meets the asphalt. Scraped my hands and knee, but otherwise okay (Never been known for my grace, have I?).

I am enjoying drill more this time around, though. Our Sergeant Instructors are doing a much better job of instructing this cycle. Of course they still get in your face and yell and scream, but I have retained my bearing.

We wrote leadership essays this week - I chose you to write about as an influence of how I view/learned leadership, see the leadership traits in action. We have a partless run for PT in the morning, so I am going to hit the rack for some sleep. Hope to hear from you again real soon!

All my love,

Semper Fi

Bo

Pics from OCS

Leigh is at the very far end of the line. Look directly to the right of the instructor at the end of the line by the bulletin board.

Leigh is the 2nd girl on the right.

Leigh is the first girl on the right.

Leigh is the 4th girl in line. She is in the light pants behind the really tall candidate.

Daddy's 1st Letter

Written June 1, 2009. Received June 4, 2009.

Hey Daddy!

How are you? I sure do miss you! All is going well here at OCS, although it was kind of emotional for me to walk back into the exact same squad bay where I got the news about Momma.

It is Monday evening here. We have been in-processing since I reported on Thursday. The concept of "hurry up and wait" has all new meaning now!!! This morning we finally ran our induct PFT - 254 score (1st class is >225)! Uniform issue was also today. Looks like "pick-up" with the sergeant instructors is going to be Wednesday (but possibly tomorrow afternoon knowing the trickiness of the training environment).

There are 2 female platoons this cycle, but I am back in Charlie 1, along with 3 other candidates from last cycle. We started with 52, but are already down to 48, with the possibility of losing one more tomorrow. She failed the PFT run this AM, so she is taking the whole PFT again tomorrow for a chance to stay and train.

I am actually looking forward to pick-up. I am ready to get back into the routine, even with the yelling, etc. I know 2 of my platoon staff and have encountered at least 8-10 other staff that we have mutually recognized each other since I arrived on Thursday. I will write more when I get a chance, but I wanted to make sure you knew company and platoon to send mail.

First liberty is supposed to be June 20-21, so look for a call sometime that Saturday evening. Love you and miss you (I have played your card to hear your voice). Thanks so much for your love, support, prayers, and encouragement. Keep lifting me up.

All my love,
Bo

1st Letter from Leigh

Written June 1, 2009. Received June 4, 2009.

Hey guys!

It's Monday evening here in Quantico, and I finally have the chance to write some letters (no fire-watch tonight - yippee!)

I now fully grasp the meaning of the concept "hurry up and wait." Never in my life have I gotten up so early, in bed so late, and accomplished so very little in between the two. In-processing is almost over, though, thankfully. Only had to get 2 shots this cycle instead of 6, so that was a definite bonus. We finally ran our initial Physical Fitness Test (PFT) this morning, which consists of the usual flex-arm hang, 2 minutes crunches, and 3 mile run. First Class score - yay! Uniform issue was this afternoon. I look for "pick-up" by the sergeant instructors and the beginning of the training phase to begin sometime tomorrow or perhaps Wednesday morning.

Erica and Jason, how goes the adoption? Is there a referral and picture yet? Can't wait to see my little niece for the first time. Tell Ashton that everyone loves the construction paper flag he made me in Sunday School. I hope you are continuing to recover well, Jason. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Have you been busy at work and baking, Erica? I bet ya'll are getting ready to enjoy the pool at Daddy's. Meanwhile, I will be enjoying a nice "swim" in the muddy water of the Quigley, I'm sure ;)

My mailing address is: (THIS IS ON FACEBOOK, SO IF YOU ARE NOT ON FACEBOOK PLEASE E-MAIL ERICA AND TELL HOW YOU KNOW LEIGH AND THE ADDRESS WILL BE SENT TO YOU).

This much I will post here: Charlie Company, 1st Platoon

Write soon, and make sure you post the company and platoon info on the blog. Also, you can give it to my Sunday School class. I sure do miss you guys! Your cards have been such an uplift, and knowing you are praying for me makes all the difference.

Ashton - BoBo misses you and loves you! I can't wait to get cards and pictures and letters from you. Have you been a good boy for Mommy and Daddy? Did you have your t-ball tournament yet? I bet you played just awesome. BoBo can't wait to see you again. Take care of PaPa and Bernie for me. Have you been picking my strawberries? I love you!

Erica, I will write more when I can. First liberty is supposed to be June 20-21, and I will have my cell and computer the. Write me soon!

All my love,
BoBo