This letter was received on 10/10/08:
Monday, October 6, 2008 at 1113 (11:13 a.m.)
Family and Friends,
Good morning! We are waiting outside Medical on our campstools, so I have a little time to write. Nine of us reported from TN on Saturday and so began the cycle of hurry up and wait. ;)
On Saturday, we got our large and small bag issue (toiletries, shorts, sweats, t-shirts, etc.) and our linens and war belt (web belt with canteens) and stool. After issue, we were given box lunches (NOT Heavenly Ham!) and then moved to the classroom building. We marked gear, did paperwork, etc. Later we moved to the chow hall for dinner (tell Ashton the dining hall is named “Bobo Hall”). Lights out is officially 2100 (9 p.m.), but we had a lot to finish, so many of us used our headlamps to get a little more done before calling it a night. Lights on was 0500 on Sunday, but you had better be up and ready well before that! I got up at 0430 to shower and put my hair in a bun and make-up my rack. I have been wearing the same pair of khaki pants since Saturday over my green shorts and t-shirt. We wear our war belts everywhere and are constantly being prompted to drink water.
On Sunday, we had breakfast at the chow hall and then moved to the classroom area for chapel. They divided up the Catholics, Protestants, Jews, etc. We sang a few songs and then the chaplain gave his sermon and we walked forward for Communion.
We had a number of briefings/admin tasks yesterday (financial paperwork, medical paperwork, etc.). We lunched at the chow hall again (turkey noodle casserole, apple, salad, etc.) and then returned to the classrooms for more paperwork/admin. When not marking gear, we are reading our candidate regulations and making head calls (lots of water = lots of trips!).
We moved back to the squad bay and did our urinalysis and height/weight and tattoo check. Afterwards, we formed our platoon and had chow outside on the parade deck. Other candidates did the serving and were unsure how much to dish out. I was near the front, so I got less than half a scoop of some beef/rice dish, a little broccoli, rice, and an apple. Needless to say, I went to bed a bit puckish and woke-up ravenous this morning.
Lights on was at 0445 this morning. I had firewatch from 2400 to 0100 this AM (basically, 2 candidates monitor the squad bay, make sure canteens are full, candidates are where supposed to be, clean up, etc.). After formation this morning, we bussed immediately over to the Exchange. We received our sea bag, 2 pairs of boots, 4 sets woodland camo, 2 sets desert camo, caps, etc. After issue, we had breakfast out in front of the Exchange on our campstools. We marked gear, read regs, etc. Then we bussed back to the barracks, dumped our gear, and had a few minutes to get our records and paperwork together for Medical. I have had 3 different people look at the same record page but at least I have some time to write a letter home ;). We just finished eating chow since I started writing an hour ago. Some kind of veggie/noodle/unidentified meat stew, corn, potatoes, salad, etc. We ate outside again, so no march to the chow hall yet today.
We are supposed to do the initial PFT in a couple of hours – the 5 mile run, flex-arm hang, crunches.
Tuesday, October 17, 2008 at 1435 (2:35 p.m.)
Day later and we are out in front of medical again – waiting on our campstools. I am about to get 7 shots in the arm. Thank God the PFT was yesterday. Oh, and I ran my 3 miles in 23:10 – under 8 minutes per mile – yay!
We had breakfast at the chow hall today – first time there since Sunday lunch. Then we went back to supply for our field gear – packs, sleeping bag, helmet, etc. Then we moved back to Skinner Hall (our barracks) to label all the gear. Then we moved out to lunch at the chow hall and FYI: you do NOT want the baked fish from Bobo Hall!
We get picked-up tomorrow, so that is when it all breaks loose and the drill instructors enter the picture. Hopefully I will start getting mail soon. We didn’t get our first letters home out until this morning. Please just remember me in your prayers. I miss you and love you all! Mom, I am praying for you too.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
All my love,
Leigh
