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

Arrival at Quantico

My call came at 10:00 am CST - Leigh was just outside the gates at Quantico and wanted to say one last goodbye. Of course, I cried but she sounded pumped and ready to tackle the world. It will be at least 3 1/2 weeks before we get to hear her voice again, so I reminded her that in those times when she felt down and out to remember that although we can't encourage her, not to forget that God is holding her. It was at this point that she became quiet and said that she knew and could feel His presence. She's excited and we're excited for her, so let's all join together to pray for her!

I'll post as soon as I know her company and platoon info. She posted a note on her Facebook that gives her address but not the company and platoon info. Since this blog is public and her Facebook page is not, I will not post the entire address here. If you are not on Facebook and need the address, please send me an e-mail and I'll get it to you once available.

Erica

etr2002@bellsouth.net

Reporting on Thursday

Leigh is counting down the days until she must report for the next session of Officer Candidates School. She is excited yet nervous, but she has been training and praying and can feel God's hand on her life. She will leave Tennessee on Wednesday morning so she will have plenty of time to travel and arrive on time Thursday. Please pray for her safe travel.

She will not be able to call home for the next 3 weeks, however she will be able to send us an address where we can write her. During this journey, encouraging letters from family and friends is vital to her frame of mind and ultimately success. Once we receive the address from her, I will post on here and you can e-mail me for the address.

Last time she was at OCS before Mom's death, the Marines actually posted pictures on their website, so I'll let you know if they do it again. I remember Mom looking at them and crying, "Oh, my baby!" We are all very proud of Leigh.