As Billy starts sending me letters from basic training, I plan on posting some of the highlights here. I know he's not much of a writer and I'm not sure how many letters he'll even send... but maybe I'll be able to share some things with everyone.
Billy's words are verbatum in purple. I made a couple comments to explain in green.
Sat April 30
Took the PT assessment today. did my one mile in 9.40 which isn't perfect but I ran the whole way. there was a girl pacing me and ti helped me keep a steady pace. I actually felt pretty good. DS (drill sgt) said pretty good for an old man, and he WILL make it better. Did like 25 push ups and 30 sit ups, but that's ok they will make it more. Breakfast went OK but lunch sucked! First off I went to the wrong side and almost got chewed out but I think the DS knew I was older and gave me a break. But two other guys got busted and had to stand there yelling, "I am lost Please help me!" over and over again. I bet they said it like 1000 times. It was pretty funny I guess at least because it didn't happen to me. I hate the way we do meals by the way. I know the reason for it but it is just annoying. I'll show you sometime really there is no way to do it right, so they yell at you for it anyway. it is like a prison at times - reception especially. It was the worst. we have gotten more sleep here (at basic training) than we ever did there. One of my DS, (DS Brinkley) is kind of funny. When I told him what year I was born he said Damn you old man! I think its gonna be tough but OK. We are just having classes right now which sucks but its part of it. I am pretty much the oldest in my group so... anyway. Country Boy (the guy he rode in with who we called 'good ole boy') is here. His name is matt and he's from KY. What little free time we have is usually eat up with showers and stuff. So, I don't know. Whatever. I have had some times when I wish I could call but no phones. They said we may get one call per phase (each phase is about 3-4 weeks long) But I don't know. I don't like no knowing what is going on. I just want to talk and most of these guys are OK. They are just young and some are too sure of themselves. even if they are wrong. It's kind of annoying. Well, I'm gonna stop for now. Need to sleep. Writing in the dark. So... I love you all! I miss you guys so much! Billy
Tuesday May 3, 2011
[this first part of the letter is him apologizing for his voicemail and just saying how hard it was not to be able to talk to us in his only call until next month – I don’t think I’ll share that]
I had to go to the hospital today because of blisters on my heels. They were infected. They told me to just wear my pt shoes. They are really bad blisters I thought they would go away and become callus but no. Apparently not. My battle buddy [everyone is paired up with a ‘buddy’ and you have to spend a lot of time with this person] is kind of getting on my nerves right now. He is all about himself first and screw everyone else, just getting tired of it. We are supposed to go to Victory Tower tomorrow but I don’t know if they will let me. I guess I’ll find out. This is funny while I was at the hospital I looked and looked for a pay phone no luck though. Me and the one guy waited for three hours for someone to pick us up. Kind of funny I thought. I’m kind of writing in the dark. They don’t really give us time to write and well I’m barely awake when we come in. There is sand everywhere and it is driving me crazy. I wish I could talk to you but there is no way in hell. Which is pretty close to where I am at. Some of these guys are pretty cool. Some are just jerks. Half the people want to go home and I’m starting to feel the same way. I really miss everyone. No one here really wants to talk about kids. Their oldest are like one years old so not much in common. I get along with everyone well enough but no real best buddy ever, you know? Well I am going to take a shower now. Hopefully sleep tonight. We will see. Maybe I’ll write more in a minute. Well didn’t get a shower so looks like I’ll be up at 4. But tomorrow is one day closer! When I was at the hospital there were a bunch of recruits from all over the base and all different phases. Anyway, they said time will go by faster after this phase. I feel like I am doing a jail sentence but I think it will get better. I hope you got your letter I wrote. I can’t call you to find out so maybe I’ll get some mail in the next few days. No one here has yet. So, I’m sure mine haven’t gotten to you. Well I gotta go to sleep now. I love you guys! Billy
Thursday May 5
Well my blister had gotten worse. It’s kept me from two events. Mandatory events too. I think they will let me make them up but who knows. The doctor said if it doesn’t get better soon they will have to do a skin graph or something. If they did that I will be recycled. (recycled means you have to start over from the very beginning again) I don’t think I can handle that. If they tell me to go home I don’t think I could come back. I am really hating it here I don’t get letters or phone calls. They are supposed to help you keep your spirits up, but then they tell you that you don’t have time for church, what the crap? I’m going to bed now. I’ll just write more tomorrow I guess. I love you guys, Billy.
Saturday May 7
Well now I have exactly 8 weeks left! I thought they were going to recycle me because I couldn’t do a march because of my blisters, but I did it anyway and I think I’m good. Still no phone calls until next phase. Most of these guys respect me but I don’t think any want to be lifelong friends or anything. But it has only been a week. I wish I could say we have done a lot of fun stuff but it’s been mostly classes. Really BORING classes. I get a lot of free time tomorrow so I’ll write more then, too. It’s really hard to get time to write. I have such a headache today no aspirin allowed… suck. I know my letters are rambling but I have to write really fast before lights out. My feet are pretty bad. Hopefully they’ll get better they hurt so bad! Well, I’m going to sleep now. I’ll write more tomorrow. I love you guys, Billy
Sunday May 8
Well Happy Mother’s Day! Today is our day to do what we want except we can’t do what we want. Still no phone calls. Everyone is thinking we won’t get them back until grad day so whatever. [I think he’s talking about their cell phones] Everyone is getting really down today because we are only in week 2. I think it’s more because they miss home and it’s still two months before we feel connected again. We just move between three buildings right now and don’t do much. I think their plans are to get all the boring stuff out of the way first. I hope that’s what it is anyway. Going to breakfast (best meal here!!) write more in a bit. Ok now I’m back. Looks like realistically I’ll only be able to write about once a week. Just too busy. Sundays we don’t do anything but the rest of the week is Crazy! I have a cough that won’t quit. I have heard some people say you can’t take me to school, I also heard you could use cell phone too, so what do I know? [here he is talking about when he is done with basic, he’ll need to get to advanced training in VA – where I thought I was going to get to take him.] I am so tired today we didn’t get much time to sleep with guard duty and me being sick. Well what can you do! I’ll stop for now I’ll write more after lunch. I am so sleepy. Still have to study for a test too but I really want to take a nap. Well, how is everyone doing? I sure am missing everybody!! After lunch he PT’d the crap out of us. It was rough but pretty good. But now I bet we don’t get personal time tonight. Suck! I hope I get a letter from you guys soon. [this really makes me MAD b/c at this point I have mailed… I’m thinking… 10 letters and he’s not gotten one of them. No wonder he is so depressed UGH!!] I would also like some pictures too. Well, I better go so I can get this in the mail. I love you guys so much! I’ll be done before you know it though. Miss you all too! Happy Mother’s Day I love you, Billy
********POSTED 05/20/2011****************
Sunday May 15, 2011
Well this has been a bad week. It started off ok, but went to crap quickly. we had the gas chamber on Monday. it sucked really sucked! Then Tuesday.... I can't remember right now, we have had no personal time or sleep this week. Oh, Thursday we had a field training exercise went to sleep in tents and stuff. it wasn't bad but we got in trouble for something. I wasn't involved with it so I don't know what it was but got in trouble anyway. Oh yeah, there is this Asian kid that wants to go home. So, he told the doctor he wanted to kill this guy for making fun of him. (and the rest of us in the process) Well, he got his wish and they will send him home. He has to have two guards at all times, and I mean all times! They are making us do these write offs too. Yeah, not happening. Last night we had five minutes of personal time. No way we could write all that stuff in five minutes. Well barely get time to write but I'm do what i can. Finally got your letters - Friday! I thought it was going to be hard to read but they made me feel so much better. I read all of them that day. They tell us everyday that if we don't do this or we don't do that, that they will kick us out. I'm sure it's just the game but I'm really getting tired of it. Oh! I ordered some pictures. I can't remember what else I was going to tell you. I wouldn't worry about PeiPei. It's sad, but you didn't know she was going to die. (PeiPei is our adopted cat that just passed away a couple weeks ago - it was a tough few days around here) Most days I hate this place, but there are some that go well, right now though most are bad. I am so tired. I think i woke up every ten minutes last night thinking we were getting yelled at - jumped out of bed and everything. We really don't get much personal time because the DS's are pissed at us for some reason. (Still haven't figured that out) Gotta do something be back... maybe. Ok for a mintue. Did I mention I was very tired. Oh well, if you want an iPhone then get one. It's cheaper than the one you have. I love mine. Wish I had it right now. DS used my locker as an example to what everyone's should look like. I guess that's pretty cool, right? Have you gotten my letters? I really don't have much time right now, but I am doing as much as I can. Well, my blisters have not really gotten better. I'm just not going to say anything because I don't want to be recycled. It's only like 6 or 7 more weeks away. I have the BCG's right now (birth control glasses - they call them that because they are so ugly you'll never get a date) but they have these safety glasses. My prescription is just not right. Supposed to fix that on Monday and get different boots Monday too. Got a PT test Tuesday. Starting to get a little concerned about my run. I have been trying but these blisters I just don't know. I can't even describe how bad the one is but it is really bad. Well, I can't think of anymore, right now so, I'll stop for a bit. I love you guys, Billy
More on Sunday!
Well, i'll tell you our DS's will be really nice and share stories and talk with us, then two minutes later start yelling. I guess it is part of it, but it makes you wonder what happened. everyone was jealous of all the letters I got, I am AWESOME! (YAY!!! that makes me awesome too!) Oh yeah there is a DS here DS Fairbanks (isn't mine) But he is so funny. He doesn't yell he is just a smart @$$ and it cracks everyone up. He says, "you will do what I want you to or tell you to becasue I am (BLEEP)ing awesome!" Then he says, "stay awake" and we answer back "stay alive" It's just funny. There is one I think its DS Walker all he says is "why is there talking?" and "Shut Up!" he has this voice that sounds like he has a cold and the other day he did have a cold and sounded a little funny. Then he said he got his voice back and it sounds the same. Just kind of funny. I want to take a nap so bad, but I can't "Stay awake" "Stay Alive" I think I have lost about twelve or thirteen pounds. Probably be more as we are walking more. I think we are about to go to white phase. (Phase two and a little better than red phase) So, maybe that much cloer to being done. i really miss you guys. When we get to white we should get a call on Sunday. maybe even today. Probably a week or two though. really would like to talk to you. Maybe this time it will work. Did you get the stuff I sent to you? (in the last letter he sent me one of his badges with his name on it and one with the flag) I just thought it was pretty cool. Just hope I don't need it. Just kidding! I think I'll be OK. I am going to stop now. I'll just try to write more this week. We will see. Tell everyone I love them. And I love you, Billy
More Sunday - part deux
Wow! We got an hour and a half of free time tonight! WOW! Too bad I have to get up at 3am for fire guard. 3 til 5 and we get up at 5 so suck! Oh well, I should probably sleep but i miss you guys so much. It helps just to write. i had a long shower today. I mean like 40 or 50 minutes. Not really but it was a good one. Super hot water! I hope I get more mail tomorrow. Oh yeah the killing asian, did I mention he is like Allison's size? he is creeping us all out! and tonight they are letting him sleep in here. What the crap! They said he was walking around with a fork the other day. OH MY GOD! The guys who are guarding him said he is still talking about killing someone. he told me he is going to the DS and get him arrested. CRAZY STUFF! We have already had like 5 people leave for medical reasons. Crazy too! I'm fighting it! I'm going to try to workout real quick. Ok 31 sit ups! I need 34 but I slid back and lost my momentum. I'll be ok. Got PT test Tuesday. All I got to get is like 34 on my final PT so I'm good. Still worried about the run. But if I can pace someone I'm OK. I can see how people get depressed in this place. (bleep) it sucks! The people make it worth while though we have worked out and cut up tonight. It was fun. I want to sleep but I'm afraid I'll miss something. The sunsets here kill me. It is just so pretty and I know home is pretty much that way. My bunk faces the window and sunset so I watch almost every Sunday at least. Sometimes on weekdays but not often - usually we are being smoked then so I miss it. (smoked is when the DS find something to fuss about and then makes everyone do push ups) The sun is setting right now. Just makes me miss home that much more. Hey there is freaking sand everywhere here and I mean EVERYWHERE! it is on us all day and you sweat and all that it's just gross! Well, we are coming up with songs and stuff to sing. It's just funny the songs people start. I need to go to bed. So, I guess I'll stop now. I really miss you all. Hopefully, I'll make it through this. I love you all, Billy
***********************Posted 5/25/2011*******************
Billy's words are in purple... my comments are in green
Saturday 5/21
I have a few minutes so I thought I'd write. Well we went to white phase Friday. I'm not sure yet exactly what priviledges we are allowed but I guarantee it is not CELL PHONES! We only get one call per phase so maybe this Sunday (tomorrow) we will get to call. (this is before he got to call me this past Saturday - see Hello?? Hello? post on home page) But I'm not holding my breath. This week has been crazy busy, but I finally got new boots. It's better but not perfect. My blister is getting better but it's not 100% - not even close really. It's pretty bad but I'll be OK. Everyone told me I was an inspiration to them because we had our first PT test the other day, and I was hurting bad. but I still managed 17:05 on my run. I only need like 18 or something but I pushed it on. Now my push-ups and sit-ups were another story. I needed 50% on both. I got 49% on one and 48% on the other. But I'm very close so I am OK. Just have to work on it. Oh yeah when the DS asked if I was going to be able to do the run I said, "YES DRILL SERGEANT! I'M GONNA TAPE EM UP AND GIVE IT HELL!" Everybody still laughs about that. it's stupid but at the time I actually meant it. I had mole skin, 6 bandaids and tape all over it. It was sad but I made it. I think the DS's were even impressed but they'll never say. I'm starting to feel a little better about this decision. It's tough but I will not quit! (I'm sitting here doing the HAPPY DANCE and holding back the tears!!!) There are already 4 or 5 people who have left. I'm not sure why but Oh well, maybe it is better for them. You know the 'good ole boy'? Well he is going to Ft. Lee in VA, so we are going to try to stay in contact while at AIT. He's a pretty good guy. He's helping me work out really pushing me. He does like 101 push-ups and all that. I don't think I'll get that many but he does help me get more. There is the one girl here that has this bad attitude and is getting us all in trouble but I'm staying away from all that. Let me tell you something, the girls here stay in trouble. I don't understand why but they do. I'm not even going into all that. Well, we had BRM (basic rifle marksmanship) this week. The first day of shotting I did terrible. I bet I shot 400 rounds or more (5 at a time) but the second day I zeroed in like 6 shots at 300 meters. Still have a lot more to do but that's OK. DS Fairbank really helped me with that. He is a really good teacher. He was telling me I zerored and that he knew I could do it and I said "I had good advice, Drill Sergeat," and he said "Of course you did because I'm AWESOME!" I laughed about that for a while. I actually do a really good impression of him. Everone asks me to do it all the time. He is a really funny guy anyway, but I don't want to offend him so I keep it just among us. So.... anyway... Hey one thing about white phase is that we don't have to wait for them to tell us to sit down to eat so that's cool! Little things I guess. Oh and we get to sing when we march. Eh...? It's Ok I guess. Got the letters with the pictures. Thank You! I have showed everyone at least twice, so anyway. I'm going to try to write Em and Allison this weekend. But if I can't tell them I love them and I'm trying.
More Sat 5/21
Did you get the stuff I sent? Yeah, the way they are talking most of this phase is BRM. I'm so tired of that M16 I have to have it on me all the time and I'm just sick of it. Hopefully, when this phase is done we won't have to carry it, doubt it, but hopefully! I think as long as we don't mess up any more we get more personal time too. I hope so because we haven't had very much this week. Last night in fact, the First Sergeant told us no shower no bathroom - just go to bed. I don't know what we did but danggit! There was one guy in the latrine when he came in and he went off! He made us all get up out of bed then yelled and cussed us for being up. Wow! I just let it go and went to sleep though. I was tired! Today I stink though! We all do, but one guy who took a shower anyway pissed us all off. Then there is another guy who also wants to be boss. He is really making me mad because he is a jerk! I am telling him this as I write it so it may not make sense as I write. People just can not be quiet it is ridiculous! I had to watch the Kill-Em-All Asian guy the other day. Man that kid has issues. But he's supposed to be gone Tuesday. Here's hoping! I'm not going to waste anymore time on that weirdo. The DS was have on CQ (I have no idea what CQ is....???) on Sunday really creeps me out. I can't really say why here but trust me... I can't wait to get away from him. I'm going to wash some stuff tonight. We only have two washers and one dryer that works. It's sad! And I have to send some stuff out too. (I thought they had a laundry service that would come take their clothes and clean them... but I'm guessing they do and yet still have stuff to wash anyway?? not sure) Well I just got to talk to you. That actually made me happy even though it was only 4 minutes. (when I first read this I was like 'Really?? you didn't think you'd be happy to talk to me?', but then I realized it was because it didn't upset him. Which is funny because I thought the same thing and was also shocked that I didn't have a meltdown at the sound of his voice) Everyone was smiling and crying and all that. It was a good afternoon. THEN... all hell broke loose. They decided in the middle of the night we have to sleep under 2 wool blankets and a sheet! At the beginning of basic they said it's hot so just use one blanket and stay covered up. So, we got in big trouble and all that mess. You know how I sweat so it sucks. It's not bad though. We have a 6 man fire guard in full gear for 2 weeks but hey it's just two hours. Which is 2 hours less of sleep but, it's not that bad. By the way it's actually Sunday. I haven't gone to church yet. I do plan to, but right now I have to do some laundry and write you guys. So, that's what I chose to do. Well, I'm gonna write Emma and Allison now. I'll try to write more later. Ok... I'm back. Well we have one dryer that works. suck! But I guess it is what it is. Everyone is down today because of last night. I'm not letting it get me down but it's depressing. so, I'm writing you and I'm going to nap for a minute. So, well I'm gonna stop for now. Miss you guys! I love you! Billy
*******************POSTED June 20 **********************
Saturday May 28th
Well this week has been full. We had BRM (basic rifle marksmanship). You have to shoot at least 23 out of 40 with the M16 (targets). Well I shot 24 first time, so I passed. I don’t think I have to do it again we had like 7 people who didn’t pass. If you don’t pass this, they kick you out so I was praying and I made it. I wish I had done better but for now I’m happy I passed. We had a short day today because all the drill sgts had a ball tonight and we have a guy from the reserves who is like a substitute DS. He’s Ok. Pretty cool guy. It’s Memorial Day weekend and they opened this outdoor pool and we had to pass it on the way to the PX. Suck! They had this music playing and having a good time and we were walking in ACU’s and Assault Pack. It was HOT! Oh yeah, they made me bay boss. I didn’t want it. Still don’t! Basically I make the fire guard list and make sure everyone is where they are supposed to be and on time. SUCK SUCK! It also means that I get chewed out when they don’t do what they are supposed to, or because it’s not clean enough. Really just whenever. SUCK! I guess it’s OK thought really. Most of the guys in here respect me and don’t want me to get in trouble so… anyway. I think we are kind of “off” Monday too. So, that’s nice. Even now the First Sergeant is calling me “old man” I’m not really the oldest but the other on is “teacher.” He keeps pushing me on the runs and saying “come on old man you can do it!” It’s just kind of cool because usually he is telling everyone he will put his foot in their a$$ if they don’t move. He is a very tough guy be he genuinely wants to help. He has hard way about him but he is a good guy. He yells all the time but you know there is a reason. Anyway… oh we were passing the pool and they were playing “beat it” by Michael Jackson and First Sgt said “Hey Old Man! You used to get down to this back in the day didn’t you? You used to dance and all that didn’t you?” Everyone laughed it was funny. Also DS Iniguez (which is our main DS) said she wanted me to go back to C group because I scared her on the run. She thought I was going to have a a heart attack but in my defense I ran 2.3 miles in 16 minutes then fell, got up and ran 1.5 miles just not as fast. I’m OK with running in C with one exception, it’s all girls which is kind of humiliating. But since my run time only has to be like 17:42 they said that would be better for me. I guess it will be OK. I just hate the drama with the girls and the fact that they run a lot slower. I’m not fast, don’t get me wrong, but I’m faster than C and slower than B. So, whatever. By the way, when I said I fell. I literally fell. When we got back I got yelled at by the lieutenant but I explained that I am trying and my DS’s took up for me. So, I didn’t get in trouble I just have work to do. As long as I pass my PT I’m OK. So, I’ll make sure I pass. DS said I have to do this 7 mile march this week before she’ll let me make up Victory Tower (he missed it because that was when he was in the hospital with his blisters). So, I have to make it. I got the sock liners and padded socks so maybe I’ll be OK. Well, it’s almost lights out. I’ll write more tomorrow. Love you!
Sun May 29th
Well today has been uneventful so far. However, it is only 8:30 am so I’m sure it’s gonna suck at some point. After lunch we have to go clean the area around the buildings. This morning I actually got all my laundry done and put up. All in the last few minutes but it usually takes all day. I think I’m gonna take a nap this morning. At least try to. I had 3rd shift of fire guard last night (01:00 – 03:00). Which sucks by the way, and then you get up at 4:30 which sucks more. But I did get a lot done this morning so that’s good. I’m going to take a nap for a minute. I’ll write more in a bit. Ok well, little nap. Everyone thought the auto correct thing was funny. I really don’t have too much to say. Just not too much going on. We are off tomorrow but I bet we still will do a bunch of stuff. DS Iniguez doesn’t like the fact that we have time off during basic. She went off about it. Of well. I feel kind of sick today. Nothing I can do about that though. We will have to go outside and clean for like six or seven hours. I hate that but at least we are doing something. It’s funny. We got our hair cut, have to every two weeks, and everyone has this white line from glasses and our hats. It’s just funny looking. Oh! And our hands are tan but our arms and legs are white. Just funny to me. Well, I’m going to stop for a minute. I am beginning to hate Sundays. It seems like they never end! We got to sleep in until six tomorrow but I don’t. Well, that’s OK thought. I’d be up anyway. Wondering exactly what we will do tomorrow. Supposed to be an easy day. No training. Just some classes and a test. But I doubt it will be that simple. Who knows though? We have a countdown thing in our “flower bed” in the front that says how many days we have left. 38 today. The thing that sucks is that you have to change it everyday. But it is a pretty cool idea I thought. I had to do this thing today where I say how many people can come into the DFAC (dining facility) you say as example, “Two Zero (20) Eagles in the DFAC!” everyone cracks up at my accent when I do it. Even the DS’s sometimes. I don’t mind though. I feel like everyone here at least likes me, some respect me, which I am amazed of because I don’t really do anything special. Just treat people properly and respectfully, and help when I can. I will say… I never give up. I try as hard as I can at everything and sometimes succeed and sometimes I fail, but I keep trying. I think that has a lot to do with it. I don’t know though. It’s pretty cool that everyone know who I am, even people I don’t even remember seeing here know me. Oh well, enough about my “big head.” What did you do this weekend? Did you go to Kentucky? I want some chocolate so bad but we can’t have it. I tell you what I want a coke more than anything, but no to that too. Oh well, I can have whatever I want in like 38 days. Well we got formation so I’ll stop for now. I’ll try to write more later. Ok well, I have like 30 minutes. So, I’ll be quick. It’s right in the middle. We have 5 weeks left and I left 5 weeks ago. Kind of hard to believe I have been here that long. It seems like they are getting rid of people left and right for not finishing or being able to do things because they are hurt. If I don’t make this 7.8 mile march on Thursday I will be restarted or asked to leave because of my age. (I don’t know if I already told you that but anyway sorry if I did) I’m going to do it no matter what! Some of the funny things I have heard today are: “what is D-day?” and in the shower: “hey dude don’t back up anymore.” Guys were naked and talking and one guy was walking backwards and he was talking it was just funny to me. Well, I don’t have much else to say. I’m going to have a hard time with privacy. I’m so used to not having any now it’s weird to think of being in a shower by yourself and it’s quiet. Seems strange but I now have 27 other roommates and 5 showers toilets and sinks. So no privacy! Oh well, maybe I can write more tomorrow. I LOVE YOU! Billy – TELL THE GIRLS AND WILL I LOVE THEM TOO!
Sun June 5, Allison’s Birthday
Well, I hope has a good birthday! I wish I could be there. But one more month and I’ll see you all again. For a bit anyway. This week has been crazy. Tuesday we had like a pizza party, it was C.C.’s but at least I got a coke and brownie. Wedness day we had a sweep drill and I had to get everyone out fast. A sweel is like a tornado type thing and we live in 2 story trailers so we have to leave. We go to the fance barracks we call Hollywood in the pouring rain and hail- running! It was crazy. And DS Fairbank was asking us to tell jokes and stuff it was funny. There was this other group that came in with us and he (Fairbank) is a big man like 6’5” or something. But he is really cool. They didn’t know about his humor. Well these girls walked up to ask him a question and he said, “WHAT THE F___ COULD YOU POSSIBLY WANT?” They jumped when he said it and we all laughed. It’s just his humor. Thursday we didn’t do much but Friday we had night fire. That’s where we use night vision and IR laser and shoot at targets. It was pretty cool. I just found the letter I wrote last week. OPPS! I guess I forgot to mail it. Sorry. We had a locker inspection yesterday. DS Fairbank did mine. I had a bunch of wet clothes because both our dryers quit working. So, I had clothes everywhere drying. He said, “Holy $#!%!! What’s this?” I explained it to him and then said “Ok well why does it smell like ovalteen and bengay then? And where the hell are your depends? How old are you Private?” “36 Drill Sergeant” “36? $#!%!!! Plus 20!” He’s just hilarious. Anyway, I’m going to sleep a bit. I’ll try to write more later. Love you! Well, I was busy this week but it doesn’t seem like I did that much. I don’t have much else to tell you.
(no closing on this letter – he must have been too busy or forgot)
Wed 6/8/11
Hey! It’s been crazy! I haven’t had a chance to mail you. I’m trying but we just don’t have any times. Today we got our dress blues and beret. Might I say I look pretty awesome in it. We probably won’t wear it for anything but they issued it. ($1300 worth). I think we wear ACU’s which I wanted to exchange some but our dryers are broken and I couldn’t wash them, so suck. I’ll just have to wear what I have. I don’t know what all we have this week but it’s sure busy. I wish I send you a picture of me in my blues but that’s not happening. Oh well. I have a PT test tomorrow, suck! I have to pass, I think I’ll be OK I’m just worried. I’m so tired though. We were getting our stuff all day. We got up at 0430 and its now 2010, and we just got in. Suck! I’ll try to write more tomorrow and mail this soon. I love you!
Sun 6/12/11
Well, I’m writing you again. Maybe I’ll be able to finish and mail all these this time. This has been a crazy week. We had our PT Test III this week, I passed (2 mile in 17:40) But we had like 12 or so people fail. Well, the DS’s went off. Now we are having to get “smoked” every time the wind blows the wrong direction. I really hate that especially as we only have 25 days left. We have a countdown thing in the sand pit in front of our bay. Did I mention there is sand everywhere? Well we had to low crawl under live fire the other night in a sand pit now there is more sand in our bay and a new Lt Col is coming in to do an inspection and we have been scrubbing all day. We had to do 2 bays because the one above us is not used but our DS’s use it for an office. I sent like 12 people up there yesterday and then me and 3 others had to go back and actually clean it. So that sucked. Everyone’s tempers are starting to flair because of the trouble we are in and heat and I think everyone is ready to go home. I know I am. Ready to go home. I think I’m going to sleep now. I’ll try to write more tonight and mail it tomorrow. This time for sure. Well we got a 40 minute break before final formation. So I’ll write a bit more. Did you ever get that graduation information? A lot of other people have and I was just wondering. I tell you what, I really do miss you guys. It seems to be worse the closer it gets. I told them you were checking me out on graduation day they said Ok. We had a list and I said you were. I don’t think it matters who drives as long as you’re there. Have you been thinking about what we can do family day? I don’t think there is much to do here and I can’t leave base. So who knows? Well, I need to go to formation. I’ll write again when I come back. Well we didn’t get as much time as they said. So I guess I’ll just put this in an envelope so I’ll actually mail it. I’ll write more when I can. I LOVE YOU, Billy
