1/25/09-1/29/09

1/25/09
This was a short letter because he'd already sent one earlier in the day. Lots of snow. He's down to 164 lbs. Was 172 when he shipped out. He said to make sure when sending letters that the envelope is addresssed correctly. PVT SCHUTZ CHARLES. Make sure his last name is first. They get in trouble and have to do extra PT if it isn't correct. They already have to do PT just to get the letters, but he said that's OK he just doesn't want to do extra.

1/26/09
They did a class on the bayonet today. Then they did some kind of fights. He got hit across the bridge of his nose, but he still won. He said that he'll probably have a black eye from that. His back is still bothering him when he does certain things. He might so get that checked out if it doesn't get better. They are all starting to crave sweets but they can't have any. One guy got caught stealing the candy from his MRE (they're supposed to return it with the coffee) and they made him restart basic. I said in my return letter that Chuck better not try to steal anything because this is long enough as it is. I also told him I'd be pissed if we had to start over again. They were told that they may be able to watch the 4Th quarter of the Superbowl (they're 4Th platoon) but it would have to be with their gas masks on. He already has his order ready for when he gets his weekend pass(if he gets it, they still won't tell them for sure if they got it or not).

1/27/09
They got more snow and this morning it changed to freezing rain, then more snow. They had to make up a snow shoveling schedule. 2 man teams for 1/2 hour at a time. He is still platoon leader and they make him last in line to eat, but when he is done then everyone else has to stop eating. The drill Sergeant watches him to make sure he isn't eating slow on purpose. He said it sucks and he feels bad. The are still marching through the snow and ice. He said it feels like sand falling on them. They are all soaked when they come in. He did finally get my letters this day. He only had to do 20 push ups since they were addressed correctly and i had put them all in 2 envelopes. Some guys didn't get any letters and that really upset them. Chuck said he didn't want to read his letters in front of someone who didn't get any because he felt bad. He was also fired from platoon leader today. He said that it was taking up a lot of his time anyways. He said that the new one has already screwed up. He was supposed to have everyone in line for showers at 2100 and then they'd all get a minute shower. Well he didn't have them in line so they only got 25 seconds for there showers. He said that he doesn't have much time to write letters to everyone, but he is going to get some postcards and send those. There is a lot of down time but all they can do is clean the barracks and their rifles, not write. The weather is still bad, and they still haven't ran yet which was his biggest concern. He then continues with a lot of answers to questions i had about stuff around the house. The have been without power for a while and he had to shave by flashlight. He said that the tree limbs are touching the ground because of the ice on them. Several trees have actually fallen from the weight. Everything on the base was closed because of the weather. He said that he might have to get a new M16 because his is all rusty inside. don't know if he'll have to give it a new name or if he can keep it as Nellie. He said that he has already read my letters 5 times and he just got them that morning.

1/28/09
The told them after lunch that they would have a free day. That means cleaning again. His legs are really sore from the PT. He is still sick. Just can't fight it off with little sleep, bad weather, and PT. He's got to go get another haircut this weekend. That's driving him crazy. He is very worried about me and how I'm holding up and taking care of everything at home. I've reassured him in my letters that everything is OK but he's still worried. They are still without power. It'll come on for a few minutes and then shut off again.

1/29/09
They lost power again today. Training is cancelled for a few days because of the ice. They don't even have power in the barracks. the only lights they have are flashlights. Chuck said that his laundry was in the dryer when the power went out so now he has all his cloths hanging up around his bunk. He said it looks like the Beverly hillbillies. His eyelids are bruised from getting hit in the nose. He said it looks pretty weird. He said that the whole place is a mess from the ice storms, everything is tore up. He also said that a lot of the guys didn't seem to know what they were getting in to joining the army. They complain because the barracks aren't warm enough, they don't get to use the phone enough, they have to be outside in formation when it's raining and snowing. Obviously they didn't check into this before they signed up. The mail isn't even coming and going because of the weather. The food hasn't been to good since there isn't any power. And all they do is clean. He said that the power came back on and he put his cloths in to dry and then it went off again. He was wondering about happenings in rockford and belvidere, so if anyone knows anything interesting you can send it to him. I've been printing off some articles and sending them to him to keep him updated. He was very excited because he had early guard duty that morning and he got to take a shower on his own. There is only 1 drill Sgt at this time and he got to take a 4 minute shower. He loved it.

That's it for now. I'll keep you updated.
Nel