2/4/09-2/8/09

2/4/09
Not much time to write. Had CLS class again and he aced his test. Still have to wait a little while to start IVs though. He said that there is still a lot of making stupid mistakes and they all have to pay for it.

2/5/09
They are having mail call every night now. The went to the shooting range, but it was very icy and everyone kept falling. They ended up doing the simulator instead. Chuck shot really well. That's good because my phone call depends on how well he shoots. They are on there 7Th platoon leader.

2/6/09
They finally got to shoot outside today It was around 50* out. Again, he shot really good. They got to lay in the mud and shoot. Busy day again, not much time to write.

2/7/09
Today they got to shoot outside all day. Chuck said that he shot good enough to qualify as sharpshooter, but of course this didn't count. He was very excited about breakfast today because he put peanut butter between his pancakes then syrup on top. I guess this is his new favorite breakfast. He got a card form my mom and dad and a letter from grandma and grandpa. Later in the day when they ate their MRE's they were able to eat everything in it, including the coffee. He liked that too. They were told that they would be shooting the rest of the week and then do a 5K march on Monday. He took more tests today and aced 5 of them.

2/8/09
The letter today starts of with peanut butter pancake time, peanut butter pancake time... I'm thinking that he is singing this to the tune of peanut butter jelly time, peanut butter jelly time...
They still haven't gotten to go to the PX to buy supplies yet. Did some laundry and had fire guard duty the night before. Then he went to breakfast and they didn't have any pancakes so... peanut butter french toast time, peanut butter french toast time... He did go to the protestant service again today and enjoyed it. They are going to take more tests today. They did eventually get to go to the PX and he got most of his supplies. They were out of the gun cleaning kit that he wanted. He took 5 more tests today that were go-no go and passed all with go (pass or fail and he passed). They have a few more left to take on first aid. He bought some postcard and was going to send some of those off. He sent on to Sgt O'Brien and said that he'd probably send one to work too. They were told they may get to make a phone call after they qualify next week, so that would be nice. He said that it was in the 60's that day. He's wishing he could be out riding his motorcycle. I'm surprised he hasn't asked me if I got mine out yet. After dinner today the got to go to the sand pit. It is a big muddy sand pit that they made them do PT in because they screwed up. Afterwards they got hosed off to clean up. Then they finished testing. The senior drill Sgt gave Chuck he practical exam and said "God damn fucking private, you are the first shithead to get all go's today. Out fucking standing." Chuck said that any compliment you get is a good thing. Not many people passed all their tests the first time around. Chuck is one of the few in his platoon. He said there was a handful from each platoon that did it. It is bed time now and he needs to get some sleep. They leave for the 5K at 05:10 am.
That's it for now. I'll keep you updated.
Thanks,
Nel