3/4/09-3/15/09

Sorry, it's been a while since I've posted. Been very busy with a new job and a national registry test that I had to take.

3/4/09
Got fitted for his dress uniform today. They had a full blown inspection of their barracks today, but everything was good. He got letters from me, Grandma and Grandpa Keef, Sean and Cathy. He was very excited about the pics of Gabe and is hanging one up. He is very happy about having the cough and throat drops. He gave me a website that you can look at http://ouroperationappreciation.com/default.aspx A chaplains wife runs it. She takes pictures and posts them. Chuck will be under the F troop pics. I think I spotted him in a pic or 2.

3/5/09
They did a confidence course today that Chuck really enjoyed. After they got back someone did something stupid and the whole platoon got smoked. Fireguard tonight and tomorrow. While on the obstacle course, he got kicked in the eye and face and now has a strawberry/black eye. Warmed up to the 60's and he got a little sun burnt. He went to Catholic bible study tonight.

3/6/09
Went to another range today. They have a night infiltration course tonight. They were told that they were to do a skit making fun of the drill sgt's. It's a tradition supposedly. Their DS, who was off all week, just got back and smoked them. The night course was tonight. It was a sand pit the size of a football field with logs and barbed wire. They had to run over the log, under the barbed wire while they set off explosions. Then they'd set off flares and they had to stay still until it was dark again. The DS impersonation thing didn't go as planned. 4th platoon (Chuck's) was the first to go and the DS's got pissed and smoked them.

3/7/09
Gas chamber today. Chuck said it sucked. The after affects aren't as bad as pepper spray. You feel better after you get fresh air, but it's really bad inside. He said that it takes your breath away and feels like your lungs are on fire. Did a bayonet course today. Started to get smoked tonight, but it was chow time so the smoking ended early.

3/8/09
Went to church today and confession. Had coffee and cookies after the service. He got to pass the offering plate. There is a website www.dropshots.com/perezjc1 that has pics of Chuck. They got told today that their troop is the 2nd best in the history of fort Knox in their marksmanship qualifying scores. After lunch, they got in formation ready for their run, and then stood in formation for 2 and a half hours. The DS's searched their rooms and wall lockers. Chuck said stuff was thrown everywhere and this was the first time he's really been mad since he got there. They ripped some of his pictures. It took an hour and a half to clean up.

3/9/09

Had a road block and check point class today, then a class on IED's and land mines. Got a letter from Gates, Grandma Jean, my mom and 3 from me. Some rooms got switched today so they have a few new guys.

3/10/09
Did a room clearing course today. The barracks that they did this in is the one from the movie stripes. Chuck is really missing his radio. He requested I bring my IPOD for family weekend. Also he wants to take a shower so long that the front desk calls up and tells him that he'll have to get out.

3/11/09
They got in trouble last night and their punishment was not being able to wake up till0450. they usually wake up at 0400. They had to be in formation at 0505. Today they rode on a trail and targets popped up and they had to shoot them from the back of a truck. He got a letter from Gma and pa Keef, and a card and letter from me (and some motorcycle pics he requested).

3/12/09
Studied for testing tomorrow. Then going to march to a location and study more. Bible study tonight. They all got a piece of pizza in honor of Bravo troop graduating next week. Got a letter from Harling, Gareth, and me today. He hung the pic of my motorcycle up today and the DS said that he liked mine the best.

3/13/09
Happy Friday the 13th. Still all first time go's on his tests. He is squad leader again. Getting ready for the 12k road march tomorrow.

3/14/09
12k road march done. They get to go to a local church today for a meal and get to make phone calls so they are excited about that. They all ate a lot at the church and then had to go to chow and eat when they got back. Chuck ate lots of banana bread and cake. No fireguard tonight. We did get to talk on the phone for about 6 minutes so that was nice. They got their berets tonight and are shaping and shaving them to get them ready for family day.

3/15/09
He woke up at 0002 to write Happy Birthday in my letter just so he could be the first one to tell me (even though I didn't get the letter for 3 more days). Went to church. His PT test will be Monday or Tuesday, don't know which yet. All they've done all day is clean and eat. He said he was going to try to get a phone call since it was my b-day and he did actually get to call. We talked for about 9 mins I think.