1/22/09-1/25/09

Still just a lot of classes going on. He did get his gas mask and they had a class on chemical weapons. They have 9 seconds to pull out their gas masks and put them on. They are doing more marching. Marched a mile in full battle gear. People are still doing stupid stuff and everyone is getting in trouble. One of the new punishments is running outside, getting in formation, run back inside and change clothes and run out and get in formation again. Thy had 8 minutes to do this. They did it 5 times and then someone got hurt and they stopped. Finally ran the obstacle course. He said that the hanging rope kicked his butt, but he did good at everything else. He's thinking that he'll probably get fired from Platoon Leader soon. They also got to do a team development course. It is puzzles that they work together to solve before going on to the next one. He said that they did OK but not great. The punishment that night was pouring water over their heads, (while inside) mud and water all over the floor from their boots, and then they had to do PT in the muddy water. then they had to clean it all up. Chuck still has a cold, but now it's more just a cough. He is finally starting to get a little home sick. He said he tries not to think about it tom much and tries to stay busy. I haven't talked to him since Jan 9Th for about 30 seconds. I did send him some addresses so maybe everyone will get a letter soon. I'll keep you updated.
Nel

The start of basic

So this letter is from the first week in Basic. Chuck wouldn't go to church on Sunday (even though it is highly encouraged) so he ended up watching someone on suicide watch. Sounds like fun. Chuck is upset because he had to go get his 3rd haircut since he's been there. It costs 4.75 each time. I found out that the phone call I thought was coming today was actually last Sunday and that didn't happen. They were told that the better they qualify (shooting) the longer the phone call they can get. That'll be in 3 weeks or so. They got there rifles and Chuck named his Nellie. He is not really enjoying the 30 second shower. He said him and his towel are usually covered in soap still. He thinks that he has lost weight. There is more time to eat but less options. Still only spoons though. He said that one guy took a lot of food and then didn't eat it all. The drill Sgt. took the food out of the garbage and made the guy eat it. Chuck was made Platoon Leader, which is good, but he said that it's also bad because the first one always gets fired. Everyone had to write a 500 word essay on what it means to be an American soldier. They keep getting in trouble because people leave their rifles laying around. They have to keep them with them 24/7 or the get smoked is what chuck says. He's still not getting much sleep. He said one night they went to bed at 2200, they got woke up every 1/2 hour, have to get dressed, go into the hall do some PT (physical training). That went on till 0030 and then he had fireguard duty 0200 till 0400. They spend lots of time cleaning, and in class. They keep making them eat MRE's cold. Chuck says that they are not to bad warm but not good at all cold. And they can't have the dessert or coffee in them. He got all of his supplies, rifle, bayonet, bullet proof vests and helmets. Have to wear these all the time. The vest is about 30lbs. He keeps saying that he can't wait to get a letter from me. I've written one every day since he left, and went to the post office Thursday to mail them after I got the address since my mail had already been picked up. So, he should be getting those soon. I'm sure he would appreciate some other letters to. I'll keep everyone updated.
Nel

1/13/09-1/17/09

I got a letter today that finally has an address. Chuck passed his PT test wih flying colors. He has gotten tired of reception. He said that they have no toliet paper, no hot or warm water, only 2 washers and dryers that work, and they got forks taken away and can only use spoons to eat now. Not sure what caused that. He did ship out on Friday to start Basic. He said these barracks are a lot nicer. They have 8 men to a room and a shared bathroom and shower for the entire floor. They had a shower drill last night and he said that everyone got in line wearing shorts and towel and soap in hand. They have 30 seconds to take their shower. I did find out that basic graduation is march 19/20 and AIT graduation is May 6/7th. He thinks he'll get to call on Sunday so that'll be nice. To bad it's only for a minute or two. The address to send to is

PVT SCHUTZ,CHARLES
F TROOP 5/15 Cavalry 4th Plt.
3576 Wilson Rd
Fort Knox, KY 40121-5728


I will keep everyone updated as I hear things.

Nel

Jan 10/11 2009

Another letter today, but still no address to send to. This letter is from before he actually started Basic, while he was still in reception. It is actually dated before the previous letter, and sent before the previous letter but I didn't get it till today. He said in this one that he thought there might be a problem with some of his pay, but everything is OK with that in the next letter. He said that he did finally get some sleep on Saturday, but still can't sleep for more than 1/2 hour at a time. He got to clean the barracks on Sunday. You either clean or go to church. He said cleaning was OK though, because they put you at the front of the line for chow. He also said that there are 2 big commercial coffee pots in there full and they can't have any of it. "That's torture!" Today I also got some info about getting my ID card. Not sure exactly what to do so I'll maybe have to call his recruiting officer and ask some questions. Well, that's it for now. I'll keep everyone updated.
Nel

1/11/09-1/12/09

I got another letter in the mail from Chuck today. We said that they haven't been doing much. Sunday they sat around and talked all day. He has met a 39 year old cop from Idaho that is also a Cav. Scout so they have been talking quite a bit. Finally got his promotion and pay straightened out. He had to get more shots and a hearing test on Monday. He said on Tuesday the were going to be doing their PT test and just finishing everything up. As far as he knows he will be starting basic Friday. He had to do fire guard duty from 0300-0400 that night so he went to bed early. I will keep everyone updated as I hear things. Nel

First Letter

I got a letter in the mail today from Chuck. He didn't think that he would be able to send it yet, but obviously he did. He said that he arrived in Ky at 1045pm on Wednesday, then got on a bus for the ride to fort knox. When they got there they met some of their drill sgts and had a quick briefing, then ate and went to bed at 2am. They were woke up at 4am and started all the paperwork and medical and dental checkups. He got 4 shots and got blood drawn. He said that 5 guys passed out and one hit his head and had to get staples. That night they went to bed at 9pm. Woke up at 3am the next morning. He got his hair cut and finally got to go shopping Friday( this is the day that he called me). He said that they are getting yelled at a lot. They only have 8 minutes to eat their food and they are being screamed at the whole time. He said the food is good though and there is a big selection. He is having a hard time sleeping, said that he can only sleep a few minutes before waking up again. He ended the letter here because they were getting yelled at for some guys talking. I still don't have an address for him yet, but I will let everyone know as soon as I get one.
Nel

Chuck got to call today!

The phone call was a little late but it did come today. Chuck called at 10 this morning to tell me that he got there OK. It was hard to hear him because the phone didn't get very good reception. He got there late Wednesday night. He is stuck in reception till next Friday. Reception is where they wait till basic starts. They make sure all the paperwork is in order, and everything is ready to go. By the sounds of it this isn't very fun because all of you sit in the big building all day and night and can't do anything. Can't send letters, can't run. They did get to go to the base store today which Chuck said was good because they took his deodorant from him at the airport and he had been without it for 2 days. I'm guessing he got his haircut already, but he didn't say. I only got to talk to him for about 2 minutes before he had to go. He did say that he had written some letters already and would send them as soon as he could. So Basic starts next Friday and if all goes well I will get to see him 10 weeks after that. I will keep everyone updated as I hear things.

Nel

So, since I said that it would be a while till I heard from him , Chuck just called to try out his phone card. He said that has been sitting at O'Hare for about 8 hours and has another 3 hours till his plane leaves. He won't be in KY till later tonight, so hopefully he'll be able to call tomorrow and tell me he's there. That's it for now.

Left Today

So as everyone knows, Chuck headed out at 0430 this AM. I (Danielle) will be taking care of the blog and keeping everyone informed while he is gone. He had to go to do more routine testing today, before he could get on a plane for KY. He is supposed to be able to call and tell me when he gets there. Not sure if that will be tonight or tomorrow sometime. I will let everyone know when I here that he is there OK.