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Comment by Jenn (Proud AO Mom) on October 19, 2011 at 9:41pm

I GOT MINE TOO!!!!!!  He sounded really good - in fact I'm a little put out that he didn't sound like he missed me more.  He said that it's what he expected and not what he expected.  He says that he is hanging out with a bunch of cool guys - that they are the funniest guys he has ever met.  That PT hasn't been too bad as long as you do what they tell you.  The RDCs are cool but constantly yelling.  He said that his bed making has gotten better as has his clothes folding and that once he leaves boot camp he is never making a bed again. Medical went well, the shots weren't as bad as he expected and a couple of guys passed out while giving blood so they give them a hard time.  He mentioned that they were a mixed gender division too (thanks for clairfying dianne - I thought girls were in all divisions) and that if we see pictures of them on my "mom site" that we should let him know because they like the attention.  He said to write a lot - and that I need to send him stamps because he has misplaced his already (which it totally my son).  I am so happy to have his letter and that he is doing good so far.  And I'm of course going to break the N4M flag bearing streak - no flag carrying for my kid.  Oh well.  Gosh - rereading his letter did make it sound like he thought he was at camp - maybe he is the one that is doing all the talking!  Sorry guys!

Comment by ABH Mom (Tiffani) on October 19, 2011 at 9:37pm

Yeah I haven't warned my son yet, but I will, he will think that is the coolest thing though.  He did say (about 4 different times) that everyone should keep on writing, he can get letters every day and the more the better.  He kept signing his name, and saying I love you lots mom!  Very tough to read them but it helped that he was upbeat.  He did say (on the questionnaire) that he was so hungry he could eat the paper he was writing on.  LOL

Comment by Diana(PO3/IT3) on October 19, 2011 at 9:25pm

Wow.....sounds like all our kidlets are the flag-barer-stick-guidons for PIR!! How cool is that!! Did you warn them that a sea of huge grinned-red-scarfed-ribbon-smathered moms would also be front and center?? lol

Comment by diannep on October 19, 2011 at 9:18pm

integrated division=boys/girls.  They train together but have separate barracks (thank GOD).  The girls will be in barracks with girls from other divisions.  Guys in barracks with just their own division. Not all divisions are integrated....there are plenty of all-male divisions, but no all-female divisions....yet!

Comment by AZKmom on October 19, 2011 at 9:15pm

So happy to hear others are getting letters also!!  My son also mentioned lots of random RDC yelling.  And he also said he was a "stick", marching in the division front and carrying a flag; he added "well he will when they earn some"  lol

Comment by ABH Mom (Tiffani) on October 19, 2011 at 9:13pm

I GOT IT!!!  So excited.  He sounded very positive, he did say there is alot of drama in his division so they have to work out alot.  LOL.  He beat everyone in his division on the PFA, pretty excited and he has the position of guidon, guess my husband said that is the person holding the flag.  I sent him a couple questionnaires and he filled those out, pretty funny.  His best thing is eating three meals a day.  Haha.  His last letter was dated 10/14/11

Comment by Diana(PO3/IT3) on October 19, 2011 at 7:59pm

Oh..and the ironing, folding, etc seem to be her challenges - as I knew it would! lol She's not exactly my neatnik....and we are not ironers! ha! PT is 'easy'. I just hope all that neatness gets ingrained and comes home now and again!

Comment by Diana(PO3/IT3) on October 19, 2011 at 7:56pm

Well, what I think might work best, all the way around, is to head into the city after PIR - when they are fresh and excited and energized to be out and about - show off time! Friends said to go to the Drake Hotel for lunch and check out the holiday windows. T-Day could be icky rainy etc like it is now there. Maybe a more "homey" day - at least the dinner part, might be nice and an afternoon movie in Gurnie or Waukegan. Maybe we can eat noonish and be done with it all around 2:30/3. If curfew isn't until 10pm that particular day - getting out and about the rest of the afternoon is doable. I will suggest that to her and see how she feels. I still think the ordering of dinners and sharing seems really simple and easy to just commit to in case of any inhospitable weather that may crop up. I'd rather plan that then say dinner in the city and not comfortably drive there..... It will all boil down to what the kids want ultimately....

Comment by Jenn (Proud AO Mom) on October 19, 2011 at 7:48pm

YAY!!!!!  Diana!!!!!  I'm so happy for you.  That sounds like an awesome letter.  I'll be running for my mailbox when I get home.  It sounds like she has a bunch of responsibility already.  How fantastic!  Good to know about the mail - I don't think I've sent anything too bad - a few sheets with pictures on them and then one joke sheet with some lame jokes.  No worries if plans have to change for T-day.  We can still carry on - and maybe you can stop in for a little appetizer before you go out or a piece of pie when you get back.  All for the kids!

Comment by Diana(PO3/IT3) on October 19, 2011 at 7:41pm

GOT MY LETTER!!! She sounds great - VERY homesick but in good spirits. She is in one "compartment" with "80+ girls" and is the Head Petty Officer - which means the bathroom cleaning crew. SHE gets slammed if her crew doesn't do it right and so far, so good. No demerits! Whew! She is also, so far, a flag carrier - front and center :-) But, as she commented, that may change if 'she screws up'.  She did say they yelled and screamed fairly regularly but seemed to balance with 'some positive vibes' as well. The food is decent but misses home-cooking;  and she enjoyed a night march with the moon and fresh cool air - which also made her miss home and our hikes together a LOT. That part made me cry.....

She is looking forward to T-day dinner in Chicago, hoping she'll have liberty. Uh oh. I need her to clarify if she really means she wants to go in the city or is our growing plans of a 'family style' dinner at the Lodge going to be good for her. Having only, maybe, 2 days of liberty, she may want to get out and see the sights. We are both travel bugs that way. Egads. I'll pointedly ask her to choose what she wants to do now so plans can continue.....

Whew. I feel better having a real Aubrey-style letter verses a few quick notes on the form letter. And yes - she's been to 2 years of college and had a national park ranger job for nearly 2 years. The residual high school drama is far behind her. She's enjoying her experience so far and likes her peers. 

Watch out what we send....they 'ravage through the letters in front of the RDCs'..... I'm hoping the word searches and funny bits will be okay to add humor and take the edge off. I included a couple of extra copieis to share....

And now - LOCK IN THAT FLIGHT!

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