I dont have a lot of time to write tonight but I wanted to shoot you all a quick letter because this will be my last letter for about 3 days. We are getting up tomorrow morning (Wednesday the 29th) and will be going on a 7 mile ruck march to the shooting range. Apparently we will be doing so much shooting, we are just camping out on the range until Friday. The weather will be bad, so we will be sleeping in the rain... awesome! As soon as I get back I'll be sure to write a long letter for I will have a lot to say I'm sure.
Sammy sent me that binder with paper and lots of the clear plastic inserts, so everbodys letters are filed in this binder nicely to where I can go back and re-read them all with ease. It's perfect! I'm actually writing in it now. In other news, I got to talk on my cell phone last night. I got a chance to call my mom, dad, sister, Sammy, and I missed a call from Ana because my Drill Sergeant came in and said time was up, so I had to give the phone back. I also tried to call Daniel and Christina but I didn't get an answer. I felt 100% better after I spoke with my family. It was so good to hear their voices, it was very very refreshing and did me a lot of good. Thankyou guys- you made my day, week and possibly month.
ALso, they posted all of our PT scores tonight, and my score of 247 out of 300 landed me in the top 10 in my platoon. To be more exact, I'm #7 out of 56 soliders in my platoon. So thats something to be proud of right? Damn Right...LOL! This morning we woke up and did a long long fun three mile run in our platoon. We did the indian run most of the way, if you played football you know what this is. We got stopped numerous times and got smoked because some guys kept falling out of the run. I stayed strong the entire way however, and surprisingly I wasnt even breathiung hard when we were done. I'm even amazed at how good of shape I am in. I'm gonna pull so many chicks when I get out of here...but that wont be too much different than usual so...
Something funny-- we get to go to a concert on August 8th here on base. Out of all the crap bands in the world, we got stuck seeing Hinder..they are a crap band like creed, but whatever. I paid the $15 to go because it means I dont have to be here for one night. Also we get to eat pizza and drink soda and energy drinks. We will be smoked the next day I hear because the drill sergeants hate that we will be eating that shit but they cant stop us. Do I care though? Hell no! I'm going to eat pizza and drink soda until I throw up. I'm more than willing to pay for it physically later.
Lastly, we have been zeroing our weapons these past two days. We have been firing 5 shots and we have to hit a target the size of a quarter over 300 meters away. I'm a real Lee Harvey Oswald here. I mean I'm damn good. I cant wait to qualify with my weapon. I'd love to get expert.
Okay, I've got to go. I'll shoot out another letteer in a few days as soon as I get back from my camping trip. I love you all! Good night, sleep well!
-PFC Zaleuke
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
July 25, 2009
Today has been one of the most frustrating, boring days I've had in a while. The only good thing that happened to me today was taking my PT test. It was supposed to be the other day but was canceled due to the funeral that I had to attend. It was then supposed to be the next day (yesterday) but there werent enough drill sergeants to conduct the test. We started to think were were never going to take it, but we were in for a surprise when we woke up and found out we had to take it this morning. You could imagine how pissed off I was because there is honestly nothing inside of me that wants to run as fast as I can at 4:30 am. So I just did it, not that I really had a choice but you know.
For those of you who don't know, an Army PT test is made up of 3 events: pushups, situps, and a two mile run. We have to make a 50 in each category, and we have a two minute time limit. We have to do 35 push ups, 47 sit ups, and run the two mile run in 16:36. That is the bare minimum to pass an Army PT test in Basic training. What were my scores? I did 54 push ups, 59 sit ups, and my two mile run tim was: Get ready Dad... 13:00 minutes flat. My total PT score out of 300 was 247, and I'm damn satisfied with that for now. I know my Dad is shocked as hell too with my run time. That test score is something I am really proud of because I've worked hard to get where I am now physically. My goal is to get a 300 total score by the time I leave here. I am already to the point to where I can graduate right now with the score that i have and that feels good.
Other than that, all we did today was sit up in the bay in dead silence and pointed and aimed our weapons at absolutely nothing. Its all for a good reason though, we start shooting and zeroing our rifles this week. Iv'e learned how to properly fire my weapon from the prone position, kneeling position and standing position. We have also been taught how to properly kill a man to where it will ensure death. It reminded me of the movie Gangs of New York where Bill the Butcher was teaching Amsterdam how to proplerly kill someone with a knife, "This is a kill, this is a kill!" We learn some crazy shit here, and it is still surprising to hear about killing people and having classes on how to kill.
Infantry basic training is 100% different than regular BCT- hands down. It is so much more intense, mentally as well as physically. I don't mind it too much anymore though. Hearing about having to do an 8 mile ruck march isn't really a big deal to me anymore. 8 miles is beginning to be something we "warm-up" with. LOL.
Some of you including my father have asked some questions about things here, and I"ll try to answer them now. The kid from California who wanted to quit never did. I talked him out of it, and he is actually one of my closest friends here at BCT. He is overweight and he knows it but he is determined. We push each other, and we do almost everything as a pair. I'm very thankful to have someone here who shares my sense of humor around.
My dad asked about chow. Yes it is really called chose, not breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Just chow. Before chose, we will get in formation which is 4 lines of 13 people. We sling our weapons over our backs and merge into two lines. Nothign is done without a specific command either. We have "chow sling weapons", then we have "chow formation" in which we take one step back and two to the side which merges us from 4 lines into 2 lines. We will say, "One shot! One kill! Kill we will!" We then march to chow, and when we get to the enterance we stop. We say, "last two secure the door!" The two people at the end of the line will say, "Cover me while i move." and the platoon will call out, "We got you covered: 5,4,3,2,1, Lock it up 4th platoon. Lock it up, Freeze!" By that time the people from the end of the line hav run up to the front to secure the doors. We all will then say, "Drill Sergeant, permission to enter the D-Fac (dining facility) drill Sergeant!". He will then tell us to enter. We do not speak period other than to tell them what we want. We eat on plastic trays and get a good portion of food. We however cannot get seconds simply becuase there is not enough time. We sit with our feet together and we are dead quiet.
It takes roughly 25 minutes to feed an entire company consisting of 4 platoons. Thats pretty amazing actually. We get roughly 5 minutes to eat and then we have to get out. I always have enough time to eat, so I cant complain. LOL. When the last person in our platoon gets his food he has to say , "Last man from 4th platoon entering DFac!" We are required to all say in unison, "Shut the Fuck up and eat!" That is basically chow. It is a long process but well worth it when you are starving. I eat so much sometimes, I throw up when we get smoked. We all hate getting smoked after meal times, and that seems to be a favorite time by drill sergeants because they know its a good time to see someone puke, LOL.
Being in the army is like being on a more diciplined, more structured football team. The fundamentals are all basically the same. The exercises are practically similar, and even the persistance of formation is the same. Our quarterback who makes and puts people in "motion" is our platoon guide. If the platoon is heading in a wrong direction He can audible and change almost anything similar to how a quarterback would. The only thing the army stresses more is dicipline. If you shut up, listen, and do exactly what youre told, when you are told, you will be sucessful. This all feels just like high school football all over again, and I'm away at football camp. My ankles are still bad though just like in football. Its an ongoing joke around here with how mouch I fall during road marches. You see, we dont march on the road but on the sides of the roads where thousands of soldiers have walked previously. It is all pot holes and uneven surfaces. I'm used to keeping my head down when I'm walking but when we march, we usually start off marching in the darkand we have to look straight ahead. Im always stepping in pot holes and busting my ass LOL and protocall is when someone falls, the entire platoon has to shout, "man Down!" Ha Ha that seems t happen at least twice every road march. My drill sergeants are always like, "Are you kidding me Zaleuke!" Ha ha. I finally started telling the guys to stop because I didn't want the drill sergeants to think I was fainting because of the heat or some shit. "Put me next to a window cause this flower is whilting"- Bobby Hill
My life here gets repetitive and very stressful but you get used to it after awhile and it just becomes natural. I'm going to start getting weekly phone calls on Sundays, so Dad please keep your pone on you and ready all day. Tomorrow I'm going to church and we will be cleaning the bay all day and with my free time I'll work out on my own by probably running the stairs in my 40lb IBA Armored Vest. I want to improve and strengthen my legs so that road marches and running gets easier for me. That is about it for now. I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you ASAP from your letters. I love you all, keep writing!!! LOL
"Don't worry about me, I'm gonna make it alright
got my enemies crossed out in my sight
Take a bad situation, gonna make it right
In the shadows of darkness, I stand in the light"
-Tim Armstrong
Good night everyone. Sleep well.
-PFC Zaleuke
PS: We just had a speech about being deployed and they gave us some numbers. A few months from now, 2 of us will be dead. Six months from now, 10% will be dead (total of 230 of us). Its scary shit to think about, especially with trouble brewing in Korea. I'm nervous and a bit scared, but a part of me thinks they are just trying to scare us, but Idk.... Night.
For those of you who don't know, an Army PT test is made up of 3 events: pushups, situps, and a two mile run. We have to make a 50 in each category, and we have a two minute time limit. We have to do 35 push ups, 47 sit ups, and run the two mile run in 16:36. That is the bare minimum to pass an Army PT test in Basic training. What were my scores? I did 54 push ups, 59 sit ups, and my two mile run tim was: Get ready Dad... 13:00 minutes flat. My total PT score out of 300 was 247, and I'm damn satisfied with that for now. I know my Dad is shocked as hell too with my run time. That test score is something I am really proud of because I've worked hard to get where I am now physically. My goal is to get a 300 total score by the time I leave here. I am already to the point to where I can graduate right now with the score that i have and that feels good.
Other than that, all we did today was sit up in the bay in dead silence and pointed and aimed our weapons at absolutely nothing. Its all for a good reason though, we start shooting and zeroing our rifles this week. Iv'e learned how to properly fire my weapon from the prone position, kneeling position and standing position. We have also been taught how to properly kill a man to where it will ensure death. It reminded me of the movie Gangs of New York where Bill the Butcher was teaching Amsterdam how to proplerly kill someone with a knife, "This is a kill, this is a kill!" We learn some crazy shit here, and it is still surprising to hear about killing people and having classes on how to kill.
Infantry basic training is 100% different than regular BCT- hands down. It is so much more intense, mentally as well as physically. I don't mind it too much anymore though. Hearing about having to do an 8 mile ruck march isn't really a big deal to me anymore. 8 miles is beginning to be something we "warm-up" with. LOL.
Some of you including my father have asked some questions about things here, and I"ll try to answer them now. The kid from California who wanted to quit never did. I talked him out of it, and he is actually one of my closest friends here at BCT. He is overweight and he knows it but he is determined. We push each other, and we do almost everything as a pair. I'm very thankful to have someone here who shares my sense of humor around.
My dad asked about chow. Yes it is really called chose, not breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Just chow. Before chose, we will get in formation which is 4 lines of 13 people. We sling our weapons over our backs and merge into two lines. Nothign is done without a specific command either. We have "chow sling weapons", then we have "chow formation" in which we take one step back and two to the side which merges us from 4 lines into 2 lines. We will say, "One shot! One kill! Kill we will!" We then march to chow, and when we get to the enterance we stop. We say, "last two secure the door!" The two people at the end of the line will say, "Cover me while i move." and the platoon will call out, "We got you covered: 5,4,3,2,1, Lock it up 4th platoon. Lock it up, Freeze!" By that time the people from the end of the line hav run up to the front to secure the doors. We all will then say, "Drill Sergeant, permission to enter the D-Fac (dining facility) drill Sergeant!". He will then tell us to enter. We do not speak period other than to tell them what we want. We eat on plastic trays and get a good portion of food. We however cannot get seconds simply becuase there is not enough time. We sit with our feet together and we are dead quiet.
It takes roughly 25 minutes to feed an entire company consisting of 4 platoons. Thats pretty amazing actually. We get roughly 5 minutes to eat and then we have to get out. I always have enough time to eat, so I cant complain. LOL. When the last person in our platoon gets his food he has to say , "Last man from 4th platoon entering DFac!" We are required to all say in unison, "Shut the Fuck up and eat!" That is basically chow. It is a long process but well worth it when you are starving. I eat so much sometimes, I throw up when we get smoked. We all hate getting smoked after meal times, and that seems to be a favorite time by drill sergeants because they know its a good time to see someone puke, LOL.
Being in the army is like being on a more diciplined, more structured football team. The fundamentals are all basically the same. The exercises are practically similar, and even the persistance of formation is the same. Our quarterback who makes and puts people in "motion" is our platoon guide. If the platoon is heading in a wrong direction He can audible and change almost anything similar to how a quarterback would. The only thing the army stresses more is dicipline. If you shut up, listen, and do exactly what youre told, when you are told, you will be sucessful. This all feels just like high school football all over again, and I'm away at football camp. My ankles are still bad though just like in football. Its an ongoing joke around here with how mouch I fall during road marches. You see, we dont march on the road but on the sides of the roads where thousands of soldiers have walked previously. It is all pot holes and uneven surfaces. I'm used to keeping my head down when I'm walking but when we march, we usually start off marching in the darkand we have to look straight ahead. Im always stepping in pot holes and busting my ass LOL and protocall is when someone falls, the entire platoon has to shout, "man Down!" Ha Ha that seems t happen at least twice every road march. My drill sergeants are always like, "Are you kidding me Zaleuke!" Ha ha. I finally started telling the guys to stop because I didn't want the drill sergeants to think I was fainting because of the heat or some shit. "Put me next to a window cause this flower is whilting"- Bobby Hill
My life here gets repetitive and very stressful but you get used to it after awhile and it just becomes natural. I'm going to start getting weekly phone calls on Sundays, so Dad please keep your pone on you and ready all day. Tomorrow I'm going to church and we will be cleaning the bay all day and with my free time I'll work out on my own by probably running the stairs in my 40lb IBA Armored Vest. I want to improve and strengthen my legs so that road marches and running gets easier for me. That is about it for now. I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you ASAP from your letters. I love you all, keep writing!!! LOL
"Don't worry about me, I'm gonna make it alright
got my enemies crossed out in my sight
Take a bad situation, gonna make it right
In the shadows of darkness, I stand in the light"
-Tim Armstrong
Good night everyone. Sleep well.
-PFC Zaleuke
PS: We just had a speech about being deployed and they gave us some numbers. A few months from now, 2 of us will be dead. Six months from now, 10% will be dead (total of 230 of us). Its scary shit to think about, especially with trouble brewing in Korea. I'm nervous and a bit scared, but a part of me thinks they are just trying to scare us, but Idk.... Night.
Monday, July 27, 2009
July 23, 2009
White phase is today and it is awesome. We get more freedom to do things on your own and it feels good! Let me start at the beginning:
My funeral, LOL. Well I went and at the last minute, a real bugle player pulled up in a maroon mini van and I was automatically replaced. Yes. I was fired from being a fake bugle player to where my only task was to pretend to play and press a button labled, "Play". SO iaHad to sit in the bus which was parked about a block away by myself for two hours while everyone else got to attend the funeral...FML. I just eneded up writing a letter to Daniel and taking a nap, and that was pretty relaxing becuase the bus was air conditioned.
The funeral was off base, so we got to see some of the civilian world for a change. we drove by a Taco Bell and my mouth watered just thinking about a Grande Soft Taco. After that we came back and took a written test that covered all of the shit we have learned so far, and it was pretty easy. We got officially transitioned into white phase which concluded with us being allowed to purchase a powerade and a power bar. Big deal, right? No, it was a big deal for us. We got to drink liquid that was actually not room temperature and eat something sweet. We laughed at how much we take the little things for granted, but it was nice. We are just bullshitting around now because our Drill Sergeants go home at night now. I did not get chosen for PlatoonGuide today however, but that is a good thing in my mind. they will be in for a world of shit when someone messes up. Once one gets fired I'm sure I'll be taking over soon.
I got four letters tonight: One from my lovely sister, one from my Aunt Debbie and two from Sammy which included some cool pictures which I appreciated. I'm sorry this letter is so short but I'm about to go take a shower and get to bed. I have my PT test tomorrow, a two mile ruck march, and we get to go to the firing range to zero in our weawpons. So we have a busy day, and I want to get some sleep. Thanks for all of the letters again. There isn't a day that goes by that I dont get a piece of mail. On average I get at least 5 and up to 11 on a good day, so thank you and keep them coming! Night everyone.
-PFC Zaleuke
My funeral, LOL. Well I went and at the last minute, a real bugle player pulled up in a maroon mini van and I was automatically replaced. Yes. I was fired from being a fake bugle player to where my only task was to pretend to play and press a button labled, "Play". SO iaHad to sit in the bus which was parked about a block away by myself for two hours while everyone else got to attend the funeral...FML. I just eneded up writing a letter to Daniel and taking a nap, and that was pretty relaxing becuase the bus was air conditioned.
The funeral was off base, so we got to see some of the civilian world for a change. we drove by a Taco Bell and my mouth watered just thinking about a Grande Soft Taco. After that we came back and took a written test that covered all of the shit we have learned so far, and it was pretty easy. We got officially transitioned into white phase which concluded with us being allowed to purchase a powerade and a power bar. Big deal, right? No, it was a big deal for us. We got to drink liquid that was actually not room temperature and eat something sweet. We laughed at how much we take the little things for granted, but it was nice. We are just bullshitting around now because our Drill Sergeants go home at night now. I did not get chosen for PlatoonGuide today however, but that is a good thing in my mind. they will be in for a world of shit when someone messes up. Once one gets fired I'm sure I'll be taking over soon.
I got four letters tonight: One from my lovely sister, one from my Aunt Debbie and two from Sammy which included some cool pictures which I appreciated. I'm sorry this letter is so short but I'm about to go take a shower and get to bed. I have my PT test tomorrow, a two mile ruck march, and we get to go to the firing range to zero in our weawpons. So we have a busy day, and I want to get some sleep. Thanks for all of the letters again. There isn't a day that goes by that I dont get a piece of mail. On average I get at least 5 and up to 11 on a good day, so thank you and keep them coming! Night everyone.
-PFC Zaleuke
July 22, 2009
I am in a fantastic mood tonight. Why you ask? Well let's start with one of the many things. first off, the most exciting thing has to be that tomorrow starts our first day of White Phase. We are so relieved to be out of Red phase. Three weeks down, six more to go (for BCT). After I will have 4 to 5 weeks of AIT but one thing at a time (Right Dad?) Lol.
What will white phase bring for me? Well, one of the most important things is that we will have more personal time which means I will have more time to write all of you. Like I said before, personal letters to each of you will be coming very soon (you especially Daniel. I can't thank you enough for your daily letters and you aren't even family.) We will be treated less like shit and more like soldiers to a certain degree, but I'm not counting on it too much.
We will begin firing our M4 rifles and qualifying with them. Today we got to ropel off of "eagle tower" which is a 4 story structure, and it was cool as hell. I felt like a SWAT team member or something. Second source of good news: I got 8 letters tonight fo rmail call. Two from my Dad which were awesome, one from my Mom which included a cool poem about the Lord, one from my Aunt Mary, three from Daniel and one from my Poppo and Granny. Even though we werent allowed to have magazines, my Drill sergeant allowed me to keep the Readers Digest she sent me (thanks for the stamps too!).
Now for some good news that will make some of you proud. I've heard through the grape vine that I will be made a platoon guide and that will happen this upcoming week. There are 56 people in my platooon, and apparently I'm the one they feel can do the job. I think its because I'm quiet, I do what I'm told, and I work my ass off. The drill sergeats like me too. drill Sergeat "K" makes me keep an MRE box on top of my locker with a frog in it. He make sme name them, shower with them, and catch bugs for them. Its a real pain in the ass.
More good news! Someone died! Ha-Ha! No, it wasn't someone in my platoon, in fact it was an old man. Remember when I told you I had gotten selected for Funeral Duty? Well out of the 200 or so people we have in our company, only a handful of guys were selected for this task. At first I thought it was like jury duty, meaning it was crappy and something people hated. Apparently it is a pretty big honor to be doing this, and it looks good on my military resume.
What do we do? Well there are 16 of us. Seven will carry the casket as Paul Bearers, seven will be the firing squad, one will be on stand by and another one will play the Bugle. Guess that I got chosen to do? Yep...the F-ing Bugle, or as I call it, "The horn". It has a small device that fits inside of the bugle that plays the song, so Im not even playing, better I'm pretending to play. I had my drill Sergeant on the floor laughing so hard today. I told him, "Wow would my father be proud of me right now. Those guys are carrying a body, those other ones are shooting M4 rifles, and his son is standing off to the side pretending to play a Fucking Horn..." LOL!
Anyways, we get to wear our Class A uniforms which look amazing, we got excused from having to take our first PT test (They didn't want us to be too tired and drop the coffin.) LOL, well I have to go now. Lights out. Night Guys!
-PFC Zaleuke
What will white phase bring for me? Well, one of the most important things is that we will have more personal time which means I will have more time to write all of you. Like I said before, personal letters to each of you will be coming very soon (you especially Daniel. I can't thank you enough for your daily letters and you aren't even family.) We will be treated less like shit and more like soldiers to a certain degree, but I'm not counting on it too much.
We will begin firing our M4 rifles and qualifying with them. Today we got to ropel off of "eagle tower" which is a 4 story structure, and it was cool as hell. I felt like a SWAT team member or something. Second source of good news: I got 8 letters tonight fo rmail call. Two from my Dad which were awesome, one from my Mom which included a cool poem about the Lord, one from my Aunt Mary, three from Daniel and one from my Poppo and Granny. Even though we werent allowed to have magazines, my Drill sergeant allowed me to keep the Readers Digest she sent me (thanks for the stamps too!).
Now for some good news that will make some of you proud. I've heard through the grape vine that I will be made a platoon guide and that will happen this upcoming week. There are 56 people in my platooon, and apparently I'm the one they feel can do the job. I think its because I'm quiet, I do what I'm told, and I work my ass off. The drill sergeats like me too. drill Sergeat "K" makes me keep an MRE box on top of my locker with a frog in it. He make sme name them, shower with them, and catch bugs for them. Its a real pain in the ass.
More good news! Someone died! Ha-Ha! No, it wasn't someone in my platoon, in fact it was an old man. Remember when I told you I had gotten selected for Funeral Duty? Well out of the 200 or so people we have in our company, only a handful of guys were selected for this task. At first I thought it was like jury duty, meaning it was crappy and something people hated. Apparently it is a pretty big honor to be doing this, and it looks good on my military resume.
What do we do? Well there are 16 of us. Seven will carry the casket as Paul Bearers, seven will be the firing squad, one will be on stand by and another one will play the Bugle. Guess that I got chosen to do? Yep...the F-ing Bugle, or as I call it, "The horn". It has a small device that fits inside of the bugle that plays the song, so Im not even playing, better I'm pretending to play. I had my drill Sergeant on the floor laughing so hard today. I told him, "Wow would my father be proud of me right now. Those guys are carrying a body, those other ones are shooting M4 rifles, and his son is standing off to the side pretending to play a Fucking Horn..." LOL!
Anyways, we get to wear our Class A uniforms which look amazing, we got excused from having to take our first PT test (They didn't want us to be too tired and drop the coffin.) LOL, well I have to go now. Lights out. Night Guys!
-PFC Zaleuke
Thursday, July 23, 2009
July 20, 2009
Ha Ha, So my last letter I wrote, well I got caught writing it, and I got the platoon smoked for about 30 seconds. I was so scared but it wasn't bad. I got 8 letters tonight: One form dad which had great pictures of him and Raleigh, two from Daniel, one from Ana, one from Donnie, one from Mary, and one from my sister and grandma. I loved the letters tonight, they made me laugh a lot, especially about Daniel's bike getting dented....again. Also we got laughing so hard here because even still, I am getting letters about Billy Mays. The guys here are starting to think I'm obsessed with the guy...(I am).
I'm in a great mood tonight. I love that my best friend Daniel writes me constantly, and that everyone keeps writing. People make fun of me because on average, I get anywhere from 6-9 letters each night. Tonight we got some personal time so I'm getting to write a little. They really limit my time to write so I'm constantly finding ways to write.
So, whats new with me? Well today is Monday, and we have 4 days left of red phase potentially, if everyone passes their test. We have to have half of the platoon pass a written test or else we stay in red phase. Our PT test is on Thursday now, not today, so I'm waiting on that. Today we had a crazy 4 mile ruck march that killed me. I got two crazy blisters on my heels that kill me when I walk. I have mole skin on them now so that will help, hopefully. We marched to a land navigation course today. We teamed up on groups of 4 and they gave us a compass and a shitty map and had us find way points in the middle of no where. I had a blast because for once we were on our own and could be ourselves. I felt like Bear Gryills, only better looking and more able to pronounce words like vitamin's, correctly. We got horribly lost for a while, but my keen senses got us out of trouble. We got a bus ride back to base instead of marching back, and thank God for that.
Tomorrow at 2:30 am, we are getting bussed back our to another remote location to do a more difficult one in the dark, only with one flash light, a protractor, and a map. We are all real excited for it too. We saw a deer out in the woods today, and I felt pretty bad ass to be out in the woods wearing full camo, armed with a M4 rifle and being able to sneak up on a deer.
Lights are out right now, and I'm sitting on the toilet acting like I am taking a deuce, just so I can write this letter .LOL
On a more personal note, this is for some of the people who have written me: Daniel, I'm really excited for you, just know what it sucks real bad HaHa! Let me know how it goes. Ana, I'm jealous that you're in Cal: and I'm stuck in Georgia. I miss you and think about you all the time. Nik and Ashley thanks for writing me, it made me smile to. See that you took the time to do so. Mom, I miss you too, keep writing me and know that I love you very much. Donnie, thanks as well. I loved your letter so much, I laughed throughout the entire thing. Please shoot me another one when you can. Dad, I like your letters especially, and I'm glad that you share the letters I write with your football team. It's kind of cool. I also love that you are wearing my Zoo York hat, now. I think you look good with it on . It's yours now, wear it out. To everyone: I hope you understand that I can't write you all personally, just yet. My time is so limited as it is, but I do get your letters and I do read them. I don't want any of you to stop writing them for any reason. When we get to white phase we will get more personal time. So you all will be getting some personal letters from me as well, as a continuation of this blog.
Okay, well I have to get off the toilet now because the seat is really starting to hurt my ass. I also have fireguard duty in like 30 mins, and I need to shower too. ( I haven't had to chance in over two days..gross huh?) I have to wake up around 2 am as well, so I'm going to call it a night , and it's been a damn good one too, thanks to all of you. I love you all, I'll write again ASAP!
PFC Zaleuke
I'm in a great mood tonight. I love that my best friend Daniel writes me constantly, and that everyone keeps writing. People make fun of me because on average, I get anywhere from 6-9 letters each night. Tonight we got some personal time so I'm getting to write a little. They really limit my time to write so I'm constantly finding ways to write.
So, whats new with me? Well today is Monday, and we have 4 days left of red phase potentially, if everyone passes their test. We have to have half of the platoon pass a written test or else we stay in red phase. Our PT test is on Thursday now, not today, so I'm waiting on that. Today we had a crazy 4 mile ruck march that killed me. I got two crazy blisters on my heels that kill me when I walk. I have mole skin on them now so that will help, hopefully. We marched to a land navigation course today. We teamed up on groups of 4 and they gave us a compass and a shitty map and had us find way points in the middle of no where. I had a blast because for once we were on our own and could be ourselves. I felt like Bear Gryills, only better looking and more able to pronounce words like vitamin's, correctly. We got horribly lost for a while, but my keen senses got us out of trouble. We got a bus ride back to base instead of marching back, and thank God for that.
Tomorrow at 2:30 am, we are getting bussed back our to another remote location to do a more difficult one in the dark, only with one flash light, a protractor, and a map. We are all real excited for it too. We saw a deer out in the woods today, and I felt pretty bad ass to be out in the woods wearing full camo, armed with a M4 rifle and being able to sneak up on a deer.
Lights are out right now, and I'm sitting on the toilet acting like I am taking a deuce, just so I can write this letter .LOL
On a more personal note, this is for some of the people who have written me: Daniel, I'm really excited for you, just know what it sucks real bad HaHa! Let me know how it goes. Ana, I'm jealous that you're in Cal: and I'm stuck in Georgia. I miss you and think about you all the time. Nik and Ashley thanks for writing me, it made me smile to. See that you took the time to do so. Mom, I miss you too, keep writing me and know that I love you very much. Donnie, thanks as well. I loved your letter so much, I laughed throughout the entire thing. Please shoot me another one when you can. Dad, I like your letters especially, and I'm glad that you share the letters I write with your football team. It's kind of cool. I also love that you are wearing my Zoo York hat, now. I think you look good with it on . It's yours now, wear it out. To everyone: I hope you understand that I can't write you all personally, just yet. My time is so limited as it is, but I do get your letters and I do read them. I don't want any of you to stop writing them for any reason. When we get to white phase we will get more personal time. So you all will be getting some personal letters from me as well, as a continuation of this blog.
Okay, well I have to get off the toilet now because the seat is really starting to hurt my ass. I also have fireguard duty in like 30 mins, and I need to shower too. ( I haven't had to chance in over two days..gross huh?) I have to wake up around 2 am as well, so I'm going to call it a night , and it's been a damn good one too, thanks to all of you. I love you all, I'll write again ASAP!
PFC Zaleuke
July 18, 2009
These past few days have been awful. We have been getting smoked around the clock it seems. We have been getting in trouble for the smallest things. As a result for one of our mistakes, we have to take apart all 56 beds every morning and put them back together each night. We go to bed an hour later than we are supposed to , and we don't have time to shower some nights. Last night we had 10 mins for all 56 people to make their beds and showers. 56 people... We obviously failed and as a result we had to have 12 people awake on fire guard, instead of the usual two people. My shift last night was two and a half hours, and I was so tired from our march (which I did pretty well on).
I wanted to tell my family something that will make them smile. I developed some insane blisters on my heels during the march, and it was so damn hot. I felt like I was going to pass out and fall out of the March. I started to think of my grandmother, and I asked her some help to get me though the march. I felt a boost of energy and I felt good again. I looked up to say, thank you and I saw clouds that formed almost a perfect Smiley face. There were almost no clouds in the sky either. My grandma is looking out for me, I can feel it in my bones.
I've been getting every ones letters, and they are so much fun to read. Daniel's letters have been good ones to read particularly. Sammy, in your note you mentioned that you will send me anything I needed. There is one thing I want. I would like a 2 inch binder with lots of those clear sheets inside of it. I'd like to have tabs too. I want to start putting every one's letters inside of it so I can read them whenever I want, and they will be organized too. This is just for Sammy. I don't want everyone to send me like 12 binders. lol. (Thanks in advance Sammy) be careful not to send any food or questionable items either. My mom and dads letters have been great items to read, as well as my sisters. Craig sent me an awesome letter too, thanks Craig! My Aunt Mary sent me a sweet card, and Ana sent me a letter that made me jealous. She went to go see Rancid the other night. Please keep sending these letters people, they are great!!
We are hoping that red phase will be over this week. We have a test over all of the things we have learned so far, as well as our first PT test tomorrow morning. I feel good about it , and I hope I will do as well as I know I can do.
I told you all about our class A uniforms in my last letter, but they are really nice. I look like Elvis from the movie GI Blues, ha ha! I don't know how much more I can handle red phase. It's worsened lately and I'm hanging on, but barely. My dad sent me a quote in his last letter that I've been keeping in my head. "When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on! I'm trying Dad, I'm trying. I'd feel a lot better if I just had some personal time. I just want to write these letters, but they never let us some nights, and it gets frustrating. Writing these letters is a way for me to clear my head, and it makes me feel like I'm normal for once. Oh well, hopefully I'll have more time soon.
I went to church today which was nice. I like getting away from here to clear my head every once in a while. I feel like it along with getting mail recharges my batteries and prepares me for, yet another week of BCT. I'm looking into getting baptised possibly here in the next tow weeks when they do it again. I miss my family and any sense of normalcy my life once had. When I get out of here I plan on sleeping a lot, eating unhealthy foods, getting drunk a few times. ( No more Dip. I promised my dad and I've gone for weeks almost,) and just relaxing some. I can't wait to see my dad in six weeks, my sister and niece will be coming as well. It will be nice, I think I get a full 36 hours leave. I'm gonna head out for now, not much else is going on. It's a Sunday, so we are laying low for now. Someone lost their boots, and we have two hours to find them before the shit hits the fan.LOL...FML!
PFC Zaleuke
I wanted to tell my family something that will make them smile. I developed some insane blisters on my heels during the march, and it was so damn hot. I felt like I was going to pass out and fall out of the March. I started to think of my grandmother, and I asked her some help to get me though the march. I felt a boost of energy and I felt good again. I looked up to say, thank you and I saw clouds that formed almost a perfect Smiley face. There were almost no clouds in the sky either. My grandma is looking out for me, I can feel it in my bones.
I've been getting every ones letters, and they are so much fun to read. Daniel's letters have been good ones to read particularly. Sammy, in your note you mentioned that you will send me anything I needed. There is one thing I want. I would like a 2 inch binder with lots of those clear sheets inside of it. I'd like to have tabs too. I want to start putting every one's letters inside of it so I can read them whenever I want, and they will be organized too. This is just for Sammy. I don't want everyone to send me like 12 binders. lol. (Thanks in advance Sammy) be careful not to send any food or questionable items either. My mom and dads letters have been great items to read, as well as my sisters. Craig sent me an awesome letter too, thanks Craig! My Aunt Mary sent me a sweet card, and Ana sent me a letter that made me jealous. She went to go see Rancid the other night. Please keep sending these letters people, they are great!!
We are hoping that red phase will be over this week. We have a test over all of the things we have learned so far, as well as our first PT test tomorrow morning. I feel good about it , and I hope I will do as well as I know I can do.
I told you all about our class A uniforms in my last letter, but they are really nice. I look like Elvis from the movie GI Blues, ha ha! I don't know how much more I can handle red phase. It's worsened lately and I'm hanging on, but barely. My dad sent me a quote in his last letter that I've been keeping in my head. "When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on! I'm trying Dad, I'm trying. I'd feel a lot better if I just had some personal time. I just want to write these letters, but they never let us some nights, and it gets frustrating. Writing these letters is a way for me to clear my head, and it makes me feel like I'm normal for once. Oh well, hopefully I'll have more time soon.
I went to church today which was nice. I like getting away from here to clear my head every once in a while. I feel like it along with getting mail recharges my batteries and prepares me for, yet another week of BCT. I'm looking into getting baptised possibly here in the next tow weeks when they do it again. I miss my family and any sense of normalcy my life once had. When I get out of here I plan on sleeping a lot, eating unhealthy foods, getting drunk a few times. ( No more Dip. I promised my dad and I've gone for weeks almost,) and just relaxing some. I can't wait to see my dad in six weeks, my sister and niece will be coming as well. It will be nice, I think I get a full 36 hours leave. I'm gonna head out for now, not much else is going on. It's a Sunday, so we are laying low for now. Someone lost their boots, and we have two hours to find them before the shit hits the fan.LOL...FML!
PFC Zaleuke
Monday, July 20, 2009
July 17, 2009
It has been a few days since I've written and I'm sorry, but some days we have almost zero time to ourselves. For example, some nights I have to sneak the letters you all send me to the toilet and read them because they give us almost no time to do anything that involves personal issues.
It's almost 4:30 am right now, and we all just woke up. I got ready real fast so I would have time to write this letter.
I want to start off with saying that I have gotten all of your letters. In fact, last night I received seven at once. Ha Ha! People here are always like, "How do you get so much?" But I received a letter from my father which included a sweet article on Billy Mays death, and letters from my mother, step mother, two from my sister, one from my best friend Daniel (He is very small), and also one from and old family friend, Craig. Thank you all for your letters, seriously. I laugh, cry, smile and frown at them, but they are real, and it's the only real thing I have in my life at the moment. So they are keeping me sane. Dad, you never let me down. Mom your letters are very calming when I need to take a break. Kristin, yours make me smile thinking about my niece and the shenanigan's she is getting herself into. To my friends, your letters make me feel important and loved. Your letters are also very important to me .
*Side note: As I am sitting here, a tiny mouse darted by me and ran over my foot. I screamed like a pussy, but shit! When your not expecting things like that to happen you can overlook the girly reaction...right? This is a great start to my day, let me tell you.
Now, to what has been happening. The last few days have been very repetitive and quite boring at times, but it has also had its fun parts. We just finished up medical training, and I administered my first IV to a battle buddy of mine, which I dominated in. We also have been doing combative (ground fighting) in the afternoon. It is so hot out when we are out here in our ACU's, but I'm learning things for real. We've been taught simple take downs and choke holds, as well as arm bars. We started sparing with each other, and that is a lot of fun; I did pretty well, We will do more of that today along with map reading and land navigation in the afternoon. Yesterday we got smoked pretty bad by the company drill sergeant. He made us low crawl across the entire PT field (size of football field). Which is made of playground sand. The sand was SO hot, that it burned skin off my elbows and knees through my ACU's. We had sand everywhere too. In my pants, shirt, shoes, ears, hair, etc, . It sucked but for some reason I would stop and start to laugh to myself and say, "FML". Oh well I guess. We are getting threatened a lot to not graduate, or to get re-started back to week on for stupid shit. I just want to say, if for any reason that were to happen to me, I'm out. I don't think I could start over and endure the same shit all over again. Once is enough for me, but it won't happen (Don't worry Dad).
I did my laundry last night, so I have clean clothes for now which is nice! Also, side note: The hand grip to my M4 Rifle says, "Knights Armament Vero Beach, FL". It is only on my weapon too, and it is always helps out when I look at it. It's like my hometown is always with me, and it gives me some peace of mind.
Alright, well I have got to go. We have PT in a few minutes, so I need to get down stairs. I love you all, and remember to keep sending me letters in the mail! I don't care what they are about, but it's like Christmas every time I get one. LOL
PFC Zaleuke
P.S. I have like 15 mins to write this. It is 10:00 pm and July 17th. I wrote the letter above at 4:30 am this morning. Alot has happened today. I got chosen for something called "Funeral Duty". Me and 20 other guys. We got our class "A" uniforms today, and I look Good as Hell! So if someone dies, we go. (They even gave me a bad ass black trench coat.) Also: Today we had a bad bad day. We got smoked All day. Had to carry 400 lb logs around the PT track for a mile in teams of 5. We had to disassemble our beds and set them up, downstairs in a one hour time limit, then bring them back up two stories and reassemble them. Sucked. I did it it all with a smile on my face because.... Well, why not?
Also, Drill Sergeant "K" caught a frog today. put it in a box and then gave it to me. I now have take this damn frog with me everywhere I go. F-that! LOL. I have to feed it and shower with it too.
More good news: Drill Sergeant "K" took me and 3 other guys outside today and told us more than likely we will be team leaders like Platoon guides and stuff. Cool huh? He said we work harder than anyone, lastly we have a 5 am four mile march tomorrow morning. It's going to suck. Okay, I have to go now. They are mad at us, so If I don't sent a letter for a few days don't be alarmed. I also got 9 letters today. From: my dad, mom, Aunt Mary, Sammy, Daniel, Ana and a few others. I will write back soon guys! Love you all. Pray for me!
Mike
It's almost 4:30 am right now, and we all just woke up. I got ready real fast so I would have time to write this letter.
I want to start off with saying that I have gotten all of your letters. In fact, last night I received seven at once. Ha Ha! People here are always like, "How do you get so much?" But I received a letter from my father which included a sweet article on Billy Mays death, and letters from my mother, step mother, two from my sister, one from my best friend Daniel (He is very small), and also one from and old family friend, Craig. Thank you all for your letters, seriously. I laugh, cry, smile and frown at them, but they are real, and it's the only real thing I have in my life at the moment. So they are keeping me sane. Dad, you never let me down. Mom your letters are very calming when I need to take a break. Kristin, yours make me smile thinking about my niece and the shenanigan's she is getting herself into. To my friends, your letters make me feel important and loved. Your letters are also very important to me .
*Side note: As I am sitting here, a tiny mouse darted by me and ran over my foot. I screamed like a pussy, but shit! When your not expecting things like that to happen you can overlook the girly reaction...right? This is a great start to my day, let me tell you.
Now, to what has been happening. The last few days have been very repetitive and quite boring at times, but it has also had its fun parts. We just finished up medical training, and I administered my first IV to a battle buddy of mine, which I dominated in. We also have been doing combative (ground fighting) in the afternoon. It is so hot out when we are out here in our ACU's, but I'm learning things for real. We've been taught simple take downs and choke holds, as well as arm bars. We started sparing with each other, and that is a lot of fun; I did pretty well, We will do more of that today along with map reading and land navigation in the afternoon. Yesterday we got smoked pretty bad by the company drill sergeant. He made us low crawl across the entire PT field (size of football field). Which is made of playground sand. The sand was SO hot, that it burned skin off my elbows and knees through my ACU's. We had sand everywhere too. In my pants, shirt, shoes, ears, hair, etc, . It sucked but for some reason I would stop and start to laugh to myself and say, "FML". Oh well I guess. We are getting threatened a lot to not graduate, or to get re-started back to week on for stupid shit. I just want to say, if for any reason that were to happen to me, I'm out. I don't think I could start over and endure the same shit all over again. Once is enough for me, but it won't happen (Don't worry Dad).
I did my laundry last night, so I have clean clothes for now which is nice! Also, side note: The hand grip to my M4 Rifle says, "Knights Armament Vero Beach, FL". It is only on my weapon too, and it is always helps out when I look at it. It's like my hometown is always with me, and it gives me some peace of mind.
Alright, well I have got to go. We have PT in a few minutes, so I need to get down stairs. I love you all, and remember to keep sending me letters in the mail! I don't care what they are about, but it's like Christmas every time I get one. LOL
PFC Zaleuke
P.S. I have like 15 mins to write this. It is 10:00 pm and July 17th. I wrote the letter above at 4:30 am this morning. Alot has happened today. I got chosen for something called "Funeral Duty". Me and 20 other guys. We got our class "A" uniforms today, and I look Good as Hell! So if someone dies, we go. (They even gave me a bad ass black trench coat.) Also: Today we had a bad bad day. We got smoked All day. Had to carry 400 lb logs around the PT track for a mile in teams of 5. We had to disassemble our beds and set them up, downstairs in a one hour time limit, then bring them back up two stories and reassemble them. Sucked. I did it it all with a smile on my face because.... Well, why not?
Also, Drill Sergeant "K" caught a frog today. put it in a box and then gave it to me. I now have take this damn frog with me everywhere I go. F-that! LOL. I have to feed it and shower with it too.
More good news: Drill Sergeant "K" took me and 3 other guys outside today and told us more than likely we will be team leaders like Platoon guides and stuff. Cool huh? He said we work harder than anyone, lastly we have a 5 am four mile march tomorrow morning. It's going to suck. Okay, I have to go now. They are mad at us, so If I don't sent a letter for a few days don't be alarmed. I also got 9 letters today. From: my dad, mom, Aunt Mary, Sammy, Daniel, Ana and a few others. I will write back soon guys! Love you all. Pray for me!
Mike
Friday, July 17, 2009
July 14, 2009
So, I keep reading your letters over and over again. I must have read them all five times today. About 30 mins ago, I got a letter in the mail from my niece Kelsey. Her picture is currently hanging on the inside of my locker, along with the "My little Pony" picture she colored for me. Just to remind everyone, I am getting mail now, so PLEASE send me something! I love getting stuff in the mail, it makes me so happy.
Today was boring and miserable. PT wasn't very hard, but more so annoying. I swear this place has the best breakfast food, I've ever tasted. I eat so much, it gets to the point where we've gotten smoked immediately after breakfast, push ups, running, mountain climbs, and we work so hard I throw up. But I can't help it! My four favorite times of the day are, morning chow, afternoon chow, evening chow, and sleep. My new one is definitely mail time! ( I want a picture of my father for my locker).
I don't have much time to write tonight, so please excuse if it is short and messy. We've begun doing grand fighting which is okay I suppose. We did that for a few hours in the heat , in our ACU"s. I'm so tired of being sweaty 24/7. LOL
The highlight of my day was when drill Sergeant "" caught a huge frog and MADE me stand at parade rest while he put the frog in my cargo pocket of my ACU's. He knows I'm terrified of them and he is trying to fix that problem... Asshole. I can't tell you how bad that was for me. I'd rather spend 20 minutes in the gas chamber than to have that damn frog in my pocket.
Despite that incident, I think he likes me. i think all of the drill sergeants like me because I never get yelled at. They joke around with me constantly and like that I never give up physically on anything they ask us to do.
Today we learned how to take care of people/soldiers when they get all "Fuckered" up as my drill sergeant say. I'm starting to realize no that the media really slants the public view on what is going on overseas. This shit is real. I'm getting trained on how to kill and hold no mercy. How to take care of my buddy when he gets his legs blown off. It's exciting and both scary to think about. I'll be going overseas and there is a great chance I'll see some messed up shit and a damn good chance I'll have to kill someone; women and children too, I hear. It's brutal.
Tomorrow's events are unknown right now, but I'm guessing more grand fighting and maybe how to administer IV's on each other. Red Phase is closing in fast and should be over soon, hopefully. Fire guard is telling us it's time for lights out so I've gotta run. I love ya all, and again-write me letters!
PFC Zaleuke
Today was boring and miserable. PT wasn't very hard, but more so annoying. I swear this place has the best breakfast food, I've ever tasted. I eat so much, it gets to the point where we've gotten smoked immediately after breakfast, push ups, running, mountain climbs, and we work so hard I throw up. But I can't help it! My four favorite times of the day are, morning chow, afternoon chow, evening chow, and sleep. My new one is definitely mail time! ( I want a picture of my father for my locker).
I don't have much time to write tonight, so please excuse if it is short and messy. We've begun doing grand fighting which is okay I suppose. We did that for a few hours in the heat , in our ACU"s. I'm so tired of being sweaty 24/7. LOL
The highlight of my day was when drill Sergeant "" caught a huge frog and MADE me stand at parade rest while he put the frog in my cargo pocket of my ACU's. He knows I'm terrified of them and he is trying to fix that problem... Asshole. I can't tell you how bad that was for me. I'd rather spend 20 minutes in the gas chamber than to have that damn frog in my pocket.
Despite that incident, I think he likes me. i think all of the drill sergeants like me because I never get yelled at. They joke around with me constantly and like that I never give up physically on anything they ask us to do.
Today we learned how to take care of people/soldiers when they get all "Fuckered" up as my drill sergeant say. I'm starting to realize no that the media really slants the public view on what is going on overseas. This shit is real. I'm getting trained on how to kill and hold no mercy. How to take care of my buddy when he gets his legs blown off. It's exciting and both scary to think about. I'll be going overseas and there is a great chance I'll see some messed up shit and a damn good chance I'll have to kill someone; women and children too, I hear. It's brutal.
Tomorrow's events are unknown right now, but I'm guessing more grand fighting and maybe how to administer IV's on each other. Red Phase is closing in fast and should be over soon, hopefully. Fire guard is telling us it's time for lights out so I've gotta run. I love ya all, and again-write me letters!
PFC Zaleuke
Thursday, July 16, 2009
July 13, 2009
WOW! I can not tell you how incredibly happy I am at this very moment. I just received 6 letters in the mail. One from my dad, one from my mom, two from my sister , one from Nik, and one from Ashley. I can't tell yo the overwhelming feeling I got when I read them. I'm not embarrassed to admit that I cried tears of Joy. Tonight was the happiest I have been in ....forever. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you everyone. You gave me the fuel to keep going harder and stronger. I can't stop smiling right now! Please send more and don't stop sending me letters! They make me SO happy! I love how everyone except one person mentioned Billy Maye's, that made me laugh my butt off. Ashley, even went as far as to add a news article about him in her letter. Again -Thank you so much for writing me. Your letters brought me up , gave me strength and now I'm willing to get up tomorrow morning and work my ass off. Knowing everyone is behind me is very important and I appreciate it.
Kristin, thank you for the pictures of Kelsey. I've been showing them to everyone! I love pictures, so feel free to send them, everyone.
Today was rough . We had a crazy PT session and it beat the hell out of me. Remember my first PT test when I ran my mile in 7:20? Well that qualified me to run in category B. We ran in our groups today and somehow they placed me in "A" group. F.M.L! (Fuck my life) We ran two miles at a 6 min. mile pace. I was dead, but I kept up.. barely. Afterwards I spoke with my Drill Sergeant and asked him if I could go into group B, just until I can get the hang of it. Thankfully he realized I shouldn't have been in that group and is letting me run in "B" group. After that we were told to get in our ACU's in full battle gear. Helmet, 40 lb Kevlar vest. Ammunition vest, assault pack and my M4 rifle. I probably weighted 270 lbs with all of that stuff on.
We had to go outside and wait for the buses to take us to the range. The bus was late, so our Drill Sergeant thought it would be a good idea to make us run and do push ups in all of that gear in 95 degree weather. It was horrible. That gear sounds cool, but it is so heavy and so uncomfortable.
We spent the afternoon learning about I.E.D.'s and bombs. We got to explode a live claymore which was bad ass. We also had to walk down a road littered with fake I.E.D's and we had to spot them based on intelligence we had. After that we ate lunch (MRE's) then we had to get a class on how to administer first aid on a wounded soldier. We will have to put IV's on each other soon. Then we have a surprise!
We got to go on a random afternoon run, around the PT track. Total (2miles). One mile on the track and the other mile on the inside of the track , which is made of sand. Running a mile in thick soft sand is horrible, but it wasn't too, too bad. When the run was completed the drill sergeant separated us into two groups. Group 1 were the guys, kike me , who kept up with him on the run. Group 2 were the guys who fell behind. He then told us that we were the one's who were going to make it as opposed to the others. "Fat ass Losers", as he put it when he pointed to group 2. It made me feel good for sure. After that we had to clean our weapons, and then we got our mail!! That was the best part of my day and made all of the bad stuff seem non existent. I can't wait until I get more mail, in the next few days. Write about anything! I love to read letters.
After that, I got the opportunity to go to ta bible study here, and I went. I'm really starting to enjoy it , because it is a release for the spirit as exercising is a release for the muscles. Some of you may laugh and say, " that doesn't fit you", but I'm going through some changes, and I'm going to embrace anything positive that comes my way. Right now I believe God is playing a major role in helping me complete each task, day to day.
I'm happy everyone, and it's hard to be happy here. If it is talking to God and exchanging letters with friends and family that get me through this, then who am I to ignore it? I won't get too Biblical on you though, don't worry, LOL.
It is bedtime now though. I will write more tomorrow. I love you all, keep the letters rolling!
PFC Zaleuke
Kristin, thank you for the pictures of Kelsey. I've been showing them to everyone! I love pictures, so feel free to send them, everyone.
Today was rough . We had a crazy PT session and it beat the hell out of me. Remember my first PT test when I ran my mile in 7:20? Well that qualified me to run in category B. We ran in our groups today and somehow they placed me in "A" group. F.M.L! (Fuck my life) We ran two miles at a 6 min. mile pace. I was dead, but I kept up.. barely. Afterwards I spoke with my Drill Sergeant and asked him if I could go into group B, just until I can get the hang of it. Thankfully he realized I shouldn't have been in that group and is letting me run in "B" group. After that we were told to get in our ACU's in full battle gear. Helmet, 40 lb Kevlar vest. Ammunition vest, assault pack and my M4 rifle. I probably weighted 270 lbs with all of that stuff on.
We had to go outside and wait for the buses to take us to the range. The bus was late, so our Drill Sergeant thought it would be a good idea to make us run and do push ups in all of that gear in 95 degree weather. It was horrible. That gear sounds cool, but it is so heavy and so uncomfortable.
We spent the afternoon learning about I.E.D.'s and bombs. We got to explode a live claymore which was bad ass. We also had to walk down a road littered with fake I.E.D's and we had to spot them based on intelligence we had. After that we ate lunch (MRE's) then we had to get a class on how to administer first aid on a wounded soldier. We will have to put IV's on each other soon. Then we have a surprise!
We got to go on a random afternoon run, around the PT track. Total (2miles). One mile on the track and the other mile on the inside of the track , which is made of sand. Running a mile in thick soft sand is horrible, but it wasn't too, too bad. When the run was completed the drill sergeant separated us into two groups. Group 1 were the guys, kike me , who kept up with him on the run. Group 2 were the guys who fell behind. He then told us that we were the one's who were going to make it as opposed to the others. "Fat ass Losers", as he put it when he pointed to group 2. It made me feel good for sure. After that we had to clean our weapons, and then we got our mail!! That was the best part of my day and made all of the bad stuff seem non existent. I can't wait until I get more mail, in the next few days. Write about anything! I love to read letters.
After that, I got the opportunity to go to ta bible study here, and I went. I'm really starting to enjoy it , because it is a release for the spirit as exercising is a release for the muscles. Some of you may laugh and say, " that doesn't fit you", but I'm going through some changes, and I'm going to embrace anything positive that comes my way. Right now I believe God is playing a major role in helping me complete each task, day to day.
I'm happy everyone, and it's hard to be happy here. If it is talking to God and exchanging letters with friends and family that get me through this, then who am I to ignore it? I won't get too Biblical on you though, don't worry, LOL.
It is bedtime now though. I will write more tomorrow. I love you all, keep the letters rolling!
PFC Zaleuke
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
July 11 & 12, 2009
Yesterday was only rough for about two hours. We started out with PT which is starting to get fun. It is less and less hard each day. We ran a mile after some strenuous pull up and push up exercises. After that we got ready to go to the gas chamber. WOW! I wasn't worried going into the situation, but it wasn't too horrible. We were briefed about the rules and procedures, then were lead into the chamber. It freaked me the hell out. I couldn't breathe! It burned my skin, eyes, throat, lungs and all of the above. I thought they were never going to let me out of that room. Some people really started to freak out, one guy especially. He started to bolt for the door and Drill Sergeant "M", closed lined him. It was a huge relief to get out of that room. That C.S. Gas is no joke. It's a high concentrated form of tear gas. Once we did that, we were pretty much done for the day. We ate dinner, cleaned our weapons, got smoked, etc.. We got to go to bed at 9:00 pm (2100) and wake up this morning at 0700. We got ten hours of sleep! It was amazing.
Today is July 12 th which is our 10 th day here at BCT. We have been noticing some weird stuff going on here. The Drill Sergeants are being nicer. We aren't getting yelled at as much, and we are slowly getting more privilege's. For example, we get cold drinks now instead of warm ones, from the d-Fac (dining facility). We are allowed more than one drink now, we can get more food, we get more then five minutes to eat, and we are slowly being able to be treated like humans.
They can still be Jack Asses and will still smoke us, but they joke around with us more now. We think we are slowly being phased into White Phase. If that is the case, then please bring it on.
I am slowly beginning to adapt to the military lifestyle, and each day is beginning to suck less and less. I still would rather be somewhere else than to be here, and I miss my family like crazy!
Once this is all over and I graduate, I'm going to take a few days off to go home and recharge my batteries. I need to for my own sanity, then I will move onward to where I will be stationed. I miss a lot of things from the civilian world: Food, Soda, Beer, Girls, Music, My Family, My Freakin Dog, My Niece and My Motorcycle, being able to drive my truck, being able to shower when I'd like to, being not sweaty, wearing civilian cloths, etc. I'm looking forward do so many things when I get out of here. Being denied things like this makes you really appreciate the little things in life.
Anyways, this morning I got up , ate a huge breakfast (hey Dad, I've gained 8 lbs since I've been here) and then we went to church.
We had to march since the church was right down the street. Our Drill Sergeant (not one of mine) took us the wrong way, so what was supposed to be a walk down the street, turned into a two mile road march. We all got to church late and all sweaty. Besides that part, I really enjoyed it. It was a good spiritual release, and I'm definitely going back next Sunday. I got a Bible now, so I will have something to read now. I'm not a real church going person, but I think I'm going to give this a chance. When we returned from church, we ate lunch and then did some yard work, out on the PT track,pulling weeds. Then we had to come back into the bay to clean mop, sweep, and wax the entire thing. We all had to write out the chain of command 10 times, and I had already done it and it was due by Monday the 13th. I found out earlier that we couldn't abbreviate anything. So I had to go back and redo everything! I just now finished, and now I'm writing this letter. I really don't know what is going on with the mail, but I still have not received anything. I can't call or use the phone or anything like that, so this is my only means of communication. Please, Please write me! I just want to hear from my family. If you have been writing, then I appreciate it. I don't know why it is taking so long to get mail here. I'm just getting lonely. It's almost time for chow, I'll write more tomorrow. I miss you guys.
PFC Zaleuke
Today is July 12 th which is our 10 th day here at BCT. We have been noticing some weird stuff going on here. The Drill Sergeants are being nicer. We aren't getting yelled at as much, and we are slowly getting more privilege's. For example, we get cold drinks now instead of warm ones, from the d-Fac (dining facility). We are allowed more than one drink now, we can get more food, we get more then five minutes to eat, and we are slowly being able to be treated like humans.
They can still be Jack Asses and will still smoke us, but they joke around with us more now. We think we are slowly being phased into White Phase. If that is the case, then please bring it on.
I am slowly beginning to adapt to the military lifestyle, and each day is beginning to suck less and less. I still would rather be somewhere else than to be here, and I miss my family like crazy!
Once this is all over and I graduate, I'm going to take a few days off to go home and recharge my batteries. I need to for my own sanity, then I will move onward to where I will be stationed. I miss a lot of things from the civilian world: Food, Soda, Beer, Girls, Music, My Family, My Freakin Dog, My Niece and My Motorcycle, being able to drive my truck, being able to shower when I'd like to, being not sweaty, wearing civilian cloths, etc. I'm looking forward do so many things when I get out of here. Being denied things like this makes you really appreciate the little things in life.
Anyways, this morning I got up , ate a huge breakfast (hey Dad, I've gained 8 lbs since I've been here) and then we went to church.
We had to march since the church was right down the street. Our Drill Sergeant (not one of mine) took us the wrong way, so what was supposed to be a walk down the street, turned into a two mile road march. We all got to church late and all sweaty. Besides that part, I really enjoyed it. It was a good spiritual release, and I'm definitely going back next Sunday. I got a Bible now, so I will have something to read now. I'm not a real church going person, but I think I'm going to give this a chance. When we returned from church, we ate lunch and then did some yard work, out on the PT track,pulling weeds. Then we had to come back into the bay to clean mop, sweep, and wax the entire thing. We all had to write out the chain of command 10 times, and I had already done it and it was due by Monday the 13th. I found out earlier that we couldn't abbreviate anything. So I had to go back and redo everything! I just now finished, and now I'm writing this letter. I really don't know what is going on with the mail, but I still have not received anything. I can't call or use the phone or anything like that, so this is my only means of communication. Please, Please write me! I just want to hear from my family. If you have been writing, then I appreciate it. I don't know why it is taking so long to get mail here. I'm just getting lonely. It's almost time for chow, I'll write more tomorrow. I miss you guys.
PFC Zaleuke
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
July 10, 2009
Today was boring as Hell. We had some easy PT this morning, then we went to chow, which was so good. I don't know how I get so hungry!
We spent a total of six hours sitting in the auditorium viewing power points and listening to lectures. I had to fight tooth and nail to stay awake. It really is almost impossible to stay awake in there. I have a new nickname that Sargent "P" is calling me! Frog. I freaked out yesterday on an obstacle when a tree frog jumped on me, and you all know how I am about frogs.
After our classes we got our stuff and walked to the PX. I bought an extra set of PT's, a new towel, tooth brush to clean my weapon, bottle of baby powder!! A new notebook and pens, insoles for my boots and a few other random things. We had a list of things we could or could not buy, and it sucked having to see all of the food, soda and candy that I couldn't have. I swear when I get out of here I'm going to pig out and eat so much shit until I throw up. I noticed today that I am getting some massive calf's. I've never had big calf's, but I'm getting stronger all around. It's kind of cool.
Right now I'm sitting in the grass outside of the PX waiting for the rest of the platoons to finish shopping. It's about 0530 and about the time we march back, chow should be ready! (I'm Starving) I'll write more at the end of the night.
Alright, this is a few hours later since the paragraph above. Right after I stopped writing we got smoked on the gravel parking lot for an hour for unknown reasons. Afterward we had to march back to the bay and every one's grocery bags were ripping and their stuff was falling out everywhere. I felt bad for them because the Drill Sergeants were yelling and screaming at them to pick it all up and keep marching. When we got back to the bay we got smoked again for 20 min's before dinner again for reasons unknown. Dinner was pretty good though, so it was all kind of worth it. We then had to go out to the PT track and sit down for a lecture about ruck marching, but we all thought we wee heading our to the PT field to be smoked. So it was a pleasant surprise. Even more surprising , we actually got personal time tonight and that's how I'm writing right now.
I'm going to take a shower and then relax a bit, I guess. Lights out at 2100 and I have fireguard duty from 2200 to 2300, which I don't mind too much. I will still get a good night sleep. I forgot to mention earlier that we had mandatory haircuts today which pissed me off. My hair was finally looking nice and almost to the point to where, I didn't look goofy anymore. That all went out the window today, they shaved it down to the scalp, yes again. I can't tell you how cool I look with shorts 4 inches above the knee, calf socks, tucked in T-Shirt, bald ass head and sweet thick brown glasses......
Tomorrow is the gas chamber. I'm looking forward to it too, because the C.S. gas will clear out my sinus and get all of this snot out of my system. I'm not 100% knowledgeable yet on all of the shit, they want me to memorize. So they better not ask me things I don't know in the gas chambers. I am under the impression we will be having a ruck march to the gas chamber, because we walk everywhere. I'm thinking it will be a 6 mile march each way. So it should make for one fun ass day! (not)
On a more personal note, this place can be a real drag. It is honestly so so difficult and not what I expected at all. I however am not a quitter, and I will finish what I started.
There are a bunch of guy's in my platoon who are going to sick call daily, to get profiles, others are going to claim everything from suicide, depression, anxiety, fake injuries, all while in hope of getting some type of discharge. The one kid in my platoon who was on suicide watch is leaving tomorrow. he got a discharge and will be going to 30 A.G for approximately 4 months, until his paperwork goes through. Another one of my buddies here is on his last leg and is about to go attempt to get discharged on Monday. I'm trying to talk him out of it. It all really sucks, I haven't heard from my family in over 8 days, and all I want to do is talk to my Dad. I can make this, but all I want right now is my dad's words of wisdom. It all helps me for some reason.
If anyone of my friends read this , or family, can you guys write me some? It gets kind of lonely here, and I miss all of you. Pictures world be nice too! Pics of my dog, my niece, family , friends, etc. Just give me something to look at when I am thinking about home.
I'm going to go shower now and get ready for fire guard. I'll write again tomorrow. It's July 10th and I haven't heard from anyone yet. Maybe the mail is just plain slow.
PFC Zaleuke
We spent a total of six hours sitting in the auditorium viewing power points and listening to lectures. I had to fight tooth and nail to stay awake. It really is almost impossible to stay awake in there. I have a new nickname that Sargent "P" is calling me! Frog. I freaked out yesterday on an obstacle when a tree frog jumped on me, and you all know how I am about frogs.
After our classes we got our stuff and walked to the PX. I bought an extra set of PT's, a new towel, tooth brush to clean my weapon, bottle of baby powder!! A new notebook and pens, insoles for my boots and a few other random things. We had a list of things we could or could not buy, and it sucked having to see all of the food, soda and candy that I couldn't have. I swear when I get out of here I'm going to pig out and eat so much shit until I throw up. I noticed today that I am getting some massive calf's. I've never had big calf's, but I'm getting stronger all around. It's kind of cool.
Right now I'm sitting in the grass outside of the PX waiting for the rest of the platoons to finish shopping. It's about 0530 and about the time we march back, chow should be ready! (I'm Starving) I'll write more at the end of the night.
Alright, this is a few hours later since the paragraph above. Right after I stopped writing we got smoked on the gravel parking lot for an hour for unknown reasons. Afterward we had to march back to the bay and every one's grocery bags were ripping and their stuff was falling out everywhere. I felt bad for them because the Drill Sergeants were yelling and screaming at them to pick it all up and keep marching. When we got back to the bay we got smoked again for 20 min's before dinner again for reasons unknown. Dinner was pretty good though, so it was all kind of worth it. We then had to go out to the PT track and sit down for a lecture about ruck marching, but we all thought we wee heading our to the PT field to be smoked. So it was a pleasant surprise. Even more surprising , we actually got personal time tonight and that's how I'm writing right now.
I'm going to take a shower and then relax a bit, I guess. Lights out at 2100 and I have fireguard duty from 2200 to 2300, which I don't mind too much. I will still get a good night sleep. I forgot to mention earlier that we had mandatory haircuts today which pissed me off. My hair was finally looking nice and almost to the point to where, I didn't look goofy anymore. That all went out the window today, they shaved it down to the scalp, yes again. I can't tell you how cool I look with shorts 4 inches above the knee, calf socks, tucked in T-Shirt, bald ass head and sweet thick brown glasses......
Tomorrow is the gas chamber. I'm looking forward to it too, because the C.S. gas will clear out my sinus and get all of this snot out of my system. I'm not 100% knowledgeable yet on all of the shit, they want me to memorize. So they better not ask me things I don't know in the gas chambers. I am under the impression we will be having a ruck march to the gas chamber, because we walk everywhere. I'm thinking it will be a 6 mile march each way. So it should make for one fun ass day! (not)
On a more personal note, this place can be a real drag. It is honestly so so difficult and not what I expected at all. I however am not a quitter, and I will finish what I started.
There are a bunch of guy's in my platoon who are going to sick call daily, to get profiles, others are going to claim everything from suicide, depression, anxiety, fake injuries, all while in hope of getting some type of discharge. The one kid in my platoon who was on suicide watch is leaving tomorrow. he got a discharge and will be going to 30 A.G for approximately 4 months, until his paperwork goes through. Another one of my buddies here is on his last leg and is about to go attempt to get discharged on Monday. I'm trying to talk him out of it. It all really sucks, I haven't heard from my family in over 8 days, and all I want to do is talk to my Dad. I can make this, but all I want right now is my dad's words of wisdom. It all helps me for some reason.
If anyone of my friends read this , or family, can you guys write me some? It gets kind of lonely here, and I miss all of you. Pictures world be nice too! Pics of my dog, my niece, family , friends, etc. Just give me something to look at when I am thinking about home.
I'm going to go shower now and get ready for fire guard. I'll write again tomorrow. It's July 10th and I haven't heard from anyone yet. Maybe the mail is just plain slow.
PFC Zaleuke
July 9, 2009
Today has been a weird, long, tiring day for all of us in Delta Company 4th Platoon, and for me especially. I have been feeling somewhat sick for the past few days, but this morning I woke up feeling like shit! Stuffy nose, headache, cough, just nasty. But I refuse to show any signs of weakness by going to sick call. I have had to work through worse things before, and I can do this .
Today started out rough because during PT, one of our guys decided to back talk our Drill Sergeant. Not a good idea! He tore his ass up, and we had to join and get smoked for about 15 minutes. That put the Drill Sergeants in a bad mood. By the way, Delta Company 4th Platoon has three Drill Sergeant's. DS "K" DS "P" and DS "M" I won't say their real names because of obvious reasons. But all of them have their cool sides. DS "P" is the oldest and coolest, while DS "K" is only 29 and thinks he has something to prove, in my opinion. But he also connects with us and some nights we will sit around the bay and listen to him talk and tell about Iraq, and it's pretty cool.
After morning PT, we had to dress in our ACU's and kevlar along with our rifles and march 2 miles (again) to an obstacle course. The first one we did was a pain in the ass. The entire course was about 2 and a half football fields long, with lots of challenges along the way. The rope climb and monkey bars were really difficult only because we had been doing pull ups all morning for PT, not to mention the shit ton of push ups, we had to do during getting smoked. Our muscles were almost spent. But the absolute worst part was having to lay down in the rows of flooded ditches and low crawl under barbed wire for 50 feet or so. We were completely soaking wet and immediately after had to crab walk, bear crawl, and low crawl through sand. I finished the course but me and the 200 + other guys were nasty as hell. Sand everywhere, and wet. Baking in the hot Georgia Sun. It was a pretty miserable. LOL.
After that, we got to eat lunch, and I some how managed to get the damn vegetarian MRE, and nobody would trade with me. The bright side was that it came with M & M's. Candy is like gold around here, since we don't get it. ( Please don't send any candy or food either.) It can get me in serious trouble.
After lunch we had to go across the street to the really fun obstacles, like the ones you see in the Army BCT videos or on You Tube. We got to do ONE of them, and while we were on another obstacle, a did from another platoon fell from the 35 foot drop and jacked himself up in the process. Army procedure requires us to stop all training when someone gets seriously injured. So apparently we are going to reschedule for another time. That's about how my day went.
We marched the two miles back and got cleaned up. We had to go sit and listen to the Command Sergeant Major speak with us, which is a pretty big deal. The Drill Sergeants are really serious about our conduct when their superiors are talking to us. We will get seriously smoked if we fall asleep. So... My damn battle buddy gets called out by the command Sergeant Major for sleeping. The Drill Sergeants told him to stand his ass up and get to the back of the auditorium. Then I hear, "Bring your battle buddy too!". I was like, "Oh son of a bitch!" So he and I had to do an uncountable amount of push ups in the back of the room while this guy lectured us. I was pretty pissed off at my battle buddy. He seems to screw up a lot and he is starting to get me in trouble now, when all I want to do is stay low key and out of the way, and not draw any unnecessary attention my way. Oh well, they knew it wasn't me, but I need to really get this kids ass in line before he gets me in anymore shit.
Tonight has been good. I'm doing laundry now and we have a good amount of free time which is nice. This means I'm writing this letter without fearing getting caught and smoked by our Drill Sergeants. One of the kids who bunks next to me, went to sick call this morning. So he had some advil which I got him to give me some, so my headache is gone for now, and I'm looking forward to getting a good nights sleep. I don't have fire guard tonight, luckily. So I'll get a full six or seven hours. I'm writing this letter now, next to this did who I seem to really get along with, named Thomas. That was random, but I just thought I'd throw that out there- he's pretty cool (used to be a football player).
As for tomorrow, who knows. I'm starting to realize anything is a possibility now. I just hope we don't march for miles and miles again. It's so damn hot and that 10b weapon feels 60 lbs after a few miles. A few kids are slowly starting to break and that one kid I mentioned earlier who was really home sick is now on "Suicide watch". I'm not sure of the exact details but he wears a bracelet that lets everyone know to keep an eye on him.
I hate to end this letter but I'm exhausted and it's about time for lights out. So I'm going to hit the sack. I love and miss you all!
PFC Zaleuke
Today started out rough because during PT, one of our guys decided to back talk our Drill Sergeant. Not a good idea! He tore his ass up, and we had to join and get smoked for about 15 minutes. That put the Drill Sergeants in a bad mood. By the way, Delta Company 4th Platoon has three Drill Sergeant's. DS "K" DS "P" and DS "M" I won't say their real names because of obvious reasons. But all of them have their cool sides. DS "P" is the oldest and coolest, while DS "K" is only 29 and thinks he has something to prove, in my opinion. But he also connects with us and some nights we will sit around the bay and listen to him talk and tell about Iraq, and it's pretty cool.
After morning PT, we had to dress in our ACU's and kevlar along with our rifles and march 2 miles (again) to an obstacle course. The first one we did was a pain in the ass. The entire course was about 2 and a half football fields long, with lots of challenges along the way. The rope climb and monkey bars were really difficult only because we had been doing pull ups all morning for PT, not to mention the shit ton of push ups, we had to do during getting smoked. Our muscles were almost spent. But the absolute worst part was having to lay down in the rows of flooded ditches and low crawl under barbed wire for 50 feet or so. We were completely soaking wet and immediately after had to crab walk, bear crawl, and low crawl through sand. I finished the course but me and the 200 + other guys were nasty as hell. Sand everywhere, and wet. Baking in the hot Georgia Sun. It was a pretty miserable. LOL.
After that, we got to eat lunch, and I some how managed to get the damn vegetarian MRE, and nobody would trade with me. The bright side was that it came with M & M's. Candy is like gold around here, since we don't get it. ( Please don't send any candy or food either.) It can get me in serious trouble.
After lunch we had to go across the street to the really fun obstacles, like the ones you see in the Army BCT videos or on You Tube. We got to do ONE of them, and while we were on another obstacle, a did from another platoon fell from the 35 foot drop and jacked himself up in the process. Army procedure requires us to stop all training when someone gets seriously injured. So apparently we are going to reschedule for another time. That's about how my day went.
We marched the two miles back and got cleaned up. We had to go sit and listen to the Command Sergeant Major speak with us, which is a pretty big deal. The Drill Sergeants are really serious about our conduct when their superiors are talking to us. We will get seriously smoked if we fall asleep. So... My damn battle buddy gets called out by the command Sergeant Major for sleeping. The Drill Sergeants told him to stand his ass up and get to the back of the auditorium. Then I hear, "Bring your battle buddy too!". I was like, "Oh son of a bitch!" So he and I had to do an uncountable amount of push ups in the back of the room while this guy lectured us. I was pretty pissed off at my battle buddy. He seems to screw up a lot and he is starting to get me in trouble now, when all I want to do is stay low key and out of the way, and not draw any unnecessary attention my way. Oh well, they knew it wasn't me, but I need to really get this kids ass in line before he gets me in anymore shit.
Tonight has been good. I'm doing laundry now and we have a good amount of free time which is nice. This means I'm writing this letter without fearing getting caught and smoked by our Drill Sergeants. One of the kids who bunks next to me, went to sick call this morning. So he had some advil which I got him to give me some, so my headache is gone for now, and I'm looking forward to getting a good nights sleep. I don't have fire guard tonight, luckily. So I'll get a full six or seven hours. I'm writing this letter now, next to this did who I seem to really get along with, named Thomas. That was random, but I just thought I'd throw that out there- he's pretty cool (used to be a football player).
As for tomorrow, who knows. I'm starting to realize anything is a possibility now. I just hope we don't march for miles and miles again. It's so damn hot and that 10b weapon feels 60 lbs after a few miles. A few kids are slowly starting to break and that one kid I mentioned earlier who was really home sick is now on "Suicide watch". I'm not sure of the exact details but he wears a bracelet that lets everyone know to keep an eye on him.
I hate to end this letter but I'm exhausted and it's about time for lights out. So I'm going to hit the sack. I love and miss you all!
PFC Zaleuke
Saturday, July 11, 2009
July 8, 2009
Today was a pretty good day. We woke up, did some PT (physical training,)then ran back upstairs to change into our ACU's, for a road march with our weapons. Two miles down, two miles back. It feels good to accomplish something like that and still want more afterwards. When we got back, we sat down on the ground and ate MRE's for chow, and mine was damn good; ( I love chow).
We got changed back into our PT's-wait, let me back up. We road marched to a place on base and had a few classes on how to talk and communicate on a military radio.. I actually liked it a lot. Anyways- after chow we spent a few hours on the PT field standing in formation, and learning how to march properly for drill and ceremony. Then after a few hours went by doing all of that, and getting smoked in between, we went to dinner chow. After that we came back to the barracks where I am now and I'm writing this letter. I'm exhausted right now, but I felt good at the time. Oh, good news! I got my BGC's today as well (birth control glasses) and they look so legit. I actually like them and plan on wearing them out often when this shit is over with .Ha-Ha! Speaking of shit, listen to this: Apparently it is wrong to thank your Drill Sergeant. I was raised to be polite and say my thank you's, no thank you's, yes sirs and yes ma-am's etc, but I can't stop saying thank you to my drill sergeants. I must have done it over a half or dozen times today. Usually I will get the response: " Don't thank me Mother Fucker, thank your recruiter!! " What ever that means. But finally Drill Sergeant "P" got fed up and made me do 100 push ups, but I don't mind, it was actually pretty funny.
I don't know why I'm not exactly sure what is planned for tomorrow, but I do know I will have the chance to do some laundry for the first time since I've been here, so that will be really nice. I do know that we have the gas chamber on Saturday, and I'm pretty excited for it. I mailed off some papers to my dad today concerning my graduation, which includes details and directions. He will scan them and email them to the family. I'm staying strong and motivated still, and everyday I get closer to the guys here. They are all pretty cool.
I have one request from my family. If you don't mind, could you send me some baby powder (for obvious reasons). They don't sell it at the PX and I am running low, and also a bible. Yes, a bible. I've been praying a lot lately asking for strength to get me through this, and it really is the single hardest thing I've ever had to do, mentally more so than physically. (Note from Dad. I have a package on its way to Mike with a Soldiers Bible, Baby Powder, Deodorant, and writing tablet. he should have it on Monday)
I'm really looking forward to a nice cold shower and curling up in my bed and getting some sleep. Tomorrow is another day, and the fight continues. By the way, Dad if you were wondering, yes, we do sing cadences when we march. One is part of the Army song. Another is, "1,2,3,4: Shoot, move, communicate, kill! 1,2,3,4: Squat, aim, breath, squeeze! "It's pretty brutal, but pretty cool at the same time.
Also, funny story: Last night, Drill Sergeant "K" was telling us a story about his days in Iraq and how he shot and killed a 10 year kid. He then asked if anyone in the room could kill a 10 year kid right here, right now. Just walk up and shoot. Expecting others to reply, I immediately responded with, " Absolutely!" then there was that awkward pause with everyone looking at me. Drill Sergeant "K" said to everyone else as he pointed to me, "Now that's a man right there." I looked around at everyone else with that typical, "Damn Right" smirk I do. Ha-Ha!
On another note, a kid in my platoon from Cali with two kids is trying to figure out a way to get out of the Army, to go back home. He has been crying himself to sleep every night, and I feel bad for him. I've heard his plans, from hitting a drill sergeant, all the way to breaking his own arm. All of which are bad ideas. I've been trying to talk him out of it all day, but I don't know how much longer he will last here. It really is pretty bad here, LOL, It is no cake walk by any means. It is incredibly stressful, but it's nothing I can't handle. I'm good at taking my mind out of the situation and placing it somewhere else. I sing songs in my head constantly here, and I talk to my grandmother and God quite often, and all of that is enough to get me by. I'm looking forward to hearing from family soon, though. I miss you guys! But for now it's time for a shower and bed. Night Guys!
PFC Zaleuke
We got changed back into our PT's-wait, let me back up. We road marched to a place on base and had a few classes on how to talk and communicate on a military radio.. I actually liked it a lot. Anyways- after chow we spent a few hours on the PT field standing in formation, and learning how to march properly for drill and ceremony. Then after a few hours went by doing all of that, and getting smoked in between, we went to dinner chow. After that we came back to the barracks where I am now and I'm writing this letter. I'm exhausted right now, but I felt good at the time. Oh, good news! I got my BGC's today as well (birth control glasses) and they look so legit. I actually like them and plan on wearing them out often when this shit is over with .Ha-Ha! Speaking of shit, listen to this: Apparently it is wrong to thank your Drill Sergeant. I was raised to be polite and say my thank you's, no thank you's, yes sirs and yes ma-am's etc, but I can't stop saying thank you to my drill sergeants. I must have done it over a half or dozen times today. Usually I will get the response: " Don't thank me Mother Fucker, thank your recruiter!! " What ever that means. But finally Drill Sergeant "P" got fed up and made me do 100 push ups, but I don't mind, it was actually pretty funny.
I don't know why I'm not exactly sure what is planned for tomorrow, but I do know I will have the chance to do some laundry for the first time since I've been here, so that will be really nice. I do know that we have the gas chamber on Saturday, and I'm pretty excited for it. I mailed off some papers to my dad today concerning my graduation, which includes details and directions. He will scan them and email them to the family. I'm staying strong and motivated still, and everyday I get closer to the guys here. They are all pretty cool.
I have one request from my family. If you don't mind, could you send me some baby powder (for obvious reasons). They don't sell it at the PX and I am running low, and also a bible. Yes, a bible. I've been praying a lot lately asking for strength to get me through this, and it really is the single hardest thing I've ever had to do, mentally more so than physically. (Note from Dad. I have a package on its way to Mike with a Soldiers Bible, Baby Powder, Deodorant, and writing tablet. he should have it on Monday)
I'm really looking forward to a nice cold shower and curling up in my bed and getting some sleep. Tomorrow is another day, and the fight continues. By the way, Dad if you were wondering, yes, we do sing cadences when we march. One is part of the Army song. Another is, "1,2,3,4: Shoot, move, communicate, kill! 1,2,3,4: Squat, aim, breath, squeeze! "It's pretty brutal, but pretty cool at the same time.
Also, funny story: Last night, Drill Sergeant "K" was telling us a story about his days in Iraq and how he shot and killed a 10 year kid. He then asked if anyone in the room could kill a 10 year kid right here, right now. Just walk up and shoot. Expecting others to reply, I immediately responded with, " Absolutely!" then there was that awkward pause with everyone looking at me. Drill Sergeant "K" said to everyone else as he pointed to me, "Now that's a man right there." I looked around at everyone else with that typical, "Damn Right" smirk I do. Ha-Ha!
On another note, a kid in my platoon from Cali with two kids is trying to figure out a way to get out of the Army, to go back home. He has been crying himself to sleep every night, and I feel bad for him. I've heard his plans, from hitting a drill sergeant, all the way to breaking his own arm. All of which are bad ideas. I've been trying to talk him out of it all day, but I don't know how much longer he will last here. It really is pretty bad here, LOL, It is no cake walk by any means. It is incredibly stressful, but it's nothing I can't handle. I'm good at taking my mind out of the situation and placing it somewhere else. I sing songs in my head constantly here, and I talk to my grandmother and God quite often, and all of that is enough to get me by. I'm looking forward to hearing from family soon, though. I miss you guys! But for now it's time for a shower and bed. Night Guys!
PFC Zaleuke
July 7th, 2009
Today was a good/shit day here at BCT. We started out doing some basic PT (physical training) in the morning; then, we all got dressed in battle gear and went out to the field for a training exercise. It involved 20 or so stations, and each had some type of obstacle to overcome. We had to do it in teams of 12 in roughly 20 minutes. We had alot of fun with it because it was the first time since we got here that we were able to act like ourselves and not be treated like horse shit by our drill sergeants. We stayed out from 7am until around 4:30pm. By the time we were finished, we were all disgusting. We had to swim in pools of pond water in all of out gear, and it sucked being wet and nasty all day.
After we got back, we were allowed a 15 second shower (literally, it's timed) then we had to file in formation to head for chow. For some reason, my platoon has a hard time standing still and keeping quiet during the stand of attention. So, because one person talked, we were all smoked afterwards for over an hour and a half. I'm getting used to these types of events, and they really don't bother me anymore. I see it like this: The more they smoke me, the better I get, and the better I will be able to perform on my PT test. I can already see myself getting stronger, and no matter how bad the smoking is, I never quit.
By the time anyone reads this, it will be typed out on a computer, but this note is currently being written on 5x3 paper in one of those little spiral journals. It is also around 2:45 am. My battle buddy and I had CQ duty tonight which consists of us sitting outside on guard at a desk with a telephone. This seems all to familiar with the crap I had to do with my RA job. Anyway, our drill sergeant took away our "writing letters home" privileges tonight (because he could) and because he is an ass. So, I remembered I had this little book in my pocket and decided to keep myself busy before I get off. Tomorrow,, I believe we have some classes on how to talk on the radio using "military slang" which might be pretty cool. I don't doubt that there will be many smoking's during this time as well.
Also, because of my run time of 7:10 on my PT test, I got placed in the B class on the running list. This is exactly where I wanted to be. I did NOT want to be in C class with all the fat asses, and NOT in A class with the guys who run a 5:45 mile time. I am pretty happy with myself on how I compare physically with the other soldiers here. I can tell I'm definitely in shape and I have been working out. It is paying off dramatically.
White phase cannot get here fast enough. I'm tired of being humiliated and treated like a child. I also miss my family, and I think about them alot when I am feeling down, and it helps me to smile. People keep falling out here like crazy. We had one or two attempt to escape already, but I am going to hold my head up high. Tim Armstrong once said: "Hold your head up high, because tomorrow you may die. There is no one safe around here, so stand your ground until you are the last one in town." I am going to do just that, and things will get better. I love and miss all of you, and I hope you all appreciate the great lengths I've had to take in order to write you! Since I have been here, we have only been authorized to to write home ONCE for 20 minutes or so the fact I am doing it EVERYDAY is remarkable! Hahaha. Oh well, keep me in your thoughts and prayers please. I need all the help I can get these days. I am going back to bed now. My guard duty shift is almost over. Good Night Everyone!
PFC Zaleuke
After we got back, we were allowed a 15 second shower (literally, it's timed) then we had to file in formation to head for chow. For some reason, my platoon has a hard time standing still and keeping quiet during the stand of attention. So, because one person talked, we were all smoked afterwards for over an hour and a half. I'm getting used to these types of events, and they really don't bother me anymore. I see it like this: The more they smoke me, the better I get, and the better I will be able to perform on my PT test. I can already see myself getting stronger, and no matter how bad the smoking is, I never quit.
By the time anyone reads this, it will be typed out on a computer, but this note is currently being written on 5x3 paper in one of those little spiral journals. It is also around 2:45 am. My battle buddy and I had CQ duty tonight which consists of us sitting outside on guard at a desk with a telephone. This seems all to familiar with the crap I had to do with my RA job. Anyway, our drill sergeant took away our "writing letters home" privileges tonight (because he could) and because he is an ass. So, I remembered I had this little book in my pocket and decided to keep myself busy before I get off. Tomorrow,, I believe we have some classes on how to talk on the radio using "military slang" which might be pretty cool. I don't doubt that there will be many smoking's during this time as well.
Also, because of my run time of 7:10 on my PT test, I got placed in the B class on the running list. This is exactly where I wanted to be. I did NOT want to be in C class with all the fat asses, and NOT in A class with the guys who run a 5:45 mile time. I am pretty happy with myself on how I compare physically with the other soldiers here. I can tell I'm definitely in shape and I have been working out. It is paying off dramatically.
White phase cannot get here fast enough. I'm tired of being humiliated and treated like a child. I also miss my family, and I think about them alot when I am feeling down, and it helps me to smile. People keep falling out here like crazy. We had one or two attempt to escape already, but I am going to hold my head up high. Tim Armstrong once said: "Hold your head up high, because tomorrow you may die. There is no one safe around here, so stand your ground until you are the last one in town." I am going to do just that, and things will get better. I love and miss all of you, and I hope you all appreciate the great lengths I've had to take in order to write you! Since I have been here, we have only been authorized to to write home ONCE for 20 minutes or so the fact I am doing it EVERYDAY is remarkable! Hahaha. Oh well, keep me in your thoughts and prayers please. I need all the help I can get these days. I am going back to bed now. My guard duty shift is almost over. Good Night Everyone!
PFC Zaleuke
Mike's REAL ADDRESS NEW POSTING
Mike wrote a letter earlier this week with a return address on it; however, this was a WRONG ADDRESS. This is his new address:
PVT George M. Zaleuke Roster#: 453
D Co., 4th Platoon
198th Infantry Brigade
5550 Leonard Drive
Ft. Benning, GA. 31905
Also, I received a letter stating what is considered contriband by the Army. These items include: Alcohol, Tobacco Products, Pornography, and Electrical Devices such as Cell Phones and I Pods.
PVT George M. Zaleuke Roster#: 453
D Co., 4th Platoon
198th Infantry Brigade
5550 Leonard Drive
Ft. Benning, GA. 31905
Also, I received a letter stating what is considered contriband by the Army. These items include: Alcohol, Tobacco Products, Pornography, and Electrical Devices such as Cell Phones and I Pods.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Mike's New Address
PVT George M. Zaleuke, R#453
D Co. 1-50th Inf Bn. 4th Plt
In Care of D 1/330 Inf.
5550 Leonard Drive
Ft. Benning, GA. 31905
D Co. 1-50th Inf Bn. 4th Plt
In Care of D 1/330 Inf.
5550 Leonard Drive
Ft. Benning, GA. 31905
July 6 th, 2009
Today has been a pretty good day for me so far We woke up around 04:30 and had to do our first PT test. It wasn't a full PT test however. Just one minute of sit ups, one minute of push ups and a one mile run. I did very well today actually. I did 42 push ups ( the most in my platoon,) 31 sit ups and ran my mile in 7:10 seconds. I was surprised at how easy it all was, and I have my dad to thank for that. He pushed me to workout and run as much as possible, and it all really paid off! I am in a pretty good mood because of it too.
After wards we were given a 5 min. breakfast and then we walked a mile and a half...excuse me we MARCHED, not walked, to some supply building here on base. We were then issued a shit load of gear, almost $3,500 dollars worth that I am responsible for. We had to sign for it and then put it ALL on. This included 40 lb bullet proof vest and ruck sack, and a shit load of other gear. We had to march back to the barracks with it all rush it upstairs then sit down for lunch.
Right now we have an hour to clean the bay and I already did my part. I make beds and help others do theirs. I'm a pro at folding and making beds military style. So I'm currently hiding near my wall locker acting like I'm arranging stuff, and I'm writing this letter. We are supposed to have a class in a little while or something, but I don't know what.
Things here are okay, but I've gotten myself smoked a few times already for cracking jokes. Today while all 60 of us were marching I took it upon myself to start singing, "There she goes just a walkin down the street singin do ah diddy diddy dum diddy do!" I got about 3/4 of the platoon to join in on the chorus, so it was well worth it. I'd always wanted to to that after I saw Bill Murray do it in that one movie he did when he was in the Army. My drill Sergeants hand a cow and make me do 100 push ups when we arrived, but I know they found it funny because I heard them talking about it with other drill sergeants. I try to joke around as much as possible, in my time away from the drill sergeants, because if I don't, I will go crazy. They treat us like complete shit and they are really mean. I'm starting to get tired of being talked down to 24/7 and treated like a piece of shit. For the most part, I just let it slide off my back and ignore it. A few of the guys had their lockers tossed today and they were messy, so now they have to pack everything they own into their duffel bag and carry it around with them everywhere they go for an entire week. It is safe to say that my locker is perfect. I don't want to have to carry around that shit. I found out that I will have a family day in about 7 weeks or so. I am really looking forward to it. During that time period I am not authorized to change out of my military uniform, and into civilian clothing . I will have 36 hours off of base and will have to wear my class A uniform, and when I'm sleeping I have to wear my PT uniform. Oh well, at least I get to see some family!
Speaking of PT uniform, I have almost 70 bucks left on that cash advancement card that has to be spent or it goes bad. I'm going to buy my dad and official set of Army PT's so that he can wear them at his football practice. (he is a coach, not a player). But I think he will like them for sure.
My "Battle Buddy" is a complete dumb ass. He is an 18 ear old Mexican kid, and he reminds me of Gomer Pile from Full Medal Jacket. He is 100% clueless about almost everything and I have to teach him and show him everything step by step everyday. It gets annoying
My eyesight situation is also shitty. Since I have astigmatism in both eyes, my glasses (BCG'S) had to be sent off base to be made. I'm not authorized to wear my contact's, and all I have are these glasses from 7 th grade that are all scratched to hell. So I can barely see, and these army glasses can not get here soon enough.
For some of my friends who were joking with me about how I won't be able to shave my body as much as I usually do, thing again. I've found time, and it's not pleasant either. I've started getting used to dry shaving. It hurts, but it gets the job done and I don't look like a hairy monster.
The food here is pretty good, granted we only get 5 mins. or so to eat it, but it is by far my all time favorite part of the day, other than bedtime. I eat everything on my tray and have also started eating salad and broccoli, mainly because I have no choice.
Okay, I just got back from that meeting I was talking about earlier. It was about mail, so apparently we will now be allowed to receive letters and stuff now. After that meeting we had and hour and a half break until the Battalion commander, or what ever came to talk to us. Instead of letting us go arrange our shit, they decided to call us all to "Attention", for and hour and a half. Meanwhile they called us all out and made us do PT aka smoked us for the entire time, FML! Bed time, actual training tomorrow.
PFC Zaleuke
After wards we were given a 5 min. breakfast and then we walked a mile and a half...excuse me we MARCHED, not walked, to some supply building here on base. We were then issued a shit load of gear, almost $3,500 dollars worth that I am responsible for. We had to sign for it and then put it ALL on. This included 40 lb bullet proof vest and ruck sack, and a shit load of other gear. We had to march back to the barracks with it all rush it upstairs then sit down for lunch.
Right now we have an hour to clean the bay and I already did my part. I make beds and help others do theirs. I'm a pro at folding and making beds military style. So I'm currently hiding near my wall locker acting like I'm arranging stuff, and I'm writing this letter. We are supposed to have a class in a little while or something, but I don't know what.
Things here are okay, but I've gotten myself smoked a few times already for cracking jokes. Today while all 60 of us were marching I took it upon myself to start singing, "There she goes just a walkin down the street singin do ah diddy diddy dum diddy do!" I got about 3/4 of the platoon to join in on the chorus, so it was well worth it. I'd always wanted to to that after I saw Bill Murray do it in that one movie he did when he was in the Army. My drill Sergeants hand a cow and make me do 100 push ups when we arrived, but I know they found it funny because I heard them talking about it with other drill sergeants. I try to joke around as much as possible, in my time away from the drill sergeants, because if I don't, I will go crazy. They treat us like complete shit and they are really mean. I'm starting to get tired of being talked down to 24/7 and treated like a piece of shit. For the most part, I just let it slide off my back and ignore it. A few of the guys had their lockers tossed today and they were messy, so now they have to pack everything they own into their duffel bag and carry it around with them everywhere they go for an entire week. It is safe to say that my locker is perfect. I don't want to have to carry around that shit. I found out that I will have a family day in about 7 weeks or so. I am really looking forward to it. During that time period I am not authorized to change out of my military uniform, and into civilian clothing . I will have 36 hours off of base and will have to wear my class A uniform, and when I'm sleeping I have to wear my PT uniform. Oh well, at least I get to see some family!
Speaking of PT uniform, I have almost 70 bucks left on that cash advancement card that has to be spent or it goes bad. I'm going to buy my dad and official set of Army PT's so that he can wear them at his football practice. (he is a coach, not a player). But I think he will like them for sure.
My "Battle Buddy" is a complete dumb ass. He is an 18 ear old Mexican kid, and he reminds me of Gomer Pile from Full Medal Jacket. He is 100% clueless about almost everything and I have to teach him and show him everything step by step everyday. It gets annoying
My eyesight situation is also shitty. Since I have astigmatism in both eyes, my glasses (BCG'S) had to be sent off base to be made. I'm not authorized to wear my contact's, and all I have are these glasses from 7 th grade that are all scratched to hell. So I can barely see, and these army glasses can not get here soon enough.
For some of my friends who were joking with me about how I won't be able to shave my body as much as I usually do, thing again. I've found time, and it's not pleasant either. I've started getting used to dry shaving. It hurts, but it gets the job done and I don't look like a hairy monster.
The food here is pretty good, granted we only get 5 mins. or so to eat it, but it is by far my all time favorite part of the day, other than bedtime. I eat everything on my tray and have also started eating salad and broccoli, mainly because I have no choice.
Okay, I just got back from that meeting I was talking about earlier. It was about mail, so apparently we will now be allowed to receive letters and stuff now. After that meeting we had and hour and a half break until the Battalion commander, or what ever came to talk to us. Instead of letting us go arrange our shit, they decided to call us all to "Attention", for and hour and a half. Meanwhile they called us all out and made us do PT aka smoked us for the entire time, FML! Bed time, actual training tomorrow.
PFC Zaleuke
July 5 th, 2009
Wow. They are barely letting me write at all!! They gave me five minutes to write tonight! Also, they let us call home for the first time. I got to read a one paragraph note written by the Army, which stated that I was okay and that I would write home soon. The end of the letter said, "Bye". We had to read the letter word for word and any change we made, such as an " I love you", would be severely punished. If we had a parent on the phone we were instructed to read the paragraph, and then hang up. This even meant not letting the parent speak at all. It was real fucked up, and a lot of the guys started crying. Luckily for me, I got my dad's voicemail which I was praying for. I didn't think I could handle hanging up on him when all I want to do is hear his voice and words of encouragement. Besides that, this shit is honestly all mental and some physical. I've been smoked by my drill sergeant almost 30 or so times since I got here (my platoon, not just me). It's not that bad really, it just gets frustrating. Some of the shit is cool though. We are going to start doing the fun stuff this week. Yesterday I was issued an M-4 rifle which I named "One-Two". It is Bad Ass, I can't wait to fire it. We were issued our gas masks today as well; we have the gas chamber this Saturday! Sweet!! Also they told us we will be issued the rest of our gear tomorrow after our first PT test know as a "1-1-1". I'm not worried about it at all, I've prepared well for it. I will write Much more about stuff and go into greater detail about things when I have time, but they are honestly keeping us on a short leash for the moment. I have so many things on my mind that I'd love to get off my chest, and when I get the chance to, I will. Bed time now...
PFC_Zaleuke
PFC_Zaleuke
July 2nd, 2009
Today was another god-awful day at reception. Drill Sergeant allowed us to go to bed at 10:oo pm and wake up at 3:30 am. While in bed attempting to sleep, we were woken up, had to get dressed and report downstairs because one new recruit misplaced his bags and we had to be lectured about not being "Fucking Idiots" So once we got to bed, and had to wake up, I only got about 3 hours and 30 minutes of sleep. As much as it sucks, I'm getting used to not sleeping at all. Apparently, this reception station at Ft. Benning only ships recruits down range on Fridays, so we were scheduled to ship off to BCT tomorrow, but we still had so much to accomplish before that could happen. We were all stressing out because we did NOT want to spend another week in this hell-hole. We spent all day getting things done, things which would normally seem easy. But somehow, getting issued boots took 7 hours. We waited in line the entire time, skipping lunch or "chow" as they call it. We also had to finish getting our shots, and our follow up dentist appointment. I was kind of happy to be there because we were allowed to watch "The Dark Knight" while we waited. Turns out I have one cavity, but they said it won't affect my basic training, and they will fix it when I graduate. We also got our "ranks" today which was one of the last things we needed. The are Velcro patches that display my rank, that I will wear on my ACU's. Lastly we got our dog tags. I really like these, along with all of my issued things that have my name on them. It makes me proud to be a Zaleuke, that is for sure.
When everything was said and done, we accomplished everything and got cleared to leave this God awful place. I am SO excited! Tomorrow starts day 1 of basic training, and we are all nervous as hell. I've made a lot of good friends here, and they are one of the only reason's my days don't completely suck. The best part of my day though was getting our "personal bags" back which had every one's cell phones and ipods in them . I got a chance to sit down and really talk to my father, and it really made me feel as good as new. He gave me some words of encouragement, which I will keep in my mind while I am getting smoked by drill sergeants, and losing hope. No one will stop me from graduating! I can do this and I will do it. It is time to man up and get this shit over and done with. I'm real thankful I got to talk to my dad. It made everything good again. Things here in the barracks are pretty wild at the moment. We are all packing all of our things into our small bags. One kid just got engaged over the telephone, and to top it off: I locked all of my ACU's (uniforms) in my locker, with the keys in them. So I had to go bug my "on call" drill sergeant and barrow some bolt cutters to cut the lock off. Now I'm going to stick to the combo locks my dad bought me so this won't happen again.
Now, it is bed time and I'm going to call my dad once more because it will be a long time before I get to talk to him again. I'm going to put on my ipod and fall asleep listening to some music. Tomorrow they take all of this stuff away from us once more. Good day today, and even better night. Tomorrow is going to suck but we are ready for it. I'll let you know how it goes.
PFC Zaleuke
When everything was said and done, we accomplished everything and got cleared to leave this God awful place. I am SO excited! Tomorrow starts day 1 of basic training, and we are all nervous as hell. I've made a lot of good friends here, and they are one of the only reason's my days don't completely suck. The best part of my day though was getting our "personal bags" back which had every one's cell phones and ipods in them . I got a chance to sit down and really talk to my father, and it really made me feel as good as new. He gave me some words of encouragement, which I will keep in my mind while I am getting smoked by drill sergeants, and losing hope. No one will stop me from graduating! I can do this and I will do it. It is time to man up and get this shit over and done with. I'm real thankful I got to talk to my dad. It made everything good again. Things here in the barracks are pretty wild at the moment. We are all packing all of our things into our small bags. One kid just got engaged over the telephone, and to top it off: I locked all of my ACU's (uniforms) in my locker, with the keys in them. So I had to go bug my "on call" drill sergeant and barrow some bolt cutters to cut the lock off. Now I'm going to stick to the combo locks my dad bought me so this won't happen again.
Now, it is bed time and I'm going to call my dad once more because it will be a long time before I get to talk to him again. I'm going to put on my ipod and fall asleep listening to some music. Tomorrow they take all of this stuff away from us once more. Good day today, and even better night. Tomorrow is going to suck but we are ready for it. I'll let you know how it goes.
PFC Zaleuke
July 1st, 2009
Today was a long, long day. We accomplished absolutely nothing in the process. Last night, after I thought I was done for the night, I was told I had fire guard duty from 12am to 1am. I went to bed at 9pm and woke up at midnight. went back to bed at 1:00am and woke back up for the day at 3am.
From 3:00 am this morning until now at 8:30 pm, we stood in formation for almost 1/2 of the day in the sun. It really hot here, and we are wearing full ACU's and standing heel to toe with people in front and back of us. 100% miserable. One thing we did today that my parents will particularly enjoy are my military photographs. I got to see my picture and I really like it. I also pre-ordered a DVD, a picture disk, group photo, and a yearbook for my family. Other than that, we got our government ID's, shots, and that is about it. My feet and legs are killing me from standing in place all day, but for the most part, my moral is up and I feel good. I have made some serious friends here in the past few days, and we are becoming pretty close. It feels a little like being back on the football team.
While I was writing this letter, we were called downstairs by the night-time drill sergeant to lecture us for about an hour about how easy we have it, and basically, he took an hour of sleep from us. From what it looks like, we will be shipping down range on Friday, July 3rd. Hopefully, tomorrow will be my last day in this hell-hole. I have heard reception is bad, but good lord, this is horrible. I just want basic traing to start so I can be done with it already. I don't mind working out, running, or even getting yelled at. I just hate standing and being bored ALL day. People here in general don't have the ability to listen, and we get in trouble for stupid shit.
Tomorrow is going to be another long day. I'm going to be given my dog tags, sweet-ass glasses, boots, and prepare to ship-off to basic training. As for now, I still do not have an address, but I will be given one very soon. I miss my bed. The one I sleep on now is god-awful, and I sleep on the covers so that I dont have to make my bed every morning. I am starting to get comfortable with being un-comfortable for the next two months. I already can't wait until family day. I miss my Dad alot right now. It's about time for bed now, lights were out 5 minutes ago. I am writing by flashlight.
I will write more tomorrow.
PFC Zaleuke
From 3:00 am this morning until now at 8:30 pm, we stood in formation for almost 1/2 of the day in the sun. It really hot here, and we are wearing full ACU's and standing heel to toe with people in front and back of us. 100% miserable. One thing we did today that my parents will particularly enjoy are my military photographs. I got to see my picture and I really like it. I also pre-ordered a DVD, a picture disk, group photo, and a yearbook for my family. Other than that, we got our government ID's, shots, and that is about it. My feet and legs are killing me from standing in place all day, but for the most part, my moral is up and I feel good. I have made some serious friends here in the past few days, and we are becoming pretty close. It feels a little like being back on the football team.
While I was writing this letter, we were called downstairs by the night-time drill sergeant to lecture us for about an hour about how easy we have it, and basically, he took an hour of sleep from us. From what it looks like, we will be shipping down range on Friday, July 3rd. Hopefully, tomorrow will be my last day in this hell-hole. I have heard reception is bad, but good lord, this is horrible. I just want basic traing to start so I can be done with it already. I don't mind working out, running, or even getting yelled at. I just hate standing and being bored ALL day. People here in general don't have the ability to listen, and we get in trouble for stupid shit.
Tomorrow is going to be another long day. I'm going to be given my dog tags, sweet-ass glasses, boots, and prepare to ship-off to basic training. As for now, I still do not have an address, but I will be given one very soon. I miss my bed. The one I sleep on now is god-awful, and I sleep on the covers so that I dont have to make my bed every morning. I am starting to get comfortable with being un-comfortable for the next two months. I already can't wait until family day. I miss my Dad alot right now. It's about time for bed now, lights were out 5 minutes ago. I am writing by flashlight.
I will write more tomorrow.
PFC Zaleuke
Monday, July 6, 2009
June 30, 2009
Wow. I don't know where to even start. We arrived to Ft. Benning 30th Adjuvtant (sic) General Battalion ( Reception) last night at 2100. I was basically kicked in the balls from the beginning. All they do is yell and give you 10 step directions all at once, as fast as they can, and then jump your ass when you are confused. We were issued PT uniforms, duffel bags, and some of our gear. By the time that was all done, it was 01:00. We went to bed on the world's most uncomfortable beds, and had wake up at 0430. We rushed down stairs after I did a dry shave to conserve time. and we stood in formation for an hour. Apparently when standing at ease, we aren't supposed to lock our legs, but rather keep them slightly bent. The reason for this, because when you lock your legs out, it cuts off the circulation and makes you lose conciousness and pass out. We had a few people pass out in formation this morning- obviously I laughed. Also during chow they give us two types of juice, and make us drink it all! This has led some of us to believe that we are drinking stuff that keeps your from getting a Woody, but who knows.
My first day was about what I expected: Long, Stressful, and tiring. Most of us are scared to death to talk, including myself. I find the less I say, the better off I am. It's 0710 and we are all sitting being quiet, and waiting to get our haircuts and issued our ACU's. I know we are all excited to get those. (Dad, your going to love our PT uniforms.) We sort of picked our temporary battle buddies last night, and I got paired up with this guy named Green. He's pretty legit, and currently the only person I care to speak to. We were given these camel backs last night which holds about a half a gallon of water which we carry on our backs 24/7. It's gross. A drill Sergeant over heard me saying that I was going to fill mine with milk, as a result I got a death stare which lasted about 5 ackward seconds. That ended my joking for the day. All in all it's been decent so far. I would hope so considering this is supposed to be cake compared to BCT. That will start in about four days from now, I think.
On a side note, I am terribly upset and saddened by the loss of one of my hero's and one of America's finest Icons: Billy Mays. I haven't heard much about the situation , but I overheard some Drill Sergeants joking about it and I had to do all I could to keep from laughing. So, my one request is that someone write me with some infor on Billy Mayes. I know my mother is deeply saddened by this, she was a big fan. Alright, I'm going to take a break, more later.
We just got our heads shaved. I look like Edward Norton from the movie "American History X". Especially with all of my tattoos. I feel like a skin head. I'm in a good mood oddly. I'm ready to get started with Basic training already. I just want to warn you that this letter is going to be long/longer than usual (maybe) but a lot is going on currently and we are just sitting down on the benches, so tho keep from extreme boredom i'm going to write, it's actually putting me in a good mood. Going to take a break again. Drill Sergeants are takin gus to get more uniforms now.
It is now 1316 and we have been standing ourside in the sun for hours at parade rest. I am sick of standing! My ankles are swollen, FML! Oh well, Just a little while longer and I'm all done for the day.
PFC Zaleuke
Moving on: I am so beat down already and it is only the first day of reception! We have had to stand in formation today for hours (literally). I have so much issued supplies to keep control of such as:
13 pairs of socks (green, white, black)
7 pairs underwear
7 shirts
4 PT shirts
4 PT shorts
1 PT jacket
4 PT wind breaker
4 issues of ACU's
2 pairs boots
extra running shoes
1 ACU winter jacket
1 ACU belt
2 ACU hats
The list continues on and on. We were issued one military duffel bag, similar the the one dad used for hunting, except mine is olive green. Also I have a big laundry bag. But with all of our stuff, I don't know how I will fit it all in. I haven't slept in well over two days, and I found out I have fire guard duty tonight from 12:00 am to 1:00 am. Lights are out at 9 and we have to wake up at 3 am, so it will be another full night of little sleep. Thankfully the drill sergeants have been fairly nice, but we are constantly being told to shut the fuck up by civilian employees and they are generally abusive, but apparently it's not going to be anything compared to the Drill Sergeants during BCT. We are scheduled to ship down range on Friday, so that will technically be considered day 1 for us. (You should see how I look. I am wearing my dogtags, head shaved, sitting on my bead comparing tattoo's with all of the other guys.) We have 2 1/2 to 3 weeks of "Red Phase" AKA: "Fuck me in the ass until I bleed phase." Once that is over, It should be smooth sailing . I dont talk very much, so I haven't been singled out yet... except only to help out the drill sergeants.
PFC Zaleuke
My first day was about what I expected: Long, Stressful, and tiring. Most of us are scared to death to talk, including myself. I find the less I say, the better off I am. It's 0710 and we are all sitting being quiet, and waiting to get our haircuts and issued our ACU's. I know we are all excited to get those. (Dad, your going to love our PT uniforms.) We sort of picked our temporary battle buddies last night, and I got paired up with this guy named Green. He's pretty legit, and currently the only person I care to speak to. We were given these camel backs last night which holds about a half a gallon of water which we carry on our backs 24/7. It's gross. A drill Sergeant over heard me saying that I was going to fill mine with milk, as a result I got a death stare which lasted about 5 ackward seconds. That ended my joking for the day. All in all it's been decent so far. I would hope so considering this is supposed to be cake compared to BCT. That will start in about four days from now, I think.
On a side note, I am terribly upset and saddened by the loss of one of my hero's and one of America's finest Icons: Billy Mays. I haven't heard much about the situation , but I overheard some Drill Sergeants joking about it and I had to do all I could to keep from laughing. So, my one request is that someone write me with some infor on Billy Mayes. I know my mother is deeply saddened by this, she was a big fan. Alright, I'm going to take a break, more later.
We just got our heads shaved. I look like Edward Norton from the movie "American History X". Especially with all of my tattoos. I feel like a skin head. I'm in a good mood oddly. I'm ready to get started with Basic training already. I just want to warn you that this letter is going to be long/longer than usual (maybe) but a lot is going on currently and we are just sitting down on the benches, so tho keep from extreme boredom i'm going to write, it's actually putting me in a good mood. Going to take a break again. Drill Sergeants are takin gus to get more uniforms now.
It is now 1316 and we have been standing ourside in the sun for hours at parade rest. I am sick of standing! My ankles are swollen, FML! Oh well, Just a little while longer and I'm all done for the day.
PFC Zaleuke
Moving on: I am so beat down already and it is only the first day of reception! We have had to stand in formation today for hours (literally). I have so much issued supplies to keep control of such as:
13 pairs of socks (green, white, black)
7 pairs underwear
7 shirts
4 PT shirts
4 PT shorts
1 PT jacket
4 PT wind breaker
4 issues of ACU's
2 pairs boots
extra running shoes
1 ACU winter jacket
1 ACU belt
2 ACU hats
The list continues on and on. We were issued one military duffel bag, similar the the one dad used for hunting, except mine is olive green. Also I have a big laundry bag. But with all of our stuff, I don't know how I will fit it all in. I haven't slept in well over two days, and I found out I have fire guard duty tonight from 12:00 am to 1:00 am. Lights are out at 9 and we have to wake up at 3 am, so it will be another full night of little sleep. Thankfully the drill sergeants have been fairly nice, but we are constantly being told to shut the fuck up by civilian employees and they are generally abusive, but apparently it's not going to be anything compared to the Drill Sergeants during BCT. We are scheduled to ship down range on Friday, so that will technically be considered day 1 for us. (You should see how I look. I am wearing my dogtags, head shaved, sitting on my bead comparing tattoo's with all of the other guys.) We have 2 1/2 to 3 weeks of "Red Phase" AKA: "Fuck me in the ass until I bleed phase." Once that is over, It should be smooth sailing . I dont talk very much, so I haven't been singled out yet... except only to help out the drill sergeants.
PFC Zaleuke
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Hey to Everyone,
This is Dad again. This will be very short. I still do not have an address for Mike; in fact, I still have not received a letter from him either. However, we had a very short conversation a few days ago.
I know this much: Tomorrow (Monday) I should receive a letter. This letter WILL NOT have his address; however, I will post everything he has written, I should receive another letter on Wednesday and I will post Mike's address then.
Next posting will be Mike's words.
GZ
This is Dad again. This will be very short. I still do not have an address for Mike; in fact, I still have not received a letter from him either. However, we had a very short conversation a few days ago.
I know this much: Tomorrow (Monday) I should receive a letter. This letter WILL NOT have his address; however, I will post everything he has written, I should receive another letter on Wednesday and I will post Mike's address then.
Next posting will be Mike's words.
GZ
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