Eat Whatever We Wanted

26 Nov 09

Happy Thanksgiving! I wish I could have been home with everyone. It was weird being away from everyone for the first time but it ended up being fairly nice. We had our big meal around 1300 but it was great. We walked into the chow hall and it was decorated really nicely. We had our food served to us by a sergeant major and 2 majors! It was crazy. Some of the highest ranking people in the post were eating with us. The best part was, they treated us like human beings. We got to relax, talk, and eat whatever we wanted. Everyone was so full it was great.

Yesterday we had some training on the US weapons. Short training on the high speed weapons we use. The M249 SAW, 240B and .50 cal machine guns. Basically we fired big-ass guns with big-ass belt fed bullets. The .50 cal bullet is about the size of a carrot. It's insane.

I booked my flight to AIT. Sadly, I have to leave on Jan. 1 at 12:55pm. That's all for now. Hope everyone had a great holiday.

Corey

Agony

Hi Everyone -

Sorry it's been so long since I've written. I've been either too tired or too busy all week. The biggest things we've done were close-combat practice, night fire, grenades and the 10k march. Close combat is really cool, we used M4's which are a smaller, lighter rifle (It's what I'll have when I'm deployed) with the M68 CCO (close combat optics). For those who play "Call of Duty 4" the M68 is the "Red-Dot Sight." It simply replaces the iron sight with a red laser dot, making close fire easy. The night fire course was with night vision and laser sights, really cool stuff, but as usual it was freezing, taking away from some of the fun. Grenades were alright, a really long day for 2 big bangs. I qualified expert but it was nothing special. Then we had the 10k march. It SUCKED. We went up the hill named "Agony." Ask Mom, I'm sure she knows all about it.

Other than that things are decent, a little rough but it's almost blue phase so it should be better soon. It's shower and bed time, so 'night all.

Corey

Happy Thanksgiving

Just got a call from Corey. He's booking his flight from Boston to San Antonio for his next phase of training and needed his frequent flier number. He's not yet in blue phase but he hopes it comes soon! Yesterday, they practiced on automatic weapons - "it was fun." Corey's back being a squad leader and marching with his platoon. They are celebrating Thanksgiving by watching movies all day and cleaning the barracks. He can't wait for Basic Training to be over and to come home.
~Laurie

Sharpshooter

17 Nov 09

Hey Everybody,

So today was BRM-13, rifle qualification day. Before I tell you how I did, I'll let you know just how it works. There are 7 targets, 50m (right & left), 100m, 150m, 200m, 250m, and 300m. These are pop-up targets that stay up for times between 3-8 seconds. Sometimes there are two at a time. We shoot from 3 positions. Prone supported, lying down with sandbags for support (I fake this one because I shoot better unsupported), prone unsupported which has no sandbags, and kneeling. Supported we have 20 rounds, 10 unsupported and 10 kneeling. There are three different levels you can qualify at, each with a different badge to wear on class A's (that's the green dress uniforms - Laurie). Marksman (23-29 hits), Sharpshooter (30-35) and expert (36-40). The weather today was miserable, cold and rainy all day which made shooting tough, especially for the guys with glasses. I did well, 34/40 - sharpshooter. Sadly, I could have gotten expert but I missed a few fairly easy shots. I can't blame it on the weather, but it could have helped. Who knows, I think I get a re-qual at AIT (advanced individual training, Corey's medic training - Laurie) but probably with an M-4 (smaller, lighter, slightly less accurate rifle). That's about it for now, I'll write again soon.

~Corey

Just the 10K and 15K left

5 November 09

Hi Everyone.

Sorry I haven't written in a while. I've been really sick and its been hard to do anything. Bronchitis, fever, cough, all that fun stuff. To make it worse, I haven't been able to go to sick call because its the most important days of BRM and I can't miss it. We have one more practice range tomorrow and we qualify Tuesday. Saturday we practiced and I shot 29/40 which is decent. I can't shoot well in the prone supported (lying down with the weapon on sandbags). I shot 10/20. Unsupported 10/10 and 9/10 kneeling. I'm going to shoot unsupported the whole time and I should do well. The DSs have been fairly laid back lately because they want us to be relaxed for shooting, so we haven't been too stressed out lately. The big news is, less that a week to blue Phase! We're down to 32 days left. We graduate on the 17th and its also family day. The best option is for you to come here the 18th and pick me up, then we can just fly home together.

It's pretty exciting being more than halfway through, time is flying by and going home actually sounds possible. We did our 8k march and it was easy. We just have 10k and 15k left to do. Once again I have fire guard so I need to get going. I'll write again soon.
~Corey

Graduation

Corey called his Dad today! He told David that he is doing well and has pre-qualified with his shooting..I guess that means he is doing well enough to pass the final test. He is finishing up the middle third of basic training, the white phase, and will start the blue phase - final three weeks - on Saturday. He called from his own cell, so perhaps his platoon has earned a few privileges??

We are going to his combined family day/graduation on December 17 and he will be coming home to Needham with us on December 18th. Hooray and Hoorah!

~Laurie

Zeroing

Hi Everyone,

So I'm standing here waiting in line to get a chance to zero my weapon. Basically, I'll be shooting 10-20 times and getting my sights set for my eyes. This is an all day thing which sucks because its super boring and we have to eat/sleep out here. Fields are bad because we have to eat standing up and get a lot less food than usual.

Saturday I was given a really important new job. I'm the platoon guidon bearer. It's my job to march out in front of the formation and carry our colors. Those being the white phase banner, so its just a plain white flag.

Its crazy to think I've been gone for almost 5 weeks already, getting close to the halfway point. I'm enjoying myself but at the same time, I really can't wait to get home. When you're at a place like this, you really learn to appreciate the little things in life. Things like TV, eating when/what you want, couches, sitting down, free time, things like that. Thankfully its really just during basic that this stuff isn't allowed, but still, its crazy. I really can't wait until I can sit down and enjoy a meal. Although I'm pretty sure on family day we're going to have to go out for some gourmet fast food. This being the south, there is plenty in the area...

Just finished my zeroing. I did it on my first try which is pretty cool. Except we just had lunch and now I have to sit around all afternoon and do nothing. Since we're not going back tonight we have even longer to sit around. Apparently we qualify next Tuesday, so we have just over a week to get ourselves ready for it. Hopefully I'll get sharpshooter or expert so I can wear a nice little badge on my Class A's.

We had our PT test a few days ago. I passed pushups easily, ran a 13:58 2 mile, and got screwed on situps. Our DS's said we could take our hands off our heads and the rep just wouldn't count. The DS in training stopped me after 1 minute for doing just that. I got a 38 in the first minute, and had to get just 9 in the second. Needless to say, my DS wasn't mad at me.

So it's the next day after sleeping out in the woods. We just did our first down range shooting and it went well. I hit 35/40 targets but had some trouble with the 300m targets. I missed 5/10 of those. Everything else I had no problem with. It's pretty cold out right now and its about noon. They say it's gonna warm up, but its not looking like it.

I'm hoping we don't have to march back. Its only about a 5k, but our packs are huge right now. At least carrying the flag is easier that carrying my weapon. (I get to attach it to my back for road marches.) Of course, right now I'm more concerned with when lunch is than anything else. It should be very soon which is good. We get to eat dinner at the dining hall tonight, which means a lot more food. Very exciting.

So the day is finally over, well, somewhat. Its 2108 and I have the 2200-2500 fire-guard shift, so I can't go to sleep. I want to shower but I'm not going to bother. It looks like graduation/family day is the 17th, but we hear different stuff every day so I can't be sure. Tomorrow is Veteran's Day, so we get most of the day off. I plan to PT a bunch but that's about it. After tomorrow, we will be at the halfway point, which is quite cool. I'll keep writing but for now I'm taking a break. Night.
~Corey

Certainly Glad It's Over

06 nov 09

Hey All,

Its been an exhausting couple of days. We finally had the gas chamber, and well, it really sucked. When we first got in, my DS decided to take my filter, so I was coughing and snotting all on the inside of my mask. (Yes I know, gross). Then later, we had to take our masks off and wait for a bit. It was horrible, and even more gross. Of course it was all on film as well. Then, my DS picked a bunch of us to do it again. This time, with no masks. We had to walk in circles singing The Army Song. I somehow got through the whole thing. I'm certainly glad its over.

Today we did more BRM (basic rifle marksmanship), including a shooting simulation. Tomorrow, we finally get to shoot for real. We also have our 5k foot march, which shouldn't be too hard. Sunday, we head out for a three day FTX, not really sure what we're doing, but I know its going to be really cold. Mom and Aunt Lynnie, Uncle Scott and Bubbie, I got your packages, thanks a ton! I should be set for a while with the cough drops.

Things are going well and I hope to hear from everyone soon.

Corey

"Privates Crack"

04 Nov 09

Hi Everyone,

It's been along few days but things are doing well. Today was Red Phase testing and I passed easily so now the clock is ticking for Blue Phase. The FTX was fun, getting to go out on our own and search for points all over the woods. We probably walked five miles and then did it again at night. We got very lost at night, but we made it back safely. I have some nice cuts, but other than that I'm good. We ate some MREs (Meals ready to eat), they're actually really good and give a lot more food than the regular chow. Sleeping outside wasn't bad, the sleeping bags they gave us are super warm, we actually were able to sleep really well. Although getting up in the morning when it was thirty degrees out really sucked. Tomorrow morning we have more combatives and then finally in the afternoon the CLS gas chamber. I'm far from excited but I just want to get it done with and never have to do it again. Everyone here is sick, thankfully something I have been able to avoid until this point. The cough drops are amazing, they're basically candy and should also help keep me healthy. The name for them here is "Privates crack," people go nuts for them. I need to take a shower and head to bed, big day tomorrow. Until next time,
~ Corey

First FTX

01 nov 09

Hi Again

So some big stuff has happened over the last few days. Friday we had a big obstacle course, which was fun. The rope climb really sucked though, it wasn't something I was exactly prepared for. It was tough, but I got up it. Saturday we had the big news. We finally got into White Phase, which is a big deal. A lot more freedom and a lot more responsibility. We march ourselves places now, including services, but we really have to be good because it doesn't take much to get it all taken away. As of now, I am no longer a squad leader, but it should only be temporary. Our DS decided it would be a brilliant idea to put the 6 worse people in the platoon in charge of everything. So far it's been interesting. I personally do know that I have some stuff to work on, and when I get my job back, I'll do better.

Tomorrow we have our first FTX (field training exercise), which is land navigation. Basically, they're putting us into groups of 5, with a map, protractor and compass. Then sticking us in the woods and telling us to find our way to certain points. I'm in the "high speed" group, which is racing other platoons for a streamer! Other than that, I'm doing well. Only 6.5 more weeks to go! Thanks to everyone who has been writing, is really nice. To those who said they were going to write and haven't.....get on it! Until next time,

~Corey

Roll around in the mud

29 oct 09

Hi Again,

Another few days down, another letter. Not all that much to report, its been a fairly boring couple of days. We finished up the CLS stuff and took a test on it, which was easy. We did have to roll around in the mud, which was horrible. Our uniforms were destroyed and we made a big mess of the barracks which took several hours to clean. Today was a few more classes, one on radio communications, another on the Geneva Convention. Thankfully, the screw ups have been at a minimum and we've been doing quite well. We finally are allowed to march to cadences, which makes marching quite a bit easier and more fun. Tomorrow we have another obstacle course, a big one that's supposed to be a lot of fun. Hopefully I'll get a phone call this weekend (he did!) and I can tell you some more stuff. I hope all is well,

- Corey

Halloween Candy

Nov. 1, 2009

Hi All,

Hooray! Corey just called me. It's Sunday morning and he had gone to religious services. He likes them and they are mostly in English (not Hebrew). Also, there's always a good snack afterwards - they had cookies and Halloween candy today.

They've just completed white phase - the first 3 week cycle. The Platoon (?) DS (?) decided that the 6 soldiers doing most poorly would be made squad leaders for now. He thinks that he will become a squad leader again in a few days, and knows that people are made and fired as squad leaders often and for no reason.

He sounded good but has a cold. He said that he is happy when he gets lots of letters.

I asked him if we can send him anything that won't be taken away and he said cough drops with vitamin C and nice toilet paper. I am sending him out some tomorrow.

Corey said he will write a letter tonight with more details.

Laurie