Letters From Basic

epaul
Ancient citizen

Everything is water, and the world is full of frogs. -D. Maki

Posts: 24,644

Letters From Basic Jul 31, 2017 18:29:06 GMT -5 Dub, millring, and 1 more like this

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Post by epaul on Jul 31, 2017 18:29:06 GMT -5

-Letter one (snip):

"Thanks for the letters. It is a warm, fuzzy feeling to hear "Tandberg" called at mail call. I'm finally able to write back now as I won a stamp from one of my battles. [?] It is week 3's last day and we have transitioned from red phase to white phase (group punishment to individual punishment) but the First Sergeant told us it could be temporary if we continue to screw up.

Speaking of drill sergeants, mine knew my name by day three. And my other one has given me a nickname, "The Voice". DS W said I should be a 42Q, Army News Network Person, and DS E told me he now expects that I will know the answer to any question he asks. They are both real cool and I'm having a lot of fun. I was a little apprehensive about our senior drill sergeant arriving, but he is infantry and super cool." ...

[finished with personal stuff about missing Rusty and Casper and the rest of us]

-Letter two (snip): ... "Send Stamps, Fragrance Free Soap, Black Digital Sports Watch, Pens, Sunscreen, Stamps, A Full Night's Sleep"...

-Letter three (snip): ..."No, I haven't driven a tank yet or fired a rocket launcher, but in a little while, I will be able to fire a SAW and a grenade launcher. At this time, we are on RM4, which is grouping and zeroing our rifles. ... [details about graduation date and next assignment details so that we can make our travel plans]

-Letter four (snip). "Good news, bad news. Good News: I was voted best soldier in our platoon. Bad News: I just pulled my groin pretty good and am restricted for four days. Everything had been going great and was fun...then OMG! OUCH!"...

Last Edit: Jul 31, 2017 18:32:49 GMT -5 by epaul

"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "

-Frodo Baggins

Deleted Deleted Member Posts: 0	Letters From Basic Jul 31, 2017 18:41:15 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2017 18:41:15 GMT -5 Heh. Paul, "battles" are battle buddies, or friends he's made since he arrived. Crazy, the lingo we use.

epaul
Ancient citizen

Everything is water, and the world is full of frogs. -D. Maki

Posts: 24,644

Letters From Basic Jul 31, 2017 19:15:28 GMT -5

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Post by epaul on Jul 31, 2017 19:15:28 GMT -5

Thanks, Paul. Do you have any idea why he wanted us to send soap, pens, and sunscreen, etc. ? Isn't there access to a PX store during Basic or is it an "available time" thing? Or does his credit card get stashed until training is over? Or is he just saving up to make another ROTH deposit? We sent the stuff out, but it seemed odd.

Last Edit: Jul 31, 2017 19:16:25 GMT -5 by epaul

"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "

-Frodo Baggins

RickW
Ancient citizen

I got's five fingers - what's that flatpick thingy for?

Posts: 24,136

Letters From Basic Jul 31, 2017 19:24:42 GMT -5

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Post by RickW on Jul 31, 2017 19:24:42 GMT -5

Jul 31, 2017 19:15:28 GMT -5 epaul said:

Thanks, Paul. Do you have any idea why he wanted us to send soap, pens, and sunscreen, etc. ? Isn't there access to a PX store during Basic or is it an "available time" thing? Or does his credit card get stashed until training is over? Or is he just saving up to make another ROTH deposit? We sent the stuff out, but it seemed odd.

Real soldiers don't wash, just burn black, and write their names in blood. Don't spoil the boy!

Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and scared. Don't open the door to the study and begin reading. Take down the dulcimer - Rumi

Music: a combination of sounds with a view to beauty of form and expression of emotion
Rick's SoundCloud Page:
www.soundcloud.com/rickwaugh

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Letters From Basic Jul 31, 2017 19:39:34 GMT -5

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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2017 19:39:34 GMT -5

I don't have a good answer, Paul. I suspect it may be a combination of available time and plain old "you got five minutes to clean your weapon, square your bunk away and shop! Move!" There is not an abundance of free time in basic training, so care packages are like rain from heaven.

Doug
Ancient citizen

If you are over 50 and wake up with out hurting you are dead.

Posts: 39,101

Letters From Basic Jul 31, 2017 20:03:15 GMT -5

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Post by Doug on Jul 31, 2017 20:03:15 GMT -5

Sunscreen, watch?

I was a little apprehensive about our senior drill sergeant arriving, but he is infantry and super cool." ...

WTF

You are supposed to hate your DI until people are shooting at you and you finally realize that what he was teaching you keeps you alive.

"The fact that jelly fish have survived more than 650 million years, despite having no brains, gives some people hopes"
"You have a right to keep and bear arms. If you do not have a gun, and would like one, one will be provided to you. "
"never assume conspiracy when assuming stupidity is enough"
Kingman, AZ

jdd2 Ancient citizen Posts: 13,201	Letters From Basic Jul 31, 2017 20:07:39 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by jdd2 on Jul 31, 2017 20:07:39 GMT -5 Yeah, where's Lee Ermey when you need him?
	It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.

Village Idiot Ancient citizen Administrator Greetings Posts: 35,799	Letters From Basic Jul 31, 2017 20:58:36 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Village Idiot on Jul 31, 2017 20:58:36 GMT -5 I don't remember ever walking into a PX during basic, honestly.
	This old world we're livin' in Is mighty hard to beat We get a thorn with every rose But ain't the roses sweet

patrick Senior Member Rock on Dudes! Posts: 8,156	Letters From Basic Jul 31, 2017 21:27:29 GMT -5 dradtke, david, and 1 more like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by patrick on Jul 31, 2017 21:27:29 GMT -5 You need to read between the lines here, Paul. Send him plumeria body wash and a puffy scrub from Bed, Bath and Beyond. He'll remember you forever.
	"But when dealing with conspiracy theories, especially ones you aren’t quite qualified to prove, one must always consider other possibilities, if only to allow them to reinforce your nutty beliefs."

Village Idiot Ancient citizen Administrator Greetings Posts: 35,799	Letters From Basic Jul 31, 2017 21:35:24 GMT -5 epaul likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Village Idiot on Jul 31, 2017 21:35:24 GMT -5 And a facial mask for men. You know, one of these things:
	This old world we're livin' in Is mighty hard to beat We get a thorn with every rose But ain't the roses sweet

Marshall Ancient citizen Posts: 48,483	Letters From Basic Aug 1, 2017 7:02:09 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Marshall on Aug 1, 2017 7:02:09 GMT -5 Jul 31, 2017 18:29:06 GMT -5 epaul said: Speaking of drill sergeants, . . . , They are both real cool and I'm having a lot of fun. The New Army sure has changed since I went through Basic.
	Last Edit: Aug 1, 2017 7:02:28 GMT -5 by Marshall "Stories are all the human race has got, Dave. You just got to find the one you like and stay with it."

mnhermit
Senior Member

Posts: 8,492

Letters From Basic Aug 1, 2017 8:54:48 GMT -5

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Post by mnhermit on Aug 1, 2017 8:54:48 GMT -5

Aug 1, 2017 7:02:09 GMT -5 Marshall said:

Jul 31, 2017 18:29:06 GMT -5 epaul said:

Speaking of drill sergeants, . . . , They are both real cool and I'm having a lot of fun.

The New Army sure has changed since I went through Basic.

I'm wondering if this is a 'dictated' letter. Sorta like, 'All right you maggots, you're going to write a letter home...'

The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true - James Branch Cabell

If you're over fifty and get out of bed with no pain, check your pulse you may be dead. Doug Heard

millring Ancient citizen If you knew, you'd be smiling too Posts: 46,280	Letters From Basic Aug 1, 2017 10:11:36 GMT -5 david and drlj like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by millring on Aug 1, 2017 10:11:36 GMT -5 I have fond memories of never having been in the military.
	If your belief system does not include incongruities that astonish, frustrate or befuddle you, it most probably does not include a power higher than you.

Marshall
Ancient citizen

Posts: 48,483

Letters From Basic Aug 1, 2017 10:14:38 GMT -5

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Post by Marshall on Aug 1, 2017 10:14:38 GMT -5

Aug 1, 2017 10:11:36 GMT -5 millring said:

I have fond memories of never having been in the military.

Back then I promised myself I'd never say, "It wasn't so bad."

Made for some funny stories. And the experience informs my sensibilities. But it was BAD !

Last Edit: Aug 1, 2017 10:15:45 GMT -5 by Marshall

"Stories are all the human race has got, Dave. You just got to find the one you like and stay with it."

drlj Ancient citizen KD-21A Posts: 23,091 Member is Online	Letters From Basic Aug 1, 2017 10:17:38 GMT -5 via mobile millring and coachdoc like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by drlj on Aug 1, 2017 10:17:38 GMT -5 Aug 1, 2017 10:11:36 GMT -5 millring said: I have fond memories of never having been in the military. Weren't we in the same unit?
	You couldn’t not like someone who liked the guitar. –Stephen King

Rob Hanesworth Administrator Posts: 10,091	Letters From Basic Aug 1, 2017 13:02:45 GMT -5 millring likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Rob Hanesworth on Aug 1, 2017 13:02:45 GMT -5 Dec 31, 1969 19:02:30 GMT -5 millring said: I have fond memories of never having been in the military. I think you and I never served together.
	Rob Hanesworth Plainfield, Indiana If my guitars knew I owned them they would be deeply disappointed.

Post by epaul on Jul 31, 2017 18:29:06 GMT -5

Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2017 18:41:15 GMT -5

Post by epaul on Jul 31, 2017 19:15:28 GMT -5

Post by RickW on Jul 31, 2017 19:24:42 GMT -5

Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2017 19:39:34 GMT -5

Post by Doug on Jul 31, 2017 20:03:15 GMT -5

Post by jdd2 on Jul 31, 2017 20:07:39 GMT -5

Post by Village Idiot on Jul 31, 2017 20:58:36 GMT -5

Post by patrick on Jul 31, 2017 21:27:29 GMT -5

Post by Village Idiot on Jul 31, 2017 21:35:24 GMT -5

Post by Marshall on Aug 1, 2017 7:02:09 GMT -5

Post by mnhermit on Aug 1, 2017 8:54:48 GMT -5

Post by millring on Aug 1, 2017 10:11:36 GMT -5

Post by Marshall on Aug 1, 2017 10:14:38 GMT -5

Post by drlj on Aug 1, 2017 10:17:38 GMT -5

Post by Rob Hanesworth on Aug 1, 2017 13:02:45 GMT -5