He shipped out on May 14th and the letter is dated May 31st. So he's through processing and was about finished with his second week of boot camp when he wrote the letter. For what it's worth, here's the highlights:
He stated that his first two letters were a bit whiney, and he apologized for that. But my wife and I looked again at the first letter he sent each of us (which came today as well), and we could not see much, if any, whining in it, for what it's worth.
Unfortunately, he laughed at an RDC's (drill instructor) joke at the wrong time and was told to stand in front of a mirror so he knew what an a**hole looked like (heh). He went on in his letter to state, "But, the next morning I was doing my norm (going around making sure people are understanding everything) and I guess he saw me and told me he would have a job for me. I still haven't heard what it is yet, but I will continue to assist my shipmates until they are squared away." "My bunk was so well done during a 'fold and stow' that the entire Division had to come by and look at it."
In one of the first letters I sent to him I asked him a few questions and he answered them in this letter. The following are my questions, and then his answer.
1. Have you made any friends and, if so, where are they from? "I have made a few. Lovelady (bunkmate extraordinaire) - Texas. Brown (was at MEPS and on the same plane - Louisiana. Hawkins, don't know where he's from, but he snores. Malovick, don't know where he's from, BUT HE'S 40!!! Barely made age. Breze and Maines, but I don't know where they're from either."
2. What has been the toughest thing so far? "Tough? The separation for sure. Then, the memorization. I now know ranks, chain of command, ships, general orders, and the creed. Oh, and both verses of the song."
3. What's been the most fun so far? "We don't really have fun. lol. But is it weird that I enjoy shining my boots? Oh, I like marching, and in house PT."
4. What has been the best thing about being a Navy recruit so far? "Wearing the Navy uniform. Hands down. The day I got it back with my name on it, I couldn't stop smiling."
5. What has been the worst thing about being a Navy recruit so far? "SLEEP HOURS!!! SHOWERING TOGETHER!!! 1/2 PLY SANDPAPER T.P.!!!"
6. What do you miss the most? "Other than the people I love, real food. Everything is processed and there's no such thing as real sugar."
His final comment was "P.S. I think I made E-2 but I'm not sure."
It was good to hear from him and a bit of a relief that he seems to be making the transition well. In his first letter he asked us to send him a small New Testament, since the Bible he took was too big and was taking up too much space. I'll take that as a good sign as well :-D
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