Karen is doing great!

[Mark Evett]

We got 2 letters today, and Karen said that by the time we're reading them, they'll probably be doing fire fighting training and the Confidence (gas) Chamber. It sounds like it will be next week for Battle Stations, then right afterward is graduation, which is call Pass in Review (PIR)! We're on pins and needles waiting for that phone call after BS! (Passing BS is when they officially become Sailors, after being Sailor Recruit for the last seven weeks. It's a huge deal for the recruits.)Karen loves her Division (about 80 recruits). She talked about how proud they are now when they're marching down the street. They carry seven flags now, and Karen carries the Ship flag, which is what they call the barracks they're staying in. They are no longer the newbies, and she said they're the big dogs now when they march. She earned a ribbon for weapons, and she and another recruit got to be Boatswain's Mate of the Watch, and as such got to stand at the top of the ship and direct their division during Marlinspike exercise. The Marlinspike is a full-size simulated ship, and during the exercise, the division works together to "dock" it by throwing the lines across, etc. She said she now feels like she can do anything in the world with no fear. Her sense of pride and confidence are really coming through in her letters, and it's evident that she has really adjusted to military life and likes it. She said she's really excited about her Navy career. I'm so proud of her that I tear up just reading her letters - I'll probably be a basket case during PIR!Along with writing, please keep PRAYING for the health of the recruits. Karen was sick and spent an afternoon SIQ but was able to bounce back and catch up. Other moms and dads have reported similar stories of recruits being sick.