<p>Several parents asked that I post any updates on Beast II that I get from my son who is a platoon leader for Beast II.</p>
<p>I got this message from him yesterday (Thursday). In case your wondering why our normally nonconversational son was writing, we had sent him a goodie box for his birthday this week and he had just received it. Sounds like the new cadets are doing well. Sorry but I still don't know which company he is assigned to. </p>
<p>Here's part of his email:</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the candy for my birthday. I really appreciate it. The candy during Beast seems to taste so much better than during the academic year. I made the mistake of opening the box with my buddies nearby so the candy was quickly devoured by the wolfpack.</p>
<p>Beast has been a lot of fun so far. I really like the cadets in my platoon. Although the new cadets screw up once in a while and we have to get onto them for it , for the most part they’re pretty good. </p>
<p>Our platoon spent the past 4 days doing some neat training. Over the weekend we took them out to the rifle range and taught them how to fire their rifles. For many of them it's the first time they've ever fired a weapon. Then they literally had a blast on Tuesday throwing hand grenades. I wonder how many guys get to toss grenades on their birthday ( his birthday was Tuesday). Yesterday (Wednesday) we did an individual movement exercise with real rounds. The platoon is doing good things and I’m proud of them. </p>
<p>We head out to Camp Buckner on Monday. While we're there we will spend five nights out in the field. Not looking forward to those breakfast MRE's (meals). They are horrible even when you're starving. Should be a fun time if the weather cooperates. I remember this time in the field as my favorite part of Beast. Hope it's as much fun as a platoon leader. </p>
<p>After our time in the field we come back to the Buckner barracks to chill for a day. Then we load up our gear and begin the 12 mile ruck march back to West Point. It's a long march but it's worth it when you get close to the end and all the people line the road and cheer the new cadets. </p>
<p>Once we're back to West Point, re-org (re-organization week) starts and I get to start dealing with all this CO business (commanding officer of this company). Fun.</p>