<p>Has anyone received any letters home? I got my first one yesterday! My son said difficulty eating the first days b/c of stress but now is feeling better. So far so good - only his feet were a little sore. I’m taking this as a good letter!</p>
<p>Of course it is! It means he can still hold a pen and think logically :)
Just keep telling yourself he will survive!</p>
<p>We've gotten a couple letters from each boy, and then found out that Twin2's OLD girlfriend got a couple letters too! The OLD GIRLFRIEND??? Must not have been paying enough attention! </p>
<p>Anyway, it was funny because both boys say breakfast is the worst meal of the day! they were used to breakfast "ranch" style: eggs, bacon, cereal, fruit, homemade waffles, etc. Guess neither one is too thrilled with the fare in Mitch. Also, both said they have to drink the Ensure, so I guess they're losing weight (typical, no?).</p>
<p>It's very typical for them to lose weight, although mine was one of the few that managed to gain 10-15 pounds, especially when he got to Jack's. He was starving all of the time (all 5'6" of him)! My experience was the letters kept getting better...more upbeat...more used to the routine, being away, etc. If all they're complaining about is food and sore feet, life is good!</p>
<p>The first letters are awesome! We received our first yesterday which was 3 letters all stuffed in one envelope. </p>
<p>D's drinking the Ensure too. She's supposed to drink 2 each day and this was started before any weigh in. </p>
<p>She said they are taking very good care of the Basics. In spite of all the yelling (and she said there's lots of yelling), there's moments when the Cadre are really nice and helpful. :) </p>
<p>She really enjoyed the Language Aptitude test and hopes she did well on it. She said it was basically a bunch of jibberish and then questions about the jibberish. She's hoping to take a strategic language.</p>
<p>She loves intramurals (she's doing volleyball) and finds solace at Chapel.</p>
<p>The best part of her letters was her tone. She's learning and enduring. She's commited and hanging in there and tells us not to worry.</p>
<p>Congrats to all of the 2012 basics! USAFA does take care of them and makes sure they're staying healthy. They'll come out strong and ready for the academic year. Kyle (Class of 2011...currently soaring, soon to be home for his 3-week leave!) always said the two things that got him through the long days of BCT were letters from home and chapel. Learning and enduring are what it's all about this summer...this was truly the hardest part of his 1st year. As long as your daughter is still seeing the big picture...past BCT...she's doing great! Best of luck to her...and you!!!</p>
<p>Good to hear that everyone seems to be doing well!</p>
<p>By the way - my cadet said he has only been allowed to go to the mail area once. He said the Cadre doesn't always let them go. I think that is really disappointing since everyone says it's the letters that get you through! Does anyone know how they distribute the mail when they go to Jack's Valley?</p>
<p>The cadre bring it out with them. I'm not 100% sure how that works, but they'll still receive and be able to send mail just as often. In my flight last year, that was about every third day.</p>
<p>Just curious, have any of the cadets mentioned having to do anything to recieve their mail? I know at a camp I volunteer at for kids with relatives in the MN National Guard, the kids have to do 10 pushups to get any mail.</p>
<p>Received our first letters on Thursday...very happy to learn that MissMuff's worst complaint was the food and her sore feet (seems to be universal)
She wrote some pretty funny accounts of mealtime shenannigans. 1/2 full Pitchers "crashing and burning" misunderstood orders that caused delirious, exhausted kids to laugh which of course, caused them to get yelled at....you get the picture.
When do they have time to write?</p>
<p>We have received two letters from Buckaroo. She seems to be doing well. She said that it felt like someone started pounding on her door as soon as she laid her head down, but she is doing well.
I run to the mailbox each day looking for more letters.</p>
<p>Muffmom and TxTwin... your girls are both sweet and I am sure they are the hit of their squadrons. Glad you are both enjoying their letters. My twins' letters echoed their personalities exactly - one chatty and telling stories, one "strictly business." Too funny. I wonder if they are driving their roommates crazy!?</p>
<p>Got my first letter from my son yesterday,(clapping hands)... said I-day was longest day of his life! He also said his roommate was a preppie and was super helpful.... so thankful for that. Starvin Marvin, he did not say if he had gotten any of my mail, so can't answer that for ya! Thank you to all of you who keep my spirits up even if I don't hear from him. :) This forum is the next best thing to mail.</p>
<p>getting mail depends on the cadre...generally they won't make them do anything to earn it as long as they continuously perform well. but if they screw up that might not be the case. and generally embarassing letters or things sent in/with the letters lead to an extra training session (which can sometimes still be fun ironically)</p>
<p>Now remember, consider frilly pink envelopes when you write, and messages to the cadre on the back, and a little perfume helps them stand out.....</p>
<p>JK! Parents: don't put extras on those envelopes; you don'twant to give the cadre any excuses to take it out on your Basics! There are stories.....</p>
<p>By the way, we have kept all our sons's letters from (only!) two years ago. They are priceless - complete with some hilarious sketches. The time, and the air force, flies</p>
<p>moltadolcee, I agree with you...this forum has helped keep me sane! MissMuff's roommate is a Preppie, too. She's thrilled bcs her roomie knows all the rules and regulations. Very helpful.</p>
<p>AFDAD - We got STRICT orders and preprinted white #10 envelopes! My crazy kid didn't want to be the cause of pushups for her squad.</p>
<p>too funny mommy muff! ;) I'll send a pink scented envelope to mix things up. :) lol It fits her personality at least! </p>
<p>I remember my roomie (and best friend to this day here) was a falcon foundation preppie. It really helped to have someone who could make a hospital corner and shine boots. Kept me sane too when I was loopy! lol Glad to hear she got the same. Hum, I can't believe I'm going to be seeing them all in a couple days. But, for them it means they are over halfway done.</p>
<p>Whoops? Then he won't appreciate the stickers on his first two letters I sent him. :) I told him in advance and he didn't say no. But, I stopped on the last two, but I'm sure he'll pay me back some time.</p>
<p>But I haven't gotten anything back from him (good friend of mine). Again, not a suprise. I told him writing the parental figures and sleeping were more important. I just hope the all mighty postal service is actually getting them there.</p>
<p>We were told by our parents group that we could photocopy pictures onto plain paper then write our letters around the pictues, on the back, etc. Well, alert the news media! Both my twins had their mail confiscated by their cadre and one twin was forced to read his letter aloud in front of "the head guy." So, let your parents groups know that the cadre is onto this plan and that, at least my kids, haven't gotten to read a number of their letters because we tried to rig the system. :(</p>