<p>If she is about 5 feet tall with curly redhair that is probably her. She is in Guts so the color would be right. Potterfan1989 was probably there too. Both were into CC in HS.</p>
<p>I would've said something had I known.</p>
<p>Patriotmom;</p>
<p>Son's letter only had two words in it written in CAPS - as in "DO NOT send any photos or candy" (which we had not done yet), that is, until he writes to us again with permission. He went on to say his cadre were taking "the contriband thing very seriously". Not sure what the punishments were, however, for kids getting these sort of things....</p>
<p>Note that son's letter was written before the cadre got the tools to force pushups, flutterkicks, etc. for infractions. We had heard previously here on the forum that "special letters, photos, gifts, etc" were ammunition for, as the say, "front leaning position workouts" (i.e. pushups). So we've not been taking any chances, keeping the letters restricted to plain white busness envelopes. Not sure if a few newspaper articles/comics tucked in between the sheets (hidden from prying eyes) will / did cause any trouble however. Guess we'll find out on DD or PW.</p>
<p>Looking for prep school grad from CO and a cross country recruit from PA probably in Interceptors. Moms or Dads are you out there?</p>
<p>Part 1 I believe of today's field photos.. 12th photo down from Web guy girl on far left in maroon...that her? seems to fit description.</p>
<p>All Interceptors family, Web Guy Gallery #10. Lots of Interceptor group shots. Let me know which are yours. My son is hiding again!</p>
<p>We got 2 letters from son today. One dated June 30 and one dated July 2. I don't know if he mailed them together or our post office just held them up. I don't really care, as long as we got them.</p>
<p>Interceptors Photos
I haven't seen our S recently either- seems like he is staying
invisible, which could be a good thing</p>
<p>First letter. Epigrammatic. Terse. Like this post. The one I'm writing right now. Excerpt: "In-processing. Oh so very much fun . . . . Got on the bus. Started going. Then the yelling began. Instructed on sitting at attention. Given the introduction phrase. 7 basic responses. Got blood drawn. Got shots. Got a whole bunch of equipment which will be 'sorted' tomorrow. Realized the duffel bag is huge, heavy, especially when you have to carry it across the plaza in just one hand. Continuous shouting throughout the day, and thus far I have realized that it's not as bad as I thought it would be. 'Course, now that I say that it will only get worse . . . ."</p>
<p>That's all. For now. ;-)</p>
<p>Still stalking the mailman but I have been assured 2 letters were sent. Must have been processed by the post office in Antarctica first.</p>
<p>ds52262 - I'm still stalking the mailman too - how do you know 2 letters were sent? I have no idea if any were sent. Well, the way I look at it, no news is good news!</p>
<p>I got a letter!! Yeah!!! </p>
<p>Not the happiest of letters. Turns out it is letter #2 but she indicates letter #1 was returned as somehow it only had a .02 stamp and was returned. Swears that it had the other stamp but somehow it came up missing and the mail was returned as insufficient postage. There is even an obvious spot where the other stamp was. She indicates the good is it gave her a way to give the cadre something to train her on. And train they did. She wont be sending us letter #1. Instead she will keep it as a reminder of how aweful it was back then - still pretty bad but not as bad. She said she prefers we not read it. So - I guess we are all glad #1 got messed up. Hardest thing is she can't talk to anyone, not even in the bathroom. One roommate is leaving next week, and the other seems to take pleasure in getting them into trouble (I bet the SAMI was aweful in that scenario!). All the stuff she had in her Bible was taken - her prayer journal and stuff like that. She still has the Bible but not the prayer journal or the other support type things. Even the pencil with the Bible verse that was in the Bible for use with the journal was taken. </p>
<p>She said that when she is able to interact with others and talk somewhat everything is instantly better (except with the roommates!). The letter was written on July 3rd so I presume when the 4th and fireworks rolled around it was great. Can't wait to hear about that. Cedrtainly the photo at intramurals was her happy times. I bet intramurals will be a God send since they must be able to communicate with each other at least to some degree there. </p>
<p>There were other good things in the letter - the positive is hard to find but she is searching for it in the dullest of situations. Can't wait for letter #3 and someday I hope to read #1 - but who knows, she may destroy it (though I hope not - it would be good reading in a long while.</p>
<p>Well I can take the hit off the mailman for withholding my mail. Got letter from Potterfan today. She is doing good. Has a prior enlisted for a roommate. Is drinking ensure to prevent weight loss. Loves morning PT (she is a Cross Country Runner). Passed her AFT. Recieved a treat on her Birthday. The only bad experience she related was running into MSgt Parker and calling him TSgt Parker. She does know better after 18 years as an Air Force Dependent. Apparently she compounded it later by botching his name. She understands the drill though, and is staying positive.</p>
<p>Momof hopeful2011- I got a letter from my daughter also. She like your daughter is trying to find as much positive in this situation as possible. There are a few "saving graces", With that comment from her I knew it would be O.K. Remember, this is NOT suppose to be easy in any retrospect, and everyone will fail at some point or another. That is the Cadres job! Hang in there! You have a beautiful daughter! I remember you from orientation and will never forget the look on your daughters face when she asked my daughter if she has ever Put up or camped in a tent! and my daughter's answer was NO! Jack's valley should be fun. I'm so proud of each and everyone of these Basic Cadets! I say a pray everyday for them- STAY STRONG!!! Susan</p>
<p>That's hilarious about MSgt Parker. He was my AMT last year, AMAZING man, awesome guy. He only yells in BCT, its wierd for him. But I can't emphasize how awesome of a guy and morale booster he was for us last year!!!</p>
<p>momof"basic"2011, that's odd, my understanding is that bible's were absolutely off limits to cadre, so I'm surprised they touched it or anything in it. hum. </p>
<p>It will get better, I promise her that!</p>
<p>Well Hornet I can assure you knows the difference between a MSgt and TSgt, and she will never make the mistake of demoting a SNCO again. Not to mention I might just send her an old pair of my TSgt and MSgt stripes to remind her...LOL :)</p>
<p>Yeah for all! It looks like it was the day for all the Ds to write. I am so glad that you all heard from them.
We go two short notes in one envelope yesterday. Son said I could borrow his name and post any time on CC - good thing I have permission now <vbg> He said he is always tired, always hungry, always sore - wouldn't want to be any where else - loves it there. Actually likes his cadre and has a cool roommate - a prep - makes BCT a little easier. I think Son is where he belongs. I can be thankful for that.
Have a great weekend all - we'll keep praying for those Basics!</vbg></p>
<p>hornetguy - they did not take the Bible, just the prayer journal and stuff in it. The prayer journal fit inside the Bible and the Bible zipped shut. </p>
<p>Reading between the lines of D's letter it is clear that she will perservere, and I can already tell there will be some good life stories to share in the future. As she put it 'I'm not at BCT as a vacaction'. </p>
<p>grlboxer9 - yes I remember you and your daughter too. My d has camped but I doubt she has done anything remotely like BCT2! Will be interesting to see if her camping experience was any benefit vs. your D's lack of camping experience. Should be an interesting comparison. My guess is it won't make a difference. One way or another BCT2 will be what it is and they'll each get dirty - maybe in more than one way! </p>
<p>They will perservere - the whole point of the BCT is to take them out of the comfort zone (and then some!).</p>
<p>That would be a huge violation if they did. But I took the airman's bible with me, they didn't even ask to look at it. IIRC, they can't open, touch, ask for it at all. So, I'm very surprised they had her open it for them and that they took any religiously oriented items like a prayer book away. I find that very very odd. O well, maybe there's more to the story that only they know!</p>
<p>hornetguy - For all we know they asked if she had a journal and she said yes and they took it because she didn't say it was a prayer journal. So, yes there is almost certainly more to the story. I could easily see a group being asked if any of them had a journal so she would honestly answer yes and they would take it. If she didn't say it was her prayer journal then they would be right to take it, correct? She'll be fine without it. I bet she's useing stationary instead and it gives her a memory. </p>
<p>Bottom line - she doesn't have it but she learned something by loosing it so that is a win. She looks for the positive in things and this is just a hurdle from which to overcome.</p>