New Cadet Barnes to Cadet USMA Class of 2016: July 2012

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Monday, July 9, 2012

JG's first letter home

First Call Home from Cadet Basic Training (BEAST)

JG called home yesterday about 5:00pm... it was a planned call and is timed by his Cadre... we had 10 minutes... he did not waste any of the time! JG and Johnny talked first to each other then Johnny graciously handed the phone to me - how sweet was that!? We tried to put him on the speaker but he could not hear us... he knew his daddy was right next to me so every now and then he would tell Daddy this!

He said the food was good but that he would not be gaining weight because the number of chews they have to do as well as having to stand up and greet officer as they pass the table which is often! He said they have to stare at a crest in the middle of their plate the entire time...plus at anytime during a meal an officer can order him to recite knowledge (which I'll explain on another day) but if they do not recite the knowledge orders exactly then they have to sit at the officers table which he when I spoke him he had not had to do and he did say he had mot received any special attention" which is actually not special at all!!! then he moved on to the talk about the 3 mile hike (Ruck) they had that morning after their morning physical training which he says is the worst part so far. This is where he said tell dad the backpacks they carry on the Ruck is 50 lbs. not the 25 that he trained in - he said he was doing good with the physical part overall... he had taken his fitness test the third morning he was there and he said he needs to work on keeping his fingers interlaced behind his head when doing sit-ups because they do not count them if your fingers come apart even a little!... he said based on the last three days by the time he has to take it again at the end of Beast he will be able to knock them out!!!... Sunday morning he left for a four day camp out exercise that consist of marching several miles with the 50lbs and all kinds of training - he will be dropped off in the middle of the woods with a map that has three points identified and compass and some kind of ruler thingy and he will have to go to each point and he will be timed...He said he was given his M16 and M14.. the M16 he will shoot and the M14 they march with. .Once he returns from the four day ruck his troop is doing the gas chamber and is where they go into the chamber with mask on and have to break the seal on the mask then find their way out and once they are out they have to answer questions under pressure from and officer.

He requested his tennis rackets be sent to him and tennis shoes because he is going to walk on - they have tryouts during the six week basic training - so I am having his tennis rackets strung as we speak! then his cadre gave him 20 seconds and he said well lets use them up mom!..and he told me he loved me and he loved dad and to please tell all friends and family for him that he has little time to write during Beast and he said mom can you make sure they know... so I created the blog! Your letters and cards will be so important to him I will post his address!

I told him that i wished I had a word or two that could described him right that very minute and that pumped and excited came to mind and without fail he was ready with a more fitting description stating he had the benefit of adrenaline!! Adrenaline that is what you are hearing mom!!! It was a great call and Johnny and I were two happy campers for sure!