he called!

Jacob got a quick chance to call tonight.  He sounded so much better this time- still tired, but healthier!!  It has been a very interesting week for him!!

They lost their passes last Sunday which was very disappointing.  I guess someone put IcyHot in someone else's underwear and a huge fight (I'm assuming fistfight) ensued.  Not the best way to start out the week!!

They also did their FTX (field training exercise) this week.  The first day they headed out with all of their gear and got everything set up.  After they were settled, flares started going off and they had to rush everyone back because tornadoes were touching down about three miles away.  The next day went as planned.  He said he spent 6 hours laying on his stomach with his rifle doing "security", then dug a foxhole and ate an MRE laying down.  Today they had to stop training because of snow.  They had about four inches of snow in an hour and the whole post shut down.  By the time they made it back, there was a foot of snow and 3 people had frostbite.

They are still "technically" in the field right now so they aren't supposed to be getting passes tomorrow.  He said that this week should be a little more relaxed.  He was pretty sure that they were actually finishing BCT this week coming up instead of the next week as scheduled.  Hopefully he'll get a bit more free time (phone time!) in AIT.  :)

Oh, and the highlight of his week was the ENTIRE box of Thin Mints that he ate in less than 10 minutes!

a much needed update

I guess it's been awhile since I've updated!!  We have been really busy with my parents in town for the past week!  We celebrated Nick's 4th birthday and Grandpa's 54th birthday at Jim 'N Nick's BBQ and then came home for cake and presents!

Nick opening presents (Mommy ran out of wrapping paper!!)

We didn't do a whole lot while my parents were here.  We went to the mall a few times, and we went to Target MANY times!!  Christopher has been on a quest for a particular Cars toy so we went to about 10 different Targets!  Luckily Grandma and Grandpa found the toy at a Target in Arizona when they got home!!

We went to the "Orange Park" to play.  Unfortunately it was VERY windy so we didn't stay very long!  I think we've gone to the "Orange Park" just about every time my parents have come out over the last four years.

Christopher likes posing for the camera.

Nick enjoys climbing up the chain ladder.

Ben LOVES the slide.

And Lexie doesn't really care either way about anything at the park!!

We went to Buckley Air Force Base to check out the BX and the commissary as well as get an idea of what the base housing is like.  We knew that President Obama was in Denver that day but were unsure if he landed at Buckley or DIA.  We were driving around the base and saw Air Force One behind the hangars.  Then, as we were pulling out of the BX parking lot to leave we realized that the base was on lockdown.  We sat there for about 15 minutes and then saw Air Force One takeoff.  As soon as it was in the air, the gates reopened and we were able to leave.

I've had the opportunity to talk to Jacob several times in the past week.  Last Sunday he had a 4-hour pass again!  My parents took Christopher and Nicholas to go see "Hotel for Dogs" (a big hit for 4-5 year olds!) so I had a few uninterrupted hours to talk to Jacob.  They qualified on their rifles the week before and that went well.  It was a very busy week and they were at the range for 12+ hours a day!  Then on Monday he had an all-day pass due to the President's Day holiday.  He took a couple of naps and we were able to email/chat throughout the day!

He was also able to call last night.  They went through their grenade training this week and threw live grenades on Friday.  He said it was a huge adrenaline rush (you only have 3 seconds!) and his favorite thing they've done so far.  They also got to shoot the .50 caliber machine guns and use the RPG (rocket propelled grenade launcher).  Because his group qualified at 97% on their rifles (an almost unheard of number) they are being rewarded with a pizza party and the UFC fight tonight.

As of yesterday, they are also officially in "Blue Phase" or "Warrior Phase" which is the culmination and the most challenging of all the training phases.  During the first week, there is a PT final and 150 points are required to pass (Jacob had a 235 on his last one).  Those that pass will move on to "Bivouac" (camping) and FTX (Field Training Exercises), such as nighttime combat operations and MOUT (military operations on urban terrain) training.  There is no access to the dining facility during these exercises, so meals are given in the form of either MREs or "hot alphas".  Drill sergeants will make much of this an adversarial process, working against the recruits in many of the night operations, trying to foil plans, etc.  Other BCT companies also in their FTX weeks may join in simulated combat scenarios, generally at night, with intense competition to prover their particular company is the better trained.

Basic training culminates in a special tactical FTX, during which the drill sergeants will advise, but allow recruit platoon leaders and squad leaders to exercise primary decision-making.  They attempt to make virtually every one of these exercises different.  Due to the fact that being a soldier is potentially an extremely hazardous job, recruits must demonstrate extreme aggression and fearlessness, tempered by intelligence and common sense.  Only those that demonstrate these vital attributes will be permitted to move on to AIT.

sunday's call......... on sunday! :)

Jacob was able to call this afternoon.  They had another 4-hour on-post pass today and he spent most of his in line waiting to donate blood.  :)  He said that training is going well.  It's still really cold and wet there so he's hoping that it warms up soon.

They started Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) this past week and it has been a lot of LONG days.  They have been on the range from 0700 to 1700 all week.  He said it's going well so far and they should be qualifying on their rifles in the next week or so.

He did another PT test a few days ago and dropped almost a minute from his 2 mile run!!  Anyone that passed at Phase 5 standards got to watch the UFC fight last night.  He, and about 50 others, were very excited for the chance to relax!!

They are in Week 5 now, so more than halfway through with the BCT portion of training!!

call from jacob

Jacob was able to call again this afternoon.  They had a 4 hour on-post pass as a reward and were reissued their phones.  We were able to chat in between his required haircut (every two weeks!) and his snack of a Milky Way and Starbucks Frappuccino.

He said it finally warmed up and was around 50 today.  I don't think he's a big fan of the ice storms!  Today was a pretty relaxing day for him.  In addition to the 4 hour pass, he also gets to watch the SuperBowl and have pizza!

valentine's jammies

Lexie wore her new Valentine's jammies last night so I decided to take a few pictures of her in them this morning.  As soon as the camera was out Christopher and Nicholas decided they needed to be in the pictures too!

Lexie in her new jammies.

Christopher loves his little sister.

Then Nick wanted in on the fun!

Poor Ben was taking a nap during all of this.  He doesn't feel well!  And just because I was having fun with my computer: