Letter Received

We received a short letter from Tim last night. It is our first letter from him since Family Day. He had a really nice time at Family Day is is very thankful for the support. It sounds like he's doing okay and is getting re-adjusted to Army life. This week he has been training on the Bradley Fighting vehicle (see picture). He wasn't sure if he was going to get to drive it, or simply ride in it. Of course, he was hoping to drive it.

A couple of other comments. Please try to write him a letter if you can. I'm sure he can use some extra support these last few weeks. They really like to get letters - the longer the better according to Tim. All of the guys are pretty tired and stressed, so it would help if you could encourage him.

Also, Tim and I were looking at his pay stubs (which are mailed to our house) over the weekend and we realized the budget crisis has affected Tim directly. The government is withholding a portion of his pay, which is listed as "gov't debt" on his pay stub. Presumably they will reimburse him for these amounts when the budget is passed. Fortunately, Tim does not need the money at the moment, but consider the impact on service families which have very little income. Something to think about...

Family Day Pictures

Here are a few pix from Family Day.

Family Day Report

We enjoyed a great weekend with Tim at Family Day. Joining his immediate family were grandma and grandpa Sears, grandpa Troutman, Aunt Debbie and Uncle Brian. Thanks to all for coming.

I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow. Tim is skinny, nearly bald, but looking good. He seems to be in good health and good spirits, but is looking forward to the end of training on June 9th.

Basic Graduation

We're attending Tim's graduation tomorrow morning. Also expecting Grandma & Grandpa Sears, Grandpa Troutman, Aunt Debbie & Uncle Brian. Leaving for Kentucky tonight; attending the graduation tomorrow. We should have some pictures posted early next week.

Phone Call

I spoke too soon in the previous post. Just as I hit "enter", Tim called. Here are some notes from the call:

1) Tim is still sick - either a sinus infection or an ordinary cold. Going to sick bay is strongly discouraged and results in abuse from the drill sergeants, so you don't go unless you are really, really sick.
2) Tim called from his mobile phone. Apparently, they will have use of them for an hour every Sunday.
3) Tim's official P.T. test is on Tuesday. Those who don't pass don't get to participate in Family Day.
4) Tim will probably have a fresh haircut on Family Day. In other words, he will look essentially bald.
5) Also, Tim is required to wear his uniform all weekend. Not supposed to wear civilian clothes in public.
6) Attended Catholic church today.
7) Really looking forward to Family Day.
8) Tim says he looks really stupid in his Army glasses. His head is small and the glasses are big.

Late Update

I forgot to post information from a letter we received on April 9 (see below). Other than that, we have not heard from Tim for the remainder of the week. We were hoping to get a phone call (as always) but it didn't happen.

April 9 letter notes - physical fitness test.
1) If you fail to pass the test, you are recycled to take it again. This adds weeks to basic training and is very, very undesirable for obvious reasons.
2) I think they do push-ups and sit-ups until failure, plus a two mile run.You can try this at home to see how you do. Here's a link to see how to score yourself: http://www.apft-standards.com/
3) Tim did 52 full push-ups, 66 sit-ups and 13:40 two mile run in spite of being "sick as a dog".
4) The above represents a score of 243 out of 300. 150 is the minimum score to qualify. If he can raise his score to 270 he will earn a P.T. badge.
5) Tim fell on the run and skinned-up his side (which makes his time seem even faster). 13:40 for 2 miles is a pace of 6:50 per mile, which is pretty good.
6) He says he is getting over his sickness.
7) Has gained a few pounds.
8) Has learned to cope with the drill sergeants by "not taking the abuse personally". The guys who take it personally have difficulty.

New Letter

Highlights of a letter we received from Tim dated April 7:
1) Only one mail call last week.
2) Fired grenade launcher and AT-4 rocket launcher (tracer rounds only). Good story about another soldier who blew-up a tank with a live round.
3) 12k march with 50 lb packs, rifles and helmets at 4mph across 3 hills named "misery, agony and heartbreak." One of them was a mile long at 24% grade. Tim says hills are aptly named.
4) Tim shot machine gun well. Drill Sergeant said, "Now that's what I call shooting!"
5) Did some practice on virtual range, trying to distinguish between good guys and bad guys.
6) Now in Blue phase: more freedom, yet held to higher standards of performance.
7) Live ammo drills - shooting over each other's shoulders.
8) Grenade practice - grenades are more powerful than you might think. A sergeant standing just outside the bunker 200m from the grenade caught shrapnel in his arm.
9) Crawling under barbed wire at night with machine gun fire overhead and explosions all around.
10) Tim still not 100% healthy. Claims to be getting better.
11) They rarely get to sit on chairs - always on the floor. They sit on the floor at training and in their barracks. The only chairs they get are in the mess hall and at church.
12) Laundry is done at night by those on guard duty. You leave your bag of laundry and detergent and the guards move it through the machines and put in in front of your bunk.

No News

It was a quiet week, this week - no phone calls and no letters from Tim all week.

FaceBook Photos

There are a number of new photos posted at the Ghost Troop, 5-15 Cavalry Regiment page, but we could not find any that we could positively identify as Tim. We have not heard from Tim this weekend, and we haven't seen any letters from him since my last post.