Greetings Friends and Family!
Oh my, I'm so behind in keeping you all up-to-date on the latest Boot Camp happenings and I apologize for that! We have arrived home to Michigan and I'm almost unpacked/organized. The unpacking is easy, the organizing/putting away - not so much!!
Anyway, enough about me and on to the reason you are reading this blog,Trent and Boot Camp! In one word WOW! It's been a whirlwind of happenings, good, bad and otherwise. I'm going to summarize the multitude of letters family members have received.
On 4/27 & 4/29 I/we received letters. He thanked me for writing and sending pictures. Then in the letter he went to talk about how his Drill Instructors (DI's) are being investigated for treating a recruit poorly. Trent agreed he was and they were all IT'd (Intensive Training) for what was considered poor performance. He said each time the recruit didn't perform well, the entire platoon suffered. At one point they were instructed to hang from a pull-up bar for 10 minutes. He also mentioned he gets targeted because of his age. No big surprise there, he was expecting that. He is very much an "old man" there! He went on to say he's doing fine and making great friends! His words: "I'm starting to have a little fun"! In a letter to his Dad he said they are learning some cool stuff and doing Marine stuff. He is drilling (marching) with his rifle. He said their platoon lost 6 people to being dropped or quitting. He said it's really not that bad but sucks having the whole day planned out yet he knows it's all for a reason. He said it's all going by fast and in 10 weeks he'll be graduated!
5/2 (Monday) a letter arrived that said no update on the DI's so he and his platoon are still in limbo. He said initial drill is on Sunday where they compete against other platoons. The idea is to be in total sync and march without error. He said he is struggling a bit with that part and is putting a lot of pressure on himself to perfect it. He said everyone is pitching in to help him get it right, he's just frustrated he didn't pick it up right away! He also mentioned he's been reading scripture and using faith to guide him! His Dad received another letter on 5/4 informing him that he was back in medical for a lung infection and was being tested for pneumonia. He didn't like that he was missing a training day with the initial drill coming up soon. He also confirmed in that letter that his original platoon 2106 was dismantled over recruit abuse. He was moved to 2107 so his new address is:
Recruit Waugh, Trenton J
2nd Bn Echo Co. Plt 2107
36001 Midway Ave
San Diego, CA 92140-2107
He's now on his third set of DI's in three weeks time. He went on to say his spirits are high and he knows it will take a little while to get adjusted to the new platoon. He also said time is starting to go by faster now and physically he's holding up okay. He said they are definitely getting stronger and doing 3 mile runs with circuits. They carried huge logs around the track and doing exercises with them every 1/4 - 1/2 mile and mentioned both shoulder are bruised. He went on to thank his Dad and Anna for all they've done and their support! I must say, it is so nice to read letters with his positivity and gratitude! I'm so proud of him!!
On 5/6 he sent me back a multiple choice survey that I sent to him for fun. It was crazy, random questions about the food, etc. it was cute and fun and he actually answered it! I found it on one of the Marine websites. The last question was my own and I asked him "How are you holding up?" He responded "Okay. It gets better as we go! I have a lot of pressure on me from the "kids" since they look up to me and the DI's love riding me cause I'm old and bald!"
My next letter on 5/5 wasn't quite as light hearted. He asked me to NOT send a picture with each letter even though in a letter early on he said he liked getting the pictures! It's tough trying to do the right thing with no first hand communication! He said he has to show the pictures to the DI and that doesn't look good for him. He's not happy with his new platoon to date and they are being treated as outsiders. He's also upset they can't participate in the final drill with the new platoon, that is a big deal to him. He also let me know he wasn't happy with me calling his recruiter asking about a platoon change. I just called to make sure his mail was going to be delivered to the correct location. On 5/6 he reiterated his frustration about the new platoon in a letter to his Dad. He said the platoon is the worst in the company and he isn't pleased with the guys. He said they (the transferred in recruits) are willing to help the new platoon recruits improve but they don't want the help. He said the original platoon recruits (2107) are terrible at drill.
My last letter received was on Sunday 5/8. He said he's prepping for the move to Camp Pendleton, I know he's excited about that! He also informed me his platoon ended up dead last in the drill competition. He also was on light duty due to a knee issue (ITBS - overuse injury) but ended up only missing two days. He said he's good to go now but wishes they had time to do some stretching. He also mentioned he had swim week coming up and his PFT (Physical Training Test), which are now completed and he's on his way to Camp Pendleton today. I'm anxious to get an update letter on all of that! He went on to say he's excited about swim week and the PFT. He said the dry air, running on sand and 6 hours of sleep is keeping him from getting where he wants to be physically but he's still pushing hard. Lastly he said it's hard to stay 100% motivated when everyone is bitching and getting messed with by the DI's. His words: "I'm just praying we all come together soon".
All in all, he's doing GREAT! I couldn't be more proud of him and all he's accomplished so far!
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