Letter No. 9

Saturday, August 14

Dear Everyone,

Well, we got put to bed early mostly because Chief wanted to go early but hopefully in part because we're doing a better job. So, I'm starting this letter now since I feel like if I get 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep, when I get 4 the next night because we have Special PT so early, it will mess with my body. We're past the point where I feel tired all the time and could fall asleep instantly on demand anywhere (Fun fact, I took a 15 minute nap in the bathroom at Dental back in the first week) So yeah, I can how basically get 5 hours a night and have it affect me. We however usually get 7-8 hours on the weekends so hopefully the good sleep yesterday and tonight will clean up the last remnants of this cold. We have our final must pass SWCC PT test this Thursday plus a whole bunch of stuff. Two (2) days of fire fighting plus the gas chamber Wednesday. We as a division are all eating 3 bowls of fruit loops per person for breakfast or lunch before we go, lol. Our inspection in our dress and service uniforms is this Friday. And Battle Stations is a week after that. Oh, by the way, as freaking awesome as our dress blues look, god that is an evil uniform! For inspections, they give us a certain amount of time to put it on. The whites are fine....you just slip them on. The blues must be buttoned on the pants, put them on, then rebutton all 20. Then, they actually watch us take them off and fold them, then go in our racks and inspect our folding. THAT is timed as well so all 20 but unbuttoned then re-affixed. Thank god I'm pretty good at tying the neckerchief. Most people suck and end up using half the time just getting that perfect. Plus, the blues are hot and itchy. Rumor has it that the powers that be are changing the whites so that they have piping on the sleeves and back bib so that they're not so bland. Of course, that might also be because we only have our lonely national defense ribbon on there (for joining during a time of conflict). Hopefully it'll be joined by my pistol qualifying ribbon. I know I qualified but I don't know what (marksman, sharpshooter, expert). I know not expert since they told the 2 recruits in our division who got it. Hopefully sharpshooter. Our only fire was the qualification plus an electronic trainer plus a bunch of drills and stuff to be sure we're safe. They really only cared if we followed procedures and were safe. The instructors could care less if we hit the target or qualified. A lot don't at all. Nearly all did for us.

What else...oh yeah - I know the last letter said no cookies. BUT they are allowing those who got them to eat one or two then if they don't want the rest to give them away to whoever we want. But still don't send cookies.

Well, I think I'll finish this tomorrow during free time.

RDC quotes:
wait a second. Butts is like, spasming in his sleep and just woke up telling me he was dreaming that our Petty Officers were chasing him. Hilarious! "No Petty Officer," he says in his sleep.

RDC quotes --

(Chief keeps making Vu do PO Torrez impressions)
PO Torrez: Vu, where are you from?
SR Vu: Vietnam, Petty Officer. I moved here a few years ago.
PO Torrez: Were your parents in the Vietnam War?
SR Vu: Yes Petty Officer.
PO Torrez: Well I'm going to send you back to the Vietnam War if you keep doing impressions of me.
SR Vu: Petty Officer, the Vietnam War is over.
PO Torrez: Well, I'm just going to restart it. By myself. Just for you, Vu."

Chief: Vu, what did Petty Officer say about the impressions I make you do of him?
SR Vu: He said he'd send me back to the Vietnam War.
(Chief laughs)


Sunday August 15

Ok, I'm multitasking and shining my boots as I do this. I'm doing my dress shoes too. I'm ok at it. The end result is a smooth shiny surface, but it's nowhere near the blindingly mirror-like finish of the Petty Officers. When asked for his tips, PO Torrez says he "uses Turtle wax and an industrial electric buffer." PO Maudsley says instead of spit shining, he uses "the blood and tears of recruits". So no help on that front.

I think everything is getting weird here. I mentioned Butt's thing but he woke up and then went back to sleep and within 2 minutes, he was spasming again going "One Petty Officer. Two Petty Officer." I woke him up again and he said he was dreaming of doing 8 counts. Another recruit, Masteller, just woke up at 7am and for no reason started doing 8 counts for 40 minutes before getting back in bed. He says he remembers but has no clue why. Another guy, Scott, woke up, quickly got dressed then stood at attention in front of his rack for 15 minutes before he retired. The lights were off and it was 2am and no one was joining him. It's funny in it's own demented way. Thankfully, I have no such problems other than people telling me I sleep at perfect attention.

Other news, I lost 13 lbs. Now down from 184 to 171. I'm lean as heck now. A lot of people lost more. Well, I guess that's all for this week. I literally have no more to write about.

Love,
Al