Letters From Home Part 2
In the Thick of It — Basic Training
This piece pairs well with:
July 1st, 2025
From B.
Hey Ma, the gas chamber wasn’t that bad — it just reminded me of that one time we made jalapeños and butter chicken with the strawberry jam. I had to recite the soldier’s creed in the chamber.
So is P. staying out of trouble lately? I saw a few weeks ago he got into a fight and punched a window out of the bus. He seems to be partying a lot and I’ve been worried about him. But it’s probably not anything too bad. He’ll go through the same pain I went through when he leaves the den. Then he’ll assimilate.
Have fun in Oregon with the family and send me pictures. I’ll be there next year.
I qualified with my iron sights last week — got a 34/40. I’m about to qualify with CCOs this week, which is just a scope. Right now it is 5 AM and I am tired as shit. But I hope P. is doing better. I heard he’s been working a lot.
I love you Mom. Let me know how everyone is doing this week. I think this weekend is y’all’s family reunion. I’ll try to call y’all on Sunday but my phone bill pay is fucked up. I got paid so you can put my card on autopay so it automatically pays. Let me know how Klamath, Oregon is.
I love you Mom.
July 8th, 2025
From B.
Hey Ma, today we were in the sun all day shooting. The Army has made me lose my love for shooting — just because you shoot for two minutes and sit around and wait for hours on end. The hardest part of Basic is being able to keep it together when you’re bored out of your mind.
Tomorrow we go on an overnight range day. We shoot with gas masks on and our lasers to qualify shooting with all of our equipment. That’ll be fun. We had an overnight field training exercise two weeks ago and I had a blast with my platoon and other platoons. We were hungry as shit but it was pretty fun still.
I did my AFT yesterday and got a 476. Last time I got a 454. I would have got 485 but my drill sergeant was being a prick. Been getting fed more since combatives is coming around. Throw some grenades, get qualified on that, do the Forge, then be done with BCT. Then get to the fun part — AIT. I can’t wait till I can drive again and listen to music and eat a high protein meal.
I shot okay today for having four hours of sleep. They must think I’m a robot or superhuman. Wish I was with y’all in Oregon for the family reunion. Are y’all going to visit T.R.?
This week I might not have my phone since a couple of people in my platoon got into a fist fight and then went to another platoon and fucked up their beds. So we got smoked and our phones taken — but who knows. My DS is pretty cool and tries not to punish the whole group for one or two people’s actions.
But I love you Mama ♥️
Send me letters on the fun things you and the family did in Oregon. Tell the family I love them and miss them ♥️
—
Hey, this week wasn’t too bad. I shot a lot and will continue to shoot till Saturday. After that it’s onto combatives — we have to grapple with the drill sergeants. So far BCT is a joke. You have weak people who have no business being in the Army, let alone as infantrymen. I see this and realize that I used to look at this as something very hard and unachievable — now I realize there are a ton of people here who just get pushed through.
But on a good note, this is almost over and I’ll head onto AIT which will be better and go by quicker. Soon I’ll have my four-day break and be able to eat something that actually gives me nourishment.
Since I’ve been here I’ve gotten significantly weaker, slower, and less athletic. My AFT: 13:49 two-mile run, 3:40 plank, 46 push-ups, 1:49 sprint-drag-carry, and 340 lbs deadlift for 3 reps.
But despite doing better on my test, I have gotten physically weaker. The only reason I did better was mental toughness. Without that I wouldn’t have done nearly as good. It ain’t too bad here.
Let me know how P. and the family are doing at the reunion. Let me know how Klamath, Oregon is. Tomorrow I wake up at 3:30 AM. Today I woke up at 3:30 AM. I’ll see you in a few weeks Mom — I love you, be safe. Let me know how Ke. is.
—
This letter is to both you and N.:
Although in the other paper I was talking about the negative sides of BCT — it isn’t horribly bad. Most people here think they are better than you for some reason. I’ve met some of the most stupidest, laziest people I have ever met. Other than that it’s been like summer camp.
I can’t wait till one day I can travel wherever I want with no one telling me what to do. I can’t wait to travel to see you and the family without having to ask my boss if I can take time off or not. That is my ultimate goal in life — financial freedom. This is only temporary. I love you family — y’all stay safe and have a good reunion.
Let me know if y’all catch any fish. Next year I’ll be there ♥️
July 11th, 2025
From B.
Mom,
Today we shot again. We have been shooting all day every day. They are definitely training me to be what they need. I can run a 13:49 two-mile on a Monday with ease. Twenty more days and I’ll be done with BCT.
I will say — I am much better at the pattern recognition and awareness part than anything. Sometimes the training exercises don’t feel realistic, so it’s hard not to go through the motions. I can’t wait till I’m out of here doing real shit. Can’t wait to train MMA and make money from fighting in the UFC. I can’t wait to have more control over my life.
Dad and Grandad are coming down for Turning Green. My friends here are cool. We have been going to different church services every week — the Pagan church, the Muslim mosque, the Mormon church. This week we’re going to the Jewish services. I’ve tried not to laugh at all of them but it is very hard.
Tomorrow will be our last day shooting, then onto combatives. The last week will be the Forge and BCT Graduation. The days are going by pretty fast and I’m enjoying it.
I am better at what you said in that letter. Reading people, seeing who they’re looking at while they’re talking. The way they say it, the micro expressions they make.
This week has been hard — not because of the physical but the sitting around all day. But after tomorrow we should be more active. I’m damn near done with BCT, Mom. This is a good marking point for my success but it definitely won’t be the end.
I love you Mom. I thank you for believing in me and Dad for believing in me. You don’t know how much that means to me.
July 18th, 2025
From Me
We just got back from our trip to Klamath Falls, Oregon. N. and I drove from Kentucky to Monterey to pick up P. Br. came and hung out for about a week before that and it was really nice — it was fun to watch him and P. reconnect. It was like no time had passed. We got to Richmond on the 10th, flew into Klamath on the 11th. We stopped in Ashford and had lunch with S., K., and Ni. Then we headed to our home for the week. It was nice — we had an exercise room, a theater, two floors, two decks, and a hot tub. Later that day we went and listened to music and waited for A. and the boys to show up. Not much that day — we were all exhausted. You know how that first day is.
The next day we rented a boat on Lake Klamath and tried to go swimming. It was freezing!! No joke. So we treated it like the polar plunge challenge — and guess what? Everyone got in! Even A. and even Ke. N., W., and I did a full lap around the boat. We had to come up with a safety plan — that’s how cold it was. I went first so I could pull W. up if his legs stopped working, then W. in between N. and I so that N. could rescue him if his legs gave out. We fished a little bit — we kept seeing grips of fish (as M. calls them) but didn’t catch anything. Ke. told me that he loves fishing and I asked what his favorite part was and he said “catching fish” — LOL.
We went to a different spot to fish, and the most magical thing happened.
S. and K. were only able to make it for those two days. The dates were not picked on purpose and we all forgot what day it was. But I didn’t. I knew none of it was an accident.
It was July 12th.
We were on the water — one of Dad’s favorite places — laughing with our kids and making memories. Everyone was family. And right before we decided to head back in, an eagle landed maybe thirty feet from us. Long enough for every single person to see it and take pictures. Then it took flight. It was beautiful. The mountains in the background, the lake below us.
I saw the sign. That we are creating legacy from ashes. That A. and I are becoming the Elders — and the Elders are happy with us.
I don’t know what the afterlife is like, but I reckon it took Dad, Mimi, and Poppy all working together to send an eagle. I thanked them. And later I reminded A. of what day it was and she smiled, teared up, and said “of course it is. It makes sense.”
We later found out that Klamath is known for their blue-green algae, which is toxic. None of us got sick since we were swimming in the cold part where the algae can’t grow. The boat was janky and we had wondered why there weren’t more people on the water on a hot day in July in such a beautiful place. Now we knew why.
Later we went and ate at one of the only places to eat in Klamath. It was expensive and the food was mid. Br. and P. got virgin piña coladas and again we went to bed exhausted with nothing left in the tank.
Oh! That morning we did a little high-intensity run down to the lake. It was S. and K.’s workout app — in the group it was S. and K. of course, Ni., N., L., and I. It was so beautiful for so many reasons. We talked about you and thought about what you would be doing if you were there. I even made some B. heads to bring you on all of our adventures.
After dinner we started a new tradition. I had gotten a birthday cake and candles and we sang happy birthday to everyone. It was a long list — kind of awkward — but we laughed at ourselves and enjoyed a slice of cake even though we were all tired and already stuffed.
So that was the first couple of days. I will write more tomorrow — we have a lot of unpacking and cleaning and work that has piled up. No complaints though. Our hearts are so full they are bursting. We can run on this for a while.
To be continued…
Oh! N. and I will be there for the whole graduation weekend. P. is coming with your Dad and Grandad. Br. said he would come (we will see) — we are trying to get Ko. to go. A. said that either her or M. would be there but they were trying to find a way for both to go. They will only be there for the day of the graduation. We are planning on going to their place for Thanksgiving.
It helps ease the sadness to know we will stay connected through the year. We created this. It has grown. And you will be the one to continue to place importance on it and remind everyone when they forget. And then someday we will be the ones sending you and your kids eagles — and you will know the feeling of deep pride, love, and sadness all at once.
I love you Puppy. Keep going. Keep doing what you are doing — you are on the right path.
Love, Mom
July 19th, 2025
From Me
Hey Puppy,
I figured the gas chamber wouldn’t be too bad for you since we gassed ourselves out so many times — LOL. It was training. Totally did it on purpose for ya.
P. is in transition, I think. Br. too. They’re both inundated with possibilities and having a hard time choosing a path. P. does seem to be partying a lot. I hope it’s just a phase — there is so much more to life than that.
34/40 with iron sights?? That’s amazing, puppy! I knew you would do well with that. The scope will be even easier. The boredom — the “hurry up and wait” — always pissed me off too. It won’t stop after basic. It will be less and less, but there will still be quite a bit of it.
Tell me more about the overnight field training — we didn’t have that in the Air Force. Is it like camping? What did you eat — MREs? Those always made me constipated. How long did it take before you could poop?
Combatives — you will LOVE that. I think the Army does a lot of BJJ. That’s how I learned it. What is the Forge? AFT from 454 to 476 while losing muscle? That IS mental toughness! Do you know what kind of training you will get in AIT? Will it be more shooting? I imagine different weapons and learning how to take them apart and put them back together. We used SPORTS: Slap, Pull, Observe, Release, Tap, and Shoot for weapon jams.
Who is the Drill Sergeant that was being a prick? I’ll kick his ass. Maybe he was being hard on you to challenge you. I figured the physical stuff you would be miles ahead with.
At least you are getting paid to do nothing and you have a whole other family of brothers and sisters for when you leave the service. This will set you up for whatever path you choose later. You have always had an entrepreneurial intelligence and have walked your own path — so I can see you becoming a business owner. Best thing I can tell you: get as much free education as you can while you’re in. If you can come out of the Army with money saved, a bachelor’s in business, a GI Bill for you or your kids, and access to a VA loan — you will have a lot of tools at your disposal.
Now that you have seen the inner workings of Army Basic Training — how this thing that used to seem hard and unachievable is actually very achievable — I want to tell you that this is the same with a lot of things in life. Basic is hard. But you were also prepared. And being prepared made it achievable, and in some ways, easy. Most things we think of as out of reach are actually right there, ready for us to take them. The “hardness” is meant to discourage those who lack heart and commitment. Anything you commit to — is yours if you are willing to commit. Remember that.
Recognizing patterns and awareness is something that will always set you apart. As a soldier, it will help you predict movements, danger, people’s feelings beyond the words. As a business owner, it will help when dealing with partners, employees, or trying to predict the market.
I think it is so cool that you are going to different church services every week! I wish I had done that! Which has been your favorite so far? What are your friends like? What are their names? Stories? How did you become friends? Have you had to take any extra duties? Did you volunteer for anything?
Honey — you don’t need to thank me for anything, and especially not for believing in you. Someday you will understand why — but for now, just know that raising you and P. was the greatest honor and most rewarding adventure this life could have given me. I was meant to be your mother and I take that seriously. I used to think when you turned 18, it would all be over. But it’s not — it’s just changed. Our roles have changed and so our relationship changes too. What a wonderful revelation. Thank you for choosing me. 😊
Love, Mom