Letter #3

Sept. 23, 2008
I heard a rumor today that we'll hit white phase as soon as Saturday. I hope. I did find out that graduation is supposed to be the 13th of Nov. There's a Family Day thing the day before. I don't know all the details. My friends back there might know more. Overall, it's not anywhere near as hard as everybody made it seem. Hell, last night one of the Drill Sergeants practiced his amateur comedy routine on us. He's a funny guy.
Our platoon has been making another Drill Sergeant proud lately. He used to call us POGs. (pronounced poge) It stands for People Other Than Grunts. He typically hates non-infantry. Yesterday, we were going through the chow line, and we sounded off REALLY LOUD with our entrance call. It goes like this:
D.S.: Last two spartans secure the door!
All: LAST TWO SPARTANS SECURE THE DOOR!!!
Last two: Cover us while we move!
All: WE GOT YOU COVERED!!! SPARTAAAAANS - BOOM!!! (Spartans - we yell this while they run to the door. Boom - we yell this when they get there.)
Last two: Drill Sgt! Request permission to enter the DFAC, Drill Sgt!
All: DRILL SGT!!! REQUEST PERMISSION TO ENTER THE DFAC, DRILL SGT!!!
D.S.: ENTER!
All: NO MERCY!!! (Hoo! Hoo!) NO PRISONERS!!! (Hoo! Hoo!) EAT HEARTY!!! FOR TONIGHT WE DINE IN HELL!!!
Normally at this part, the last two open the DFAC doors, and the 1st platoon files in. This time, another platoon was in the way. Our Drill Sgt. holds open the door and yells, "Hurry the hell up, you bunch of useless pound puppies! I've got an army of 60 angry hungry spartans out here that need to eat!" Trust me, from this man, that is high praise. The fact that he called us spartans meant he was impressed. He's a sniper, by the way. He said that I shouldn't trust the video system I tested on, but that it shows I have potential. He is going to be the one teaching Basic Rifle Marksmanship. He said he'll teach me everything he can. Also, after the run this morning, during the cooldown walk, he started calling cadences. Another Drill Sgt. noticed and said, "Wow. They must have done well to get him in that good of a mood."
Time seems to be going at a decent clip here. There are a couple of optimistic guys around, so they keep me going.
Spyder

When I get a letter and finish reading it, I get so excited to post it on here for you guys to read. He's already been in Basic for 2 weeks, so the hardest part should be over for him. It seems like he's learning a lot. There had been some talk of suggesting him for sniper back here before he left. It's a difficult position to get. You have to be invited. His superiors can recommend him if he impresses them. The military doesn't care about his grades growing up or if he's ADD or anything. Just what he shows them now counts and he loves that. He's been trying to be responsible and take care of the two of us as much as he can. He's a really good man.