30APR05

Waylon was able to call on Saturday and actually talk for more than 2 minutes!  He called me the prior Saturday to tell me he was leaving for his last FTX on Sunday.  They would march 10K to get there, set up camp, and conduct the FTX for the next 5 days.  Then they would march 15K back and be essentially finished with the combat training portion on Thursday.  There would be one week left before graduation.  He said he passed the physical training test necessary for graduation.  He also said he wouldn't have time to write any more letters.  Then he had to hang up the phone.

On April 30, he talked for about 10 minutes.  They had completed the FTX.  He said the 15K march wasn't too difficult, but his feet were very sore afterwards - no blisters, thankfully.  The training exercise wasn't as tough as the prior one.  He said it rained a lot, and the weather was chilly.  They spent quite a bit of time in the tents, chatting with one another and taking naps.  They had lasers on their rifles and helmets, and were out shooting each other.  He said it was like playing "laser tag" when he was younger.  They were doing push ups one day and the drill sergeants set off the CT gas canisters.  They quickly had to don their gas masks.  Some of the guys got up and ran.  They were admonished by the DS.  The General was at the FTX and told the group they did well, and they would probably survive in Iraq if they were sent to fight, which is the objective of the FTX's.  (Hopefully that won't happen).

After the end of the 15K road march, there was a rite of passage.  There was a big bonfire, and they were pronounced soldiers.  They were given a coin for their battalion which shows the 4 areas they fought in WWII.  He said it was really cool.  On Friday, they were given an hour to eat lunch.  They were able to talk to one another, and could select any foods they wanted, including dessert.  They were also allowed to drink soda.  (Almost like being back in the real world).  He said it was great.  The DS's told them to stay on task, as they only have one more week.  It's like "senioritits" - everyone is filled with the anticipation of the end approaching.

One of the guys in his group just got sent back to basic training all over again.  He was caught kissing one of the females, which is not allowed.  It happened on Friday!

Waylon said he was toying with the idea of making a deck of cards, using index cards he has.  He said he probably wouldn't do it since cards are prohibited in basic training.  I told him that was a bad idea.  Leave it to Waylon to try and buck the system!

Their last week is spent cleaning all of the equipment they have been using.  He said they were using toothbrushes, and it was very tedious.  They are also doing Drill and Ceremony in preparation for graduation day.  On Tuesday, May 3, they will have a final inspection of their barracks and lockers.  This is conducted by the General.  If they pass, they will then graduate.

About 50% of the trainees are going into military intelligence, and will head to Fort Huachuca in Arizona with Waylon.  The bulk of the other are planning to be medics.  He said there were only a handful who had other jobs lined up.

Here's the graduation information.  Mike and I are headed to St. Robert, Missouri on Wednesday, May 4.  We will attend a Family Brief on Thursday at 10 am.  Afterwards, there is an Award and Promotion ceremony.  At 11 am, we will attend a reception where we will meet the Company Commander, First Sergeant, and Drill Sergeants.  Approximately 11:30 am, Waylon will have a pass (hopefully) to leave the base.  He has to be back by 11 pm that evening.  I'm not quite sure what we'll do (perhaps swim at the hotel pool, sightsee, and definitely go out for lunch and dinner), but we'll let Waylon make the decisions.   On Friday, the graduation ceremony begins at 9 am, and lasts 1/2 hour.  Afterwards, they gather up their gear, and wait for the busses to take them to the airport.  We can wait in the parking lot with Waylon until the busses arrive.  Then we will head back to Springfield, Missouri, and spend the night there.  We head back to Burlingame on Saturday.  We will have a digital camera, and hope to take a lot of pictures.  I'll post them on the website early next week.

Finally, Waylon said that he really appreciated all of the letters you have sent him.  He said this website really helped increase the correspondence he received.  He was certainly energized by your support.  There were times he was lonely, frustrated, and exhausted.  You helped him get through those difficult times.  He's apologetic that he didn't have enough time to write back, but he thanks you for all you have done to transition him into the army life.

Once we have Waylon's address at Fort Huachuca, I will post it on the website.  After 4 weeks there, he will be able to get weekend passes.  He is planning on coming home shortly thereafter.  It sounds like party time to me!  CHEERS to our new soldier.