3

2/12/2007 11:51:56 AM

For what its worth, thats a Marine uniform.

2/12/2007 1:33:34 PM

Now my students want to write letters to him, too. yay.

2/14/2007 4:14:35 PM

Quote :

"For what its worth, thats a Marine uniform."

how can you tell?

2/14/2007 4:16:57 PM

camouflage pattern

2/14/2007 4:17:58 PM

isn't the army using digitally generated patterns like that now too though?

2/14/2007 4:26:06 PM

Quote :

"Danny- you have experience here. will he go crazy if I write him ALL THE TIME? haha will he be completely annoyed? "

hell no he will not go crazy.

my little brother said letters were the only good thing about boot. and he was only in for 8 weeks (?) with the Navy. I sent my bro letters with lots of imbedded pics. he said everything was dreary and dull, so I tried to make my letters really crazy.

also, have your friend write you the things his drill instructor says. my brother would always send me a few quotes, and they were freaking hilarious...like

"{insert soldiers last name}, you make me want to breast feed a beaver!"

2/14/2007 4:30:04 PM

haha ok, I will- if I ever get one back from him. I know he got my letters either yesterday or today (at least the first few of them) and will continue to get them every day- it will take time to read them all, so I hope he'll have time to write back. Every day I check the mailbox hoping. The one day I didn't expect anything was the day I got his first (and only) letter.

2/14/2007 4:33:56 PM

make sure to send him on in a pink envelope smelling of perfume. makes everyone laugh at least

2/14/2007 4:39:38 PM

haha I'll keep that in mind

2/14/2007 4:40:11 PM

Quote :

"isn't the army using digitally generated patterns like that now too though?"

Yes, the army does use a digital form of camo but there are a few distinct differences that give the picture away as a marine. marines wear coyote tan vests like that seen in the picture, if it were army, the vest would be in the same digital pattern as the uniform (or possibly a tri color DCU vest). The army also has velcro covering the outside of the arm pockets which is clearly not there in the pic. That would also be the arm that soldiers would have the american flag or former combat unit insignia on.

2/14/2007 5:34:55 PM

you should date pilots... we're just generally more fun

2/14/2007 5:50:12 PM

I'm getting tired of writing letters to, seemingly, a void. I can't imagine how busy he is and I want to keep writing for him- but I need something to work with here. My life is not so exciting that I can write every day without some kind of response from him. After school I can't wait to check the mailbox and when I do, nothing. I have a feeling this isn't going to get any better.

2/15/2007 4:08:47 PM

if he just got there, he doesn't have much time to write

2/15/2007 4:18:14 PM

^^ The letters don't have to be earth-shattering. Just send them as often as you can--and make sure they look feminine and are sprayed with your best perfume. The more pictures the better, too.

2/15/2007 7:23:32 PM

Army enlisted boot and USMC OCS are 2 different animals, I know, but I probably averaged about 2 hours of sleep per night for the first 2 weeks I was there, and maybe 3-4 after that (on average...got 5 a handful of times).

guess when letter writing is done and what it comes at the expense of?

[Edited on February 15, 2007 at 7:42 PM. Reason : especially after being run ragged in the heat all day, you just want to sleep for your paltry 2 hrs]

2/15/2007 7:37:46 PM

are you writing this dude everyday or something????

exactly, I'm sure it's a bitch to write letters to everyone all the time when your spare time in the dirt is pretty hard to come by

anyway, thanks for supporting the guy

[Edited on February 15, 2007 at 7:40 PM. Reason : ...]

2/15/2007 7:39:11 PM

You'll get through it, Leann Let me know if you need to talk! My Marine is leaving for Iraq soon (which you already know)... *sigh* But it will be okay.

I would say not to worry if he doesn't write for a while... I'm sure they are running him ragged right now!!

2/16/2007 1:01:56 AM

you silly little girls need to forget about "your marine" or "your soldier" or "your saillor" and go on with your life. save yourselves the heartache of having to deal with all the domestic problems and evenutual divorce that you are statistically most likely to experience.

take it from an ex sailor who knows what these guys are doing during shore leave.

2/16/2007 1:08:04 AM

I am writing every day. I finally got caught up with sending the letters I had written before I got his address- I sent a few at a time until they were all gone. Now I send one every morning with a few pictures in it. I write the letter throughout the day- some in the morning and some at school, and some before bed. I ask questions but it's hard since I don't get a response, so I talk about my day, anything funny, etc. I feel like I'm going to be taking his time for sleeping and bore him to death with my letters instead. I want him to be able to sleep and take care of himself, so I guess I won't complain anymore about not getting a response.

Thanks for the serious replies and advice.

2/16/2007 6:45:37 AM

Quote :

"Boot camp was fun. Definitely one of the high points in my military stint. The shit sucked when I was going through it, but I can look back now and say it was an enlightening experience. "

Unless your platoon is full of fucktards who were given the option of misdemeanor jailtime or military. For that reason, Sand Hill at Fort Benning GA sucked ass....

1/50th C Co.

Yes, continue writing him. He'll be fine when he gets back....and a he'll be in pretty good shape

[Edited on February 16, 2007 at 9:15 AM. Reason : .]

2/16/2007 9:14:03 AM

another day with no letter- but I expected it today. maybe something tomorrow- I hope.

2/16/2007 3:56:21 PM

I did basic and advanced training at Fort Sill, OK (field artillery school). I would say that going to a combat arms school makes you a much better soldier than one coming from Fort Jackoff.

2/16/2007 4:39:02 PM

I didn't read this whole thread, but I will say that you are doing well to write him often, those letters help more than anyone who hasn't been there will ever know. Sand Hill blows. Also try to send him some crosswords and shit but make 'em small, the Drills won't let him have them if they know they are in there.

Oh and 1/19 B Co.

(only because you had to be an 11B before 18 series)

[Edited on February 16, 2007 at 5:21 PM. Reason : a]

2/16/2007 5:20:02 PM

^^ Yeah, and you say a lot of stupid shit. In the mid-'80s, Fort Jackson was infamous as one of the toughest places to complete basic training. The drill sergeants and the often one-hundred- degree-plus temperatures at Tank Hill, Hollywood, and New Hollywood, as some of the barracks were called, broke many a guy.

Shit, one crazy fucker shaved off all his hair--even his eyebrows--and went AWOL in the woods. They had helicopters and everything looking for him. When they found the guy, he had dog bones threaded onto his dog tag chain and mud smeared on his face like some kind of witch doctor. I saw another guy crack during circuit drills and run full speed into oncoming traffic--with the CO and drill sergeants chasing behind him--screaming, "I can’t take it anymore, I can’t take it anymore!" Due to the heat, humidity, and continual marching, another guy had a rash so bad between his legs that he got a profile to "march" behind the platoon with his legs spread apart and some kind of ointment like axle grease gooped on. And I could go on and on.

So, don't tell me Fort Jackson wasn't hard or that Fort Sill made a better soldier. That's just bullshit.

2/16/2007 10:58:00 PM

Quote :

"you silly little girls need to forget about "your marine" or "your soldier" or "your saillor" and go on with your life. save yourselves the heartache of having to deal with all the domestic problems and evenutual divorce that you are statistically most likely to experience. take it from an ex sailor who knows what these guys are doing during shore leave."

Hmm no. I'm not a silly little girl, and my fiance doesn't screw around - Not everyone conducts themselves that way. Thanks.

2/17/2007 12:30:13 AM

^ I would NOT have said it the way joe_schmoe said it. But long-distance relationships ARE difficult to maintain. I've seen a lot of hearts broken this way--I'm just saying.

[Edited on February 17, 2007 at 1:24 AM. Reason : PS: I would be very happy to be wrong concerning your situation. ]

2/17/2007 1:17:11 AM

I got my 2nd letter today

2/17/2007 3:58:14 PM

just don't get conned into weddings before they go into combat

2/17/2007 5:37:42 PM

I'm not sure what the deal is with leave- whether or not he'll get it each year he's in Iraq or what the situation will be- but if I could plan it all right now and have it ready before he leaves, I'd marry him in a heartbeat. To people outside of the situation I know that sounds really stupid- it might even have sounded that way to me in the past- but now that I'm where I am, it's how I feel.
He's doing better than he was in his first letter. It's really tough but he's enjoying some parts of it. He's now a squad leader- what does that mean exactly?? He says he's going to get a 4 hour pass next week and will call (he didn't want me to ignore the weird numbers on the caller ID). I can't wait to hear from him- I'll keep my phone with me every second of next week.

2/17/2007 7:36:27 PM

Being a squad leader in basic means he'll have more headaches than a regular recruit.

2/17/2007 9:02:57 PM

like what?

2/17/2007 9:32:50 PM

Where is he going after basic? I posted earlier but didn't see any reply.

2/17/2007 9:42:03 PM

^^ like not only do you have your own problems to deal with, you have everyone else's problem's to deal with.

leadership positions are great in the real military...not so much in boot camp, though.

2/17/2007 9:52:02 PM

Quote :

"^ I would NOT have said it the way joe_schmoe said it. But long-distance relationships ARE difficult to maintain. I've seen a lot of hearts broken this way--I'm just saying. [Edited on February 17, 2007 at 1:24 AM. Reason : PS: I would be very happy to be wrong concerning your situation. ]"

Thanks

2/18/2007 12:46:35 AM

Quote :

"So, don't tell me Fort Jackson wasn't hard or that Fort Sill made a better soldier. That's just bullshit."

Combat arms schools turn out better soldiers than Fort Jackoff

First of all, we had non integrated training

second of all, Fort Jackoff is on the outskirts of Columbia... you can see civilization. I spent an AT there as a reservist. Its not that bad. Ever been on a 3 week FTX at Jackson and not see a single building? I doubt it. Fort Sill is BIG.

Half the challenge of Fort Sill is that it was 100 miles from anywhere. Other than shit town Lawton down the road, you could see for 30 miles in any direction and there was is grass and distant mountains. Might I add that we went almost 20 weeks without seeing women?

Don't gimmee this bullshit that Jackson is hard. Jackson is girl scout camp compared to Benning and Sill. I've met few good soldiers from Jackson. Plenty of mechanics, secretaries and support people. Not soldiers.

[Edited on February 18, 2007 at 3:21 AM. Reason : .]

[Edited on February 18, 2007 at 3:22 AM. Reason : .]

2/18/2007 3:20:29 AM

^ No, the FTX was one week, because basic training was shorter back then. And I didn't get a soft drink, a candy bar, or even THINK about going off post when I was in basic. Shit, I didn't get an overnight pass until I had been in AIT for about four weeks. In addition, when I went permanent party, I was in the cavalry and we LIVED in the fucking field--I mean, the only units that stayed out longer than us were engineers. This "support" person didn't get a real shower or bath for almost a month once. (All the other times were usually about one or two weeks without a real shower or bath, and I cleaned myself with water from the buffalo or a little lukewarm water from the MKT.)

You're a fucking loudmouth--I'm not going to address your bullshit anymore. Besides, this thread isn't about whose training was the fucking hardest. Fort "Jackoff"? Jack yourself in the ass, man.

2/18/2007 3:47:42 AM

Quote :

"Hmm no. I'm not a silly little girl, and my fiance doesn't screw around - Not everyone conducts themselves that way. Thanks."

yeah, i know. you're unique. like everyone else.

and the military is full of good church boys now. god bless them all.

2/18/2007 4:20:30 AM

look here BROOKE and STARGAZER, and i mean it here, im not just trying to be an asshole. I mean, I am an asshole, but Im also telling you the truth:

you gals, if you think that you're going to carry on some kind of meaningful long distance relationship with some guy in BOOT CAMP and develop it into a solid relationship as he carries on through his military career... you gals are either completely naive and gulliable, or you're just delusional.

Boot camp,first and foremost, is a huge, huge transitional time in "your soldier's" or "your marine's" life. More huge than anything you can even begin to imagine.

they didnt just "start a new job". they changed their entire fucking life to the most extreme measure that they are only just beginning to barely comprehend

I mean, it might be different if you "fiance" or whatever you want to call this relationship was already developed and they were already a soldier or a marine, had been through all their training, and was doing the daily routine stuff and *then* finds out they have to be deployed or something. THen you might have a chance.

but these guys are not soldiers or marines. they are currently dickhead dirtball scumsucking maggot noob recruits, and they are going to be told this fact 20 times a day for the next 8-13 weeks until they graduate and finally become an actual soldier or marine at the bottom of the ladder.

at which point, whether they are fully cognizant of this fact or not, their entire life focus and priorities and self image and raison d'etre will have changed dramatically from that long-ago time when you thought you actually knew them. and they will continue changing. whether they admit it to you or even themselves or not.

and guess what sweethearts, you gals arent going to be changing with them. yeah, they need you now. they crave your letters. they want anything from home. sure they love you now. and sure they'll be lovin' on you when they get their first leave from bootcamp. and they may want to continue the lovin' through their "A" school or "AIT" training... at least as long as they can fit you in around the local homegrown groupies who are continually sniffing around the gates of every military base in this country world.

so look, im telling you both. save yourselves the time and the pain and the heartbreak and the potential legal custody battles now.

cut your losses now. you're young. you've got plenty of time to make stupid mistakes you regret the rest of your life.

the military in general already has the highest divorce rate as a profession. of any profession. dont be a fool and think youre going to beat the odds.

just go buy a lottery ticket. and then make a date with a local guy who already has a real job.

with best regards,

your Uncle Joe.

2/18/2007 4:42:47 AM

uncle joe is correct

2/18/2007 7:06:10 AM

Thanks so much for that! I'm going to completely change everything I think, feel, and am doing, solely based on your opinion of my situation and your generalizations. [/sarcasm]
I could defend myself and stargazer since I know both of our situations, but you don't deserve it. You don't know either of us or the guys we're talking about. You may know about the military- and that's great, good for you. If you have any useful thoughts to include here, let us know.

2/18/2007 8:40:33 AM

^^^ He is 28 and an officer in the USMC - He earned his bachelor's degree from NC State before going into the Marines... He went through the Basic School, officer training, etc etc and is a pilot (Captain) stationed at Cherry Point. I wouldn't exactly call him a maggot noob recruit. We also didn't start dating until after he completed all of that initial training. I understand what you are talking about, and I am not saying that you are wrong. I just think you made big assumptions about my situation, and perhaps I made assumptions about you as well.

And yes, it will be hard as hell when he is away this year, but he will be able to call and send email, and we will get through it, and I will try not to pull out all of my hair hoping he comes home from Iraq in one piece. I am well aware of the fact that being a military wife can be difficult. The divorce rate is high across the board anyway; we have our work cut out for us, but I'm not afraid of that.

^ Thanks, Leann...


[Edited on February 18, 2007 at 10:04 AM. Reason : ]

2/18/2007 10:00:40 AM

stargazer, i stand corrected.

brookeruff, my post still holds true. but good luck to you anyhow. maybe your situation is different.





[Edited on February 18, 2007 at 11:05 AM. Reason : ]

2/18/2007 11:03:57 AM

Quote :

"Sand Hill at Fort Benning GA sucked ass"

agreed. especially during the summer. got-damn what a hot and humid place.

definate shit fest there. lol

2/18/2007 11:30:47 AM

letter #3

2/21/2007 4:22:29 PM

new future hubby huh?

2/21/2007 5:50:56 PM

who knows.


for now I'm just glad to get a letter.

he sounds much happier in this one- they're practicing "blowing shit up" haha

2/21/2007 8:21:00 PM

Dude you don't blow shit up in Basic. Except two grenades.

2/23/2007 2:53:23 PM

Schmoe has a point, but only to the extent that the woman is naive and ignorant. People coming from areas with limited interaction with the military on a daily basis simply don't understand the extent to which the military controls your life. Its that simple. The first time I got sent to Iraq some of my mom's friends actually asked her if I could just tell them I didn't want to go (I did, but they couldn't fathom that either).

Quote :

"at which point, whether they are fully cognizant of this fact or not, their entire life focus and priorities and self image and raison d'etre will have changed dramatically from that long-ago time when you thought you actually knew them. and they will continue changing. whether they admit it to you or even themselves or not."

True, and the success or failure of a marriage depends simply on how dynamic and realistic the individual woman is about the situation she is getting into. I've met some absolutely incredible women who are married to some of the guys I know in the Army, and I have been utterly flabbergasted at others.

Oh, and for those of you who ever did manage to get out on the "town" in Lawton, OK . . . Night Trips, Sidewinders, and Dragon's West are all now off limits and Gertlestones is shut down.

2/23/2007 3:40:51 PM

Quote :

"they're practicing "blowing shit up""

he's lying

2/23/2007 4:07:04 PM