We got another letter from Elly today! It answered several questions that I have been wondering about.
19 March 12
Hi guys! So we did the gas chamber today. For some reason I didn't think it would affect me too much...it did...We had the full gear on, which is pants, jacket (with hood), mask and gloves. We went into the chamber and did some jumping jacks then they had us one by one take off the mask, take a big breath and say our reporting statement. I did not expect it to choke me up as much as it did but once I was out my respirations cleared up quickly, I just could not physically keep my eyes open and blink which will make it better. When we were in there, 2 rows of people were on either side of the wall.  When it was our turn to take off our mask 2 people walked up to a set of green footprints, took off the mask, took a deep breath while holding our arms to our chest, said our reporting statement, got the thumbs up (or down) from the instructor, then had to CALMLY WALK out. Once outside we put our arms out to make a "T" and took a few laps around a lot to "air out". Backing up...when it was my turn, I was waiting for the other girl to go and she was waiting for me to go...ended up having to take 2 big breaths (which as previously mentioned really burns). I guess there was a guy taping it as we went out...I'm sure I look awesome, eyes all red, tearing, unable to hold them open, mouth wide open gasping for breath and coughing, arms spread out like an idiot blindly walking toward someone's voice. :)

We are having a tornado warning now and have 89 girls jammed in the hall and bathroom of one of the dorms. I have no fear but I do find it a tad bit funny that for some of the girls, this is their first tornado warning and they are absolutely flipping out. Yep, I'm definitely getting to where I know who annoys the crap out of me and who doesn't... What keeps me sane (for the most part) is that I only have roughly a month left.

20 March 12
Tornado warning got called off.. We were packing for the obstacle course that was supposed to be today. Unfortunately, they called it off because of thunder and lightning until approx. 0500.  We were up at 0345 to get our dorm all set and we were going to leave at 0600. The weather is beautiful now (1025) but as you know, they already called it off and don't really call it back on. I hear if a flight misses it they cannot reschedule it and that makes me very let down because I was really looking forward to it. Nothing I can do about it though so I won't dwell. Instead, today we took apart and reassembled our weapons. Honestly, not as hard as I thought it would be, now just a matter of cutting my time down.

Yesterday we got MRE's for lunch and they were pretty great. They had coffee in them so I was ecstatic about that.

25 March 12
This week has gone by pretty quickly...After I got off the phone with you we went to chow and I got called to the snake pit and a high up guy asked how things were with one trainee. (I told you guys that we were just talking in the dayroom about a problem child in the dorm) I didn't lie and told it how it was, some other people were called up as well and she was recycled. I feel a bit bad for it...but actually not really. Our marching has already been better, our attitude has been better too.

Our TI asked us yesterday what we talk about when he's not around. Our answer, chow. It is said (and is totally true) that we live from chow to chow and day to day. The new craze is toppings at breakfast. Toppings being like the cherry pie filling that we put on cheesecake at home. They have cherry, apple, peach and blueberry depending on the day. The best is the blueberry (I think) and goes exceedingly well on a biscuit or pancakes. I like having oatmeal during the weekdays with cinnamon, peanut better and honey in it ... or some toppings.   :)  On the weekend is when I splurge and will have pancakes or french toast...with toppings.   :)  Even though things are mass produced, everything is pretty decent. Our TI (before he was a TI) was a fitness specialist so he makes sure we eat healthily and he knows that chocolate milk has the carbs, sugar, calcium...etc. so that it is like a protein shake after working out. Long story short, we get to drink chocolate milk!

The BX is like a Walgreen's with more military geared stuff. I hang out with Mitchell, Sullivan and Humphry quite a bit. Humphry is a chapel guide so she was gone the majority of today (Sunday). Mitchell, Sullivan and I marched over to the BX for some supplies. It is definitely warming up here. We went about 1000 and it was already warm and humid. I thought in my head "it's gonna be hot in the big silver pot" today.    Mom note: This is from Little Mermaid and we have said it since we saw the movie when Elly was a little girl.  While we were at the BX we saw an entire aisle filled with chocolate and other bad for you junk food. On the list of things I miss...
1. You guys (obviously)
2. Chocolate
3. Strawberry ice cream
4. Music
5. alcohol
6. Personal space
7. Quiet time
Well, this list could go on for awhile... haha

Mom Note: We got another phone call on Saturday, March 24. Elly said that she got her first chance for Uncle Sam to pay for her health care. She scratched her eye. She was putting up with it but during the morning call her TI looked at her and asked what happened to her eye. Her response,"I think I scratched it, sir." He replied along the lines that she looked like hell and she was to report to the med station. They gave her some drops and she is feeling much better.

She also said that they have a "blue rope inspector" (although I have no idea what that means). She says they are pushed hard but they are also commended for doing well.

Hi My Dear Parents!
Today was a great day at BMT. It started off with a "refreshing" 3 mile run. We had our first of 4  SABC (Self Aid Buddy Care) classes which are medical basics broken down Barney style.

I would write more but I was just informed we will be waking up at 0345 and starting our details by 0400. We are getting our names sewn on to our uniforms and our blues (our formal uniforms) tomorrow. The thing that we are most excited about with that is that we will be there all day so no PT and they have to feed us...box lunches...WITH OREOS!

A girl got sent a package today, needless to say...DON'T SEND ME ONE!

We have had 2 good comments from people around base and we passed an inspection with flying colors so things are looking up for a phone call here soon!

Now that we know where the mailbox is, it's just a matter of timing things out so that no TI's confront us!

Mom note: We did get that call! Elly told us that things are getting better and they are 1/2 way through BMT! She also said that she is not the best at rolling t-shirts but she is good at folding towels. she and the other girls work together and kind of exchange rolling and folding services.  :-)

She also said there was a night raid the night before - these guys came in like "damn ninjas". They only found three discrepancies (2 little dust bunnies and 1 little piece of paper) so they earned some extra phone time.  Good for the parents!

06 Mar 12
I'm 23 today! For the most part the day went well. Just towards the end I got sad because I miss my family and friends. Not exactly how I thought I would spend my birthday.

Mom note: Gary wanted to call her training instructor and ask if we could order a cake. We didn't do it.

Tomorrow is a running PT day so we end up running approximately 3 to 3.5 miles. Not looking forward to it at all. I got a bed switch since I am element leader now and it actually really sucks because I don't have my top bunk anymore and I am down with everyone  else. I get woken up all the time by people walking by and doing checks at all hours of the night. Damn me being a light sleeper! I just want to be done so badly and it's not even 1/4 over. I don't know when I'll be able able to send this officially with permission but some girls have located a mailbox so if I have time or a way I want to drop my letters off. I received my cards from people yesterday and today. Read them last night and tonight. It does make me feel good that even though I'm not close, my family still wants me to know they're thinking of me on my birthday. I wondered what you guys would be eating tonight if I were there. I didn't have anything too special, but I got some chocolate milk and that made me feel good.  Mom note: Maybe I should have let Gary order the cake.  haha

I have good days and bad days...more like good points and bad points throughout every day...please pray for me to keep my spirits up and my wits about me. Also, please pray that I do get to graduate on time. I am so scared of rolling an ankle or something We had one of our girls get hurt and she will be put in hed hold until she is better (weeks) and recycled. Being element leader is awesome because I don't have to do entry control duty but it really, really sucks because I never get a moments peace unless everyone is asleep.

10 MAR 12
We finally get to send letters...today only...and I am really busy so I can't write too much. Things are going well I wanted to call today but our MTI is gone so I don't think we can. Wish Grandpa Bob happy birthday today and Grandpa Joe a happy birthday on Thursday.

Mom note: We hadn't heard from Elly in what seemed like a long time and this week that all changed! We got letters from her and her Grandpas both received birthday letters too. She says she is really appreciating the letters, so please take some time to send her a note. :-)

She started this letter on February 27th, or as she says 27 Feb 12. We knew she had started a letter and was waiting to earn the privilege to mail it. She says - 

BMT sure is interesting! It's one of those things that you can know all about it but until you get there you'll never know realy how it is. I have had my highs and losw this first week but overall I still want to be here. :) Our TI (or training instructor) is "setting us up for success" by having us wake up before reville (0445) and we go to bed far far after taps (2100). The first week was pretty hectic but last night some of us girls figured out that there is a schedule printed out and now that I know what's coming it's not as bad.

I am in band flight and tomorrow is the first day we have practice.

29 Feb 12 - I have been very busy. On top of all the regular stuff that foes on such as marching, going to classes and learning history and military courtesies, the first night we got here I was chosen to be Chow Runner. This consists of marching up to the table of intimidating dudes 6x a day and asking permission to eat then letting them know your flight is in the dining facility. At first I hated it, then I got used to it and rather liked it. I mean, it sucked getting yelled at everyday but I got a ton better at holding a blank face and straight gaze, marching and I did enjoy the stability. I got too good at it though so I became Element Leader instead.  There are approximately 50 girls in our flight and I am in chrge of 1/4 of them. It is cool and all but sucks because if these girls don't do what they're supposed to, I have to do push-ups and flutter kicks, etc.

At this particular moment in training there is just too much to do and no time to write really. :( I do encourage you and others to please write though. We had our first mail call today and I didn't get any, slackers! :)  Mom note: We sent something as soon as we got her address. Really, what were they thinking having her send a postcard with the info. Postcards are so slow!  I do have times where I am sad and miss you guys and my old life a LOT and wonder why the hell I'm here...but I know that BMT is just initiation into the coolest club ever.

Also, you may want to check on the Lackland BMT webiste or something - There was a guy here 2 days now that has taken pictures and videos of us during some of our tasks. There is one of my getting my hat...I may look sad buy I was just tyring to be invisible and just pissed that my no makeup and fluffy haired self had to be the object of a photo. You guys may however like on of me with my uring sample. Did a UA and the guy was taking pics of the line of all us gils and pee cups so I jokingly said he should get one of me holding it up and smiling and he did! It was funny and totally worth it if I gotta do push ups later. You'll also have to notice the gelled, slicked back hair if you see the picture. We all go through horrible amounts of gel, hairties and bobby pins to get our hair how they want it. We do it the night before and wear durags to what little sleep we get. It's epic.

04 Mar 12
It's Sunday here which is a bit of a more relaxed day. Tell everyone I love them and I am doing well. Hope they can send me letters because they really do break up the week and keep me updated on the outside world.

Love, Elly

We got a phone call this afternoon around 5:00. We were both home so we were pretty happy about that! Elly sounds good and had lots to share. She was "selected" to be the Chow Runner for her group. We looked that up on line. It is not a good job for sure. It was interesting to read what others had to say about it. She is no longer doing this - which is good.

She is now an Element Leader for her dorm. There is one dorm chief and four element leaders. We looked that up too. (The internet is amazing!) If anyone else has done this, feel free to let us know your experiences. She says there are probably about 40 or 50 girls in her flight.

She also told us she is in the Band Flight. It is a brass and percussion band. She thinks she will play the cymbols. She said the marching is going ok. Her band teacher from high school prepared her for this - he also yelled a lot and was never happy so they had to redo and redo things.

They are up every day at 4:45 a.m. Maybe her Caribou Coffee Shop days should have prepared her for this, but she didn't sound to happy to start her days so early! (Can't say we blame her.)

Elly also said that they were given M-16 and A2's - trainer models. They don't fire but they are the same weight.

They did their first 3 mile run yesterday. She ran the entire way but it was not easy, not that we thought it was! They will do it again on Sunday or Monday.

She has gotten some mail and that made her happy - they must have come in plain, white, boring envelopes. She was also allowed to write to us but they haven't earned the privilege of mailing letters yet. We bought small white envelopes for her before she left. Her training officer said that only long white envelopes could be used so she bought some on base.

Thanks to everyone who is writing to her and praying for her!

Here is the address for the BMT Website: http://www.basictraining.af.mil Elly is in week one now. Although the site doesn't actually show her group, it should give us an idea of what she is doing.