Hello from Fort Sam Houston!!!
Summing up BMT - Well that sucked... on to bigger better things.
I am now on the other side of San Antonio and on an Army post. Technical Training has a whole different feel to it but a welcomed change. I am on Initial Training Phase (ITP) now which means that I have to stay on base and if I go outside I must be in uniform and march around at all times, and no alcohol. After a few weeks upto a month, I will be on Advanced Training Phase (ATP) which means I can wear civilian clothes out on base and leave base... and have a cool beer. Sweet, sweet beer. As my brother so lovingly pointed out at Lackland, Abita beer is big around these parts and everywhere has it. For those of you that don't know, Abita beer is my favorite brewing company.
When a group of us go places instead of an element, it is now called a small marching unit (SMU). As an A1C, I am more likely to direct the marching of a SMU. I have seen my cadence voice transform from quiet and drawn out to loud, sharp, and more TI-ish than ever before. I did get a "good job" from a Master Sgt the other day for my cadence calling skills though so I can't complain. I went to a jody calling meeting the other day as well. Jodys are the chants that are called out as a group is marching.
Sorry if this is all a bit scattered... I don't have my own internet here so I am down in the computer lab with about 20 other people who are blasting about 4 different songs and being loud making it a bit hard to concentrate.
Zach Schussler (the only other person from NE, and the one I flew in with) is at Sam Houston as well. It's nice to have someone else who misses Omaha as much as I do :)
As many of you have gathered from my mom's posts, Flight B292 won PT Excellence, gained Warrior Flight status, and was awarded Honor Flight for being the best of the best! I got Honor Graduate and was the top trainee of the 323rd Training Squadron.
My address here is:
A1C Addison Elizabeth M
3288 Johnson Rd
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
It was absolutely fantastic getting mail from everyone at BMT and I cannot thank y'all enough for the support. One thing I will say about mail here at Tech school is that it is a cluster. Mail for about 2,000 students comes into one center and all 2,000 students have about 2 hrs to pick that mail up. Needless to say, students around here complain about the mail situation all the time and say that not only is it a pain to go get, it is slow as heck. That being said... my email is e.addison89@gmail.com and my Skype username may be e.addison...
Well, more later
-Elly
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
This is probably the last "mom entry" in the blog. Elly will be able to update it herself soon. I wanted to add a few things while we are in Texas. We arrived at Lackland Air Force base on Thursday morning just in time to see the airmen do the "Airmen's Run". (We had talked to Elly on Wednesday for a few minutes so she knew we made it safely.) She saw us in the crowd and we were so glad. She kept her military face on but it was fun to see her eyes light up! Afterwards we went to a special area for the Coining Ceremony. We were surprised and especially proud to find that she earned the title of Honor Graduate. The top 10% of the airmen earned this distinction. The Honor Grads marched in first and got a special coin. She also has a special bar on her shirt to represent this honor. Families of the Honor Graduates sat behind the flag pole so we got an excellent view of her. Afterwards she went over to play with the band. She got another coin at that time for completing BMT. After the ceremony she returned her cymbals.Then I got to get a HUG!!! (The first of many!!) We spent the day on the base. Here is a picture of Elly and her proud parents.
The Graduation Ceremony was on Friday. Both ceremonies - Thursday and Friday - made us proud to be Americans and so proud of our daughter. Celebrating with Elly, besides her parents, are both sets of her grandparents, her brother and Jen, a good friend of Elly's.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
We got another letter from Elly. We have also talked to her since I last updated the blog.
While shooting with her gun she got 19 out of 24 shots. Unfortunately that wasn't the 22 shots she needed for marksmanship. She did do better than the girl next to her. She heard the TI ask, "How have you not shot this target at all?"
Grandpa Bob remembered having 49 holes in the target out of his 24 shots - evidently the guy next to him couldn't tell which target was his.
Elly called on April 1st. Her TI told them they got to call home and when they all got out their phones he said April Fools. (The girls didn't see the humor.) Then he said, not really. Make your calls. She said she was going to trick us by telling us she was recycled, but decided that wouldn't be funny either.
She also called after BEAST WEEK, which is like a mock deployment...sleeping in tents, shooting guns, etc. She said it was "Awesome", "Her favorite week", "she loved it". (We are hoping she didn't have heat stroke or something.) In her letter she wrote about BEAST WEEK. She tells that she was in the unit with Zach Schusler's flight, a young man she was sworn in with in Omaha. She said it was fun to talk to someone from Omaha again. He asked if she missed Runza. She laughed and agreed with him. He said others just don't get it. She wrote - my favorite, most memorable part of BEAST was when we were brought to the area where we did PT under an area and all 12 flights (roughly 600 trainees) stood at parade rest while a Chief Master Sgt. gave us a motivational talk. It totally got me pumped up and really proud of what I am doing. Then they had us all turn around and there was a giant American flag hanging down from the rafters. They played some patriotic country music while they came down the rows and handed us our dog tags. It was a definite "choke up" moment.
Elly's flight didn't get their tags from their TI (her TI was at another ceremony) and since they got 2 girls recycled into their flight, they were 2 tags short...so the dude that passed ours out didn't figure that one out and since I was 1st and they went in opposite roster order, I didn't actually get one. When we were heading back to our zone, the girl that got mine handed it over...but overall, it is a powerful moment that will stick with me.
Elly is graduating this weekend - April 20th. We are very excited to see her! Thanks to everyone who has written to Elly and remembered her in your prayers. It means a lot to all of us!
While shooting with her gun she got 19 out of 24 shots. Unfortunately that wasn't the 22 shots she needed for marksmanship. She did do better than the girl next to her. She heard the TI ask, "How have you not shot this target at all?"
Grandpa Bob remembered having 49 holes in the target out of his 24 shots - evidently the guy next to him couldn't tell which target was his.
Elly called on April 1st. Her TI told them they got to call home and when they all got out their phones he said April Fools. (The girls didn't see the humor.) Then he said, not really. Make your calls. She said she was going to trick us by telling us she was recycled, but decided that wouldn't be funny either.
She also called after BEAST WEEK, which is like a mock deployment...sleeping in tents, shooting guns, etc. She said it was "Awesome", "Her favorite week", "she loved it". (We are hoping she didn't have heat stroke or something.) In her letter she wrote about BEAST WEEK. She tells that she was in the unit with Zach Schusler's flight, a young man she was sworn in with in Omaha. She said it was fun to talk to someone from Omaha again. He asked if she missed Runza. She laughed and agreed with him. He said others just don't get it. She wrote - my favorite, most memorable part of BEAST was when we were brought to the area where we did PT under an area and all 12 flights (roughly 600 trainees) stood at parade rest while a Chief Master Sgt. gave us a motivational talk. It totally got me pumped up and really proud of what I am doing. Then they had us all turn around and there was a giant American flag hanging down from the rafters. They played some patriotic country music while they came down the rows and handed us our dog tags. It was a definite "choke up" moment.
Elly's flight didn't get their tags from their TI (her TI was at another ceremony) and since they got 2 girls recycled into their flight, they were 2 tags short...so the dude that passed ours out didn't figure that one out and since I was 1st and they went in opposite roster order, I didn't actually get one. When we were heading back to our zone, the girl that got mine handed it over...but overall, it is a powerful moment that will stick with me.
Elly is graduating this weekend - April 20th. We are very excited to see her! Thanks to everyone who has written to Elly and remembered her in your prayers. It means a lot to all of us!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
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
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
Sunday, March 25, 2012
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.
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!
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!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
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.
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.
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