Here is Installment Three bringing you up to speed with what our daughter is doing at Army Basic Training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. If you missed Parts 1 and 2, scroll down to the links below.
Letter Two Dated July 14, 2012 ~ Summarized
Notes in parentheses are mine.
“One week down! It’s been kinda a roller coaster since we got here. Not that bad physically at all, until recently. The purpose of the beginning phase in Basic is to learn how to work as a unit. Many people DO NOT understand that concept.
Last night before dinner chow, one of the females mouthed off big time. So after a heavy helping of broccoli, cheese, and rice casserole, we went to our bay (barracks) for some quality time with our Drill Sergeant and M-16 rifles for physical training . . . just squatting with it above our head, then holding it in one hand straight out. I’m getting in shape tho!
(That sounds miserable! I’m sure my broccoli casserole is much better than the Army’s. Sorry honey, I couldn’t resist the bad joke.)
Yesterday we went to what to what is called “Victory Tower.” It includes a 50-foot rappel tower and several rope confidence courses. That was when the cadre found out I went to Mountain Warfare School. I got the course done pretty quickly and then just had to wait.
(When Amanda was in ROTC, she was selected to attend Army Mountain Warfare School and Winter Mountain Warfare School in Vermont. She is the only female in the history of UCLA’s ROTC program to be selected to attend both sessions. I’m not bragging here . . . just stating the facts. Well, I guess I am bragging a tad.)
Last night after Victory Tower and before chow, the females in my bay unanimously voted me as “Bay Boss.” I honestly didn’t think many people liked me, but I guess I’ve helped out everyone in some shape or form.
(Amanda is like that.)
Getting started as “Bay Boss” was stressful. I was up most of the night getting everything prepared for the morning.
The weather is insane here. Seriously hot and crazy thunderstorms. The other day it dumped rain on us and we had to sit in the classroom soaked and freezing. We learned to not complain about the heat anymore.
I miss you guys. I also miss my cell phone. 🙂 It’s been liberating having a break from all technology though. Only nine weeks left!”
(We miss you too Amanda!)
I need to set the record straight. I know what you all are thinking . . . “The Army took Robin’s novel away from Amanda because it contains pornographic material.” Geez people! What kind of novelist do you think I am!?
The cadre takes away ALL reading material. In the first care package I sent her, I threw in People Magazine and the book about the surfer-girl whose arm was bit off my a shark. She wrote to me they took those away too because the soldiers have to EARN the privilege of reading material. Wow. They are tough.
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Robin Coyle 
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Robin.. I finally clicked on your gravatar from M Weebles site and I am so glad that I did. My daughter is just beginning Air Force ROTC in college. It is a true calling for her.I am loving reading about your daughter. It is a strange unknown land and feeling watching your daughter embrace the military.
You should brag away.. your daughter sounds amazing. Thank you for writing
Wow! I too am glad you found me from Madame Weebles. We have a lot in common with daughters in the military. It takes a special kind of person to be called to serve. Is she enjoying ROTC? Does she plan to go into the Air Force? Maybe you should have your daughter read Amanda’s letters. It would give her insight to the rigor of the training and the excitement in Amanda’s voice about what she is doing.
BTW, isn’t Madame Weebles a lovable nut?
Yes I adore Madame Weebles and have met many new online blog o friends this way!
My daughter has been very VERY committed to doing the ROTC– she has talked about it since she was 12. Her face lights up — she has a goal of being an Airspace/Aeronautical Engineer for the Air Force when she graduates. I need to catch up on your letters– what does your daughter want to do?
During orientation I wanted to get sick but I could see that it was a perfect fit for my very driven and very black and white daughter. A great sense of belonging and comraderie in the group of young cadets already.
I am babbling away here.. I enjoy your blog and I look forward to reading more..thanks for reading and following mine although reciprocity is not expected — 🙂
Of course I am going to follow another mom of a military-driven daughter! Of course!
Your daughter sounds exactly like mine. Amanda got the bug in 5th grade. I guess that is what it takes . . . that kind of mind-set. Knowing what a perfect fit it is for her, I have to be supportive, even though I would rather she follow a safer path. But, that would make her miserable. She wants to be active, and challenged mentally and physically. She worked a desk job last summer and about went out of her mind.
Amanda is going to the Monterey Language Institute after training. She doesn’t know what language she will be assigned until she gets there. After that, she is likely to do intelligence, homeland security, be assigned to an embassy, or some such thing.
Please keep me posted on your daughter’s ROTC experience. Wow! Aeronautical Engineer! I’m impressed.
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Without reading material, what do they do with downtime? Or, is there downtime? How interesting that reading is considered a privilege–don’t know how I feel about that actually.
Another great letter, and I’m glad that your book wasn’t singled out! 🙂
Nothing like a book to help you go to sleep, right?
I think taking reading material away is like reverse propaganda.
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Good for Amanda! Please tell her she has friends she doesn’t know who are wishing her well!
I wrote to her to tell her I am doing this series and to be sure to check out all the wonderful comments and well-wishers . . . as soon as she is granted computer privileges. Thank you Judith! So sweet.
All our troops need all our support, wherever they are!
Yes indeed!
That is really tough about the reading material – but I like that it is seen as a privilege. I wish more people viewed reading in that way. Nice. 🙂
Good point about viewing reading as a privilege to keep the soldiers on track. Reward for doing it the military way!
Here, here! 🙂
It sounds like your Amanda is a pretty strong girl. Keep bragging. You have every right. And we love hearing about it.
I’m glad to hear you are enjoying her saga. I wasn’t sure how it would be perceived since it is off track from my usual posts.
She is a strong girl. She gets it from her dad!
Oh, I think she gets strength from her madre too 🙂
Thanks Maggie. You made me laugh.
Love,
Amanda’s Madre
Cannot imagine what Amanda means when she says ‘… liberating having a break from all technology’ *drole*
My word, your girl will be fit for anything at the end of this training … though it looks as though she already is!
I was surprised by her comment about no technology being “liberating,” given how her generation teethed on technology!
They put them through the paces, don’t they?
Brag away, Robin. It is definitely warranted. Must be wonderful to hear from her! ~ Lily
Getting “real” letters, especially from Amanda, is a treat! Gives me a little thrill when I see her letter in the mailbox. Thanks for letting me brag, Lily!
There is nothing wrong with bragging about facts. Actually, when you’re a parents, you’re allowed to brag about anything. At least in my book.
Thank you for permission to brag. Feels funny, because “braggy” parents can be tiresome. It is just that she gives us much to brag about!~ Her’s is a noble pursuit.
It ain’t braggin’ if it’s true!
Good point! And as I said to Russel above you, her pursuit is nobel!
Hey Robin ~ You should read some of the material the authors write in my writer’s group. Definitely wouldn’t be allowed in you daughter’s camp. I had to write a love scene recently for my novel, but I’m a fade to black kinda girl. 😉 Better put, I’m too chicken to write more detail. My parents are going to read this stuff for crying out loud.
Your daughter is awesome.
I like the hint of carnal romance. Leave something to the imagination for Pete’s Sake.
In one scene in my book there is a “shower together” reference and my middle daughter said “Whoa. Hang on. Wait a minute, Mom. I hope you aren’t speaking from experience!” I said, “No dear, of course not. I got it from Fifty Shades.”
Kidding. I haven’t picked up the book.
Thanks. We think she is pretty awesome too.
Yes, yes! I like Vanessa’s idea about the mom’s journal about your daughter’s journey! Get to work, missy. ; )
What I really think is cool: that she’s writing you LETTERS. I mean, who does that anymore?!?!?! Awesome.
Vanessa’s idea IS great. It has haunted me all day. I think she is on to something.
Not only is she writing letters, but 6 page letters! See what you can do with your time when there is no Internet, television, or phone. It is fun writing her “real” letters too.
Sounds like a lot has changed in the Army since my day, but a lot has stayed the same.
What has changed? What is the same?
The training schedule sounds different, but the D.I.’s (Drill Instructors) sound like the same ones I had. A lot of yelling. You must be just about to bust a button with pride. Bragging about your kids, by the way, is quite acceptable behavior in my book. Required even.
Thanks T.W. I’d hate for you to think I am one of “those” parents you run into at cocktail parties. “My kid won the spelling bee. My kid saved a puppy from drowning. My kid cured cancer. My kid solved world hunger.” Ugh.
Yup . . . still a lot of yelling involved in Basic.
Wow, in such a short time, already a “Bay Boss”. Nice to hear updates. Your daughter sounds like a pillar of strength already at only 25.
You know Tess, Amanda is a natural born leader. I wonder if it is because she is the oldest child. She likes to be in charge, but engenders trust so people are happy to work under her leadership.
Now Robin, I’m thinking there’s another book here for you to write, I can see it now on the shelves “Army Boot Camp: A Mother’s Journal”. You’re welcome 😉
I think you have something there! I give you a cut of my royalties for the idea.
Love hearing how Amanda is doing. It’s a long way from Nordstroms when we last saw each other and she was complaining about the remodel dust and confusion! Little did she know…
Yes . . . surrounded by high fashion at Nordstroms one day, the next, Army fatigues and combat boots. That girl is multifaceted. Or should I say, “multi-fashioned.”
Looks like her leadership skills are already apparent to the folks around her. Maybe she’ll be able to keep the loose lips in line after this!
Gosh, let’s hope so. In one of her letters she said, “We did about a billion push-ups yesterday because people don’t follow directions or don’t bother to listen.”
-you are more than allowed to brag, and what a lot you have to brag about
-earn their reading material – what kind of army is this-wonder if they have the same rules in the Cdn army
It is all a part of their plan to get the soldiers to work as a team I guess. No distractions, i.e., books, phones, computers, etc. Toe the line and do things perfectly, the restrictions ease up. Someone told me that if one person messes up, the whole platoon pays the price. That would make me want to be PERFECT!
Although I know you’re proud of her (and rightfully so!), it must be difficult to hear about your baby having to suffer extra physical training because of someone else’s actions. Although it’s no comparison, my son is at a football camp this week, and I suspect he’ll go through something similar. I know it makes them tough, but it’s hard as a momma to hear about it. 🙂
As I said to On the Home Front and Beyond above you, it is all about getting the soldiers to work as a team. So, your analogy of football camp is spot on. Good luck to them!
It is hard to hear about the “punishment,” but Amanda doesn’t shy away from it. The platoon had to do a 5-mile march after someone in her group screwed up. She looks at it as a challenge. Me? I’d be whimpering and putting more bandages on my blisters.
I’m liking this girl more and more by the minute! Too bad she’s too old for my son. 😉
Well . . . he is awfully cute.
And I’m sure she’d appreciate all of his scatological and human anatomy jokes. Then again, I’m sure she’s heard plenty of that from the army guys around her. 🙂
You will see in a future post where she said, “The Drill Sergeants call you the craziest names. Stuff I never heard of!” That is something. She has NOT led a sheltered life by any means.
I never thought that about your manuscript for one second though if it had been the reason you really wouldnt have wanted it back after those drill sergeants finished with it hehehehe
Eeeeeew.