Here we go with our fourth installment of letters from our daughter at Army Basic Training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
As an intro, I sent Amanda a care package filled with a crazy assortment of goodies . . . a set of Uno playing cards, nail clippers, face wipes, magazines (which we now know were confiscated), and a baggie of green plastic Army men. I thought the Army men would make her laugh.
My care package crossed paths with Amanda’s letter (below). She starts the letter with a list of things she could use. Because of my “Mother’s ESP,” most of the things on her list were already en route to her. Funny . . . green plastic Army men were NOT on her list. How odd.
Letter Three Dated July 19, 2012 ~ Summarized
Notes in parentheses are mine.
“Hey Rental Units!! (Another term of endearment she uses for us.)
. . . Seriously, even just some of the things on this list would be great. They took away most of our stuff. We have no razors, conditioner, moisturizer, or face wash. I look like a monkey right now. We also have to wear these huge grannie panties. You don’t want to risk not wearing them because if you go down as a HEAT CAT, they strip you down and wrap you in an ice blanket.
(The temperature in South Carolina then was over 100 degrees and 100% humidity.)
I’m sure she looks adorable in these! Military Birth Control Glasses circa mid 1990s. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Plus I have awful Birth Control Glasses (BCGs). So basically, I’m hideous right now, but we all are.
(I’m ok with that if it keeps the boys away from you.)
My platoon is very slowly getting this teamwork thing. Everyone here comes from all walks of life. Some are from gangs, some are in college, and one guy has two master degrees. And with that, many people have trouble acclimating to each other. One guy still flies a confederate flag and the platoon is probably 1/5th black.
Tomorrow we have the obstacle course called “Fit to Win.” After everyone goes through the course, a six-man team is selected from each platoon to compete against the other platoons. I think I’ll smoke it and be on my platoon’s team.
(I bet you do smoke it honey!)
The food here is getting worse. Basically it is because we eat the same thing everyday. Breakfast is awesome though. Bacon, eggs, hash browns, cereal, and pancakes or something like that every morning. Plus, I eat an apple at every meal. It is so hot here that an apple is like, the best. I eat a ton during mealtime and then I’m hungry again in one hour.
(She continued the letter the next day. Note the change in her voice.)
I got your letter! It was perfect timing . . . I am so exhausted.
I am in charge of my Bay and people complain and bitch to me about every single thing. On top of that I fix people’s feet (think of all the marching and pursuant blisters) and help them with their physical training.
I got in trouble with the Drill Sergeant for setting up Fire Guard (think night watch) a certain way. But the thing is, I set it up so the people who failed the physical fitness test when we first got here didn’t have to pull Fire Guard. I wanted them to be rested for the 4 am fitness test tomorrow, because . . . if you don’t pass, you go home. I gave myself the last Fire Guard shift so I will be waking up at 0245 tomorrow. After a four-mile road march and being selected to be on the platoon’s obstacle course team and competed against the other platoons, I did more than any other female in my Bay. I am bruised from head to toe and sore as hell.
I love being here. I love doing Army stuff. I don’t even mind getting up at 0245 tomorrow. But, I am beat and tired of 90% of girls here. Thank god we are getting more time to hang out with the males.
Anyway, your letter came and made me so freaking happy! I love you and miss you and your sanity.
Gosh we miss you too!
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Robin Coyle 
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How on earth does she cope with all those girls? That would drive me crazy too! She sounds like one tough cookie and doing lots that you can be proud of, Mrs!
Still not sure why they call them Birth Control Glasses (is it because they’re not a turn on! 😉 )
All three of our girls have zero tolerance for “girl drama” so I’m sure she is ready to smack some of them. Yup . . . Birth Control Glasses are a nerdy turn-off.
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She sounds amazing! The panties would have done me in!
The grannie panties and the no razor thing would have me packing my bags. Actually, the idea of being in a place and doing things that MIGHT require being stripped and wrapped in an ice sheet would have made me act like Klinger in M.A.S.H. Faking mental illness so I would be discharged.
I’m with ya!
First they break you down. Then they rebuild you as a team. It is hard, but it works. Hang in there!
That is exactly what they are doing. Mental and physical challenges as individuals and as a team. Thanks Dennis! I shall hang in there.
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I have to say, the Army sounds like NO place for me…
And taking away ones hair conditioner seems just MEAN, never mind all the physical torture. You’ve raised a strong girl there Robin!
No place for me either. She looks at the whole thing as a physical and mental challenge, and she like to be challenged. Me . . . not so much. Actually . . . not at all.
Me either.
Kudos to your daughter for getting through some really tough elements. What strikes me most (even more than having no razor–ick) is the fact it is such a diverse population having to come together as a unit. I eat that kind of stuff up and I’d love to be a fly on the wall (with a razor, of course).
The no razor thing seems cruel to me. Yell at me? OK. Hairy legs? No thank you.
Since you like the notion of working together as a unit, I’m guessing you play team sports. Am I correct?
haha, if I didn’t have bad knees, then I’d be more physically active. But before my knee injury I used to love softball and volleyball and tennis and I even played rugby for a bit.
I knew it! Team player all the way. Too bad about your knee injury.
Heh, you say that she didn’t pick this thing (army) up from you, but I can sure read ‘you’ in her letters. 😉 She sounds so considerate of those she is supervising, even though it sounds like crazy lady town around those girls. Ack! I might be able to put up with the physical drain better than all those women in one place. I’m really enjoying reading the letters.
Glad to hear you are enjoying the letters Lori. Funny that you “hear” me in her letters. I’m not sure about that. She is much tougher than I am.
As I’ve said elsewhere, she has zero tolerance to girl drama. All three of our girls are that way.
It’s your sense of humor and thoughtfulness that I read in your daughter’s letters. I don’t know how she does the army-thing, but I admire her. I’m such a wuss.
How sweet of you to say.
I don’t know how she (or any of them) does the Army either.
Hey ~ you’ve got a mention on my blog today. YIKES, my dog’s piercing bark. Gotta go see what he’s going nuts about.
I shall dash over to your blog to check it out. How exciting, Lori! Thank you.
What was it that bugged your dog? Shall I send Amanda over to protect you?
Oh, nothing. He tends to spout off too often at anything out the window. But dang it, he pierced at my ears so I had to get him to quiet down.
She is a credit to you, and her country. Its an awful shame they don’t train bankers in the same way – less greed, more speed.
That could be the Army’s new slogan . . . “Less greed, more speed!” I like it!
Your daughter amazes me, Robin. I love reading these letters and am delighted to know that people like Amanda are serving our country.
Her letters give us a good feel for what it is really like at bootcamp, don’t they? Yes, thank goodness there are brave souls who service. It takes a special kind of person.
Loved the post!
Shakti
Thank you so much! Amanda will thank you too!
This is fantastic, Robin. I’ve got letters from my great uncle who was in the army and they took MONTHS to get here in those days – how wonderful is this age we’re in 🙂
I love the birth control glasses!
I whined about not hearing from her for a few weeks. Imagine the torture of no word before the advent of technology.
I’ll see if I can get a pair of Birth Control Glasses for you.
Hahahaha! Thank you 😀 They will match the birth control bun I put in my hair when I go to bed!
Eeek. Good for her for doing what she loves, but I don’t think I could ever join the army. I like sleeping past sunrise too much.
I like sleeping in waaaaaaaay past sunrise too. If they woke me up at O:Dark:Thirty, I think I would be kicked out for what I would say to them when they woke me.
Please, once again, let Amanda know she’s in my prayers — in spite of the bad food, and the exhaustion, and the personalities, she will remember these days fondly, I’d bet! 😎
I will pass your prayers along. I can’t wait until she has computer access and can read your comments herself!
These posts will make a nice scrapbook for her, once she is on the other side of training.
I think your daughter is unbelievable. Wow. I bet she goes far too.
About the army taking away all the girly precious stash, I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, but isn’t using these lovely products called ‘primping’ (especially in the army?). And, when would the ladies have time for primping when they’re sore and beatup at the end of the day?
Sore, beat up, bruised, exhausted, brow-beaten, and belittled. Yup . . . no time for primping or vanity. The Army strips it down to the basics. Air, food, and training.
She fixes people’s feet after PT? Bless her, that’s a lot to do, given the beaten their feet take. That’s awesome that she loves being there. I’m in awe.
After four years in ROTC and about a billion blisters, she knows how to bandage feet. She has a “system.” She doctored my foot after a hike resulted in a blister. The bandage was a work of art.
Wow. That’s one hell of a good skill to have.
Take her on your next hike!
Her letters and your notes are wonderful to read. They’re not a book or a movie (although they could be); they are real life and so much more interesting. The special relationship between the two of you comes through loud and clear – which speaks volumes to you as a mother. … I agree with others as to shaving and grannie panties!! It would be too much for me. Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you are enjoying her letters. It is a thrill when they come in the mail. I can’t wait until she has computer privileges and can read the posts, but more importantly, the comments. They will make a nice scrapbook of sorts for her. Such lovely support for her, and for all of our selfless soldiers.
Sweet of you to mention the “feel” of our relationship coming through her letters. I think it speaks more volumes about her, than me as her mother tho.
How would you look in Birth Control Glasses?
You’re too humble; it starts with the mother. 😉 Her strength and character shine through her letters. The birth control glasses would even make my dog hide from me!
Aren’t you sweet. Given her strength and character, I’d like to think the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!
I read that the Army recently updated the Birth Control Glasses to be more stylish. Ha! I think the new glasses are worse! Ask your dog what he thinks.
Good for her. As a Veteran I am glad to see that some still chose this path. Make sure she signs up for GI Bill and such.
Wait till end of Basic the 12 mile is fun!
First of all, thank you for your service. My hat is off to you.
She mentioned the GI Bill and would like to go to grad school on it. A great benefit for our brave soldiers.
I’ll not tell her about the 12 mile run! Hopefully by the end of training, it will be walk in the park. Not likely, right?
No Magazines? There goes my army career. I am a magazine junkie. I’m rather fond of conditioner too.
She sounds like she is rocking this army business, Robin. No wonder you are so proud.
I’m rather fond of conditioner too. And shaved legs.
I’ll let the Army know you are opting out.
Hey, how is your recovery going? Still on track?
Yeah, I couldn’t go without those personal “luxuries.” Maybe it’s the army’s way of keeping the females from distracting the males? Yikes! But good for her for going after what she wants!
Good point about the Army not wanting the females distracting the males. I also think taking those things away is a way to play with their heads.
No moisturizer? No razors? Grannie panties? Yikes, that is one tough cookie you’ve got there. And “Rental Units”? Love it.
Very interesting posts–I enjoy reading about your daughter’s experiences. Such a different world.
Thanks Carrie. I get a little thrill when I see her letters in the mailbox.
The Army plays hardball when it comes to what they can and cannot have. Geez Louise. They act like moisturizer is a luxury.
I have to hand it to her. I don’t think I could do it. God bless her. I had to chuckle when she said at least they get to hang out with the males a bit more. I don’t get why they can’t shave. Gross. Especially the armpit thing. Ugh. Oh well. Keep us posted. How are you holding up, Mom?
You are sweet to ask. I’m holding up ok because I can tell from her letters she is happy. Sore, bruised, and tired . . . but happy. She operates best when challenged.
Amanda (well, all three of our girls) HATE girl drama. Zero tolerance for it. They would much rather hang out with the guys.
I learned in one of her next letters that they can’t have anything sharp. She speculated it has to do with suicide prevention. That makes sense, but the soldiers are also shooting guns with real bullets. Go figure.
Wow. The razor thing would do me in. I think I’m too prissy for some of that! She sounds tough and in good spirits. I bet the care package really gave her a lift. I remember getting care packages from my parents when I was in college, and they never ceased to bring a smile to my face.
I’m too prissy for ALL of that stuff! The Army would kill me. Amanda operates best when challenged. I would be whimpering in the corner and begging to go home.
The care packages are fun to pull together. When I was checking out, the clerk said, “This is the oddest assortment of stuff I’ve ever seen!” I wondered if she would notice. It is hard to not include food or candy tho!
Ya know? I STILL remember the Army breakfasts as being the best, and I went through the grinder in 1968. She sounds destined for leadership, which is a two-edged sword, of course. Best thoughts to her and her comrades.
P.S. I don’t get the razor thing. I’m sure they make the guys shave every day. Ah well, the Army.
She mentioned being in leadership is a double-edged sword. You get to lead, but you also take the blame when things go wrong.
Hard to mess up breakfast food, right? I bet the soldiers are eating a ton with all the exercise they are doing.
Good point about the guys shaving. I wonder if they had to bring electric razors. I’ll ask her.
Real people just can’t imagine how much energy they expend in basic. They think college was hard. It takes a lot of fuel. I doubt they allow electric razors for the guys.
I can’t imagine anything worse than all of what she describes! But thank goodness there are people like her who not only do it, but actually like it!
I’m a wimp when it comes to everything she is doing. Wimp, I tell ya! It takes a special breed of person to be in the military. I am not of that breed. Amanda is.
Me too, I would be all like “Ooh, I broke a nail!”
She is very considerate with giving the early faliures a chance at success. It does sound like she is enjoying it thus far, so that is clearly something to be happy about.
I am curious to know if anyone failed the fitness test and had to go home. I’ll ask.
Amanda is like that. She wants people to succeed and goes out of her way to make sure they do.
Why did they take away all of her stuff? Does the army not believe in basic hygene? Or are face wash and conditioner considered luxury items? I don’t get that.
And, I figured that the food was bound to go downhill eventually. Thank goodness for hearty breakfasts!
It seems cruel, doesn’t it? Come on! Taking away face wash? I think it is all a part of the plan to get the soldiers to toe the line and “earn” the luxury items . . . and phone use, and reading material and………… shaved legs. Geez.
It really says a lot about her that she didn’t want those who failed the fitness test to pull Fire Guard, so they would have a chance at success the following morning. Not everyone would have been so considerate.
That is sooooooooo Amanda.
I am glad she loves this — I would die!
Me too! Imagine a 4-mile march in full uniform and a rucksack, not to mention it was in the humid heat of the South. Ugh.
why isn’t she at the Olympics?
Ha! Is marching an official Olympic event?
should be – I want there to be something for me too – how about extreme reading for me and survival for your daughter – what about you – what are you Olympian in?
Hmmmmm . . . good question. Right now I would have to say “extreme editing.” I’ve been polishing my manuscript. I’m almost finished so my next sport will be “extreme query letter writing.” Wish me luck.
I wish you the best of luck — but from what I have read on your blog, you may not need it!
Oh no . . . I need it. I get “query letter writer’s block” big time. How about if you write my query letter.
You know I would,but I have to go to the dentist (something I hate almost as much as query letters), Fortify yourself my friend!
I’m going to eat my Wheaties! How about I go to the dentist for you, and you write my query letter? Deal?
almost, almost — what if I need a root canal?
Deal.