Some News, Finally!

I just got my first letter from Nathan. He gave me permission to post his letter, and I thought about scanning it. However, his handwriting leaves something to be desired, so I'll just type it. I thought about summarizing, but I actually think that will take longer than just copying it. Here's his letter-my comments are italicized:
Amanda,

Well here it is, the end of my second week here and I finally get to write you. Time here is pretty short. And there's so much to say! Apparently, my group of 59 trainees (referred to as a "flight") just now showed our TI (the drill sergent) that we deserve to write/receive letters.

The flight here was interesting. Dallas to San Antonio was delayed for 2 hours because of storms. So I arrived on base at about midnight. Went through a LOT of processing that evening (morning?). I got put in a band flight somehow. Don't worry, that doesn't mean much. Just that I'll be playing an instrument I've never played before for my graduation. I think that's pretty cool, myself. Although he played trombone in high school, and I'm not sure why he can't just play that now since he's already familiar with it. But anyway, I met my TI that night and got to bed at around 5:30 AM.

So, what to say about my TI. Well, Tech. Sgt. Radosovich is his name. He's all business. He's not really what you think of when you think "Air Force." No, he's more like the Rainbow Six type. (Tom Clancy reference, which I get because we both love his books!) He's been training special forces for 10 years. Yes, he's definitely firm, but to be honest, it's all fair.

Pretty much all of us in the flight were assigned a duty of some sort, whether it be "Dorm Chief" (first trainee in charge of all the others mostly) or latrine crew (yuck!) or whatever else. Despite being one of the oldest guys here (I'm the third oldest) I was lucky enough to avoid the leadership/political roles. Radosovich put me in as Utility Chief. Means I run the distribution of cleaning materials to others, basically. Which unfortunately means I'm always the last one done, but it's not so bad.

So let's run through my experience of the typical day so far:
4:45 AM Reveille music plays, wake up
5:00 AM Physical Training
6:15 AM Make beds
6:30 AM Morning chow
7:00 AM Duties
8:30-11:30 AM Class/Drill/Whatever
11:30 AM Chow
12:00-5 PM More drill/Class/Cleaning/Appointments
5:00 PM Chow
6:00 PM Duties
Now, this won't stay the same I'm sure, but it's more or less how it's been.

The PT is extremely challenging. It will, undoubtedly, be the hardest thing for me. While the mind games get to same (and believe me, they have already), it's the physical stuff that gets me.

By the way, it is HOT down here. But then, you knew that. Welcome to South Texas!

Oh, so the Monday after I got here we went to get our blood and TB tests done along with six different shots. That's eight needles that they poked me with. And one of those needles took SIX vials of my blood. Yes, I very nearly passed out.

By the way, if you were wondering, me meeting up with you at church is expressly forbidden. Sorry. :( I had my suspicions of this, but I was still hopeful. Boo.

I have never had to keep my little area so clean. Ever. Every day I have to make my bed with these sharp 45 degree hospital corners. Also, the way our clothes have to be folded is, in my own opinion only, excessive. No wrinkle or you risk failing an inspection. Guess who's making the bed and folding the laundry from now on? We haven't actually had an inspection yet, but Sgt. Radosovich has promised that it'd be soon.

Speaking of him again, he can get a little scary at times. I forgot what it's called, but you know how some people get a little crazy after being in the business of war for a long time and come back and don't really know what to do? Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. That's him. He was a spec. ops. sniper. He's killed a lot of people. And sometimes, whenever we irritate him, he gets the scariest look I have ever seen on his face.

My time is running down for now. I'll write as often as I can. You can post all or part of this. It's up to you. I love you and miss you very much. This is going to be a VERY challenging experience for me. The days are long, but the weeks are short. I'm confident that if I put forth the proper effort I will be able to graduate on time.

Say hi to your family and to whoever reads the blog. And pass my address along. I can't begin to tell you how much letters would help. It sounds like he hasn't received mine yet, which he should have. That worries me a lot! I love you.