Finally letters!

So I finally got to hear from Jordan. Two letters came while we were gone for a conference this weekend and one came today. So three in like 2 days....hope they keep coming!

The first one he wrote while still at Reception. They shipped to BCT (the actual training part on Friday after he left for Basic) He said it was a lot of standing and waiting. 2 and a half hours waiting for glasses. He got 8 shots total. He said they poked him two at a time. I guess they weren't very gentle and he said he bled a lot from them. I don't know how, but I guess they weren't very mind. He also got some sort of nasal spray for the flu. They had to be up the next morning (after Reception) at 3:30am to ship out. He was worried he would be getting up like that everyday from then on. In his next letter he said that they actually don't have to be up until 5am but they start getting ready about 4:30am so at least not 3:30 am!!
His next letter he started by saying they had been getting pretty good smokings! I guess i smoking is when they chew them out, yell a lot, and then make them do some sort of physical activity. He hasn't gotten one personally yet, only as a platoon. He said other than that, things aren't too bad. He was on fire duty when he wrote it. I guess they rotate nights where they are on guard. Each shift is between and hour and a half and two and a half hours. Way to make a short night shorter! The food isn't too bad I guess. He said they don't taste it much since they have to eat so fast. Even though they have to eat it quickly, he said there is plenty and he isn't hungry.
He got his uniform. He likes that. I think it makes it for "real" and gives him more pockets and place to store things. He got fitted for boots and found out his left foot is fatter than his right. He is hoping his boots break in soon so it won't keep rubbing. They wear them so often, it shouldn't take too long I bet. They also have camel packs now too. He already had one but didn't take it since he didn't think he would need it. But I guess another isn't too bad. At least all the pieces go well together. The uniforms are made to work together. Also they have velcro patches now. Yeah for the wives....no sewing required!!
In his most recent letter he was on fire guard duty again. They don't get very much free time so all of his letters have been written in the middle of the night! He "got" to clean the latrines during the first part of his shift. He said that was pretty disgusting! Jordan was never the one to clean the bath room at home. And then to have to clean a guy's bathroom where there are about 60 guys to one bathroom....gross!!
He seems to like most of the training. He said the smokings are hard but the actually training is enjoyable. They were issued their guns. It is a MI6A2 (for anyone who cares about guns...) They are like a new limb, they need them with them at ALL times. If they loose it, they go to jail. Not sure if that means regular jail or the brig but either way...not good! He likes having it but he said it is just one more thing to have to remember to deal with. They have strict standards on maintaining it. They also did the Victory Tower. You can see it on the Ft Jackson website. It is a 40 foot wall they have to scale. He is not good with heights but he said it wasn't as bad as he thought. It wasn't a problem. He also really likes the marching. I don't know why marching would be fun but he really enjoys it I guess. Good thing since they march A LOT!! He also really likes the team building activities. He is in his element there. Good to know he is having some fun! It will help the time go faster!
He was able to attend church on post Sunday. He was VERY glad to have that time. He said the church was nice; sang some hymns, people gave testimonies; then the preacher preached on Noah. Overall nice and nice to get some "real" life back.
He said anyone is welcome to come to graduation. We thought they might limit tickets but it sounds like they can have as many as they want. Unfortunately he will only get family day and then graduation day to see everyone. He has to report to OCS the very next day! Also, as for mail, I guess it needs to just be letters. Anything else might be opened and may or may not make it. So I have started inserting pictures into the letters I type. For me typing is so much easier and then I can put pictures right there and that is fine I guess. They are just pretty strict on mail I guess.
Well that is all the news I have! Glad to know he is safe and doing well. It is just so weird not having easy contact. It took a week for his letters to come from when he sent them which means I am reading it a week later. Then anything I say in response will also take a week so really it takes two weeks to get news back and forth! Not something we are used to these days!!