Update!

So I think I am getting spoiled with letters this week! We had a one day conference today and when I got back there was a letter waiting! YAY! Very good day!

They went on their "camp out". Started with a three mile hike which wouldn't be so bad except they had their packs on (which weigh about 20-30 lbs). He said it wasn't too bad and nice to do something different. Got they breakfast and set up tents. Then they had four different training events that they did as a platoon. I googled how many people are in a platoon...I guess it is about 16-44. So I don't know how many are in his but somewhere in that range I suppose. So they started and the first event was learning about Urban warfare. They learned the basics of breaching and clearing a building. He said that was really fun! First real "soldier" thing they have done so far. Next was MRE's for lunch and then high/low crawl to cover training. After that they had training on how to cover and move with a battle buddy. Last they had 9 man formations and they learned how to move as a wedge formation. He really enjoyed the whole day. Best part- everything was done by 8pm so the rest of the night was free time. Plus they didn't have to get up until 5am so even with an hor fire guard shift, he still said he got a good night's rest. Sleep helps a lot of things so hopefully that makes the next few days even better!
The next day when they got back they were up for advancement into the next phase. They went to the phase change ceremony and were in formation. Their DS's requested they be moved up to White Phase. Their request was denied due to the fact that so many phones had been found and there had been "relationships" happening. They can try again in a few days. Jordan was pretty disappointed. White phase is more relaxed and they are given more privileges.
So Jordan finally got the group in trouble. Him and about 15 other guys were inside cleaning and writing letters (the first part of this letter was written then) they thought they were all on free time but I guess that had ended and they were supposed to be up front. So they all got smoked for about an hour. He said it was one of the hardest yet. They also lost personal time and no mail call that night. He still hasn't gotten any letters from me so that could have been the first night he did. Sorry Jordan!! But at least he had made it almost a month without getting into any trouble....maybe it was about time....

So later that night during his fire guard duty he finished the letter. He said that earlier one of the DS's threw one girl's rifle across the room. I guess if they drop theirs they have to do 25 push ups. So Jordan said the DS's was being funny. Another time he was looking at some photos when a DS came up behind him and put him in a choke hold. I guess it startled him but the guy was joking around with him. He said it is nice to have them have fun sometimes since it is so serious all the time.

Well it is nice to see that he is having some fun. Red phase (which is what they are in now) is the worst phase. It is the part where they just break you down. White phase gets better and Blue phase is the best. There is a facebook group for families of soldiers in Jordan's company. One girl posted that her boyfriend called tonight about an hour ago. He is in a different Platoon but I have my phone with me....just in case!!