6 June 2011
Hey babe! I don't have too much time and the mail is going out in the morning. Yesterday was our first day out of reception and our first day with our training drill sergeants. It was quite an experience! They loaded us on busses and as soon as the doors opened all hell broke loose! Looking from the outside I'm sure it was pretty funny to watch but at the time it was nothing but confusion and disorientation. I was only about 5 feet off the bus and the guy right in front of me fell down and I had to jump over him. I know that doesn't sound impressive, but considering I had my full duffle bag over my head and drill sergeants in both ears, I think it was pretty impressive. They worked us pretty hard for an hour or two and then they dumped our bags to inventory everything. Honestly the whole experience can't really be explained. After the inventory it when I got to call you.
It's almost lights out so I need to go. I love you so much and miss you! I love and miss Brooklyn too so make sure you love and kiss her for me! Pray for me!
I love you!
PS I've never heard so much cursing in such a short time! EVER!!!
There was also a letter included from First Lieutenant Mycal Brown, the Company Commander of Comanche Company, 2nd Battalion of the 417th Infantry Regimen (try saying that 5 times fast). Callen's graduation is scheduled for August 18th at 9:00 am. He will be given an on-post pass on Weds the 17th from 1:00-8:00 pm and then on Thurs from 10:30 am-8:00 pm he'll get an Off-post pass. Brooklyn and I are definitely planning on going. We would welcome anyone that would want to come along! It says that if anyone is going anywhere else after they will ship out first thing Friday morning, so I'm assuming that means he'll go to OCS that morning, but I'll let you know if anything changes on that.
13 June 2011
Hey baby! I hope you got the email I wrote you on Sunday (I didn't). I was pretty emotional the whole time because I had so much time to just sit and think about you and Brooklyn. I did get a blessing and it was really cool because I felt like the guys giving it knew what I was going through so they were really supportive. Anyway, I wanted to tell you about some of the funny stuff that has happened so far. Our first night here the drill sergeants turned the thermostat down to 50 degrees just to mess with us. It was so cold! The worst was when I had to get up for my turn for fire watch and walk around the barracks in really short shorts and a t-shirt because the pt uniform is the fire guard uniform. It was horrible. Then the next day a different drill sergeant was in our barracks so we asked him if we could adjust the thermostat and explained how cold it was the night before. He about died laughing he thought it was so funny. At the time it sucked, but it is pretty funny looking back on it. Most of the time so far has been spent doing pretty easy stuff, but it has to be done perfectly so we have to do most things several times. The frustrating part of everything is having to teach and reteach the people who don't pay attention to detail. Yesterday we were outside in formation and the drill sergeant came out and said he made out beds for us. I immediately knew our beds had been flipped. Sure enough everything was all messed up, and it turns out it was because one person messed their pillow case. If you thought I was anal about stuff being organized and clean before it'll be way worse when I get back. The drill sergeants are so good at making fun of people and making them feel stupid. The most amazing thing is how they manage not to lose their voices. For some reason it just hit me that I've only been here a little more than a week but it feels so much longer. The days are so long and at times kind of boring. I'm sure that will change though once we get some of the basic stuff down and move on to other things. I guess you have to crawl before you walk and run. They are literally having to teach us how to do everything the army way. From the way to eat, the way to make a bed, down to the way to hang up your clothes. There's the right way, the wrong way, and the army way. Anyway, I feel like I don't know anything that is going on in the outside world except that the Mavericks won the title. I'm really looking forward to hearing from you and anyone else for that matter so please put the address and instructions on the blog. Well babe I have to get to bed. 4 am comes pretty fast. Remember I love you and Brooklyn. Be sure to give her a kiss from me and take one for yourself too. Please be careful and pray for me.
I love you!
The instructions he referenced came from the same letter from his Lieutenant:
Mail from you is always a morale booster for your Soldier; however, please do not send edible items, tobacco, alcohol, or pictures that contain nudity. If you wish to send an item and have questions about its acceptability please contact us first. Your Soldier will open all packages under a Drill Sergeant's supervision and any unauthorized items will be surrendered at that time. All surrendered items are placed in storage and is returned when your Soldier leaves the unit.
Your Soldier's mailing address is:
FRONT OF ENVELOPE
SPC Bagley, Russell
CM Company, 2/417th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Platoon
495 Iowa Avenue, 3rd CHEM BDE
Fort Leonard Wood, MIssouri 65473
BACK OF ENVELOPE
2nd Platoon
Please write him as often as you can!
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