He's been doing well throughout most of his training, the only thing that could threaten his graduation from BCT now is if he doesn't get the number of push-ups he needs, but I have faith in him and more importantly, he has faith in himself so I'm sure he will pass this last hurdle yet.
PT seemed to have been the most difficult time for him during training. During the first practice test he was 2 seconds slow on his run - yes, I said 2 seconds which would fail him during a real test. By next time he had shaved almost 3 minutes of his time and passed with flying colors. Sit-ups also not an easy thing for him, but those too he passed by now. The push-ups are still a little off but he'll be fine I'm sure. I believe the final test is next week on the 1st.
Last week they did had to qualify in marksmenship and he was one shot shy of sharpshooter! Yes, I said 1 shot ;). He's very good with taking care of his weapon and shooting it. He's got that from his momma *LOL*.
The heat in Fort Leonard Wood equals the heat here in SW Florida at this time and I can't say I envy our soldiers having to hike 10+ k's in full army gear, including back packs and such. Putting up tents, taking them back down all within a short amount of time. I'm sweating just making it through my regular days, I can't imagine having to do most of it dressed in long pants, shirts and without much A/C. But they do it, every day and for that, among many other things I have great respect for them.
Erich has asked for very little throughout his time in training. A few letters every week, some pictures of us, friends and dogs, cough drops, stamps, insoles for his boots and a phone card - all things I gladly sent out knowing they might make his day just a touch easier.
Because the realization that there is less and less for you to do as mom, and less and less you can do in his life isn't always an easy thing.
Every letter and every phone call you cherish. You re-read his letters and read something new between the lines in almost all of them. You re-play the phone calls in your head and try to pay close attention to how he sounds. And you learn how much more there is to know about him, how many sides of him you didn't know before, and my guess is he didn't know about himself either.
In today's mail we received the first picture they ever took of him after he started. On the back of his Dad's picture he wrote: "Thank's Dad, you are the #3 reason I'm able to pull this off every day." And on the back of my picture he wrote: " And thank's Mom, you are the #2 reason I'm able and willing to pull this off every day." And in the short note attached to the pictures he wrote: "And the #1 reason is - myself".
THAT is exactly what I hoped for, that he finally realize what a great guy he is and how much he has to give. That he finally finds confidence in himself and his abilities, and I think he's finaly getting there. He now knows that he's not doing things for us, but for his own life. If the Army wouldn't teach him anything else I know he already took something very important out of this experience.
But I do hope there will be much more positive learning for him!!
Look at my little soldier..........
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