One down, seven to go

One month ago yesterday I dropped Nick off to leave for basic training which means, one month down, and only seven more till he is done with training! I have talked to him and gotten a couple of letters from him. He is doing really well. This is their last week of the first phase, White phase, and they start the Blue phase next. This phase is mostly about weapons training. He told me that this week most of their time at the range learning about their rifles and he was very excited about that.

The Drill Sergeants try very hard to break everyone there, and a few have already given up. He is having a very hard time watching the younger ones struggle so much. He said that knowing how many friends and family he has at home that love him and believe in him is really what gets him through each day.

He has made some friends, and they keep each other going and motivated. The group he is in all have similar lives and most are married. It's great that he has found such a good support system while he is away. I met one of them over the phone and he is very polite, and told him to make sure to take care of my husband for me.

His naturally physical talents and leadership skills have come out very quickly. He has already impressed his Drill Sergeants and was voted by all to be the leader of their Platoon. He didn't have much of a voice from all of the yelling that he had been doing.