Letter dated 23Feb2010

Hello again,

Okay. I thought everyone might enjoy seeing all the letters, so I am posting the first one I received from Ryan. From now on, they will go in order.

Kimberly


Hi Mom and Family,

Training is getting really started now. We just started our physical training assessments with a 1-1-1, which is 1 mile, 1 minute push-ups, and 1 minute sit-ups. For not being in shape the way I used to be in high school, I ran a 7:21 miles, did 34 push-ups, and 21 sit-ups, and that's good so far. It's bad because I start getting very slow and weak. In order to be qualified to graduate, I have to run at least a 13 minute 2 mile, do 75 push-ups, and 80 sit-ups in 2 minutes each.

I just need to get it done fast so I can just rest for the rest of the time. LOL! What really sucks even more is they took us to the PX, which is the shopping store. The reason I say that it sucks, is that the first time I went, I spent $237 on things I needed. When we got to basic, the drill sergeants told us to throw most of it away because they don't want it here. But when they took us again yesterday, they said to get everything we need for 3 weeks, and I only had $30 left. So, I couldn't really get anything because it's expensive like no other. :( I can't get anything, until I get paid. I can't even get packages either. Can you send stamps tho? They are very expensive and we get hardly anything.

Anyway, we have one awesome Drill Sergeant. He actually helps us and we don't get smoked (drilled) like the other platoons do because we actually listen to all the drill sergeants. So we have it pretty easy right now. SUH-WEEEEET! But when it comes to it, the 3 that we have for Drill Sergeants, said that they will drill us hard for the things we must do. We are way excited about it all.

I'm in the 4th Platoon Bravo Company, and we are the best. Tomorrow we have the gas chamber, and we are looking way forward to it. But crying like a baby from riot control gas, is going to be interesting.

Saturday we have a drill ceremony competition and our platoon and our Drill Sergeants want to win all of our competitions, which is 4. So we are ready for the 1st one.

Anyway, I gotta go. We need to finish making sure our gas masks are ready. Send stamps or something. I miss you all.

Love Always,

Ryan