Oct 28, 2007

Hey Man,

So, life is interesting right now.  I don't know if you've heard yet, but we didn't do the Crucible.  I'm sure you got sick of hearing about the fires in SoCal.  Well, those fires were within 5 miles of us at one point.  We packed to evac if necessary.  Pretty crazy.  Now we're back down south [at MCRD San Diego, from Camp Pendleton] and we have to find a way to deal with the fact that we're the only Co. in the last 7 years not to do the Crucible.  Oh well, God reigns and will show Himself strong. 

Things keep on a roller coaster.  Some days the Plt. is motivated, but  more often they're just lazy.  It is hard to keep a good focus, but I'm fighting to do so anyway.  I think about y'all lots, love you more and pray for you often.  But now it's back to getting ready to survive these last 3.5 weeks until y'all are down here.  See ya then.

kdg

Of more news

Finally. :)

"Hey You,

Life continues to be insanely busy over here. We just finished rifle qualification week and are headed to the field for the next two weeks. I won't be able to write from the field so I'll try to write ASAP after we get back from the Crucible. I shot Expert on the rifle range. I was 10/10 from the 500 yd line. Things are really moving fast now. We get up before 0400 and go to bed whenever we get everything done, sometime around 2100 or 2200 usually. It's not all that bad, it's dealing with the other recruits that makes it hard. Please keep praying and writing letters. It makes a big difference. Thank you to everyone who has written so far. Tell everyone at school that I say 'hi,' and I'm doing good. My job as head scribe essentially means that I am, as my SDI put it, the brains of the platoon, making sure we know where we're going, when, with how many recruits, etc. The long nights are really the only down side, and those don't really bother me. God has been so good. My knee has been bothering me lately, but it never hurts on the hikes or runs. I think it is just one of God's ways of reminding me that He is in control.

Gotta go. My love to everyone. Will write ASAP.

Kyle D. Green."

Of another letter

Hey all, Carmen again. Kyle's second letter arrived today!

Hey you,

So, I finally got caught up on my duties enough to sit down and write a letter. It's weird how perspective changes from day to day or even task to task. The platoon finally got really loud last Sunday (H-2), the 16, I think. It was awesome. We're starting to come together (with a few individual exceptions) and it's making a huge difference. We have initial drill on Sat. (T-17). That's where all the platoons in Fox company compete to see who is the best drill platoon. Winning is everything. If you don't win, your last week before going up North will be hell. We're decent, but we've got a lot of work to do this week. "Up North" is Camp Pendleton, where all the "exciting" stuff happens. it's going to kill, but I didn't come here for easy times and making friends. It's always . . .

Hey,

So I started the other letter 3 days ago and haven't had any free time since. I was a Squad Leader for a while, but got replaced for Initial Drill. So I'm back to being just the head scribe, which is more work than being a Squad leader anyway. Initial Drill is tomorrow (Sept 22, Cliff's birthday) hopefully we can win it. There are really only two platoons that can march worth anything, us and 2133. It will simply come down to who wants it more tomorrow.

God has been doing some pretty amazing stuff with me lately. I've gotten little sleep (still about 5 hrs/night) and got pushed harder than most other recruits. There have been many, many times I've come to what I think is the end of my self-control, and somehow, everytime, God gives me more. I give 110% in everything I do, and somehow God still gives me the strength to make it thru each day. Church is such a blessing as well. I don't know if I've ever looked forward to Sunday so much. Partially because I get away from the drill instructors, but I also look forward to the time devoted to worshiping God without distraction.

The platoon is starting to come together and we're beginning to get things right, get IT'd less, etc. Second phase starts in a week. It's taken forever, it seems, to have gotten this far, but I'm told 2nd phase goes by fast.

I think about everyone back home and at school everyday. There isn't much in the way of mental work so I'm constantly thinking and praying about all y'all.

May the peace of God's love and the patience of His Spirit be with you all.

Kyle Green

P.S. Thanks for the letters. Please keep them coming!

Of real (handwritten!) news

Hey all - this is Carmen, Kyle's girl friend. A letter arrived today, and he wanted part of it posted.

"It is amazing how much has changed even in just a couple weeks. I don't have much time to write because the senior DI has me doing work for him all the time. The platoon has most of the guys from the Sacramento MEPS, which is nice. I was a squad leader in the Receiving Company, but have been changed to the Head Scribe in the Training Platoon. It's a good job. I get out of being IT'd (getting "smoked" as some people term it) because the head scribe is like the "teacher's pet" position. Not that I haven't been IT'd, course I have, just not as much as others. Today is T-7 out of 70. A long ways to go, but we've come a long ways too. The platoon is starting to come together as nrothers. It's really nice to see and be part of. Things are always on a "hurry up and wait" routine so there is lots of time to think but little time to actually do anything. Hopefully we'll be getting some free time soon, and I can write more. For now, I need to get back to my assigned mission."

Of Form Letters

Okay, so we finally heard from Kyle today...sort of.  In the mail, we received two form letters, the only part he filled in was after the "Dear: ______" where he managed to write, "Mom & Dad" instead of some quippy like, 'George and Laura' or 'Sonny and Cher.'  The first letter was a collection of standard instructions that went like this:

Dear:_______________

I have arrived at MCRD San Diego and have been placed in my training Platoon. I am fine and in good health. While here at recruit training I am not allowed to receive certain items, such as vitamins, alcohol, gambling devices, tobacco products, and combustibles. Please do not send any packages (i.e. cookies, candy, socks, or underwear). Also prescription medication cannot be sent under any circumstances. All medication needed will be provided to me by a medical officer authorized to treat recruits. While here at recruit training I will not need you to send any money, I earn enuogh to cover all expenses that will occur while going through day-to-day training here at MCRD San Diego. I apologize that this letter is so short but in the beginning we are somewhat pressed for time. I promise to write more later.

I know what some of you are thinking: 'Hey, let's have some fun with Kyle and send him steroid-laced candy cigarettes wrapped in Fruit-of-the-Loom briefs." Please, in all seriousness, exercise restraint. Before he left, Kyle said to please write, but to send letters in plain, white standard envelopes without a return address. He would appreciate getting stuff that doesn't draw any sort of attention. Here is his address:

RECRUIT GREEN, KYLE D
2ND BN FOX CO, PLT 2129
36001 MIDWAY AVE.
SAN DIEGO, CA  92140

Oh, the other letter was from his drill  instructor in which we were assured that Kyle would be treated with kindness, respect, fairness and sensitivity throughout the course of his training. I feel so much better knowing that my boy is in such caring hands. 

dgg