The long awaited phone call...

We waited and kept our phones on us at all times on Wednesday, because that's when Bradley called the first time and we missed it. But no call from an unknown 847 area code on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.

Yesterday, we were sitting around after lunch trying to decide what to do with the rest of the beautiful day when the phone rang. It was an 847 number that I didn't recognize. So glad I answered - it was Bradley! He sounded good but stuffy. Says he's been sick twice since he's been there and is catching something again. Guess that's what happens when there are 80 guys all crammed into a relatively small room. I asked about the "racks" - Bradley got a bottom bunk, which he likes, because it's easier when they have inspections. He's passed them all so far and has one more running test this week. This week is the tear gas test, too. They actually send the guys into a room full of gas. Ugh. He'll get through it I'm sure but it doesn't sound like something I'd ever want to try. When he was home, he had to go to the recruiter's office once a month for a meeting. At the last one before he left, there were some recent graduates and they told them that they also shoot them with a Tazer and mace them in the face in a "Z" pattern. Hopefully they were just trying to scare them!

We asked about Hell Week - and he said it was no big deal. They just had physical tests, inspections and drills all in once week. I thought it would be something awful. Not that all that exercise and testing isn't hard enough but I was glad to hear that it wasn't worse.He said his feet are better and the only reason he put off going for medical help is that some guys did get sent home for bad athlete's foot or put on light duty which sets them back a month. He wants out of boot camp on time - says he is bored just because of the routine. Gee - the military has a routine?!? Didn't think that was a big surprise but when you're 19, I guess everything is a surprise.

He's ready for A school and actually thinks the Hull Tech job will be ok because he will get to do different things instead of just one job every day. Some days it may be fire fighting, other days it might be welding, plumbing or HVAC. So, hopefully it'll be what he thinks and he'll enjoy it.

I asked about the 6 year enlistment and he says his contract states that it is only 4. Brad told him to read through it again because from what we've read, HT is a 6 yr commitment. The contract will say 4 years with a 24 month extension or something along those lines. Hopefully he knows what he's signing.

He got his orders for A school and it will be at Great Lakes again, and he'll get some time off on weekends when they're not in class. He has to report on August 1st - the day after PIR...but we're still hoping he get to check in, and then the Chief will give them the day off. We won't know til he after graduation but we're keeping our fingers crossed. If not, Bradley also told us that he gets to have his phone and will get email access when he gets to A-school, so we'll have more contact with him, which will be nice. His training is 117 days...but that is the minimum. From what Brad & I have read, Hull Tech training is difficult because the scope. They have to learn so many things and have many tests. Failing any of them puts you back 2 weeks and some kids have been in HT training for 5 months. So, time will tell. Since this is 'hands-on', and he has matured, I think he'll buckle down and work harder. This is a boy who never studied, rarely, if ever did homework, and generally avoided doing anything in school but hanging out with his friends. I hope he takes this seriously and works hard. If he does poorly and gets discouraged, his old self would throw up his hands and give up. Hopefully the tough, brave sailor Bradley will dig in and excel. We're proud of him no matter what, but I want him to continue to be proud of himself and KNOW that he can exceed his own expectations. I think this experience is going to do wonders for his self-esteem and help him realize that he is smart and strong and capable of doing anything he sets his mind to. We'll remind him anyway :)

Brad asked him about the food - Bradley said it's "like school food only way better" LOL He's lost 14 pounds so far and says a lot of people only lost 5 or 6 lbs. I'm guessing he had more to lose since he wasn't in Navy shape when he left. He is probably much more muscular and lean than he was...and he had to lose 15 pounds before he left so he's probably changed a lot compared to the last time some family and friends got to see him. He passed the sit up and push up tests and this week is the final running test. He was slow on the first one even though he ran fast at home and with the recruiter.. we told him it was probably because he's so darn tired now and he has been sick, which doesn't help. He says the shoes hurt too - they fit him with shoes to help his semi-flat feet so the arch hurts. Hopefully he'll dig in and run hard. I know he doesn't want to go back 2 weeks.

He loved shooting. Told us he was one shot away from getting his Sharpshooter rank. He can re-qualify when he gets deployed and he says he's going to do that. What little boy doesn't like guns? Guess my big boy is no different. He says they got to shoot 9mm and shotguns. Sounds like he liked the shotgun better!

It felt like we had so much to say and ask and there just wasn't enough time.Although we did make time to tell him we missed him and how proud of him we were. It sounds like he's actually proud of himself for a change - which was nice to hear.

Of course there were still things I forgot to ask so hopefully he'll be able to call again or will answer them in a letter. It made our day to talk to him and can't wait to see him at PIR. Only 14 days to go!