Dear Family,
Just writing to give you guys my weekly report. One week down and what a week it has been. It has definitely been of of the hardest. With the early wake ups, the never ending supply of push ups, sit ups, and other interesting things they decide to make us do. In general we spend every minute involved in some task. Even when we have nothing to do we are told not to sit down or close our eyes. It's exhausting. But I definitely am enjoying myself. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we learned Army combatives. Which we were told is like a spin off of Judo. We learned everything from rear naked chokes to straight arm bars. I'm pretty good. At the end we got to go full speed on each other and I made like 4 people tap out. Not bad. We also learned the basics of bayonet fighting. It was cool to learn to beat peoples faces and thrust at their bellies (ha). I didn't really like the thought of hurting or killing someone, but I've been assured that as a Medic I will never hold more than a pistol for personal protection.
Today we went to a tower called Thunderbolt Tower and did some repelling. It was freaking awesome. It felt cool flying through the air. When I was done a Drill Sergeant (DS) told me "good job". Ha, it doesn't sound like much but it doesn't happen often and I was proud!
Some other good news happened. The other day. a DS used me as an example of something and called me "Jacobs" which is the name of the guy that stands next to me. I've never been so happy to have someone call me the wrong name. It means my blending techniques are working. Not that I'm not trying hard, because I think I'm getting pretty good at all the stuff. But I am trying not to get noticed.
Something cool happened today that you might like to hear about. The day started off pretty horrible. Yesterday we had spent the entire day wrestling and working in the hot sun and we all woke up sore and exhausted. Throughout the morning exercise drill every one was sluggish and slow. the DS's got to the point that they stopped the whole drill and told us to go change. The rest of the day went about the same and things did not look good for us. A DS came into our room, told us to drink water and stretch. Then we did a series of exercises that worked our upper body to our lower body and everything in between. By the end the floor was soaked with sweat and not one in the platoon had any gas left in the tank. The DS gave us some last words of "encouragement" (ha) and walked out.
Then one of the guys in the platoon yelled "OUTLAWS" (that's our platoon) "ARE YOU MOTIVATED?" and everyone int he room screamed at the top of their lungs a chant they had taught us. The whole floor thundered. It was like something out of a movie. From then on we worked harder and did better than we had done the whole time. It was AWESOME!
Well I'm doing well here, I'm learning pretty fast and staying out of trouble. I'm slowly getting over the feeling of always being tired and the home sickness is wearing off a little. Don't get me wrong I still shed some tears at night and I think about home dozens of time throughout the day. But I'm learning to tell myself that it will be a short time till I get home.
I love all of you so much. You guys have made my life what it is. Today in a class we talked about what made our characters and one of the first answers was family and I thought about how you all have made me what I am. I am so grateful for everything.
Your Soldier,
Justin
Friday, September 4, 2009
August 29, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Aug 23, 2009
My Dear Family,
Hello to everyone. I'm writing you guys Sunday night and what a great day it has been. I don't think I've ever appreciated the day of rest more than today.
I got all of your e-mails today. I don't think I can even explain to you how much they did to boost my moral. I loved to hear about everything that's going on. It makes you guys seem a little less far away.
Things have been going well here. I'm working hard and learning pretty fast. It's amazing how the Army trains you in ways that I don't even realize. For example, I got yelled at a few times for being in a Drill Sergent's way and i thought those guys are freakin jerks. But now I've noticed that I peek around every corner and double check every step I take. Also, we have to shout "at ease" every time a DS walkes into a room. At first I thought "this is so gay, what's the point?" But I've noticed that now I am constantly looking over my shoulder and watching doors to check for a DS. I think I am learning exactly what they want me to. I wonder what lessons Heavenly Father is teaching us while we are saying "this is so gay, whats the point?"
To answer your questions, I sleep on the top bunk in a bay full of about 40 guys about my age. We get along well. Yes everyone has asked me about my scars. Mostly I just tell people I fought a bear ha. Just Kidding. But everyone is cool about them. They look pretty cool, like lightning bolts on my head. I got out of reception in like 7 days. So it all worked out perfect. And I don't need you to send any items. But keep sending the letters and emails. I could use a lot of those at the moment.
The food here is really good. But we sometimes don't get a lot of time to eat. I've learned to get mushy things like potatoes, noodles and beans, so I can mix them all together and eat it all with a big spoon. I could write 3 pages on the scary nerve racking process of getting food at chow, but I will just tell you about it later.
It's cool that you looked up info on Ol' Ft. Knox. I hope you appreciate reading about all I get to do. Because I don't know if I do yet. Ha Just kidding.
Tell Erin I'm so excited about Cal officially joining the family. I can't wait to get to know him better.
It's crazy that everyone is starting school. Summer went to fast for all of us. Our house is going to be lonely for a while.
Well it's late and I need some sleep. So I will have to sign out for now. Thanks to everyone for everything. Your letters and prayers have given me steam to keep going. I'll do my best to make you all proud. I'm counting the days till I see you all again. I love you all so much.
Love Justin
P.S. You guys better save me some garden vegetables.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Monday August 16, 2009
(This is a letter we received from Justin. Posted by Lynell)
Greetings from beautiful Fort Knox K.Y. Home of the legendary 4:00 A.M. wake up call, 1.5 hour formations in the hot sun and of course the drill sergent that makes you cry when he is complementing you.
I'm writing from my bunk on the close of day 6 and I'm still waiting in reception. It's weird to think that it's been a week since I left. It feels like it's been months. This past week has been an eye opener for me. I've met people from almost every State, that came from every status of life and it's amazing to hear some of the stories people have.
I'm making friends fast. It's easy to get to know people because we have to spend almost every second together (all 100 of us). I met a return missionary from Draper Utah who also happens to be a 68w health care speacialist. It's helped a lot to be able to talk to another Mormon among all the profanity.
I'm getting pretty good at this whole army thing (despite what the drill sergents tell us all each morning). I've learned when to speak, and not speak, and how to stand, and when all else fails to just stand still and pretend I'm a tree.
Like I said I'm still in reception but the rumor is we can start basic training Wednesday or Friday. That means I can start counting down the days until I graduate and come home again.
So tell me whats going on there. How is everyone? How is the garden doing? Did Nick get his mission call? Are all the kids getting ready for school? I feel pretty isolated since I haven't left a 3 block area all week. But we still haven't got an address that you can reach me at. So you won't be able to write back still. Sorry, I'll get it to you as soon as I can. By the way I got to go to church on Sunday, and the missionaries said they would get your e-mail. So hopefuly that all worked out.
Well don't worry abouty me. I'm working hard and Heavenly Father is keeping a close eye on me. I miss all of you so much. Throughout the day I hear or see something that reminds me of home and I wish I were home more than anything. You guys seem so far away. I guess that's why they call it home sick. But I know it will be a very short time till I find my way back home to you all.
Give everyone my love. I love you all so much and can't wait to hear from you. Thank you for your prayers and support, they help more than you know.
Love your Soldier,
PFC Jacobson
Sunday, August 9, 2009
I'm off to Basic
