Hey everyone- Katie is officially off on her adventure, and I have a little bit of information to share with you, I know that you are all excited to hear how things have been going for her!!
Katie left Webster on Monday to go to Buffalo for the night. She didn't really do anything that evening, but hang out at the hotel and eat some yummy free food! On Tuesday morning, she arrived at MEPS which is the Military Entry Processing station. Here is where she swore her oath of allegiance tot he US Army and everything that comes with it- it is a Huge moment, and our parents were able to be there with her, I know that they are SO proud of her, and that moment is wonderful!! I remember When my husband swore in 14 years ago- it definitely stays with you! It is a moment KT will remember forever!!
So after she swore in her Army life began- she is the property of the US Army now! She got a good taste of the Army right off the bat with a couple hours worth of briefings- The main one was a briefing- why they call them tha when they are ANYTHING but brief is BEYOND me!! But she was told about her travel plans and given a sealed envelope to turn in at reception which is the last step before Basic (BCT). She was taken to the Buffalo Airport where she flew into Dulles, She was given $34 in food vouchers for the airport and she said that her and the couple of guys she was travelling with used ALL of their money at Fuddruckers!! They really wanted to make the most of their last "real" meal! :0
I think she finally arrived at Fort Jackson around 8 PM and was promptly subjected to the BCT training she will have to look forward to. They take the civilian clothes and give you PT's to wear until the uniforms are ready. Reception is where they fill out a lot of paperwork- where their pay will go, life insurance information, all the "office" stuff that needs to be taken care of. She was up until about 2 AM that morning, and they were up at 4- so the lack of sleep has started already!!
sometime duringn that first day, all of the basic trainees were given safety goggles that they had to wear AT ALL TIMES Katie said!- She said they told them it was "so they didn't lose them!!" My husband says while it is mostly a control thing, it may also identify the Basic Trainees easily to others on post since they are all in PT's! Anyway here she is in her LOVELY safety goggles!
I only talked to her a couple of times pretty quickly, but so far she was in good spirits, and actually enjoyed the lack of responsibility she had!! It will get tougher, but she certainly has the right attitude about it!! They were issued their uniforms and all that good stuff, and just before they shipped out of reception and into basic she was issued her new glasses!! A note about the glasses- Everyone in basic training with prescription glasses has to wear the same glasses. These glasses are pretty much indestructible, and they have one of those very fashionable rubber straps to keep them on through all the fun rolling in the mud etc.! Soldiers call these glasses BCG's (Birth Control Glasses) and you can see why in this picture- of course KT makes them look good!!
I got a quick text from her Friday Evening that they had gotten to BCT, and then her phone was for sure taken away probably minutes later. Another Army stupidism is saying shipped to Basic training from reception- in reality they probably marched across the street and sown the road a little ways and there is where they will be fro BCT. Always making it more complicated, that's the Army!!
If you are my friend on facebook, I will be sending a message out about graduation and some other info you might want so you can send letters!! Stay Tuned, more will be coming in this space!!
