I heard from Marc today, despite the many obstacles that made me miss his phone calls three times! Once again, I cannot thank you enough for all of your supportive e-mails, gracious invitations, and letters to Marc. Your friendship has lent continuity and comfort to this challenging and exciting part of our lives.
Sorry for waiting so long and writing such a lengthy update! With a night class, writing daily letters for Marc, and prepping for teaching AP Art History, I have been very busy. I’m also happy to be a little nearer to my family. Basic Training is keeping Marc on his toes with demanding drill sergeants and new tasks.
Each time one of the soldiers does something against regulations, the entire platoon suffers. Several times Marc has been forced out of bed by screaming drill sergeants due to others making unauthorized phone calls, people falling asleep at fireguard, men trying to catch a catnap in their lockers, or missing property. Any offenses, real or imagined result in “skull-dragging” or “smoking,” harsh, corrective PT. One time Marc was on sick call and missed a speech by the Company Commander about inappropriate attire, including sleeves pulled down over hands. Standing outside in the cold, Marc was doing just that when the Company Commander came by. Even though Marc had no way of knowing about this invective, the Company Commander lit into him and even threatened him with all sorts of awful punishments, including discharge from the army, loss of pay, and family day privileges!
Several times the Drill Sergeants have insisted that the Officer Candidate School candidates should feel personally responsible for setting a good example for the rest of the men. With no real power, though, it is hard for anyone but the Drill Sergeants to keep the rest of the men in line.
Marc is more than meeting all of his new challenges. He is earning excellent PT scores, already scoring 95th percentile in sit-ups. Marc won the right to eat pie but he abstains to make sure he continues to make weight. Unfortunately these high scores meant that Marc won the “privilege” of serving as road guard. During a road march, the road guard blocks traffic at each intersection and then must hustle to overtake the entire 220-man company by the next intersection. Marc was very proud to have the entire company cheering him on as he passed them, but the result was some badly torn-up feet!
Marc has done very well with various combat related exercises. The men practice with American-gladiator type q-tip weapons. They also practice marksmanship, first with laser sights, then weaponeers (with built-in recoil), and now live ammunition. Marc qualified rather quickly, which meant he was a “Range B-tch” and had to hang out with the Drill Sergeants the rest of the day. The Drill Sergeants peppered him with questions about his education and unusual career choices. In the typical pattern with which I’m very familiar, they begin by saying they want to talk some sense into him and by the end are practically clapping him on the back for listing infantry as his number one preference. My husband is a very convincing man.
In addition to physical activities, Basic includes a number of classes. Marc’s Boy Scout training has proven useful during land navigation classes and subsequent orienteering exercises. Another class featured managing your finances (“This is a check”). They learned that a single bounced check can ruin your career in the army, and thus your life, and the life of your “gutter-slut wife.” [I object!]
Throughout all of the various exercises, the Drill Sergeants run little contests between platoons. Marc’s platoon’s morale is high as a result of excelling in many of these competitions, including practicing parade moves with their M16s.
One challenge was particularly meaningful- the entire Brigade was brought to a beautiful site for “gas day.” First they received training on decontaminating people and equipment. Then they ran a grenade simulator. On the first try, most of the platoon fell in the wrong position and “died” [shudder]. However, by the end they had the most survivors of any platoon and therefore would not have to clean the gas chamber, sans masks. During the gas chamber, they wore hoods into a chamber filled with gas. Clutching their guns they had to “break the seal” (close eyes and remove mask) and “remove masks” (remove their masks and recited their names, ranks, and roster numbers). Marc said the gas burned the back of his neck and he was gasping and tearing but was quite proud he did not throw-up.
The men have recently passed out of phase one, total control, and were rewarded with a half a slice of pizza and a movie night. Although the movie was interrupted by a Drill Sergeant from another platoon, who did not think the movie night was appropriate, and the rewards don’t seem that exciting for grown men, we have to remember that entertainment is very limited. As cards are forbidden, to pass the time, they read from their camouflage-covered bibles, watch streaks of lightning from a faulty bug zapper, and play chess with homemade paper chess pieces. So, keep those letters coming but don’t send any “contraband,” including clippings. Marc enjoys hearing about your lives and any news, especially sports news, is very welcome.
Should you know of anyone else who is interested in these updates, please feel free to direct them to www.marclindemann.com.
Thank you,
Candace