Two magnificent weeks with my husband! After spending the holidays with Marc’s family, we flew to Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. We traveled by train and bus throughout Andalucia, practicing our Spanish, visiting cathedrals and mosques, and sampling tapas. From the friendly Barbary apes of Gibraltar, to the pedestrian-friendly streets of Seville, and the beautiful views of Granada, we had a spectacular vacation.
For those who were unable to join us in Manhattan, rest assured that Marc is happy, healthy, and quite shorn. Although we know that his training is transforming him into a warrior, capable of defending our country, Marc remains his congenial self in his personal relationships. Marc has a new address so please e-mail me if you would like to write to him.
On Saturday, January 10, one week after I brought him to the airport, I received my first letters. Marc reports that the beginning of OCS is even more exhausting than the beginning of Basic. There is no free time in this beginning phase. They are not allowed to stay up past lights out and they only have two or three minutes to consume each meal. Officer Candidate School also requires a degree of memorization that even Marc calls “intense.” Marc has additional, time-consuming responsibilities as first squad leader.
Although they are not yet plugged into the demerit system of OCS, candidates are already dropping. Several of Marc’s comrades came back from “Christmas Exodus” with injuries and will be “recycled” into a later class. Another four of Marc’s platoon of 30 did not survive the first PT test. The TAC (Teach, Advise, Counsel — the OCS equivalent of drill sergeants) staff has managed to create enough stress that one female candidate fainted at morning formation.
Our 27-year-old officer candidate performed quite well on his first PT test! In addition to this good news, his squad beat all the other squads in his platoon on the obstacle course. Marc’s wall-jumping ability is improving and he is less bruised than he was last time. His squad faced off against the champions from other squads and won, earning the name “Warrior Squad.” As leader of the Warrior Squad, Marc was called upon to make a brief speech in front of the company.
I will be in touch with more news when Marc is able to write. Best of luck in the New Year and thank you for keeping in touch!