Tracking Kali through her Army career (Moderately non-Valk)

[Oss]

reminds me of this letter to the parents


I am well. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the places are filled.

I was restless at first because you get to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m. But I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing.

Men got to shave but it is not so bad, there's warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food, but tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food, plus yours, holds you until noon when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys can't walk much.

We go on "route marches," which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it's not my place to tell him different. A "route march" is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks.

The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none.

This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don't move, and it ain't shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don't even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes.

Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain't like fighting with that ole bull at home. I'm about the best they got in this except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake . I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me, but I'm only 5'6" and 130 pounds and he's 6'8" and near 300 pounds dry.

Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.

Your loving daughter,

[Jess from VA]

I didn't make $1620 a month as a 1st Lt (O2), in 1984.

More like $1400.


And a strange rule not to screw in the Q.        (I followed nearly all the rules, but not that one)

[scooperhsd]

I didn't make $1620 a month as a 1st Lt (O2), in 1984.

More like $1400.


And a strange rule not to screw in the Q.        (I followed nearly all the rules, but not that one)

Reminds me of the roommate I had in the perm BOQ at NAS Pensacola - if the lady that visited him wasn't his fiance - they were pretty close to it. Our Q rooms - each person had a bedroom, with a common lounge in between

[Jess from VA]

In the temp Qs, we had our own rooms connected to another by a shared bathroom (just like college).

Maxwell was Air University including many schools and the International Officers had their own Q; they stuck me in there with a master Portugese paratrooer when I first arrived (who had jumped into combat in Africa three times).  Very interesting fellow, and an Army boxing champion too (bantamweight, but you would not want to mess with him, at all).  The Saudi pilots got a thousand a week per diem (spending money), but the poor Portugese was broke, so I took him out to a few hopping spots.  Being considered a Yankee, I had no luck downtown, but the local girls loved him.... several times. 

But my permanent party bachelor's quarters (BOQ), I had my own (very small) apartment.  My (also single) lady friend was all the way at the the other end of my first floor.  Too many people knew who we were, and neither of us needed gossip, so we were sneaky and cooked each other dinner, and stayed at each other's place all the time.  Then I got my orders overseas. 

Overcome, adapt, improvise.   

[Serk]

Whole MESS of letters came in today.

Overall she's doing great, making friends, said for the most part the DS are "Pretty chill guys". One of 'em comes in and likes to talk to them informally at the end of the day.

Said her sacrum has almost fully healed (The tail bone she broke at Inzane) and can even do situps without pain now.

Her language has definitely shifted, but we expected that.

I'm wishing I still could read cursive better, I'm having to scan her letters, blow 'em up and really slowly concentrate to read 'em, but I can read most of 'em with a little effort.

Mixed in was one letter, entire sheet, this would have been her I believe first day waking up in BCT after reception, said only: (Censored since this is a family forum)

"F'ing. Sh't.
     -7-27 8:30AM"

She's had her first lessons with the M4, thanked me profusely for the brief introduction I gave her on her prom night, said it was just the right amount to get her familiar with it. Although she's disappointed that the Army M4s don't have unicorns on the receivers.

She's disappointed, and a little freaked out, by the lack of enforced muzzle discipline. I've always been a bit of a stickler for muzzle discipline around firearms, she said she's seen down the barrel of more M4's in one afternoon than she ever thought possible.

One DS has decided she's too skinny and likes to make sure she gets extra portions of whatever meat they're serving for chow.

Due to well over 1/2 of the company now testing positive for COVID, they have to wear masks all the time, even while sleeping?

Been assigned her gas mask and memorized its' serial number. Said by the time we get this letter she will have likely already gone through the gas room, so looking forward to pictures of that and hearing how THAT went!

She's asked that I put her Sandboxx info out and people send her Sandboxx letters. This is a paid service, you write a letter, they print it out and get it to the soldier's hands quicker than snail mail knowing how to work the military system. PLEASE don't ANYONE feel obligated, if you want to use my referral link, if you use it I get a free letter and so do you, but seriously, NO guilt or anything!

https://link.sandboxx.us/QDhH6YAYtib

And you can look her up, there aren't any other Kali Ecton's in the system, she's easy to find.

Evidently she's introduced the Army to the traditional Skydiver handshake *Slap,Fistbump,Shaka* and is seeing others greet each other in the same way?

She's gotten several nicknames, some she likes some not so much, for some reason the one she doesn't like, 6-12 I find humorous. Referring to her height.

Anyway, there's tons more, I mean the kid likes to write! Problem is it's multiple pages, most not dated and no order and just random thoughts here and there, but good to hear from her so figured I'd pass on a few nuggets...

[scooperhsd]

Sounds like she is doing just fine (as so many of thought she would). I haven't got my letter wrote yet .

[f6gal]

Whole MESS of letters came in today.

Overall she's doing great, making friends, said for the most part the DS are "Pretty chill guys". One of 'em comes in and likes to talk to them informally at the end of the day.

Said her sacrum has almost fully healed (The tail bone she broke at Inzane) and can even do situps without pain now.

Her language has definitely shifted, but we expected that.

I'm wishing I still could read cursive better, I'm having to scan her letters, blow 'em up and really slowly concentrate to read 'em, but I can read most of 'em with a little effort.

Mixed in was one letter, entire sheet, this would have been her I believe first day waking up in BCT after reception, said only: (Censored since this is a family forum)

"F'ing. Sh't.
     -7-27 8:30AM"

She's had her first lessons with the M4, thanked me profusely for the brief introduction I gave her on her prom night, said it was just the right amount to get her familiar with it. Although she's disappointed that the Army M4s don't have unicorns on the receivers.

She's disappointed, and a little freaked out, by the lack of enforced muzzle discipline. I've always been a bit of a stickler for muzzle discipline around firearms, she said she's seen down the barrel of more M4's in one afternoon than she ever thought possible.

One DS has decided she's too skinny and likes to make sure she gets extra portions of whatever meat they're serving for chow.

Due to well over 1/2 of the company now testing positive for COVID, they have to wear masks all the time, even while sleeping?

Been assigned her gas mask and memorized its' serial number. Said by the time we get this letter she will have likely already gone through the gas room, so looking forward to pictures of that and hearing how THAT went!

She's asked that I put her Sandboxx info out and people send her Sandboxx letters. This is a paid service, you write a letter, they print it out and get it to the soldier's hands quicker than snail mail knowing how to work the military system. PLEASE don't ANYONE feel obligated, if you want to use my referral link, if you use it I get a free letter and so do you, but seriously, NO guilt or anything!

https://link.sandboxx.us/QDhH6YAYtib

And you can look her up, there aren't any other Kali Ecton's in the system, she's easy to find.

Evidently she's introduced the Army to the traditional Skydiver handshake *Slap,Fistbump,Shaka* and is seeing others greet each other in the same way?

She's gotten several nicknames, some she likes some not so much, for some reason the one she doesn't like, 6-12 I find humorous. Referring to her height.

Anyway, there's tons more, I mean the kid likes to write! Problem is it's multiple pages, most not dated and no order and just random thoughts here and there, but good to hear from her so figured I'd pass on a few nuggets...

6-12?

[f6gal]

I'm think we got screwed by Sandboxx.  I used your link, but I didn't get a freebie.

[Serk]

6-12?

Upon further reflection of the actual writing, and a reference she made elsewhere to it being "62" we think it might have meant to be "6-/2" or "6/2"...



But in another letter she wrote the following: (Unfortunately these weren't date/time stamped, so it's hard to tell which came first.)

I'm think we got screwed by Sandboxx.  I used your link, but I didn't get a freebie.

Apologies if so, but did you buy something after using the referral link to sign up? The freebies are supposed to kick in after my referral user makes a purchase. (Admittedly, we're all new to this so not 100% sure on the timing.)

[Serk]

Heh, I think they're following the VRCC forums... As soon as I posted the above, I got an e-mail from Sandboxx:

"You've successfully recruited a new supporter to Sandboxx! To thank you, we've credited you and your friend 1 free Letter credit."

And I verified I got an extra letter token credited to my account. Hopefully you get one too?

(And thank you! I keep hearing it means so much to the recruits to hear from people while they're in there!)


Edit to add - Hmmm, maybe not you, just had another friend tell me they'd successfully used it and got their free letter, that might be the free one I got? Sorry if it didn't work for you. 

[Jess from VA]

6 - 12 sounds a little like you calling yourself 5 - 19 (or something like that).  Same deal when I talk about something costing a buck two ninety-eight.  6 - 12 is nicer than "tall bitch".  "Bangs" is OK as a noun, but not as a verb.   

She mixes her cursive and printing writing (like I did).  My cursive was so bad, in undergrad taking huge amounts of class notes, and having a good deal of trouble even reading my own writing, I switched to all printing, for the rest of my life.  If I try to write cursive anymore, it looks like a 2d grader.  But her cursive is only minimally difficult to read.  After spending 18 years at USDVA having to read doctor's (and other) handwriting, abbreviations and notes, I had to become regular cryptologist.  It took years of practice though. 

Muzzle discipline is always important, but not as important in the classroom (where there should never be ANY ammo), and the range where there is.  If I was in class with poor muzzle discipline, I'd raise my hand and ask the instructor for better instruction (nicely). 

I'm glad everything seems to be progressing normally. 

[old2soon]

       Serk-you ever heard the term-curse like a Sailor? THAT applies to All 5 Armed Services. If you haven't cursed Before boot/basic you most generally Will After!  Thinkin It IS part and parcel of tghe curriculum. RIDE SAFE.

[f6gal]

6-12?

Upon further reflection of the actual writing, and a reference she made elsewhere to it being "62" we think it might have meant to be "6-/2" or "6/2"...



But in another letter she wrote the following: (Unfortunately these weren't date/time stamped, so it's hard to tell which came first.)

Get a hold of one of her cohorts or DI and suggest 5-14... much better.

[Serk]

       Serk-you ever heard the term-curse like a Sailor? THAT applies to All 5 Armed Services. If you haven't cursed Before boot/basic you most generally Will After!  Thinkin It IS part and parcel of tghe curriculum. RIDE SAFE.

I'm getting a major chuckle out of it because, while I don't curse like a sailor, I do believe in the limited, powerful use of the occasional forbidden word to drive a point home, and whenever I did she would become highly offended...

Get a hold of one of her cohorts or DI and suggest 5-14... much better.

I mentioned that in a letter to her, as far as getting a hold of one of her DS, that's the LAST thing I wanna do. Any ANYTHING from a parent to their kid's DS is just ASKING for them to get smoked harder than a doobie at Woodstock...

[The emperor has no clothes]

       Serk-you ever heard the term-curse like a Sailor? THAT applies to All 5 Armed Services. If you haven't cursed Before boot/basic you most generally Will After!  Thinkin It IS part and parcel of tghe curriculum. RIDE SAFE.

I'm getting a major chuckle out of it because, while I don't curse like a sailor, I do believe in the limited, powerful use of the occasional forbidden word to drive a point home, and whenever I did she would become highly offended...

Get a hold of one of her cohorts or DI and suggest 5-14... much better.

I mentioned that in a letter to her, as far as getting a hold of one of her DS, that's the LAST thing I wanna do. Any ANYTHING from a parent to their kid's DS is just ASKING for them to get smoked harder than a doobie at Woodstock...

Absolutely ! DO NOT CALL OR WRITE TO ANYONE COMPLAINING OF HOW SHE IS TREATED, OR SUGGESTING ANYTHING. She will get the nickname that THEY pick for her. How she relates to that is up to her. She will likely be noticed and teased about her height the rest of her life. I imagine she has already learned to deal with it.

[Willow]

      Serk-you ever heard the term-curse like a Sailor? THAT applies to All 5 Armed Services. If you haven't cursed Before boot/basic you most generally Will After!   Thinkin It IS part and parcel of tghe curriculum. RIDE SAFE.

There seems to be a good deal of confusion between cursing and simply foul language.

Cursing involves very few words.  Calling for condemnation by the Deity or referencing the place of eternal torment applied to other situations is cursing (or cussing).  There are indeed a host of words and terms that are unacceptable in polite company by our culture.  These are foul language.  Foul language becomes very common during basic training and thereafter.  

Sailors do tend to curse.  It's what their limited thinking process calls for.    

[f6gal]

      Serk-you ever heard the term-curse like a Sailor? THAT applies to All 5 Armed Services. If you haven't cursed Before boot/basic you most generally Will After!   Thinkin It IS part and parcel of tghe curriculum. RIDE SAFE.

I'm getting a major chuckle out of it because, while I don't curse like a sailor, I do believe in the limited, powerful use of the occasional forbidden word to drive a point home, and whenever I did she would become highly offended...

Get a hold of one of her cohorts or DI and suggest 5-14... much better.

I mentioned that in a letter to her, as far as getting a hold of one of her DS, that's the LAST thing I wanna do. Any ANYTHING from a parent to their kid's DS is just ASKING for them to get smoked harder than a doobie at Woodstock...

I didn't actually mean to contact anyone... just getting my nickname suggestion thrown in.

[The emperor has no clothes]

       Serk-you ever heard the term-curse like a Sailor? THAT applies to All 5 Armed Services. If you haven't cursed Before boot/basic you most generally Will After!  Thinkin It IS part and parcel of tghe curriculum. RIDE SAFE.

There seems to be a good deal of confusion between cursing and simply fowl language.

Cursing involves very few words.  Calling for condemnation by the Deity or referencing the place of eternal torment applied to other situations is cursing (or cussing).  There are indeed a host of words and terms that are unacceptable in polite company by our culture.  These are fowl language.  Fowl language becomes very common during basic training and thereafter. 

Sailors do tend to curse.  It's what their limited thinking process calls for.    

Some confusion ?

[Willow]

Some confusion ?

LOL!  In administering this board I've become so accustomed to homonym errors that I've become driven to do it myself.

[Serk]

Got a 20 second call yesterday from evidently one of Kali's friends.... Very rushed, scripted...

"This is Tina Kali's friend she lost her phone privileges. She wanted me to ask if you could tell Stephen and Michael about Sandboxx. Also the MRE idea is cute. Send Christmas selfies. Good bye."

It took me recoding the call (We installed call recorders on our phones for exactly this), running it through some filters on Audacity to strip out background noise, amplify her voice etc to make out that much. No idea what she means about the Christmas selfies either.

...and then today we got a letter from her. Yay!

Very first thing:

"I got news! If graduation happens, I can have as many people present as I would like, so the VRCC can TOTALLY come! I also found out that the day before is called Family Day & I'll be able to go off post with ya'll. That means if the VRCC does a little rally I could go on a group ride!"

(From what I've read, it's NOT guaranteed she'd be able to leave post for Family Day however, but we'll see what it happens.)

Other than that, general stuff, they had a gas leak and had to evacuate the barracks, tell the folks that have written her THANK YOU it means a lot, that sorta stuff...

Oh, and it's hotter and more miserable there outside than even here. To the point they don't put them outside if the heat index is over a certain value, and they really are doing their stuff indoors during the head of the day.

Her birthday will be a week or two before graduation, and she's NOT saying anything, evidently the one trainee that had a birthday and let the DS know got a birthday present of having a scoop of ice cream put in their hand and having to workout until either the ice cream or the trainee melted...

(I haven't decided yet if I'll send her a birthday card and "accidentally" address it to the DS or not... *Evil Grin*)

Will update again next we learn anything, as always...

[cookiedough]

Thoughts and prayers for Kali as well as for the family.  My son joined the Marine Corps straight out of high school, so I can fully sympathize.  Kali will be fine.  Eventually, y'all (Mom and Dad) will be too.  Letting our kids go is far from being the easy part of parenting. 

Janice

agree,   seems like, at least for us,  the older daughter dropping off at college now 5 years ago was VERY tough for mom and even for me a bit, got choked up being the 1st to fly the coup.   For some reason the 2nd child 2 years ago dropping off at college, a boy,  was fairly easy neither one of us wept a tear.    Now,  neither one comes home 3.5 hours away they both expect us to drive up say once every few months to visit them, mostly the daughter though the boy is too busy working and lifting weights this summer before going back to college this fall in another 1 month or so.

[f6gal]

But, what did she do to lose her phone privileges?

And what's the MRE idea?

[Serk]

But, what did she do to lose her phone privileges?

And what's the MRE idea?

We haven't yet been able to ascertain why she lost (Or didn't gain) phone privileges...

The MRE idea was, the night we found out Kali had been moved out of Reception and into a BCT company, the triplets and I had MRE's for dinner.... And will do the same whenever she crosses a major milestone on her journey through BCT...

[scooperhsd]

From what I've heard - while MREs are better that what WWII and Korea vets had to eat - are you sure that's really a celebration ?

[Serk]

From what I've heard - while MREs are better that what WWII and Korea vets had to eat - are you sure that's really a celebration ?

The MRE's are actually not half bad really.... But it's more of an "In honor of" than "Celebration of" thing...

So today Kali did a thing, and it's a thing we finally got some pics of her from!

She's loved this meme for quite a while, and now she had full cred to use it:



(That's her 2nd from the left just coming out of the door)



And her on the left (She had to dry her hair jet black evidently?)

[Jess from VA]

Good times.    

In BDUs (battle dress), we had to either roll the sleeves up past the elbow, or all the way down and buttoned.  No in-between.


On that note, I just read the USAF will now allow hands in uniform pants pockets.  I suppose this will make more people enlist.  

[Serk]

Wooo! Lucky us! Many families have their loved one go all the way through BCT and never see anything until it's over, we got a pic of Kali doing the "Confidence Course" today!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Wooo! Lucky us! Many families have their loved one go all the way through BCT and never see anything until it's over, we got a pic of Kali doing the "Confidence Course" today!

How are you getting pics ? Thru social media ? And if so, who’s posting them. They let her dye her hair while she was there, or before ? Sorry for all the questions, I find this very interesting how things have changed over the years. 

[Valkorado]

It looks like she's "livin' large"!  Kinda cool that she appears to be the top dog soldier-assistant in that pic; if that's the norm she is probably doing well -- and garnering some "good" attention from the powers that be.  As opposed to the kind of attention that gets your phone privileges revoked.     Kidding.

Heck. maybe she'll be running the place before long!

[Serk]

How are you getting pics ? Thru social media ? And if so, who’s posting them. They let her dye her hair while she was there, or before ? Sorry for all the questions, I find this very interesting how things have changed over the years. 

-Her company (And almost all BCT companies it seems) maintain Facebook (And some Twitter or Instagram) pages where they post updates to the family and friends. Not sure who's specifically taking the pics, if it's just some lacky, a higher level muckety muck, a bored family member of the staff, or the DS, the official wording of the page says:

"This page is dedicated to providing information and updates to Families and Friends of the Soldiers currently training with Blackfoot Company. It is run by a group of civilians, cadre, and cadre family members on a completely volunteer basis"

-There are also Army contracted professional photographers and videographers that follow them around, although I've not yet seen any pictures of Kali from there. That site is https://www.basictrainingphotos.com/ if you're interested...

-Evidently whichever commander was in charge the day she went through Reception decreed no females could have highlights in their hair, even if they're natural, and since her hair is naturally blonde with brunette highlights she was ordered to dye her hair a single monotone color and chose, as she called it "black black." Makes no sense to us either, but that's part of military training, learning to obey orders, especially the ones that make absolutely no sense. She was evidently also told her bangs were too long but not given any tools to remedy the situation, so she trimmed her bangs with a toenail clipper. I guess the boys have certain advantages by just having it all shaved off (She came close to just asking to have that done she was getting so frustrated with the odd demands.)

-No need to apologize for questions! Oh no! Twist my arm some more! Force me to talk about my daughter!  

[The emperor has no clothes]

How are you getting pics ? Thru social media ? And if so, who’s posting them. They let her dye her hair while she was there, or before ? Sorry for all the questions, I find this very interesting how things have changed over the years. 

-Her company (And almost all BCT companies it seems) maintain Facebook (And some Twitter or Instagram) pages where they post updates to the family and friends. Not sure who's specifically taking the pics, if it's just some lacky, a higher level muckety muck, a bored family member of the staff, or the DS, the official wording of the page says:

"This page is dedicated to providing information and updates to Families and Friends of the Soldiers currently training with Blackfoot Company. It is run by a group of civilians, cadre, and cadre family members on a completely volunteer basis"

-There are also Army contracted professional photographers and videographers that follow them around, although I've not yet seen any pictures of Kali from there. That site is https://www.basictrainingphotos.com/ if you're interested...

-Evidently whichever commander was in charge the day she went through Reception decreed no females could have highlights in their hair, even if they're natural, and since her hair is naturally blonde with brunette highlights she was ordered to dye her hair a single monotone color and chose, as she called it "black black." Makes no sense to us either, but that's part of military training, learning to obey orders, especially the ones that make absolutely no sense. She was evidently also told her bangs were too long but not given any tools to remedy the situation, so she trimmed her bangs with a toenail clipper. I guess the boys have certain advantages by just having it all shaved off (She came close to just asking to have that done she was getting so frustrated with the odd demands.)

-No need to apologize for questions! Oh no! Twist my arm some more! Force me to talk about my daughter!  

(I’m sure I’ll come up with more)

[Willow]

... That site is https://www.basictrainingphotos.com/ if you're interested...
...

I'm a little slow.  How do we identify Kali's company on this site?

[Rams]

It looks like she's "livin' large"!  Kinda cool that she appears to be the top dog soldier-assistant in that pic; if that's the norm she is probably doing well -- and garnering some "good" attention from the powers that be.  As opposed to the kind of attention that gets your phone privileges revoked.    Kidding.

Heck. maybe she'll be running the place before long!

Not commenting on Kali's leadership here but, don't go by appearances in the pics.   I got fired three times from leadership positions while in recruit training.   Someone in my squad or platoon did something they shouldn't and as the say, the bucks stops at the top.  
Actually, they rotate leadership to see who's got potential.   Any excuse will do.  

Phone privileges?   My Lord, I remember getting to call home and tell Mom I was there and then got to call home again just prior to graduation.   All communication was by snail mail.   My goodness things have changed. 

Rams

[f6gal]

... That site is https://www.basictrainingphotos.com/ if you're interested...
...

I'm a little slow.  How do we identify Kali's company on this site?

I don't know about that site, but the FB page is https://www.facebook.com/BlackfootBCT.

[Serk]

... That site is https://www.basictrainingphotos.com/ if you're interested...
...

I'm a little slow.  How do we identify Kali's company on this site?

Fort Leonard Wood -> B210 -> The one with no date is the current cycle. But.... To actually SEE much of anything you gotta $$$, but don't worry, if anything of her pops up there I'll be putting it over here right quick...

It looks like she's "livin' large"!  Kinda cool that she appears to be the top dog soldier-assistant in that pic; if that's the norm she is probably doing well -- and garnering some "good" attention from the powers that be.  As opposed to the kind of attention that gets your phone privileges revoked.    Kidding.

Heck. maybe she'll be running the place before long!

Not commenting on Kali's leadership here but, don't go by appearances in the pics.   I got fired three times from leadership positions while in recruit training.   Someone in my squad or platoon did something they shouldn't and as the say, the bucks stops at the top.  
Actually, they rotate leadership to see who's got potential.   Any excuse will do.  

Phone privileges?   My Lord, I remember getting to call home and tell Mom I was there and then got to call home again just prior to graduation.   All communication was by snail mail.   My goodness things have changed. 

Rams

Other than the "I'm HERE!" calls, we haven't gotten to talk to her yet, evidently some of the DS are old school and will revoke phone privileges for any excuse. She had hers revoked because she didn't have an optional cord on her glasses she said, another girl lost hers because she was doing pushups and a button got a spec of dirt on it.

We have been writing and receiving copious amounts of snail mail. Evidently they let them call, maybe, on Sundays, we'll see if we get lucky finally this weekend, or not...

Noted about her leadership potential... Ya'll think I should e-mail her DS and say they should promote her to Corporal immediately because she's really, really good?  

[Serk]

... That site is https://www.basictrainingphotos.com/ if you're interested...
...

I'm a little slow.  How do we identify Kali's company on this site?

I don't know about that site, but the FB page is https://www.facebook.com/BlackfootBCT.

Yah, feel free to follow that one too (That's where all the pics I've posted thus far came from), but if so PLEASE don't post anything calling her out, trainees have been known to get MASSIVELY smoked for even the most innocuous call out there...  Evidently the DS monitor that page...

[The emperor has no clothes]

It looks like she's "livin' large"!  Kinda cool that she appears to be the top dog soldier-assistant in that pic; if that's the norm she is probably doing well -- and garnering some "good" attention from the powers that be.  As opposed to the kind of attention that gets your phone privileges revoked.    Kidding.

Heck. maybe she'll be running the place before long!

Not commenting on Kali's leadership here but, don't go by appearances in the pics.   I got fired three times from leadership positions while in recruit training.   Someone in my squad or platoon did something they shouldn't and as the say, the bucks stops at the top.  
Actually, they rotate leadership to see who's got potential.   Any excuse will do.  

Phone privileges?   My Lord, I remember getting to call home and tell Mom I was there and then got to call home again just prior to graduation.   All communication was by snail mail.   My goodness things have changed. 

Rams

It’s interesting how much they have. I guess it one of the benefits of getting old. You see a lot of change. Fired 3 times ? You’d have thought you learned the lesson after the first.  

[old2soon]

     Man I well Remember the gas chamber and fire fighting drills as fighting fires on board ship. And looks to me anywho like Our Gal in The U S Army taking to Military life like a duck takes to water!   Will She go to A I T or not? RIDE SAFE.

[Serk]

Will She go to A I T or not? RIDE SAFE.

From what we hear after graduation she'll go straight to the Defense Language Institute in Monterey California for 12-18 months of language instruction and then to Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo Texas for 3-6 months of signals intelligence, both being her AIT...

BTW, since a few folks had mentioned wanting to come to graduation but concerned about CCW, there's a sporting good store near the base that has lockers to store your firearm in so you don't have to risk taking it on base, I've been told their rates are very reasonable as well, although I haven't verified them (Like $1 a day range) - http://www.bowandbarrelsports.com/Storage.html

[f6gal]

-Evidently whichever commander was in charge the day she went through Reception decreed no females could have highlights in their hair, even if they're natural, and since her hair is naturally blonde with brunette highlights she was ordered to dye her hair a single monotone color and chose, as she called it "black black."

I hate to break it to you Serk, but I doubt this is her natural color.