Army Training? Technically...DONE!

Josh's formal AIT training ended last week!

All of his weapons, tactical and military law training will culminate in his final FTX, they deploy first thing on Monday morning. The word from MP's and even the DS's is that this next week will be the most fun that they have in their training experience at Fort Leonard Wood. This time, no ruck march but they will spend alot of time in the Humvee's and work through real life scenarios with an emphasis on things they will encounter on a deployment. Josh spent some time last week taking and setting up equipment on site, they won't be in tents this time but in wooden huts on the training facility.

Yesterday was his final PT test...which he passed with flying colors...there are a few who did not...this is the last test to ensure that he will graduate on time. Sept 16th...(I can hardly wait to see my boy!)

Some of the training highlights since my last update have included MOUT (Military Ops Urban Training), grenade launchers (Josh's exact words were big ass grenade launcher) final written exams, and some misc weapons training...it's probably really hard to top big ass grenade launchers...he said this was more fun than the day that he got to shoot three different types of machine guns...

He was also fitted for his class A uniform...he told me next time I see him, this is what he will be wearing...did I mention that I can hardly wait to see him?

We talked about his duty station in Fort Drum NY, he is contemplating trading in his Silverado for a 4WD vehicle...they don't get just a dusting of snow...they get lots of snow...in fact...they send soldiers from Alaska to Fort Drum for cold weather training...now, what does that say?

The best part about Fort Drum of course is that he will be with his buddy Trent in the Spring when he returns from Afghanistan. Interesting to note that Trent left Konduz last week for Phoenix, he's on leave, it will take him 3-5 days to get home and he will be here for about two weeks. Ironically, he will miss Josh by only one or two days...

We had a great chat and we did talk about deployment a little bit...From my perspective, this is scary and nerve wracking. Granted he has not been deployed yet but, this is what the training has been all about. He has had the opportunity to talk to other soldiers that have been to the middle east and their experiences have been varied. Their best advice is deployment is what you make it. It goes back to attitude being such a decisive factor in the outcome of any situation...

Thanks for reading and supporting our family in this new and exciting adventure...stay tuned...

PS...If you are sending Josh any snail mail...final mailings must be sent by Sept 1st to ensure he gets it before graduation...

PSS...did I mention that I can hardly wait to see him??