Barracks Inspection and What a Difference a Week Makes...

Last week (7/25/10) I did not make a posting...there was a failed barracks inspection and no pass to make phone calls on Sunday. Have I been spolied with weekly phone calls? Yes, I most certainly have!

Flash forward to this week...

Josh called this morning at 6:22am...waking me from my food coma as I have eaten my way through the Great Northwest on vacation...

He sounded very chipper on this day, he had an early pass...

Over the past couple of weeks, they have finished the "Death by PowerPoint" portion of MP training, and survived. They are learning all kinds of arrest and patrol techniques. Sounds to me like the highlight has been the vehicular obstacle course that they run at about 50 mph...he got to drive like Jack Bauer, something he has always wanted to do. The next part of training will be mock patrols throughout the base in official Fort Leonard Wood patrol vehicles.

They are done with all ofthe weapons part of training and are focused on the hands on part of being an MP. All the training will culminate a few weeks in his final FTX.

Graduation has been confirmed in a letter from the commander as Sept 16th. We will all fly back to Phoenix on Sept 17th. Part of his contract includes a home town recruiting obligation that will keep him with us for 3-4 weeks...

Then, on Oct 24th he will report to his permanent duty station, Fort Drum NY. Located close to the Canadian border (in case Canada attacks I suppose) in upstate NY. Winters are brutal, so it is this moms hope that the Army provides long underwear and mittens. The best part about this assignment is that he will be stationed with his buddy Trent who is currently serving in Afghanistan...Josh will be part of the 10th Mountain Division...deployment will be from this unit...