Proud Soldier Mom

Ryan is Stateside

2010-08-19T23:18:00.002-04:00

He's finally back on U.S. ground!! It's been a long year but it could have been longer. He was suppose to be deployed 18 months. Travel back was problem free. Now, I can't wait until he gets his leave.

Sorry It''s Been So Long

2009-07-28T10:45:00.004-04:00

Sorry this is a long over due update. Ryan has been at Ft Bliss in ElPaso,Texas for about 5 months already. He lives in the barracks with a roommate. He's received a promotion, bought his 1st truck, got a tattoo & getting ready to turn 19! He actually went out into the field yesterday for pre-deployment training. It looks like he'll be deploying this fall...:~( I new this day would come....he's ready...I'm not! He was able to come home for the 4th & joined us on a family camping trip in PA.

2009-07-28T10:43:00.001-04:00

Ryan got a tattoo!!!

Ryan Graduated Basic Training At Ft. Jackson

2008-09-30T11:52:00.002-04:00

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with this blog. Our trip was amazing! We had family Day on Thursday where we were able to spend the entire day on post with Ryan. He is such a changed young man. I am so proud of him. The base is small & it was chilly & rained on Graduation day but to see him after these LONG 10 weeks was worth it. We were able to drive him to his AIT base at Ft Eustis, VA because it was within so many miles. We took him to VA Beach for a few hours & had a wonderful time. He is doing well at his new company & alreay starts classes today. He should know around Christmas time his orders for his home base.

Pvt Panter

2008-09-30T11:50:00.000-04:00

Started White Phase

2008-08-10T22:05:00.003-04:00

Ryan has started Phase II or "White Phase" , this is when soldiers begin firing weapons. With the assault rifle (M16 A2), they fire at various targets, which are progressively further-and-further downrange, resulting in more-and-more difficult shooting. By the way he named his rifle "Abbey" Also, there are pop-up targets at long range. Other weapons he'll be using are grenades & grenade launchers. He'll practice using his bayonet, attached to a dummy rifle.

The second week of Phase II involves more use with the bayonet, anti-tank/armor weaponry & other heavy weapons. There is an obstacle course which the soldiers are expected to finish in a certain amount of time. AKA "confidence course" since the main objective is to build self-confidence. He also he to start working as a team with his "Battle Buddy"

There is continual, intense physical training (PT), drill & ceremony training. At the end of Phase II, soldiers demonstrate proficiency with the weapons they've been training with.

2nd Week - Red Phase

2008-08-05T17:40:00.012-04:00

Ryan just compled red phase, week 2. Total control by the drill sargents (DS) continued, & he's had courses on Army Core Values, sexual harassment, race relations, fundamentals of bayonet fighting & and 1st aid training. He's also been hacking, coughing, and crying in the "Gas Chamber." (TODAY) The Gas Chamber usually occurs in the afternoon, shortly after lunch. Hopefully he ate a light lunch today. While in the chamber, he has to take off his mask twice, state his name, rank, & social security #, then he gets to put it back on. He may be able to keep his eyes closed & not breathe but the DS (Drill Sargent) will probably make sure he opens his eyes & take at least 1 breath before letting him out of the chamber. FYI: Tear gas won't kill you, but it'll make you wish you were dead.

Also during the second week, he got his rifle. In the Army, it is never called a "gun." It's an M16A2 Rifle & he named it "Abbey". They all name their Rifles. He doesn't get to shoot it yet. He's been learning how to hold it, point it, take it apart, clean it, put it back together, take it apart, put it together, take it apart once more, put it together one more time! As Ryan put it,he's been learning to fling it around. Hopefully, only while marching.

One of the requirements of Army Basic Training is to keep your locker locked at all times & keep it clean. Ryan says his is "always" neat. If it's not the DS tears it apart & makes them clean it again.

During the final week of Phase I, the DS begins to take training away from "individual" & make it "team" He'll be assigned a "Battle Buddy," & throughout the remainder of Basic, everything his Battle Buddy does wrong, Ryan gets "the credit" At least he'll no longer be alone when being "dropped" or "smoked" He'll go everywhere & do everything with his "buddy"

Of course, as with all weeks, PT & drills continue, as well as more training/practice taking his Rifle apart, & putting it together.

HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY, RYAN!

2008-07-31T11:12:00.004-04:00

With warmest wishes and special thoughts of you on your day. It's your 18th birthday, Ryan - hope you are having a GREAT day! Wishing You Happiness Today and Always. Love You & Miss You!

Ryan Made It Into Red Phase Week 1 Early

2008-07-25T10:58:00.006-04:00

Abbey got a call from Ryan yesterday. They talked for 8 minutes. He started basic (BCT) early, suppose to start today but started this past Monday. Still alot of yelling & screaming. Getting plenty to eat but not much time. He tackled the 40ft rock climbing wall! Also, if they get in trouble they don't get their shower & have to wear the same clothes the next day. YUCK...They've been really busy but wanted me to know there's a letter on the way, he wrote 1 sentence each day because of no time. Abbey said he sounded real good, positive spirits & he talked alot. I'm happy he's ok & sounds good.

Ft Jackson Heat

2008-07-22T12:23:00.000-04:00

Today is supposed to be 103. Hope Ryan drinks plenty of water.

FYI From Another Soldier's Mom 10 Tips

2008-07-18T10:05:00.001-04:00

1. Your Soldier will get the "you're probably going to go to Iraq & die speech" in early training, this is all part of the process.

2. It's agonizing waiting for 1st phone call & it will be short so, forward phones to cell if leaving or have your Soldier call your cell. Keep paper & pen handy to get address.

3. Don't send anything unless they ask for it. It is hard not being able to do much but it is better than getting them "smoked" for it. Stuff will get thrown away, don't waste money.

4. There are lapses between mail, even if you've been sending letters daily they may not get them for awhile. Hang in there if you get a "no one has mailed me letter" from them, if you've been writing they'll get it eventually.

5. Some companies allow cell phones but most don't so the best you can do is a phone card Be warned they have to call from pay phones & phone cards eat alot of minutes just to connect. Read the fine print on the back.

6. When they get to make calls there maybe people in the background, the connection may be bad, they may have to hang up abruptly. Make sure they have heard right away that you love them are proud of them and you believe in them.

7. Encourage them as best you can they are sore, homesick, sleep deprived & have no privacy so you will get down phone calls & letters keep repeating they can do this & you are proud of them.

8. A good number of them end up sick &/or injured, end up in sick call & probably won't get much info till after the fact or by time you get the info in a letter they will be back in training but you won't know till later because of the mail time warp.

9. They are going to have those in their group that don't get it & get the rest in trouble. Again encourage them & know that they have to learn to work it out "there are always those that will never get it and we have to watch out for them", after the squad leaders got smoked, they have ways of working out their problems.

10. They will get through this and later will laugh as they tell you some of the stories of things that seemed so traumatic but now are funny.

Mom's Basic Training Diary

2008-07-18T09:59:00.002-04:00

At Fort Jackson

Enroute:
July 15: Left Home, recruiter drove Ryan to MEPS, Indianapolis, IN

Week Zero
July 16: Went to MEPS to see Ryan swear in, met him at airport for lunch, flight left at 3:40pm, was able to have lunch with Ryan while waiting on his plane, received a call from Ryan while on layover in Charlotte, NC

Arrived at Fort Jackson for Reception processing

July 17: Received 1 minute call from Ryan saying there was alot of yelling & screaming. He sounded tired. He only got 1 hour of sleep.

July 22: No word yet. I guess no news is good news

July 24: Got a "form letter" from Ryan with his address, FINALLY. This week has been an emotional roller coaster. Abbey got an 8minute call, Ryan's doing well. He's homesick. DS is cool. The made him do a 40ft propel he was scared but HE DID IT & passed!! (he's afraid of heights)
Found out he started Red Phase 4 days early (7-21/08)

July 31: Ryan's I8th Birthday!! I Miss My Baby!! (I don't care if he's a man now. He'll always be MY baby)

August 24: Got a letter from Ry it says..."holy crap you send alot of letters...but I love every last 1...It's not hard here...Just lots of push ups...Everyone hates each other because we never pass inspection...there's always 1 thing...We got our M16A2's & we practice flinging those around...I eat 1 big butt plate every time we eat but sometimes there not enough time TO eat...Lunch line is strict...they ask alot of questions & if you get it wrong which most do except me...you go to the end of the line...Going on a 1.5 mile hike tomorrow...I'm tired...doing laundry while doing fire guard...been another 19 hour day for the 14th day in a row."

Phase 2 (3 weeks)
Phase 3 (3 weeks)
Family Day Thursday, September 25th
Graduation Friday, September 26th
Leaves for AIT - Ft. Eustis, VA

Ryan Left For BCT

2008-07-17T14:25:00.000-04:00

Basic combat training (BCT) is Ryan's first step toward a challenging but rewarding experience. Its purpose is to transform soldiers into disciplined, motivated, physically fit soldiers who believe in teamwork & "The Army's 7 core values"

Loyalty
Duty
Respect
Selfless service
Honor
Integrity &
Personal courage

Right now Ryan is in his 2nd day of processing (Reception). Processing is usually lasts 4-10 days. Ryan will receive orientation, get fitted & issued Army uniforms, establish personnel records, obtain his ID card, receive visual,dental & physical exams, physical fitness tests & receive immunizations he may need. He will begin learning the Army core values and basic military skills during this phase. From the Reception Battalion soldiers are “shipped” to a basic training unit on Fort Jackson.