SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 2004.

Week 2 pretty much down, and very little time to write. Today we had 8 hours of "holiday routine" to spend playing catchup, taking a longer shower, and writing letters. Except that I have more catchup to play than anyone else because of my position of yoeman for the division. On top of that, everyone is constantly asking me questions, even during my free time or when I'm about to go to sleep. "Yoeman, I'm sorry, but you're the only one who seems to know what's going on!"... Yes, ladies and gentlemen of my division, that's because I'm listening. So I've got limited time to begin with and more limits on the time I do have, and not as much sleep or time to eat as everyone else. But, the division (especially the ladies, since we spend more time together in the same compartment) is learning about how to help me and keep me caught up, at least a bit. So, this week has been really hard and really good at the same time. We had our PT-O test, the first (and purely evaluational) of three physical fitness tests we'll be having here at boot camp. It consists of pushups, sit-ups, and running a mile and a half. I couldn't do one real pushup and more than maybe 25 situps in a row when I enlisted in March. And until the test, they couldn't make us do any pushups or other physical punishments/training, so I hadn't gotten any stronger since before I left. And yet on the test, I did 31 pushups, 78 situps, and ran my 1.5m in 12:23 or less. So, very excited about that.

I also have absolutely secured my place as the leaderingest recruit in the division. Normally the yoeman is more quiet and just does his/her office work, apparently, but not so with me. I'm the one that when I start talking, everyone is quiet. They may not actually start doing what I say, but they're quiet. Which can't always be said when the senior chief or petty officers are speaking, although everyone is quickly getting out of that habit. Speaking of habits, since the only writing I do here is in RECRUIT HANDWRITING, I'm amazingly fast at losing my old handwriting, which is why this letter must be horendous. Not to mention my spelling. And as you (Beth) may have noticed, my numbers have all changed to recruit numbers, too. In more important news, I've gotten really good at folding my clothes nightly and making sure my rack (bed) is made well every time I get out of it (I NEVER made my bed at home, except maybe once a year some years of my adult life) and eating quickly. One of the hardest things for me to remember is not making eye contact when being spoken to, especially while standing at attention. And not saying sir or ma'am except to officers and civilians.

And of course, one of the hardest parts of bootcamp ever is taking a hit for someone else messing up.

So, we have about ten minutes left... Ok, had to clean up some stuff so they could "swab the deck" (they being my "shipmates"), so I've pretty much gotta close it up now.

The only 3 girls that received letters today were because they were prority mail, so I haven't received anything yet. If you do write me, which I would REALLY appreciate, just know it'll take a bit longer than normal to get to me, and that I may not always have time to reply. I think on future Sundays, I may just hole myself up in a corner and write for more of the time, but for now this one blog entry for this week will be enough. It has to be, because I have to go use the "head" now (bathroom), and then I'll probably have to work out a little for not finishing all my ironing. (I had to spend two hours at the Doc's today for a five minute discussion about a real nasty virus or food reaction I had last night that's fully gone now.)

Love & miss ya'll!

Your Dearest Patty

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Additional info (from Beth):

-- Patty's Basic Training is scheduled to last approximately 9 weeks.
-- "Recruits are not allowed to receive food items in the mail while at Boot Camp due to sanitation concerns. ALL FOOD ITEMS RECEIVED WILL BE DISCARDED."
-- If you send a package, do not send bulky items as there is no storage space for them.
-- Any money should be sent by means of postal money order rather than personal check.
-- "All USPS mail delivery, even express and overnight, typically takes between 5 and 10 days."
-- "RTC does not have facilities for recruits to receive incoming phone calls."

Patty says she loves everyone and misses all terribly and will write again ASAP.