For those of you who follow my Facebook updates you know that Dan was able to call home for the first time in 3 weeks on Saturday, October 15th. It was amazing to hear my husbands voice. I was prepared that there would be very limited calls in training. I have been told we should get them at the completion of each phase. Each phase is 3 weeks long. The phases are Red, White, Blue, Black & Gold. Once each phase is completed the restrictions should let up more. For example we just finished Red phase and I got no phone calls for 3 weeks and he barely had time to write 2 letters during his personal time. Now that we are moving into White phase I don't expect more phone calls but I do hope he has more personal time and is able to write home more.
Our phone call lasted 20 minutes and we were able to update each other on what is going on there and here. Dan said he did awesome on his run. He did a 2 mile run in around 12 minutes (not sure the seconds) he said he came in 3rd in the entire company! The DS call him "stud". They also made him march the company once. What an experience that must have been (no thank you!) He sounded so great. He is adjusting well and making friends. He said it is getting easier to deal with and that time is flying by. In fact there are 60 days left and he will be home for his 2 and a half week Christmas break. By Christmas break we should know where our first duty station will be. Two weeks after he returns to training I will be flying out for his graduation from OSUT (One Station Unit Training). He will remain at Ft Benning where he will complete his 2 and a half week Airborne training and then he will be done! I am not sure at this point if he will be allowed to come home and move with us or if he will go to the duty station and have Aiden and I meet him there. The Army will let us know how that works as we get closer.
Dan belongs to Golf Company 2/19 Infantry... Their nickname is ROCK FORCE! The company is broken down into 4 units (50 guys in each) Dan is in the 3rd platoon and their nickname is The Renegades. Golf company does have a Facebook page for family members but I ask that no one posts anything on it because the DS will definitely smoke (make the guys do extra PT) the guys for any comments on it. Instead I will copy the updates and pictures of Dan if and when they do update and post some for everyone to see!
When Dan was in reception he was assigned to the Delta AG Reception Battalion. I was able to locate their facebook page and found pictures of Dan during reception! (Reception is the period before the BCT starts... This was the first 10 days he was here before he was assigned to his G-Co 2/19 Infantry Battalion) I will share them below!
I wanted to share with those of you who do have a facebook page every Tuesday Fort Benning does what is called Tuesday Trivia at 2pm EST. They will ask a random question regarding Fort Benning and its history. The first two people to respond with the correct answer can request pictures to be taken of the company of their choice. In order to help us win these photos you need to have a facebook page... Then go to your facebook search bar and type in Fort Benning... Make sure you "like" their page as this will allow you to post on it. Then every Tuesday at 2pm EST (11am here) they will post a status with the trivia question. You need to post the correct answer as quick as you can as a comment underneath their status. Once the two winners have been selected they will ask you who you would like to be photographed. Dan's company is G-Co 2/19.
I think that is all the updates I have for now. Aiden and I are doing great. We are staying busy and are so thankful to all of you for your love and support. We are excited that the first month has flown by and are looking forward to seeing Dan on 12/16.
<3 The Soria Family
