FINALLY!!! We got to see our boy… wait… Strike that!!! MAN! And WOW has he changed! In this post you will find a link to some pic’s from our visit. I just threw it together to get them online and available to all so there is no commentary. When I find the time I’ll add info.
1st shots are of Devin and his “battle buddy”. This is mandatory for all leaving the base. Devin teamed with PFC Alan Buckalew (Buck) and it was a good choice. Cindy and I really liked this young man and feel that he embodies what a “dedicated soldier” and a buddy should be. His family wasn’t able to make the trip (they live in the frozen arctic somewhere in Minnesota, which I believe is just a little right of the North Pole!) but they should be proud as hell of their soldier! We bonded instantly, and he was a pleasure to have with us. He, like Devin, was not interested in “partying”, but rather indulging in their “freedom” by having a few good meals, shopping for needed items, and just relaxing. Both he and Devin are focused on their goal and, on a number of occasions, voiced their satisfaction with their decision and commitment to “be all they could be”! I wish they were going to be serving together after basic, but they are going on to separate stations, Buck to infantry in Texas, and Devin’s staying on at Benning for Airborne training. Whoever teams with “Buck Nasty” (his nickname in the platoon… I’m assured it is a good nickname) I am sure will be getting great “battle buddy”!
For a couple of weeks now Devin has been the platoon guide… “PG”. This has earned him the nickname ”papa golf”. He calls cadence when they are training in formation and has had to learn all those step keeping ditties you hear in the movies. His drill Sgt. has stated that he is “squared away”. I’m assured that is a good thing also.
Back to the pic’s… After the pic’s of the guy’s there is a pic of one of the Airborne jump towers. There was a cluster of three or four of these at the Benning training facility. ( As an aside, when he graduates he will walk across the street to a barracks for “Airborne Hold”, until a spot opens up. It could be one to three or four weeks.) Next follows their barracks, obstacle course and PT (physical training) facilities. Pic 027 is of the graduation field.
Last are the guy’s and a couple of our goodby schmaltzy stuff.
We had a GREAT visit and are as proud as parents can be. If these two guy’s are representative of the new group of soldiers coming up… the country is in good hands! (How’s THAT for patriotic rhetoric!)
Love y’all, and take care! PLEASE write a comment on the pics and contribute to the site often!!!!
papaj
To all,
Thank You for every ones support as I take care of something I believe in very deeply. I have had nothing but support from my family and friends, with the exception of one.
It seems that every one knows that I will be stationed at Fort Bragg with the 82nd Airborne. While I’m in Airborne school I will have the chance to continue my training and attend RIP (Ranger Indoctrination Program). Not really sure what I want to do as of now. After RIP I will have the chance to attend Ranger school. If I don’t go this route I will be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan with in 30 to 90 days of completion of Airborne school.
I’m am now on a 36 hour pass from basic and am spending it with Mud and Dad. It’s a great relief to get away for a bit and to spend it with mom and dad is just that much better. We have five weeks of basic left before it’s all said and done with. On Monday we have a ten mile ruck march. Then we will be training in urban ops and then FTX (Field Training Exercise). It’s what we have been building up to for the past 10 weeks. Six days out in the field preforming missions and rucking 25 to 30 miles. When we finish we will be real infantry men.
Thanks to all for being there and I love every one. I will see all of you soon!
PFC Carey
P.S. Thanks Papa for the Bill Mauldin book. It is a big hit with the men in my platoon!
Hey little bro! Forgive me for not having written sooner. I only hope you get to see this post this weekend. I’m so excited…I’ve never ‘blogged’ before! I hope I’m doing this right!
We have really enjoyed getting your letters. Evan has been all about some Uncle Devin lately! Our neighbor has this riding toy airplane (imagine pedals) and it says Army on it. I told Evan that it is the kind of airplane Uncle Devin rides in. Evan then said “I’m going to the Army with Uncle Devin. We’re going to ride airplanes together”. It was really cute! Of course I didn’t tell my baby that you would be jumping out of the airplanes. There’s no telling what he would have said or done after that! It sounds like you are really getting into the tough part now. But at least you are half way through boot camp, YIPEE! We are thrilled you are going to be in North Carolina, you will only be about 5 hours from us! Plus, we have good friends in Raleigh, which isn’t too far from Fort Bragg (if I am remembering my very limited NC geography correctly). But my NC geography knowledge is basically limited to the names of cities on the big green signs on I-95! We will have to make a trip up there to see you. We are sorry you won’t make it down for the ‘lightning McQueen’ party. We will see you later that week though, then again at mom and dad’s two weeks later. Well, mommy duty calls…hope you have a great weekend off. We’ll talk to you soon! We love you bunches!
Y’all keep your phones close 4-26/27. You never know who might call…! 
papaj
Of course… with all things Army, that could possibly change. But for now we’re thrilled for him and us. North Carolina is doable. (He/we were afraid it might be Alaska)
It looks like we’ll finally get to see him this weekend. Pretty much confirmed if he doesn’t get in trouble. A mid-term break is usually standard proceedure. Buncha rules and verbottens he has to navigate but I’m sure he’s looking forward to 36 hours off-base. Some FAQ’s HERE .
There is also some Benning info HERE . Cruise around, there’s some good information there.
There are some new pic’s on the Soldiers Chapel website under the 2-58 Alpha heading, Couldn’t see Devin in any but at least you can see what his platoon is doing.
Y’all check back next week for pic’s of our weekend with Devin! I’ll post ASAP after we get back!
Love y’all!
papaj
I hear they’re gong to let you go free for a few hours this weekend. GREAT ! Wish we could be there withyyou, but I’m sure you’ll have a ball anyway. Maybe we’ll see you on your next leave. Do you know when that’ll be ?
We hear that you’re going to North Carolina from here. That certainly beats Alaska; at least you’ll still be on the east coast.
Anyway, enjoy your weekend with your parents. They are soooo looking forward to it !
Love you much,
Grammy (and Grampa)
Hey, PFC –got a “Devin-o-gram” from your folks yesterday; seems they’re going down to see you next week. Great. Don’t do anything to lose the time off now.
Sounds like you’re getting along pretty well; he says you’re headed for the 82nd Airborne. That’s the guys who lead the charge and jump first, right? Well, you’re joining a long line of real soldiers there.
Hope you enjoyed the cartoon book we sent; it was the infantry “bible” in WWII (the BIg One). Bill Mauldin traveled all over Italy and France and Germany with the infantry and drew the cartoons as he went.
All is quiet here; Spring has sprung and the grass has riz (wonder where the birdies is?) and we’re getting the yard squared away. Grammy is sporting around in her new car, and I’m putting around in my old junk as usual. Got to get the electric scooter out of the garage and get it running pretty quick. I’m a charter member of Hells Angels Senior Division, you know. Motorcyclists pass me by and bust out laiughing. That’s OK — it’s pretty hard to break my old bones traveling at 5 mph.
Hope to see you when you get home; we’re saving our pennies for the trip South some time soon.
Meantime, stay safe –and that’s an order !
Grampa