Sunday, April 26, 2009

Questions? Fun, silly and serious

OK,
After talking to Jacob today I came up with a fun idea for family and friends. In this section of the blog you can write any questions you have for him. They can be funny/silly questions, like "Does your bed squeek?" they can be curious questions like "how far do you have to run?" or even serious questions like "how are you holding up today?" 
I will print them off and he will answer them and send them back. He really needs anything we can do to lift his spirits and help him through his days. Love y'all!

First Round of Q and A. He loves the questions keep them coming!
Q: What do you miss most? A: sleeping in my own bed
Q:What is the coolest thing you have learned? A:My DS is a Army sniper w/ multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has provided me with a lot of knowledge in the area of shooting. My marksmanship has reached a whole new level.
Q: Can I send you magazines? A: no
Q: Have you had latrine duty? A: yes, cleaning a bathroom used by 53 other soldiers is not very cool. I have actually paid others to do it for me. Does that answer you question Elbie?
Q: Have you been in trouble, and what does punishment look like? A: I have not personally been in trouble yet but, I have been "smoked"plenty of times for other people's actions. Getting smoked is just a punishment of some sort of painful, physical exercise or task, such as push up's, moutain climbers, electric chair, etc.
Q:What is the food like?A: It is not too bad. Just imagine your high school cafeteria, but we only have 7 minutes to eat. I actually enjoy eating the MRE's out in the field more than eating at the DFAC (dining facility) The thing I crave most is french fries and ice cream.
Q:Have you made any friends? A: yes, several. Not all the guys are young punks, there are several close to my age that I have become close to. It is amazing how preconcieved notions about people just disappear when you are crammed into a small living space, and forced to undergo rigorous training together. Racial, socio-economic, and age barriers just disappear. We are all in it together and we are having one hell of a time.
Q: If you continue to shave your head will your hair ever come back? A: I sure hope so. They shave it for us every other week down to the scalp. It is a good look for me though.
Q: Have you meet Gomer Pyle yet? A: Yes, he is from Andalusia, Alabama and he is Gomer all the way. Whenever I feel down and need a good laugh, I go see him.
Q:Do you have any contact with the outside world? A: None! I have no clue what is going on outside these walls. I look forward to our trips to the barber shop, because they have a TV and I can usually catch about 10-15 minutes of something.
Q:What is it like to throw a grenade? A: AWESOME! After you throw it and duck down it seems like an eternity before it goes off, but when it does you can feel the concussion in your chest and the sound is deafening. It is much more violent that what you see on TV.
Q:Who is your battle buddy? Where is he from? Do you like him? A: His name is Dominic Nieblas from Chicago, Illinois. He is 24 years old and engaged. He is a diesel mechanic in the real world and his job in the Army will be to fix and repair heavy equipment. We get along very well and it makes life here mush easier.





37 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. What is the best/coolest thing you have learned?

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  3. Have you been "in trouble" any? And if so, what does punishment look like?-for you or anyone else

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  4. What is the food like?-What do you crave from home?

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  5. Have you made any friends?! lol. Or is that not really something that happens at BCT? haha

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  6. If you continue to shave your head, will your hair ever come back?? Yes, I am picking on you, but seriously mine hasn't come back yet and I"m starting to get concerned.

    In all that free time you have up there, do you get to turkey hunt?

    Proud of you buddy.

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  7. Y'all are going to regret setting up this posting, I have so many questions! lol. I'm trying to hold back.

    Do you have any kind of contact with "the outside world"? T.V., newspapers, magazines? Or do they at least tell you what's happening around the world, such as the Swine Flu epidemic?

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  8. What is it like to throw a grenade?

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  9. Who is your Battle Buddy? Where is he from? do you like him?

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  10. when you are shooting your guns and throwing granades do they dress the traget up like bin laden?

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  11. Do they ever read your mail or hold it? (that you know of)

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  12. Seen any turkeys? (the animal variety)

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  13. Have you been getting the Newspaper articles that I print and send to you?

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  14. Do y'all play "Round the Mess Hall"? lol

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  15. I know it's all a challenge, but what has been the absolute hardest thing you have done so far?

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  16. Have you met many others with a strong faith? What is it like being a person of faith in this environment?

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  17. What is the chaplain like and how are the church services?

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  18. Are the DS's as abusive as you see portrayed on TV?

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  19. Are you tired of sand yet? Think you will ever want to go to the beach again?

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  20. Did you know that Jacob has been the most popular name for boys for 10 years in a row?

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  21. Has it been raining there too? I think I just saw the animals pairing up and walking in two's.

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  22. Do you have to run and do the obstacle courses in the rain?

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  23. Do you ever talk to the other guys about each others families? Do any of them have kids too?

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  24. Well first of all, back to my punishment question. You mentioned electric chair??!?? Please explain.

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  25. Is there any particular thing you know you have to do (or have already done) that you fear or just truely do not look forward to?

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  26. What kind of "training" will you have to/plan to keep up once you are back home?

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  27. How many women are at BCT? How do they hold up to the rest?

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  28. Do you get to drive/ride in a Hum-V or tank?!?

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  29. Mentioning the preconcieved notions- is there any significant belief, epiphany, judegement, etc. you had before that is just completely changed since this experience?

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  30. Do you get to go the little PX/troop store?

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  31. If so do they tell you what you can and can't buy? (one of James' brothers said this was true)

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  32. How many of the guys in your platoon have been discharged? Why did it happen?

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